How to Make Electric Cinnamon Bun Candles
Electric candles are a fantastic twist on a comforting favorite. You still get the soft beauty provided by the flickering glow and the fantastic aroma, without the worry of fires or the mess of melted wax. The project outlined below is for a simple electric cinnamon bun candle. The process is bit messy and can take up a good portion of your day, but the result is gorgeous gift-worthy creation that is well worth the energy and effort.
Things You'll Need
- Newspapers
- 3 1/2 pounds paraffin wax
- Large coffee can
- Pan large enough to hold the coffee can
- Mold release powder
- Soybean oil
- Candle mold, 4 to 5 inches tall and 5 inches in diameter
- Wick plug
- Mold sealing putty
- Mold release spray
- Candy thermometer
- Butter knife
- Candle lamp with silicon bulb
- Small, sharp knife
- Vybar 103
- Candle color chips
- 1 oz. cinnamon bun fragrance oil
- Wire whisk
- Ginger boy cookie cutter (optional)
Instructions
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1
Cover the area in which you will be working with sheets of newspaper to protect the surfaces of your home and to simplify the clean up.
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2
Gather all the materials on the list and place them within easy reaching distance.
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3
Place 3 1/2 pounds of wax into a large coffee can. Place the can into a large pan filled one-third of the way with water. Turn the heat below the pan to medium and begin melting the wax, stirring occasionally.
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4
Add 3 1/2 tsp. of mold release product to the melted wax and mix thoroughly. Then add 3 tbsp. of soybean oil. Stir until well blended.
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5
Place your mold on a flat surface and seal any wick openings by inserting wick plugs. Press a layer of mold sealing putty across the top of the wick plug to ensure there is no wax seepage from the opening.
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6
Coat the interior of the mold with silicon spray release. Place the prepared mold into an empty sink or tub. When the hot wax mixture has reached approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit, transfer the melted wax to the mold.
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7
Surround the candle mold with ice or cold water, taking care not to allow any water to splash into the candle wax and watch the candle cool. When the edges of the candle have cooled, forming a solid layer approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick, remove the mold from the water.
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8
Skim the thin film of wax from the top of the candle with a butter knife. The wax in the center of the mold will not be solid, yet. Pour the liquid wax back into the coffee can. This will leave a solid cup or shell inside the candle mold.
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9
Set the mold aside to allow the remaining candle shell to cool and harden completely.
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10
Remove the solid candle from the mold. Using a small knife, carve a light circle in the candle shell near the bottom of the cup. Carefully remove the wax, a little at a time, gradually enlarging it until you have created a hole that is wide enough for the plug of the lamp to slide through.
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Reheat the wax you removed from the center of the candle. When the melted wax has reached approximately 175 degrees Fahrenheit, stir in 1 1/2 tsp. of vybar 103 wax hardener, 2 tsp. of candle dye chips, and 1 oz. of cinnamon bun fragrance oil. Stir until well blended.
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12
Let the wax mixture cool until a thin skin forms over the top. Then, use a whisk to vigorously beat the wax, whipping it until fluffy.
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13
Apply the whipped wax to the outside of the candle shell, smoothing and pressing down with a butter knife. If desired, shapes can be cut out of the whipped wax for decorative effect. Simply place the candle on a flat surface, inserting one hand into the cup to hold the candle still. Press a cookie cutter into the warm whipped wax until you feel the resistance of the set shell beneath. Slowly remove the cookie cutter and gently pull the wax out, leaving a cut-out design in the candle.
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14
Position the lamp within the candle shell and pull the plug through the gap in the wax.
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Tips & Warnings
Powdered micas or craft glitter can be added to the colored wax for a shimmer effect. You can use any color of candle dye you'd like, but for a cinnamon bun candle, red or brown are the most common choices.
Use care when working with hot wax. Keep a fire extinguisher and first aid kit containing burn medication nearby, just in case.
