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Giveaway: Candlemaking and Soapmaking

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In continuing our month’s worth of giveaways for National Craft Month, Lark Crafts has offered several book titles we know you will love! There will be a new book giveaway each week, as well as other fun prizes throughout the month, so make sure you watch daily.

This week Lark brings us two beautiful and practical books by Rebecca Ittner: Candlemaking the Natural Way and Soapmaking the Natural Way. I recently did a review of the candlemaking book and shared some of its beautiful contents. If ever you wanted to get started in soap making or candle making, these are both excellent resources.

HOW TO ENTER
Simply leave a comment on this post and tell us if you make candles or soaps or if you have wanted to! Share the types of candles or soaps that you make, and if you have an etsy shop or tutorial blog, feel free to tell us about it! Tell us all about it before March 15th at midnight CST!

ELIGIBILITY
As much as we would love to include our Canadian and international friends I’m afraid this giveaway is restricted to those with a U.S. mailing address. If you live outside of the U.S. but have an address within the U.S. that we can ship to then you’re in! Otherwise, we truly apologize. You must be 18 or older to enter. Winner will be randomly selected on March 16th and notified via email. Winner will have 72 hours to respond with their shipping address, otherwise an alternate winner will be drawn. Good luck!

Please note, all prizes will be shipped at the conclusion of our National Craft Month celebration. Winners should allow 4-6 weeks for delivery after April 1, 2011.

Be sure to visit our new blog here at Craft Gossip, Candle Making with Sandra Williams. Don’t forget we have a Bath & Body blog too edited by Nellie Lurhmann!

Keep your eyes peeled for more fun to celebrate National Craft Month!

Comments

  2. My closet… woe is me. It has so much potential, so much wasted space, so much inefficiency, so boring. Definately could benefit from a makeover!

  3. I’ve never made soap before but have always had the intention of learning to do so. When I was 10, I was given a candle making kit which I had a great time with making fun colored candles. I’d like to make some more now that I’m old enough to actually burn them! 😀

  4. I make glycerine soap–but have always wanted to try lye soap and I love recycling old candles into new ones!

  6. I’ve made both before. I plan on making egg shaped candles for Easter again this year, by pouring the wax into a hollow egg shell.

  7. I am just starting to get into soapmaking; so far, I’ve only done m & p, working with a castile base. I would love to win the soapmaking book!

  8. I have been wanting to try and make my own soaps. Candlemaking is fun, but I always make a huge mess in doing it.

  11. I’ve made candles once but never soap. I think that would be fun. maybe I’ll win and then I can learn now!

  12. I have never made my own soap or candles, but these books sure would be a good start to helping my husband and I live a more self-sustaining lifestyle. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  13. I am interested in trying both candlemaking and soapmaking. I have not tried either. I have done stamping on candles but never made them from scratch. I’d love to get good enough to sell them.

  14. I love candles but lately have felt like buying them is wasteful. I’d like to make my own natural candles so that I can reuse the same containers.

  19. I’ve made candles and would love to try soapmaking. They look like beautiful books!

  20. hi, i have made both before and make soaps every few months. Have been wanting to get into candle making again as well as expand knowledge on soapmaking.

  22. I made soap for a biology class in college and LOVED IT! I always wanted to keep it up but got sidetracked (life, kids…). I would love to get into it once again 🙂

  24. I’ve always wanted to try making both soap and candles…but find the process intimidating.

  25. I’ve never made either, but I would love to know how to make wonderful candles. I love them! Always lit at my house 🙂

  27. I have never made either, but I have been looking for the right time to try. This could be it!!!

  28. Hi! I am a stay at home Mom and a new crafter! I would love to learn and experiment with making soap and candles! Not only for my kiddos but maybe as gifts?
    Thanks

  30. I used to make soaps when I was younger to give as gifts to family. I remember how much I loved to do it. I’ve been wanting to learn how to make candles. Thanks for chance.

  31. I’ve made candles before, but it’s been awhile. I’ve been dying to try my hand at soaps!

  32. I use to make candles and made some for my neighbors Christmas gifts but haven’t made any for more than 3 years. I really miss it and want to get back into it again. I’ve experimented with soap but it never came out right.

  34. I made candles and soap with my mom as a little girl. I am almost knocked over with nostalgia when I think of how fun it would be to work through these books.

  36. I have made candles before but really want to try soapmaking… it looks like so much fun to do…

  37. i have not crafted these yet but would like to add thes to my never ending love of crafting

  39. These are 2 things I’ve been wanting to try but am so turned off in that isle of the craft store when I see how artifial all of the ingredients are. I’m intrigued that these titles are for making both “the natural way.”

  40. Many years ago I made candles and I enjoyed making them, so, I am not sure why I stopped making them. I have never made soaps but I enjoy all kinds of crafting so I’m sure that I would enjoy that craft also. Thanks for this giveaway.

  41. I’ve not made candles/soaps, but I have always wanted to do it. I’m such a sucker for both at craft fairs/art shops… Thanks for a chance to win!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

  42. I have been wanting to learn how to make both of these. I started researching last year how to make candles, so I could give them as gifts. 🙂

  45. I’ve made soap with glycerin before but haven’t made candles. I would like to win either of them.

  46. I make both candles and soap and have even made lotion for my family and friends. I would love to win the great books and make some of the items in the books…. Good Luck to everyone….

  47. Hi!! I have made candles, but never soaps. I would LOVE to learn to do those!! Thanks for the opportunity!! I DO have a USA mailing address (I live in Ecuador for now) so YAY I’m in!!!

  49. I make scented soy container candles, as well as other produts, and have an etsy shop called Beach In A Box

  50. I’ve rebatched soap and made a few melt&pours with my daughter–lots of fun. I haven’t tried candles yet, but I sure I’d like it too.

  51. I unfortunatly have not tried either but I would love to try them both. I love pretty scented candles and also the awesome shapes that you can make with the soap molds.

  52. I make soy candles they last longer and don’t smoke as bad. As for soap I would really like to make some. I want to thank you for the book giveaway.

  53. i have always wanted to make candles! i would love to learn how to do it! thanks for the opportunity!!

  54. I made gel candles once – my dining room table was consumed, the smell of “cinnamon spice” almost killed a loved one :), and I vowed never to do it again. Knowing there’s a far better way…wow. I’d love to try making soy candles or candles using organic products and essential oils. Could use them anywhere or make gifts!

  55. I make beeswax candles from our bees and goats milk soap from our nubian goats and sell them at the farmer’s market. I’d love to learn some new techniques!

  58. I used to make simple candles when I was a kid (a looooong time ago) but never soap. I’ve checked into doing both at times as I’d like something to bring in a bit extra money since I’m on disability. These books look like they would answer my questions. Thanks for the chance to win!

  59. Been making candles for about 50 years. still enjoy making a good sand candle now and then. Haven’t tried soap yet. Never too young to try new things.

  60. I’ve made soap before but haven’t made any for a really long time. I want to try candles sometime in the future.

  61. i have tried making candles and soap. my candles dont turn out to good,i amke a lot of hand and body soap. i also make laundry soap it really pays off.

  62. I made candles when I was younger (the hippie thing to do! lol) I would love to learn to make soap for our family and friends…naturally! Thanks for the chance to win!

  64. I have never made candles but have always checked out the supplies and things when I am in the craft shop. If I had the book I know I would give it a whirl. Love the front cover!

  66. Since I’m a science major in college, making candles and soap had always been interesting to me though I’ve only made soap in class before.

  67. I have done a bit of candle making but no soap making as yet. I have been studying herbal combinations for soaps and want to learn more, especially milk-based recipes.

  68. I just started my at home spa product company and I think that adding handmade soaps and candles to my line of products would definitely add to the spa at home experience.
    Thanks for the giveaway and the possibility of a chance to win.

  69. I made glycerin soaps and beeswax candles what seems like a hundred years ago 🙂 and just was thinking recently about a trip to A I Root Co in Medina OH where I grew up. They had all kinds of bee products and with bees environmentally threatened, wanted to learn more about their work&harvesting as they change and work to preserve the bee population. They have evrything! Sheet wax for lil bits to make roll candles, etc. In fact, that was the first candle I ever made.

  71. I’d LOVE to win the soap book particularly….as I’ve gotten older, my skin has become so sensitive to everything! 🙁 I’d love to learn how to make some pure/organic soap products for my house…and the skin I’m in! 🙂

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  72. I am going to make candles and soap in the future.Right now I am in the process of learning.

  75. I’ve always wanted to try and make soap but am a little bit afraid. I’ve been given handmade soap and loved them.

  76. I would LOVE to make soap on a rope. We always joke about it…but this would push us to actually do it. 🙂

  77. I have collected all kinds of candle-making and soap-making supplies — I’m dying to get going on these projects!

  79. I have tried melt and pour soap before and it’s fun. Just made it for fun for the family. I would love to learn more techniques though.

    As for candle, haven’t tried it yet but would like to try. I like soy candles that are aromatherapeutic. Would love to learn how to make those.

  81. Having made both candles and soap, I love both making and using the fruits of my labor. These are two of the oldest crafts and almost a lost art. Thanks for introducing it to crafters.

  82. Have made candles for years and still am inspired by books and new styles that I see in the stores. Just getting into soap making, this book looks awesome!

  83. The only types of candle I have made have been re-purposed candles that I have melted down. I have not made soap before but have wanted to try. These books look very interesting.

  85. I made candles with my aunt as a child, and I’ve made M&P soaps as an adult, but I’ve always wanted to dive into soap and candlemaking.

  90. Making soap is fun and makes a great gift. I have only done this a few times and would love to experiment some more. Thanks.

  91. I want to start making my own soaps. I have a limited number of commercially availible soaps I can use due to perfume allergies and it’s time to try the homemade route!

  92. My family made candles when I was a kid and soap too, but I haven’t done either since I grew up. I would love to try both with my girls.

  93. I have never made candles or soaps, but I really really want to!
    hisprincess886(at)yahoo(dot)com

  94. Never made candles before, but always wanted to. I’m always buying candles for my place.

  95. I have friends that make candles every year for Christmas. I’ve always wanted to make soap, but the whole lye business scares me.

  96. I have made candles in the past for friends who are getting married and I have even done my own unity candles at my wedding….the next conquest is soap making….I have always had a fear that I would make it wrong and cause someone to “break out”…I would love to learn how to make soap and be confident I know what I am doing. There are so many beautiful organic soaps…and I think to my self,”I can do that but how?” I guess even if I do not win I will still resolve to teach my self soap making.

  97. I have been wanting to make soap for some time, this would be great. Use to make candles with my mom when I was a little girl but have not made any in a very long time, would be nice to do some with the grandkids.

  98. I haven’t ever done soap or candle making, but I would love to! Thanks for the chance to win!

  99. I am yet to make soap, but candle making is a favorite hobby of mine. I always recycle old candle hollows and melt them down and re-pour them to make recessionista candles.

  101. I want to learn to make soap! I’ve done candles a couple of times, but just haven’t been able to get them quite right. Would love some help in making them better.

Have you read?

IKEA KALLAX Room Divider DIY: Create a Cosy Corner With Storage and Style

Open-plan living sounds lovely until your craft supplies, the dining table and someone’s homework all start sharing the same square metre. Sometimes you don’t need another room quite so much as a little separation—a corner that feels like yours, with somewhere to put the things that keep migrating across the house.

An IKEA KALLAX room divider DIY can help create that boundary while giving you useful storage. Those familiar square compartments can hold baskets of yarn, paperwork, books and the everyday bits that don’t need to be on display. Leave some cubes open and you can still enjoy views through the room.

What I like about this approach is that the creative part can be wonderfully manageable. You can personalise the storage boxes, repeat colours from your cushions and add a few handmade touches without rebuilding the shelving.

The key is planning both sides of the divider. A shelf against a wall has one public face. A shelf dividing a room has two, and the back of a jumble of cables is rarely anybody’s decorating goal.

Can You Use IKEA KALLAX as a Room Divider?

Yes. IKEA describes KALLAX as suitable for room-divider use, but it also requires the furniture to be securely anchored. Room-divider styling doesn’t remove that requirement.

Start with the current IKEA KALLAX range and check the instructions for your exact model. Plan its position around a suitable anchoring arrangement before buying accessories.

A position with one end near a wall may suit your layout, but proximity alone doesn’t secure the unit. Ask IKEA or a competent installer how to anchor your chosen model in that orientation. If the intended position cannot accommodate the required anchoring, choose another position or a purpose-built divider.

Decide What Your Divider Needs to Do

Before choosing a size, finish this sentence: “I want to separate…”

Perhaps it’s a craft corner from the lounge, a desk from the dining area or the front door from the main living space. That answer helps you decide how much height and visual screening you need.

A lower arrangement can mark a boundary while keeping the room visually connected. A taller arrangement can screen more of the view, but it also has a greater presence in the room.

KALLAX creates visual separation. It won’t provide the sound isolation of a wall, and open cubes won’t give complete privacy.

What You Need for This KALLAX Divider Project

  • A KALLAX unit suited to your space
  • The assembly instructions and required anchoring equipment
  • Wall fixings appropriate to your wall, selected with suitable advice
  • Compatible inserts, boxes or baskets
  • A tape measure and low-tack floor-marking tape
  • Decorative paper or fabric for personalising removable storage boxes
  • Card, scissors and an adhesive suitable for the box material
  • A few lightweight decorative pieces

You can keep the DIY work focused on the removable storage accessories. That makes it easier to refresh the look later and avoids relying on decorative additions to support the furniture.

How to Plan and Style an IKEA KALLAX Room Divider

Mark Out the Footprint

Use low-tack tape on a suitable floor surface to mark the unit’s width and depth. Check that the tape won’t damage the finish first.

Walk around the outline with the room in normal use. Pull out dining chairs, open nearby doors and imagine carrying a laundry basket past it. Include space for storage boxes to pull out and insert doors to open.

For reference, IKEA’s white 147 × 147cm KALLAX is listed at 39cm deep. Check the actual measurements of the model you choose, especially if adding a compatible underframe.

Check the View From Both Sides

Stand where you usually sit, then walk to the other side. Which parts of the room would you like to screen? Where does daylight enter?

Try positioning closed storage where it interrupts the view of clutter, while keeping other cubes open. You don’t have to fill every compartment for the divider to feel finished.

I’d start with fewer boxes than you think you need. It’s much easier to add another basket than to bring the light back after you’ve built a wall of storage.

Assemble and Anchor Before Decorating

Assemble the unit in an orientation permitted by its instructions and complete the required anchoring before loading it.

Follow the model’s load limits and installation guidance. Keep dense supplies low, distribute contents sensibly and check fastenings as instructed. Baskets of books or craft tools can become heavy surprisingly quickly.

If your divider needs extra height, choose a suitable taller model rather than improvising a stack of units.

Plan Which Side Opens Where

Think about who needs each compartment. Craft supplies should open towards the craft area; household storage might be more useful from the living-room side.

Check how each insert looks from behind before committing to the arrangement. Some accessories are designed primarily for access from one side, even though the shelving itself can be viewed from both.

Use a quick paper sketch to map the cubes. Label them “yarn,” “paperwork,” “books” and “open” before spending money on matching boxes.

Easy DIY Fabric Fronts for Storage Boxes

This is the little makeover I’d start with: personalise plain removable boxes with coordinated fabric panels.

Choose rigid boxes with flat fronts. Measure each front and cut a piece of card slightly smaller, leaving handles, seams and folding sections clear.

Wrap the card in fabric, folding the excess neatly behind it. Secure the fabric to the card, then attach the finished panel to the box using an adhesive appropriate for its surface. Test first, particularly on fabric-covered or coated boxes.

Let everything dry before returning the boxes to the shelves. Keep panels clear of pull handles so they don’t get tugged loose every time someone reaches for a charger.

If the back of the box is visible from the other room, coordinate that face too. These panels are decorative; they don’t add strength or change the box’s load capacity.

Five KALLAX Room Divider Ideas to Make It Feel Like Home

A Craft Corner With a Calm Living-Room Side

Keep project boxes and frequently used supplies accessible from your workspace. On the lounge side, repeat a small palette of baskets, books and a few favourite objects.

Our CraftGossip paper-craft storage in KALLAX shelving offers ideas for organising paper, inks and other supplies. Use it for storage inspiration while following current instructions for your own installation.

A Cottage-Style Divider With Floral Fabric

Pair a white unit with soft floral box fronts, woven textures and a little gingham. Pick colours already present in the room so the shelving feels connected to the furniture around it.

A handmade piece in one open cube gives the arrangement personality without turning every shelf into a display.

A Coastal Divider With Rope Baskets

Combine pale finishes, blue fabric and natural textures for a relaxed coastal look.

Our CraftBits DIY rope basket tutorial is a lovely companion project for lightweight storage. Measure the finished basket, including handles, against your shelf opening rather than assuming it will fit.

A Home-Office Divider That Hides Paperwork

Use compatible closed storage to reduce the view of folders and office supplies from the main room. Leave some cubes open for books and a simple display.

Keep cables along a safe, planned route rather than trailing them through the walkway. Put charging equipment where it has appropriate ventilation and easy access.

A Colourful Divider With Personality

Choose patterned box fronts in two or three repeated colours. Add a framed print and one or two handmade objects, then let the repetition do the work.

There’s nothing wrong with cheerful storage. Sometimes the thing that makes you put the yarn away is having a particularly lovely box to put it in.

How to Keep the Project Affordable

Start with a sound unit and a workable installation plan. If buying second-hand, check for missing hardware, damaged joints, swollen panels and signs of previous alterations.

Add storage accessories gradually. Make two matching fabric fronts first, live with them for a few days, then decide whether the room needs more.

Price the whole project, including delivery, suitable fixings, installation help and inserts. A modest shelving price can become a different budget once every cube has acquired a door.

Common KALLAX Room Divider Questions

Can I use it in the middle of a room?

Only where the required anchoring can be achieved appropriately. Don’t assume that a central position is suitable simply because the unit stands upright. Get advice for the exact model and location.

Is this suitable for renters?

It can be, provided you can meet the installation requirements and obtain any necessary permission. Adhesive strips don’t replace the specified furniture restraints.

Can I add legs or castors?

Check compatibility with your exact unit. A compatible IKEA underframe may be an option, but improvised legs or wheels change how the furniture is supported. This project keeps the original structure intact.

How do I get more privacy?

Use compatible closed inserts and opaque boxes where screening matters most. Check the view at seated and standing heights. For complete privacy, a shelving divider alone may not suit the space.

A successful IKEA KALLAX room divider DIY gives each part of a room a clearer purpose. Once the placement, access and anchoring are sorted, you can enjoy choosing the fabrics, baskets and little handmade details. That’s where a familiar cube shelf starts feeling like part of your home.