Weekend Projects

[kybearfuzz]

The weekend went by a bit calmer than most, which is a good thing. Friday night I decided to tackle a project I have been wanting to try for a while. I took photos along the way for the heck of it, figuring it would be good to document the success or failure for entertainment purposes.

I love scented candles, but I'm particular to which ones I buy. I try not to buy the food-smelling ones (i.e. vanilla, apple, etc.) because they make me hungry. So I gravitate toward the earthy smelling ones. My favorite is one called "Wood" that I bought at TJ Max years ago. I can't find them anymore, darn it.

After burning a tall candle though, I'm left with these huge husks that seemed wasteful to pitch, especially when you can't find the candle anymore. So I wondered about melting down the remnants into a new candle. Call it a recycling project.


Dress correctly, something you can ruin with candle wax.


Needed Stuff -- Old Candles, Bowl, Candle Warmer, New Wicks


Plan Changes. The candle warmer was slow, so I switched to an old saucepan, a cleaned soup can, and heated water to melt wax.


The New Candle Holder. A leftover candle bowl from a vanilla candle that was a gift. Newspaper put down to make sure the wax doesn't get all over everything.


New Wicks put in, held in place with melted wax.


Melting the wax in stages, pouring layers of wax into the bowl


The full candle after several layerings, still warm.


Visible layers of the candle from the different pourings of the melted wax.


The final result. Burning candle and still smells like wood. The only negative is that the candle wicks burn a little fast.


After candle-making cuteness by Murphy. He was in a mood.

Comments

[mississippicub.livejournal.com]

you are so ingenious

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL... well, thanks! I just did some searching on the internet and thought I'd give it a go. I'll probably do it again with another candle sometime.

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

cool!

[madknits.livejournal.com]

So cool. I used to make candles when I was in grade through high school. I had all sorts of fancy molds and dyes and scents. Looks like you did a great job with materials on hand.

Oh, and if the wicks aren't coated with wax when you buy them, dip them very quickly in the melted wax before you pour. It will help them burn less quickly.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Will the wax just coat the wicks and burn off? I would have thought that the liquid wax would coat them when I poured it in the bowl.

[madknits.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure of the why. My mum used to teach candle making, and if the wick was uncoated, she always coated it, saying it would burn better and slower. Yes, the wick gets coated when you pour the wax, but they really did burn better when coated before pouring.

It's witchcraft chemistry, and I don't understand.
But I know it worked.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'll have to try that. I have a feeling I'll be doing this again in the future. Thanks :)

[notmypresident.livejournal.com]

I think every project photo essay should end with a snap of Murphy.

He probably thinks the same.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

He's a big kitty and a big baby. Always has to be the center of attention and he wasn't happy I was ignoring him while candle-making in the kitchen.

[prisoncitybear.livejournal.com]

AWESOME! My favorite are the now not available Faroy Patchouli candles. Heady, and wonderful. Tod can't stand them. I have two left and have yet to find a candle that matches their amazing smell.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I love the smell of patchouli, but it can be a very overpowering scent. A little bit really does go a long way!

I'll have to look for that scent in a candle.... hmmmm...

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

I totally heart Murphy! Aww.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

He's a sweetheart and completely spoiled rotten. He's photogenic and he knows it.

[jccub1.livejournal.com]

How cool is this...it's a bit like Playschool for grown-ups who like playing with candle wax...love the photo journal. You're clearly very good with your hands :D

And DAMN furry feline cuteness...

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I do like trying little craft things on occasion, something I inherited from my mom.

"You're clearly very good with your hands"

Well, I don't like to brag, but... :D

"And DAMN furry feline cuteness..."

Oh, he's quite the camera whore, my Murphy!

[jccub1.livejournal.com]

Well I'm impressed :) I studied fine art and sculpture but haven't practised for almost 20 years...the older I get the more I miss it (and less confident I am that I can achieve anything of note) so I envy/am impressed anyone who makes time to do anything creative or crafty :)

More importantly, brag! BRAG!! *grin & giggles*

Our kittens are total non-whores (which I guess I should be proud of) but they don't seem to play up to the camera...seem more interested in the latest bug/plant/chewable something than posing for the camera. But your Murphy is way up there with my Samson and it takes a lot to admit that! :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

You should get back into it. Drawing is probably the most relaxing thing I do, which is why I fear if it ever became "work" I'd not want to do it anymore. And then what would I do with my hands??

It looks like your Samson was a bit of a camera whore when he was a kitten (I looked at your past posts). I love the look of a red Burmese, an interesting mix of an orange striped tabby and a Siamese cat with the color points. Both of your kitties are adorable.

[jccub1.livejournal.com]

I have occasional notions of taking it back up again - more so painting - but I always seem to have an excuse...bad Clarkie. If you ever need suggestions on what to do with your hands I'd be glad to share some of my thoughts with you!

Actually, Samson didn't have a choice in the matter - I kept shoving the camera in his face when he was younger. I love them both dearly but Samson's my boy so I have a lot more pics of him than Delilah. His markings are stunning (I am biased though), you're right, it's an interesting mix. His fur is a beautiful dusky orange now and he has almost tiger-like stripes on his legs and face. And he has this gorgeous raspy roar/miaow like a miniature lion... See, you've got me going now...