Squares in January – Day 2

Candlelight

(A Sunlight Alternative ?)

This year I wanted to do something different for Christmas, to make something special for our girls, so I tapped into some experimenting I started back in August and did just that.

This year I made our girls some candles.

I made them three candles each.

1. Christmas Night, which smells deliciously like Christmas pudding.
2. Citrus Fusion, full of lemons, limes and other wonderful smells.
3. And one that was a personal fragrance paired with a reed diffuser.

I researched how to do it, what was the best wax and fragrances to use, the containers, and wicks, and ratios of wax to fragrance, or more accurately, fragrance to wax, and then I dived in.  I made all the labels, which included making those vital warning labels, and I had so much fun doing so.  Actually, the fun was only overshadowed by the mess – but only for a short while.

“So that’s what the heart was for!”  Said Shelley who I asked to make the heart graphic I used on the labels.  I was sneaky and the efforts were so rewarding.

I was rather pleased with my endeavours and although the candles were not ‘store-bought quality’ I know my girls love them because I made them, and they smell amazing, and while I enjoyed the whole process, I must say, making the reed diffusers was much easier than making the candles.

Reed Diffuser – Calculate the base to fragrance ratio, measure base, measure fragrance, mix together, pour into container, secure with lid.  Easy!

Verses

Candles – Prepare container, fix wick into place, calculate correct amount of wax as per container and percentage of fragrance being used, measure the wax, melt the wax, keep an eye on the wax temperature, measure fragrance, mix wax and fragrance when the wax reaches the right temperature, allow the wax temperature to cool before pouring, pour into container, allow to set while crossing fingers and hoping for the best 🙂

I will keep experimenting.

– ⋅ o ♥ o ⋅ –

This is my next entry in Becky’s Square in January photo challenge _____light.

(Yes, this is my second post today – but I’m playing catch-ups because I missed yesterday.)

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I did make a Christmas Night candle for myself, however, we had friends over for dinner one night when the candles were still ‘curing’ and (Dean’s mate) Brad raved about it so much, I gave it to Brad and Lisa for a Christmas present.  I’m aware that Brad was chuffed.