Flames

Would love to do a Halloween costume of my favorite fantasy book character, but not sure what would look most realistic in terms of being engulfed in flames… Ideas?

Depending on where you’re going to be showing off the costume (school/work vs. a private party) you could get a red bodysuit and paint lines and swirls of flames on it, and then have someone paint your exposed skin to match it. A wig or temporary hair dye in reds, yellows and oranges would add to the effect, especially if your hair is shorter and can be spiked.

Something similar to this, but with more flame-like patterns and no wings:
http://www.peter-alan.com/catalog.php?item=2190&catid=Bodywear

(little gas bottle used for cooking or kitchen gas cooking source)
and what can I do to fix the flame from the gas source back to normal – non blackening flames.

Use a new bottle of gas your bottle might have lost pressure.

My electric fireplace gives off heat, the fan works but the flames won’t flicker and move anymore. They just look like they are frozen in time. Any thoughts on how to get them moving?

It sound like you need to replace the flicker motor that rotates a rod with fingers on it.
As the motor turns that rod it simulates the effect of flames flickering.Thus the term flicker motor.