One for Lisa, pretty please.

[sherrielinda]

Hi Lisa, font of all candle knowledge. I'm thinking of having a go at gel candles as they might be a bit different for fairs. Have you made any, are they difficult to make, what do you think. Have you made them in the past at all. I looked on your site but under the main headings I couldn't see gel candles so I may have missed them. Can I have your opinion please. cheers Linda.

[candles by lisa]

Hi Linda,

I don't make them myself. The only real reason I don't is from a safety point of view really - the whole process is different from paraffin or soy - I looked into making them a while back but what really put me off was the fact you need to heat them over a direct heat and never ever take your eyes off it - with two kids in the house this is impossible because usually the second I put wax on that is when one of them needs me for something really important like "mum I can't get the disney channel on the telly!!!!".

It's a personal choice so don't let me put you off - plus I don't really like gel candles myself again it's a personal thing they just don't appeal to me.

Have a look on google at gel candle making you will get some info there.

Sorry not much use but hope it helps a bit.

Cheers.

Lisa

:D

[sherrielinda]

thanks for reply. I did have a look at a few sites & I could probably give them a go as I don't have the worry of watching for children all the time. it's just something a bit different so if someone didn't want a card a gel candle might catch their eyes. Have to have a think about it. At the fairs you go to have you ever seen any???? . Thanks again, Linda.
ps. is there a spell check anywhere here ???

[candles by lisa]

Hi Linda,

The only gel candles I have seen at craft fairs are the mass produced tat I haven't seen anyone actually selling handmade ones.

There is a spell check see in the right hand corner above the smillies there is an ABC with a tick after it - that is a spell check but I think you need to download it.

HTH.

Cheers.

Lisa

:D

[Comforts & Candles]

Can I just stick my nose in and say PLEASE make sure you use gel safe fragrance oils if you intend scenting your candles sherrielinda...

I like gel candles myself and think you can get some beautifully decorative effects with them - but the wrong FO's can turn the whole thing into a total fire hazard...

I made a lovely gel candle... Lit it, test burned it a few times and all was fine and dandy... One night I parked it on a nice, heat proof, tiled hearth and hopped into the kitchen to make a coffee...

Came back two minutes later to find the whole surface of the candle alight with three foot flames licking the underside of my neat, WOOD (!!!!), mantelpiece...

Luckily, sliding an oven proof platter (held by BBQ tongs!) over the top of the container was enough to get it to extinguish itself...

Ho hum - I've steered clear of gel candles since!!! :D

[sherrielinda]

Hi there, thanks for that info, I think I'll steer clear of gel candle for the time being. cheers.
PS found the spell check, thanks

[Comforts & Candles]

Oh heck...

I don't want to put you off using gel wax!!! Not the intention honestly...:o

You can get some really attractive and decorative candles using the stuff...

You just do have to be careful that if you fragrance them that you use the correct type of fragrance oil... Something to do with polarity and another load of science I didn't want to dabble in but it should all be perfectly fine and dandy with gel safe fragrance oils...

And some of the really attractive ones I've seen (beach scenes and goldfish bowls etc) have just been really aesthetic rather than scented...

x