Gel candle - Arts, Crafts and DIY

63 Comments

Candles are all the rage right now and the newest kind are the gel candles. Although gel wax has been around for a while, it has become one of the hottest selling items at craft fairs. Simple to make, they offer a flexibility in designs that regular beeswax and paraffin wax don’t.

Material

1 Small container (3 lbs) of CHP gel wax
1/4 to 1/2 Gel dye or enough drops to make a coloring that you like
Optionally Candle sand
Optionally An assortment of shells, fish and rocks that are candle safe. You can find these often in your local craft store or online
1 Coil of wick
Optionally Scent of your choice
1 Clothes pin

Method

Melt enough wax to fill the jar to just 1″ below the rim. Now gel wax is temperamental and has a melting point of 275 F with a flash point of 450 F. If you add a non-suitable fragrance oil to the gel wax, it will catch fire and burn the candle and everything else, so make sure it is gel wax safe.
Slowly melt the wax, stirring it often, as it melts, add your dye and scent. While it is melting, measure enough wick to go from the bottom to the top and then add a little, and cut. Place the wick in the bowl and the clothes pin at the other end.
Next, put about ½ inch of the candle sand to the bottom of the bowl covering the end of the wick at the bottom. It is okay if it isn’t even, and in fact will look better if it’s not. Then strew some shells and rocks around the top of the sand.
Then, pour your melted wax into the bowl. Wait for a bit, and when it is about ½ set, add your fish to places you want them. Don’t worry the gel wax will cover the tracks left when putting them in there.
Wait until fully cooled, and cut the wick to just below the rim.
And you have just made a seascape candle that everyone will love. Enjoy!

Want other brilliant projects sent to you?

This project was posted by:

- katarina_luna
- 14 Mar 2014
  3:12 pm

63 Comments

- - Frankiielot said
  - 12 Aug 2023
    9:55 am
Love these sorts of candles, they’re so pretty!!!

- - mom19782016 said
  - 19 Oct 2020
    7:43 am
They look beautiful lined up altogether

- - mom81879 said
  - 02 Oct 2019
    8:46 am
This is the first I’ve ever seen of gel wax. These candles are absolutely gorgeous, so I’ll be finding me some gel wax

- - kjgarner said
  - 17 Jun 2018
    10:12 pm
Thank you so very much for sharing!

- - mom111059 said
  - 21 Aug 2016
    3:57 pm
Wow these are so beautiful. They would look great in any home. Thank you
- kjgarner replied
  
  18 Jun 2018 , 11:06 pm
  Perfect for a present for someone that loves candles
- - mom112217 said
  - 28 Jun 2016
    8:38 am
The gel candles look fantastic especially with the sand and shells.l have so many shells at home it would be a great use for them and l love candles! Thanks so much!

- - Kasey said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    6:04 pm
these candles look amazing!

- - mom165081 said
  - 24 Nov 2015
    3:37 pm
Gel candles are great – they last a lot longer than wax candles too and burn without smoking (as wax candles are prone to do).

- - mom109229 said
  - 30 Sep 2015
    12:12 pm
A brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing!

- - dannsbuild said
  - 21 Sep 2015
    9:49 pm
Very nice looking! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this!

- - Kell said
  - 21 Jun 2015
    10:25 pm
these will make great gifts ..Thanks for sharing

- - mom62624 said
  - 28 Feb 2015
    8:31 am
A beautiful idea filled with intrinsic seaside character; thanks for sharing!.

- - mom57522 said
  - 10 Jan 2015
    3:59 pm
Very elegant. I must admit though, I haven’t heard of gel candles before.

- - curlytops said
  - 15 Nov 2014
    9:35 pm
those look very pretty. I have never heard of gel wax before.

- - mom94125 said
  - 01 Nov 2014
    9:48 am
this is beautiful and also makes a great table piece for weddings or partys
- mom94125 replied
  
  07 Oct 2015 , 6:04 pm
  i def’ will try this for a themed party. amazing simple and stunning
- - Mandi2406 said
  - 28 Oct 2014
    1:36 pm
Very cute would be nice for a beach wedding

- - mom57598 said
  - 28 Sep 2014
    2:35 pm
I’m always making my own candles from home. thank you for this. I will give it a go

- - Happy_Dayz said
  - 29 Aug 2014
    11:55 pm
These look awesome!! Love that you can make them the way you want to

- - kazh said
  - 28 Aug 2014
    10:57 pm
I love the seaside theme
- mom93821 replied
  
  06 Mar 2017 , 6:12 am
  I adore seaside themes too – they always look so good and always bring back memories of being at the coast.
- - lou3 said
  - 30 Jun 2014
    1:52 pm
I love this