Jack-O-Lantern
Candle Making Project

By Bob Sherman

This fun project is a more advanced technique that produces a very unique candle without using a mold.to make and produces a beautiful candle. They make great gifts. Any of the items you may need can be ordered directly from this page for your convenience.

PLEASE NOTE! - Candle making can be dangerous if proper safety procedures are not followed. Please read these Safety Rules before attempting any candle making projects.

This article assumes basic candle making skills. If you are new to candle making, my Introduction To Candle Making Course is free and will show you all the basics for working with wax safely.

Important Safety Note - The chance of a balloon breaking and splattering hot wax are moderately high with this technique, so eye protection should be worn. Under no circumstances should this be attempted with a balloon that is not filled with cold water.

WAX FORMULA
Mix several pounds of this formula for the dipping wax.

• 1 pound of 140 MP wax
• 1 level teaspoon of Vybar 103
• Orange dye

The fill wax is basically the same formula with a different color and scent added (scent is optional).

• 1 pound of 140 MP wax
• 1 level teaspoon of Vybar 103
• Yellow dye (black also looks good and provides more contrast)
• 1 ounce Pumpkin Scent Oil (optional)

Candle Making Supplies And Materials

The following candle making supplies and other materials were used to make this candle. Clicking on the item name will bring you to that item's page with a full description and ordering information.

• Dye Block or Dye Flake - 2 colors are needed. Orange and Yellow were used here.
• 140 Melt Point Wax - Several pounds.
• Vybar 103 - 1 level teaspoon per pound of wax.
• Pumpkin Scent Oil or Spiced Pumpkin Scent Oil or Any Scent Oil you prefer - Optional, use for fill wax only.
• Primed And Tabbed Wick - Suitably sized to the candle diameter and height.
• Melting / Pouring Pot - One.
• Thermometer - One.
• Dipping Vat - One, or a pot large enough to dip the balloon.
• Water Bath Container - A bucket filled with water.
• Goggles - Eye protection is a must as the potential to splatter hot wax is high. From the hardware store.
• Balloon - One per candle. Use a high quality balloon as they are less prone to breaking.
• Hobby Knife - A sharp, pointy blade is needed. From a hobby or craft store.
• Masking Tape - To cover the holes.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1
Place the balloon on a faucet. Some faucet shapes are easier to use than others, so try the various faucets in your house.

Step 2
Using cold water, fill to the desired size. Squeeze out any trapped air, then tie a knot.

Step 3
For dipping, the orange wax should be between 150 and 160 degrees F. Put on eye protection then dip the balloon.

Step 4
Dip in the water bath. Wipe off any water drops.

Step 5
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the wax has built up to approximately 1/8 inch thick.

Step 6
Place it in water for about 30 seconds.

Step 7
While holding it over the water bath, puncture the balloon.

Step 8
Drain the water from the wax shell and remove the balloon.

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Disclaimer: The information presented here is accurate to the best of my knowledge and common candle making practices as of the time of this writing. This article was originally published in October 1999 and has been updated and modified in January 2006. The author and the publisher accept no liability for the use or misuse of any of the information presented in this article. This article is presented for informational purposes and is used at your own risk.

Author: Bob Sherman

Publisher: Bobby's Craft Boutique Inc.

This article is provided free of charge for use. Candles may be made and sold using this design royalty free.

Web sites may use links to this page without restriction.

No portion of this article may be reproduced for publication elsewhere without express permission from Bobby's Craft Boutique Inc. with the following exceptions:

• Non profit organizations such as religious groups, scouts, 4h, etc... may use this information without permission for printed materials provided it is used without modification and credit is given to both the author and onestopcandle.com
• Reprinting to the web is prohibited without permission, however web sites wishing to link to this article may do so without permission.

All other requests need to be submitted via our reprint request form.

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