Post "Candles in the Attic - From the Mind of Christine McConnell" by "ChristineHMcConnell" from patreon

Pyromite

Hey Christine, I have personaly never done candles, but I worked with wax for a while, casting medical moulages. This was a technique to make an image of people with skin deseases (making a plaster mould and then making a wax and resin positive). Similar to death masks. Typically with those you dont want a big block of wax, so you kinda make it holow and work in layers. Of course you dont want this for a candle. So my suggestion is, that you could just cut the whole a little bigger where you fill your wax in so more air can escape. Fill the Mould like halfway with the white wax and while its hot movie it around in the mold so a delicate layer forms on the surface of your cast. Pour the excess wax out again and let it cool for a few minutes. Repeat like 2-3 more times so you have like a third of an inch of a wax wall. Once this is completely coured you can fill up the rest with the dark candle wax to make a solid candle. This way you dont add any layers to your design. I cant guarantee it will give the effect you aim for, but this is a technique I have used a few times. Hope it helps :)

Melissa

I like the first candle too. It reminds me of the skulls with candles on them in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 💀

June Yorke

I finally got into mold making and I have a tip...because you used cereal boxes and complained that it bulged. If anyone else wants to try making mold boxes, cereal boxes are actually PERFECT (shiny side in) because they are just naturally non stick with the silicone, and make for a super easy release, no need to line or spray any release spray, BUT I would advise you reinforce the outside with some thick cardboard. The flaps of an amazon box work wonderfully, and then just hot glue the mold to a cereal box base, and the hot glue makes a perfect and easy way to keep the silicone from escaping.

Renee Patterson

i agree they both turned out fanstastic. I lean toward the first one as the color is unusual.

AliLou Creations

I think they turned out great, but just a few tips for future moulds,try not to have such a thick surrounding , then you won’t need as many relief cuts,and if you zigzag your initial cuts opening up the mould it acts like a key to stop the silicone from leaking,you can still tape the mould shut for extra security also you can use clear accitate or transparent thin plastic ( not too thick) to make your boxes tape the edges and use hot glue around the bottom to stop leaks ,it won’t stick to your silicone then ,I hope this helps .

Grizzles' Humom

This was a great episode! I loved the set up. The bats were like WTF are you doing in our crib lol. I loved the music at the end. It reminded me of the music at the end of The Ninth Gate. Anyone who hasn’t seen that movie should put it on the list. My husband calls it 99th Gate because I watch it all the time. Thanks for this tutorial. I have my clay and I’m going to give it a try (AAACK :).

Carolyn Friend

Hi Christine! Love you, your show and all these amazing projects. Is there any chance that the skull candle molds will be available for purchase? Thanks so much!

Lesley M Sgro

So as a nurse, i must advise, where the bats seem to be living in your walls and where there might be a chance they can get into your sleeping quarters, you may want to ask your doctor about the rabies post exposure series. An exterminator would likely say the same thing because it's too cold to bat proof the house until the spring (they don't hurt them. They just secure the house so they can't return). So you might be with them for a bit.

Robin Reed

I really love the first one. You did a fantastic job.

Melissa DaCosta

I hope you do make more candle videos! Being a candle maker myself, I was so excited to see this especially coming from you because your work (no matter what medium you use) is just stunning!

Krissy Smith

I love your attic set up! Perfect for a candle making/apothecary

Kara Andretta

Ok. 1: phallic shape PLUS a vibratory… 😂 2: I feel the same about Sharpies as the sweet fuzz all does. 3: I LOVED the first candle! 4: For multiple dips, make the details on the master model exaggerated so they can accept more wax and end at the detail you want. This was a fabulous project, thank you for taking us through it! 5: the bats are so perfect for you!

Noni

That's Fantastic! :)

Christine McConnell

Thank you Noni! I made it out of an old jacket I found at a thrift store :))

Noni

BTW where did you get your beautiful brown apron from? I adore it

Noni

This is fantastic! I love the wax dripping as well!

Lucyfere

I just love that you don't wear shoes inside! Your socks are adorable!

miz vitko

I used to make candles and you can whip up the cooling wax into a foam, if that's a texture you needed. I used it for snow in Xmas candles.

miz vitko

I wanted to add (sorry, newb here, especially at posting) that maybe if you refrigerated or froze the candle before you dipped it into a contrasting color hot wax, the colors might not mix that much? That's if not mixing was your intention, of course!

miz vitko

This was wonderful! You are a true artist, in the style of Oscar Wilde who made his life his art!

Christina Rodriguez

HAHA! You did not just say an infant skull is "the cutest thing ever"...haaahahaa

Cat

Of course you have 🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇

Sonja Corterier

when I lived in the USA where slow cookers were old news and many are found in good will stores for very little money, so I had a tiny slowcooker that was dedicated to wax work

Gincredible

Cut to bat-protected Christine is probably my favourite moment from your work. And will also be great for future bat-visited seances.

Christine McConnell

Yes! I don't believe that should be an issue :D

Margaux Allard

i think the candles turned out amazing.. i definitely want to try this! thank you.

Margaux Allard

Sorry my shift keys are not working properly... i have been wanting to use this clay but have had concerns because we have a gas stove...

Margaux Allard

Can i bake this try of clay in a gas oven

Allyson Galpin-Hernandez

🤣🤣🤣I'm never going to look at Beauty & the Beast the same again!

Angela Pogue

Thinking these would make great candle holders for tapers or tea lights, I've had weird results burning down sculpted candles in the past. 😬

Shelley Anders

Loved this Christine and I adore how honest you are when you have fails haha. What about just making this in polymer clay and then creating a “well” to drop a tea light at the top? Or battery operated? Like a faux candle? I might try this and see if it works! Great video as always!

Nebel_the_bat

I love, love, love the first (darker) candle and the batsys 🥰

Sarah Miller

Love the new music at the end!

Carl P Crossgrove

Absolutely love the bats making an appearance. So perfect. I can't help thinking that the attic of your beautiful, old, wooden house is a frightening place to do a project involving heat, wax, flames.... Please be sure your insurance, fire extinguishers, escape routes and fire safety protocols are all updated. And maybe don't let the cats "help" you with a project like this.....

Toni

Thank you - this was wonderful! Love the new set, and the bats!

Andrea Massey

The bats are so cool! The set you have there is also very cool. I can see why you wanted to film up there! Someone suggested a bath house diy. I’m 100% onboard with that idea. I’ve wanted bats around my house for years and finally have them at our new house. I’d love to make them a little home so they would be even more inclined to hang around.

Michelleslbqueenbee

You must come visit. I have a little business. Not that I need the sale. It’s cute. You probably drove by it a million times. It’s the little yellow veggie stand just past the Frankfort bridge.

Michelleslbqueenbee

Hi Leslie. I have the little yellow farm stand snd honey house. I have 🐝 beeswax if you still make candles.

Duncan

Goth street cred is entirely dependent on how authentic the bats flying around your videos are.

Christine McConnell

This is such a fantastic method! Thank you so much for sharing, I 100% want to try this :D

Lori Ratcliff

I’m so glad you haven’t evicted the bats! If you ever do decide to evict them, there are organizations who will do so humanely. They’re so important to our environment. I love the candles!

Brooke Redmond

You’ve given a new meaning to bats 🦇 in your Belfry! 😲 I look forward to making some tapered candles 🕯

Diane Lewandowski

I can’t wait to make the tapered candles! I’m going to research ahead of time to see what I might need!

zuul81 .

the attic is my favorite place in your mansion. as always a fantastic tutorial. Thank you for your hard work.

Gina Mustico

Another great project - thank you! I have used Smooth-On products for making models and they are incredible. One suggestion that may help with the intricately detailed candles you're making: try using the two-part mold technique shown here on Smooth-On's website: https://www.smooth-on.com/tutorials/mold-making-minute-2-mold-star-15-mold/ I've made several molds this way, with the embedded metal nuts for registration, and it works wonderfully!

Maddie A

Hi, can the oils be used in a diffuser or is it made specifically for candle making?

Gothippy

Also I love beeswax. It is one of the better waxes for the environment, it takes molds well, it's hard, and it lasts super long!!!

Gothippy

I make a few candles and I like a wax covered wick, it helps with burning and I find it makes my wick harder for shoving into my silicone molds. I have always been intimated to make my own molds but I really want to and this is giving me inspiration! Plus I am a full time soap maker and I want some molds for that. For us less artistic types who don't want to free hand create a sculpture I know you can make a mold from an object, like an ornament or statue. Some really cool ones can be found at flea and farmer markets.

Sarah Kane

Baaaaats! That made my night 😍 can't wait for the taper candle craft along

Krista Scholl

OMG can't wait. Love candles, and perfect time to learn how to make them.

Corie H

I love the set! It's the perfect spooky old apothecary vibe. The bats just added to it :)

Jamie

Awesome thanks for sharing! Last year we made your Netflix candles that was fun. My eldest daughter and I started making soy candles and use recycled antique tea cups she sells some on Etsy:) We love candle making, we also started raising honey bees and hope to get to making beeswax candles soon. Happy Holidays. Thanks for sharing your talents and new found adventure in different art medians.

Debra Palermo

I loved this episode. The candles were great. The humor and the "it is what is" attitude made it fun. The outfit at the end and the atmosphere of the attic were perfect. I also love that you learn as you go at times. Thanks.

Huggs Boson

You might have luck doing slush casting of the white wax first, and then filling the mold up with red wax second, you’ll keep all the detail of your mold. Robert Tolone has great videos on making quality molds and casting with them- https://youtu.be/LTDvXWyaXtE. When I did a molded candle project a few months ago, I used a thin LED strip in place of the wick, and normal beeswax ended up being translucent enough to give it an amazing lightsaber-like glow.

Rūta Kavaliauskienė

My friend who is a bit of a bat expert, said this could be a big brown bat as well!

Rūta Kavaliauskienė

Live the new soundtrack at the end! 🥰 🦇I asked my bat guy and he said that this could be the Big brown bat and that ‘It might be too early for them to hibernate.. temperatures are maybe not low enough. Also big brown bats are known for a late hibernation. As long as insects are around this guy should be fine😊’

Terry L. Steffen

Oh, the bat doctor is in California, but he did offer this: "I couldn't really see enough to id the bat but it looks a lot like a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) to me." Still, be careful around them!

Terry L. Steffen

Advice from a guy who studies bats professionally: "Bats are very shy around humans, rarely if ever aggressive, but may be a little curious. I wouldn't recommend handling them because they will bite defensively if forced to. Rabies is essentially a non-issue but it is still necessary to be vaccinated if you plan to handle them, just like all wild animals. And trust me, they will try to bite you if handled."

Rachael Gater

In the UK, bats are a protected species and if you have them in your loft, you cannot evict them or do any renovations that would disturb them. We are rabies free so that makes it a lot easier to deal with! Would putting up bat boxes inside or outside help? Oh! Loved the candles!

Adeline

Love this video and the new songs so much! I'm a student at Berklee College of Music and the captives music has inspired me to take an intro to synthesizers class next semester 🎶🦇

Jessica Darne

Loved this! Definitely reminded me of Rose and her sassy little nipples! Really enjoyed how you took us through your success and your learning opportunities. Gotta say, it’s really encouraging!

Mononoke Adams

I thought the first candle was amazing looking so I am happy you embraced it. Thank you for sharing Christine. I will make sure I get the items for your next livestream because I would really like to make myself a candle, a scary looking candle :-).

VStreet

These came out so great! As an intermediate container candle maker I haven’t had a chance yet to figure out container-less candles but have always circled back to your Netflix show method for inspiration!

Elizabeth Goans

You might look into getting a rabies vaccine. I don't think insurance covers it, unless you have been bitten, but their might be an exception if you are exposed to them a lot? I've been exploring the idea because I want to volunteer for my local wildlife rehab center. The candles look so good!

Tor Ravengael

Robert Tolone just posted a video on YouTube today: "Simple Silicone Molds For Sculpted Candles." Really great tips and techniques, in case anyone wants additional information.

Rachel

Loved the candle craft episode, I use wood wicks when i make candles in glass jars, the wood wick when burning sounds like a woodfire nice and cozy.. I would like to make a crafting suggestion.. How about a HandMade "Clasp Clutch Purse" in your amazing style, I think it could be a fun easy episode!

Deana Carpenter

Christine, speaking of bats, my friend Kristin Bunyard makes Bone jewelry and would love to have you wear a piece on your videos! If you send her any bat bones, she will make something beautiful for you to wear. Visit her collection here: https://www.ossuaria.com/

Rachel Lashmar

Errr…not sure if a vibrator has the same meaning in the US as it does in the UK 😂😂

Rez NYC

This episode was full of the funnies! I love how you wore a full cloak to protect yourself from the bats toward the end. The nervous side glances had me burst out laughing! 👍

Vi

I love this episode as much as the one on the Netflix show. And the bats! The bats are so cute. The apothecary theme of the attic was so fitting for this episode. Loved it all.

Meghan MacKrous

this is awesome! I have lots of polymer clay left over from making some of the spiders, so I think I will try to make something like this!

Sam Hussey

I can’t unsee it now🙈

Sam Hussey

very calming episode can’t wait for tues🦇🦇

Sam Hussey

OH MY gosh that cloak at the end I love it🐝 I really loved the whole set up of this the desk looked so cool and all the ornaments around it and I actually really liked the first candle I liked the colour

Jennifer Treviño

All I hear is Rose saying, “Get to the wax!”

Carla Perea Seminaro

Love it!!! 🖤🕯

Alyne Whiteswan

Really beautiful to watch! I love the colonial New England style dress. You look like you're back in the past.

Lyvia Ellingson

Ohhhh. I'm so excited. Just joined last week....have thought about it for about a year. I'm a stay at home mom that lives in a skoolie with my 3 boys, 3 cats, a dog and a snake...traveling until we find the right area to build our homestead. Everything you create is my esthetic and is so inspiring. I'm so going to be there for the craft along.

KP

Please be careful when heating galvanized metal (re; the garden can), if you heat it too much it releases toxic zinc fumes and can really cause harm (https://everythingwhat.com/what-temperature-does-galvanized-steel-become-toxic)

The Homesick Brit

It’s always such a fascinating treat to watch you work. I love the candles. Macabre and beautiful, with a little hint of “House of Wax.”I’m glad the mixing attachment is serving you well. The attic looks amazing! Might just need a nice little bat house. Perhaps that could be a project for a future episode? Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving. Sending love and warm holiday wishes. Stay safe. ❤️

Kathryn Evers

Yes, she did!

Tanya Hermann

Very cool! Will you be able to keep working in the attic for much longer, it doesn’t look very insulated. Also, I don’t want you to have problems with the bats, but I’m concerned they haven’t migrated south by now. Are there any local wildlife rescues who can overwinter them? And I think a great spring project would be a really cool free standing wooden bat house outside that looks like your house or something, so any returning bats will hopefully choose it and not your attic. Happy Thanksgiving!

Leslie Langenegger

I live nearby too!

Leslie Langenegger

Happy Thanksgiving to You! I had as much fun taking in all the things around you in the attic as learning how to make a candle from scratch. I remember having a few Christmas molds to make candles with when I was a teenager. (many moons ago) I could tell you a story about 65 bats going through a pocket door into a house because someone closed up their exit to the outdoors.

Reed

Yay bats!! Can they be in your next chandelier project? Also you can plant shagbark hickory to create more roosting habitat for the bats so they can swarm children walking near your house. Those trees have gorgeous bark too.

caribou

The first one is my preferred one!

Katherine

The candle skull face reminded me of the xenomorph-human hybrid baby in Alien Resurrection! It was creeping me out and I couldn't figure out why until I realized the connection 👀 You had an amazing set up, I personally liked the cloaked appearance you had in the last takes for safety...mysterious and spooky✨☠✨ Happy Thanksgiving!

Mariana Escobedo

Absolutely gorgeous set. And I also really loved that first candle. The layers really give it a complex look.

Brandy Gunter

This was wonderful and your working dress and apron are absolutely fabulous!! The bats are great😍 just never try to barehand grab one, they may get scared and bite.

Elizabeth Goldkind

THE SET UP! Love love love! -fangirling-

Shelby Snow

This was so cool!!! And I loved your outfits!!’ Did you make them?!

Deb McGrath

Also wanted to say I really liked the first candle you did. The second one was just a little too 'light' in color for me personally. Both are great though!

Deb McGrath

I also LOVE the new set in the attic. Maybe someone with an extensive knowledge of bats could tell you how to best coax them outside, then board up any openings where they may be coming in. Bats are cool and serve an important purpose in our ecosystem, but they also definitely belong outside.

Rez NYC

@sufani Garza it really is!

Sufani Garza

I’ve been there. It’s amazing!

Alaskan Rock Vodka

C that was fantastic! Know nothing about candlemaking and now feel confident enuff to give it a try. You're doing God's work. Happy Turkey Day to you and G-man.

Killian Kincaide

Love the new set up, it looks fantastic. Your lighting is amazing!! We lost our senior cat this past weekend, she was going to be 14, thanks for the giggle. Hope you have a great weekend with your Mom, Happy Thanksgiving.

Killian Kincaide

What about using a vibrator against your box!!! LOL

Matthew Robert Davies

A little tip for de-molding. instead of a staight cut in half mold, try doing a zig-zag cut. That way when you put it back together it fits like a puzzle and won't slide. Anyways I think it turned out amazing and I love all the bats

Tonya

I loved the candle! Everything looked fantastic. You have made my thanksgiving with this episode. I think one of the best things about watching you crafting and exploring different art and craft forms is that no matter how complex, you spark something in me that makes me want to try it too despite my lack of talent. I hope you and your captive have a wonderful holiday 🖤🖤🖤

Buggie

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for your videos. ☺️ That attic set up is to die for!!! It looks amazing! The candles turned out great and I actually love how the first one turned out! Really loving the new tunes in this one too.

Matthew Robert Davies

Only just started the video but wow! the production value you've put into this is better than pretty much any crafting show on network tv. Truly amazing work.

Moth

As a low key bat lover, you probobly shouldn't play with the bats, more for their safety than yours, you can at least let them live in your attic. Bats in the US rarely carry rabies.

Brandy Parker

I adore the grey one!!! I think it looks fantastic! The bats added such a layer of excitement and eeriness. The cloak is a great way to keep yourself safe while enjoying what they bring to your old Victorian attic!! Superb!

Sarah

Happy Thanksgiving, cuties

Michelleslbqueenbee

Happy Thanksgiving Christine. If you need beeswax for your candle craft. I live only one mile from you. It’s this years beeswax. It’s smells devine.

Frances Flores

Happy Thanksgiving Christine!

Carrie

This was so fun! Love the design and your bat protection cloak.

Tarvor Lundy

Yay! This’ll be my first love one!

Mji X

“I know what this looks like…” We all went there! 😄😄😄 Super creative as always 🧡

Rachel Guy-Whittle

Obi Wan vibes by the end there…😂

Skye Gonnie

Can you do a video of your holiday decorations?

DMCM

I’d like to suggest that you humanely round up the bats, plug up any holes through which they’re coming in and release them. We really don’t want to see you contract rabies….a horrible and deadly disease. 😢

Sonja Tompkins

I 🖤 the first one!!!

Colleen Diane Sakane

Wonderful! I really love how the "failed" attempt turned out! Don't hate me! :P I was thinking when the sculpted master started floating, maybe placing it on a thicker dowel and weighting the sides would do the trick? I'm all for saving the shoulders or body! This is a project I would attempt myself! Thank you! <3

Bridgette Fontaine

Happy Thanksgiving!

Emma Baxter

I absolutely love this and can’t wait to try! I made your candles from your Netflix series for Halloween and they were so fun to do (hashtaged under creatingwithchristine on insta!). Looking forward to more candle making with you in the future!

Sonja Tompkins

OMG, the infant scull looks like the sleestaks from that 70’s show “Land of the Lost”! ♥️♥️♥️

Debra Slivensky

Christine you amaze me. Happy Thanksgiving! Fun video

Yvette Gray

OMG your attic setup is AH MAZE ING! And your apothecary wardrobe is perfect. Did the house come with that furniture? And Gerdie (Gurdy? Gerdy? Girdie? sorry) chasing the RC car is everything. She's living her best life. ❤ Love this episode.

Rez NYC

You should visit the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia! Tons of medical oddities you can look at for inspiration!

Jillian Jewett

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦇

Vanessa Garcia

Happy Thanksgiving! Loved the video! Eek bats! 🤎❤️🧡💛🦇🕯

Lorena zitelli

Happy thanksgiving 🍁 💜🫂

Nicholas Frig

I LOVE candle-making! I create scent oils myself for my candles. It's (a lot) more time consuming, but you end up with something that is completely unique to you then. I tend to go for anise and clove as I feel it has a very warm, autumnal scent that is pleasant. Growing up Italian the scent has a lot of pleasant sense memory for me anyway. I will drop the recipe to you, if you want to give it a try.

Sufani Garza

Oh my gosh Christine, you kill me. “Today from the Mind of Christine McConnel we are making dildo molds.” Lol! Too cute. Love the new set! Yay!

Sonya Colley

That was fun. Love the Bat cape! lol

Christine McConnell

Blahaha 😂😂😂 This made me burst out laughing ✨🤩✨ Happy Thanksgiving Cassandra :D

Cassandra Cyr

New set, penis molds, wild bats, awesome candles…this episode has *everything*! Loved it!

Paul Fliedner

Happy Thanksgiving Christine!! I needed this video today. Thanks for always making me smile! Please be careful with the bats. ☺️♥️

Luanne Hermann

Happy Thanksgiving dear friend 🧡 Try using a half gallon milk container, it’s waxed cardboard! I used this a billion years ago ( when I was a kid 🤣) to make a candle! Love the new work shop space!!!