Gel Candles: 40 Creative Projects (Paperback)

by C. Kalia Westerman (Author) "Candle gel is not a wax. Like paraffin, it is made from hydrocarbons, but rather than being solid and white, candle gel has a soft,..." (more)
Key Phrases: candle gel, candle crafting, candle colorant (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Candle gel is the hottest new product in candle crafting. This new product (95% mineral oil, 5% resin) is transparent, is extremely easy to clean up, and has a significantly longer burning time than traditional waxes. Author Kaila Westerman gives the basics of gel candle crafting in ten easy steps, then explores the endless possibilities for creating special effects with layers of color, swirls, bubbles, specialty molds, and embedments such as glass, botanicals, shells, stones, and pieces of solid paraffin candle wax. Readers can create candles that look like rainbows, aquariums, seascapes, playful sodas and other drinks, and more. Since gel candles cannot stand alone, each design is enhanced by wonderful whimsical, vintage, or even sophisticated containers.

From the Back Cover
10 easy steps to gel candle crafting

Candle gel is the hottest new product in candle crafting. This new material (95% mineral oil, 5% resin) is transparent and extremely easy to clean up, and it has a significantly longer burning time than traditional waxes. Learn the basics of making gel candles in 10 easy steps, and then explore the endless possibilities for creating special effects with layers of color, swirls, bubbles, interesting containers, and embedments, such as glass, shells botanicals, and opaque waxes. Special techniques include everything from creating rainbow effects to making candles that look like jars of preserves, from designing a seascape setting to producing polka dot designs.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; Illustrated. edition (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158017390X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580173902
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #460,427 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author Corrects Oct. 27 Review, April 21, 2004

By	Kaila Westerman (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

I am the author of this book. I am compelled to respond to the negative review written October 27.

Of course the reviewer has a right to her opinion, however it is incorrect that I recommend people "set an untabbed wick in gel". In my introduction, on page 4, I state "The wick must be self-tabbed with a metal holder". In my general discussion of materials required, on page 21, I state "the wick must have a metal T-Tab at its base which is at least 7/16" high". Finally, in my detailed discussion of wicks on page 22, I explain at great length why a tabbed wick is so essential (it would be a fire hazard to not use one).

I do not believe that the reviewer has read my book very carefully because her statement about wicks, as well as her other statements, do not reflect the content of the book.

Thanks for taking the time to read this statement.

Sincerely,

Kaila Westerman

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I just love it!, December 14, 2001

By	J. Samayoa (Miami, Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just love this book, when I got this book I was surprised on how interesting it was, it has a lot of gel candlemaking projects, and they are very easy and fun to do, i recomend you to buy this book, it is incredible, it has a lot of recomendations, tips and has a lot of pictures, full colored that makes it easier to see the colors and how your final candle will look like, i just love it

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good book by Westerman, November 15, 2001

By	"christina-l" (Chateaugay, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Had enjoyed Ms. Westerman's book on melt and pour soapmaking, so thought I'd try this candle book too. Good use of pictures to inspire you, but a couple of the "recipes" (ex. the rainbow candle) had somewhat confusing instructions. Not highly technical, though (I think it was just me and I just have to re-read it again), and it's written in an encouraging style.