Jeweled Votive Candle Holder

A jeweled votive candle holder can be a beautiful accessory for the holidays or just to add some sparkle to your décor. With a range of available designs, these glittery items can even be perfect gifts, wedding favors, or centerpieces.

Votive candle holders are versatile decorations that come in a wide range of colors, styles, and designs. Jeweled candle holders can vary widely based on several design factors, including…

Materials: Most jeweled votive holders are made of glass, and in some cases a single large piece of glass or crystal can be cut into the shape of one enormous jewel as a unique and bold candle holder. Other candle holders can be crafted from metal or ceramic and have jewels applied to the surface. Shape: Jeweled holders are readily available in basic cup shapes, round holders, flared cups, and square candle holders. The height of the holder can vary depending on whether the entire candle is to be shielded or if the flame will be above the edge of the holder. Display Style: How a candle is displayed can greatly impact the candle holder design. The majority of jeweled votive holders are simple cups that can be set on any flat surface, while more elaborate designs have pedestals or miniature centerpiece chandeliers trimmed with crystals and jewels. Jewel Application: The most common way to design a jeweled votive candle holder is to adhere the jewels to the side of the holder's cup in an array of patterns such as mosaics, shapes, or scenes. The gems can also be wired into different three dimensional shapes such as snowflakes or stars on the side of the cup, or can be attached to the edge of a cup to dangle freely.

If you can't find the perfect jeweled candle holder for your décor, it can be easy to make your own unique votive candle holder with jewels.

For a simple jeweled cup, you will need craft glue for glass and plastic, a plain votive candle holder in your preferred shape, and a selection of faux gems or crystals with flat backs. If desired, ribbons can be used for additional accents.

Clean the votive holder carefully so there is no dust or fingerprints on the surface. Use craft glue to attach the gems in whatever pattern you desire – alternating colors, shapes, or sizes adds great visual interest. Let the gems dry without being disturbed so they do not slide out of alignment. If desired, glue a line of ribbon at the top or bottom of the cup for additional color. Gluing the gems at the top and the ribbon at the bottom is usually preferred so the ribbon will hide melted wax as a candle is burned. Let the candle holder dry completely before use.

For this simple, fast project, you will need a small clear glass votive candle holder and a larger candle holder or glass container of a similar shape, several dozen loose faux gems or crystals (quantity will vary depending on the size), and a colored votive candle that matches the color of the gems.

Nest the small candle holder in the center of the larger container. If desired, you can use a small amount of craft glue to secure the smaller holder inside the larger one. Fill the interior space between the walls of the votive cup and the larger container with loose gems, but keep the level of loose gems slightly below the top rim of the votive holder. Insert the votive candle into the holder where it will coordinate with the gems.

This is a great project because it is fast and easy to do, and the faux gems and colored candle can easily be changed to match different decorations or holidays.

With a piece as lovely as a jeweled candle holder, display is important. These beautiful accessories can easily be added to larger centerpieces for extra sparkle, or several jeweled holders of similar colors or shapes can be grouped together to form a centerpiece of their own. A large, pedestal style holder is perfect by itself and can add a delicate vintage look to any décor.

No matter how your display your jeweled holder, don't forget proper candle safety:

Never leave a burning candle unattended and burn it only on a safe surface away from flammable materials. Keep delicate jeweled holders out of reach of children and pets. Wash the holder gently to avoid loosening any jewels or other accents.

Properly coordinated with the rest of your décor and displayed for a glittering effect, a jeweled votive candle holder can be a fun and beautiful accessory for your home.

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Candle Rings

Candle rings are a fast, easy way to accessorize your candles for elegant home decorations. With a wide range of styles available at inexpensive prices, there is a beautiful ring you can use for any decorative candle.

Rings are quick and easy candle decorations.

A candle accent ring is a circular accessory designed to slip around the base of a candle to add accents or decoration. While diameters and heights can vary for decorative rings, most are designed to fit pillar candles, though rings for tapers, jars, and votive candles are also available.

Candle rings can be made from a wide range of natural and artificial materials, and the design options are nearly limitless. Popular ring styles include:

Flowers and greenery Berries or fruits Autumn leaves, holly, or other seasonal foliage Grapevine, cedar sprigs, or pine boughs Beads or crystals Pine cones or nuts Christmas ornaments or other seasonal trinkets

Simple rings may be made from just one or two materials, while more complex designs may interweave different materials for a lush display. Colors, sizes, and combinations vary widely, and it is possible to find a ring to match nearly any home décor or special occasion.

With so many different ring designs to choose from, selecting the perfect option can be challenging. Ideally, the ring should coordinate both with the candle it is framing and with the overall décor it is part of. The ring may be chosen to match a season or holiday, or just to be part of a coordinated home design. To choose a ring for a candle, consider:

Occasion: Holiday candle rings should have holiday accents and colors, such as a holly ring with red berries for Christmas or a spring flower ring with miniature painted eggs for Easter. Season: When possible, coordinate the ring with overall seasonal décor. In spring, rings with tulips and gently colored flowers are appropriate, while rings with brilliant leaves, twigs, and nuts are best for autumn. Candle Size: Choose a ring appropriately sized for the candle in question. A very thin, low ring will look skimpy when paired with a thick, tall pillar candle, while a thick, mounded ring can overwhelm a taper candle. Candle Color: Give your candle decorations even more pop by coordinating rings and candle colors. A cranberry red candle is perfect for a winter ring, a warm amber colored candle is ideal for a fall ring, or a light lilac candle is suitable for a spring ring.

Decorative rings designed for candles are available at most major retailers that carry a basic selection of pillar or taper candles. Check the craft or home décor sections of stores, or look in holiday or seasonal sections for specialized rings. Candle and home fragrance stores, home décor stores, and antique stores also usually carry a supply of more unique rings, and craft stores may offer custom rings from their design experts. It is also easy to buy a basic ring and add coordinating decorations to it yourself, creating a personalized accent for your home.

Depending on the size, design, and materials, rings may cost as little as five dollars, but more elaborate, finely crafted designs can run 50 dollars or higher. Watch for seasonal sales and stock clearances to find rings at discount prices.

Decorating with a candle ring is as easy as inserting an appropriate candle into the ring and placing it on a table, mantle, or shelf. To draw the eye to your elegant ring, however, consider these decorating tips:

Handle both the ring and the candle with care, and insert the candle from the base only rather than sliding the ring down the candle. This will minimize any scratches on the candle. Customize a ring with easy to add accents such as floral picks, ribbons, or other small items to give it a unique look and to match your décor more closely. Give your candle ring a new look instantly by changing the candle periodically. Change a winter candle ring into a holiday piece by switching a white candle for a red one, or give a bold touch to a spring candle ring by switching from pale pink to sunny yellow. When not in use, wrap the ring carefully in tissue to protect delicate pieces and keep dust from settling in every crevice. This will keep the ring looking new and ready for another display.

Whenever candles are used, proper safety must be observed.

Place the candle and ring on a level, sturdy, fireproof surface. Only burn the candle in the ring when there are no breezes that could lead to uneven burning and excessive dripping. Keep the flame at least one inch above the top of the candle ring so the ring is not exposed to heat or wax. Keep the candle and ring out of reach of children or pets, and never leave a burning candle unattended.

Candle rings are beautiful, easy accessories that can add instant elegance to any candle display. By choosing a ring carefully and coordinating it well, even a simple ring can be a stunning decoration.

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Old Virginia Candle Company

The Old Virginia Candle Company offers beautiful aromatic candles and reed diffusers in a wide variety of delightful scents.

Old Virginia Candles had its beginnings in a Lynchburg, Virginia, garage in 1990. The company grew to become one of the leading candle developers, manufacturers and marketers in the United States with a factory and retail outlet store in Forest, Virginia.

Although throughout the years the company’s product lines changed to keep up with the latest in home styles and trends, their candles have always been of the highest quality. Several of the most significant recent changes made by Old Virginia Candles include:

Changing the name to The Virginia Candle Company Using the name WoodWick candles on their products Eliminating their line of cotton wick candles selling only wood wick candles Adding a line of reed diffusers

Made of premiums fragrances and natural wax blends, all WoodWick candles have wicks made of natural organic wood. Generally, candles with wooden wicks:

Provide a soothing crackling sound of wood burning in a fireplace Burn cleaner Have a clean smell

Virginia Candle manufacturers WoodWick candles in several styles and sizes including:

Large 22 ounce jar candles with a burning time of 180 hours (includes a wood lid) Medium 10 ounce jar candles with a burning time of 100 hours (includes a wood lid) Small 3.4 ounce small jar candles with a burning time of 40 hours (includes a wood lid) Petite 1.7 ounce jar candles with a burning time of 20 hours Pillar candles measuring 4 inches by 4 inches The Metro Collection, a collection of nine candle fragrances, is inspired by Metropolitan Living. Each candle is held in a beautiful metallic glass candle holder and packaged in a lovely gift box complete with vintage details. The fragrances of the Metro Collection are perfume inspired. The Trilogy Collection is an exquisite collection of candles each with a gorgeous blend of colors and scents. As the candle layer melts into the next layer, a new scent is created. Dancing Glass candles are a collection of seasonal fragrances. Each candle container is made of beautifully colored frosted glass with metallic designs. Depending on the fragrance, candle sizes include 22 ounce, 10 ounce and 3.4 ounces.

WoodWick Reed Diffusers are made of a combination of essential oils and concentrated fragrances.

Spill Proof Home Fragrance Diffusers do not use reeds Large 7.4 ounce diffusers provide fragrance for three months or longer. Small 2 ounce diffusers provide fragrance for four weeks or longer Reed diffuser refills include 7.4 ounces of liquid and reeds Wax Melts fill a room with fragrance when used in a simmer pot. A wax melt lasts for approximately ten hours. Car Scents, available in seven scents, are a great way to bring fragrance into a car, closet or other small space. Gift Sets include a variety of candle sets and Trio Gift Sets. Trio Gift Sets, available in six popular fragrance choices, includes a mini reed diffuser, a mini jar candle and a Car Scent.

Virginia Candle manufacturers more than five dozen different candle fragrances. Not every type of candle or diffuser is offered in every fragrance selection.

Cider Cinnamon Chai Fireside Vanilla Bean Pumpkin Butter Currant Biscotti Cranberry Fig Buttered rum Linen Autumn Sunset Honeysuckle Lavender Redwood Cabin Retreat Soft Leather Frasier Fir Mistletoe Magic Noel Cotton Flower Orange Gingersnap Golden Chestnut Applewood Agave Almond Orange Candied Berries Carmel Citrus and Herbs Holiday Hearth Jasmine Key Lime Coconut Orange Grove Petal Tradewinds Vintage Plum Un-scented Rum Raisin Urban Loft Velvet Blossoms Terrace Garden Soho Vanilla Ginger Saffron Brownstone Amber Gilded Spice Blue Regatta Christmas Fir Apple Festival Alpine Woods Autumn Orchard Brilliant Blossoms Berry Christmas Budding Flowers Exotic Spices Café Sweets Fruit Temptations Pumpkin and Spices Nature’s Retreat Wine Cellar

Old Virginia Candle Company products are available from many online retailers including:

If you are visiting or live in the Forest, Virginia, area you can visit the Virginia Candle Retail Outlet Store located at 17860 Forest Road.

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Ear Wax Candle

An ear wax candle is a tool that is said to clear the ear of wax using heat conducted from the candle. There are safety issues involved with these candles, but many people swear that they work, and help with a variety of issues related to the ears and health.

Ear candling is the process of burning a special candle made of cotton, linen, or other natural cloth while the unlit end is placed in the ear. While the candle burns, it is claimed that ear wax and other toxins are removed.

This process is also called ear coning. The ear wax candle is made by winding the fabric into a tight, narrow cone with a hollow center, and then soaking the cone in beeswax so that it will harden and burn like a real candle.

The subject of the ear candling starts off by laying on one side. The ear candle is then placed into the ear, and the opposite end is lit. Sometimes the candle is first fed through a paper plate or other tray that rests on the side of the head, to catch the dripping wax and prevent burns.

The theory behind this practice is that the heat from the flame in conjunction with the suction from the opposite ear on a flat surface creates a vacuum. This in turn draws out toxins and dissolves ear wax, collecting these undesired elements inside the cone. Each ear receives one or two candles, depending on how much wax and debris is thought to be present. The candles themselves are burned for several minutes at a time, then extinguished and relit.

After the procedure is finished and the candle has burned down to about four inches in length, the remains of the ear candle are cut open. Inside there is always some black and yellowish debris, which is claimed to be the toxins and ear wax. Critics of the practice say that this mess is actually just the result of the burning of the candle.

Any type of procedure that involves burning fabric and wax while it is inserted into your ear is likely to present some risks. Indeed, there are several risks involved and some of them could be quite serious. They include:

Burns from melted wax Deposits of melted wax into the eardrum Perforation of the eardrum from inserting the candle Hair catching on fire

There have been reports of all of these things occurring during a standard ear coning. If you decide to try this method of removing excess ear wax, proceed with caution.

Each country decides whether certain products are safe to sell to its citizens, and ear candles have created some controversy. In the United States they may be sold, but manufacturers may not make any medical claims on the packaging or promotional materials.

Canadian officials have banned the sale and use of ear candles in that country. In Europe, these candles may be sold and even labeled as safe to use.

Proponents of ear wax candles insist that they not only help to remove ear wax, but also cleanse the inner ear passages and even help with sinuses and other bodily systems.

Critics, however, claim that these candles can be extremely dangerous and don't actually help to remove ear wax at all. Some people who have tried this practice have ended up with melted wax adhering to their ear drums, risking their hearing and requiring surgery to have the wax removed.

Before you decide to try an ear candle or have the procedure done by someone else, consider all of the risks. Look into traditional methods of removing excess ear wax by asking your doctor about your options.

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White Barn Candle Company

The White Barn Candle Company is a popular designer of home fragrance products widely distributed through Bath & Body Works stores. With a range of signature scents and many scented products to choose from, it is no surprise that this company is one of the most popular for scented candles and related products.

White Barn candles are nature-inspired.

The White Barn Candle Co. is a division of Limited Brands (formerly The Limited, Inc.) based in Columbus, Ohio. The company manufactures home fragrance products in a wide range of scents and designs, and its products are exclusively available through either Bath & Body Works stores or specialized White Barn Candle Co. stores.

Home fragrance is a unique aspect of interior design, and there is a wide range of specialized products that can bring subtle aromas and luscious scents to your home. The White Barn Candle Co. manufactures several of the most popular types of home fragrance products, including:

Scented candles in different sizes, including multiple wicks and jar candles Scented oil infusers, such as the Wallflowers plug in oil warmer Room sprays in different sizes and scents

In addition to home fragrance products, the White Barn Candle Co. has included its scents in other products such as instant hand sanitizers and hand and body lotions. Accessories necessary to enjoy these products, including oil warmers, infusers, and burners, are also available under the White Barn Candle Co. name.

The White Barn Candle Company has developed more than 50 distinct fragrances that include both nature-inspired scents as well as nostalgic food-inspired scents. Popular fragrances include:

Sweet Pea Cucumber Melon Cotton Blossom Warm Vanilla Sugar Vanilla Coconut Freesia Peppermint Creamy Caramel Dancing Waters

Blended fragrances are also popular, such as the sultry Moonlight Path blend or one of the company's newer scents, the rich Dark Kiss blend. These fragrances combine different floral and aromatic scents for unusual and sophisticated options. The company's Tropical Escape collection is a more lighthearted, flirtatious group of fragrances such as Caribbean Escape, Seaside Escape, and Island Margarita.

A wide range of holiday and seasonal scents are also available, though the distribution for these specialty scents can vary and quantities and product styles are often limited.

Home fragrance items from the White Barn Candle Co., including both scented products and the accessories to enjoy them, are available exclusively through the network of more than 1,600 Bath & Body Works stores, including outlet stores. There are also a limited number of White Barn Candle Company stand alone stores, typically found in larger retail malls.

Depending on the type of product, the availability of the scent, and the size of the item, the price for White Barn Candle Co. items can range from $5 to $20 and higher. There are numerous sales, preview days, clearance events, and Bath & Body Works free home fragrance samples to take advantage of, however, and interested customers can always visit a local Bath & Body Works store to test different products and fragrances before committing to a purchase. Limited quantities of discontinued scents may be available at outlet locations or through discount online retailers and online auctions.

Bath & Body Works is well known for its extensive collection of home fragrance items including the Slatkin Scentbug and other home fragrance designer products from Slatkin & Co. and Henri Bendel, in addition to lotions, hand sanitizers, body washes, and other scented products featuring their most popular fragrances. Even if the store does not carry a White Barn Candle Co. product you are interested in, investigating their different options will lead your nose in the right direction for the perfect fragrance.

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Yankee Candle Outlet

If you're looking for great deals on these famous scented candles, a Yankee Candle outlet is the place to find them. Full of overstocks and seasonal items, outlet stores offer good value for customers.

Yankee Candle is one of the largest and most recognizable candle manufacturers in the world. Their signature candle, the Housewarmer jar candle, is an icon that has grown to include hundreds of different scents over the years.

The company began in 1969, founded by Michael Kittredge. Kittredge began making candles as a kid, melting crayons to produce brilliant colors for his creations. Friends and neighbors were interested in buying these candles, and the company was born soon after. The Yankee Candle Company is located in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.

Yankee Candles are known for their strong scents and vivid colors. While the jar candles are the most popular items, the company makes many other types of candles and accessories, including:

Wax tarts and tart warmers Candle holders Votive candles Jar toppers for the Housewarmer candles Room sprays Lip balm Plug-in scented units Reed diffusers Candle accessories Tea lights Scented car fresheners

Yankee Candle outlets can be found in many states, and there is a complete list available at the Yankee Candle website. New outlets open occasionally, so keep checking back if you don't find one near you.

These outlet stores serve as clearing houses for merchandise, so you're not likely to find recently introduced scents or new items from their catalog. Instead, you'll find discontinued items and scents, overstocks, and factory seconds. There is usually quite a bit of seasonal merchandise available as well, though these items turn up just after the season they were intended for has passed.

If you don't mind purchasing seasonal candles and accessories to store away for the following year, you can find great discounts on these items at a Yankee Candle outlet.

Outlet stores are also a great resource for people who discover that their favorite Yankee Candle scents have been discontinued. Remaining merchandise in these scents are shipped off to the outlets from the regular stores for clearance, and you can stock up on them this way.

Outlet stores also offer the opportunity to purchase gift items ahead of time. If you find yourself stuck for ideas for teacher gifts or presents for friends, pick up a few extra candles or gift sets to stow away until they are needed.

If you don't live near an outlet store or travel where one is located, you can still take advantage of discounts and savings by shopping online. The Yankee Candle website frequently offers sales, and their shipping prices are reasonable. Do a quick search online for available Yankee Candle coupon codes too, to save even more money.

Seasonal candles and scents usually go on sale through the website as well, so you won't miss out on reduced prices for these items. Start checking for these sales as it gets closer to the holiday they're intended for, or when items for the new season start to be unveiled.

While you're at the Yankee Candle site, sign up for their e-mail newsletter. Often they will let members know about upcoming sales and offer exclusive deals or coupons for those subscribed to the list.

If you're a fan of these candles and are going to be traveling, check the Yankee Candle website to see if there's an outlet store near the location you'll be visiting. Being able to stock up on your favorite candles at deep discounts is worth taking a side trip for!

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Christmas Window Candle

When planning holiday decorations, there are many Christmas window candle options that are simple, elegant, and cost effective. With a wide range of candle styles to choose from, these classic holiday lights can be a beautiful seasonal accessories.

Window candles brighten winter holidays.

Candles are a traditional and beautiful holiday decoration, and there are many reasons why they are popular for Christmas window decorations.

Convenience: Instead of struggling with tangled strands of lights and hard to find burned out bulbs, window candles can be assembled and displayed quickly and comfortably. Cost: While the most expensive window candles can be far more costly than a strand of holiday lights, the overall operating cost for candles is far lower than for elaborate light displays. Safety: Instead of struggling with unwieldy ladders, icy roofs, and poor weather, window candles are a safe alternative for putting up holiday decorations, and they can be easily monitored for safety even while burning. Tradition: A candle burning in the window offers warmth and welcome to visitors during the holiday season with traditional connections to welcoming traveling priests or symbolically welcoming the Holy Family.

The most common window candles – white taper candles in simple brass holders – are far from the only option for these elegant decorations. There are many variations of Christmas candles suitable for window displays, and many different design elements to consider when choosing window candles for your home.

Color: White candles are the most popular, but holiday colors such as red, green, gold, ivory, or ice blue can be equally attractive for window decorations. Base: The candle base shape and size can vary, and it may hold just a single candle or several tiered candles. The material can also vary, and options include brass, copper, iron, pewter, gold, silver, and glass. Candle Size: Taper candles are the most popular for holiday window decorations, but depending on the window's size and shape, pillar candles or votive candles can also be used. Power Source: Real candles are fine for window decorations but can be a fire hazard if left unattended. Instead, many people opt for Christmas electric window candles that may have cords, batteries, or be solar powered. Flame Style: If electric candles are used, there is a wide selection of bulb and flame styles to pick from, including plain, frosted, faceted, flicker, and silicone coated bulbs. Accents: Many window candles come with decorative accents to make them just as attractive when seen from inside as they are from the outside. Popular decorations include ribbons, holly leaves and berries, pine sprigs, dried fruit, and garland.

Christmas window candles can be purchased during the holiday season at many major retailers, though styles can be limited. For a wider variety, online shopping is recommended, and there are several online retailers who offer unique selections of window candles, such as:

Window candle costs vary from just $1 per candle to $20 or higher for more elaborate, high quality decorations. The cheaper candles may be more attractive for a tight holiday budget, but before choosing the least expensive candle it is important to understand that cheap window candles do not have as many design options, are less sturdy, and will burn out more quickly than higher quality decorations.

If you want to decorate your home with holiday window candles…

Wash windows inside and out in the fall so they are clear and the candles will shine through them easily. Minimize obstructions that may block the candles' light by pruning bushes and removing snow buildup on windows. Choose candle designs that coordinate with the window size and shape. Larger windows may require multiple candles. Coordinate candle decoration accents with indoor decorations for a cohesive holiday look. Coordinate outdoor decorations to match the candles by using white twinkle lights or luminaries if desired. Always keep candles, even electric ones, away from delicate and potentially flammable materials, and only place them on level, sturdy surfaces.

A Christmas window candle is a beautiful, classic decoration that is easy and convenient to use, no matter what your holiday décor. With a wide range of style options to choose from that will fit any budget, window candles are a perfect way to light up holiday cheer.

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Production of up-to-date sailing Wed Feb 13, 2008 3: 30 am CST

I will begin this guide with the premises that you know what candle making accessories you need, and has knowledge of the procedures necessary to melt the candle wax and all security issues and precautions, (added this bit so if your house burns down, then isn't my fault) there are many sources of information on the web and I have included links at the bottom of the Web page.

Need stearin added to paraffin wax or better yet, use a wax mixed with the stearin already has been added, this is necessary, as does the wax further extend help to mold release when sets and contracts (lowers) more improvement the color of the candle is dyed or no; also makes wax burn much better.

Use any mold as with glass moulds very giving a mirror finish, aluminium and plastic molds are almost as good as the Crystal the and you have the additional advantage of power drop them and still use them again. I used a cast polycarbonate images are a bit better looking a metallic mold.

Wax until the recommended temperature make their first pour as you can see in the image that I have not poured all the way to the top of the mold.The image shows two different forms of draining your finished using a wick to celebrate central in the mold mecha and also a needle knit 2.5 mm pin candle inserted to abandon the required hole to insert a waxed after of the pour vela.No mecha wax room cold or inside of a cold mold is to verify that wax at the bottom of the mould is clear for at least 90 seconds before begin to define the best way to see that you are working in and around the best temperatures.If sailing starts to establish immediately at this early stage you get small bubble marks on the finished candle.As soon as sailing begins through the skin in the upper part move an area cooler to define.

When the first pour has cooled down and reduced by making a second pour (do a few degrees warmer than the first pour wax) from 5 mm from the top of the first equal pour.Al second pour hardens you can insert a rod at an angle of 45 degrees to leave a key for the third pour.después around 20-30 minutes you're ready to pour final conducted outside the bottom sail, only pour wax up evenly covers the top of the mould (you can shave disable any little bit uneven when you set sail) network.your when sailing is just pop it and the fact.

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Swan Creek Candle Company

The exquisite looking and beautifully scented candles manufactured and distributed by the Swan Creek Candle Company are made of natural American soybean wax.

Located in Swanton, Ohio, Swan Creek Candles occupies a 30,000 square foot factory. For more than three decades members of the company’s founding family have owned and operated the business supplying fragrant candles, oils, candle holders and accessories to both retail and wholesale customers throughout the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Made of American soybean wax, the candles made by Swan Creek are tested in independent labs to ensure their safety and purity. The company only uses wicks that are made of 100% cotton and all other candle components are also American made.

American soybean wax candles are environmentally friendly and are made from a resource that is sustainable and renewable. Additional benefits of soybean wax candles include:

All natural Pure burning Burns clean without any soot Longer burning times than paraffin wax Lead free Free of animal products Highly fragrant

Swan Creek Candles offers a number of different styles and sizes of candles, candle holders and accessories. However, their line of beautiful container candles are among the company's most popular products.

The beautiful collection of container candles provides consumers with a variety of decorative styles and sizes. These lovely types of candles include:

Gourmet enamelware containers available in red, blue, green and brown offer a limited selection of scents in three types of containers: a 4-ounce mini mug with a 25-hour burn time, an 8-ounce medium mug and a 15-ounce lidded cannister each with a burning time of 45 hours Harvest vintage jars filled with 12 ounces of wax having a burn time of 75 - 100 hours The Lattice & Petal Pottery Collection consists of round and square lattice bowls in 9 and 14 ounce sizes, with burning times of 45 and 50 hours, and 7 and 8 ounce petal pots, with burning times of 35 hours. The Homespun Collection includes heavy ribbed clear glass-covered jars in a 6-ounce size with a burning time of 35-45 hours or a 12-ounce size with a burning time of 75-100 hours Simple yet beautiful clear, covered jars make up the Kitchen Pantry Collection and are available in four sizes: 2.75 ounces with a burning time of 25 hours, 6 ounces with a burning time of 35 hours, 12 ounces with a burning time of 75 hours and 24 ounces with a burning time of 110 hours Special occasion 12 ounce jars with a burn time of 75 hours include a sentiment, such as happy birthday, thank you or congratulations, along with a coordinating picture on the jar label. Decadent Drizzles are made of a blend of soybean wax and beeswax and include cream cakes with a burn time of 45 hours, drizzle jars with a 40-hour burn time and triple scented drizzle melts. The Terra Vasa Collection includes heavy terra cotta containers with edges that are hand torn before being kiln dried. Available in round and square shapes, these beautiful containers come in two sizes, small with a burn time of 25 hours and medium with a burn time of 35 hours Tuscan Terra Vasa containers are heavy round or oval terra cotta with round metal handles and are available in small and large sizes with burn times of 35 and 50 hours The Cast Iron Collection includes a loaf pan, a lidded skillet, a round skillet and a square skillet are each filled with a delightfully scented candle that releases the aromas of freshly baked goodies including gingerbread, cinnamon buns and vanilla pound cake for 18 hours. The Vintage Pottery Collection includes a flower pot with saucer, a round vintage pot, a square vintage pot and a large round vintage bowl with burn times of 45 - 50 hours. The Clean and Contemporary Jar Collection is sleek and sophisticated with decorative clear jars featuring glass lids and a choice of colored labels. Votives Wax melts Tealights Tarts Pillars Reed diffusers and oils Hurricane candle holders Wick trimmers Wick dippers Rose hips and cinnamon chunks Scented putka pods Electric wax melters Melter cups Vintage pottery wax melter Cast iron skillet wax melter Gift baskets Refill kits

Swan Creek Candles offers more than six dozen candle fragrances for the fall and holiday season. The scents are divided into the following fragrance sections:

Harvest Holiday Gourmet Fruit Floral Aromatherapy and herbal Clean

Swan Creek Candles are sold in many candle shops, gift stores and department stores throughout the country. The company also maintains separate retail and wholesale websites for their online customers and three retail outlet stores.

The locations of the outlet stores are:

Dundee, Michigan Vermilion, Ohio Leesburg, Florida

The minimum order for online retail customers is $25 dollars and the company offers free shipping with an order of $50 or more. Wholesale orders from the Swan Creek Candle Company require a minimum order of $300 and minimum reorders of $200.

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Candle Making – Selling Your Candles – Fundraising

While many candle makers learn and perfect the craft as a hobby, there are others with goals to make money from the craft. Of the many ways to sell your candles, setting up fundraising programs is one option that you may wish to consider.

Establishing a fundraising program featuring your candles is a great way to multiply your sales force in an economical manner. While hiring and managing a sales force may not be possible, fundraising can be a great way to have many people selling on your behalf. It also allows you to leverage your ability to sell without you doing most of the work.

Here’s how a typical fundraiser works. You find organizations that need to raise money and make an arrangement with them to sell your candles for you for a portion of the profit. You agree to supply each candle to them for a discounted price, and when they sell each candle at a pre-determined retail price that is higher, the organization keeps the difference for their cause.

The percentage of the discount can vary, but is usually somewhere between 20-50% below the pre-determined retail price. The greater the percentage the organization gets to keep, the more they will get excited and promote your product, so be as generous as possible when establishing the profit-sharing arrangement.

Typically, no money exchanges hands between you and the organization until they have collected all of the candle orders. This way, the organization does not need to come up with money out of pocket to give to you. They simply take orders, collect money for the products ordered, and turn one combined order in to you. You then collect your negotiated price for each candle, and they keep the difference. Fundraising is a win-win situation for both parties, and is a great way to get your product out into circulation.

The types of organizations looking to conduct a fundraiser are seemingly limitless. Churches, schools, sports groups, charitable organizations, awareness programs and more are all excellent candidates. All you need to do is seek them out and be willing to work with them.

Not only do you have the opportunity to make good profit yourself, but you are helping an organization in need as well. And while there are many fundraising programs out there for them to choose from, many organizations are tired of the traditional candy and cookie dough sales, and are looking to do something more unique. Candles are an attractive option.

While it is true that fundraising can be a huge help in growing your business, it is not without work on your end. You need to be sure that you have the production capacity to fill the organization’s order in a timely manner (3-4 weeks at most).

You also need to be sure that you can offer them a simple process with easy-to-follow instructions, and fundraising materials to help them collect orders. Be prepared to provide the organizations with samples of your candles as they will want to be able to test your product before agreeing to sell it. Assuming that you make a quality product, this is usually a great thing because the more they love your candles, the more excited they will be to sell them.

There are many ways to create a successful candle business, and fundraising is only one of the many ways it may be possible. Explore your options and decide what the best fit is for you and your ultimate goals.

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Soy Wax Candle Making Secrets from Home

Many people agree that soy candles are the best types of candles to work with. In fact, as compared to other types of candles, soy wax candle making is regarded as the easiest. Basically, soy candles are manufactured by means of combining fragrance, dye and wax. Meaning, you do not need to become an expert just to produce your own soy candles.

As compared to candles made of paraffin, soy wax candle making proves to be low-maintenance. For one thing, clean-up is a breeze. You do not have to worry over clog dishwashers or basins. Second, materials are easy to get and they are not costly or too expensive. Money-wise, soy candles are in-demand and are very easy to make.

In making soy candles, all you need is one pound of wax, an ounce of fragrance oil, wax dye, cotton wick and one Mason jar. Remember that soy wax comes in two forms, which is in flake and in block. Comparatively, it is suggested that you use the block soy wax in making your first batch.

Soy wax candle making also bears a number of secrets and must-haves. For example, you have to learn how to create the right scent or fragrance. Try combining one or two known scents for a more personalized touch. It is also important to buy sets of fragrances that are compatible with your base, which is soy wax.

Remember to use wax dyes in soy wax candle making. This item comes in three forms namely block, powder or liquid. Use the one that is most appropriate. Choose one that will best complement your work. Take note of possible candle wicks. For soy candles, what works best are thicker wicks or pre-tabbed wicks. It is also important to take note of candle size and diameter. For large soy candles, the best choice would be thicker wicks. As for small soy candles, it is best to choose corresponding small-sized wicks.

Candle containers are a must in soy wax candle making. There are basically different types of containers. You can choose mason jars, glass jars even plastic. However, it is always necessary to keep all containers clean. Each container should be dry and kept properly. They should be washed and dust-free.

In making your soy candles, make sure to cook or melt your wax at medium heat. Once everything has melted, try adding the oil and stir. You can then proceed by simply adding color or dye. After which, you can pour the mixture into the container and let it set for a couple of minutes.

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Candle Making – Container Candles

When you first begin making candles, the most important question you must ask yourself is what type of candles do you want to make? With all the different candle types to choose from, knowing where to start can be difficult.

Most people begin candle making because they want to be able to make their own candles to fragrance their homes. With that goal in mind, learning to make container candles is probably the best and easiest way to get started.

Container candles are considered one of the easiest types of candles to make. The whole purpose of a container candle is to scent the air. While they may not always turn out looking the best to begin with, it is almost impossible to truly mess them up. As long as you start with all of the necessary supplies and a good set of directions, you will soon be on your way to creating awesome container candles.

Before you get started, you will need to answer a few simple questions. What type of wax are you going to use? What type of container are you going to pour into? What fragrance do you want to use in your candle? Do you want to dye your candle with color or not? Once you know the answers to these questions, you can begin buying your supplies.

To make a basic, single pour container candle you are going to need the following:

* Jar – most people begin with 16 oz. jars because they are to make a 16 ounce candle, making it easy to calculate proportions
* Wax – a ‘one pour’ paraffin or soy wax is recommended
* Wicks – use a wick that is appropriate for your container diameter and type of wax
* Fragrance – select a fragrance you like and that is appropriate for your type of wax
* Dye – use a dye that works well with the scent and type of wax you are using
* Double boiler – to heat your wax to the ideal temperature for pouring
* Pouring pitcher – to pour your melted wax into the prepared container
* Thermometer – to ensure that your wax is the ideal temperature for adding ingredients and pouring melted wax into your container

While there are many other supplies you could use, these supplies are the essential ones to make a container candle. When choosing your wax, keep in mind that you will want a wax specifically recommended for container candles. Most candle supply retailers will describe their waxes by sharing when and how they are best used. Sometimes you will even find the word ‘container’ in the actual name of the wax.

Next, you will need good, easy-to-follow instructions.

Typically, the best place to go for candle making instructions is the supplier where you purchased your candle wax. For example, if you purchase your wax from an online candle supply retailer, they will have detailed instructions for each and every wax they sell. Simply look up the specific instructions for the wax you have decided to work with. Many of these sites also offer message boards and instructions on how to select appropriate jars and wicks, and can be a wealth of information.

If you choose not to research or buy online, there are a number of books available on the subject of candle making as well that can guide you step by step in making the perfect container candle.

Making container candles is a great way to introduce yourself to the art of candle making. While you will run into challenges, and may need to make adjustments as you strive to make perfect candles, you’ll get better as you continue perfecting your craft. The more experience you gain as you pour container candles, the better equipped you will be to expand your candle making skills into different types of candles in the future.

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Making Your Own Gel Candles

 

Gel candles are growing in popularity.  They work the same as regular wax candles in the respect that they will burn in the same way that wax candles burn but they are made a little differently.

Wax candles are made from oil.  The same is true with gel candles but they are made of 95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin.  The resin starts out as a powder but when it is mixed with the mineral oil it is transformed into a solid state.  Gel wax comes in three different states: high density, medium density, and low density.  The higher the density, the more fragrance the oil can hold.  Plus, the thicker gel will hold the suspended decorations with in the candle.  But, keep in mind that the thicker gel takes longer to meld and it is harder to pour.

The steps that go into making a candle out of regular wax such as melting the wax and pouring it in a mold to dry are the same steps you need to do in making gel candles.  But, the equipment you use and the techniques are slightly different.  With other types of candle wax most people use a double boiler to melt the wax.  But, trying to melt gel wax in a double boiler would take way too long.  Some gel candle makers have turned to multi-cookers to get the job done.  A multi-cooker is kind of like a deep fryer.  They typically are metal with a non-stick coating.  They have a separate heating element with a temperature dial so you can get the proper temperature to melt the gel wax.  Rather then using two separate pots one with water and one to melt the wax in, the gel wax is placed directly in the multi-cooker to melt.  Although the multi-cooker comes with a temperature dial, it is still a good idea to use a separate thermometer to make sure that the gel is melted at the proper temperature.  Use something metal or hard plastic to stir the gel wax.  Wooden spoons can sometimes add bubbles to the gel.  The most important thing to remember is that gel candle wax can catch fire.  Make sure you have a chemical fire extinguisher near by.

It is also possible to change the color of the gel candle wax by using dyes.  Liquid candle dyes are perfect for gel candles because they can maintain the translucency of the gel.  It only takes a very small amount of the dye to actually change the color of the wax.  Sometimes even a drop of dye is too much.  You should never use crayons, clothing dye, food coloring, or soap dyes in gel candle wax.  They will no burn right because they are not made specifically for candles.

Learning how to make gel candles is fast and easy.  There are so many possibilities when it comes to creating wonderful candles with gel wax.  The best thing about gel candles is that you can add decorations directly to the wax so that they float within the candle.  This is a clever and unique way to personalize a gift if you are making the candle for someone else.  Plus, gel candles burn slower then regular wax candles so they will last a little longer.

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Candle Making – How to Get Started Making Candles

Making the decision to try your hand at candle making is easy. Figuring out where to go from there is a bit harder. While many of the big, national craft stores sell candle making supplies, their offerings are not always of the best quality, and their selections tend to be extremely limited. To obtain your supplies, it’s advisable to visit one of the many internet sites devoted to the craft of candle making.

On these specialty websites you will find not only a wide variety of waxes, fragrances, wicks, containers and accessories, but many will also contain message boards full of valuable information for newcomers as well. The best way to learn how to make candles is to communicate with and learn from those who have already done it.

You will not only gain valuable knowledge, but you will very likely save yourself time and money by not replicating the many mistakes they have most likely made. A large part of learning the craft is trial and error, and you may be surprised by how willing others are to share their experiences.

Once you have done some research, decided what kind of candles you are going to make, and have an idea as to how you are going to go about making them, it is time to buy your supplies. The most important thing to keep in mind is to buy only what you need. With as many supplies as there are available, it’s tempting to want to buy anything and everything that looks appealing.

Keep in mind that you are most likely going to make adjustments in your supplies and techniques as you get going. While bulk buying may offer significant cost savings, it is advisable to purchase in smaller quantities when you’re getting started until you know that you are pleased with your end result. It doesn’t make much sense to purchase fifty pounds of something that ends up not working to your satisfaction.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most of the online candle supply retailers do not require a minimum purchase. Because of this, you do not have to be limited to just one supplier. Shop around. You may find better prices or widely different offerings from one supplier to another. Suppliers closer to you may save you substantial money on shipping so see what you can buy close to home when possible.

Finally, as holds true in so many areas, cheaper is not always better. When it comes to candle making, you pay for quality. As you will quickly learn, you do get what you pay for. This becomes very apparent as you start working with your waxes and fragrances.

While getting started making candles can be intimidating, just keep in mind that many others have conquered the task before you. Listen to those willing to share and learn from their triumphs and mistakes.

You may even want to consider purchasing a book on the subject. However you choose to go about learning, just keep in mind that even the most experienced candle makers can always learn something new as well. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and most of all, have fun in your new endeavor.

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Shot Glass Candles

You could see these things in drinking places, poured with liquor being shared by fun-loving people. This is of course is an instant when a single shot glass means a lot. Have you ever wondered about the other benefits of just a shot glass? Well, there is one exciting and very useful innovation with a shot glass, which is using them to make candles. Yes, I call them shot glass candles.

Shot glass candles are really artistic and they could be very useful for the home and whatever place you think you would need them, not as mere light source but as well as having decorative purposes.

You could make your own shot glass candles. The steps to make are easy and economical. Out of these easy steps and with a small sum of money, you would be able to start a good hobby, a good small business and a good kick start for your creative side. This is also a means of recycling or re-using old candles.

Cut old candles into pieces and place these pieces in a container. When you want to use a certain color, you could use uncolored wax for your convenience.Place the container into another container of boiling water. Wait until the candle pieces melt.When you see that the wax has melted, it is the right time to put some dye for color.Prepare your wicks. Cut them as they fit to the shot glasses.Place these wicks to the shot glasses.Pour the wax into the shot glasses but make sure that it does not submerge the entire length of the wick.When the wax has nearly set, you see to it that you adjust the wick to the center of the shot glass. Leave the shot glasses in order for the wax to completely set.

These are so simple steps to follow, make sure also that when you choose shot glasses for candle making, and choose the thicker ones for they are much safer. For wicks, you could tie it around a toothpick before letting it lay in a shot glass. Remember to cut ¼ of it before lighting it up.

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Candle Making 2008

I hope you had a good Christmas and look forward to helping you have a fantastic candle making new year, many thanks to you if you sent a card or email to us at xmas time. I realise that i have missed a few months of posting on the blog and i apologise as i always do with the same excuse which is that we have been so busy the blog tends to become forgotten. Anyway i will try to keep up to date again.

The site is still slowly being redone with wider web pages and i think it looks much better as a lot of others who have sent in emails think as well. We still have a lot of new items to add to the site and Steve is now beginning to get back to testing so you should start to see new items appearing monthly. Any new candle making items will be announced using the RSS feed

I have been amazed at the amount of candle making hexagonal jars that where sold in the run up to Christmas and i must apologise to those who missed out when they went out of stock but we just could not keep up with demand. We have now added a smaller jar that is just bigger than a tea light and i think they could well be the best sellers as they are a really nice looking candle when made.

The CandleShack fragrances can also be added to now and i expect 25 new fragrances to be added during February as well as the dyes which the Inpex guys are going to produce some new colours. The dye flakes have been very well received and if you have a colour you would like to see added just contact us via the 4Candles contact page.

I will continue with another post soon as i start to put up the monthly candle making newsletters again.

Gentil

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Before Starting A Candle Making Business, Test The Waters To Be Sure Of Success

It may come as a complete surprise for many people to learn about how much money is spent each year just on lighting up the nights in a romantic way, and then again it may not be quite such big news because with festivals and important occasions constantly coming round year in year out, it would not be such a big surprise to learn that Americans spend about two billion dollars annually in such pursuits.

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Since candles can be made in different sizes, shapes and with various scents, there is a lot to be said regarding starting a candle making business, and since candles are without a doubt a very popular item used to decorate homes and give a softer glow to the interiors and lending them well in creating a special atmosphere, they will always be in demand. Anytime is a good time for starting a candle making business and you can pursue such a venture just to earn a little extra on the side, or take it up full time because there is a lot of potential in this line of business.

However, you would need to research the business well before starting a candle making business and know the exact sales statistics in your neck of the woods and also on the national level as you will then be able to know the level of demand for candles both locally and also nationally, and also can assess the feasibility of your business proving to be a success. Furthermore, before starting a candle making business, you need to assess whether to do business on a local level or on the national level, and whether to also have an online presence in order to further boost sales. In any case, you must be committed and spend as much time as is required and know for sure that you are capable enough to handle it before proceeding any further.

It would certainly boost your chances of success when you start a candle making business if you can also make the candles on your own, and you could advertise through fliers and posters as well as spread the word by mouth that you are giving demonstrations to show the quality of your candle making abilities. However, more important than starting a candle making business is the ability to balance it and thus you must be able to commit your time to this venture full time, and also have the finances to buy the supplies and then set a decent price for the products.

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Make a candle with a difference

The V-shaped ice candle

Unfortunately I don’t have a picture now, but one candle with a difference that I loved was the V-shaped ice candle.  The bottom of the V became the top of the candle when it was taken out of the mold.  I do wish I had a photo because I would love to put it up for you to see.  Start with a light colored wax at the tip and as you build the candle change to a darker color so that when you turn the candle over the darker shade is at the bottom.

One problem that you have to sort out using a V-shaped candle mould is that you need to support the mold until the wax is set.  Putting the mold into something like a cut off milk carton works well.

Don’t forget to make sure the wick is coated in wax.

If you try this let me know how you got on.  PS.  If you want to make it even more different, once you have the candle out of the mold you can dribble wax down it as well.   Looks cool!  I always used to use various shades of pink candle wax (dyed), blue or purple, but even mixing colors like green and purple look fantastic.

These candles look so cool that you can leave it as an unscented candle too because everyone will be blown away by the effect of the candle.

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Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles are hugely popular for their natural characteristics. Beeswax candles will burn extremely cleanly and deposit little or no oil. They do not need any fragrance oils because their natural odor is very pleasant. Beeswax candles lend an oriental feel to the environment they are in.

There are two ways one can make beeswax candles. One way is by simply purchasing a sheet of bees wax and rolling a candle from it. This is the easiest of the two ways and even children can do it. It takes little time and effort. The other is the traditional candle making way.

Readily available bees wax candle sheets in various colors and with various fragrances can be purchased. With the width of the beeswax sheet facing you, place the wick along the width and start rolling it tight. Once you have attained the required thickness, you can cut the sheet. Make sure there is no trapped air between the layers of the candle by rolling it tight and pressing down.

Learning beeswax candle making the traditional way requires some time and practice. But once you learn how to do it, you can make candles from any material.

Here is the other way in which beeswax candles are made:

First melt the wax in a double boiler. Bees wax has a high melting point, so you have to keep the heat source on till the temperature reaches 170 degree Fahrenheit.

When the bees wax is just about to melt, you can include color and fragrance. Initially, just add a small amount as bees wax itself has great color and odor. You will also learn how the wax absorbs the color when you start with small quantities and include more as you make more candles.

Once the beeswax has melted, you can pour it into the candle molds. When pouring wax into the molds, ensure that your wick is in place and in securely tethered to the mold with a hook or clip. After molding the wax, allow it to cool and harden for at least six hours. You could also place the mold in a freezer after it has cooled in the open for more than five hours. Rapid cooling can make the candle become brittle. So do not place it into the freezer before five hours of open cooling and for not longer than ten minutes. After it has cooled, your candle is ready.

Do not forget the main candle making concept-HERE

————————
Learn more about beeswax candle making at my site

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Product Review - Fall Reed Diffuser Kit

 

The Fall Reed Diffuser Kit debuted in early August for the purpose of getting ready for the harvest season and Autumn days.  It comes with everything that you need to create a beautiful Reed Diffuser decor!

Just like in the stores, the Fall Reed Diffuser Kit comes with a reed diffuser bottle, wooden reed diffuser cap, 10? reed diffusers, Fall Festival scented reed diffuser oil, and silk leaves for added flair.

The scent is amazing!  It is a Yankee Candle type that boasts of a warm earthy, nutty aroma with rich, buttery vanilla notes.  The colors of the diffuser oil and the silk leaves bring out the greens, golds, oranges, and reds of the Autumn season.  Its simple, yet chic appearance blends in with any type of decor.

The Fall Reed Diffuser is great for sprucing up your house in preparation for the brisk days and cool nights.  It also makes a great gift for that hard to shop for person.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 13th, 2010 at 9:00 am and is filed under Instructions, Recipes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Candle Making – Troubleshooting Tips – Container Candles

With any worthy craft there are bound to be minor troubles. If you spend any amount of time pouring candles, you will eventually spend some time troubleshooting. Here are the most common concerns and complaints about container candles and tips to alleviate some of the frustration all candle makers undoubtedly feel at one point or another.

While container candles can be made with a variety of waxes, here we’re going to primarily address common issues that arise with the use of paraffin wax as natural waxes sometimes have their own troubleshooting issues to address.

One issue is the presence of lines on the inside of the glass. Most often, this problem occurs for one of two reasons. Either the container was not preheated before the wax was poured into it, or the wax was too cool when it was poured. To avoid this issue, try preheating your containers using a heat gun, or your oven on the lowest setting, before pouring into them. Also, try to pour your candles when the wax temperature is between 155 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit (68 to 79 degrees Celsius).

Another common container candle issue is when the flame burns a tunnel down the middle of the candle. Typically, this is caused by one of two reasons. Most often either the wick used in the candle is too small, or the candle was not burned for a long enough period of time. If you are experiencing tunneling, try using a larger wick size or consider double wicking.

If this alone does not appear to be the problem, pay attention to the length of time you are burning the candle. The ideal burn time is long enough for the melt pool to form completely across the top of the candle before extinguishing. When wicked properly, this should occur in one to two hours.

Another common issue is the formation of discolored splotches on the sides of the candle. Usually, these splotches are the result of either having too much fragrance oil in the wax mixture or from having too much of the wrong type of additive in the wax.

If you believe that fragrance may be the issue, try reducing the amount of fragrance or adding vybar to the mixture to help the wax retain the oil. If you believe that additives are the issue, just remember to always use the least amount of additives necessary to achieve your desired result.

If you experience problems with the wick smoking too much when the candle is burning, you may have one of the following issues. The wick you are using may be too large, the wick needs to be trimmed, or the candle is in an area with too much draft. Try using a smaller wick, keep your wick trimmed to about one quarter of an inch, and make sure that there are no drafts where you are burning the candle. Also keep in mind that some waxes do tend to smoke more than others.

If your wick will not stay lit, your wick may be too small or you may have used too much dye and/or fragrance oil. If the wick is too small, it cannot consume wax fast enough to keep it above the wax level. Try using a larger wick to correct this. If you believe you used too much dye or fragrance oil, reduce the quantity and try again.

When container candles cool, sometimes the tops appear bumpy or rough. If this happens to you, consider placing the candle in the oven on the lowest setting to re-heat the wax. Let it cool again and see if the problem persists. Another technique is to use a heat gun along the top layer of the candle to re-heat it. Again, let it re-cool and see if this corrects the issue.

If you are still experiencing the problem, consider doing a top pour on the candle. A top pour uses leftover wax from the candle by re-heating it and pouring it over the already cooled candle creating a new, smooth top layer. If you use this technique, be sure to use leftover wax otherwise you’ll have a top layer of a different color.

If your problem is that the top layer of the candle keeps cracking as it cools, then it’s likely that your candles are drying too quickly. Try placing them in a warmer place to cool more slowly, or consider wrapping the containers in aluminum foil so they are insulated and slower to cool.

There are numerous issues that may arise when pouring container candles. If you have other issues not covered here, try searching online candle making message boards to find solutions. Just keep in mind that other candle makers have probably experienced them too, and there is almost always a way to correct the issue if you seek help.

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Christmas is coming

Christmas is going to be quickly upon us again and i thought now would be a good time to announce the opening and closing times of 4Candles during the festive season. The days we are closed and the dispatch days are as follows:

All courier orders up to and including the 18th December will be dispatched on the 19th
Packets will be dispatched up to 3.30pm on the 19th December

The website will still be available for orders after this time but any orders will not be dispatched until the 29th of December. After this orders will begin being dispatched again on the 2nd of January as normal.

2008 has seen us go through some tough times here at 4Candles but hopefully that is now behind us and we can now start to get rolling again with some new candle making materials and ideas. 2008 was a year of increasing our fragrance range which we have done but not to the extent we wanted to but we are in a position now to add new fragrances every month with any suggestions as to what they should be welcome.

We still have a new wick to bring to the website which should be with us within a few weeks along with a natural additive to stop the sweating of FO out of natural wax which will allow for increased amounts of oils. We will also soon be offering a resin that can be used to produce your own candle making moulds.

Speaking of moulds 2009 is going to be the year of the candle making mould and we should start to see a rapid increase in the amount of moulds we stock just after Easter.

Other new candlemaking stock to come includes a mottling wax that can be used to create rustic looking candles, just melt and pour.

Well i hope you have all had a great year and enjoy the Christmas period.

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How to choose the right candle making kit

 

MakingYourOwnCandles offers a range of candle making kits – how do you choose which one to buy?

Here are a few questions that might help you decide:

If so, our Professional Candle Making kits are a good choice. With these kits you can make 10 “votive” sized candles with a 15 hour burn time. What’s a “votive” – it’s a candle often used in churches (hence the name), somewhat similar to 4-5 tealights stacked on top of each other. Looked at another way, they’re like mini-pillar candles. By using a Pro kit, you get 10 scented, coloured candles and you get to develop your skills using moulds.

We have a range of container candle making kits: including mini jam-jars, plain glass and “supply your own” kits where you can use any heat-proof and non-flammable container. Container candles are a little simpler than moulded candles and the containers can be reused. Container candles can include scent and dye.

Then choose our Beeswax candle kit. This kit includes pure beeswax sheets made in the UK which you simply roll up tightly around a wick and decorate.

We have a range of Christmas kits including our new Advent Candle kit. You can also use that kit to make dinner candles!

Our Deluxe Candle Making Kits are the ultimate candle making experience. They include everything from the professional kit plus extra bits and pieces including a thermometer, extra scent and dye and containers. It doesn’t get better than that!

If you want to have a go at making your own candles either using home-made moulds (for example our pumpkin recipe) or by pouring into your own containers, we have a range of wax and wick kits to suit.

Related posts:

Candle Making Equipment: What do you need?Making Pillar CandlesChristmas Advent Candle Making Kits Now In Stock!MouldsMakingYourOwnCandles hits the road (and ferry)

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New Blog - August Candle Making

Hello all,

During the transfer to our new server we lost all the log in information for the existing blogs which has left me unable to add to my news letters.

We have now given up trying to retrieve the blogs and have instead decided to start new ones.

Several people have left us feedback on the blogs and unfortunately we have been unable to add it as it needed approving and this could not be done without the sign in details. Sorry if you were one of those who left feedback we have not ignored it and when we have a new form system up for feedback we will email you to see if you would still like to leave your comments.

All at Gentil & Sayre Group had their annual summer holiday this month and every one would like to thank those who wished us well and a great holiday was 'just' about had by all.

All the candle making supplies listed on the website are in stock at the moment which is how i like to see it. The website upgrade has been hampered a little but it is now back in full flow and you should start to see a lot of new candle wicks appearing over the next month, plus we are having a sale of a lot of candle making supplies that we have accumulated in our warehouse (more news soon on that one)

I will post news shortly when i do a September newsletter.

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Candle Making Equipment: What do you need?

 

At MakingYourOwnCandles.co.uk, we’re often asked about the equipment you need to make candles. Of course, it depends on what sort of candles you want to make but the ingredients of all candles are pretty much the same:

…that’s it! Most candles also have:

The simplest candles to make are rolled Beeswax candles. With these, all you do is roll beeswax sheets around a wick and you’re done.

Container candles are also easy to make as the wax is simply melted and poured into a container which has a wick in it and a metal tab at the bottom to fix it in place.

Votive and Pillar candles require a mould. With Votives, the procedure is much the same as with a container except that you pop the finished candle out at the end. With pillar and dinner candles, the bottom of the mould has a hold through which you pass the wick – so the candle is poured upside down.

One thing to bear in mind is that the wax for moulded candles is completely different to that used in container candles. Moulded candle wax shrinks after cooling so that the edges of the candle shrink away from the candle mould, allowing it to be released easily. The downside of this is that you will usually need to pour twice into your mould since the first pouring will shrink away from the wick. For container candles, use (surprise) candle making container wax which doesn’t shrink and requires only one pouring.

The candle making equipment you’ll need for making candles (container or moulded) is:

A double boiler (or one smaller saucepan sitting within a bigger saucepan 1/3rd filled with water)A source of heatA mould (for moulded candles)

The simplest candle making equipment can be found in the kitchen – just make sure that if you’re using a pair of saucepans you never use them for food afterwards.

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Candle Making – Votives, Pillars and Molded Candles

Most people choose to begin their candle making experience by making container candles, but a select few choose to begin with molded candles. Most often molded candles, such as votives and pillars, are a next step for somewhat experienced candle makers.

While making molded candles is not necessarily more difficult than making container candles, they do demand a bit more technique, a few more supplies and most often require a greater time investment in determining the best use of additives and learning the molded candle craft.

The main difference between container candles and molded candles is the use of molds.

Instead of pouring melted wax directly into a container where the candle will set up permanently, molds are used to cool the candle into a desired shape and are then released from the mold. Using molds requires the use of a release agent to make sure the mold comes off the candle once it is done cooling.

Although candle molds can be purchased at most craft and hobby stores, you will find a much wider selection at one of the many specialty candle supply retailers online. Depending on the volume of molded candles you are making, you will want to be sure that you purchase enough molds to keep you continually pouring, keeping in mind that the molds will have to remain on the candles until the candles are hard enough to remove the mold.

Another difference between container and molded candles is the type of wax used in their production.

Molded candles use medium to high melting point wax. The waxes are typically much harder than those used for containers. When purchasing your wax, be sure to read the wax descriptions to see if it is made for use in the type of candles you are planning to pour. For example, many wax suppliers even go so far as to name their waxes with descriptors such as ‘votive blend’ or ‘pillar blend’. The more time you spend choosing your wax, the better the likelihood you will produce candles you are happy with.

Votive candles are one of the easiest molded candles you can make. They also require less wax to make than pillar candles, so they are ideal for the beginner. If you are unhappy with your initial results and need to make adjustments, it will require less wax to experiment with votives than it will with pillars.

Pillar candles are the other common type of molded candles. While votives tend to be offered in a few standard sizes, the size and shape options for pillars are far more varied. Not only do they vary in height, but also in diameter and shape.

The best resource for detailed instructions on how to make molded candles is the retailer where you purchased your wax. If you chose to purchase wax and supplies from one of the many online, specialty candle making retailers, they typically offer detailed instructions for each type of wax they sell. Simply look up the wax you choose to work with and go from there.

Many of these sites also offer message boards where you can pick up some valuable tips from experienced molded candle makers to help you save time and money on troubleshooting. If you choose to buy your supplies elsewhere, there are many books available on the subject of candle making that are sure to take you in the right direction.

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Votive Candles

Many people light a candle before a statue of God or your Guru. The lighting of a votive candle, represents a Soul that has a desire to see a higher power. More often we light these great candles wanting to see the great light, whose flame, if the circumstance of a breeze are just right, dance beautifully.

If you are like me, you have bought a few of these candles in your lifetime. Now here is your chance to make your own!
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Scented Candles

Subtle scents can make a huge difference in a room. They can be used to complement the physical arrangement and the lighting of a room to create a desired ambiance. Scents can come from burning incense, aerosol spray, scented potpourri, or scented candle.

Scented candles have the advantage of serving three functions –light, décor, and a pleasant scent. Another great advantage is you can make your own. Making scented candles can be fun. Apart from giving your home a pleasant smell, they are also perfect for gift-giving.

The first step in making a scented candle is to select which of the available waxes you want to use. The most commonly used is paraffin, but you can opt for an insect or plant-based wax as beeswax, soy, or palm wax. You can also choose gel wax although this requires greater temperature and density control as variations in these could affect your finished candle.

Using a double-boiler, wherein the solid wax is placed in a pot which is in turn placed in a bigger pot filled with water, the wax is heated to a temperature of 170 to 180°F.

When the wax has melted remove the smaller pan from the heat source and add the fragrance oil. Remember to use oil-based fragrances as the water-based types will not mix well with the wax. Fragrance oils should be mixed at a ratio of one ounce for every pound of wax. This results in a 6% concentration which is considered the ideal mixture.

If you wish to add colors to the wax, now is the time to do it. You can use a liquid candle dye but try not to overdo it. A few drops will go a long way to create deep colors.

You can now pour your melted, scented, and colored wax into your mold making sure that the wick stays in the center. Let it cool for four to six hours, remove it from the mold, and enjoy a delightful scent, a pleasing view, and a romantic lighting right in your own room.

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Gel Candles As Gifts

When a loved-one or any special person celebrates a memorable day of his or her life, gifts would always be at the top list. Gifts may vary from the simple greeting cards to the most luxurious car. Does the cost matter? It does but it does not matter the most. As always said, it is the “thought” that counts.

Though for most people the tag price of your present may “tickle the spine”, it is beyond denial that a “personal” touch expresses more sincerity for the receiver. Your creativity plus a few tips from us would make that special person feel extra special because of your own custom gel candles.

1. Prepare the following materials:

· Ceramic containers like mugs or any fancy-shaped figurine that could hold the candle wax when melted and cooled. Glasses are also great.
· Gel wax,
· Candle wicks
· Pencils
· Pot (for melting wax)
· Candle scent and color (non alcohol-base)
· Sharp scissors

2. With the use of a pencil, twine the wick around it but leave some of the wick free that it could reach the bottom part of the candle container. It must be straight down the center of the container.

3. Put the pencil with the twined wick on top of the container; allow the wick to hang down the center of the container. As what the directions tell, melt the wax by cutting them into cubes first to hasten the melting.

4. Add color and scent but make sure that they will not make the wax cloudy.

5. After the melting, pour the gel wax into the container you have prepared. Fill the container but set a limit. Before getting to the next step, make sure that the wax turned gel fully cools down.

6. Check out the wick if it really takes the focal point of the container.

7. Trim the wick to ¼ of its total length.

8. You could tie a ribbon around it or stick a piece of fancy paper with a special message or a mini-picture of the receiver. Give it with the purest sincerity.

As you follow these quick and easy steps, you could unravel both the artist and entrepreneur in you. This way of preparing gifts would tickle your resourcefulness and creativity. Moreover, it may be an initiation of your new business specializing in candles. They are making it big on the market today.

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Christmas Advent Candle Making Kits Now In Stock!

 

A couple of weeks ago I announced that we were working on a Candle Making Kit that would allow you to make Advent Candles. The product development process is now finished, the kits have been tested and we’ve written easy to follow illustrated instructions so that you can achieve consistent results every time.

The standard kit allows you to make 8 candles in total: 4 white Christmas Advent Candles and 4 red dinner candles. If you want to make 8 Advent Candles, there’s an option to buy an extra 4 water-slide transfers.

The kit contains:

450g Blended Paraffin WaxWickA reusable mouldA metal wick pinred dye for the dinner candlesblutack

It’s supplied in a jiffy bag to keep the postage cost down.

And the price? Just £9.99 to make 8 candles! And remember, the mould can be reused time and time again!

Click the link for full details: Christmas Advent Candle And Dinner Candle Kit

And if you want to produce these candles in bulk, we’re putting together a commercial kit: in the meantime email peta@makingyourowncandles.co.uk for more information.

Kev

If you're new here, we'd love it if you would subscribe to our mailing list using the signup box on the right. You'll then qualify for a free candle making kit, free tips emails and a big discount off your first order. Thanks for visiting!

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Why soy candle making?

Not only is soy candle making an exciting hobby that provides hours of fun, there are tremendous benefits to using soy wax over the traditional paraffin wax.

Soy wax is easier to manage because it comes in a flake form, unlike paraffin wax which comes in a block. Would you rather use a measuring cup and scoop what you need, or have to saw chunks off a block and weigh it, then saw some more?

When making candles with paraffin wax, cleanup can be a chore. You must heat up the utensils to melt the wax off, or use special cleaners on other surfaces. With soy candle making, cleanup is a breeze. You can just wash everything with soap and water!

Soy candles burn longer!

Soy candle making is better for the environment and your health! Paraffin wax is made from petroleum. We all know that burning petroleum releases toxic fumes that are harmful to humans, and the planet. Do you really want that stuff burning inside your home? Soy wax is a renewable resource that burns clean and is a byproduct of soy beans which are harvested in the United States, thus helping to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

Whether you’re new to making candles or have been doing it for some time with paraffin wax and are thinking about making the switch, you can’t go wrong with soy candle making. It’s better for you, your health, and the planet!

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How To Make Soy Candles

Soy candles are natural and burn cleaner then paraffin candle wax. The popularity of them is growing.  Although soy wax is a little bit more expensive then paraffin wax, people who have used and made soy candles are quickly becoming addicted to them.

Soy wax is a vegetable wax that is made from soybeans.  The oil is extracted from the soybean flakes and hydrogenated.  The majority of the world’s soybeans are grown in the United States in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana.  It is believed that soy candles burn cleaner then paraffin candles.  This is true to an extent.  All candles emit soot.  There is no way around that.  But, paraffin candles emit black soot while soy candles emit white soot.  While soot is not harmful to people, white soot is a little cleaner then black.

The only thing that is really different about making soy candles then paraffin candles is the wax.  They both use the same techniques and equipment.  You can use a double boiler to melt the soy wax.

A double boiler is a smaller pot with the wax is placed in a larger pot full of water that is placed on the stovetop.  Heat the soy wax to 150 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  Be careful not to keep the melted wax above 150 degrees Fahrenheit for too long because it could burn which will give the wax a yellowish appearance.  Ounce the wax is fully melted you can add the color you would like.  You can then remove it from the heat and add the fragrance.

It is best to use 7% fragrance by weight. That simply means that for every one pound of soy wax, you can use 1.12 ounces of fragrance oil.  If the fragrance concentration is too high, it may bleed through the candle.  The soy wax can be about 140 – 150 degrees Fahrenheit.  You can then pour the wax into the mold to cool.  Be careful not to pour the wax at too low of a temperature or the candle could crack.  The wax should be between 95 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.  You should also not use water to cool the candle quickly.  This could also cause the candle to crack.

Although soy wax candles and paraffin wax candles are mostly the same, there are a couple of differences.  Soy wax is a softer wax so it is not suitable for some types of candles.  For instance, soy wax does not work well when you are trying to make novelty candles.  It also do not work well for pillar candles.  You can also not make taper candles with soy wax.  Floating soy candles can be made if they are up to 3 inches in diameter.

If you can make candles with paraffin wax, you can make candles with soy wax.  Making candles is kind of like trying out a new food recipe; sometimes you have to try things one way then the other to see which works best for you.  The bottom line is that soy wax and paraffin wax both hold scent and color the same in candles but, it is great to learn how to make a new kind of candle and offer a variety in your candle making whether you are making candles for pleasure or a business.Candle Making Business is very lucrative.

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Candle Making May Newsletter

Well maybe its a little late being June and all but we had a real scare during May.

As a lot of you already know Steve was taken to hospital at the beginning of May with a suspected heart attack which turned out to be a little bit more serious, fortunately he has made a good recovery and is on the mend. All cards and good wishes have been given to Steve and i know he wants to thank all those who sent them. He has taken to turning up in the office and does answer the phone on occasions which as he is the technical guy when it comes to candle making means we can now operate the helpline properly again (just leave a message if you get the answer machine and he will return your call).

I would like to apologise again to any of our customers who had a few problems at the beginning of May which was caused by Steve suddenly disappearing from our ranks; now we know how much we still need him!.

Any way we are now looking to build up the CandleShack fragrance range and we welcome any suggestions for scents that you would like to see added. We have our own scent maker now and he has a catalogue of fragrances that you would not believe and we have been testing them as fast as we can so we can make them available. The CandleShack fragrances are still going to be made on the idea that they will be single fragrances that can be used as a stand alone fragrance or mixed to make your own candle making scent.

We continue to add to the US candle making fragrance list with six or more new scent's each month and we accept any suggestions for new fragrances.

The Soya+ wax was found to have a problem and we are still investigating the problem to see if it was a particular batch or if there is a problem with the new formula and the wax as a whole. Hopefully i will have the answers for you next newsletter.

A whole new range is coming soon and I'm afraid that is all i can say i am not even allowed to tell you what it is a range of. A lot of people have asked and it will be on the site before Xmas.

I can tell you we are testing another wick for natural wax and hope to be able to offer more detailed help with wicking natural wax next month.

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