I was invited to attend a soy candle making workshop at
Gasworks Art Park last weekend. I have to admit, I was pretty excited from the start. I also, embarrassed as I am to admit it thought that the class would be fun, but not that informative. After all, how hard can it be, right?
My favourite new candle, scented with african geranium.
The first thing that you need to know about the classes, is that Frosa teaches both candle making, and soap making. She offers classes at Gasworks Art Park as I said, and in Gippsland. If you decide to sign up to a class at the Art Park, you should know that the classroom is not easy to find. Luckily Frosa knows this too, and had given me her mobile number so that I could call her for help!
The Art and Craft room is located in Richardson St, near the Pickle St intersection
It turns out that there's quite a lot you need to know about soy wax. It can only hold certain colour and scent quantities (all of which vary depending on specifics). The choice of wick is surprisingly mathematical, and the containers for the candles, while beautiful, are all chosen carefully. It will also dissolve in hot water, which means you don't need aprons.
Frosa spent the first 30 minutes or so of the class explaining these technical elements, along with how we were actually going to proceed. I feel that without info, we would have been far less successful when it came to the actual making.
Frosa also gave us a CD with information on it, in case we forgot it once we got home.
As part of the class, each student is supplied with the materials to make 5 candles, and 5 tea lights. There was a huge range of essential oils, fragrances, and colour blocks available with which to personalise our candles.
Frosa recommends that when working at home you use a double boiler, but rice cookers are perfect for in class.
Once we got started melting our wax, it became clear that Frosa, although a talented lecturer, is more comfortable with a casual approach. With a small group of 7 people, she quickly made the rounds, always seeming to appear in time to prevent the burning of wax, or an overly eager pourer.
The colour of the candles pale as they cool
Aided by her sister in law, she helped us put into practice the skills that she'd just been telling us about. I'm sure that had I attempted the candle making at home, I would have poorer quality candles: small differences in the making process can drastically reduce burn time, and scent diffusion.
The icy pole sticks keep the wicks centred while the candles set
All in all, I'm exceedingly glad that I was able to take the class, and I feel well equipped to try out more candle making at home.
The best way to book into one of Frosa's classes is via her website,
here. If you mention that you came through weekend notes, she'll let you know about any special deals they are running at the time.
