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This may be obvious to some people..but I figured it was better to ask before proceeding with this project.

 

I have a few ceramic pieces (fired to cone 10-11 reduction) which I don't necessarily want to keep as-is or gift to anyone. I've been toying with the idea of making my own soy candles for some time and was wondering if any of you have used your pottery as the mold to make the candle instead of glass jars that are often used in candle-making.

 

* Is there any reason why this is not recommended?

* Any particular shapes, tips or tricks that I should keep in mind?

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I use  off cut lengths of PVC pipe hard white stuff, variety of diameters, stuck into a wad  of  unfired clay. I spray the insides with silicon spray to aid release, wicks are embedded in the clay and attached to a bit of dowel which spans a number of "pipes".

Could use pottery if smooth...

In pouring wax into pots made for candles to be sold in pots, I've experienced cracking of the surface of the candle.. This is from memories from long ago, shape was significant for the reduction of this cracking, the wax was pure beeswax,

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you might be able to pull it off if there are no undercuts (inner throw marks) to bind the wax when you try to pull it out.  The piece pictured in your profile would not work.

 

I have made some interesting inner molds by using leather hard clay and pouring epoxy into the mold. Wax would work just the  same. When it cures just soak the clay off and you have a candle that conforms to the inner mold... even with undercuts. Then you can use the clay again.

 

If the candle surface is a little rough, some quick work with a heat gun will smooth it out.

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Just to clarify, do you mean to remove the wax from the ceramic and then use the candle separately in a different holder, or do you mean to put the wax into the pottery where it will stay and be burned in there for an all-in-one thing? If you mean the latter, I'd recommend a type of clay that can handle hotter temperatures without thermal shock. Even soy wax can get rather warm.

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What I meant is to allow the wax to harden in the leather hard clay form, then remove the form and wash the remaining candle of any remaining clay. This will leave you with an interesting shaped candle. This is certainly not something you would do for production runs of decorative candles.

 

If you just want to fire and glaze a clay container and then pour the wax in and insert a wick, that will work also. I think any clay will do. the wax pool will not get hot enough to break the clay since it heats up slowly and gives the clay a chance to expand.

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What I meant is to allow the wax to harden in the leather hard clay form, then remove the form and wash the remaining candle of any remaining clay. This will leave you with an interesting shaped candle. This is certainly not something you would do for production runs of decorative candles.

This might be a good use for Nancy S's (s)crap clay!

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What I meant is to allow the wax to harden in the leather hard clay form, then remove the form and wash the remaining candle of any remaining clay. This will leave you with an interesting shaped candle. This is certainly not something you would do for production runs of decorative candles.

This might be a good use for Nancy S's (s)crap clay!

 

 

Indeed!!! (Thankfully there is not a lot - maybe 3-5 pounds.)

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Just to clarify, do you mean to remove the wax from the ceramic and then use the candle separately in a different holder, or do you mean to put the wax into the pottery where it will stay and be burned in there for an all-in-one thing? If you mean the latter, I'd recommend a type of clay that can handle hotter temperatures without thermal shock. Even soy wax can get rather warm.

To clarify, I am looking to put the wax into the pottery where it will stay and burned in there.

 

Thanks for all the responses everyone! I think I may give it a try...

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