Mama Dozer

Vicky_Co and Jcandleattic, et al - Thank you so much for the responses. Unfortunately, Chrissy doesn't have a way of forwarding me any photos (she got, but had to return a cell phone, as she was not able to use it.). Yes, it is a forever candle. I wish you could see it, as it's a work of art! The oval hole does go completely through the candle - it's rather large and - if I remember correctly - has an Putti sort of angel or cherub suspended in it. Old gold glitter, ribbons, pearl-headed pins inserted through gold beads, hand-painted filigree around the hole, set on a hand-carved capital (sp?) with a white wash. Can/would either of you or others suggest a good, basic candle-making book for beginners? Chrissy is very visual, so something with photos and/or drawings would be excellent. And terms, as well. Read that Pam should be sprayed on a towel and wiped on, rather than sprayed on, to avoid the pocking. Also read (in this forum) that silicone and PVC don't get along all that well. Open for any and all suggestions. Again, my thanks.

Okay, folks, my incredibly artistic, but not computer savvy sister has decided to add candle making to her repertoire. She wants to copy an old pillar candle (probably 50 years, at least). which is decorated. While I have no doubt she can do it, finding a 4" mold that is 18-20" long is the trick. My DH said "What about PVC pipe?", which is how I got here. Cutting it lengthwise and using radiator clamps is brilliant. Wiping (rather than spraying) Pam is also great. But, two things are problematic: 1) what does one use as a "stopper" for the bottom? (I assume drilling a hole in it, feeding the spooled candle wick through it, and preumably knotting the end would be the thing to do), and 2) There is an oval cut-out midway up the candle she has (the old one). I get that the wick obviously cannot go the length of the candle, so are there any ideas? I'm thinking a votive-sized cut in. But I'm a whiz at over-engineering, and completely non-talented in any artistic endeavor (we joke that, when talents were handed out in Heaven, Chrissy stood in that line twice - once for herself, and once for me. I mean, she doesn't even use patterns when sewing, for Pete's sake!)) . Please help.