New to Gel Candles

[Boogey2Shoes]

I posted a message earlier, but don't see it. So I'll try again. I saw my first gel candle at a Christmas party and was in awe. Since then, I have looked everywhere in my area and could not find one. So I made a few and being currently unemployed, think this might help. I would appreciate any advice you folks might have re: making gel candles and selling them. They are really beautiful. Thanks

[sassy-girl]

I posted a message earlier, but don't see it. So I'll try again. I saw my first gel candle at a Christmas party and was in awe. Since then, I have looked everywhere in my area and could not find one. So I made a few and being currently unemployed, think this might help. I would appreciate any advice you folks might have re: making gel candles and selling them. They are really beautiful. Thanks

Hey, i'm a bit confused as to what your actual question is.. could you clarify, such as what type of gel candles you are interested in

[Boogey2Shoes]

I started out making seascape candles, votives and the champagne candles.I have wick issues - and I don't understand the wick sizing chart I printed out and when I read the forum, I also don't know the most of the abbreviations for candle terms. Can you advise?

[Vicky_CO]

Well if you can be more specific in you questions about wicking we will be able to help. The same goes for the abbreviations. As for the chart you printed out unless we see it we can't be much help.

Here is a link to a few abbreviations

http://www.candletech.com/abbreviations.htm

[Boogey2Shoes]

Sure the wicks seem to drift if I am using a short wick. For example, on a short wick, do I let the gel cool a bit and then run a wire in and then place the wick. I ended up with a mess today trying to place the wick in among some silk flowers. I've read that wicks that go all the way to the bottom of the candle should have a glass bead on to stop the burn.

[Vicky_CO]

Well that type of wicking method is not good I know you saw it in a book somewhere or you saw some candle made that way those are not safe candles. If you are going to use silkflowers in a gel candle you should use the double glassing method and adhere you wick to the bottom of the inner glass.

Here is a couple of links you should read.

http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2957

http://www.gelcandlemaking.com/

[candlesandwoodcrafts]

Yes, it really is best to double glass that sort of candle.

I saw a candle in my OB-GYN clinic once and it was full of something like baby's breath or some such thing, it was hard to tell, but I know it was flammable whatever it was. No double glassing, nothing between the flame and the flammable stuff. I thought "oh gosh, I hope the clinic is here the next I need to come"

[jazzbo848]

you need to have your wick in a wick tab. you can anchor that to the bottom of the glass by several methods. i use a small bit of very hot gel, others use stickums or hot glue.

do not plan on selling any candles until you have done a lot more research. you need to understand which fragrance oil to use (non-polar with a flash point greater than 170 degrees f.), which wick size goes with which size container open opening ( http://www.aromahaven.com/wicks.html ) is a good wick chart to start with........

http://www.silkytyme.com/Candlemaking-Info.html

is another learning site to add to those that vicky gave you.

i hope i am not coming off as harshbut to make a SAFE candle you need to research and test, test, test!

cheryl

[Boogey2Shoes]

Cheryl, you really didn't sound harsh= I know that safety is the no 1 factor here. I also know that the more I do with the gel, the more I need to know and I won't sell anything unless I am sure about the products. Thank you for your help. B2S