How to Use a Flat Iron to Carve a Candle
Surface techniques are more than half the fun of making candles. Carved candles are often not carved at all but are rather poured into either two-piece plastic molds or one-piece silicone molds. These types of molds lend themselves to molding candles with interesting shapes and high relief patterns because they are peeled off the candle. Household items such as an old iron are used to decorate the surface of candles and make striking patterns and contrasts.
Things You'll Need
- High relief candle
- Double boiler or wax melting pot
- Candy thermometer
- Wooden spoon
- Paraffin wax
- Beeswax
- Candle dye
- Newspaper
- Paper plate
- Iron
- Bowl of cold water
- Soft towel
Instructions
-
-
1
Start with a candle with "high relief." The higher the pattern or relief on the candle, the more striking this technique will turn out.
-
2
Melt paraffin wax and beeswax together in a double boiler. Use about 10 percent beeswax to paraffin. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to mix.
The double boiler must be taller than the candle. If you have a six-inch tall cylinder with a relief pattern, use a make-shift double boiler made out of an old pot and a tall coffee or other metal can. Melt the wax in the can. Melt enough wax so that you can completely dip and cover the candle with the wax.
Melt the wax to a temperature of 180 degrees F. Measure the temperature with a candy thermometer.
-
-
3
Add candle dye in a color that contrasts with your candle. For example, if you have a bright yellow candle, dye the melted wax dark blue or black. The technique works best with a light colored candle and dark colored wax, but any two contrasting colors will do.
Stir gently with a wooden spoon to mix. Test the color of your wax by dripping a little on a white paper plate. In a few seconds, you will see the color of the wax. Add more dye if the color on the plate is not deep enough.
-
4
Heat the candle gently with a hair dryer or heat gun for best results. Dip the candle into the 180 degree F wax for three seconds. Remove. Wait at least one minute.
Repeat two times. After you have overdipped your candle three times, you may dip in cold water to speed the cooling process. Dry the candle gently with a soft towel.
-
5
Spread out newspaper to catch wax drips. Set the iron to medium heat. Apply the candle to the iron where the high relief pattern is on the candle. Always apply the candle to the iron, not the other way around. As you work, you should see a striking contrast on the surface of the candle.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
All candle making supplies should be kept separate from other household supplies. The candy thermometer must not be used for food, and the iron must not be used to iron clothing.
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
