Essentially Candles: The Elegant Art of Candlemaking & Embellishing [Paperback]

Robert S. McDaniel (Author), Katherine J. McDaniel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001

With over 250 colour photographs that guide the reader through step-by-step instructions, the entire candle-making process is presented for more than 20 unique candles with endless variations. From the selection of raw materials such as wicks, waxes, colours and fragrances to the finishing touches, this book offers a comprehensive look at this exciting craft. Features: Colour photographs that guide the reader through step-by-step instructions; Projects for pillar candles, dipped tapers, rolled candles, container candles, floating candles, sand candles, mould-making and much more; Guides for decorating and adding fragrance to candles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873419960
• ISBN-13: 978-0873419963
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,213,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Bob McDaniel has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Missouri at Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology.) After a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago, he started an industrial career and worked in the soap and detergent industry for some fifteen years. During his industrial career he earned 14 US Patents and their foreign equivalents all relating to surfactants. His work led to construction of multimillion dollar a year plants in the US and Europe.
At this time Dr.Bob teaches Chemistry and AP Chemistry at an independent high school in Southern California. He has his wife, in addition to writing books, also produce bison tallow soap for bison ranchers Ken and Kathy Lindner. He also writes a column for The Saponifier, an e-magazine for soap makers.
Bob and Katie McDaniel have a wide range of interests. They rode horses in Chicago, played a great deal of golf in Decatur, engaged in fine American crafts in suburban Philadelphia, and engage in target shooting in Southern California. At this point in their lives they successfully, by diet and exercise, regained their weight and conditioning and have matched the weight and BMI last seen as they entered college. If you ask what is next for them, the answer is anything: perhaps even a book on fitness.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essentially Most Useful, October 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Essentially Candles: The Elegant Art of Candlemaking & Embellishing (Paperback)

I was first struck by the photo content. It seems that procedures to make every common type of candle (and several uncommon ones as well) are fully illustrated with lots of photos that make reproducing the results extremely easy to follow. Not only that but the authors helped to dispell my bewildernment over the many, many ingredients available on the market which are useful (or not) for producing special effects. For instance, the suggestion to forget gloss ingredients and use higher temperatures in making the candle is simple and highly practical.
I own or have looked through almost every candle book on the market, and I think this one is clearly the best resource book available. I just wish it were longer.
Finally, to my surprise, I discovered that this is the only book that is recommended by my primary ingredient supplier. They seem to agree that it is the most factual and accurate book on the market suitable for those getting started as well as for those needing more info as they scale up.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best value!, January 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Essentially Candles: The Elegant Art of Candlemaking & Embellishing (Paperback)

Ingredient selection for candles can be baffling, but Dr. Bob covers the gamut and tells which work or when there is a better way to do things. Lots of projects with easily available equipment as well as how to use fancy molds, or even make your own molds! Over 250 beautiful color pictures make procedures and results easy to understand. The section on how much wax is needed for a particular mold is invaluable, and I personally love the section on wax characteristics.
The FAQ is quite complete and look for tips on the best ways to make or avoid mottled candles, glossy candles, and which special ingredients can be replaced by the right technique. This is a valuable book for scout leaders, first timers, and experienced candlemakers alike. But then, what would you expect from the authors of Essentially Soap.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essentailly Candles kindles enthusiasm, January 7, 2002

By 

N. Barry (MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essentially Candles: The Elegant Art of Candlemaking & Embellishing (Paperback)

"To waken interest and kindle enthusiasm is the sure way to teach easily and successfully. " Tryon Edwards (1809-1894)
This quote,(pun intended), describes Essentailly Candles to a "T". Starting with the history of candles,then proceeding to choosing the correct wax, wick and additives, then to the projects and great photos, Bob and Kate McDaniel have done an excellent job of teaching basic and advance skill in candlemaking. The book is easily read, the projects are illustrated with great photos and it is packed full of information useful to either the novice or more experienced candlemaker. I found the infomation on color, blending techniques, wax quantites for molds and differences and uses of various waxes to be most informative and helpful. I have made candles for over 20 years and still learned many new and useful things from this book.There are many books with pretty pictures and directions for projects. Essentially Candles not only gives the projects and the step-by-step directions but also offers the foundation information necessary to explore other possibilities. A must have for anyone wishing to know the why of candlemaking.