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

The most unique candles I've seen recently

Look at these cool candles! It always amazes me that you can still create original and interesting candles! WOW!

      

Aren't you asking yourself: "How can I make these candles???"

Well, Cajun Candles have got the answer for their v-shaped candles: It is a combination of tilting the mold, and pouring the wax in a cooler temperature than usual, to make sure the colors don't mix.

If you try them out, don't hesitate to give your feedback!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, unique, v-shaped, cajun, candles, tilt

Accountant by Day, Candle Maker by Night

Read all about Jan Larson, an accountant who discovered her candle making passion.

You can learn some good tips from her experience with soy candles:

• Research and testing are usually needed to discover which fragrances work well in soy candles.
• Cure your candles for at least two weeks - the longer, the better.

And more!

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, tips, accountant, story

There's a snowball coming your way!

With winter approaching it's time to make some special candles just for this special season.

I don't know if you get snow where you live, but if you don't, you can make your very own snowball candles! Doesn't it look like the real thing?

The secret is whipping the wax for that snowy look as explained by One Stop Candle's snowball candle project.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, snowball, project

Recycling Candles

Recycling is always a good idea. So why not apply it to candles as well?

Get all your old candles stubs and turn them into a bright and new candle!

Here are useful suggestions from Craft-Moms.com for recycling all sorts of stuff while making candles.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, stubs, recycle

Good Tips for Lowering Shipping Charges

Shipping charges are always important, especially if you are planning on having your own candle making business.

One basic way we've talked about before is shopping locally, but here are 5 more ways to lower your shipping charges, thanks to Deanna McColm and the Candle Business Corner.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, shipping, charges, lower, local, tips

It Adds Up!

There are all sorts of additives you can add to your candle. Some will harden your wax, others will make it more opaque, or transparent, etc.

If you need to make sense in this additives mess, read CandleMaking.org.uk's list of Candle Additives. It's right to the point.

Eran.

technorati tags:candle, making, candle making, additives, hardner, transparent, opaque