Gel Candle Making Supplies For the Perfect Gel Candles

Candle making is a very popular activity not only in the United States but also in other countries. It is an interesting activity for all ages and has gained positive reviews from many people in different parts of the world. It is also very simple to do. There are many types of candles you can make and one of the most popular types is gel candles.

The popularity of this type of candle making is skyrocketing today. These gel candles are very different from other types of candles. Both wax and gel candles are made with an oil base, but the only difference between wax and gel, aside from the spelling, is that gel candles are made from mineral oil mixed with polymer resin, a powder that solidifies when mixed with mineral oil.

Never think that since gel candles are different from wax candles, supplies are hard to come by. You are definitely wrong! Gel candle-making supplies are available at department stores or craft stores, or you can buy them from online candle-making supply websites.

Below is a list of the gel candle making supplies You will need to:

1. Freeze. Of course you are making this candle so you would need gel. That is the most important thing you will need. But how will you know which gel to use? Hmm. Gels are essentially the same thing. The only difference between the gels is the density. Gels come in low, medium, and high density.

Now let’s talk about the different gel densities. Low density gel is also known as CLP grade. It flows and melts most easily, but the consistency is not thick enough to hold embedding materials. Also, it can only contain about 3% fragrance oil as it has a reduced amount of polymer. But this does not mean that the CLP grade is useless at all. Of course not! If you are making a gel candle with little or no scent, you can use the CLP grade.

Next in line is medium density, also known as CMP grade. Medium density gels are probably the most widely used. It can contain up to 4% fragrance and can hold your embedding materials quite well because it has a medium amount of polymer. If your scaling is light, this is a good gel to use. Also, this type of candle can be easily melted and poured.

I know you are asking yourself this question: What if I want to make strong scented candles and heavier embedding materials? What grade will I use? Don’t forget that you still have one density candle left. And this density gel will answer your question. High Density Candle, also known as CHP grade, can contain up to 5% fragrance and hold its embeds strongly because it has a high amount of polymers.

there you go You have the gels of different density. You just need to choose one of them when you are making your candles evaluating the kind of quality you want your candle to have.

2. Zinc wicks. Zinc wicks are used to make gel candles because cotton wicks are known to absorb more gel. Although cotton wicks are cheaper, they are not the best option for making these candles. If you invest in zinc wicks you can get absolutely amazing results as zinc wicks will not absorb the gel and it will burn efficiently from top to bottom.

3. Liquid color dye. It’s so boring if your gel candle is only colored with white. To bring life and creativity to your creation, you can add some liquid color dyes.

However, a word of caution. Make sure it is non-flammable as you will be using heat when making your gel candles.

Use a dropper when adding liquid color dye. Using an eyedropper will allow you to obtain a precisely proportioned mixture, which is very useful if you need to reproduce a candle with the same color tone. Let your creative juices flow as you mix colors.

4. Fragrance oils. To spice up your gel candle, add some fragrance oils that are soothing, stress-free, and can give you a soothing feeling when you light your candle. There are a lot of supplies on the market. Manufacturers and suppliers recommend fragrances with a flash point of 200 degrees. When adding fragrance, make sure it complements the type of density gel you’re using and make sure it’s non-flammable.

5. Inlays. Embeds are decorative materials that are usually placed at the bottom of the gel candle. There are different types of inlays that you can use when you are making your gel candle.

One is the glass inlay. Glass inlays are made by hand using special tools to form glass art such as fish, creatures, animals, and the like.

Another is the wax embedding. Wax inlays are like glass inlays in that they use wax to form an art. And the last type is the natural embedment. Natural inlays come from nature (from the word ‘natural’) such as shells, pebbles, crystals, and the like.

Have fun with the inlays. You might find yourself hooked on collecting and creating your own wonderful designs! Your only limit is your imagination.

Now, you’ve finally finished gathering your gel candle making supplies which are the gel, the zinc wick, the liquid colorant, the aromatic oils and the embedded ones. Gel candle making is definitely an affordable hobby as most of the materials you need can be easily found at home.

One more thing, when you are making your gel candle make sure you keep it safe and clean. I hope you enjoy making your gel candles and good luck.