Crafters- What are you making???

[cknmom]

skand-I am WIPED out for this season, maybe next year I can get started in July and get one to all of you. Although, my baskets are nothing compared to others. I would much rather have all the jams and hooch!!

I think a fanny pack would slip around too much with all the work I do around the ranch and the puppies playing with me.

Monica

 

[Scrambled Egg]

Great job Monica!!!! Loads of goodies in that basket! Did you make the candle? Wow! I tried that once and gave all the stuff away..no thanks, too much trouble, lol!! Yours looks great though! Bet you are tired of cutting and twisting chicken wire into baskets! It sure is a job to do that, you did great

 

[okiemommy]

Cool baskets Monica!! I love all of the goodies you put in there!!

SE, I think candles can be hard to make too. I received a bunch of used candle making stuff when I was a kid, and I had a rough time with them sometimes. I didn't have anyone that knew how to make candles guide me through it though...I believe having someone to guide me through projects that have several steps makes all the difference in the world in so many things I have tried to make! I think gel candles are supposed to be easier.

 

[ChickenToes]

I take the easy way out when I make candles. I save all my old candle stubs and break them into chunks. When I have a good amount I melt them all back down, pour them into jars and place a wick in each jar. Easy peasy.

 

[skand]

My hard part of doing candles, is that pour... hot molten candle wax, my innept ability for coordination.....small jar opening, and my big clumsy hands..lol

 

[okiemommy]

I always had trouble getting the candles out of the mold

LOL


Chickentoes,

Now theres a thought! do you add candle dye to it or new fragrance?

 

[Cackel]

I am doing a quilling picture for my sister in law and makeing body lotion and bath salts for all the girls .

 

[Scrambled Egg]

The candle making is not my "thang" either, lol! I save my coupons for Michaels and buy a big good smelling one for 40% off!!

 

[wegotchickens]

A couple of years ago Wal-Ma sold a device for melting down stubs of old candles to make new ones. The kids gave me one for Christmas. Not practical for mass-producing candles, but it sure works great for using up tidbits of wax to make a jar candle. Has a little lever you lift, and the wax pours out a special spout below the wax-melting cavity. It's a cool toy, but mine is currently living in a storage closet....

If you put candles in molds in the freezer, the wax contracts and it's easier to pull them out of the mold. My problem is that they always look goofy on top because the wax contracts as it cools and leaves a dent on the top and I can never get the timing right for topping them off

 

[cknmom]

I love making candles, but don't do it very often anymore. With DGD getiing old enough to be around hot wax, I am starting to get back into it. My mom gave me boxes of old candels a few years ago and right now that is what I am using. I melt down the similar colors(bust them up first with a rubber sledge hammer), add fragrance, and pour.
The candles we made are THE EASIEST!! You take a milk carton, whipping cream sized ones are best(1/2-1pt.) Melt the wax, fill container with ice cubes, set wick, pour wax to height desired, let set about 1-2 hrs., peel off carton. WALLAH!!
I also like to make hand candles, I will try that with her this summer, as you need to stick your hand (or whatever) into the warm wax.
Sand candles are very easy also, pack mold with moist sand,set the wick, pour wax.
I make floating candles by taking small tart molds(you also can use cookie cutters) and lining them with foil, set the wick. Pour the wax in and let set. Peel off the foil.

I want to learn how to do the candles that have the curls on the side, I believe you use like a potato peeler.

The baskets were a pain, but turned out well, for my first ones. Everyone liked them. I have scratches and holes all over my hands from them. But I would do them again.


Monica