Gel Water Candle

Gel Water candles are quite popular and require a small amount of Gel and embeds only. Some unscrupulous people sell them as regular Gel candles without informing the buyer!

Gel Sand Candle

This candle is made of gel and colored sand layered attractively.
Materials Required
Gel
Colored Sand ,available at craft shops
Wick , wick tab
Glassware
Method
Select a glassware of your choice and wipe it clean.Picture in your mind what color combinations and layering you wish to do. This is important since we are using different colored sand the layering has to be done at one go. If the color combination or the design does not work out then the sand has to discarded. Care has to be taken while pouring in the sand as clear lines of different colors add to the beauty.
Thread the prepared wick through the wick tab and place in the centre of the glass chosen. With a small spoon carefully pour in the different layers of sand , there should be no sand sticking to the sides while pouring.Keep the wick centred.
Melt gel in a double boiler as gel is highly inflammable and dangerous. Mix in gel color as required . Pour in the gel carefully. Let it stand for a few hours. The overspills on the glass can be removed later after the candle is set.

Gel Candles

Gel Candles are easy to make and look very beautiful. Gel is a more refined version of wax and is clear and totally transparent. It is available in three forms or densities-low, medium and high grade. Medium grade Gel is perfect for making gel candles as it is firm and holds scents . But gel is highly inflammable and great care has to be taken while making them.
CONTAINERS- Gel is like jelly , it has no form of its own . Gel candles are made in fireproof glassware. The beauty of a gel candle lies in the glass/ container used ! One can decorate the glass container with 3-D glitter, ribbons, paint or anything else.
EMBEDS- Only non-inflammable embeds can be used in gel candles. Pebbles, colored stones, shells, sand, glitter and glass figurines can be used as embeds to enhance the beauty of the candle.
WICK TABS- Wick tabs are essential in making gel candles and for keeping the wick straight. One can also use hot glue to stick the wick at the bottom of the glass.
COLORS AND SCENTS- Special gel colors and aromas are available for gel candles as they leave no residue.
WARNING- Gel is highly inflammable ,in fact more than paraffin wax and it should never be heated directly ,always use a double boiler .It should not be allowed to smoke as it means that its approaching flashpoint.Never leave it unattended. Children should not be allowed to make gel candles as its dangerous.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING GEL CANDLE-
Select a nice glass or goblet ,wipe it clean. Heat gel in a double boiler , add color . Embeds can used to enhance the beauty of the gel candle. Layering it with colored sand, shell gives it a unique appearance and also hides the wick tab supporting the wick !
Gel ,when heated turns syrupy and bubbles rise to the top and break on their own.Put the prepared wick in the wick tab,the wick can be dipped in melted wax or gel . Carefully put the wick tab in the centre of the glass. Add the desired fragrance and pour in the colored melted gel gently as it minimises bubbles. Sometimes bubbles look good in sea -scapes as it gives the appearance of an acquarium.
Metal stirrers should be used to re-position the embeds if required as wooden sticks / toothpicks create bubbles.
The gel candle should be left to set for a few hours and the container gently wiped clean to clear overspills if any.

Beer Gel Candle -Tutorial

Beer Candle is a very highly appreciated candle and is very popular. Both wax and gel are used for making it.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
1 Gel wax
2 Paraffin wax
3 Stearic Acid
4 Wick
5 Beer mug
METHOD
Take a beer mug and wipe it clean. Prepare wick by dipping it in melted wax and stearic acid, hang to dry. Cut a long piece of wick and stick it to the bottom of the mug with fevicol. Melt gel in a double boiler as gel is highly inflammable like wax and it can burst into flames if allowed to heat too much. Pour the melted gel into the beer mug slowly , the bubbles will appear slowly as the gel sets. Wait for a few hours .
Melt plain wax in a double boiler ,add a pinch of stearic acid. Remove from heat and let it cool. Pour slowly on to the mug filled with gel. The foamy effect appears as the wax sets.
Thats why I call the Beer Candle a cool candle, the slightly cool gel gives it bubbles and the cool wax makes foam!