NSI Liquid Candles-Something's fishy...Don't get burned.
Written: Dec 23 '02 (Updated Dec 23 '02)
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Pros: They were half price...
Cons: I paid the other half...
The Bottom Line: Cute idea, poorly designed and an accident waiting to happen,
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| jenb123's Full Review: NSI Liquid Candles |
Each Christmas, my older daughter, Amanda, and I like to make presents for family, friends and teachers. Among our favorite kinds of crafts to do would have to be candle making and I try to find unique new designs. When I saw a large selection of children's craft kits on sale at Hobby Lobby, I picked up two NSI (Natural Science Industries) candle making sets.
The NSI Liquid Candles were disappointing while NSI Candle Creations were not as bad. Needless to say, I will be reviewing both of the kits and based on my experiences with each of them, I am glad the kits were half price.
She sells seashells...
When Amanda and I saw the box of NSI Liquid Candles, the colorful seascapes immediately appealed to us. The candles were unique and attractive while the box boasted:
Magic No Wax Candles! Fun And Easy To Do!
Below the brightly colored aquatic designs, the box went on to proclaim:
~Create Design in Glass Votives
~Add Water and Candle Oil
~Insert Wicks
The box also stated that the item was geared to ages 12 and up. While Amanda is 8, I am slightly older than 12 myself, so I figured I would help her if she needed a hand. My brilliant little artist could design the candles while I added the finishing touches.
The kit included three small glass votives, bags of brightly colored sand, two plastic fish, a plastic sea horse, shells, neon gravel and some plastic plant-like thing. There were 6 small plastic trays, wicks and a bottle of oil as well.
Under the sea...
After taking the glass votives out of their protective bubble wrap (and giving the wraps to 4 year old Emily to pop), Amanda eagerly created her seascapes. She decided to take her cue from the box and made her designs similar to those pictured.
For her first candle, she poured some neon gravel, added the plant thing, dropped in some shells and added a small blue fish. For the next candle, she used bright green sand, some large shells and the sea horse. Last, she used both pink and green sand and a variety of shells to create a nice home for the large green fish.
I thought that Amanda had done a terrific job, so when she asked me to add the water, oil and wicks, I was ready.
Oil is to water as liquid candles are to usefulness...
I had read the instructions prior to starting the project and admit I had my doubts. Basically, the idea was to add water to the votives and to cover the water with a thin layer of candle oil. Next, an inch of wick was inserted into the "vac-u-seal" tray and then the tray was placed on top of the oil. The wick was only supposed to have 1/8 of an inch in the oil, the rest was to be dry and above the tray. Seemed simple enough.
While a small jar of water with a layer of vegetable oil on top is a bit on the delicate and impractical side, I had taken some comfort in the tray. The name implied there was a vacuum seal or something. It was only after following the directions to the letter that I realized that these candles were accidents waiting to happen.
The trays neither sealed nor secured anything at all. The flimsy plastic trays formed no "vacu-seal" and didn't even float well. The trays did not serve much of a purpose at all. The hole where the wick was placed was simply not practical. It barely kept the wick in place and as a result, the oil oozed over the tray and soaked the wick.
Because there was no "lid" to stabilize or secure the candle, moving or giving these candles was not an option. The slightest movement caused enough sloshing to keep the wick saturated.
Pretty, but useless...
I admit that the NSI Liquid Candles were pretty to look at and easy to make, but beyond that, I don't recommend them. As cute as these little aquariums are, the oil/plastic/water combination makes for a potential grease fire.
The concept itself seemed to have potential, but the flimsy plastic trays do not work as they should. The "slurpee lid-like" plastic trays simply float precariously offering no real help in securing the wick.
I would not feel comfortable giving these candles as gifts because I question their safety. Something about lighting a small "fish bowl" containing plastic, vegetable oil and water just simply seems risky. I definitely would not recommend having the candle as anything more than a decorative item, never to be lit.
Don't get burned...
Based on our overall experience, I would not recommend NSI Liquid Candles to anyone at all. Though my daughter is not in the recommended age range for the kit, I most certainly am. I followed the instructions to the letter and supervised the parts done by my daughter. Three liquid candles completes, none that were safe to light.
Perhaps as a decoration, with some type of added cover, these seascapes could be salvaged. I kind of doubt it though. In the future, we will still make homemade candles, but we will stick with wax.
After the experiences we've had with NSI candle kits, I'd suggest sticking with brands like RoseArt or using traditional candlemaking supplies with proper supervision.
My final verdict on NSI Liquid Candles? You'd be better off burning your money than spending it on this kit.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 6.50
Type of Toy: Arts and Crafts
Age Range of Child: 9 Years or Older
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jenb123
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