The Art of Making Sand Candles


Sand Candles make a beautiful finished piece but are somewhat trickier than the traditional mold candle. The temperature of the wax is very critical for a sand candle. If the wax is not at least 250 degrees farienhite the sand will not stick to the surface wax. Just remember to know your flashpoint for the wax you are using, much caution should be used at temperatures this high.

The moisture content of the sand also influences the out come of your candle. Dry sand is easier for wax to penetrate, but difficult to get it to hold a shape. So to help build-up a nice layer of sand on your candle, make your form in damp sand, then allow it to dry out for several days then pour the candle.

Materials & Equipment:

Any sand free of dirt and debris. An object for making the impression in the sand, such as as bowl, square block of wood, old sand candle, etc. A dishpan to hold the sand. Drill with 1/4 inch drill bit. Awl Soft Paint Brush. Watering Can. Jar Lid

Instructions:

Place the sand in a dishpan or similar container. Dampen the sand with the watering can, careful not to get the sand any wetter than you have to. If you are using an old sand candle then you will not have to make depressions in the sand for legs, if you aren't then make sure that the depressions for the legs are even so the candles won't wobble. Make the depression in the sand with the mold you have chosen, and make sure to firm up the sand on all sides of the object you use to make the depression, leaving no loose sand or air pockets. Remove the object you have used for the depression carefully.

Place the jar lid in the depression,it should be centered directly where the wick will be placed. If you are using multiple wicks it may be necessary to have more than one lid.

Heat the wax to the desired temperature, the sand candle should be poured white because high temperature will distort the color of the colored wax, add the dye to the last layer. Pour the wax slowly into the jar lid in the depression, this keeps the wax from making a hole in the bottom of your sand mold. The more moisture the sand holds the more noise you will hearing when it is poured, you should expect a lot of bubbleing and cracking as you pour.

The copyright of the article The Art of Making Sand Candles in Candle/Soapmaking is owned by Kim A. Draper. Permission to republish The Art of Making Sand Candles in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic