Protecting the goo?
November 27, 2018 7:38 AM   Subscribe

I bought a candle holder that has an extra layer of glass around the candle well, with dried berries and such sandwiched in it as decoration. Turns out the substance the deco is in is a gel, not a resin. Is there any way to top it? I've thought of some kind of ribbon (it would have to stand the heat), but would a layer of powder do? Specifically, of ground cinnamon or nutmeg?

Would that actually work, or is there a downside? Does anyone have any other ideas? I imagine that over time, a lovely additional decorative layer of dust and flies will become incorporated into the arrangement, otherwise. Already threw away the wrapping, so returning it is sadly off the table.
posted by likeso to Home & Garden (10 answers total)
 
Can you post a photo or a link? I don't really understand what the product is. Are you sure the gel isn't a substance you're supposed to light?
posted by LKWorking at 7:56 AM on November 27, 2018


I agree that a photo would help me visualize the problem more clearly, but I want to add that powdered nutmeg is quite flammable and NOT a good choice to incorporate into a decoration near an open flame.
posted by DSime at 8:03 AM on November 27, 2018 [4 favorites]


I too do not understand. Is what we have here literally a glass jar with a layer of some kind of gel on the inside, and you're supposed to set the candle directly into the gel? Like, the candle touches the gel? That seems to be what you described but it just seems like such a bad design that I feel like I must be misunderstanding you.

In any case, a layer of powder—flammability of nutmeg and cinnamon aside—is not going to meaningfully insulate the gel from the heat of the candle. I would suggest getting another candle holder, like just a plain glass one, and setting that inside of this weird one. That would probably be OK. Or burn the kind of votives that come from the candle factory in little glass holders, the ones that are 2" tall or so and are like deluxe tea lights.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 8:22 AM on November 27, 2018


So its like a glass set in a larger glass and between the two layers is a gel with decorations in it?

wouldn't nutmeg or cinnamon just look like the candle has a layer of dirt or soil across the top?
posted by Julnyes at 8:34 AM on November 27, 2018 [1 favorite]


Glitter?
posted by missmagenta at 8:37 AM on November 27, 2018 [1 favorite]


The pictures of this sort of craft on Pintrest seem to indicate that the gel is supposed to be flame-proof. Is it like this? I don't think anything is needed other than an occasional tip out.
posted by fiercekitten at 8:41 AM on November 27, 2018 [2 favorites]


I would imagine glitter is also potentially flammable, and powders in general are prone to being relatively flammable (depending of course on the material) because of the high relative surface area of all the tiny particles. Can you not just wipe down the gel with a damp cloth from time to time, if it's like the example fiercekitten has linked to?
posted by penguin pie at 9:00 AM on November 27, 2018


Best answer: Perhaps a glue layer (like, from a glue gun or something) - it could dry ~clear, would likely be easier to clean off than a (sticky?) gel layer. Or xacto knife out a piece of tin foil? Or heck, when it's not in active display, just put foil over the whole thing.
posted by annabear at 1:01 PM on November 27, 2018 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Oh hey, immediately after posting, I found this : https://www.craftserver.com/topic/90268-cleaning-tops-of-gel-candles/
posted by annabear at 1:03 PM on November 27, 2018 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Thanks, all. The images in fiercekitten's link are on point! As is annabear's link, though because the gel in the one I have is rather soft, I'm liking the glue idea.
posted by likeso at 4:43 PM on November 27, 2018


« Older oh yoko!   |   Report Card Blues Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.