Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Hi. I just have a question about stamping on candles. I have made a couple and I really like them, but the problem I am having is the candle melts a little too much. What is the secret? The one I made looked great like that, but most do not! I appreciate any help. Michelle
I have the best results with making candles when I GO SLOW and STAY BACK with the heat gun, which means the tip of the heat gun is at least six inches away from the candle.
I have had better results if I stamp on one piece of tissue paper cut to a size that wraps all the way around the candle. After I stamp my images, I use a glue stick to hold the ends of the tissue paper onto the candle at the "seam," making sure it's nice and tight. I don't use wax paper to hold the tissue onto the candle. If I trim the ends and top of the tissue paper with my deckle scissors, the edge is less noticeable.
The other tool I use for this method is a "turntable" that I make by taking an 8 1/2 inch square piece of paper and trim off the corners, creating an octagon shape. I place the candle in the center of the paper and then just keep turning the paper with my left hand while I hold the heat gun in my right hand. Just as I see the "shine" of the melted wax start to show through the tissue, I quickly turn the candle a little before drips can develop. Very gradually the tissue paper disappears. This takes patience and some practice, but you are much more likely to have a fairly smooth candle when you're done.
A hint about something I learned the hard way: Look your candle over closely immediately after you're done. You can repair a spot you might have missed while the candle is still warm, but once it has cooled down DON'T TRY TO RE-HEAT IT, because for some reason the tissue paper underneath the wax will crackle up and there goes that nice smooth candle you worked so hard to make!
One more thing: In order to safely burn these tissue wrapped candles, my husband uses his drill press and a 2 inch Forstner Bit to create a well in the top of the candle that is 2 inches across and 1 and 3/8 inches deep. I take the wick completely out (slides out the bottom very easily). I put a glass tea light holder in that hole and then put the tea light in the glass holder. I prefer the tea lights that are contained in a clear plastic liner as opposed to metal because the light shines through the candle much better. I know those are more expensive, but you can re-use the clear plastic liner by transferrig the tea lights from the metal liners.
Have fun. I love them and so do the people I give them to as gifts.
Linda
__________________ Linda Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. -Twyla Tharp
I stamp my image onto tissue paper, lightly glue it down to the candle, then wrap wax paper completely around the candle and hold it tight together in the back, this way i don't burn my hands. Then I run the heat gun over the part of the wax paper that is covering the tissue paper until it melts, you will know when this happens. After that just pull the wax paper off the candle, the tissue paper with the stamped image is melted into the candle, and I never have any more drips from my candle.
I do however put the tealights in my candle also. That way your candle will last, and you can just keep replacing the tealight. Definitely go with the clear ones. not only do they put out more light, but the metal holders melt into the candle where the plastic ones don't.
By the way labullard, I love your avatar! Collin Firth is one of my favorites. What a hottie!
__________________ I'm a loser ~ 19.2 pounds gone...lots more to go!
[quote="CrabbyAbbe"]... After that just pull the wax paper off the candle, the tissue paper with the stamped image is melted into the candle, and I never have any more drips from my candle.
[quote]
Yep! The wax paper diffuses the heat nicely so you don't get melty spots. The best way I can describe that you are done in any one spot is when it looks like there is sweat under the wax paper. It only takes about 15 or so seconds to complete the heating.
I am fairly new to stampin and have seen stamped candles. Thanks for the ideas and tips. I was wondering if there were certain candles that anyone can recommend to use and/or stay away from.
I just made a few of the tissue stamped candles as teacher gifts. I was going to include a note with them that the image was stamped with tissue paper. I was wondering if the tissue would catch fire if the candles were burned? Should I say that the candles are for decorative use only?
tell her she can burn the candle down enough to fit a tealight candle in it. (burn it down deep enough so that the tea light hides itself in the candle)Then you can just burn the tea light. Include a tea light along with your candle, the ones in the plastic containers work the best, they provide more light, plus the metal ones get so hot that they melt into the candle.
labullard said that she has her DH drill a hole into the candle so she can set hers in, but i usually just burn mine down a little (only because i wasn't smart enough to have my DH drill a hole ) Oh well, now i know for next time.
__________________ I'm a loser ~ 19.2 pounds gone...lots more to go!
Does your tissue paper have to match the color of your candle? Or doesn't it matter?
I haven't done anything besides white or cream colored candles, but I've read in some tutorials that you should try to match the tissue and the candles, I assume so the tissue will be less visible. I looked through the gallery and most of the candles are white, but here is one beautiful burgundy candle posted by iwasborn2stamp that used burgundy tissue:
labullard:
Thank you! That candle is gorgeous! BTW, She said you do have to match them, or close enough so that the colors blend.
Thanks again and I can't wait to go to the dollar store!
Question about stamping on candles....
