TWO BASIC TOOLS OF THE CANDLE MAKER

Every good craftsman has some basic tools of the trade as they're called. The master carpenter has his hammer, for example. The master mason has his trowel. Whether you realize it or not, you're about to join the ranks of the master craftsperson. And you, too, should have one or two basic tools of your "trade" or craft.

Okay, so perhaps you want to downplay the "master" portion of the phrase -- at least for now. Give yourself some time, though. Before you know it, you'll be producing those exquisite candles.

Your two most important elements in candle making at home are outlined below:

1. A pot.

You'll need a container in which to melt your wax. Preferably, you'll want to use a double boiler or something that will substitute for a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you may want to place empty cans on the bottom of a large pot arranged so that a smaller pot can nestle sturdily in there.

Or you can find two pots and simply place the smaller one inside the larger one.
The pan which is directly touching the heat source will be filled with water which will heat up to eventually, evenly and slowly melt the wax in the second pan. You'll want to keep the smaller pan, by the way, at least a half inch above the base of the larger pot.

There's only once exception to using double boiler. That's gel wax. The temperature at which gel wax gets "syrupy" (because it never really melts in the traditional sense) is between 200 and 220 degrees. You can't reach this temperature with a double boiler.

2. Thermometer.

Since wax melts quickly and has the very real potential to literally explode if it reaches too high a temperature, you'll discover that a thermometer is an absolute necessity. If you don’t use one specifically created for candles, you can use a candy thermometer or any one which indicates temperatures ranging from 100 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Whatever you do, don't try to "eyeball" the temperature of your wax. If you've ever made candy, you may have discovered you got good at just looking at the texture of the candy to discern its temperature. Wax is well . . . a whole different ball of wax . . . in this department.
A few other supplies you'll eventually need, listed just quickly include

*Candle molds
*Dipping can
*Food scale
*Baking or cookie sheet
*Hammer and screwdriver

What else will you need to be a master craft person? Go to http://www.swankeecandles.com for additional tools of the trade. It's all in my new eBook, Secrets to Successful Candle Making.