Candles:
Burning With Care - By Lars Jensen
Candles can add a cozy atmosphere
around the house or an attractive setting to the dinner table.
But they can also create a disaster to an otherwise flawless meal with
friends and family if not given a little consideration. Every year accidents
happen due to careless use of candles. The accidents can be so serious
that fatalities can occur as well as burned down houses, apartments, villas
etc. You need to pay careful attention to candles constantly. Most accidents
occur because candles are forgotten or left unattended but also by the
different types of candles and candle holders that are now available which
may not be safe.
Types of Candles
Tealights
Many of these candles can become
so hot that the surface or candle itself can catch fire. A constant flame
of about 5-15 cm can ignite and be dangerous if left unattended.
The risk is greatest when a few
tealights are placed close together or inside of ornaments or decorations.
Tealights can cause such excessive heat that the ornament
catches fire or the candles cause one large dangerous flame. A single
tealight can give a 5-15 cm flame!
The tea light must always be on a
sturdy and flat surface which is fire resistant. Never place this
type candle on a tablecloth or cloth of any kind.
Gel candles
These candles are made of a type
of gel which consists of a hardened oil-type substance. This type
of gel is usually found in a glass container where various decorations
or objects such as seashells appear inside the gel . These objects can
rise to the top when the gel is used up and can add fuel to the flame causing
the bottom of the glass to become very hot. Always place these candles
on a fire resistant surface. The gel can also remain hot for a long time
after the candle has been extinguished. Children should be warned not to
touch gel candles because the 'goodies' inside often appeal to children.
Self extinguishing candles
These candles
should self extinguish about 1 cm from the bottom for small candles and
2 cm for taller ones. But not all of these candles self- extinguish
so do not rely 100 % on them to burn out by themselves. These should
be watched just as much as any other candles.
Figure and sphere candles
Round and figure candles tend to
drip quite easily and are sensitive to drafts or small gusts of wind. Place
on top of a non-flammable surface or place on top of a small plate so as
not to stain the table or tablecloth.
Burning candles
There are many reasons why a candle
burns 'wrong'. The wall could be too high, thus staining the wall;
there could be a draft, or the (glass, clay...) candle holder could contain
residues from other candles or other sorts of materials such as those from
gel candles. It's important to place a candle in a safe place to avoid
dark soot marks or wax stains on walls, tables or cloths. Always
extinguish a candle that appears to burns strangely or incorrectly.
Extinguishing
It's always best to 'starve' a candle
of oxygen than to blow it out. If you don't have a candle snuffer you can
always use a plate, lid, a spoon, etc. Never use water to extinguish a
candle as this can cause the candle to 'explode' resulting in burn injuries.
A simple way to prevent the wick from smoking after extinguishing
the candle is to simply bend the wick into the melted wax. Remember
to lift the wick up again or it will remain stuck inside the hardened wax.
Candle Holders
Candle holders must be
inflammable and must not conduct heat to the bottom of the surface on which
they are placed. The candle holder must also be sturdy. Always
be careful when using a closed- in candle holder (such as a wind glass,
clay holder, etc.) as the temperature inside such a holder can become
so hot that the candle may explode into one large flame. Always
make sure there is a chimney or hole at the top to make sure the heat can
escape. Small wreathes around the top of the candleholder can also be a
common cause of unwanted burning. It is never too early to extinguish a
candle before it reaches the bottom of the wreath. A foil or a foil cup
can be used to hold the candle firmly in place or you can melt the bottom
of the candle to make it stick firmly to the bottom. You can purchase small
pieces of button-sized wax which you hold between your thumb and forefinger
to soften the wax. You can then place this wax on the bottom of the
candle before you insert the candle into the candle holder.
Covers and tablecloths
Always make sure the cloth underneath
the candles is inflammable, especially candles that can stand on their
own without candle holders, as these can leave marks on tables or other
surfaces.
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Getting
The Most From Your Candles by: Sharon Jacobsen
I love burning candles and have them
all around the house. Long ones, short ones, fat ones, thin ones, in a
plethora of colours. I burn them in the evening when I'm relaxing; I burn
them at mealtimes; and I burn them in the bathroom when I'm pampering myself.
Any excuse to light a candle really.
But candles don't always fit the
holder, and sometimes they burn down too far and the wax gets stuck! It's
at times like this that candles aren't quite as much fun!
Here are some candle burning tips
I've picked up through the years:
1.Cold candles will burn more slowly.
Wrap them in foil or cling-film to prevent the wicks from absorbing moisture
then pop them in the fridge for an hour.
2.When burning pillar candles, let
them burn long enough each time to create a pool of wax that almost covers
the diameter of the candle. This will ensure that the candle burns evenly
each time you light it. If it doesn't create a large enough pool you'll
end up with a tunnel through the candle and eventually it will either melt
through one side or you'll simply not be able to get down far enough to
light it. And even if you did, it would give off very little light.
3.Never stand a lit candle in a wind
draught as they'll create a larger, more irregular flame and your candle
will burn unevenly.
4.Never expose candles to sunlight
or indoor spotlights. They will fade the colour and if left for too long,
the candles will bend.
5.If your candle is too narrow to
fit snugly into the holder, wrap cooking foil or tissue paper around the
bottom of the candle to make the base thicker. Don't worry, the tissue
paper won't burn even if you do allow the candle to burn right down into
the holder as the melted wax will soak the paper. Having said that, it's
never a good idea to allow candles to burn right down; they should be extinguished
when they're about 2 inches over the holder.
6.If you've allowed the candle to
burn right down and the wax is stuck in the holder, put the holder into
the freezer for a couple of hours and the wax should be considerably easier
to dig out.
7.If you like votive candles, try
buying the type that have metal cases as these are easier to remove from
holders after use. If you only have the uncovered type, pour some water
into the holder before lighting the candle. Once extinguished and the wax
hardened, it should be easier to pop it out of the container.
8.Spilled wax should always be allowed
to solidify before being removed. Once hard, cover the area with brown
paper and gently press with a warm iron. The wax will be absorbed into
the paper.
9.Extinguish candles by pushing the
wick into the liquid wax (don't use your fingers – a used matchstick is
a good tool for this). Leave it for about a minute then re-center the wick.
Using this technique both eliminates smoking from the extinguished wick
and covers the wick with a layer of wax making re-lighting easier.
About The Author
Sharon grew up in East London but
moved to Norway at the age of 19, returning to England in 1998. She now
lives in Cheshire with her partner and two of her three children. Besides
writing, she is currently studying Social Science with The Open University,
runs a web site where women in the UK can meet other women for platonic
friendship (www.friendsyourway.co.uk),
potters in her garden, knits and reads everything she comes over.
s.jacobsen@friendsyourway.co.uk
Preserved
Flower Candles by: Michelle Gauthier
Preserved Flower Candles
Putting flowers in your candle will
add a unique look, while preserving your favorite flower.
Written by Expressive Candles
We have been asked many times, how
to put flowers and other objects on the outside of a candle. So, we'll
be showing you how it is done. The most important thing to remember is
to be safe. Putting anything on your candle such as paint, dried flowers,
ribbon and other objects, pose a fire risk. While this is unlikely to happen
with this project, we need to warn you before hand. We do not recommend
burning any candle that has flammable material on it.
To start with, you will need a few
supplies. First and the most important is a big pillar candle, at least
3" in diameter. This will help keep the flame out of reach of anything
you put on the candle. You will also need to have a small white votive,
or the same color votive as your pillar, an old pan to melt wax in, a paint
brush, dried flowers or herbs and ribbon.
Candle making is an art, and requires
exact precision in the melting process of the wax. Luckily you do not have
to be exact in this project. Place the votive in your old pot; you will
not be able to use this pot for food ever again. Next place the heat on
Low Medium to Medium heat, DO NOT HEAT ON HIGH. The only thing we want
to accomplish here is to melt the wax down to a liquid. As soon as the
last solid piece melts, is when you turn the heat down to low.
Next, select what you will want to
put on your candle. If you are using flowers and leaves, make sure they
have been pressed. Take the paint brush and paint some melted wax onto
the candle where you wish to place the flower. Place the flower on the
wax before it hardens. The wax will harden quickly, securing the flower
in place. Repeat this step for the leaves as well.
Another great idea is to place a
picture on the candle using the method of painting the wax onto the candle.
You can use many different things, but they must be flat.
After placing all your flowers and
leaves onto the candle, we will need to seal the. The wax in your pot may
have hardened some, so heat it on Medium Low to get the wax melted again.
Brush the entire candle with wax. This will seal the flowers in place and
give it a smooth finish. You might have to apply several coats. But if
you use a picture, do not brush over it, this will ruin the picture and
you will not be able to see the picture clearly.
Last you can tie a ribbon around
your candle to top it off. Another idea is to use the melted wax and paint
small metal beads onto the candle for further embellishment.
This project can be done in many
different ways, using anything from flowers, herbs, pictures to beads and
glitter. But keep in mind the safety of your candle. We recommend not burning
candles with flammable materials on them. If you do decide to burn these
candles, use large pillars, as the sides of the candle tend not to burn
down. Have fun and Enjoy.
About The Author
This Article was written by Michelle
Gauthier – info@expressivecandles.com
03/03/04 – This article is copyright
by www.ExpressiveCandles.com.
Expressive Candles offers Scented
Hand Poured Candles and a growing collection of Candle Decorating and CandleScaping
articles.
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
Aromatherapy
: A scent away for great relationships
by: Caroline Therancy
Is it possible that a scent can make
you more mellow and increase dramatically the relation with you and your
mate? Can you calm the kids down instantly? Do you wish that you would
feel and look more in control for the big meeting? Thousands of people
around the world have discovered the powerful benefits of Aromatherapy.
And you can do it to.
With the stress involve in our way
of living today, we get psychological and physiological consequences to
our fragile health. We spend more of our hard earned money on over-the-counter
medication or on prescriptions to help cure our little and bigger pains.
The power of Aromatherapy could help
you lead to a better outlook of life And keep more money in your pocket.
But what is Aromatherapy exactly?
Aromatherapy is the art and practice
of using essential oils extracted from aromatic plants and herbs to restore
or enhance health, beauty and well being. Aromatic molecules interact with
the tops of your nasal cavity and gives the signal to the limbic system
(the emotional switchboard of the brain). The limbic system is directly
connected to the part that controls the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing,
memory, stress level and hormone balance.
And it works. For example, we use
Vicks for our colds, sinusitis and sore throat. It contains Eucalyptus.
For me, it's the only treatment that I find effective for Bronchitis, despite
antibiotics treatment.
Let's talk about Lavender. Lavender
is multi use oil; it has strong psychological effects and physiological
cures.
We find Lavender in the France. That
flower has a fresh, sweet, floral scent. It has calming effect; smell it
when you are stressed in the traffic, or at work, or right before an exam
because Lavender has calming proprieties for panic attacks, stress, anxiety
and even depression! It's a gentle narcotic for mental and physical strain.
Some couples use Lavender base candles
during giving birth to have the most calming experience, for the mother
and for the new born. Other people burn a candle on a regular basis, after
a surgery to help cope with the pain. You can also do it to calm the kids
in the house! Or, for an anticipated quiet night at home with you lover...
Lavender is a good antibiotic for
the skin. If your child has cuts and burnings, you can apply creams or
lotion with enough concentration of the oil to prevent infection. It also
reduces scaring.
Another good aromatic oil is Rosewood.
It origins from a native tree in Brazil. It has a psychological effect
of balancing, uplifting and enliving. You can use it before an interview,
or a business meeting, or even before a hot date! If you are feeling down
or lack of "joie-de-vivre" this aromatic essence can change your state
of mind and make you look like an enjoyable person (save on alcohol or
drugs here!).
Rosewood is also good to treat sensitive
of aged skin, because it stimulates the regeneration of the skin.
You can use Aromatherapy in different
forms; candles, shower gels, soap, bath mousse, diffuser, potpourri, spray
for the room, etc... whatever you feel comfortable with. There is a good
selection on www.quixtar.com - IBO #3378953 There are 4 lines of products:
FloraCalm, PureForest, Vitafruits and AquaSpa.
You can use aromatherapy for different
emotional well-being; you can treat anger, anxiety, confidence, depression,
burnout, loneliness, concentration, etc...
With all the chemicals that float
in the air, in the water and in our food, those can produce chemical imbalance
in the brain and change our moods and alter the relation that we have with
the people in our lives.
The use of aromatic products is a
cheap solutions for better health and an happier life.
All those aromatic products can help
you have better relationship with your mate (or the opposite sex), with
your business associates, at social events, in your home, etc.... to be
able to obtain more out of life because of the uplifting attitude that
you'll get. Be careful of buying too cheap; make sure that you are buying
quality products with enough concentration to get the beneficial effects.
Wishing you great moments!
About The Author
Who is Caroline? She is a growing
expert on love, relationship, romance because she is reading a lot on the
subject. She is presently in a fulfilling relationship and she is gladly
sharing her knowledge and experience. To continue receiving tips on how
to get the love life that you want, you can subscribe free to her newsletter
at http://everydaybetterliving.netfirms.com
and receive a free gift.
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
7
Tips for Burning the Perfect Candle
by: Chere Deshayes
Tapers, columns, votives, containers,
pillars and novelty - chances are you have at least one of these types
of candles in your home. Surveys done by candle manufacturers suggest that
7 out of 10 U.S households use candles, 96% of which are purchased by women.
The basics for candles are easy, just light them! However, if you want
to get the most out of your candles and not watch your money go up in smoke
(literally), here are seven tips to follow.
1. KEEP THE WICK TRIMMED
One of the best things that you can
do for your candles is to keep the wick trimmed to ¼ of an inch.
Wicks that are allowed to get larger than ¼ of an inch tend to burn
faster and smoke. If you are noticing black soot accumulating on your container
candles, the wick is too long. Nail clippers are a great tool for trimming
wicks that can’t be reached with scissors.
2. AVOID DRAFTS
Burning candles in drafty areas can
cause uneven burning and excessive smoking. Not to mention that your candle
will burn faster. If you notice the flame of the candle flickering in any
direction other than straight up, there is a draft. Prevent drafts by keeping
burning candles away from heating and air-conditioning vents and open windows.
3. REFRIGERATE THEM
Candles that are cold will burn slower.
To cool you candle, first wrap in foil or cling wrap to prevent the wick
from absorbing any moisture. Pop them in the fridge for about an hour and
light! Make sure you don’t put them in the freezer instead. They will break!
4. BURN THEM LONG ENOUGH
Have you ever seen a three-wick candle
that looked like Mickey Mouse? For pillar candles, make sure you burn them
for at least one hour for every inch in diameter. Skip this step and you’ll
end up burning a tunnel through your candle.
5. EXTINGUISHING THE FLAME
To blow out a candle, a candle snuffer
works best. If you don’t have a candle snuffer readily available, you can
blow out the candle by placing an index finger in front of the flame and
blowing gently. This causes the air to surround the flame and minimizes
splattering of hot wax from the wax pool.
6. SAFETY FIRST
Keep all lit candles out of the reach
of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended. And always
burn candles in a well-ventilated room.
7. CLEANUP
If wax has spilled on the carpet
the best way to remove it is with paper and an iron. Place a paper towel
or brown grocery bag over the spill. Place a heated iron over the paper
towel. The heat from the iron will cause the wax to melt and be absorbed
into the paper towel.
About The Author
Chere Deshayes is the president of
Bath Plantation, a company that specializes in fine handcrafted bath and
body products. Subscribe to her FREE newsletter at http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html
or visit her site at http://www.bathplantation.com.
customerservice@bathplantation.com
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
