Photo Gel Candles

For the photo to insert I selected a sunset though it could be any picture of your choice. I printed my photo out onto acetate to make a transparency so a photo with too many small details other than a stained glass window might be difficult to see .

Materials:

photograph
piece of paper
glass container
uncolored gel candle wax
candy thermometer
saucepan
metal spoon
candle wicking
wooden skewer or a pencil
1/4-inch wide Industrial strength double-sided tape (Red Line, Wonder Line, etc.)
baking soda (safety precaution in case of fire)

1. Select a straight-sided container at least three inches in diameter. To make a pattern for the photograph cut a sheet of paper 1/2 inch shorter than the container and long enough to roll into a cylinder to stand upright inside the container about 1/4 inch away from the inside edge and with about 1/4 inch overlap. This will be the size you will need your transparency to be (figure A).

2. Print the photo onto a transparent sheet. You can do this on your home printer if you have a scanner or have it done at a copy shop. If the photograph is not long enough you can either leave the ends of the transparent sheet un-printed or make two or more copies of the photo, arrange them side by side as desired and then have the transparency printed (figure B).

3. Cut the transparency to required size, roll into a cylinder and after making certain that it is the right size tape the ends together with a 1/4-inch overlap (figure C).

4. Stand cylinder upright in the container then place the pick or pencil across the top of the container, place the wick inside to determine the proper length then remove it. Dip the metal piece at the end of the wick into the gel so that when you place it in the container again you can push on it to secure it to the bottom. Try to have it perfectly straight as it will be seen through the gel (figure D).

5. After the wick is securely in position and the gel has been heated to the proper temperature as explained in the directions pour the melted gel into the container making certain that the gel goes both inside and outside of the transparent cylinder . Be certain to follow all safety precautions as recommended by the manufacturer.

6. When gel has been poured to the top of the transparency leave it along until everything is set, preferably overnight. Hopefully it will not suddenly develop a million bubbles. There are a number of suggested ideas to minimize the number of bubbles but none are guaranteed. One suggestion is to bring the gel to as close to the maximum temperature as possible. Another is to avoid putting too many items in the container that might be incompatible with the gel (whatever that means) and one author, after making several suggestions, ended by saying, "learn to live with it."

7. Trim candle wick to 1/4 inch above the top of the gel.

Variations:

• You can also make your own designs on a transparent sheet. Use permanent ink pens or markers and draw and color your own designs or use permanent ink and rubber stamp some patterns (figure E).
• I also used a photo copy of a picture of a little girl and cut out her face which I dipped into the gel and adhered it directly to the inside of the glass before filling it with the gel (figure F).

Safety Tips:

• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Do not allow candle to burn for longer than four hours at a time.
• Always keep wick trimmed to 1/4 inch above the gel. If it grows longer and turns black it is liable to fall into the gel. It doesn't do any danger but it looks awful .
• Keep baking soda handy as a fire extinguisher when making the candles.