How to Make Hand Candles

I ran across a tutorial on how to make a candle by dipping an inflated balloon into wax. It got me wondering if I could do the same with a latex glove. The thing about the balloon candle is that it doesn't have a wick, you just place a tealight inside of the wax shell. I didn't like that, I wanted my hand candle to have wicks on the fingers. So instead of dipping the glove in wax, I poured wax into the inside with wicks running through the fingers. To make my hand candle more ghoulish for Halloween I added some red wax to make it look like the fingers are bleeding.

In this instructable I will show you on how to make your own hand candle.

Warning the flames can burn very high, use caution, never leave candle unattended.

Step 1 Materials and Tools

• Candle wax (I used white/off white and red for the blood)
• Powder free disposable gloves/exam gloves (ie latex)*
• Candle wicks
• Pot for melting wax
• 20 gauge wire
• Clamps
• Duct tape

*A note about the gloves: I work in a lab so I have access to several different types (and sizes) of gloves. The gloves I used withstood the heat of the wax, but I found that some thinner gloves seem to tear a bit around the wick and started to leak, I managed to clamp the leak shut with some binder clips was still salvageable. The ones I found worked best were Curad Latex Powder Free Exam Gloves. We also Nitrile gloves in our lab but I haven't tried those yet.
While I was writing up this Instructable it occurred to me that dish-washing gloves may be used as well. They are much thicker and likely won't tear, although they often have a lining inside (you can probably just turn them inside out) .

Comments

[Smoke_me_a_kipper]

SAFETY TIP:

Several of these hand candles have been recalled due to fire hazard. When the fingers burn down they really burn due to all the paraffin melting. Take care.

http://www.consumersrevenge.com/reports/candle4.htm

[manish15]

This will match with the magical invisible fire extinguisher :
http://scimad.com/invisible-fire-extinguisher/

[wocket]

Awesome. A tripple dip would work even better. start with thin white candles for the fingers, cover with red wax in the mold then dip in skin coloured wax.

[bde cock]

If you use a red candle and then dip the red "hand" in white candle wax about 20 times, it will look even awesomer

[kazmataz]

Love this! Would be fun to do with soap - gives a whole new meaning to "hand soap"

[ChrysN]

LOL, great idea!

[sunshiine]

Cool idea!

[anonymouse197]

"Admire your handy work"
^ like

[Johan8335]

Need to give a great “hand” of applause for this “handy”, “hands” on project.
lol

[samdizzy]

for my "hand-off": I gotta "hand" it to you.

[anonymouse197]

Haha, of course! mdr :P

[Johan8335]

This is why they say: Many “hands” make “Light” work....... But in this case I have to “hand” it to him and say one “hand” makes 5 “lights” work!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[strixowl]

Have you tried double dipping the candle, this could really make a cool effect. having two different colours of wax using say white on the outside and red after a few layers on the inside. Great idea

[ChrysN]

I haven't tried it, that sounds like a great idea!

[TSC]

Awsome! candle!

[Beadevil]

Hi ChrysN! This is a wonderfully ghoulish decoration. I just accepted an invitation to a halloween party and asked what I might bring along. Well, now I know! Perhaps I will make a big Devil's Food Cake with blood-red frosting. I'll bake it in a Bundt pan, so there is a hole in the center where I can place the candle, elevated a bit on a 'pedestal', so that the wrist is just below the level of the cake. Oh, what fun!

May I offer a SAFETY TIP? Always melt parafin or wax in a container (such as a washed out can) that is placed into a pot that is filled with simmering water. This is especially important when heating over an open flame, such as a gas stove.

As with oil fires, should a fire occur, NEVER use water to extinguish (use a fire extinguisher, baking soda, or smother the fire with a blanket (but not a synthetic one.) In addition, wear natural-fiber clothing, such as cotton, when working near flame.

To simplify the process, I wonder if it would be possible to place five candles into the fingers and thumb of the glove and then pour the melted wax or parafin into the glove to fill in the spaces.

Thanks for sharing!

[bongocat]

putting candles in the fingers would help center the wick.

[Beadevil]

Yes, that is true. And, I'm not certain, but using red candles might even make them drip red "blood". It's worth a try.

[ChrysN]

Thanks for the safety tips!

[Beadevil]

You're welcome. I worked for a number of years in occupational therapy and in teaching arts and crafts to children and adults. We dipped candles every advent season, and we were well drilled about melting wax and parafin! None of our candles were quite like your's. I forwarded the link to a number of friends, and one of them immediately called me long distance to laughingly say that she had to delete the mail because it was too gory!

[kstevens2]

Can you tell me approximately how much wax is needed and what type you use? Thanks these are awesome!! Can't wait to make some!

[ChrysN]

It depends on the size of glove, probably about 500grams (1 pound) or so.

[acoleman3]

hmm....a hand of glory! or at least something that *looks* like one. nice job.....

[Phantomn]

Surely "Handles"...?

Anyone...

[porcupinemamma]

Hi Five! Hand-some! Very hand-y to have on hand in case of a black-out. Could be used as a prosthetic ( but as long as it is only used on cloudy days.) Talk to the hand! Make 6 for a genetically enhanced spider.

[ChrysN]

LOL! I was anticipating some puns.

[Oppidum]

Waaaa! Amazing! I'll try to do that! A perfect cadle for Halloween! :D

[cpacker1]

cool idea

[eross-1]

The Hand of Glory! That is super cool!

[ccrook1]

love it gonna have ago as halloween is best day of the year i think

[cdawisconsin]

Super creative =)

[Browncoat]

Clever!

[dimtick]

I love this. Such a cool effect. Think I'll be making some of these.....although I think the blood will creap my kids out to much so mine will just be wax.

nice job!

[mischka]

Looks great! I wish I had the time to make it for my halloween party.

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Ooh, I did something like this once at a candle shop. The guy had me just stick my thumb in wax. I like the way you do it better. The outcome is certainly more awesome :)

[Creativeman]

Clever ChrysN....very good!

[mikeasaurus]

freakish and awesome!