Gel Candle Designs: Gel Candle Clouds 101

As a little girl, I have always been intrigued with clouds, their formation, their soft look, and grace. I was always caught lying in the backyard on the grass just staring up at the sky watching the clouds and how they can slowly and swiftly move in the sky.

Gel Candle Little Tokyo Landscapes & Clouds Designs

During my high school days – I ventured into Photography, having 3 periods as an elective, a class, and as teacher assistant. I was well known through the advanced Photography Club as the “Cloud Taker”. Always finding ways to incorporate clouds into our Photography lessons and assignments, I succeeded at them all! I took any kind of picture you can think of. Clouds over the Malibu ocean shores, Venice ocean shores, Redondo Beach ocean shores, and other popular beaches in Southern California. Clouds over the sky rise buildings in Downtown Los Angeles … and many more!

Clouds and Little Tokyo River Gel Candle - Front & Top View

You are probably wondering what my first two paragraphs have to do with gel candles….hahaha.. well you guessed it! I incorporated “CLOUDS” again, into gel candle making!

When I had first seen gel candles, I knew this wasn’t going to be a hobby, it was going to be a business! It was a MUST that my first gel candle be a “Cloud” candle! It was, and I had to re-do the process plenty of times to get it right! I had no clue that there were message boards, email loops, and instructions on how to make gel candles! I didnt know where to find a cloud candle. I can honestly say, that besides my ocean candles and seascapes, my candles that have clouds are my best sellers and will continue to be!

Okay, so you want to know just how to make these “CLOUDS”? Well, let me tell ya, its S-I-M-P-L-E!!!

First, here is a list of what you will need:

1. Glassware (any type, clouds do not discriminate!)
2. Gel
3. Separate pot aside from your melting gel pot to make the clouds.
4. White Color Block (Pearl Powder is optional but not required. Adds a shimmery look)

Step 1.
As you are melting your gel for the candle, pour a bit into your seperate pot. You need no more than 2 ounces of gel. The 2 ounces will be for your clouds, and you may have extra left over for other candles!

Step 2.
Add WHITE COLOR BLOCK to your 2 ounces. You want to add enough slivers of white to get a soft milky color. You can also add a pinch of Pearl Powder to your white colored gel. I personally dont use Pearl Powder as I try to make my clouds look as real as possible! Pearl Powder is optional! Do not add fragrance to this batch. Some fragrances tend to have a slight tint of color due to the chemicals and can turn your white to a tan/beige color!

Step 3.
Pour your candle. In this “Candle Clouds 101″, I have used my “Little TokyoT” candle as an example. I wicked my glassware, filled with sand, added my embeds, and poured the entire candle.

Step 4.

Little Tokyo River Gel Candle - Bird's Eye View

Let your candle set up somewhat, until you can stick your finger in without saying “OUCH” this means its ready for Clouds!!!

Step 5.
Let your white gel set up til its warm to the touch and pliable. Once it is at this stage, take a bit of the White gel and clump it up as you wish. You can make very long slivers, short stubby and chunky clumps. Your cloud will take on its own puffy look once its in gel. I dont recommend rolling the white gel into balls. I have seen MANY MANY different shaped clouds, as Im sure you have! Make sure your clouds are scaled in size to your embeds.

Step 6.
Place your clumped white gel ontop of the candle and push in. I use the end of my knitting needle to PUSH the cloud into the candle. Keep the cloud(s) up to where your embeds would consider Sky Level.

Step 7.
Once you have placed all your clouds into the candle, let it sit for 5-10 minutes. If you see that the candle gel is melting the clouds, dont worry! It will resembe the look as if the cloud is “gracefully moving” within your candle!

Step 8.
Take your heat gun and heat up any dips or holes that did not heal on its own on top of the candle. **DO NOT place your finished candle under a heat lamp! Your clouds will rise to the top and/or blend into the candle itself.

Once you have done Step 8, you are done! You will have beautiful clouds. Your candle will be unique and different than any other candle. Your candle will be ready for sale!

Oh, and did I tell you that you will become hooked on making clouds?? haha…

Enjoy and Have Fun Clouding!

By DeAndra Lopez of Creative Gels

Note: The embeds, color block, pearl powder an be found at: http://www.RusticEscentuals.com