*** Quoting Terry Barker from a message to Carol Shenkenberger ***
TB> Carol,
TB> Sorry for butting in, but I'm very interested in candle making also. I
TB> just learning so if you can give some of your expertise recipes from
TB> start to finish It would be appreciated very much.
TB> Terry
GFlad to help Terry!  I have more in this line in the Crafting echo, but here 
you go.  You seem to need the basics so I will type them up for you.
Basic starters
You need a wax melting pot, and a water boiling pot you place the wax melting 
pot in.  An old cheap aluminum 'stew' pot makes a wonderful water pot.  Often 
found for 2$ or less at yard sales.  Anything that doesnt leak will do.  
Suggest a separate pot for this vice your regular cookware, as it will get 
'waxy'.
The wax pot, is what you place in the water pot.  Notice we are basically 
buil;ding a cheap double boiler.  The wax pot can be a fancy one, of seamless 
metal, or as simple as a coffee can with wax in it.
I'm big on SAFETY as you will note in this message.  Melt the wax at no more 
than 'barely boil' of the water.  The water level should be at or above the 
level of wax in the second pot.  It takes time this way, but it's SAFE.
The wax will take some time to melt.  While it is melting, you prepare the 
molds.  I use metal molds and make several candles at a time.  Others do it 
one at a time.  Suit yourself.
For a simple mold, use a pint milk container, drained of milk and with a hole 
for the wick at the bottom.  Tape the bottom with duct tape and tie the top 
of the wick over a fork or something to hold it tight.  Pour in the wax.  As 
the wax cools, it will condense so you will need to add more wax.  Dont go 
over the top of the cooled wax or the candle will be hard to remove from the 
'mold'.
Once mostly cool, put it in the fridge.  Remove after 2-3 hours and remove 
candle from mold.  Its ready!
Now for fancy candles, you want to add both scent and color to the melting 
wax. Nothing else changes.  You can also add things to clarify the wax, or 
make it look prettier.
I have a company I use.  I have no association with them other than 'happy 
customer'.
Pourettes.  They are on the web if you search on that name. 
1-800-888-WICK(9425) or 206-789-3188
Been dealing with them since about 1985?  Never a problem and the service is 
much faster than they promise. (They promise 4 weeks and normally arrive in 
3-4 days).
                                       xxcarol
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