Making candle wicks isn’t difficult, and you’ll find it rewarding to add this skill to your craft. Of course, you can stick to the basics. You can decide to give your beautiful creations ordinary hearts. However, making candle wicks one of a kind takes your craft to a new and exciting level, and wax plays a key role in the process. If you’re selling your wares, a few extra touches during your production could make your chandler stand the most popular on the craft market.
Making unique candle wicks is not a process that requires unique materials. They just have to be materials that give you a wick that stands up straight and burns properly. Take a minute to see what materials you will need and what you will do with those materials.
Pay attention, especially, to the role of the wax!
The cotton thong
Choose thick, heavy cotton yarn or cotton thread when making candle wicks. Several possibilities are kite string, carpenter’s string, and packing string. A good cotton gardening twine will also work. For each light fixture, you’ll need three lengths of string that are four inches more or less than the length of your intended creation.
the soak
A salt and boric acid bath is vital when making candle wicks. You probably already have table salt in your house. You can find boric acid, an inexpensive insecticide, at most hardware stores. Dissolve 4 tablespoons of salt and 8 tablespoons of boric acid in 3 cups of warm water. Submerge each piece of twine in the soak and leave it for 15 minutes. Make sure it stays completely covered by the soak.
the clothesline
Wicking candles correctly requires patience and time. A beginner’s mistake when making candle wicks is to shorten the drying time. You will need to hang the twine well soaked and leave it for at least 5 days to ensure it dries out completely. Simply clip the soaked twine to a clothesline with clothespins.
the braids
When the absorbent string is completely dry, braid three equal pieces together. This will create a strong wick with good burning potential. You may want to attach a clip to each end to hold the braid in place as you continue.
the wax
The role of wax in the manufacture of candle wicks is essential. The success or failure of your job depends on the wax you use, so choose wisely. If you’re like most of those who practice this trade, you’ll practice, practice, practice, recording what gives you the best results.
The role of wax in making candle wicks is often misunderstood. Contrary to much of the advice given, it is not always best to use the same wax that you plan to use for your fixture. Wick wax should be chosen for its melting point.
Melt the wax. Then dip the prepared braided thread into the melted wax until well saturated. Lay the dipped yarn braids on a flat surface, gently tug to straighten, and allow to dry completely.
Secrets of distinction
Making your candle wicks unique is as easy as the following one, two, three:
1. unique longevity! Increase the time your product will burn by using high burn rate paraffin. Even if the primary wax you are using is beeswax, soy, gel, or another type of wax, use high-burn rate paraffin for the core of the fixture. You will build a unique longevity. Do your research to find the best burning wax you can afford.
2. Unique color! Use colored string or yarn. If treated properly, it will burn just as well as white or off-white rope. If you do not have colored thread, add a few drops of wax stain to the soaking solution described above. Another way to get a unique color is to dye the paraffin used to coat the braided twine. You are making unique candle wicks with a color that matches or contrasts with your finished creation.
3. Unique fragrance! Add scent when wicking candles for unique products. Just mix a few drops of scent into the soaking solution described above. You’ll have fragrant creations without smelling the wax itself. A variation on this process can give you a unique color and fragrance together. Mix the dye and scent until very well blended. Stir them into the soaking solution and proceed as described above.
Conclusion
Making unique candle wicks, as we said before, is not a difficult skill. Hone the skill, however, and you can propel your local or Internet business to new heights.