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There's tinsel on the tree, greenery draped over the mantel, and candles aglow to celebrate the Christmas season. With beautiful gel candles so hot, hot, hot, it only makes sense that that they too will become a typical Christmas decoration that people look forward to every year. Crafters and even the not-so-crafty want to make these mysterious gel candles to decorate for the holidays.
Gel candles can be relatively easy to make. The actual gel that's used instead of the typical wax can be easily found at craft stores, and on-line at several craft web-sites. There are gel recipes on the web also, but if you want to keep it simpler then order the gel instead. (Gel recipes require exact temperature readings.)
The following is a list of items that you need to make gel candles: latex gloves, candle gel, wick, embed objects, glass object that holds gel, and optional items are fragrance and colorants. All of these items are easily found at craft supply stores or on-line.
An ideal Christmas gel candle would begin with a glass object that holds the gel, such as a small glass globe. These are commonly used for potpourri. Pre-heat the glass globe in your oven for 10 minutes at 120 degrees F. if you don't want bubbles in your gel, and don't preheat if you do.
Add colorant to gel if desired, mix according to directions. This applies to fragrance also. Pour 1 inch or so of prepared gel into glass globe and add embed objects (make sure you have latex gloves on).
Embed objects are glass, ceramic, or wax items that "float" or are placed on the bottom of the glass globe in the gel. A good idea for a Christmas gel candle would be glass candy pieces, pinecones or a glass Santa Claus. Place carefully in gel, then slowly add more gel. Make sure embed objects are secure where you want them and add gel almost to the top. A half inch from the top of the glass globe is a good place to stop.
When gel cools and begins to thicken, place wick slowly into gel almost touching the base of the glass globe. Use non-waxed wick because the wax may cloud up your gel which would affect the appearance.
After gel is hardened, turn globe upside-down, trim wick to 1/4" from gel base, and light your candle! Each time you're done burning the candle, make sure you trim the wick upside-down so the burned wick does not get into gel. It is unsightly.
Experiment with different ideas and you will be surprised at the different combinations you can come up with. Enjoy!
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