I just love these simple simple (did I say simple?) ideas. Using the most ordinary things in your house, saving money, recycling while enjoying your hobby. What could be better than that?
Using a milk carton as your candle mold is a perfect example for doing all of the above.
Does anyone have other good suggestions for recycling and saving money while making candles?
Eran.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Give a Business a Try
In these difficult economic times with companies cutting back, out
sourcing, and scaling down many people are being forced to take lower paying
jobs to make ends meet, or even worse having difficulty finding any job they
are qualified for.
One area that has been popular among those looking to
augment their reduced income or even replace their entire income after being
laid off has been candle making...
Candle Making As a Business by Bob Sherman
This nice overview get give a candle maker business beginner a nice start.
Eran.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Tasty Candles!
Mmmmmm...
Doesn't that look tasty???
Now, that is one cupcake that burns its own calories, instead of you eating it and have to burn yours...
Thank you CandleMaking.org.uk for this tasty cupcake candle recipe.
Eran.
Where to sell your candles?
Where do you sell candles?
Try to think where did you see candles for sale lately?
It is probably not a candle & soap shop. There is so much more than that! Here are some good selling points from Just By Nature. I personally think the Real Estate idea is the best! Check it out.
Eran.
Try to think where did you see candles for sale lately?
It is probably not a candle & soap shop. There is so much more than that! Here are some good selling points from Just By Nature. I personally think the Real Estate idea is the best! Check it out.
Eran.
Feel the Heat
You know what they say: if you can't take the heat, don't go and make candles :-)
I'm sure who ever though about that phrase didn't know about the Heat Gun.
It is a great accessory for helping out the candle maker:
I'm sure who ever though about that phrase didn't know about the Heat Gun.
It is a great accessory for helping out the candle maker:
- No more candles getting stuck in molds!
- No more sticky wax stains that can't be removed!
- No more uneven candle surfaces!
You can read about David Fisher's experience with his heat gun.
And here is a detailed description and safety instruction about using a heat gun.
Eran.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Preventing a Wicked Wick
A wick mushroom is a known problem, although I must say it has the most funniest name. I don't know why, but it always reminds me of Alice in Wonderland...
It usually just a problem with the wick size, but there might be other reasons. Check out this trouble shooting text by Just By Nature to prevent your wick from mushrooming.
Eran.
It usually just a problem with the wick size, but there might be other reasons. Check out this trouble shooting text by Just By Nature to prevent your wick from mushrooming.
Eran.
Try Out Soy Candles
We've talked before about the great debate between paraffin candles and soy candles.
If you do want to give soy candles a try and see what all the fuss is about, you can try Dittos Candles instruction for melting soy wax, and for making soy candles.
It is true that soy candles are biodegradable, produce less soot and burn longer. So they are definitely worth a try. Make sure you pay attention to the melting temperatures and ratios of additive since they vary from paraffin candles.
Eran.
Safety is always first
Unattended candle causes fire
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue received a 911 call early Monday morning for a structure fire at 201 F St. in Purcellville.
Times Community Newspapers - Unattended candle causes fire
We sometimes forget that safety is the most important thing we need to pay attention to about when it comes to candles.
Take care,
Eran.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Hands On, Everybody!
How about a good old fashion "Hands On" class?
Well, a range of candle making classes from beginners to advance, plus a making money with candles class will be held by the famous Bob Sherman during a January weekend in Long Island, NY.
You can find all the details here.
Eran.
technorati tags:candle, making, classes, courses, business, bob, sherman, hands, on
Smell that Beeswax...
Benefits of Beeswax - Why Use Beeswax for Candle Making
Most cheap, everyday candles are made of paraffin, but more and more people are looking for beeswax candles. Beeswax candles have been used since the Middle Ages by connoisseurs who prefer their superior scent and other benefits – they have always been a little more expensive than other types, but most would agree that they are worth the extra cost.
Benefits of Beeswax - Why Use Beeswax for Candle Making?
Eran.
It's Time for Holiday Candles
Let's Get Started Making Christmas Container Candles
Fill your home with holiday scents with these great Christmas Container Candles. You can use any container you like, from Christmas coffee mugs, to a holiday shot-glass, to a hand-painted bucket. Just make sure it's heat safe and won't leak the melted wax.
How to Make Christmas Container Candles
With the holidays approaching, it's time for some more holiday candle projects. This is a nice and easy one from CandleAndSoap.about.com
Eran.
technorati tags:candle, making, container, holiday, christmas
Surviving the Life of a Candle Maker
Surviving a life in craft
My candle business is a full time venture that I invest part time hours in. I am a stay home mother to a toddler and a baby and they are my full time priority during the day. I am often asked how I manage to run a successful business as well as staying home bringing up my children and the key is organization.
The Essential Survival Guide to Candlemaking Business Resource
These real life ideas from a mother and a home-business owner brought by candlemaking.org.uk are extremely valuable. Little things that can help you divide your "work time" and your "home time" and make each of them more efficient.
I especially appreciate the "set a closing time" suggestion. It may look trivial, but it is really something you have to do, otherwise you'll have no home-time left. And that would be a shame, wouldn't it?
Eran.
technorati tags:candle, making, business, life, surviving, maker, tips, ideas
Monday, November 13, 2006
Beautiful Candle Carving Video
Have a look at this woman's work as she carves a beautiful candle:
Part1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjrNTuR-VrE
Part2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlIZDQBdrjI
Part3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57oEoNNdAn4
She also explains how she learned it from a book and practiced. Looks good!
Eran.
Home Business Success Video
A Hunk Piece of Chunk
Would you look at these chunk candles!
I just adore them! They are so beautiful. And the best thing, they are no more difficult to make than regular mold candles. See for youself. You can use either previous left-over chunks you have, or make new chunks. It is preferred that the chunks and the overpour would be of the same wax to insure an evenly burn of the candle.
Eran.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Some Wick Tricks
How many times did your wick have its own will? Sticking to where
it wants, saying: "Hi, I think I'll bent a bit and rest on the side
of the mold instead of standing upright. It's too tiring!"
Well, here are some good tips on how to train your wick to do what
you want. I especially like Fragrance-Oil-Reviews' bic-pen idea. Its great that you can
use just everyday stuff to make your life easier.
Check it out!
Eran
A Great Christmas Gift for Kids
The Bottom Line: "The Cat in the Candle Factory" ends, "So the factory was fine until Christmas...but that's another story!" It was another story...a story I've been waiting for eagerly!I'm happy to report it's here, and just as wonderful as the first. This is a fun and heartwarming story with a wonderful subtle lesson for kids who struggle to get along with their younger siblings. And anyone who has ever busily made candles for craft fairs or as gifts will certainly relate to the story as well, and also relate (like I certainly could) to the trouble that little ones (feline or human) can cause in the candle shop!
Christmas at the Candle Factory by Barbara L. Johns - Book Review
What a great gift idea for the upcoming holidays! Enjoy the adventures of Elvis the kitten, and get great ideas for some Christmas candles.
Here are also some beautiful pictures from the book thanks to the illustrator, Carolyn R. Stich.
Eran.
The Great Debate
Soy vs. Paraffin Candles - The Great Debate, By: Stephanie Davies
You may have heard stories recently about the benefits of soy wax, or about how paraffin wax is unhealthy or not good for you. In this article we will examine the myths and rumors and give the straight facts on both soy and paraffin wax candles and allow you to see what the truth and fuss is all about.
Soy vs. Paraffin Candles - The Great Debate
Isn't this one of human kind's biggest questions? So many websites and articles were written on the subject, and the debate is still not setled. There is no doubt that both parffin and soy candles have their advantages and disadvatages, but the question remains whether either of them have health related issues, or is one truly superior to the other.
Eran.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Candlescaping Tips
Making beautiful candles pays off if you know how to display them properly. Using different heights and colors are only a few ideas from Expressive Candles' list of decorating tips.
If you have pictures of your candlescaping experiences, you are welcome to add links to them in the comments section.
Eran.
technorati tags:candle, making, candlescaping, tips
Money Making Hobby
Are you ready to turn your candle making hobby into a money making hobby?
You can do that by starting your own home-based candle making business. But like any other business, you need to follow some procedures. Use this article by 2 Minute Commute for as a good starting point:
Basic Home Based Business Legalities
Starting a home business is the ideal kind of business for many people because it not only offers you the freedom to do what you want with your time, it also affords you the opportunity to have no other boss but yourself. Yes, it does seem like a dream come true but before you start to fly to cloud nine there are some considerations in starting this endeavor you really have to consider first. It is not that difficult to get past these obstacles but they sure are hindrances to your goals...
Home Based Business: Basic Home Based Business Legalities
Eran.
technorati tags:candle, making, home, based, business, procedures, legalities
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