Keeping a Candle Making Journal

A candle making journal is necessary when you’re experimenting with different candle wax formulas, shapes, scents and wicks.

You’ll want to record some of these things in your candle journal: type of wax used, whether there were any additives, amount of scent, dye and size of wick.

(Writing photo by Cierpki)

Temperature of the wax

Another thing to record is the temperature of the wax when poured as well as the actual temperature in your home. These things can really affect how your candle turns out. For example, with palm wax, it feathers (crystallizes) much more if it’s poured hot and cools down slowly. If it cools too fast, it might not feather at all. On the other hand, some waxes like container blends and soy work better poured at a lower temperature because they’ll shrink less and appear smoother in their containers.

Usually, the candle supplier will include directions for the ideal temperature for pouring your wax. Sometimes, when you’re mixing waxes and additives, you need to figure this out yourself.

Write down how the formula worked out

Besides all these details, the thing that matters the most in your candle making journal is the end result. The reason it’s so important to record what you’re doing is that like cooking, sometimes you inadvertently stumble upon some magic recipe and if you don’t keep track of what you did, it stinks not being able to create that same effect.

Once you have a few failures and successes under your belt, you can hopefully duplicate your successes consistently. Also, if you have the perseverance, you can fine tune your candle making failures by adjusting your wax formula, temperature or wick.

Hubcap Creatures is the creative project of British sculptor Ptolemy Elrington, who has transformed discarded hubcaps into captivating sculptures of wildlife. Operating from Brighton, Elrington has been crafting these unique pieces since the late 1990s, turning everyday automotive debris into stunning representations of animals from the natural world.

The artistic process behind Elrington’s sculptures is centered around recycling and upcycling. The hubcaps he uses are typically found on the side of the road and often show signs of wear, including scratches and dents. Elrington believes that these imperfections add character and depth to his creatures, making each piece truly one of a kind.

His work spans a wide range of animals, including foxes, fish, and birds, with each sculpture thoughtfully crafted to showcase the unique features of the materials. The brand logos, grooves, and markings found on the hubcaps often contribute to the creature’s expression and structure, giving them a distinct, textured look.

Elrington’s Hubcap Creatures have been showcased in various exhibitions, both in the UK and internationally. His innovative approach has gained recognition for its creativity and environmental awareness, demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into meaningful art.

For art enthusiasts or collectors, Elrington offers a mix of available sculptures and custom commissions, allowing individuals to bring home a piece of this upcycled art. Hubcap Creatures stands as a brilliant example of how creativity can breathe new life into the most unlikely of materials, all while promoting sustainability.

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