How to Make Valentine's Gel Candles

Gel candles are one of the most popular types of candles on the market today. They have a 3-D effect that is mesmerizing, and they burn twice as long as paraffin candles. Once you start making gel candles you won't want to stop. Valentine's Day candles can be beautiful, and the gel sets off a romantic glow when lit. These candles are fun and easy to make and they make great gifts. Soon you'll be making them for all the holidays.

Things You'll Need

• Glass containers (preferably hearts)
• Glass red and clear rocks
• Small metal or glass hearts
• Candle gel
• Liquid red gel coloring
• Gel candle scent
• Silver or clear glitter
• Zinc wicks
• Electric kitchen kettle
• Glass measuring cup
• Metal skewer for mixing
• Candy or candle thermometer
• Toothpicks
• Thin red ribbon

Instructions

1. Prepare your containers. You can use any glass containers. For Valentine's Day, though, it's nice to have a heart shaped one. Make two different shapes. Get one that is tall and look for the deepest candy dish you can find for the other. In a tall container place a wick in the center. If you are using a candy dish, use three wicks. One in each section of the top of the heart and one nearer to the point at the bottom. Take your red and clear glass rocks and put them on the bottom of the container. The rocks should hold your wicks in place.

2. Melt the gel. Cut the gel into chunks and put it in the electric kettle. If you do not have an electric kettle, you can use a stainless steel pot on the stove. Never leave the melting gel unattended. The gel has to heat to between 200 and 220 degrees. Any hotter and the gel will start to get cloudy.

3. Add the color and scent. Use dye and scents made only for gel candles. They burn different than the products for paraffin candles and are the safest to use. Dip the end of a toothpick into the color dye and mix it into the melted gel. You do not want the get to be so dark that you can't see the rocks or glitter. Add a quarter teaspoon of your favorite scent and if you want it stronger add a drop at a time until you have the scent where you want it. Put in some glitter and stir with a metal skewer or other metal object.

4. Pour the gel into the container slowly. If you pour too fast, you will have bubbles. Check to make sure your wicks are standing up straight. If not, wrap the ends around pencils and lay the pencils across the top of the container. Let the gel cool and trim the wicks to a quarter to a half inch over the gel.

5. Make another candle. This time, use a small clear bowl container and leave the gel clear. Suspend some red metal or glass hearts in the candle. Let the gel start to cool in the container and push the hearts down to the level you want them with the metal skewer. Tie a red ribbon around the lip of the container or make a bow and hot glue it on.

Tips & Warnings

• If you heat your container in the oven to around 150 degrees before you pour in your gel, it will stop some of the bubbles from forming.

• Melted gel is very hot, you should wear gloves when pouring it and never leave it unattended.

• In case of fire, use a chemical fire extinguisher, not water or baking soda as they will make the fire worse.