I want to carve a name in a candle and give the candle away as a gift, but I need ideas/help.?

Question

I've been experimenting with carving names into candles and then filling the carved part with a different color wax. I've tried carving deeply into the candle, and shallow. I have better control when it's shallow, so that's where I am at now. I have carved a name shallowly into a candle, maybe a mm or two deep. When I fill the carved portion of the candle with wax, I don't really like how it turns out as the wax ends up bumpy and it spills over onto the non-carved portions of the candle. kwim?

So, I don't know how to color the carved part of the candle. I used acrylic paint and that was okay, but not great. Any other ideas as to how to do this?

Side note: The candle is going to be burned and not saved as a decoration.

Answer 1

The best way is use Acrylic Craft Stain, available from any big craft store. It is better than paint because it is designed to be wiped on and wiped off, only remaining in the areas you carved. We use this technique on the candles we sell in our store, so it should work well for you! Good Luck!

Answer 2

Maybe you can use a Tjanting tool. It's a tool used in making batik fabrics, by applying wax with the tool to the cloth. I could see using the tool to apply wax to your candle as well.

Here's a link to the tool:

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/37...

While browsing candle making supplies I came across some links that you might also like:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/2566_...

OK, here's a link that has candle decorating pens that should make your life a lot easier:

http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/pro...

You might also want to check out craft stores like Michael's and JoAnn's to see if they have supplies like that in stock.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I haven't ever carved a candle before but I have painted one and glued faux gems to it. The first thing you need to do to paint it is prepare the surface. That means you need to seal the wax so that the paint will stick to it.  You need to use a thick white glue like "Tacky Glue" available in any craft section of Wal-mart or department stores.  If you avoid sealing the part that you carve - then that part will show up more.  I would suggest painting all of the parts of the candle that you don't carve - thus creating a reverse effect. After painting on the glue and letting it dry apply a second coat and let that dry over night. The paint that we used to paint the candles was a Slick Fabric Paint and it worked great. A glitter paint might work well too.  Good luck