
With economic news being what it is lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about two things: crafting for utility, and supporting independent makers. Big subjects, both – but they’re brought nicely together in my new favorite handmade thing: the Kandle Heeter.
I wish I could recall where on the internets I first saw this bad-boy mentioned, because I’d love to give the referrer a big hug. The Kandle Heeter is the brainchild of inventor Doyle Doss. Its construction and concept are simple and elegant: terra cotta pots, bolts, and washers combine to collect, retain, and distribute the heat from a candle.

I have mine next to my keyboard, and it’s fabulous for taking the chill out of my fingers. With K. and I each running one at our desks, we’ll be able to keep the heater in our apartment a little lower this winter, and save some cash.
All that aside, we were both very inspired by Doyle’s website, where he gives complete specs for you to build your own Kandle Heeter, which is very generous. He also shares his other inventions, like the Air-Maze, which brings you free heat from the sun via recycled tin cans, or (my favorite) the Wearable Hummingbird Feeder.

So, we did try to build our own Kandle Heeter from materials on hand, but in the end, Doyle’s version outperformed ours by leaps and bounds. We think he’s a genius, and were happy to support him a little with our purchase.
(Incidentally, I was so impressed with how my Kandle Heeter was packed for shipping, I made an extremely nerdy Flickr set to document it.)











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I had no idea this was possible. It’s so cool!
Er – hot?
I had no idea this was possible. It’s so cool!
Er – hot?
oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh
OK, the heater thing is cool and all, but that hummingbird feeder … ?
Most awesome thing I’ve ever seen. WOW!
oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh
OK, the heater thing is cool and all, but that hummingbird feeder … ?
Most awesome thing I’ve ever seen. WOW!
My current oddball craft obsession came on too late in the year: a solar cooker! I plan on making a windshield screen solar cooker next summer for my backyard!
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Windshield_Shade_Solar_Cooker
My current oddball craft obsession came on too late in the year: a solar cooker! I plan on making a windshield screen solar cooker next summer for my backyard!
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Windshield_Shade_Solar_Cooker
Oh2122, it’s not hot to the touch. The heat is retained in the inner bolt and washers, and the inner two pots. The outer pot, the metal stand, and the ball chain are all comfortably warm. The unit has a complete (and simple) list of safety precautions.
Oh2122, it’s not hot to the touch. The heat is retained in the inner bolt and washers, and the inner two pots. The outer pot, the metal stand, and the ball chain are all comfortably warm. The unit has a complete (and simple) list of safety precautions.
That is really cool!
That is really cool!
[...] And finally – Craftypod wrote about a great way to heat your workspace for cheap. [...]