Making Candles and Soaps For Dummies

by Ewing, Kelly

• ISBN13: 9780764574085
• ISBN10: 0764574086
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Make floating candles, herbal soaps, and even a home spa Discover the secrets of color, shape, and scent the fun and easy way? Whether you're a beginner or seasoned craftperson, this fun book offers everything you need to make beautiful, professional-looking candles and soaps at home. You get practical tips on dyeing and scenting wax, using unusual molds, adding embellishments to candles, working with soap ingredients, and even turning your hobby into a business! Discover How To: * Stock a safe & efficient work area * Work with all types of wax * Add color and scent to your projects * Make melt-and-pour soaps * Turn a hobby into a business

Author Biography

Kelly Ewing is a writer and editor who lives in the wonderful community of Fishers, Indiana, with her husband Mark, her daughter Katie, her son Carter, and furry canine friend Cheyenne. She has coauthored several books, including The Internet All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, PCs All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, and Direct Mail For Dummies. She has ghostwritten several books and edited more than 75 books on a variety of topics. She also writes articles on sports, travel, and human interest for several newspapers. In her spare time — when she can find it! — she enjoys spending time with her kids, reading, walking, writing, scrapbooking, cooking, and doing crafts.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
About This Book	1	(1)
How to Use This Book	2	(1)
Conventions Used in This Book	2	(1)
Foolish Assumptions	3	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	3	(4)
Part I: Getting Started in Candle Making	4	(1)
Part II: Jazzing Up Your Candles	4	(1)
Part III: Tackling Soap-Making Basics	5	(1)
Part IV: Fancying Up Your Soap	5	(1)
Part V: Moving On in the Candle- and Soap-Making World	6	(1)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	6	(1)
Part VII: Appendixes	6	(1)
Icons Used in This Book	7	(1)
Where to Go from Here	8	(1)
Part I: Getting Started in Candle Making	9	(68)
Stocking a Safe and Efficient Work Area	11	(12)
Stocking Up on the Basics: Equipment and Supplies	11	(6)
Lining up your equipment	12	(3)
Gathering your supplies	15	(2)
Getting Ready for the Dirty Work: Preparing Your Workspace	17	(2)
Playing It Safe	19	(4)
Heating wax	19	(1)
Treating spills	19	(1)
Extinguishing a fire	20	(3)
Working with Wax	23	(16)
Waxing On about the Types of Waxes	23	(5)
Paraffin wax: The winner and still champion	24	(2)
Beeswax: The benefits of honey, with no stings attached	26	(1)
Gel wax: Feels like jelly, but doesn't mix with peanut butter	26	(1)
Vegetable-based wax: Straight from the third rock from the sun	27	(1)
Applique wax: A few sheets will do ya	28	(1)
Figuring Out How Much Wax You Need	28	(1)
Melting Wax	29	(4)
Pouring melted wax	30	(2)
The old shall become new again: Recycling and storing unused candle wax	32	(1)
Saying bye-bye to leftover wax --- the right way	32	(1)
Venturing into New Ground: Using Wax Additives	33	(6)
Stearin: Your wax's no-stick assistant	34	(1)
Vybar: A qualified stand-in for stearin	35	(1)
Microcrystalline wax: A bit of a contradiction	35	(1)
Other wax additives: Take your pick	36	(3)
Achieving the Look You Want for Your Candles Again and Again	39	(12)
Communicating in Candle Lingo	39	(2)
The Sky's the Limit: Knowing Your Mold Options	41	(6)
Taking the easy way out: Using readymade molds	42	(2)
Recycling: Hunting around your house for molds and containers	44	(1)
Going for looks: Decorative containers	45	(2)
Working with Flexible Molds	47	(1)
Proper Care and Feeding (er, Cleaning) of Your Molds	48	(3)
Finding the Perfect Wick	51	(12)
Understanding How a Wick Works	51	(1)
Identifying the Types of Wicks	52	(1)
Matching Your Wick to Your Candle	52	(3)
Sizing up your wick	53	(1)
All things considered	54	(1)
Lengthy issues	54	(1)
Avoiding Lead-Cored Wicks	55	(1)
Priming the Wick	55	(2)
Attaching a Tab to Your Wick	57	(1)
Considering Gel Wicks	58	(1)
Adding Your Wick	59	(2)
Deciding Whether Your Wax and Wick Are a Match Made in Heaven	61	(2)
Appearances count	61	(1)
Rate the burn	61	(2)
Creating Simple Projects	63	(14)
Starting Simple: Basic Molded Candle	63	(3)
Looking for Elegance: Basic Taper Candle	66	(4)
Taking the dip with tapers	67	(2)
Sizing the base	69	(1)
Sweetening Things Up: Beeswax Candle	70	(1)
Using Everyday Objects: Container Candle	71	(2)
Broadcasting Your Successes --- and Remembering Your Failures	73	(4)
Part II: Jazzing Up Your Candles	77	(70)
Adding Color and Scent	79	(10)
Coloring Your Candles	79	(5)
Coloring with dye	79	(2)
Blending your colors	81	(1)
Dyeing your candle wax	82	(2)
Playing with Fragrance	84	(5)
Choosing your form	84	(2)
Adding scents	86	(3)
Decorating Your Candles with Flair	89	(20)
Venturing into Applique	89	(3)
What you need to remember	90	(1)
How you do it	90	(2)
Embedding Items in Your Candle	92	(2)
What you need to remember	92	(1)
How you do it	93	(1)
Painting Designs on Your Candles	94	(3)
What you need to remember	95	(1)
How you do it	96	(1)
Trying Sponge Painting	97	(2)
What you need to remember	98	(1)
How you do it	98	(1)
Leaving Your Mark: Embossing	99	(2)
What you need to remember	99	(1)
How you do it	100	(1)
Working with Stamps	101	(3)
What you need to remember	102	(1)
How you do it	102	(2)
Punching Up Your Candles with Stencils	104	(3)
What you need to remember	105	(1)
How you do it	105	(2)
Embellishing Your Wick	107	(2)
What you need to remember	107	(1)
How to do it	108	(1)
Making More Advanced Projects	109	(16)
Mastering an Advanced Technique: Overdipping	109	(2)
Achieving an Old-World Look: Cracked Candle	111	(1)
Relaxing on Water: Floating Candles	112	(1)
Looking for Elegance: Frosted Candle	113	(2)
Having Fun: Gel Candles	115	(3)
Standing tall: Making a simple gel candle	115	(2)
Looking pretty: Embedding objects in your gel candle	117	(1)
Maximizing the Look: Layered Candle	118	(1)
Going for a Classic: Multiple-Wick Candle	119	(1)
Getting a Little Chilly: Ice Candle	120	(2)
Adding on the Pounds: Chunk Candle	122	(3)
Displaying Your Handiwork	125	(10)
Burning Your Candles the Right Way	125	(2)
Burning issues	126	(1)
Putting candles out to pasture	126	(1)
Decorating with Candles	127	(4)
Placing your candles	128	(1)
Using candleholders and containers	129	(2)
Giving Candles as Presents	131	(1)
Storing Your Finished Candles	132	(3)
Picking a storage spot	132	(1)
Wrapping your candles	133	(1)
Fixing your candle's surface mars	133	(2)
Handling Common Candle Problems	135	(12)
When Your Candle Doesn't Look Its Best: Appearance Problems	135	(6)
Timber! When a bend isn't cool	136	(1)
A ``chip'' off the old block	136	(1)
A little bubbly, anyone?	136	(1)
Avalanche! When your candle caves in	137	(1)
You ``crack'' me up!	138	(1)
When your containers have a hang-up	138	(1)
When age takes its toll	139	(1)
Lumps and bumps	139	(1)
Watch out for the sink hole!	140	(1)
A frosty reception: Mottling	140	(1)
Help! My candle's stuck, and I can't get it out of the mold!	140	(1)
It's sprung a leak!	141	(1)
Burning Issues	141	(3)
My candle burns straight down the middle	142	(1)
Drip, drop, drip, drop	142	(1)
This little flame of mine	142	(1)
This big flame of mine	143	(1)
Smokin'!	143	(1)
Sputter, sputter, sputter	143	(1)
Is a candle really a candle if no one sees the flame?	144	(1)
Fragrant Blues: Color and Scent Concerns	144	(3)
Color me . . . what?	144	(1)
When layering colors goes awry	145	(1)
Really, it has a fragrance	145	(2)
Part III: Tackling Soap-Making Basics	147	(26)
Preparing to Make Soap	149	(6)
Stocking Up on Equipment	149	(2)
Investing in Materials	151	(2)
Preparing Your Workspace	153	(1)
Cleaning Your Workspace and Equipment	153	(2)
Grasping Soap-Making's Basic Techniques	155	(8)
Everything Old Is New Again: Hand-Milled Soap	155	(3)
Advantages and disadvantages	156	(1)
Basic steps	156	(2)
A Step Ahead of the Game: Making Melt-and-Pour Soap	158	(2)
Advantages and disadvantages	158	(1)
Basic steps	159	(1)
Working with Molds	160	(3)
Preparing your molds	160	(1)
Cleaning your molds	161	(2)
Delving into Additives	163	(4)
Using Additives	163	(2)
Hands-on help	163	(1)
Your additive options	164	(1)
Storing Your Soap	165	(2)
Creating Basic Soap Projects	167	(6)
Starting Small . . . or Not	167	(1)
Making Melt-And-Pour Magic	168	(4)
Going for clear: Translucent melt-and-pour soap	168	(1)
Changing your look: Basic soaps	169	(1)
Pouring it on: Layered soap	170	(1)
Mixing things up: Marbled soap	171	(1)
Reshaping Your Home: Basic Hand-Milled Soap	172	(1)
Part IV: Fancying Up Your Soap	173	(36)
Creating Scent-sations: Adding Color and Scent	175	(10)
The Ins and Outs of Coloring Your Soap	175	(6)
White is for wimps: Coloring options	176	(3)
Tell me a secret: Color clues	179	(1)
Time to create: Adding your color	180	(1)
Scenting Your Soap	181	(2)
Essentially your own: Essential oils	181	(1)
Finding fragrance oils	182	(1)
From your kitchen: Using herbs, spices, and extracts	183	(1)
When You Have Sensitive Skin	183	(2)
Going Beyond Basic Soap	185	(12)
Matching Your Bath: Colored Soap	185	(1)
Jazzing Up Your Interior: Decorative Soap	186	(1)
Capturing Your Favorite Smells: Scented Soap	187	(1)
Looking Inside Your Soap: Variegated Soap	187	(1)
Inserting Small Soaps Inside a Larger Bar of Soap	188	(1)
Getting Creative: Embedding Items Inside Your Soap	189	(1)
Making Your Mark: Imprinted Soap	190	(2)
Creating a Design: Stenciled Soap	192	(1)
Getting Fancy: Three-Dimensional Soap	193	(1)
Rolling It Up: Soap Balls	194	(1)
Making a Chain: Soap-on-a-Rope	195	(2)
Creating a Home Spa	197	(6)
Disappearing in Bubbles	197	(1)
Relaxing with Bath Salts	198	(1)
Scrubbing Away with Bath Bags	198	(1)
Cleaning the Day Away with Shower Gel	199	(1)
Getting Pampered with Massage Oil	199	(1)
Creating Your Own Shampoo	199	(1)
Pampering Your Hands with Liquid Soap	200	(1)
Sanitizing Your Cooking Area: Kitchen Soap	200	(3)
Solving Soap-Making Dilemmas	203	(6)
You Don't Look So Good: Appearance Problems	203	(2)
I'm feeling thirsty: A little bubbly, please	203	(1)
When your soap's in the clouds	204	(1)
Feeling shaky: Cracked, brittle soap	204	(1)
Down in the dumps: Crumbly soap	204	(1)
Way down south in the land of cotton: Fuzzy texture	204	(1)
Streaking away	204	(1)
The wrong side of the tracks: When your soap is scummy	205	(1)
Stay Where You Are: Embedding Issues	205	(1)
You're Not the Soap I Thought You Were: Color and Scent Calamities	205	(2)
When color changes	206	(1)
Fitting in with the crowd: Blending problems	206	(1)
What's that I smell?	206	(1)
When your soap won't tan	206	(1)
That's Not How You Do It: Soap That's Stuck	207	(2)
Part V: Moving On in the Candle- and Soap-Making World	209	(36)
Experimenting with Aromatherapy	211	(20)
A Little Moody Today? Choosing the Right Scent	211	(2)
Playing It Safe: Cautions When Working with Essential Oils	213	(1)
Your ABC Guide to Essential Oils	214	(13)
Angelica	215	(1)
Anise	215	(1)
Basil	215	(1)
Bay	216	(1)
Bay laurel	216	(1)
Benzoin	216	(1)
Bergamot	216	(1)
Black pepper	216	(1)
Caraway	217	(1)
Cardamom	217	(1)
Carrot seed	217	(1)
Chamomile	217	(1)
Cinnamon	217	(1)
Citronella	218	(1)
Clary sage	218	(1)
Clove	218	(1)
Coriander	218	(1)
Cumin	219	(1)
Cypress	219	(1)
Eucalyptus	219	(1)
Fennel	219	(1)
Fir	219	(1)
Frankincense	220	(1)
Garlic	220	(1)
Geranium	220	(1)
German chamomile	220	(1)
Ginger	220	(1)
Helichrysum	221	(1)
Jasmine	221	(1)
Juniper	221	(1)
Lavender	221	(1)
Lemon	221	(1)
Lemon balm (melissa)	221	(1)
Lemon eucalyptus	222	(1)
Lemongrass	222	(1)
Lemon verbena	222	(1)
Marjoram	222	(1)
Myrrh	222	(1)
Myrtle	222	(1)
Niaouli	223	(1)
Nutmeg	223	(1)
Orange	223	(1)
Orange blossom (neroli)	223	(1)
Oregano	223	(1)
Palmarosa	223	(1)
Patchouli	224	(1)
Pennyroyal	224	(1)
Peppermint	224	(1)
Petitgrain	224	(1)
Pine	224	(1)
Rose	224	(1)
Rose geranium	225	(1)
Rosemary	225	(1)
Sage	225	(1)
Sandalwood	225	(1)
Savory	225	(1)
Spearmint	225	(1)
Tea tree	226	(1)
Thuja	226	(1)
Thyme	226	(1)
Valerian	226	(1)
Vanilla	227	(1)
Vetivert	227	(1)
Ylang ylang	227	(1)
Playing Mad Scientist: Blending Your Own Scents	227	(1)
Discovering Great Scents for Candles	228	(1)
Sniffing Some Fantastic Smells for Soap	229	(2)
Turning a Hobby into a Business	231	(14)
Weighing Your Decision Carefully	231	(1)
Knowing the Rules and Regulations	232	(2)
When the FDA rules	232	(1)
Taxing matters	233	(1)
The incorporation decision	233	(1)
Zoning limitations	234	(1)
Creating a Business Plan	234	(1)
Minding the Details	235	(1)
Pay attention to your paperwork	235	(1)
Separate your home and business	235	(1)
Insuring Your Business	236	(1)
Setting Your Price	236	(2)
Packaging Your Product	238	(1)
Marketing Your Business	238	(7)
Word-of-mouth sales	238	(1)
Craft fairs	239	(2)
Trade shows	241	(1)
Home shows and open houses	241	(1)
Local shops	242	(1)
Internet	243	(1)
Advertisements	244	(1)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	245	(24)
Ten Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas	247	(6)
Be My Valentine, Please: Heart-Shaped Soaps	247	(1)
Cutting It Up for the Holidays	248	(1)
Making Easter Eggs in a Basket	249	(1)
Painting Festive Holiday Candles	249	(1)
Trick-or-Treating: Jack-o'-Lantern Fun	250	(1)
Say, Cheese: Wearing Your Smile on Your Soap	250	(1)
Going Back to Basics: Simple Votives	251	(1)
Mold One for Me: Soaps for All Seasons	251	(1)
Layering One for the Fourth	251	(1)
Stenciling Shamrock Candles	252	(1)
Ten or So Great Gift Ideas for Family and Friends	253	(4)
Serving Up Decorative Soaps in a Glass Bowl	253	(1)
Harmonizing Sand and Shells with Surf --- er, Make That Candles	254	(1)
Presenting a Candle Gift Basket	254	(1)
Softening Skin and Hearts: Body Lotion	254	(1)
Cooking Up Something: A Kitchen Gel Candle	254	(1)
Finding Fun in a Toy Soap Bar	255	(1)
Taking It Easy: Foot Oil	255	(1)
Showing Off Patio Candles	255	(1)
Concocting a Home-Spa Kit	256	(1)
When Sleep Is Elusive: Good-Night Votives and Soap	256	(1)
Making Magical Mosaic Votives	256	(1)
Ten Super Projects for Kids	257	(6)
Making a Bead Wax Candle	257	(1)
Rolling Around in Beeswax	258	(1)
Pouring a Liquid Gel Candle	258	(1)
Creating Painted Artwork	258	(1)
Creating Candleholders	259	(1)
Helping Out with Precolored Melt-and-Pour Soap	259	(1)
Bagging Up Bath Salts	260	(1)
Making Up a Batch of Lip Balm	260	(1)
Quack, Quack! Embedding Rubber Toys	260	(1)
Getting Creative with Soap Chunks	261	(2)
Ten Musts for Attending a Craft Show	263	(6)
Asking the Right Questions	263	(1)
Starting Locally	264	(1)
Selling Out Isn't Necessarily Good	265	(1)
Thinking About How You Set Up Your Booth	265	(1)
Remembering the Weather	266	(1)
Showing Off Your Wares	266	(1)
Creating a Mailing List	267	(1)
Chatting with Your Customers	267	(1)
Offering Rewards to Loyal Customers	267	(1)
Being There	268	(1)
Part VII: Appendixes	269	(2)
Appendix A: Candle-Making, Soap-Making, and Aromatherapy Suppliers	271	(10)
Candle-Making Suppliers	271	(3)
The Candle Maker	272	(1)
Cierra Candles	272	(1)
Craft Catalog	272	(1)
Earth Guild	272	(1)
From Nature with Love	272	(1)
Gel Candlemaking.com	273	(1)
General Wax and Candle Company	273	(1)
Lone Star Candle Supply	273	(1)
Moonglow Candles and Suppliers	273	(1)
Pacific Northwest Candle Making Supply	274	(1)
The Wax House/Scentmasters	274	(1)
Soap-Making Suppliers	274	(2)
Brambleberry.com	274	(1)
Cedar Vale Natural Health	274	(1)
Snow Drift Farm Natural Products	275	(1)
SoapCrafters	275	(1)
Soaper's Choice	275	(1)
Sweetcakes!	275	(1)
The Pigment Lady at AOL	275	(1)
TKB Trading	276	(1)
Well, Naturally Products Ltd	276	(1)
Aromatherapy Product Suppliers	276	(2)
Aromatherapy Marketplace	276	(1)
Aromatherapy Outlet.com	276	(1)
A Garden Eastward	277	(1)
Lavender Lane Inc.	277	(1)
Nature's Gift Aromatherapy Products	277	(1)
Precious Aromatherapy	277	(1)
Uniquely You	277	(1)
One-Stop Shopping: Candle and Soap Sites All in One	278	(3)
BitterCreek South Candle & Soap Supply, Inc.	278	(1)
Holly Hobby	278	(1)
Joann.com	278	(1)
Liberty Natural Products	279	(1)
Lynden House International, Inc.	279	(1)
Natures Garden	279	(1)
Rainbow Meadow	279	(1)
Wholesale Supplies Plus	280	(1)
Wicks and Wax Candle and Soap Making Supplies	280	(1)
Appendix B: Additional Resources for Avid Candlemakers and Soapmakers	281	(6)
Reading More about Candle Making	281	(2)
The Candle Cauldron	282	(1)
Family Crafts	282	(1)
Michaels	282	(1)
National Candle Association	282	(1)
Pitter Patter Craft Library	283	(1)
Perusing the Web for Your Soap-Making Pleasure	283	(1)
Family Crafts	283	(1)
Soap Center	283	(1)
SoapMaking	283	(1)
Finding Some Information about Cold-Process Soap Making	284	(1)
The Complete Guide to Soapmaking	284	(1)
Miller's Homemade Soap Pages	284	(1)
Sabrina's Soapmaker's Resources	284	(1)
Soap Recipes	285	(1)
Tracking Down Aromatherapy Resources	285	(2)
Aromatherapy	285	(1)
Aromatherapy Today	285	(1)
AromaWeb	285	(1)
The Guide to Aromatherapy	286	(1)
HealthWorldOnline	286	(1)
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy	286	(1)
What Is Aromatherapy?	286	(1)
Index	287