Desertrose Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Maybe I'm just having a really dim moment but it occurred to me that as I'm having vague thoughts about creating future pillar molds from silicone......well I haven't contemplated how to wick them.Say for example I wanted to create a Buddah head mold.Something where I'd have to split the top of the mold (Like a cross shape at the top?) in order to peel the head out.....Well, how do you wick that ?At the risk of being embarrassed, co's the answer may suddenly dawn on me after I've posted it.........well... I'll post it anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernadette Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 There are basically two ways of doing it that I know and use. The first is to pierce a small hole in the middle of the bottom of the mold(top of the candle). This is best done with something like a larger darning needle. Then when making your candle, you thread your wick thru the hole, secure tightly and straight, and pour. The other way is to insert a wick pin, press into the bottom of the mold and make sure it's straight. Then pour and cure your candle. When you remove it from the mold, you thread your wick thru the hole. I hope this makes sense the way I wrote it. There's alittle more to it than that, but this should get you started. HTH:tiptoe: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenscandles Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Janet @ Creative Gems Molds used to have wick pins for her silicone molds, and the centering tool for it as well. Does anybody know where we can purchase the ones like what she had? Mine got misplaced from having things boxed up for so long.Thanks!Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertrose Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 Thanks Bernadette.Yeah, I'm thinking wick pins might be easier?I suppose it will take some experimentation once we actually make the molds themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernadette Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Well Tracey, there are advantages and disadvantages to both ways of wicking in silicone. I've been using only silicone molds for at least 10 years, as my first candlemaking endeavors with molds were in freestanding gel, branching off into other waxes a couple of years ago. I have found that on shorter molds, wick pins work better. On taller molds, I prefer to thread the wick because it's next to impossible for me to keep the wick pins straight on those. The type of silicone, I guess, can be prohibitive to wicking too. I've seen some molds that I have where over time, if you're not careful, pulling the wicking thru that hole again and again, some of the silicone will break off. Then you have to make/purchase a replacement alot sooner than you'd like. And anyone using silicone molds knows that good ones don't come cheaply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naturestherapy Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Hi, I thought I seen where a kim was selling some silicone molds...anyone have any idea?Thanks,Traci Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertrose Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 You make some good points there Bernadette. Thanks!I guess it will be trial and error once we have made the molds.I know it's not going to be cheap making them either because the things I have in mind will require a LOT of silicone. It's going to be a bit different from the simple tart molds we've made so far.All good fun and games I expect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beekeeper_sd Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 I just wick with a darning needle, then you can use the wick to help pull the candle out of the mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernadette Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 That's fine...but depending on the size of the candle and the size of the wick you may need, it will not thread thru the eye of a darning needle.:tiptoe: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beekeeper_sd Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 I use #2 square braided wick so it's pretty thick. Just look for needles with big eyes. You might try looking in the craft needles. I think one needle I have is a needlepoint needle and has a really big eye. My taper wicking needle I spread the eye out enough to get the wick through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlesprite7 Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Yarn needles have nice big holes since you put yarn through them :-) You can find by the knitting or crochet needles in the craft store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van_yulay Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I would use a drill. Mark you hole where you want it and drill with a small drill bit. Or - When you are looking for molds some mold makers(Like me) make the wick hole already in your molds. So you just insert and pour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenscandles Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I would use a drill. Mark you hole where you want it and drill with a small drill bit. Or - When you are looking for molds some mold makers(Like me) make the wick hole already in your molds. So you just insert and pour.Is the silicone and the wick itself enough to keep from wax leaking out the wick hole? Or is there a proper way to seal the hole? The wax leaking is my biggest concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernadette Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I don't usually have any concerns about leaking when I poke the hole myself. I have had some problems with molds that have holes, but only a small amount of wax leaks out anyway. To be on the same side, I always put the mold in a small pan, just in case....:tiptoe: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenscandles Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I always put the mold in a small pan, just in case....:tiptoe:That is a good point. I do that with my metal molds as well, just in case.May have to get a new mold and give it a shot! More reasons to buy stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beekeeper_sd Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Is the silicone and the wick itself enough to keep from wax leaking out the wick hole? Or is there a proper way to seal the hole? The wax leaking is my biggest concern.I've had my molds for several years and have never had them leak wax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
French Hill Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I don't like to put holes in my molds because of premature ripping and the mold doesn't last as long. I use a wick pin and bamboo skewers to secure the wick. I pour the wax around the wick. After insert the primed wick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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