How To: Create Candle Vessels with Jesmonite

Yep, you read that right! You CAN use Jesmonite to create your own candle vessels! Jesmonite is slowly becoming a very popular medium for making candle vessels due to it’s versatility and aesthetic appeal. In this blog post we will walk you through the basic process of creating candle vessels with Jesmonite to ensure you achieve the best results.

Firstly – What is Jesmonite and why choose Jesmonite for candle vessels?  Jesmonite is a composite material that consists of gypsum-based minerals and an acrylic resin. Jesmonite’s non-toxic nature, durability and ability to withstand the heat from candles without cracking make it an ideal choice for creating stunning and functional candle holders.

Jesmonite is Non Toxic, Safe to Use, Easy to Use, No VOC’s, Fire Resistant, Lightweight, Durable and offers various aesthetic appeals from block colours, natural stone finishes, marbled effects, to terrazzo looks and everything in between. The possibilities are endless when using Jesmonite AC100 or AC730.

Now – What materials are needed? Before you get down to the creating, it is important to prep your working area and acquire all the necessary supplies. Jesmonite has a much shorter working time in comparison to epoxy resins, so you want to make sure you are ready to go before you start mixing and pouring.

Materials Needed: 
– Jesmonite (either AC100 or AC730)
– Silicone Moulds for Candle Vessels
– Silicone Release Spray (optional)
– AC Retarder or Plasticiser (optional)
– Pigments or Additives (optional)
– Measuring Scales
– Mixing Sticks
– Mixing Cups & Jugs
– High Shear Mixer
– Drill (for high shear mixer)
– Sealer (suitable sealer for Jesmonite system)
– White Vinegar (for AC730)
– Toothbrush (for AC730)
– Bucket or old container (for AC730)
– Safety Equipment (optional)
– Plastic Sheets (optional)

Now onto the creating! For the most part, working with Jesmonite AC100 and Jesmonite AC730 will be the same. The important differences will be the ratios you measure out and the amount of working time you will have (without adding plasticiser or retarder to adjust the working times). Let’s go through the basics and we’ll make note where any significant differences between the systems will occur.

To avoid making mess all over your work surfaces, we always recommend covering in plastic or similar to make clean up much easier in case of any spills, splutters or overflow. Get your moulds set up once you have made sure to level your working area. If you working surface is not properly levelled, this may become apparent once you begin pouring into your moulds.

To make sure we aren’t making you bored while reading this post, we are going to link you another blog post. HOW TO: CARE FOR SILICONE MOULDS. We recommend giving this post a read to understand the benefits of using a silicone release agent on silicone moulds. In short; whilst silicone moulds can be used without it, you will get many more uses out of your moulds when using a release spray. If you are someone creating vessels for a business, it is important to keep costs as low as possible and buying new moulds frequently will become expensive.

Anyway, back to the set up. Once you have levelled your area and prepped your moulds. It’s time to set out your cups and stirrers if you are going to be mixing pigments into the jesmonite. Once you have this ready, its time to measure out your Jesmonite. If you are using Jesmonite AC100, your ratio is 2.5 : 1 by weight and if you are using Jesmonite AC730 your ratio is 5 : 1 by weight.

Top Tip: If you want the smoothest mix possible, make sure to add your liquid first, then slowly add your powder in as you are mixing. Ideally you want to use the High Shear Mixers to make sure it can break down the powder for a clump free mix. 

Don’t over mix now, as you have a short working time, and want to make sure you have enough time to tap your moulds and remove any possible bubbles. After you have mixed, add in your colours or additives, mix together (if necessary) it’s time to pour into your mould/s. Start by pouring in one spot and slowly filling until the half way mark. If you are pouring multiple moulds at a time, fill each mould to the half way mark. Once they are about half way, begin tapping the sides and edges of the moulds to help release the air and avoid any air pockets. Top up each mould with the remainder of material, tap the moulds again and let it cure. 

You want the pieces to completely cure before doing anything else to them. This is very important! Don’t de-mould too early as the jesmonite can sweat which means you will have more moisture to remove. Once the Jesmonite has set, carefully remove the vessels from the moulds. (If you do use a mould release spray, this process will be super easy!)

FOR JESMONITE AC730 – Now this is where the process will differ slightly. If you like the look of the moulded Jesmonite AC730, then you can absolutely leave it as is and continue the process much like the AC100. However if you are trying to achieve the “Natural Stone” finish that is offered from the AC730, this is when you will need to “etch” the jesmonite.

Etching is the process of removing the moulded surface layer of Jesmonite AC730 to reveal the textured, stone-like finish. To etch your pieces, fill your bucket or old container with white vinegar and allow your vessels to soak for 30-40 minutes. Once they have soaked, use the old toothbrush to scrub the surface to reveal the aggregate stone finish. This can be achieved in other ways, however this is the safest method to have the natural stone appearance.

The next steps will apply to both Jesmonite systems again – Sealing. This is a crucial step for jesmonite vessels to prevent the absorption of wax into the material. This will ensure the longevity and functionality of your candle holders.

Again to avoid creating a super long article, we recommend reading one of our recent blog posts. HOW TO: SEAL YOUR JESMONITE PROJECTS. This is an important one to read as we share the correct sealers for each system to use as well as how to apply it. We highly recommend sealing Jesmonite with the Jesmonite specific sealers, especially when it comes to candles as these products have all been tried and tested, so we know these products will achieve the desired outcomes every time. As always, follow manufacturers instructions in terms of safety and usage. As for curing times, we recommend allowing longer for the sealers to cure. This will ensure the sealer can penetrate the Jesmonite vessel and create the best barrier protection for you, before pouring your wax.

Once you have let your vessels cure (ideally for a minimum of 1 week), your candle vessels are ready to be poured into! Now, we aren’t professional candle makers here so we won’t give you too much info on Candle Pouring itself, but from what we do know; ensure you melt down your chosen wax to the correct temperature, add your fragrance and/or colour, mix well and pour slow. If you haven’t poured candles before and would like to learn, we recommend visiting a local workshop in your area or finding tips from YouTube.

Creating candle vessels with Jesmonite is such a rewarding and creative process that allows you to design beautiful, personal and functional pieces of art. Jesmonite candle vessels are yet to truly be “discovered” so if you are looking for a new way to step up your candle making or looking for a new hobby, then Jesmonite is for you! Whether you choose Jesmonite AC100 for its smooth finish or Jesmonite AC730 for its stone finish, both options offer durability and appeal. As always, we recommend to test on a small scale to make sure you are able to achieve the desired results for your project needs, but also have fun creating with such a versatile product! Happy Crafting!