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Wedding Toasting Ideas:
The Candlemaker's Companion : A
Complete Guide to Rolling, Pouring, Dipping, and Decorating Your
Own Candles (Paperback)
Amazon.com
"Please, please, please, burn candles!" pleads Betty
Oppenheimer. "Too many people save them, keep them wrapped
up in a drawer or forever in the same centerpiece holder, never
to be burned." If that isn't enough incentive to use candles,
the rest of this thorough guide certainly provides it in the form
of step-by-step instructions covering virtually all aspects of
making rolled, poured, molded, dipped, and decorated candles--even
candleholders. Though there are no photos, the line drawings are
quite helpful, as are the crafting tips that--along with well-chosen
candle-related quotes--fill the book's margins. --This text refers
to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Both these books cover essentially the same ground and are good
basic guides for making candles. They deal with waxes, wicks,
molds, scents, and a variety of decorating techniques. Oppenheimer's
book has a more extensive text with line drawings, while Coney's
is completely illustrated with color photographs. Both have more
information on candle-making than Gloria Nicol's The New Candle
Book (LJ 11/1/95), a guide that emphasizes candle display. These
are both good basic books for the library craft collection.
Review: Excellent Introduction to Serious Hobbyist. A
few minor blemishes.,
`The Candlemaker's Companion' by Betty Oppenheimer is a the very
first book I have read on home candlemaking, and I got it primarily
as a source for techniques for decorating commercially made candles,
but I am happy to report that it lives up to its subtitle of `A
Complete Guide to Rolling, Pouring, Dipping, and Decorating Your
Own Candles'
The author states and I agree wholeheartedly
that there are a lot of similarities between candlemaking and
cooking, as long as you don't push the analogy too hard. Both
skills use chemistry, heat, and measuring in roughly the same
amounts, somewhere between a teaspoon (5 ml) and five pounds.
And, if Ms. Oppenheimer's book were to be compared to a cookbook,
it would not be to the Betty Crocker / Better Homes and Gardens
/ `Joy of Cooking' genre of lots of recipes with little why and
wherefores or to the `Gourmet Magazine' / Martha Steward school
of emphasis on elegance and entertaining or to the Eric Rippert
/ Thomas Keller / Daniel Boulud school of cuisine as high art.
It can be most closely compared to Alton Brown of `Good Eats'
and Shirley Corriher of `Cookwise' where the why of things is
given just as much importance as the how and how much.
As someone totally new to the candlemaking craft,
I am really impressed by how many variables go into making a successful
candle. A matter so humble as the wick requires a whole chapter,
and the first long chapter to boot. Dismiss any notions that any
length of cotton string can serve as a wick. After reading this
book, I am convinced that your conventional kitchen twine will
fail miserably as a wick, regardless of the thickness of the candle
or any other variable entering the picture. The best wicks are
braided from many, many strands of cotton in such a way that as
they burn, they bend so their tip reaches out to the outer layer
of flame and becomes oxidized (turned to ash) without smoking
as a result of partial burning.
As a former chemist, the varieties of waxes
are a bit more familiar to me, but the variety and techniques
of additives to the wax involves a second major section, albeit
not even as long as the chapter on wicks. Heating wax is one place
where the parallels to cooking are significant, as the range of
temperatures are similar to deep frying, and safety measures are
similar.
The variety of techniques for making candles
is also familiar; as I have dealt with all sorts of candles, including
poured, dipped, rolled, and sculpted. What is unfamiliar is the
amount of care one needs in the selection of the best combination
of wicks and waxes for each technique. Buying your 11 pound block
of paraffin and some coloring at your local craft store, throwing
it all into a heating pot, and pouring the result into a mold
with wick will probably lead to a less than perfect result.
This brings up the fact that like baking and
unlike savory cooking, candlemaking measurements must really be
pretty precise, which, among other things, means you really do
need a pretty accurate scale for measuring weight. The author
makes no suggestions, but I will chime in and say that the type
which are best for cooking, the digital, dual unit electronic
models are really the best. And, largely agreeing with the author,
I will say that this is the ONLY tool that you can share between
your kitchen and your candlemaking bench. The author, from long
experience, I am sure, says that any tool you use for candlemaking
will acquire traces of wax that you will invariably be unable
to clean from the tool. This includes all other types of measuring
devices.
This brings me to the fact that the author has
some serious weaknesses in her discussion of measurements. At
the top of the list is her mistaking a gallon for 3.76 milliliters
(ml) rather than 3.76 Liters. This means she is off by a factor
of 1000! While this may not cause any problems for anyone ignoring
the metric measurements, it can cause serious headscratching for
someone not thoroughly familiar with the metric system, is valiantly
trying to work with it for all its obvious examples. My more general
issue with Ms. Oppenheimer's measurements is that she interchangeably
uses volumes, weights, and relative size (parts). My suggestion
would be to stick primarily to metric weights and do conversions
to volume only when really necessary, as when you are figuring
out how much wax you need to fill a particular vessel to a particular
level.
My only other major issue I could find with
the book is in the fact that Ms. Oppenheimer makes a reference
to the color wheel as if this device typically taught in the seventh
grade were a working part of all her reader's everyday knowledge.
While I have a vague notion of what the color wheel looks like
and how its used, I have no certainty that I know where to find
one which will work with pigments (one of the things I do remember
is that there are different color wheels for combining pigments
and beams of light.)
Regarding my original purpose for buying this
book, I can state that it gives many sound looking techniques
for decorating the outside of commercially purchased candles,
although I did find a few slips in lists of materials which I
would consider a major flaw in a cooking recipe.
I recommend this book for the `sophisticated'
beginner who is willing, as the author wisely suggests, to do
a little experimentation in pursuit of the hobby. If you just
want to knock off a few votive candles, buy a ready-made kit for
the purpose.
Recommended, with warning to keep your brain
fully engaged as your read.
Review: Great How-to Book
What really sets this book apart from other craft and how to books
is the author's notes from personal experience about different
things that she has tried. For example, she details how wicks
are supposed to work and what happened when she tried to make
her own. She has a wonderfully succinct style and includes just
enough historical background to keep it moving, interesting and
usable as a resource when you are actually at the table.
Review: Good book, hoping for
more illustrations
Great book when it comes to content, but lacking in illustrations.
Review: the best book on the
subject
Having dabbled in candle-making since I was a child, I have read
a good many chandlery books. This is by far the most comprehensive
book on the subject I have read and the instructions are easy
to understand and follow.
Review: A must for beginner and
those who thought they knew candles!
This book is incredibly useful for creating a cheap candlemaking
studio out of common items. It makes candlemaking accessible for
the regular venturing hobbyist. It is meant to be owned. I recommend
that once you get the basics of this book down that you also buy
The Encyclopedia of Candlemaking Techniques A Step By Step Visual
Giude by Sandie Lea to explore the more creative techniques in
an easy approach. They are a must set.
Review: Good Buy!
I bought this book about a month ago and have found it very helpful.
It does not have any photo's but more than makes up for it with
lot's of good drawings on a wide variety of candles.
Candle Making (Step-by-Step Crafts) (Paperback)
About the Author
Cheryl Owen is an experienced crafter who has also worked
as a dressmaker, fashion designer and embroiderer. She is the
author of many craft-related books and has contributed to numerous
magazines including Essentials, Good House Keeping and Inspirations
on subjects as diverse as paper, clay, fabric, glass painting
and salt dough. Candle making is her latest passion, and she has
created a number of exciting handmade candles for craft and lifestyle
magazines.
Review: I can't believe that no one has written a review for this!!
This book starts out with defining different materials,waxes,
molds,coloring/scenting,and wicks. It tells you how to prepare
the wick;how to level the bottom of the candle;and how to use
containers found in all homes. It has sections on beeswax candles,making
tapers at home,making your own molds,painting and applique candles,
layering candles, making floating flowers by hand, imbedding,
gel candles(small section),making stacked candles,hurricane(shell)candles,stencilling,
wrapped candle ideas,stick candles for the yard,marbling candles,and
frosted candles. This book includes templates, variations and
tips in the sections and all pages are either full colored pictures
or have multiple pictures. Many of the crafts are even explained
with pictures to show the novice how to make candles. I have bought
around 30 books on candles and I still like this very much. It
shows you how to make candles from nothing but the wax and your
hands. I can't say enough about this book...
Essentially Candles:
The Elegant Art of Candle Making & Embellishing (Paperback)
Book Description
Now anyone can create,
scent, color and embellish professional looking candles at home.
This new book will satisfy the needs of candle makers from the
complete novice that has only a few dollars and an orange juice
can mold to the entrepreneur, ready to start a small home business.
With over 250 color photographs that guide the reader through
step-by-step instructions, the entire candle-making process is
presented for more than 20 unique candles with endless variations.
From the selection of raw materials such as wicks, waxes, colors
and fragrances to the finishing touches, Katherine J. McDaniel
and Dr. Robert S. McDaniel offer a comprehensive look at this
exciting craft.
Dr. Robert S. McDaniel is also the author of
Essentially Soap, a finalist for the 2001 Award of Excellence.
-Color photographs guide the reader through
step-by-step instructions
-Projects for pillar candles, dipped tapers, rolled candles, container
candles, floating candles, sand candles, mold making and much
more
-Guides for decorating and adding fragrance to candles
Review: clear and elegant presentation.
If you are only going to invest in one book -- this should be
the one! In addition to instructions to create classic and creative
candles, there are great explanations of wax types, molds, safety
precautions, and more. All this information is presented with
words of encouragement and enhanced with well-photographed examples.
Review: Essentially Most Useful
I was first struck by the photo content. It seems that procedures
to make every common type of candle (and several uncommon ones
as well) are fully illustrated with lots of photos that make reproducing
the results extremely easy to follow. Not only that but the authors
helped to dispell my bewildernment over the many, many ingredients
available on the market which are useful (or not) for producing
special effects. For instance, the suggestion to forget gloss
ingredients and use higher temperatures in making the candle is
simple and highly practical.
I own or have looked through almost every candle book on the market,
and I think this one is clearly the best resource book available.
I just wish it were longer.
Finally, to my surprise, I discovered that this is the only book
that is recommended by my primary ingredient supplier. They seem
to agree that it is the most factual and accurate book on the
market suitable for those getting started as well as for those
needing more info as they scale up.
Review: Best value!
Ingredient selection for candles can be baffling, but Dr. Bob
covers the gamut and tells which work or when there is a better
way to do things. Lots of projects with easily available equipment
as well as how to use fancy molds, or even make your own molds!
Over 250 beautiful color pictures make procedures and results
easy to understand. The section on how much wax is needed for
a particular mold is invaluable, and I personally love the section
on wax characteristics.
The FAQ is quite complete and look for tips on the best ways to
make or avoid mottled candles, glossy candles, and which special
ingredients can be replaced by the right technique. This is a
valuable book for scout leaders, first timers, and experienced
candlemakers alike. But then, what would you expect from the authors
of Essentially Soap.
Review: Essentially Candles kindles
enthusiasm
"To waken interest and kindle enthusiasm is the sure way
to teach easily and successfully. " Tryon Edwards (1809-1894)
This quote,(pun intended), describes Essentailly Candles to a
"T". Starting with the history of candles,then proceeding
to choosing the correct wax, wick and additives, then to the projects
and great photos, Bob and Kate McDaniel have done an excellent
job of teaching basic and advance skill in candlemaking. The book
is easily read, the projects are illustrated with great photos
and it is packed full of information useful to either the novice
or more experienced candlemaker. I found the infomation on color,
blending techniques, wax quantites for molds and differences and
uses of various waxes to be most informative and helpful. I have
made candles for over 20 years and still learned many new and
useful things from this book.There are many books with pretty
pictures and directions for projects. Essentially Candles not
only gives the projects and the step-by-step directions but also
offers the foundation information necessary to explore other possibilities.
A must have for anyone wishing to know the why of candlemaking.
Review: Great for Beginners and Advanced
Alike!
This book is excellent for beginners but also for more advanced
candlemakers. It includes a wealth of information on ingredients
and equipment both store bought and homemade. It covers a variety
of candle types including pillar, container, gel, floating, fantasy
and tapers to name some. It also includes handy charts like figuring
out how much wax you need for a mold or how to create a particular
color. Good list of suppliers too. Lots of creative ideas for
more advanced candlemakers and step by step instructions for beginners.
There is something for everyone.
The Book Of Candlemaking:
Creating Scent, Beauty & Light (Paperback)
Amazon.com
Creating your own candles allows for a wide range of
creative expression. Molding, dipping, rolling, carving, twisting,
scenting, decorating-all these methods yield unique handmade candles,
and all are nicely explored in this well-illustrated guide. A
thorough introduction to the various techniques sets the stage
for dozens of projects, from molded shapes concealing hidden treasures
or stately pillars collaged with found objects to elegantly decoupaged
tapers or whimsical candles mimicking ice cream sundaes. Many
projects are devoted to decorating candle containers, so in addition
to showing beginners how to delve into the field and providing
more experienced crafters with new ideas, the book also offers
great designs for unleashing your creativity on the candleholder,
even if you never make a single candle from scratch. --Amy Handy
Book Description
Make candles with that personal, imaginative
touch. Gorgeous color photographs come together with a complete
how-to guide to help you produce any combination of size, shape,
color, scent, and style. Experiment with mold, double mold, dipped,
rolled, and floating candles, shape them by carving, pinching,
and twisting the wax, and add aromatic effects. Decorating techniques
include decoupage, embossing, and leafing, while a variety of
easily available items such as dried leaves, foil, paint, cork,
glitter, and bracelet charms will transform the most ordinary
candle into an object of beauty and charm. You'll even learn how
to make candleholders and containers from ordinary household items,
and individualize store-bought candles. Lavish photographs of
gleaming candles in inspiring settings show exactly how to create
a romantic evening, a festive holiday atmosphere, or a warm welcome
for dinner guests.
Review: Good but not great
This book covers the basics in candlemaking, what you'll need,
wick types, wax types, pouring temps, which is very informative
but it lacks in the candle varieties. It seems to focus more on
candle decorating. I was looking for tips on making chunk, layered
and ice candles to name a few. There also isn't any information
on Gel wax or soy wax. There was some helpful information in here,
but overall it wasn't what I was looking for in a candle book.
Review: Well, I DID come back
to order it....*grin*,
First impression....all I can say is I guess my dog likes it!
I woke up this morning to find the pages of this book strewn all
over my yard. What was left of it did seem very informative and
useful, so I came back to reorder it. Maybe this time I'll get
to see the whole book. LOL
Review: I think this is a great
book for beginners to candle making
The information is very useful, detailed, and well presented
Creative Wedding Florals You Can Make
(Paperback)
Review: Helpful for Beginners
When my daughter took her ideas for her wedding to our local florists,
the estimates were over $3,000. When we finished laughing, we
bought this book. Even though we had very little previous experience
with florals, with a little practice we were able to make quite
a few of the things she wanted ourselves. And perhaps more importantly,
we were also able to determine what we couldn't do ourselves,
and how best to work with a professional florist.
We didn't use any of the designs from the book, but the clear
photographs and step-by-step instructions made it well worth the
price for the skill development it gave us.
Review: Useful but Sort of Typical
(aka Traditional)
I found this book useful but typical - tradional wedding flowers
with little bits of baby's breath. Some people like the traditional
wedding styles. I like something more modern or Asian. Indeed
this book has good instructions - although I always recommend
building a prototype before you are put on the spot to make the
real thing (I prefer using silk in this stage). If you want a
more traditional wedding floral book, this is a good one. If you
want unique pizazz then I suggest you try Florist's Review - it's
my fave.
Review: an excellent resource
This book provides an excellent overview of wedding florals and
a number of pretty ideas if you need them -- this is a book for
you if you really want to do your own flowers -- not if you want
ideas for spectacular or unique florals for a florist to do. the
instructions are very understandable and easy to execute, for
all the wedding basics: bouquet, boutinnieres, corsages, basic
arrangements.
Review: Bridal Floral Basics for
the Do-It-Yourself-er in You
Let's say you're a prospective bride like me or you know someone
who is. You want beautiful basic floral arrangements, but a florist
seems like a fortune. Well, if you are like me or you know know
someone who is, then this book's for you. Different floral arrangements
for the bride, the wedding party, and extras such as unity candles,
centerpieces and pew arrangements, are all included here. Sure,
they're not super-creative in style, but YOU can be...
Review: Good Instructions, Weak on
Creativity
This is not the book to buy if you are looking for new and creative
floral ideas for your wedding - you will be greatly disappointed.
There are examples of each main different type of bouquet, such
as nosegay, cascade, hand-tied, etc., but the "variations"
shown for each type aren't anything to write home about. Look
for another book if you are hoping to find something stellar and
original that will stand out at your wedding.
On the other hand, if you plan to arrange your own flowers like
I do, the instructions are very well laid out with good detail
and clear pictures....
Review" Excellent how-to information,
but not too creative
The title of this book would lead one to believe that it gives
how-to information for new, fresh, creative bouquets and arrangements.
While the instructions are thorough and clearly written, the arrangements
themselves are more traditional and "floristy" -- they
use a lot of filler, and I think some of them look rather overdone.
The strength of this book is in the instructions. They are laid
out step by step, with photographs of how to construct each arrangement.
The book tells you exactly which tools you will need and how many
flowers to buy. Even a beginner like myself would be able to create
pretty good bouquets and arrangements with these directions.
I bought this book together with "Bouquets:
A Year of Flowers for the Bride," which does have more creative
ideas, but is weak on the instructional part. I recommend this
combination of books to anyone like myself who is looking to make
their own wedding flowers, but does not have experience in floral
design. Both books have their weaknesses, but they complement
each other and make up for each other.
Review: Good Basic, Traditional Design,
How-To Book
From a bride who started by taking 2 years of design classes and
creating her own bridal flowers to now a flourishing wedding floral
business owner who creates custom wedding arrangements for brides
all across the country, this book helped me get started. I review
and purchase a lot of floral reference books for my design business,
and when I started out, this was one of the better books I found
on basic, traditional styles. The book is particularly helpful
for the beginning designer as the clear photos and detailed, how-to
steps are easy to follow. My only suggestion for improvement is
to expand the book (or publish a second book) that lists advanced
techniques and more contemporary, unique designs and florals/materials
for the bride who desires something more unusual and creative.
It's limited in the creativity it offers, but overall, it's one
of the best BASIC books to reference and LEARN from. Good for
beginners and floral students.
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