A Tribute to our Troops
"As We Reach Across the World"

By Patti Smith
Gel Candle Design Artist
BioMax Candle Supply
www.biomax1.com

ALL PICTURES AND REFERENCES ARE TO "NON-EDIBLE" NOT-FOOD ITEMS
All pictures can be "clicked on" to enlarge their view

These are times when mere words are so completely inadequate.

These are the times that I am thankful for my given talents, for they allow me self-expression when words fail.

I encourage all our worldwide candle makers to do the same. Pick up your supplies and create your artistic masterpieces-- for they will touch hearts in ways far greater than you can ever know. Please include them in the Gallery here.

We have wonderful products here at our fingertips. The rest is inside our heads, and coming from our hands and fingers....and most importantly, our hearts.

For this Edition, we have furnished many patriotic candle designs, and we want to share some basics, fast tricks, and tips to help you in their creation. Just a look at the pictures will give you much of the information you need to create similar candles.

We will cover color bleeding and 'fixes'; tricks on color-layering; stain-glass look; quick and simple glass art; glassware enhancements with inexpensive terracotta bases; embeds; toppers; two-sided candles (to increase appeal); and other side-note details--- as they jump into my head along the way. :o)

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SOLID COLOR-LAYERING and anti-bleeding…. The red and white stripe design is one of the most popular. There are several ways to do this, depending on whether you want to use gel, paraffin or a combination. The most successful technique that we have found is to color gel a very bright red and pour for your beginning layer.

Adding ¼ teaspoon (per pound of gel or paraffin) of UV Inhibitor will help lock the red color into the gel. Allow the gel to set.

(SIDE NOTE: this is also the time that you can place your glassware at an angle if you want the affect of 'layered angles'. If you have a container of sand, rice, kitty litter-anything that will hold the glassware at an angle - you can get some really cool effects from layered 'angles' also)

Next we melted paraffin from our 'whipping cream blend' which already has the additives to make this very high quality paraffin and works great along with the gel. Again, we added the ¼ t of UV inhibitor and added some whitening crystals. This makes the paraffin a very BRIGHT white (remember WHITE is a color too), and the UV inhibitor chemically helps to lock the color. Just barely melt the paraffin, so it is at its lowest pouring temperature…and allow the paraffin to slightly thicken and cool before pouring, to lessen the attack onto the red gel. Pour the thickness you want for your white layer. Allow this layer to completely set. (SIDE NOTE: You can speed up the set by placing the glass in the refrigerator or freezer also)

When the white wax is completely set (and of course thinner layers cool faster) we poured our next layer of red gel... again... allowing it to thicken and cool so it does not 'attack' the white paraffin layer. Continue with these layers until your candle reaches the height you want. Some designs can take a navy blue layer on top... either wax or gel. A gel topper is nice to hold novelties (like little metal Flags) on the top of the candle, which is always an eye catcher. A paraffin topper is a great protector for the top of the candle also.

Remember to appropriately add fragrance to all your layers also.

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STAIN GLASS-look Candles. This is super easy and great way to use up colored gel 'stash'. Simple pull chunks of colored gel (red, white and blue) and place them, around the wick, add a sprinkle of celestial gold glitter or tiny gold stars to the chunks, and over-pour clear gel. Instant and great look!

You don't worry about bleeding, because the candle will take on a character of its own and create a beautiful metallic cut diamond look.

A trick is to place larger chunks (about 1 inch size) instead of 'crumbling' and 'packing' the gel. Don't pack too tightly or you will get air pockets where the liquid gel could not fill in (you can always do this technique in layers too... add more chunks/pour more liquid building the height. . The FIX for air pockets is (1) use embedding tool to release an air pocket and fill in with liquid gel… or (2) pull edge of gel away from the side-glass and pour more liquid gel to fill in the space. Fast and Easy FIX!

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GLASS ART … many of our patriotic candle designs use the new Rub'N'Done GLASS ART. Make sure your glassware is clean and free of oil. Simply cut out the designs you want on your glass. Attach the adhesive side to the glass and rub the protective sheeting.

You can create all sorts of wonderful designs instantly for a very professional-looking painted glass surface.

A great look is to pour (in either paraffin or gel) a colored base layer (you can even use a colored sand base too-but remember to use your safety wick bead for sure!! when making sand-base candles)

For a wonderful 3D look, use the Glass Art designs on the outside of your Glassware, and use wax embeds in the body of the candle…sprinkling the wax embeds with glitters adds that special sparkle….great for eye appeal.

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  Glassware enhancements for terracotta clay pots and bases. These pots and bases are super economical and with a light spray of paint (red, white, navy, metallic gold), you have an instant base piece. Use E6000 glue to attach your glassware to the upside down pot or saucer.

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Two-Sided Candle Designs. This is fantastic for the creative mind AND for customer appeal. Everyone loves getting a 2-for-1 deal.

One design seen from the front of the candle, and another design on the back. ( Most of us have continuous ideas popping in our heads all the time, and run out of glassware and wax before the ideas stop. Instant cure here . :o)

This is actually the same candle (front and back).

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"Home of the Brave" candle has a solid color paraffin base layer and then clear gel with a patriotic badge embedded (from our USA Collection). The gel magnifies the images on the badge for a great diorama look inside the candle.

Add some wax red, white, blue stars on the other side... and you have wonderful two-sided candle.

(SIDE NOTE: Remember to allow the gel to cool before inserting wax embeds)

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WORLD PEACE - Another design actually started with a blue candle with blue wax WORLD PEACE ribbons embedded randomly in a small roly poly (which you can get FREE from our site-these are great 'fillers'). After it was completely set, we pulled the candle from the glassware and embedded the entire candle in the center of a larger roly poly.

We placed some bright red chunks of gel around the base and then filled with clear gel… not too hot... remember to wait till slightly thickened. Lastly we placed a RED, WHITE, BLUE USA glass peace ribbon in the clear gel in the front… showing the USA as the leader, and World Peace behind her. Add some red, white and blue wax stars to the back side so that once again, you have a two-sided candle. Great THEME!!

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The white wax 5-point stars look great embedded in bright blue or red gel… give a light dusting of celestial gold glitter for the sparkles. A sprinkle of tiny gold metallic stars on the top of all patriot candles is a great finishing technique.

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Ribbons and metallic garlands are another great way to finish off a 'plain looking' candle design. Remember to keep them proportionate to the size of your glassware for the professional look.

April 2001

2 Gel Candle Designs for: Mother's Day & Golfers!

Could Spring REALLY be coming????? The grass is turning green, and the fresh flowers budding from their winter's sleep? Ah YES!!! As the days grow longer and the chill of the air begins to give way to warmth... our hearts feel lighter and our spirits dance with youthfulness as these world's open and new beginnings take hold.

This month we feature two springtime candles, and we want to focus on WAX EMBEDS. One of the most important things to remember when making a candle with a wax embed. Is that your SAFEST shot is to:

(1)Pour the candle and

(2) THEN add the wax embed AFTER the candle has cooled about 10-15 minutes.

Many customers call me because they have poured hot, liquid gel OVER a wax embed and then had a 'melt down'. How do we get around this??? VERY SIMPLY. ALWAYS do it in the reverse order.

In our Mother's Day Candle:

*We attached the 60s series wick to the bottom of the glassware.

*Then we added neon green sand, for brightness along with some green foil tree glitters. The contrast between matte sand and the reflection of the foils is a really nice effect and draws the eye.

*Next, we added chunks of un-melted gel into the center of the candle (working around the wick) and sprinkled iridescent daisies on top of the chunks. (The chunks allow the daisies to be suspended in mid- candle after the over-pour.)

*Then we continued to pour the rest of the candle with clear gel, with tiny bit of gold celestial glitter and scented with White Gardenia. What Mother wouldn't love this? We left just about a ¾" head space at the top of the candle, to offset the displacement we will get as we add the wax flower hibiscus, lilies and leaves to form our bouquet.

*Then we waited 10-15 minutes, moving the wick around from time to time to see that the gel was changing from a 'liquid state' to a 'gelled state', but still completely pliable.

*Then we sprinkled more celestial gold glitter very lightly over the wax pieces which works really cool and instantly adheres all by itself. This adds lots of highlight and definition since wax pieces typically are pretty plain.

*Now we gently slide the hibiscus down into the candle pressing it close to the glass surface for clear visibility. We don't mind that there are bubbles BEHIND the flowers as they show off our little daisy foils.

*Then we added a white lily blossom to both sides and completed the look with individual green leaves for fullness. We use our new BioMax Embedding Tool (coming to the site next week) to move the pieces exactly where we want them and tilting them to the angle for best presentation. Usually in floral decorating, you want to keep your counts in odd numbers, thus we have a center hibiscus and then a lily on each side with leaves to balance out. It is a perfect balance and the colors between the red hibiscus and the white lilies on top of two shades of green base give a wonderful color balance and coordination. Keep these things in your mind's eye as you do your design work.

OUR NEXT CANDLE is for the golf lovers and it is a simple candle to create.

*Once again, we seated our 60s wick and then poured just the foil green trees this time. We didn't want to take up extra space with sand since we wanted our glassware to appear 'full of golf balls'. These golf balls have been highlighted in metallic silver to add clarity.

*Again, we poured the candle, almost to the top. Having lightly colored the gel with green and scented with our 'Fresh and Green' Spring scent, which also doubles by the name "Odor Eliminator'. This isn't our favorite name for this scent and don't let the name fool you. It is a delightful, fresh and crisp unisex scent.

A few of our glitter trees will float randomly within the candle and that is fine because it makes the candle fun.

*NOW WE WAIT. Remember to busy yourself. If you must...sit on your hands. count to 1,567,789 or WHATEVER you have to do to keep yourself from placing wax embeds into molten gel.

*When we can move the wick in a circular motion and see thickness. Our gel should be ready to receive the wax embeds without melting.

*Again, using your embed tool (which acts like a 'claw') to slide the pieces into the position you want and cause a jigsaw effect filling in the sides of the glassware.

*Angle the pieces so that they present a nice visual effect.

*We topped our Golfer's Candle with some foil golf clubs, tees and balls, which are found in our foil collection, under the 'GLITTERS' on our web site. A candle maker can NEVER have too many foils, glitters, words and shapes in order to always be prepared for that unexpected emergency candle-need that we have all experienced. There you have it. a BUCKET OF GOLF BALLS.and EASY!!!

Our Mother's Flower Candle looks beautiful, and will offer many hours of lasting warm candlelight reminding her of how she is loved and considered a beauty in her own rite.

Hopefully these suggestions, when added to your own creative ideas will help get you started.

As a final note, for those having husbands, sons, and other relatives and friends assigned to the War effort, we wish you comfort and strength in the coming days, and for the safe arrival home of your loved ones. We strive, hope and pray for the common goal of World Peace and Safety for all.

April 2000
Patti Smith
www.biomax1.com

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail....

Easter brings us a wealth of new colors and a rebirthing of a brand new season...what better way to welcome Springtime than with a rainbow of colors and bright decorations. This is the perfect opportunity to incorporate all the pastel colors and festive hues of spring.

Bright green sands, pebbles and the new hottest neon fluorescent colors of gel, make the perfect base layer. Adding wax and glass Easter Eggs, jelly beans and other hard candies, and little ceramic bunnies host the perfect Easter Candle to delight young and old alike. There are many confetti foils available including chicks, bunnies, 3-D eggs, baskets to add to the bright colors and reflections inside the candle.

You can also use the tinsel holiday garland to decorate the outside of the glassware and, using Elmer's PROBOND Silicone Rubber Sealer, you can easily and firmly attach resin pieces and bunny erasers to further decorate the outside of the glassware..... Seating the candle in a gathering of Easter grass and cotton-candy-scented bunny soaps make a perfect centerpiece as well as an eye-catcher for your craft tables. These make a favorite Easter gift for your dinner guests.

Don't forget to include iridescent glitters and plenty of color chunks to over pour for depth. You can place a HAPPY EASTER pick down in the center of the candle by the wick.. just make sure to include in your safety instructions to "REMOVE EASTER PICK" before burning.

Enjoy!

Patti
and the Crew at
www.biomax1.com

Wick Reminders

We recommend that you use only ZINC core wicks--you need the added heat from the metal core for sufficient temperature to burn the gel well... a 50s series for up to 3" opening and 60s series for 3.5 and higher, when you don't go to three 50s.

The biggest mistake we encounter: you should trim the wick to 1/4" for the initial burn, say first half hour. This is the time that the wick actually 'seats' itself into the candle. After that, to avoid smoking, trim the wick back to just a bare 'nub' meaning 1/16th of an inch. When a seated gel candle wick smokes.. 95% of the time, it is because it has too much length. People are used to the height of a wick in paraffin candles which is too much for gel candles. When you extinguish.. teach customers to do a little wick maintenance.. use toothpick to remove any wick droppings. Keep the wick at
the nub height to avoid excessive mushrooming.

This should help you immensely.

Beginning & Advanced Videos by Patti HERE

More Info about the Book & Video Set HERE