Candle Making – Soy Wax VS Palm Wax

Wax is an essential component in the making of candles. Thus, there’s a variety of waxes one can choose from. Among them are soy wax and palm wax—both of which are different, though they share some similarities as well.

In this post, we will be highlighting the differences and similarities between these two waxes:

Palm Wax…

1. Derives from palm berries.

2. It’s a type of hard wax, which makes it perfect for pillar, votive and layered candles.

3. Produces a crystalline/feathered/iced effect in candles.

4. Has a very high melting point.

5. Absorbs a greater level of fragrance.

6. Can be blended with soy wax to make it harder while still retaining the natural qualities of the wax.

*To purchase palm wax from Craftiviti, simply click here!

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Soy Wax…

1. Is made from soybean oil.

2. Does not produce soot and leaves no black ring around its container.

3. Has a lower melting point compared to palm wax.

4. Provides excellent scent throw and minimal frosting.

5. Produces smooth and creamy candles.

6. Can also be used to make balms, butters, etc..

*To purchase palm wax from Craftiviti, simply click here!

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Both palm wax and soy wax are natural materials. They’re both ideal for candle making as well. It’s only a matter of personal preference to which you’d prefer when making candles.

Pssst, we're also available at Craftiviti.com!

7 Air Dry Clay Ideas

Air dry clay is commonly used with children and as such, can sometimes be overlooked as a potential material to make some wonderful things like plant pots, wind chimes and jewelry.  However, the idea of making stuff like the aforementioned may seem a little intimidating for those who know nothing about using air dry clay. So, today we’ve 7 Air Dry Clay ideas from all over the web for you to try out and start with!

But before that, you can purchase our Ultra Light Air Dry Clay or our Paper Clay (also air-dries) from our online store and our physical store.

Our Ultra Light Air Dry Clay…

1. Is incredibly easy to use and odourless.
2. Can be blended together to make new colours.
3. Dries with no cracks and has a bounce to it.
4. Retains a permanent shape after it hardens completely.

Our Air Dry Paper Clay…

1. Is easy to model, non-toxic and odourless
2. Dries with no cracks.
3. Can be moistened and remodeled before it hardens completely.
4. Once dry, can be painted and varnished.

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1. DIY Young Buck Sculpture by make+haus

In a series of pictures, make+haus shows us how to make a really simple Young Buck Sculpture that you can hang anywhere around your house. No need for taxidermy over here!

Materials and tools needed:
~ White Ultra Light Air Dry Clay or White Paper Clay~ Clay Sculpting Tools
~ Twigs (make sure it’s dry and not damp)
~ Gold Paint
~ Paint Brush
~ White Spray Paint (use on paper clay if needed)

2. Colourful Clay Animal Heads by Delineate Your Dwelling

 Or, if the Young Buck Sculpture is too typical, you can check out this tutorial by Amy from Delineate Your Dwelling. In the tutorial, she shows you how to make a zebra head and an elephant head sculptures too!

Materials and tools needed:

~ White Ultra Light Air Dry Clay or White Paper Clay

~ Mini Square Canvas (optional)

~ Twigs (make sure it’s dry and not damp.)

~ Acrylic Paint

~ Paint Brush
~ Paint Pens
~ Hot Glue (optional)

*We’ve listed some of the materials and tools as optional because you can follow the previous tutorial where a hole is scooped out of the back for hanging.

3. Air Dry Clay Mini Pots by Journey into Creativity

 Have succulents around the house or little plants? (And if you don’t, maybe you’re planning to get some?) Here’s a tutorial where you can make your own hanging mini pots that’ll no doubt add a burst of colour to your home!

Materials and tools needed:~ Ultra Light Air Dry Clay (any colour) or White Paper Clay

~ Clay Sculpting Tools
~ Thick String
~ Paint (optional; we recommend using acrylic paint here)
~ Paint Brush (optional)

*We’ve marked the paint and paint brush as optional as they are only applicable if you use paper clay.

4. DIY Faceted Clay Tea Light Holders by Gathering Beauty

Tea lights can be boring on their own. So, if you’ve been thinking of getting a tea light holder to make them more appealing, why not make your own faceted tea light holders by following Gathering Beauty‘s tutorial? It’s super easy and the holders will be more meaningful to you too!

Materials and tools needed:
~ Ultra Light Air Dry Clay or Paper Clay of any colour
~ Tealights
~ A knife

  

5. Geometric Clay Pendant Tutorial by Delia Creates

Been wanting to get some geometric accessories but the ones you like are too pricey? Here’s a simple tutorial by Delia Creates which you can follow to make your very own geometric clay pendant! The tutorial can also be adjusted according to whatever shape you’d like to make, or for whichever type of accessory you’re aiming for.

*For this, we recommend using Paper Clay as our Ultra Light Air Dry Clay may not harden into the kind of texture similar to the one in the tutorial.

Materials and tools needed:
~ Paper Clay of any colour
~ A knife
~ Long sewing pin or straightened paper clip
~ Head Pin
~ Needle nose pliers
~ Gold leafing kit (optional)

6. DIY Torn Clay Bowls by Makery

Simple yet aesthetic, these torn clay bowls would look amazing on top of tables or vanities! To make your own, all you need to do is just follow this tutorial by Makery.

Materials and tools needed:
~ Ultra Light Air Dry Clay or Paper Clay of any colour
~ Bowls (to use as molds)
~ Rolling pin
~ Palette knife

7. DIY Clay Wind Charm by Design Sponge

 

Whether placed outside or inside your home, wind charms are always a great addition. By following this tutorial by Design Sponge, you’ll be able to make your own simple yet lovely clay wind charms. (They don’t have to be a plain white or shaped the way the one in this tutorial is, too! You can always customize the design according to your preferences.

Materials and tools needed:
~ Ultra Light Air Dry Clay or Paper Clay of any colour
~ Disposable plastic wine glasses with detachable base (or something similar)
~ Cotton cord
~ Rolling pin
~ A knife

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There’s an ocean of many other tutorials on the internet, but the 7 we’ve listed here are some of the easier ones and they’re good places to start with if you’re someone looking to try out some air-dry clay crafts!

Pssst, we're also available at Craftiviti.com!

Four Butters You Can Add to Your Melt & Pour Soap

If you are a beginner, making melt & pour soaps is a good choice to start with since it’s safer, easier and less time consuming. It takes less than a day before a melt & pour soap bar can be used whereas most cold process soap bars require 4+ weeks to ‘cure’ (a.k.a. the saponification process during which fats, water and lye turn into soap). Moreover, there are many options when choosing a melt & pour soap base. You don’t have to come up with your own soap base recipe until you’re confident enough with your soap making skills!

Why Add Butter?

Butters like shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter and kokum butter (all of which are available at our store) have moisturising and nourishing qualities. They make soaps more luxurious, though we recommend not adding more than a teaspoon of butter per pound of melt & pour soap. This is because too much butter will make the bases oily or soft, or cause them to crack or feel brittle/waxy.

Types of Butter and Some of Their Properties

Shea Butter

1. Extracted from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree
2. May reduce inflammation and help avoid skin mutations
3. Aids the skin’s natural collagen production
4. Comes in either raw (ivory/gray in colour), natural (yellow), and bleached (white)
5. Has a softer texture than cocoa and mango butter, but is slightly firmer than avocado and coffee butter
6. Suitable for all skin types

*You can buy our ready-to-use, melt and pour shea butter soap base here.

Cocoa Butter

1. Extracted from cocoa beans
2. Antioxidants may help fight signs of aging
3. Comes in natural or deodorized
4. A type of hard butter
5. Contributes firmness to soap
6. Most suitable for dry and combination skin types

*You can buy our Pure Prime Pressed Virgin Cocoa Butter (Unrefined) here.

Mango Butter

1. Comes from the seeds of the mango tree
2. May help ease dry skin conditions and help slow down degeneration of skin cells
3. Most mango butter on the market is refined and deodorized to remove scent and colour
4. A type of medium/hard butter
5. Contributes some firmness to soap, but not as much as cocoa butter
6. Suitable for all skin types

*You can buy our 100% Mango Butter (Refined) here.

Kokum Butter

1. Comes from the fruit kernels of Garcinia Indica.
2. Extremely good for damaged skin since it’s super moisturising.
3. Has a high stearic acid content of around 40-45%
4. It is the most stable and hardest exotic butter.
5. Contributes firmness and also helps thicken products
6. Suitable for all skin types

*You can buy our Unrefined Kokum Butter here.

NOTE: All of these butters contain moisturising and nourishing properties.

Email us at enquiry@craftiviti.com if you have any enquiries or pop by the Craftiviti Craft Store at 10 Boulevard, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

If you found this post useful, please join us on Craftiviti Facebook or Instagram for more updates and demos!

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References:

1. “All About Butters In Bath & Beauty Products”, Soap Queen<https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-butters-in-bath-beauty-products/>.
2. Gardenofwisdom.com
   <http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/butters.html>.
3. “How To Use Kokum Butter”, Soap Queen<https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/how-to-use-kokum-butter/>.
4. “Shea Butter Vs Cocoa Butter Vs Mango Butter: Which Is Best And Why?”, DIY Natural<https://www.diynatural.com/shea-butter-vs-cocoa-butter-vs-mango-butter/>.

Pssst, we're also available at Craftiviti.com!