getcrafty :: popular topics :: candles :: candle

View entire thread: THe best soap and candles!

Posted by marisa on 2005-03-24 01:00:02      Post Subject: THe best soap and candles!



Last December I bought from www.thebathbakery.com and their stuff is soooooooo good!!! I bought the HOney Blossom soap and the Angel Food Cake candle. I will definitely be a repeat customer. :)

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View entire thread: any candle makers out there?

Posted by janaka on 2006-08-27 16:14:02      Post Subject: any candle makers out there?

i have been collecting my used tea light candle holder things. i think they are recyclable, but i thought they would be put to better use being re-used.

if you are inteersted, pm me. i can ship them to you.

any other ideas with what i can do with them?

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View entire thread: good websites for decorating ideas?

Posted by photogrl on 2004-12-02 15:34:21      Post Subject: good websites for decorating ideas?

i'm looking for suggestions and any website recs for holiday party decorating ideas (flower centerpieces, candle ideas, etc).

this is for our staff holiday party, so i'm trying to steer clear of anything that is blatently "x-mas-like." i think you know what i'm getting it.

many thanks!

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View entire thread: SF Bay Area - do you need candlemaking supplies?

Posted by Athos on 2005-08-19 19:42:04      Post Subject: SF Bay Area - do you need candlemaking supplies?

hey, anyone want to make candles? i live in berkeley, and i have two bags of candle making stuff. new wax and recycled wax to be melted, wicks, etc. i've been holding onto it for two years, thinking 'oh, i'll make time for it soon' but i'm starting grad school and i'm just not going to have time. i think i even have some fragrances. PM me if you can come pick the stuff up!

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View entire thread: Free Beauty Kit With Bath Bomb Purchase!

Posted by JillianwithaJ on 2005-07-06 12:53:22      Post Subject: Free Beauty Kit With Bath Bomb Purchase!

Hi Everyone!

Jillian With a J is featured on http://pixelgirlshop.com/ !!!

When you order a bath bomb, you will receive a FREE beauty kit!

Kits:

Kissable Face - Each kit consists of 4 cucumber eye pads, 2 oz strawberry facial scrub, and 4 moisturizing towelettes.

Beauty Bath - Each kit consists of yellow ducky floating candle, 2 oz moisturizing mango bubble bath, 2 oz exfoliating mango body scrub.

Twinkle Toes - Each kit consists of 2 oz revitalizing peppermint foot scrub, 2 oz invigorating peppermint foot lotion, nail polish remover packettes.

http://pixelgirlshop.com/ :)

We hope to see you there!

Thanks!

Jillian (With a J)

SUPPORT CRAFTERS!

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View entire thread: Celebrate Women's History Sun. March 20th/San Diego LGBT Ctr

Posted by misspenni on 2005-03-20 03:51:08      Post Subject: Celebrate Women's History Sun. March 20th/San Diego LGBT Ctr

Calling all San Diego/Southern California Craftistas!

Come celebrate Women's History Month this Sunday, March 20th at the LGBT Center in San Diego. Here is the blurb from the Center website:

"CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH The Center, Say It Records and Champ Records present, "Celebrate Women's History Month! (CWHM)"On Sunday,from 3pm - 9pm at The Center. Live performances by Danielle LoPresti And The Masses, Alicia Champion, Julie Wolf (of Ani Difranco), Eveoke Dance Theatre, Mary Dolan, Saba, Jane, Drop Joy, Catherine Beeks, spoken-word by Tryce Czyczynska and more. Keynote speakers: World-renowned human rights activist and women's suffragist, Gracia Molina de Pick, and Gina Angelique, founder and choreographer of award-winning, activist dance company Eveoke Dance Theatre.The day's excitement and inspiration will be followed by an all ages Dance, featuring both live music and DJ, from 8:30-10:00 PM. All ages are welcome and encouraged to come party, dance, refuel, and get inspired with us! All around the venue will be bios and photos of amazing women who've made our world a better place, with a candle lit under each one in honor of her accomplishments. Information tables with flyers and educational materials on female owned/ operated businesses and organizations in San Diego. Tickets: $10 - General, $8 - Students and Seniors, $5 - Kids 4-12,Kids 3 and under - free To view the lineup visit:

http://www.thecentersd.org/pdf/cwhm2005lineup.pdf"

The Center is located on Centre Street in Hillcrest:
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103

Phone: 619-692-2077

Hope you can make it!

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View entire thread: Celebrate Women's History Sun. March 20th/San Diego LGBT Ctr

Posted by misspenni on 2005-03-20 03:53:15      Post Subject: Celebrate Women's History Sun. March 20th/San Diego LGBT Ctr

x-posted from Craft-up (just in case some So Cal residents are hanging out here!):

Calling all San Diego/Southern California Glitterati!

Come celebrate Women's History Month this Sunday, March 20th at the LGBT Center in San Diego. Here is the blurb from the Center website:

"CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH The Center, Say It Records and Champ Records present, "Celebrate Women's History Month! (CWHM)"On Sunday,from 3pm - 9pm at The Center. Live performances by Danielle LoPresti And The Masses, Alicia Champion, Julie Wolf (of Ani Difranco), Eveoke Dance Theatre, Mary Dolan, Saba, Jane, Drop Joy, Catherine Beeks, spoken-word by Tryce Czyczynska and more. Keynote speakers: World-renowned human rights activist and women's suffragist, Gracia Molina de Pick, and Gina Angelique, founder and choreographer of award-winning, activist dance company Eveoke Dance Theatre.The day's excitement and inspiration will be followed by an all ages Dance, featuring both live music and DJ, from 8:30-10:00 PM. All ages are welcome and encouraged to come party, dance, refuel, and get inspired with us! All around the venue will be bios and photos of amazing women who've made our world a better place, with a candle lit under each one in honor of her accomplishments. Information tables with flyers and educational materials on female owned/ operated businesses and organizations in San Diego. Tickets: $10 - General, $8 - Students and Seniors, $5 - Kids 4-12,Kids 3 and under - free To view the lineup visit:

http://www.thecentersd.org/pdf/cwhm2005lineup.pdf"

The Center is located on Centre Street in Hillcrest:
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103

Phone: 619-692-2077

Hope you can make it!

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View entire thread: salt candle instead of sand candle?

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-11-26 12:45:23      Post Subject:

Salt would make an interesting candle, but the humidity would eventually cause the salt to weep and puddle. Then the wax casting would be left, with no salt on it, just the impression of the grains. I suppose you could prevent that by dipping it in polyurethane to preserve the salt, keeping it dry. I don't know what would happen with the poly, but I'd bet it wouldn't dissolve the salt before it sets up.

Glitter is more of a problem. It's too light weight. You could mix it with water for your base, make your candle's impression and then pour, but the glitter slurry will probably still be too soft and shifty. Plus some of the glitters might melt or fuse a bit. I suppose if they could be added to a hot poured candle, then they can coat a molded candle, too. Try experimenting with different wetting agents to keep the glitter together, like maybe adding a bit of dish washing liquid or glycerin would give it more body and keep it from shifting.

another possibility is aquarium gravel that you've sprayed gold or silver or with other glittery metallics. I'd probably still use wet sand for most of the box, but line my general impression of the candle shape with the pretty gravel. Deep enough though to allow the wax to penetrate. Maybe a two inch layer.

You can use anything for this kind of cast candle as long as the spaces between the grains are not that big. Rice, lentils, sawdust, coffeebeans, tiny shells, beads, small buttons. The key is to find something that will hold the impression long enough for you to pour the hot wax.

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View entire thread: candlemaking

Posted by KnittyMomma on 2005-03-02 23:22:55      Post Subject: candlemaking

I bought this kit from Barnes and Nobles and silly me AFTER i threw the reciept away I realized the book with the instructions wasn't in it. The kit included:

A round candle about 1.5 in diameter and about 3 in tall
A square candle about 2.5 in tall and 2.5 in diameter
A bag of wax pellets
A candle dye in red, yellow, and blue (wax sticks)
a star tealight candle mold
a flower tealight candle mold
lavendar fragrance

anyone know where I can find instructions on how to make other than going and buying another kit?

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View entire thread: Pixies tickets for tonight in Camden

Posted by WildSnowflake on 2004-12-05 22:15:42      Post Subject:

arg.. what i get for missing a day. oh well hope a glittergal got to use them.

ps: according to a potential candle vendor, thomas sweets sells their candles. went to the one in princeton and they didn't... if you happen to need an excuse to go, please take a look around and let me know thanks :)

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View entire thread: Cruelty Free Candles!

Posted by laralou on 2007-03-07 13:38:47      Post Subject: Cruelty Free Candles!

Little cute and cool DIY candle page and a contest to win a pretty soy-wax candle too: http://www.caringconsumer.com/contest_DIYsoycandle.asp?c=ccdiycbgs

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View entire thread: Your help please?

Posted by craftfetish on 2006-11-13 13:49:08      Post Subject:

I am so sorry for your loss.

I googled dowel, candy cane, and candle holder and came up with a few links.

here
here
and here


My guess would be that if the dowel is about the size of a taper candle, you attach three or four candy canes around the outside of it. So it would stand on the hooks of the canes and the candle would sit on the dowel and be supported by the stick parts of the canes.

If the dowel is bigger - closer to the size of a pillar cande - you could glue a lot of candy canes (right side up or upside down).

The first kind of suggests wrought iron scroll work and the second is a bit more of a solid candy cane fence if that makes any sense. Either way you might want to tie a little ribbon around it to hide the seams and give it a finished look.

Good luck with your projects - this sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate her memory with your granddaughter.

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View entire thread: salt candle instead of sand candle?

Posted by rubychew on 2004-11-26 12:33:49      Post Subject: salt candle instead of sand candle?

Can anyone think of any reason why I couldn't use salt instead of sand to make a candle? or any other grainy type material? glitter? or ???

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View entire thread: Your help please?

Posted by Breezy90 on 2006-11-12 05:35:36      Post Subject: Your help please?

My daughter-in-law and I had plans of doing local craft fairs together. We had purchased lots of materials to prepare things for the upcoming holiday season. Before we could get much done, she became very ill and she recently left us to take her place in heaven.
My son is determined to get all her crafts finished but he isn't very crafty so my granddaughter and I are taking up the challenge. We have figured out most of her projects but there are a couple that have got us puzzled.
She had purchased a 1" dowel and had asked him to cut it for her but she hadn't told him how to cut it yet. She had also purchased several boxes of candy canes. We found her shopping list and saw she had written "candle holders" next to the dowel and candy canes. I can come up with some ideas but they don't seem to work into anything that would work as a candle holder. Can anyone think of a pattern she might have been using? Any help would really be appreciated. Thank you and God Bless.

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View entire thread: candle question

Posted by quornflour on 2006-10-17 03:25:00      Post Subject:

you can put like scents together or just hope for the best and melt it down and make new candles.
All of the ash and such will sink to the bottom when melted.
to get wax out of candle holders try freezing containers and then it is easier to pop out.

~Q

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View entire thread: Have you made sushi candles, or other specialty candles?

Posted by CraftinFool on 2004-11-28 11:00:39      Post Subject: Have you made sushi candles, or other specialty candles?

I've been seeing those awfully cute sushi candles online and wondering if anyone has tried their hand at making sushi candles? Like, either molded ones that look like whole pieces of sashimi, or the handrolled beeswax ones that look like cut sushi rolls? Or how about other novelty candles?

I have candle-making stuff but I'm realizing I'm only motivated to use it if it's for less traditional candle-making.

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View entire thread: Grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary

Posted by Cata on 2005-03-08 12:48:50      Post Subject: Wedding Anniversary Ideas

I have two ideas for you, both of which I've done and have made my in-laws very, very happy. The easiest of the two is this: buy a wedding candle at a candle store (at the mall, like Illuminations). The candle is beautiful all by itself. It has a place on the front for a photograph. Scan in a photo of them - for example, their wedding day photo - and put it in the frame. My in-laws light the candle each year on their anniversary. It has a place for a tealight so they don't actually burn the candle.

2nd idea - For this you have to have lots of digital photos and be somewhat good at messing with photos. I created a montage/collage of photos - lots and lots of them - all quite small. I bought a Starbucks cup - the kind that you can put a photo in - and placed the printed out paper with photos in it. They take their cups everywhere with them and show people pictures of their family!

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View entire thread: Summer Job for Crafty People!

Posted by Camp Starlight on 2007-04-16 15:09:53      Post Subject: Summer Job for Crafty People!

Camp Starlight is looking for arts and crafts specialists to come and work for the summer! First and foremost, this is a seasonal position that would run from June 14 to August 12, 2007.

To tell you a little bit about Camp Starlight…

We are a 7 week, co-ed, residential camp located in Northeast Pennsylvania (about 2½ hours from New York City). We will have close to 450 campers, ages 7-15. Consequently, we hire over 200 people from all over the world to work as part of our staff. Currently, we are looking for experienced, enthusiastic and qualified individuals to help out in this extremely active and popular program. We offer a great salary room and board included. Plus, it’s a lot of fun and this would no doubt be a summer position unlike any other!

Our program features: ceramics, woodworking, jewelry making, scrapbooking, macrame, tie-dye, candle making, soap making and much more!!!

For a full overview of Camp Starlight, please visit the \"Work @ Camp\" link on our website at www.campstarlight.com. You can also find an on-line application as well as plenty of pictures and videos.

If you have any questions or if you would like to hear more about this position, do not hesitate to call me toll-free at 877-875-3971 or e-mail usat info@campstarlight.com . I would be happy to go into further detail about our program and this position.

Hope to hear from you soon. Or, if you know someone else that might be interested in this position, I would appreciate it if you could forward this to them.


Thanks!!

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View entire thread: Soy Candles

Posted by kitchensqueen on 2007-12-12 20:44:30      Post Subject:

I recently purchased some at my local all-purpose craft store. Have you checked places in your area? Also, you'll want to make sure you get the proper grade- there is wax suitable for container or pillar candles; make sure you get the correct wax for the type of candle you want to make.

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View entire thread: I need help PLEASE!!

Posted by Momto2boyz on 2007-11-18 19:56:20      Post Subject:

I wanted to say kudos to craftfetish's birthday candle idea. I had a handmade birthday candle until I was 25. I wish I had a picture of it, but it is "burned up" now, and my parents have all of my young birthday pictures!

Anyhoo, my aunt made it for me and it was great! Basically, all you need is a tall pillar candle (light color works best), black paint, paintbrush and a ruler. Use the ruler to make "notches" on the candle at intervals that suit you (basically, decide how old you want the candle to go up to), and put lines at intervals with paint and add numbers. Start at 2 and go down for each year. Don't spread them apart too far, becuase you want it to burn down somewhat quickly.

Each year, about a week before my birthday, my parents brought out my birthday candle and we would light it in the center of the dinner table each night at dinnertime. When I was little, it really got me excited when I saw it come out onto the table, because I knew my birthday was coming soon.

My aunt was very artsy, so my candle was painted with butterflies and girly things, so you could add decor on the opposite side of the numbers if you wanted to, or just do the numbers and leave it! And the nice thing is, you'll have it for years to come.

As for cakes, I would say make him a sweet potato cake! If you don't care if it is edible, make up some batches of mashed sweet potatoes, add lots of water and freeze them in different sized containers, then make a tiered cake out of frozen sweet potatoes. It'll be more like an "ice sculpture" cake than an actual cake, but it would be something to remember in pictures one day! Then decorate with the suckers & smarties & you could even pipe on some mashed sweet potato frosting edges, if you wanted to!

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View entire thread: stickers/wedding

Posted by dustandbones on 2008-01-26 00:39:31      Post Subject: stickers/wedding

Hi! I was wondering if anybody could help. At our wedding reception, I really want to make some stickers so we can personalize candles. I want to use the candles that are like spiritual/religious candles (that are in glass already).
And I want to make stickers of a design like this...this is just an example, my fiance is a tattoo artist and he will be drawing the heart and such...
but what would be the best way to do it? The candles will be red, so should I use a clear vinyl sticker and have the design printed on it? I really do NOT like the look of the paper stickers wrapped around the candle. Is there anyway to do this DIY? Any good websites? Any suggestions welcomed. Thanks!!


http://www.glyphjockey.com/loteria/images/Card-27---El-Corazon.jpg

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View entire thread: sea glass

Posted by acebeader on 2006-05-31 11:25:43      Post Subject:

I used sea glass in my wedding centerpieces, and have used the leftovers for mosaics and collages. I have found a few pieces on vacation, but actually bought this from a candle macking company online. I didn't have much luck at local craft stores, as far as different colors. I also use them a lot in different candle holders for decoration.

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View entire thread: holiday gift ideas..help me out please!

Posted by xEvilXashleYx on 2004-11-28 18:11:15      Post Subject: holiday gift ideas..help me out please!

This year, I'm poorer than poor, but that doesn't prevent me from having a list of people 10 miles long that I have to get things for...

My list covers mostly guys (but a few girls as well) from ages 16-22, so I'm needing some generic type gifts. If it helps, most of them are into the punker/rocker/emo stuff, and of course...cars. I've already made some cuffs, but I'd like something more than that...

I know a lot of techies, so something technology related would be great. I've got some computer hardware pieces that I ripped off of my old computer - cables, wires, chips and boards, etc. Any ideas as to what I could do with them?

Along with this, there are a handfull of pagan types who I'd love to make gift baskets for. I tried my hand at candle making and so far they're coming out alright...any ideas as to what else I can put in?

Thanks in advance!

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View entire thread: smells like ... domestic bliss

Posted by girlsavage on 2005-06-14 08:53:00      Post Subject:

lemon and ginger snap? hmmm.. trying to figure out what that would smell like. Sounds like it would be good.

My favorite is the Yankee Candle, clean cotton, that smells sooo good to me. I love the smell of clean laundry. The candle reminds me of standing at the clothsline with my mom when I was young, taking sheets off the line.

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View entire thread: soy wax candles

Posted by leihudson on 2004-12-09 22:50:18      Post Subject: soy wax candles

soy wax candles...

i made a crap load of these for christmas this year, it was fairly inexpensive, and you can get all of the supplies at joanne etc or michaels or probably any other craft store in your area. i also accumulated a bunch of mason jars, tin cans, plant pots and tea cups. you can collect them or search garage sales, thrift stores or dollar stores. once you've decided what to put the wax in, you just follow the instructions depending on which wax you use. i decided to use the soy wax because it's microwaveable and you don't have to purchase a boiler, thermometer, etc. there are all sorts of scents and dyes to choose from, too. well, good luck to anyone who tries this. i had fun with it! and hopefully all of my candle recipients will, too!



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View entire thread: I need help PLEASE!!

Posted by craftfetish on 2007-11-18 16:48:02      Post Subject:

I subscribe to the belief that anything you can use for wish making purposes constitutes a bithday cake.

You could make a "birthday tree" using dum dum suckers shoved into a styrofoam mold. For that matter, you could make a styrofoam layer cake that was covered in suckers - perhaps with ribbon or smarties glued on the outside.

You could also google "diaper cakes" to get construction ideas for a non-edible cake. Most of the designs you'll find will be too babyish for a young man of 2, but the t-shirts or whatever wrapped in rings around a dowel concept could work. Perhaps with a new Clifford toy or book for the topper?

You could start a family tradition with a special birthday wishing candle that is completely independent of a cake or whatever you plan to serve. You could pick up a pillar candle and holder at the dollar store that you would pull out every year exclusively for special birthday boy wishes. Glue some decorations to the base to make it a bit festive - as long as you stay clear of the part that will burn you should be okay.

Also handy if he grows up to prefer pie or ice cream or any other treat to cake.

Good luck!

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View entire thread: Crafts with candles

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2007-10-24 11:07:22      Post Subject:

Things to do with votives?

Making an advent wreath with simple votive cups set into it would be good. Or how about a menorah in blue and white, or perhaps a Kwanzaa array of colors?

A votive on a small support could be placed in the middle of a bundt or angel food cake. While I don't care for the idea of baking inedible stuff into cakes no matter when or how it will be removed, there's that idea of baking wedding charms into a cake with ribbons to pull them out. So the festive cake with the candle in the middle of the ring would have ribbons laid over the sides of the cake with charms down in the hole under the candle.

I think votives could be frozen into distilled water in cupcake or mini-bundt tins, then floated in a punch bowl or small pool. This would need to be really cold fluid or water, or a very short display because the ice will melt and the candle will drop and splutter out.

I've decorated many candles with melting crayons. Hold the tip of a crayon *near* a flame and as soon as it softens use it to paint on the candle. I've done it to tapers and columns, so I think it would work with votives as long as the motif is small.

In my hippie candlemaking days, I sometimes filled large conch shells with wax and a wick. Eventually i learned that that doesn't make a great candle, but a tea light or votive can be set into them. Often a small shell will be needed to support the shell. If needed, tiny shells or small pebbles can fill the shell to support the candle.

Soda and beer cans are the right size for votive luminaria, but the sharp edges once you've cut a design are a real drawback.

You can embed shells or tiny charms or stones around the base of the candle with melted wax. With colorful candles, you'd have to sacrifice one to the cause, unless you like the look of white wax against a fuschia candle. You already know the caveats on melting wax, right? So a tiny bit, either in a djanting pen or with a stiff paint brush in wax over a double boiler, blob it onto the charm and affix immediately. If you are concerned that they could slip or shift off, then scribe a bit with a pin or other sharp right under the eventual placement. That way the hot wax will seal the charm to the candle in position.

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View entire thread: free time at college-need project ideas

Posted by craftfetish on 2006-09-29 15:23:52      Post Subject:

For holiday favors, you could make decorative candle wraps. Buy cheapo votive cups and tea lights at the craft store. You can decorate them however you want.

I have used a decorative holiday hole punch through some vellum secured with wire before.

You could also decoupage. Or I've seen some cool things with beads and wire knitting.

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View entire thread: decoupaging matchboxes

Posted by boheme-anne on 2004-11-15 20:11:19      Post Subject:

That's a good question. I would think that Modge Podge would be non-flamable because I've seen glass votives done with it. You would think that a candle holder would have to be non-flamable...right? But the paint, I don't know.

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View entire thread: Soy Wax Candles, Anyone?

Posted by KateR on 2004-12-07 16:45:26      Post Subject: Soy Wax Candles, Anyone?

Hey - my first post to getcrafty...yay me!

Anyway, I'm looking for yet another thing to keep my hands busy. A friend gave me an interestingly scented soy wax candle from iriestar.com ("Lime and basil with just a hint of geranium help to cheer, uplift, and equalize.") Interesting in that you don't even have to light it in order to be cheered, uplifted, and equalized - all it takes is removing the lid. Whoo-whee!

Okay - so, I think I want to try my hand at candle making. Does anyone have a good place for me to start?

Gracias!

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View entire thread: driftwood project help please

Posted by welsh granny on 2006-11-29 10:21:13      Post Subject: re: driftwood

Thank you for the replies. I have driftwod candle holders, plaques and signs which I will take pictures ofand post asap. I am looking for ideas of other things i can do as I have a lot of driftwood n my shed. Thanks again.
welsh granny

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View entire thread: share your ghost story!!

Posted by CraftinFool on 2004-10-30 15:30:34      Post Subject:

I lived in an old farmhouse for a year during college in NH. Actually, the house is not too far from where I live now. The original part of the house dated back to the late 17th century, and there was a cemetary in the backyard where many previous inhabitants were buried.

After my 3 roomies signed the lease, we started hearing tales from other students who had lived there. Many had seen the ghost of a woman, who had been named "Miriam" at some point. She was always seen in a long gown and only in the original sections of the house (usually the living room or one of the bedrooms). Some girls we knew who'd lived there the year before claimed that Miriam threw their cassette tapes around if they played their music too loudly. They also said the ghost supposedly disliked our (annoying) landlord and had locked him in the basement when he was at the place working on the house and one of the girls had to let him out.

We didn't take it too seriously and used to play tricks to try to spook each other. We had no strange activity for a few months.

Until the first time a baby was in our house.

We had a party with some friends and family and one of our friends brought her newborn. That night, I was the last to go to bed. I said goodnight to the roomies in the next bedroom, turned off the hallway light, and went into my room. One of my roommates heard something about 10 min later in the doorway of their bedroom where I had just been. She saw a woman in a long gown, glowing. She said there were some faint colors, I think blue was one of them. She said she could see where a face shold be but couldn't really make out features. The woman began gliding toward Julie's bed. She quietly called out to her roomie but she buried herselrf in the covers, so we never had a second eyewintess. Julie said that when she called out her roomie's name, the ghostly figure disappeared through the ceiling.

I reaearched the house, trying to find out if anyone had died tragically, perhaps in childbirth. The only thing of note I could find out was that a woman who had lived there a long time ago, Mary, had been clapped in the stocks for a day or two for having missed church one Sunday. All I know is, Julie had never believed in ghosts before she saw one, and she's the least likely person I know to make things up.

I never saw "Miriam," but one Saturday night I was home alone, writing a paper in my bedroom. I had been in the living room and had accidentally left a candle burning there. The radio was on in the living room, and suddenly I heard it begin to change stations by itself. I was about ready to pee my pants, and I went into the living room, and there was no-one there, but I noticed the burning candle next to the radio. So I felt that possibly the ghost was trying to get my attnetion so I'd put the candle out. Who knows.

CraftyChica, I am sorry that you had scary experiences. Our experiences were either neutral, or positive. I think if I had a malevolent presence around I'd be a wreck!

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View entire thread: World Aids Day

Posted by Morgan on 2006-12-01 22:33:56      Post Subject: World Aids Day

Today (yesterday for me already, and maybe a lot of you! December 1st, I mean!) was World Aids Day. There's a page where you can light a virtual candle, and a nice, warm, fuzzy pharmaceutical company will donate $1 to... hmm, it actually doesn't say. I think Aids research, or free medication to patients in poorer countries. Sorry for my lack of information, but it must be something good, eh (not usually something you'd say about the drug companies...)? So hurry up & click, since I think it's only for Dec. 1st!
https://www.lighttounite.org/

Did anyone do anything for WAD? I'm out of the country this year, but the past two years I've been at a display with information on the history of HIV/Aids, and given out info about the disease and condoms. Your standard stuff. I'd love to have some new or different things that I can do next year, though.

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View entire thread: Help! Gift for 18-year-old girl

Posted by kitchensqueen on 2006-11-30 19:18:07      Post Subject:

What does she like to do? Get her something she's interested in. Or, if she's a crafter, or you'd like to give her an intro to a new craft, put together a kit with materials and a how to book-- maybe knitting, crochet, embroidery, candle or soap making, etc.

For graduation gifts, gift cards to a place like Linens N Things or Bed Bath & Beyond are useful if the recipient is off to college or moving into their own place.

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View entire thread: Hardware cloth= Candle holders!

Posted by deborahthecraft on 2004-06-21 18:04:59      Post Subject:

Ive only ever made sculpture type stuff with it.
I made a wall sconce after I saw it on Trading Spaces but I like your candle holder a whole lot better!
Great idea!

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View entire thread: smells like ... domestic bliss

Posted by red_rosary on 2005-06-14 09:53:44      Post Subject:

Girlsavage- I am right there with you on the Yankee Candle Clean Cotton! :) Clean laundry smells are my all-time number one comfort scents. :)

I also have a bottle of Demeter Laundromat; I usually wear it on days I know will be stressful.

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View entire thread: Hardware cloth= Candle holders!

Posted by schnitzle on 2004-06-22 15:35:03      Post Subject:

I haven't used hardware cloth for anything but fencing, but I love the look of your candle holder. Perfect for the patio!

Besides who can resist any craft that warns about sharp wires that may "rip your flesh" :D lol

-Leah

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View entire thread: smells like ... domestic bliss

Posted by rissaroo on 2005-06-19 18:56:35      Post Subject:

on the topic of yummy candles, anyone out there found a good (non-fake smelling) coconut candle? my mom's favorite forever was Root Toasted Coconut, but root stopped making it - in fact, a friend of hers went to the factory and had the last of it poured for her! so, i'm always on the lookout for coconut since its her favorite!

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View entire thread: help me decorate for moms 50th!

Posted by emjwisc on 2005-11-17 14:57:21      Post Subject: help me decorate for moms 50th!

so the date for my moms party (first weekend in december) is just around the corner. and im at a loss for decorating and we dont have a theme. we'll have about an hour and a half to decorate (about 5 of us doing it)
we're having it in a banquet hall, and will have 9- 8ft long tables (seat 8 each).
we'll have white linen tablecloths provided to us and small tealight candle holders like these

but for other table top decor i dont know what to do

i want to stay away from anything christmasy. and i was thinking of just doing silver/gold/black for colors.
it would be fun to get some fabric for the tables. to use as runners or something. but i need this to be cheap.

i was thinking of black tulle kinda gathered and run down the center of the table. with confetti or garland down over it and 3 candles down the center with a balloon grouping (2/ table of maybe 3 balloons each) in between the candle holders.....
so on top of the tulle it'd go candle balloons candle baloons candle

but this is as (un)crafty as i can think of... i would be willing to do something fancier for each center piece... since there are only 9 of them.

any inexpensive flower ideas?
i also need a fun idea for the birthday cards and where to place them

help! please lend me your crafty ideas

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View entire thread: Hardware cloth= Candle holders!

Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2004-06-19 20:22:07      Post Subject: Hardware cloth= Candle holders!

Have you ever used "hardware cloth"? It is thick cagey stuff that you can snip and bend to your liking. I made this candle holder and some other things that I don't have pictures of - like a box, a picture frame and little tray...

http://www.azcentral.com/home/gifs/0619craftyideas.jpg

here is how i did it...

http://www.azcentral.com/home/crafty/articles/0619craftyideas19.html

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View entire thread: photo negatives- what to do?

Posted by turbulence on 2006-08-15 22:18:32      Post Subject:

I remember on craftster someone made a candle holder type thing out of old film negatives. The negatives formed a box shape and then they put a tealight in the centre. The glow from the candle cast the shadows from the film negatives and it looked really cool. You would just have to make sure the flame wasn't too close to the negatives to warp them or something.

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View entire thread: Moving to Mass/Conn

Posted by Marina-Trilobyte on 2005-04-06 21:19:40      Post Subject:

Congratulations on going to school, but my condolences, Springfield is an ugly city in a pretty state. That said, they have a big fabric warehouse store called Osgoods. (http://www.osgoodtextile.com/) I have not been there in years, but it was the place to road-trip and get fabric from when I was going to UMass.

Also, there are all kinds of interesting places in western Massachusetts that are only a short road trip away. The Five College area (UMass, Amherst, Mt. Holyoke, Smith and Hampshire) is just up the road from you with all kinds of events and places to go that you normally get in college towns. Yankee Candle's headquarters and flagship store if you're into that kind of thing and all kinds of pretty rivers and little mountains and rolling woods to hike in.

Come fall, buy plenty of warm underwear and a good pair of boots. Western Massachusetts is pretty chilly, especially if you're visiting those aforementioned mountains.

Edited to add, if you get a chance and want a relaxing night out with a Significant Other, I highly recommend East Heaven Hot Tubs in Northampton(http://www.eastheaven.com/). It's a beautiful spa-like place and you can rent a private hot tub.

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View entire thread: Need to think of a present for my BF for Christmas! Help!!

Posted by PrettyPettyThieves on 2004-11-28 23:05:52      Post Subject:

My sweetheart looks a lot like Ewan McGregor, and he always said I looked like Bettie Page (when my hair was shorter) so I made a box for myself to keep all his letters in and decopaged it with pictures of both of them--maybe add pictures of James Dean to the box too? Fill it with momentos of your relationship, like movie tickets, a collage, a mix CD, etc. On that same note, how about a special edition DVD of Rebel Without a Cause, or a framed poster?
How about a whole assortment of vanilla bath stuff? I'm not sure about the intimacy of your relationship, but if you're into taking baths/showers together (I'm not making any assumptions, just suggestions!) maybe go to Bath and Body works and get some of their Warm Vanilla Sugar bubble bath, or some massage oil? Throw in a candle and some incense . . .*wink*
Maybe go through his sci-fi movie collection and hop on Ebay to find some old movie posters, action figures or the like. Does he like Mystery Science Theater 3000? Maybe a few of those DVDs; they have the movie with commentary and without so you two can make your own comments.

Good Luck!

Blessed Be,
Pretty Petty Thief

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View entire thread: cocktails and dessert?

Posted by happydaisydoo on 2005-05-11 09:39:18      Post Subject: cocktails and dessert?

I'm throwing a little birthday party for my husband at a wonderful restaurant in town. The restaurant has great food, but not great desserts. The restaurant folks already gave me permission to bring in a cake or something. However, I don't want to have a traditional cake because we're having cocktails, and the two don't mix. Does anyone have any ideas about what might go well with a variety of cocktails that I can put a candle on? We're going to have around 50 people, but not everyone will want dessert. Thanks for your help!

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View entire thread: Soy Wax Candles, Anyone?

Posted by darker_red on 2005-05-23 14:29:28      Post Subject:

I have to second stellagal78! I bought a jar candle making kit from Crafter's Touch and it turned out great! I highly recommend them!

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View entire thread: glasscutter opinions?

Posted by lady4feet on 2005-03-30 15:22:40      Post Subject: glasscutter opinions?

I love bottles and I want to make lights out of some of my favorite. I don't know if I can really do this but I think I can. I want to cut out a rectangle in the back for the opening to put the candle. Any one know of a good and easy to use glasscutter? I don't have any experience with glass cutting by the way, I do know that it doesn't really cut the glass just makes it weak and then you break it. Well I think that's how it goes, I'm babbiling so I'll shut up now.

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View entire thread: Illy Coffee Cans

Posted by Aurora_Aoife on 2007-07-12 17:30:40      Post Subject: What to do with the Illy Coffee Cans

I''ve got a brilliant Idea if I do say so myself -

1) Clean the can out completely.
2) Draw (with sharpie) a Dot Design on it - think Henna.
3) Fill it up with water and put it in your freezer
4) Once it''s completley frozen, take it outside and with a Sizeable Nail and a Hammer, punch out all of the dots in your design.
5) Put the can in your sink and let the ice melt.
6) Spray paint the can - Silver? Black? White? Bright Colors?
7) Put a tea light/candle in it -- you''ve got yourself a vintage-y Outdoor/indoor candle lamp.

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View entire thread: glasscutter opinions?

Posted by smudgy_cat on 2005-03-31 14:49:20      Post Subject:

You can't really cut a rectangle out of a bottle and have the rest of the bottle stay in once piece.

Glass cutters cause a weakness in the glass going in a certain direction, and you tap on it to break through the glass. If you were to cut a rectangle, the break wouldn't stop at the line you drew on the glass. It would extend beyond it, possibly breaking the bottle in half.

Also, glass bottles are really hard to cut cleanly. If you cut the bottom off, you'll have to do a good deal of sanding to avoid cutting yourself. Even then, the edge may be uneven.

If you want an opening, you could try using a masonry drill bit with a stream of water. You might find one large enough for a candle to fit through.

Whatever you do, wear eye protection!!!!

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View entire thread: Soy Wax Candles, Anyone?

Posted by stellagal78 on 2004-12-15 16:57:58      Post Subject: soy candles

i just made some GREAT soy candles from the candle kit at www.crafterstouch.com

they were so easy and smell amazing!

i am definitely going to buy more and may even try to sell them.

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View entire thread: making wicks for candles?

Posted by Jan1311 on 2005-12-26 06:58:28      Post Subject:

You need cotton yarn and beeswax. You wax the yarn, and then use it as the wick for your candles. I've never made a candle myself but my cousin makes them, and that is what she does.

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View entire thread: Crafting against Climate Change

Posted by brdgt on 2007-04-14 13:24:22      Post Subject: Crafting against Climate Change

One of the great things about being environmentally conscious is that it gives you opportunities for being crafty :)

Let's share our crafty environmental tips!

Instead of just plain cloth bags for the grocery store, my husband screen printed mine with cute little pictures (even more motivation to use them!).

A friend made me reusable produce bags out of old tea towels. I've seen them sold at my local coop for nine dollars!

Obviously, reuse everything you can. Lately I've been repurposing Target candle holders as cacti planters, decorating them with ceramic paint.

This summer I want to learn how to embroider and embellish my cloth napkins (sort of the same principle as the cloth bags - dress them up and you end up using them more).

Knit and crocheted washcloths for dishwashing and the shower. My favorite pattern is the flower shaped one in Weekend Knitting.

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View entire thread: has anyone worked with peace fleece?

Posted by EvesApple on 2004-08-14 21:01:08      Post Subject:

Fumigation works well. Get a couple sticks of your favorite incense and let the smoke waft into the fabric. You might try enclosing the incense and the yarn in a plastic bag, that would increase the scent but you'll have to be tricksy to not burn your yarn. I store sweaters with a scented candle in the box and they always smell good when I take them out for the winter. The question is if you're willing to put your yarn away for a few months.

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View entire thread: Gifts for group

Posted by sincerelyme on 2004-12-06 10:03:14      Post Subject: ornaments

It might be fun to find a shop that has loads of different kinds of ornaments and buy a different one for each person. You can think about each personality as you choose.

You could buy 9 simple jars at a dollar store or something and get some of that etching cream and etch their initials or some image on each one. Then stick a candle in the jar.
Or fill the jars with candy
or fill with christmas lights
or fill with tinsel - different colored tinsel

I have the same issue, but there are about 22 people to think of in my case. Alternatively, I can join in on the secret Santa thing and just buy or make 5 gifts. (We do it a strange way here. If you bring a gift, it goes under the tree. They are passed out randomly, so you have no idea if you're buying for a man or a woman or an old person or a young one.)
Good luck

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View entire thread: Emergency Kits

Posted by sjkmaurice on 2006-04-26 10:53:13      Post Subject:

Thanks for the information. I can't even tell you where a flashlight or candle is in this house so we'd be a little SOL if the power goes out.

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View entire thread: Halp! Learning to Drive in Snowy Weather

Posted by bratgirl on 2005-01-02 22:58:47      Post Subject:

First, everyone has given you really good advice. In addition, I offer the below.

Second, in the vacant parking lot, don't just skid the car, put it through ALL the moves you can think of....braking, braking fast, turning (left and right) while braking, and a bunch of other things you should and shouldn't do on snow and ice. You will get more comfortable and the pratice will make it more second nature. By the way, this will be fun to do. :-)

Third, when steering into a skid (as everyone has mentioned), when the car responds and you start skidding the other direction, you will need to steer into the new skid (quickly!). i.e. The car skids right, you steer right, when the cars shifts and starts to skid left, you now turn to the left (fast) and back and forth until you straighten out (or stop).

Lastly, in addition to everything to keep in your car (amygdala gave you a good list, plus the boots someone else mentioned), have a long burning candle and a metal can/cup (and matches). I grew up in the county in Illinois, where you can go off a road and be there for a while before you are found. If it gets super cold (sub zero) and your car is dead (battery, out of gas) and you have no heat, the heat of a candle will keep you alive. Remember to crack a window (preferably farthest from you). You can hold onto the candle for warmth, warm your hands over it, and the metal cup is so you can pack it with snow and melt (and warm the water) over the heat of the candle. When you are cold, drinking warm water will help you stay warmer. I know this is an extreme survival type tip, but I still have a candle and can in my car and I live in Chicago!!

Best of luck.

m.

p.s. Soapandwater, my hubby used to live in Gardnerville. The mountains are gorgeous there.

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View entire thread: Left over candle wax

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2005-07-23 22:30:30      Post Subject:

You're right, it's not exactly safe to melt wax in the microwave. But I do it a lot myself.

You can chunk those old candles and fill them up in a candle mold with a wick, then pour uncolored paraffin over to make a candle with blocks of color.

Even with a mold, the marbles could look cool ringing the base. You'd probably need to fix them in place in a thinnish layer of wax, then harden it before your next lukewarm melted wax pour.

Don't have molds? Use a pringles can or a rectangular milk carton.

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View entire thread: Crafts with candles

Posted by Brokendove on 2008-01-13 03:25:30      Post Subject: Jazzing up a candle

hi,

I thought this tutorial on my site might be of interest to you, it shows you how to jazz up a candle using fabric paints.


http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=144

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View entire thread: Crafts with candles

Posted by Brokendove on 2008-01-13 03:25:45      Post Subject: Jazzing up a candle

hi,

I thought this tutorial on my site might be of interest to you, it shows you how to jazz up a candle using fabric paints.


http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=144

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View entire thread: HELP!!! i REALLY need the coolest idea ever!

Posted by davyse on 2005-12-01 13:46:50      Post Subject:

hmm im trying to think of something.. cant think of any really cool things though ^^ but here's everything i can spit out at the mo ^^''
take a pair of salt and pepper shackers and paint ?
papier mache a hat?
make a pencil holder out of toilet roles?
christmastree pincushion?
barbie+paint+loads of frustration and put it in a snowglobe(i dont know if thats the right word?? u know one of them things u shake and theres glitter and things inside? ah well not important i suppose ^^)?
glue gun+frame? old newspaper+frame??
tin can candle light holders?
textile paint, potatoes and a bag?

ah well can't think of many more...^^ hope their of some help atleast

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View entire thread: Feeling Settled...

Posted by jasmineT on 2004-06-15 13:02:27      Post Subject:

I always unpack my books first. A house isn't a home without books lining a wall. Then play some Coltrane and light a good smelling candle. I've done this on all of my moves and it makes me feel like home everytime. Oh, and a walk around the neighborhood helps too.

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View entire thread: crafts for my zaidy?

Posted by girlsavage on 2005-05-21 10:59:35      Post Subject:

What about mosics, like table tops and such. That can be considered manly craft, I think
My dad tends to be crafty and a few years a go he made the coolest outdoor candleiers with heavy wire and glass candle holders. He also build a fence/grape arbor/trellis arch last summer. He said 'Not bad for a 66 years old '. :)

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View entire thread: Snowglobe conundrum, brain power needed

Posted by appleseeds on 2006-03-29 19:46:00      Post Subject:

how about that red coloured candle oil stuff? you know for oil lamps??

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View entire thread: Rub-on transfer paper for your printer

Posted by katiebugpie on 2004-07-20 11:40:36      Post Subject: Rub-on transfer paper for your printer

Look what I just found! I have plans for this! I see candle holders, picture frames, mirrors, boxes...

http://www.rubondecals.com/rubon-paper.html

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View entire thread: luminarias

Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2004-07-21 00:05:38      Post Subject:

i like to take the mexican chile cans and makes holes in them and use them for candle holders...

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View entire thread: End-of-Year Teacher Gifts

Posted by amyr on 2005-05-29 19:20:43      Post Subject: End-of-Year Teacher Gifts

Does anyone have any clever ideas for thank-you teacher gifts. I have three teachers to buy for and want to get them something other than a candle or lotion. I'm crafty, but don't have a lot of time to make anything before school ends. Any ideas? Thanks

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View entire thread: Snowglobe conundrum, brain power needed

Posted by stella on 2006-03-29 18:31:02      Post Subject:

try candle coloring from a craft store. it's fat soluble, so it should disperse in baby oil, although i don't know if it will be cloudy also.

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View entire thread: Trading Spaces has instructions now!

Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2004-04-28 23:12:29      Post Subject:

Let the candle light procession begin. Our Vern has left the building...

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/celeb/0428vern.html

At least he is leaving for something bigger and better!

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View entire thread: Where Will Jean Go On The Book Tour?

Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2004-05-17 01:20:17      Post Subject:

Oh you have to do a tour...imagine how fun and beneficial to womankind that would be! I could see Naked Lady parties all across the country. You should pitch that to Oprah to have the audience participate too. We'll all keep a candle burning for you!

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View entire thread: Menu for bachelorette party - please critique!

Posted by acebeader on 2005-12-06 12:12:59      Post Subject:

Your menu looks great!

For mine, some people just brought funny underwear....really big, crazy, prints, etc. That was funny and embarrassing! At another one of mine, they filled a pinata with "dirty" mints, gum, condoms, etc. We just cut it open, but that was fun too.

One of the best things I got was a "Wedding Night" kit, lingerie, mini bottles of wine, a candle, whipped cream and chocolate syrup....so funny!

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View entire thread: Anyone from the NYC area- how are you dealing 9/11?

Posted by danielepea on 2006-09-12 14:31:03      Post Subject:

Yesterday I finally got around to doing something that I'd never done: writing out the story of my personal experience on 9/11/01. I posted it in my livejournal for my friends to see. I also avoided the TV and all other mainstream media.

On the first anniversary after the attacks I went and lit a candle in St Patrick's Cathedral and just sat there by myself for a while in the big silent church. I haven't identified myself as Catholic in years, but that was such a comfort to me on that day.

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View entire thread: helpful household tips?

Posted by girlsavage on 2005-05-24 20:25:38      Post Subject:

Oh hey ,I do that with the used dryer sheets. I have a weird obsession with the smell of clean laundry.lol! The white cotton Yakee Sampler candles are my favorite candle to burn.
I use the swifters, but, I dust all the tables and stereo stuff and chachkees with the sheet. Then I attach it to the sweeper and use it up on the floors.
Wood polish..A few drops of fressh lemon on a rag and a few drops of olive oil.
Start at the top of the room chores and work your way down. That way by the time you get to the floors, all the dust and dirt from the rest of the room is there too. Also I do the same task from room to room and work my way through the house and then down the list and so on....

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View entire thread: Crayons

Posted by felt on 2004-08-23 07:53:54      Post Subject:

I worked in a candle store when I was in college, and we always told our disgruntled customers that there's really not much they can do to wax stains. Even dry cleaners will tell you the same. Sorry.

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View entire thread: Artists and Crafters Needed for new Indie Shoppe!!!

Posted by Beading56 on 2007-05-16 16:03:28      Post Subject:

Hi, I am new to the site and read your post. Are you still looking for independent artist?
I make cushion pillow dolls, beaded safety dolls and candle holders

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View entire thread: decorative artificial preserves

Posted by Katrin on 2005-10-06 23:22:21      Post Subject:

I think I've seen the gel candle "wax" in craft stores like Michaels. Never tried making anything with it, though.

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View entire thread: any ideas for projects with vellum?

Posted by acebeader on 2005-08-31 10:44:19      Post Subject:

I use it in scrapbooking and card making, it's very versatile.

Ihave also seen it used to make table top type decorations, using popsicle sticks as corners, and 3 or 4 sheets of vellum, then putting a candle inside. Then you can make them into all different shapes, depending on how many popsicle sticks and pieces of vellum you use.

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View entire thread: need prizes for a bowling party that's tomorrow!

Posted by Athos on 2004-11-10 20:17:37      Post Subject:

oh, those are such great ideas. i wish i had more time to craft. i made pretty cute goody bags, filled them with a votive candle, a mini tub of playdoh, candy, gum and a little blowing streaming.

i followed instructions from HGTV i think on how to make a gift bag out of a business sized envelope. then i stamped little phrases on the front with a celtic alphabet stamp set. the sticker i made from a friend's photo. here's a picture!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/athosdelafere/bowling.jpg

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View entire thread: Tiny shrine-y

Posted by Guinness on 2004-11-04 01:24:01      Post Subject:

:) My tin came from cinnamon Snoopy mints that I got a few years ago.
And I realize now, it's a shrine, I don't need to open and close it all the time. I set it up on Bun's window ledge with a little candle by it.

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View entire thread: any ideas for projects with vellum?

Posted by nerf on 2005-08-30 20:23:39      Post Subject:

By vellum do you mean thick tracing paper?

If so, you can make paper bags out of it, fill them with salt (or dry sand) and put tealights in them. I made a whole lot to use as candle holders at our wedding tables. They looked really cool, and they gave a nice soft light. Out of the 40 or so we had, none got set on fire (though there weren't any children present I guess).

I started with sheets that were A4 size, and just pulled a Body Shop bag apart to see what to do.

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View entire thread: Some Helpful Cheer for Friend

Posted by naomi on 2005-02-01 13:59:24      Post Subject:

Hmmm would he appreciate a really beautifully scented candle? I know not all men are in to that, but if he is, that could feel really nice, and should not be too heavy to send...

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View entire thread: Crayons

Posted by teagrrl on 2004-08-23 05:35:27      Post Subject:

Since it's wax, perhaps you could get rid of it the same way you get rid of candle wax? You know, putting a paper towel under and over the stain and ironing it. I wouldn't swear it works (since I've never tried it) but it's worth a try, cause it probably won't make things worse anyway. Just remember to try it on a stain/part of the fabric that isn't so "obvious" (like, not one right in the middle of a shirt) first.


***ETA: Take a look here:
http://www.crayola.com/canwehelp/staintips/stain.cfm
http://cleaning.lifetips.com/faq.asp__Q__SiteID__E__20__A__QuestionID__E__29415__A__type__E__0 (question 7)
http://homeparents.about.com/cs/householdtips/ht/crayon_clothes.htm
http://doityourself.com/clean/crayon.htm (scroll down for "old method" - this one mentions using an iron so I guess it does work)

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View entire thread: Madison Goings-On?

Posted by brdgt on 2004-06-15 12:00:58      Post Subject:

Sweet! I'm moving to Madison this August. I'm a knitter, soap-maker, candle-maker, cross stitcher, quilter, etc.

I'll be starting a PhD program there and I found a great place in the Jenifer street area :)

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View entire thread: Valentine's gifts

Posted by indieinkgrrl on 2005-01-18 21:08:30      Post Subject:

so far i have decorated glass candle votive holders with conversation hearts (i just glued them on with craft glue-i got this idea from a post on craftster).

i would also like to make a heart shaped candle embedded with conversation hearts. i have candle wax, wicks and heart shaped molds but i didn't know if i had to treat the conversation hearts with any coating or if i could just lay them in the wax when it is still soft...i have seen candles like this in stores but never did it myself. anyone try this before?

thanks,
Danielle

::indieink!::
vist us at www.darksideoflight.com/indieink.htm

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View entire thread: make b-friend's birthday special when out of town...?

Posted by Athos on 2004-10-22 14:40:31      Post Subject:

oooh a birthday at a hotel! sounds fabulous.

are you driving there? then you'll have more options. bring a portable CD player and candles. find out if there's a bathtub, refrigerator, jaccuzzi, etc. you can do some research in advance to find a local bakery to order a cake from. transporting one might be too hard.

if all else fails, just make sure you have a birthday candle. you can always get some hostess cupcakes from a gas station. i'm sure your partner doesn't expect a gourmet dessert tray to show up at the hotel! as long as you've put some thought into it ahead of time, it'll be wonderful.

this may be a little corny/risque... but maybe bring some champagne (or whatever your friend likes to drink) and a deck of cards for strip poker?

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View entire thread: has anyone ever carved those white pumpkins?

Posted by breewell on 2004-10-20 07:03:04      Post Subject:

I used a bunch of the really small ones as votives for a party I decorated last year.
Do you by any chance have any pictures? That sounds really cool. Did you just empty them out and stick a candle in them, or did you carve the sides. Also, did you have to treat them with anything to make them last?
(I'm decorating my mom's place for an open house in mid-november, and I really like your idea.)
Thanks!

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View entire thread: What did you read in September 2006?

Posted by artgeek on 2006-09-30 19:44:50      Post Subject:

I'm finishing up Olympia: Paris in the Age of Manet by Otto Friedrich and will likely finish it tonight. I hate for my comments to be premature, but I've found the book to be both delightful and frustrating in turns. The players in the story are interesting and learning more about them is delightful, but I've been frustrated at the lack of coherency between gossipy tidbits. The book feels like it needs something greater to hold it together. Fin-de-siecle history is a favorite area of mine, and I've been looking forward to this book for awhile, but it doesn't hold a candle to a similar text on fin-de-siecle Vienna by Carl E. Schorske.

This month I also read JT Leroy's The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things. I was kind of taken in by the whole drama of exposing the person/people behind Leroy's persona and finally had to admit I was interested enough to read one of the books. I understand now why people reached out to the author and couldn't help but be angry by the end about using such harrowing tales to manipulate people.

My favorite read this month was Timbuktu by Paul Auster. Just a great, human story. I'll be reading this one again and recommending it to others.

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View entire thread: chicago crafternoons anyone?

Posted by shakin*it*makin*it on 2005-08-23 18:38:57      Post Subject: chicago crafternoons anyone?

hello

a couple friends of mine and i were doing crafternoons a while back but due to full time jobs and schoolwork it sort of fizzled out. i'd like to start this up again- get more people interested (i've only been in chicago for a year and with only three of us, it was less likely to happen), and sort of change the approach. previously we would all just bring our own projects to work on- some school art work, some knitting, some collage, what have you- anything we were currently working on. i would like to suggest this approach instead- perhaps once a month plan a specific craft for everyone to explore. maybe someone has prior experience in the craft or they just pick up a book and we all learn together. things i'm interested in doing: paper making (going out to buy a paper shredder today!) book arts, screenprinting (could be tricky), candle making, sewing, embroidering, knitting, collage, any fun project in readymade mag, i'm open to learning anything...
we pick a project, bring our own supplies (or reimburse the planner), and pick someone's house to do it in. drink tea, meet new people, learn a new craft, have a blast.

interested? thoughts, suggestions? post or email me.

greta

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View entire thread: Left over candle wax

Posted by stella on 2005-07-24 00:19:58      Post Subject:

the thing about wax is that it doesn't just get too hot and turn black or something, it gets to a certain temperature and bursts into flames.

this is a quote from a candle-making supply site:

Most paraffin waxes have a flash point around 395° F. When it reaches its flash point it may not smoke or bubble, it will usually just explode, splattering flaming wax in all directions. To avoid this catastrophe, always use the double boiling method to melt your wax. Water boils at 212° F, which is well below the flash point of any paraffin wax.

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View entire thread: room deodorizer

Posted by elixirbeth on 2007-03-13 06:31:53      Post Subject:

Yikes! I wonder if the fish is bad, or if you're just really sensitive to it... I ask because there is a grocery store near us that sells questionable seafood. When I cook it, the house reeks for days!

I normally just light a candle while I'm cooking and leave it on when I'm finished (and light a few matches in between). But if the scent is clinging to your carpets and furniture, that's another problem altogether.

Unfortunately, my partner has started smoking again... we don't really have a problem with food smells these days, because everything just smells like ciggies instead.

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by mololi on 2006-02-28 07:35:18      Post Subject:

I'll second Yankee Candles! I worked in a candle store in high school, and we sold them there. They are a very high quality candle, especially the jar candles. The jars have oils in them that enhance the fragrance, and even though they're a little expensive, they burn for a reall long time (90+ hours for the large jar). The Yankee Candle stores tend to have pretty decent sales, and scents of the month are discounted 25%.

Ok now I sound like an ad for them - but really I like them, and I no longer have anything to do with candle sales :-)

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View entire thread: Speaking of weddings...

Posted by keeeen on 2005-01-18 14:32:51      Post Subject:

o how exciting...I love weddings, themed are sooo much fun! I'd love to pull off a polka dot wedding some day, how awful, yet wonderful! hehe FOr centerpieces at my wedding, I made tons and tons of candles in my colors, bought silver plates, dishes, etc at thrift stores to put them on and put about 5 on each table. It turned out really nice. Instead of a bridal shower a bunch of friends and I got together for a night of candlemaking and that cut down on the time invested quite a bit. I was also able to send a candle home with everyone. Good luck!

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by WildSnowflake on 2006-03-06 17:08:50      Post Subject:

At my store, we tested about 15 candle lines before we made a decision...Trapp Private Garden for the more expensive candle $17 (140grams for scents that are similar to Votivo, nicely packaged and less expensive) and then there's Heidi's Cottage candles (my vendor private labels for us) for $5.95/8 oz mason jar. Both burn very very cleanly and the scent lasts throughout the life of the candles. The mason jar ones are soy wax. Scents are floral to spicy to food-related... my favorite is "mid life crisis" which smells like chocolate covered cherries.

Yankee Candle used to be better but now they don't melt as well and the jars turn black even if you trim the wick.

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View entire thread: fondue ?

Posted by kitchensqueen on 2006-10-13 10:41:58      Post Subject:

I love dessert fondue-- we usually do this with champagne for New Year's actually. I like to serve chocolate (good quality chips melted with a little butter) and peanut butter (the peanut butter chips melted with a little butter) in two seperate candle-powered fondue pots. For dipping I serve pound cake squares, strawberries, banana chunks, pretzels, cookie sticks, and brownie bites. For people that really want to go into a sugar coma, I set out small bowls of sanding sugar and powdered sugar to sprinkle on top, and of course good champagne. Makes for a great evening!

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View entire thread: Help! Marker on fake leather, how to remove it?

Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-12-25 21:46:55      Post Subject:

Or you could try the Magic Eraser (usually with the cleaning products) which has not only removed permanent marker from our wooden dining room table, but last night removed candle wax from our countertops.

My new favorite cleaning product.

Nail polish remover would probly be cheaper to try first, though.

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View entire thread: Ideas for turning old books into crafts

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2006-06-03 23:34:40      Post Subject:

I didn't go through the list of links, but here's a few ideas.

Stack a bunch of no longer useful hardcovers, glue between the covers, paint a wash of white glue along paper edges. Drill down through the center and make into a lamp. Depending on the books conditions and covers you could spray paint them a solid color. Could also add mesh bow or some kind of floral pick or taper candle ring at the top. You can buy everything you need to make a lamp at most hardware stores.

Turn one into a clock. same idea, except you have to carve out the back for clock guts.

altered books. Lots of opportunity here.

Tear out interesting passages and illos for collage elsewhere.

Some weights of paper lend themselves to making sculptural things like roses that have paper and text petals. Papier mache of all sorts can be painted or not.

Use pages for origami, maybe wash one side with color first.

I've always used old telephone books for cutting mats. not for dressmaking but for having to chisel off a piece of rubber hose or drilling through a branch or using an x-acto to make a stencil. Any good sized book is fine for that.

a couple of books glued together make good bookends if nothing else. I never have any space to waste on bookends, though.

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View entire thread: Worst crafting accident?

Posted by sewing stars on 2004-08-09 10:54:07      Post Subject:

the worst thing i ever did was when at 6:50 am, before i left for school, (when I was in highschool like a million years ago) i was taking a candle out of a mold and cutting the wax seam off with an exacto knife, when of course the knife slipped and plunged into the base of my left thumb. i felt a wave of panic and pulled it out only to start spurting blood all over the kitchen. i wrapped it up and ran into my parents room and jumped on the bed and told them i was bleeding to death. okay i sort of over-reacted, fortunatly my mother calmed me down and we waited until our doctor's office opened at 7:30 am and went in. i wound up with four stitches. i still have the scar, and i am sort of proud of it, it is my only big scar.

since then i can't use exacto knifes with the open blade. i only use retractable ones.

other than that i always am burning myself on the iron.

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View entire thread: Have you started your Christmas shopping

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-06-23 12:04:44      Post Subject:

I tend to bestow things all year round. I don't give gifts per se, but will plant a new tree at my sister's house or bring over something I've made. I'll find things at thrifts that I think of for someone else and just present them.

For Father's Day, I just bought and cut a large piece of denser foam for my Dad's favorite chair, then recovered the cushion. No card, no wrapping, no sappy sentiment. Just a "oh, by the way..." moment.

I have some Christmas gifty items stockpiled, mostly stuff I need to embellish. For instance these seasonal candle kits that need a little more oomph: I'll probably change up the platter, add a decorated matchbox, make a few picks with silk flowers or with real pinecones and stuff, then rebox and give to whomever.

I had made some of Crafty Chica's painted flowerpot candle holders and my sister came down for a memorial service. I told her to take what she wanted and she cleaned me out. They were really cute, but like two matching pairs and five random with totally different styles. Knowing her, she will probably give them to her teacher friends at the school where she works. Whatever.

Every kick I get on about making certain kinds of things for Christmas doesn't last long. I'll do it partway, then get bored. Often I have a dozen or so cookie varieties made that I can wrap at the last minute for parties. But the year I wanted to make truffles and put them in Christmas themed mugs wrapped in colored cellophane with a sprig of holly and a cinnamon stick? I sold the mugs at a garage sale and ate most of the truffles myself.

Oh, I'm an atheist who will say that I am saving the rainforest by not sending cards, but it's really because I can't be bothered with the shallow sentiment at only one time a year. If you can't respond to my occasional emails, cousin, why should I care about sending or receiving a christmas card from you?

Signed,
The Grinch

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View entire thread: what is on your desk at work?

Posted by Ruthi on 2005-05-11 13:39:15      Post Subject:

Hi!

I have a clip- on fan (for hot flashes), a small Budda statue, a small vase with 2 fresh Gardenias, a small (unlit) honysuckle candle and a picture of my 13 year old Daughter (at her first school dance).

I sit in the middle of the room at our office...I wish I had a wall!!

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View entire thread: Tons of Bottles! What to do?

Posted by June_Baby12 on 2005-05-25 08:40:21      Post Subject:

Wow! Thanks for all the great ideas! I like the candle one and the mosaic sounds cool!

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View entire thread: Setting up a new house or apartment

Posted by anjanetteopal on 2006-12-08 08:36:34      Post Subject: Decorating on the cheap

If for you moving into/renting/buying a new place means finally having
the freedom to decorate any way you'd please, you might be
fighting the temptation not to live beyond your means in order to
live surrounded by the kind of beauty you love and have longed for.

Fulfilling that dream of making your place home-decorating-reality-show-worthy doesn't have to be expensive. A little creativity can go a long way and be a huge asset to a tiny bank account. One way to save money is to use every day objects to add an interesting touch in unexpected places. Just adding a bowl of fruit to a living room coffee table or end table can suggest a sort of abundance you may not have in any measurable monetary quantity. Picking flowers from the garden or the side of the road on your way home from work and arranging them at home can bring comfort and freshness to a not-so-impressive (or impressive, for that matter) dining area. If you want to coordinate colors, work with what you have. Have an earthy
colored hallway or bathroom? Make a mirror or picture frame out of the lids to Starbucks frappuchino bottles. Seriously. Don't spend a fortune for something that may not even express your personality to your visitors if you can make something that does for less!

If you do decide to purchase more conventional decorating items, consider whether an item can be displayed in several places or in several ways to change things up a bit without spending more money. Flower vases are a great example. Not only can they be found cheaply at thrift
stores (everyone has a dozen lying around from flower arrangements given to them over the years), but they can suit just about any decorating taste. If you are going for a touch of elegance, consider buying vases that are or could pass for crystal and dress them up very little. If you're up for a challenge, buy more interesting pieces or paint the simple ones you find to match your theme. Don't limit yourself to flowers when choosing filler for your vases. Pebbles/stones, sea shells, fish (with water preferably), candles, writing utensils, dry cooking supplies like beans rice and noodles, potpourri, craft supplies like beads and buttons, and just about anything else you can imagine could add just the right touch to a room. Consider changing the contents, arrangement, or embelishments (like ribbon) of vases to match the season. A large vase with pinecones from the yard and $1 candycanes from the grocery store with a Christmas ribbon tied around it could make a beautiful centerpiece and cost you pennies compared to a decorative wreath and candle arrangement from a home design store.

So go ahead and go to the fancy home decorating sales, and look through the catalogs for ideas, but then stop and look at what is immediately around you. You just might be able to recreate the feel of that magazine page without any residual shoppers-guilt the next morning!!

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by sweetpea on 2006-03-09 09:58:20      Post Subject:

I'm a fan of http://www.beccalights.com--she has the most delicious-smelling cupcake candle. it makes me hungry every time I burn it.

I also love Aunt Sadie's candles--they're from boston and have a shop here, but you can also get them online at http://www.auntsadiesinc.com. They have a rosemary candle (or they did last year, anyway) that's really fresh and fantastic.

Jen

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