I've started making candles again. My new idea is flower candles.

I bought some flower shaped flexible cupcake molds. Planning on taking advantage of the contraction of the cooling wax, I filled in the depressions that form at the top of the solidifying candles with a different colour wax. I had hoped they would look like nice flower centers. However, the wax didn't fill evenly, making for extremely irregular centers that don't really say "flower" at all. For my next batch, I'm planning to pick up some metal rings at the hardware store that I can use as a secondary mold for the center. If they turn out well, I'll post pictures.

brontosproximo posted something a while back about drilling holes in pennies to save money on washers. That inspired me to do something similar in my candlemaking. I've been using pennies as wick bases, which is not only more convenient (I don't have to run out and get them), it is significantly cheaper than buying bases at the craft or even using washers for the task. Best thing is, I don't even have to drill holes in them, the pennies work find as is.

ravenways came up to visit yesterday. We had planned to take some photographs, but never got around to it. Instead we made candles, chatted, and tooled around Arlington. I've noticed lately that I tend to have plenty of fun with people even when we don't end up doing whatever we planned on as long as we keep a good attitude. Getting together with friends and family shouldn't be about the activity, it should be about the friends and family. The activity happening or not is insignificant compared to the time spent together.

Tonight I made candles for the first time. I'm very happy with how they turned out. I only made a few, but I learned a lot that should help me make more in the future.