Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everybody!

May 2007 be a wonderful year full of beautiful and amazing candles.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, happy, new, year

How many times did you ask yourself this question?

Here is a popular question I found recently on The Artful Crafter site:

I enjoy making crafts and would like to do so as a business in the future. I make things for my friends all the time, but I never charge them any money. I was looking into renting a booth to sell from in my town, but it all seems so overwhelming.
What should I do?
Kayla

Question & Answer: From Fun to Profit - Starting a Craft Business

How many times did you ask yourself the same question?

Well, it really comes down to market research and getting feedback from friends and family. Starting with a small client circle of friends can give you the experience and lead the way to a bigger business.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, profit, starting, a, business, craft, selling

Beautiful Gel Candles - Check It Out

Look at these beautiful gel candles!!!

Aren't they just amazing! I also love the idea of embedded shells inside them.

If you are out to try making gel candles, try using Brighter Scents' How to Make Gel Candles page. It is very detailed and covers all you need to know. Pay special attention to the suggestions on how to prevent bubbles - that is the biggest problem in gel candles.

The secret is to pour slowly and mix slowly, but there are more suggestions on how to eliminate bubbles after they appeared.

Check it out.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, gel, project, instructions, tips, bubbles, preventing, BrighterScents

Is this winter I'm smelling?

Take a deep breath... Can you smell the winter Bay Rum? Or is it spring Lavender? Summer Coconut? Autumn All Spice?

Every season has its unique and wonderful scents. This is the time to make great winter candles, and start thinking about the spring.

Browse through this season scent list by Candle Business Corner for great scents ideas that will match your season perfectly!

Ever if your current seasons are different, you can still use the scent list. All the seasons are there!

Happy holiday season!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, scent, list, seasons, CandleBusinessCorner

Great Votives

If you are out for good old fashion votives, Candles And Supplies have got good instructions for great votives.

Don't forget to put aside some of the melted wax for that second pour that will fill the "pit" around the wick.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, votive, project, instructions, pour

Triple Scented Candles - True or Fake?

Have you ever heard about Triple Scented Candles?

It is quite common to hear or read people advertising their candles as triple scented. They are trying to suggests that the candles' scent is very strong or rich.

However, it is usually just a marketing term. You see, wax is like a sponge. It can only hold a certain amount of fragrance oil. The industry's standard used to be 3% (i.e. the FO weight is 3% out of the weight of the wax), but today you would usually use 6%.

Candles that are made based on 9% are sometimes called triple scented. They might have stronger scent, but they might not. 9% can be sometimes more than what the wax can hold.  You can definitely have a strong beautiful scented candle by using the standard 6%.

It is ok to use marketing terms - hey, it sells! But it is important to be able to distinguish between the marketing and professional knowledge of your candle making business.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, business, triple, scented, industry, marketing

Why is my beeswax cloudy?

Have you ever experienced a light dust layer or film over your beeswax sheets or candles?

Don't worry! This is actually a natural effect of a pure beeswax. Although it can give you candle a bit of an ancient look, it can be easily removed by a soft cloth or warming it with a hair dryer.

You can read more about bloom and other beeswax questions in Honey Glow Farm's Beeswax FAQ page.

technorati tags:candle, making, beeswax, bloom, faq, tips, HoneyGlowFarm

The Coolest Candle Holder Ever!!!

Take a look at this COOL candle holder:

This is so classic! A bit of wax, a bit of vinyl, a bit of retro!

"Instructables" shows just how to make this amazing candle holder. Check it out!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, candle, holder, vinyl, retro, cool

Your next step in candle making

If you are getting serious in candle making, here is what you need to do to get to the next level.

Replace the good old double boiler system with a Presto Pot.

The presto pot is a cheap non-stick surface Presto Kitchen Kettle used to melt up to 8 pounds of wax in 20 minutes. You will also equip it with a spigot to dispense the wax directly into your pouring pitcher.

As Candle Tech warns in their detailed instructions of the Presto Pot, make sure you buy one with an adjustable thermostat! It is a MUST!

Eran

technorati tags:candle, making, presto, pot, double, boilder, melting, wax, cheap, safety, tips

You want to be close to your supplier

Finding a good supplier is a hard job.

Finding a cheap supplier is hard as well.

Finding a good and a cheap supplier is a blessing!

One way to cut the cost of supplies is buying local and save on shipping. That's why it's important for you to know which supplier is close to you.

Here's Candle And Soap Stuff list of suppliers sorted by the US states.

Hope you find it useful.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, supplier, supplies, local, shipping, cost, cheap

Dipping made SO easy

Here's another great example of using your everyday household accessories.

When it comes to hand-tipped tapers, you need some dipping mechanism. You can either buy one, or make one from a bent wire coat hanger.

And once you have your taper dipper ready, making the taper are as easy as dipping them! Follow Candle Help instructions for hand-dipped tapers to get these beautiful results:

Eran

technorati tags:candle, making, hand, dipped, tapers, project, wire, coat, hanger, tip

A highly recommended starter kit

If you are only a beginner in the candle making world, a starter kit can be the perfect thing for you! Some of those kits have everything you need to make your first candle.

Lately I've read some very good reviews on Candle Peak's starter kits. Here is an example from Candle Tech's forum:

I did hours and hours and hours or research... I like Peak's starter kit because it offers you by far the MOST for the BEST price. No one else gives you as many fragrances to try and color dyes to try as Peak does, and they even threw in an additional scent giving me a sample of SIX fragrances. You will NOT be disappointed with a Peak starter kit. And I am now certain that candle making is for me :-)

Obviously there are lots of different starter kits out there. You should check and compare them carefully. There is a big range both in their price and their content.

If you have any other recommendations about kits or other equipment, feel free to share!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, starter, starting, kit, beginners, recommendation, PeakCandles

Candles Kill Bacteria

Would you believe candles can kill bacteria?

Well, according to this research, burning some scented candles killed both E. coli and Staphylococcus!

Read this very interesting article.

Candles With Essential Oils Kill Bacteria
Flame and Oils Work Together, Say British Researchers
By Miranda Hitti
Candles containing certain essential oils can do more than set a mood and smell pretty. They can also kill bacteria, according to a new British study...

Candles With Essential Oils Kill Bacteria

Eran

technorati tags:candle, making, scented, oils, kills, bacteria, research, article

I'm Dy(e)ing for a tip!

After talking about dyes, here are some candle dyes tips from Pourette Candle.

I think one of the best tips is don't overheat blue candles dyes. There nothing more disappointing than discoloration of your beautiful candles. So read closely and take notes :-)

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, dyes, tips, overheat

Matchmaker, match me colors and scents...

What color would match an "Hawaiian Dream" scented candle? And how about "Ocean Mist"?

Matching colors to fragrance in only limited by your own imagination and preferences, but to make your life easier here is a good starting color guide chart from Cajun's Candle.

Mind you the number of drops in the chart refers to Cajun's concentrated liquid candle dyes. If you are you using any other kind of dye, you'll have to test, test and then test some more.

Good luck!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, match, matching, colors, scents, chart, table, CajunCandles, liquid, dyes

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season for all of you!

May you make beautiful candles that will shine and light your home and life all year long!

Eran

technorati tags:candle, making, merry, christmas

Soy Candles Success Story

Burning desire: The Candle Attic hitches onto Soywax wagon
By Liz Chretien
Lorna-Faye Belleville used to make her Soywax candles in a six-room attic in Haverhill, Mass. Now, two years later, The Candle Attic in Sandown boasts 70 scents and more than 30,000 candles sold. "All those candles were poured by me," Belleville says. "I’m very proud of that."...

Exeter News-Letter Currents: Burning desire: The Candle Attic hitches onto Saywax wagon

What a great success story of Lorna-Faye Belleville who has a thriving soy candles making business and tells all about it. She also elaborates on some of the soy benefits such as cleaner and longer burn and easy of make.

A great idea she has introduced is a "refill program". Customers can bring their own containers and get them refilled for a much cheaper price than buying a new one. That is a great idea!

Eran

technorati tags:candle, making, soy, success, business, story, refill

Groovy Candles

As a part of their "13 Groovy Days of Joy!" Groovy Green are offering you to shine your own light on the holidays!

Read about Steve Balogh own experience on making candles, and his recipe for pillar candles. Don't forget to discover what other joy suggestions they have for the rest of the holiday season.

technorati tags:candle, making, groovygreen, project, ideas, holidays

More Troubleshooting Candle Tips

Having problems?

Wick smokes? Flame dies? Wax is left on the side of the container? Or did your candle just sadly break down?

Ohhhhhhh.... Don't worry! Help is on its way. Here are helpful troubleshooting tips from Cierra Candles, guaranteed to help you make better candles.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, troubleshooting, tips, better, candles

New Soy Candles Video

Take a look at these new videos on how to make soy container candles. ZionsvilleCandle did a good job showing how easy it can be to make candles in the convenience of your very home.

For full instructions on how to start making candles see Candle Making Techniques basic instructions.

Eran

technorati tags:candle, making, soy, container, video, ZiovsvilleCandle

How much time would my candle burn?

Isn't this one of the most popular questions about candles?

But how do you know how much time your candle will burn?

Well, similar to other things in the candle making world - it's all about testing! But you don't need to light a full candle to that. 3 hours will be enough.

Read Candle Cauldron's explanations and estimated burn times for standard candles.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, calcuate, calculating, burn, time, CandleCauldron

What's the secret behind this candle?

Isn't this candle just cool:

And surprisingly enough, it is pretty easy to make. The secret, according to One Stop Candle, is coating a white candle with masking tape, dip it in red, and then peel off the tape.

Easy does it.

Have fun!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, perppermint, project, masking, tape, OneStopCandle

Happy Hanukkah

This is the coolest Hanukkah video I've seen lately:

Hanukkah is all about lighting candles. After the Jewish people won back their Temple in Jerusalem from the ancient Greek empire, there was only a small vase of oil left to light the Temple menorah. Thanks to the Hanukkah's miracle, the oil lasted for 8 days. So on each day of Hanukkah, you light an extra candle, starting with one and finishing with 8.

The menorah is a universal symbol of freedom. May we all share it and cherish that freedom.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, hanukkah, candles, temple, menorah, miracle

Dedicated their lives to beeswax

Listen to this: these nuns went through 6 months of wick research just to come up with one that would work perfectly with their beeswax votives. And their candles are now burning for 18 hours!

Read all about it:

Candle-making nuns know their beeswax
By Diane Wright
On a chilly December afternoon, a vat of molten beeswax heated inside a water-jacketed tank, smelling slightly of honey, while candles stood on trays ready to be packed in boxes...

The Seattle Times: Candle-making nuns know their beeswax

Eran

technorati tags:candle, making, beeswax, nuns, wick, story

Gel Candles Projects Book on ebay

Just found this book on ebay:

40 Gel Candles Projects for 5$ + Shipping.

Sounds interesting. Go take a look.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, gel, book, ebay, projects

This is YOUR competition

I think this article summaries the difference between the BIG candle companies and the human-sized candle makers and candle making businesses.

No more hand-made candles in Northern Lights Candles. A robotic machine is now doing the job. I guess it is now up to the "humans" to show what unique, special and different candles they can make, that no machine can duplicate.

Robotic Equipment Automates Candle Making Process for Northern Lights Candles
When Northern Lights Candles decided to make the transition from hand-made candles to automated product assembly, it turned to Alfred State College’s School of Applied Technology in Wellsville for assistance...

Alfred State - Alfred State College

Eran

technorati tags:candle, making, northern, lights, robot, machine, competition, humans, hand-made, business

Using coffee and a food processor for making candles?

I love reading other people's advice and tips. You can learn so much from experience and share your knowledge.

This time it's Candle Cauldron Tools & Tricks page with the ever-lasting recommendation of the Presto Kitchen Kettle for melting wax, and of course the heat gun. But have you ever thought someone would recommend using a food processor? Read and find out!

On the tricks side, there are excellent ideas for testing colors, removing scents from molds and more. I especially like the tip on how to clear your nose after smelling too many candles: keep a jar of coffee grounds next to you or your craft show table. Sniffing it will allow you customers to keep appreciating the true scent of your candles.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, tips, tricks, ideas, scents, presto, kitchen, kettle, food, processor, advice, clearing, nose, CandleCauldron

Beautiful Decorated Candle

Before you read further, take a look at this amazing candle on the left. It is the creation of Autumn. Just beautiful!

This just goes to show that you can make your candles even more interesting by embellishing or adding things to them. It can also help make candles a more personalized gift.

Here are some embellishing candles tips from Fresh Cuts. Try them and add comment with some of your own.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, autumn, embellishing, candles, amazing, Fresh, Cuts

A highly recommended candle making book

Rated at the top of Amazon's candle making book list both as a best seller and in customers reviews is "Basic Candle Making: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started" by Eric Ebeling and Alan Wycheck.

Look at these reviews written by people who bought the book:

The author does a great job of explaining the little things that I never would have thought of on my own.

This book takes you step by step through the process to get you started.

This is must have for a beginner or someone who need to freshen up on candlemaking!

Does anyone have other book recommendations s/he would like to share?

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, book, basic, amazon, reviews, recommendation, beginners

There is sand in my candle, and I like it!

When was the last time you built a sand castle?

If you want to have a taste of that childhood, or if you are just looking for a cool project, here's the thing for you - sand candles.

You make these unique sand candles by using sand holes as molds.

The hotter you pour, the thicker the sand crust will be after you dig the candles out. 225 deg F will give you a thin coating of sand, 250 deg F - a medium crust and 275 a thick one.

As David Fisher from CandleAndSoap.about.com explains, this means you cannot use a double boiler to make these candles, so make sure to be extra safe.

It is also a good idea to use sand candles to make outdoor citronella candles and never worry about cleaning the sand off you living room floor.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, sand, candles, double, boiler, david, fisher, candleandsoap.about.com, crust, project

Nice Scent List

Here's another nice and long scent list. This time from Ginger's Garden.

As always there are the "weird and interesting" scents such as: Wine & Roses, or Zen2 (what kind of scent is that?) and even Cucumber.

What is your favorite scent on this list?

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, scent, list, GingersGarden

You can't get easier than this

If you feel like taking a shortcut once in a while, here's an idea for quick scented candles:

Just use pre-scented waxes.

It'e easy: they come with the scent and other additives already inside. Just melt, pour and wick.

Here is Wicks-Wax-Scents' page for their pre-scented wax. I'm sure you can find lots more!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, pre-scented, pre, cented, wax, easy, idea

Live Your Candle Dream

This is a beautiful story about Linda Crandley from New Port Richey who changed her career and life after opening her own candle store. She's does hand dipping, shell candles, weddings and more.

Read all about it and learn about Linda for yourself.

All about feeling at home
Linda Crandley started making fragrant, hand-dipped candles in her basement years ago as a single mom living in a Philadelphia suburb.

Pasco: All about feeling at home, by Elizabeth Bettendorf

And after talking about coffee candles lately, perhaps you should try Linda's recommendation for a real one: The Wawa Coffee Brew. Sounds interesting...

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, Linda, Crandley, story, pasco, coffee, maker

Coffee anyone?

Have a look at these cappuccinos:

Looks good, right? Would you believe they are actually cappuccino candles? And from what you can hear on Timeless Candles podcast, they smell like real coffee and vanilla.

These candles are the creation of Bridgette of "Candles by Bridgette" who features on the podcast. Listen and learn about her and her unique candles.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, coffee, cappuccino, candles, podcast, TimelessCandles, Candles by Bridgette

Wild Woman Making Candles???

Just found a nice blog by a "Wild Celtic Rose" a.k.a. Lisa. I'm not saying she's wild, it's written all over her homepage :-)

But it does seem like she's enjoying making candles and beeswax ornaments, while what it looks like about a million other things she's up to. Busy lady...

She also put together a Candle Making for Amateurs Page which is worth a look.

I personally like a kitten candle she made. Cute, isn't it?

          

Take a look for yourself, and feel free to comment with your own candles and blogs.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, blog, lisa, wild, celtic, rose, kitten, beeswax, ornaments, amateurs

How many types of wax do you know?

If you answered 2: Paraffin and Soy, boy, you are way behind!

Have a look at Candle Cauldron's Encyclopedia of Waxes for over a dozen types!

Some are sub types of paraffin, different in how hard or refine they are. But others are really unique.

Did you know there's Bayberry Wax made from berries??? It takes 15 pounds of bayberries to make just one pound of bayberry wax! That's probably why it is so rare and expensive.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, wax, encyclopedia, paraffin, soy, baybberry, types, CandleCauldron

Who has a cool embedded gel candle photo?

Who has a cool embedded gel candle photo s/he would like to share?

Either a candle you made, or just a nice photo you saw.

Post its link as a comment!

In the mean time, look at this beautiful gel candle!

Cute isn't it?

To get the maximum out of the embedded object put it close to the glass and far from the wick. That way it will have better visibility and will not interfere with the candle burning.

Remember that when it comes to embedding objects in gel candles, safety plays a crucial part. The object must not be flammable: no wood, plastic, fabrics etc. Glass and ceramic are a better choice.

Read through CandleMaking.org.uk's for these and more embedding ideas, tips and projects.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, embedded, jel, candles, flammable, photo

Start working on your marketing

Are you thinking of opening a candle making business? Or perhaps you already have one?

You'll have to agree then, that marketing is one of the most important aspects of your business. It should be carefully planned and executed.

For example, being in mid December implies you should already think about January and February.

What to get an idea of how to plan for these months?

See this marketing plan draft by Candle Business Corner to get you started.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, business, marketing, plan, draft, CandleBusinessCorner

Let Me Start Your Fire!

What do you do with all the left over wax you have lying around in the house?

Well wax can always be recycled, either to make a new candle, or in this case make fire starters.

If you've got a wood burning stove or a fireplace, or plan a campfire, using fire starters will help you  light even wet wood!

However, as One Stop Candle explains, a fire starter is not a candle, and safety measures should be taken, as its flame can be a lot bigger than a controlled candle flame.

Follow One Stop Candle's instructions for making fire starters with all sorts of variations and ideas.

Stay safe!

Eran.

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technorati tags:candle, making, fire, starter, firestarter, leftover, wax, safety, One, Stop, Candle, OneStopCandle

Pick-Your-Wick HUGE database

Just look at this AMAZING wick database that matches wicks to the container and wax you are using.

It is HUGE!!!

Whether you are using soy or paraffin, container or pillar, thanks to CandleCauldron.com it's SO easy to find your wick.

Suppose I'm using the EcoSoya CB Advanced wax in a standard coffee mug container - using the search utility, I see that the database would recommend the LX 16 wick.

Now, obviously this is a recommendation and cannot guarantee perfect results, but hey! It is a great way to start!

And the best part is that you can add your own entries based on your personal experience.

Go for it!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, pick, your, wick, database, candlecauldron

Why You Would Want These Candles To Smoke!

Why would you want your candles to smoke?

Well, as David Fisher explains, when we're talking about citronella candles, a bit of smoke would actually help the mosquito repelling effect.

Oh, those nasty mosquitoes!!!

Don't you ever get the feeling they are after you and only you?

Take a look at this FUNNY Mosquito-o-Meter by "OFF!", to find out just a appealing you are to mosquitoes.

But getting back to candles, remember that if you are tired of citronella, CandleAndSoap.About.com suggest other EO you can use repel mosquitoes.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, citronella, mosquito, mosquit-o-meter, david, fisher, candleandsoap.about.com

Candle Up Your Home

"What an amazing looking room!!!"

That is the what you'll hear from people when they see your candle decorated room. And to think it is decorated with your own candles!

Here are good pointers from Lisa Herbik on choosing colors, heights of pillar candles and more when decorating with candles.

Pillar Candle Arrangement Ideas by: Lisa Herbik
Candlelight can be used effectively as one of the most important decorative elements in a room. So, how do you decorate with pillar candles? The possibilities are virtually endless.

Pillar Candle Arrangement Ideas by Lisa Herbik

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, decore, decorating, tips, pillar

Which Tart Do You Prefer?

I know that when I hear "tart" I automatically think about a delicious pastry. Candle tarts, however, can look and smell wonderful, but are not that tasty. And especially those little candle tarts (not the fruit ones) are meant to fill your home with great scent.

   
Which Tart Do You Prefer?

 
These tarts (on the left) usually come in small molds, made of low melt point wax, have a strong scent and are wickless.

Here Candle Cauldron's way of making them.

They are placed on a tart burner with a tealight inside, and when the tart candle begins to melt, it scents the room.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, tart, candles, melt, burner, CandleCauldrons, tealight, scent

A Different (wax) Ball Game

Have a look at this ball of wax candle.
Nice!!! Isn't it?

You can check out Lovina Ferrao's instructions for it, or read her complete slide show filled with more good tips and ideas.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, wax, ball, project, overview, ideas, tips, lovina, ferrao

Which is better? Paraffin or Soy?

Here is another stand in the old "Paraffin vs. Soy" argument.

"Candle-Licious.com" argues that both paraffin and soy are safe, and there is no reason not to use paraffin, as others claim.

Remember, that no mater what position one takes, it is always important to verify their sources, listen to both sides, and make your own mind.

What do you think?

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, paraffin, soy, paraffin vs. soy, wax, safe

The Cutest Christmas Cups Candles!

Have a look at these Christmas Cups Candles ottawa2 posted in her journal:

What a nice idea!

And those little Christmas decorations really add a lot to it.

The cups are even glued to the saucers. No spilling tea on Aunt Gretchen again :-)

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, christmas, cups, candles, decorations

Non-Identical Twin Chunk Votive Candles

Aren't these chunk votive candles just classic?

It is a really a tough call to decide whether I prefer these ones to other chunk candles we've talked about before.

But as David Fisher himself explains in his instructions, these chunk votive candles are easy to make.

But look at this!!!

These two chunk candles were made exactly the same, besides the temperature of the overpour. On the left candle it was 190 deg which made the chunk and the overpur blend a bit, and on the right one it was 160 deg which gave a more chunky look.

Beautiful!

Eran.

p.s. Have you noticed how David's deals with the air bubble problem we've talked about? Just tap firmly on the side of the mold after your pour!

technorati tags:candle, making, chunk, votive, overpour, temperature, air, bubbles, project

I Need Some Candle Help

The world of candle making is never perfect. Sometimes you get great candles, smooth with strong scent throw, and sometimes... well, sometimes you just don't...

That's why troubleshooting tips are always helpful.

And that's the best way to learn: either from your own experience, or from other's.

An good example of CandleMaking.org.uk's troubleshooting tips would be how to prevent air bubbles in the wax (tap on the side of the mold after you pour, and make sure the candle doesn't cool down too quickly), or the common problem of a smoky candle (the wick might be too large).

Feel free to share your own experience and tips!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, troubleshooting, tips, problems, air, bubbles, smoky, candlemaking.org.uk