Handcraft Blog :: Arts Crafts

Candle Making Molds

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:14:48 +0000

The various types of candle making molds that are available are nearly as plentiful as the number of distinct candles there are. Molds are easily purchased online or at your local craft store. Candles made using molds are an especially unique gift idea for that special occasion because candle molds have a flexible nature.

There are molds for Christmas presents, birthday gifts, housewarmings, baby and wedding showers, and any other special event you can think of. Because of the number of distinctive shapes available, there is really no end to how creative you can be in making beautiful candles.

429048_17559516 Wax is poured into a mold (containers) while it cools. When the wax is cooled completely, the wax will conform to the shape of the mold. Candle molds are made out of a variety of materials, sizes, shapes, and styles and offer a variety of different uses.

Aluminum molds are a popular type of mold that candle makers use. These molds are durable and heat resistant, leaving a smooth finish without leaving any seams in the finished candle. Your candles will have the appearance of being professionally made. These types of metal molds are commonly used in making votive and pillar candles.

Rubber molds like polyurethane, silicone, or latex molds are very flexible but although polyurethane molds are flexible but they do not stretch easily. Polyurethane molds are usually a little less expensive then silicone molds but have a strong odor that may transfer into your candle. These molds also might need a releasing agent to get the candle out of it.

Pillar and taper candles are frequently made from these types of molds. Silicone molds are another type of rubber mold and are the most expensive molds due to their outstanding qualities. They leave no seams, are flexible but also stretchable so that getting the candles out of the molds is easy. Thus no no releasing agent is required.

Basic Tips For Beginners

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:35:28 +0000

The methods of making candles have changed considerably over the years from the earliest method of making candles from twigs tied around a stick, to rags tied around a stick and dipped in a flammable liquid to the present day wax candles.

Gel Wax: over the years there have been different products that have been used for making candles, such as one of the most recent, gel wax. Gel candles have proven to be very popular as they can be made to look so beautiful given some practice and with the various embeds they can be made to be very personal as well.

Melting Wax: what does need to be kept in mind though is that when wax is being melted on an element it needs to be done with care. Candle wax has a flash point and if the temperature is not controlled with a thermometer a serious fire can be caused.

Two other steps of the candle making procedure that a beginner candle maker needs to learn about before starting, is the adding of color and candle scent. These also need to be done with care and it is best to remove the wax from the heat before adding them and to stir them in with a wire whisk as this mixed them through the best.

Some popular candle types that beginners can make are:

* pillar candles (round or square)
* ball candles
* votive candles
* floating candles
* ice candles
* beeswax candles

Adding Scent and Fragrance: generally speaking, votive candles are the easiest to start with as they are small and not a lot of wax has to be used to get good results. It is possible to buy a set of molds in a silicone tray and this does a great job or otherwise an investment in six single molds would work well.

Molds: when a beginner starts out they do not need to invest a lot of money in molds and can start making their first pillar candles in waxed milk cartons and these work really well. It is just a matter of peeling the wax carton away when the candle is set.

Site of the Month for November 2011

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:13:08 +0000

Site of the Month for November 2011 is concerned with Handcraft Directory. Handcraft Portal provides links and resources related to handicrafts, handmade craft, handmade arts, handmade jewelry, handmade ceramics, leather, wooden crafts, handmade necklaces, pottery, textiles, wood and more.

The Brief History of Glass Art

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:09:28 +0000

Rudimentary forms of glass blowing techniques have been recorded as early as 50BC. It was an art well promoted by ancient Phoenicians and Romans when they established one of the most prolific glassblowing centers in Germany during the first century BC! Glass art has come a long way since, with flamboyant artists like Dale Chihuly creating extravagant pieces for hotels and galleries.

If you ask any skilled glass artist, they will tell you that the best pieces of work can only be created by hand blown glass. These skilled craftsmen create astounding works like glass flowers, glass decor and other unique creations. Perhaps the most artistic venture was that of Dale Chihuly, when he created the glass flower lobby for the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the popularity of glass flowers soared.

Unlike any other form of glass art, glass flowers have the ability to be used as centerpieces and home decor because of their shape and color, without making a room appear too formal. How you want to use glass art for your home or work place depends on your own style. Some people like using single stemmed flowers while others like custom installations such as the one in the Bellagio.

Glass art is not restricted to flowers only. An online search will tell you that glassblowers have developed innumerable pieces of art with glass because of its durability and other physical qualities. Pieces as remarkable as glass flowers or glass figurines can only be created by hand blown glass, they are expensive because of the amount of hard work that goes in making each piece but glassblowers are striving to create budget friendly pieces as well.

Before purchasing glass art, you must ensure that you are not getting furnace blown glass art instead of hand made. Furnace blown pieces are less expensive and less durable. They also lack the beauty of a hand created masterpiece. It is always advisable to buy directly from the artist’s workshop.

What properties are important when choosing a diamond?

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 07:44:00 +0000

“Cut: An exceptionally cut diamond can create a beautiful brilliance, and a poorly cut diamond may appear dull. Many gemologists believe how a diamond is cut is the diamond’s most important attribute. Width and depth play a huge role how light travels in the gem. If cut too shallow the diamonds radiance will be lost. The light travels out the sides. When a diamond is cut too deep the diamond will appear dull. By doing this the light travels out the bottom of the stone.
Color: Diamonds act like a prism, by doing so it divides light in to a spectrum and colors reflect light in to bright flashes called fire. The diamond acts as a filter when looking through it, the spectrum will reduce. The less amount of color in a diamond, more brilliant its fire and the better its grade. The color rating system goes as follows.
D: Positively colorless. This is the highest color grade, and in turn exceedingly rare.
E: Colorless. Small traces of color are able to be detected by a gemologist. This is also a very rare diamond.
F: Colorless. Slight color is seen by a gemologist, still considered “”Colorless”" grade; and a high quality diamond.
G-H: Almost colorless. Color is more noticeable when compared to the higher grades of diamonds. These diamonds exhibit an excellent value.
I-J: Near colorless, color is slightly detectable.
K-Z: These grades of diamond are inferior in quality. They lack fire, and brilliance that consumers look for in a good diamond.
Clarity: This is the way the (GIA) Gemological Institute of America grades a diamond for flaws, or inclusions. These can be scratches, trace minerals, or something else to detract from the pure beauty. Clarity ratings are as follows.
FL-IF: Flawless
VVS1-VVS2: Has minute inclusions, they are very difficult to see.
VS1-VS2: Slightly included not usually seen without magnification. These are less expensive than VVS1 or VVS2 grades.
SI1-SI2: These diamonds are slightly included. Some flaws are at times visible to the unaided eye.
Carat Weight: This is the actual size of the diamond.”

A Modernized Furniture Gallery at Global Marketplace

Tina Young — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:21:21 +0000

Handcrafted furniture is one of the unique masterpiece which shows the true craftsmanship of varied artisans. In context of Indian artistry, artisans are highly skilled who has rich expertise in making of handcrafted items and are capable of developing the handcrafted furniture such as wooden chest, Almira, partition, dining table, traditional sofa set, dressing table, bed, drawers, showcase and many more. There is a huge marketplace of handmade furniture, not only in domestic but also in the International market. Every person have their own choice and requirements when it comes to furniture. You will definitely praise the creative mind of craftsman when you find a huge marketplace a versatile range of handcrafted furnitures.

Handcrafted furniture manufacturers render their top quality furniture which caters yours furnishing requirements and provides you complete seating solutions which is a perfect blend of traditional style and trendy finish. There are a huge marketplace where you can get each & every masterpiece of handcrafted furniture which was your dream to buy and you will be feel like all your dream comes true. If you have thought about any particular design or any specific requirement then it can also be customized by the various furniture manufacturers.

Handmade furnitures are mostly carved by using high quality wooden material which is a replica of an Indian artistry. Furniture manufacturers are mostly make use of all the precious woods in making of these furnitures like sandalwood, rosewood, teakwood and many more. The mission of many portal is to bring modern as well as designer furniture displayed by the various furniture manufacturer.

Site of the Month for June 2011

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:12:10 +0000

Site of the Month for June 2011 relates to Handmade Crafts. Many sites and listings in Store Hand including handmade handicraft omemade, dolls, urniture, baskets, jewelry, wooden, gifts, needlecrafts, personalized, ceramics, pottery, stained, glass, handmade clay gifts and more.