Is a Candle Making Business for You?
If you’re like a lot of us, after your initial success in candle making for friends and family, you may think about going into business for yourself, at least part-time. Before you jump in to the business — which is by the way a great idea — think about some of the numbers involved with candles.
These statistics will give you some idea of what direction you may want to take your business.
When you know what rooms of the house your customers plan on burning these in, you can create candles that blend in with appropriate decorations and designs. For example, 42 percent of the individuals survey said they burn their candles primarily in their living room. About 18 percent use candles in the kitchen and only 13 percent use them in a bedroom.
Not only that, but you will want to know who buys these candles. Your potential market is made up first and foremost of women. In fact, more than 96 percent of all candles are bought by women. Females also use candles more often than men and younger people use candles more often than older folks.
There you have it. Thinking twice about entering the business now? You’ve got an idea of who you’re selling to — and you’ve got some sound marketing tips. You’ve probably already have some type of “inventory” lying around. You know you’re making candles faster than you and your friends combined can burn them.
Hey! Where are you going? Oh, you’re out to check out flea markets! Oh . . . so you are ready to stake out a candle-company territory.
One of my free bonuses when you purchase my e-book (over there on the right) gives you all the help you’ll need in deciding on which type of business to start.
Discover more tips not only on starting a candle making business, but on all aspects of candle making — from what type of wax to choose to the types of wicks to use, to how to dye and add scent to your beautiful craft creations.
Make Canning Jar Candles
A candle gift that never gets old (even though it looks very old-fashioned) is the “canning jar” candle. You can easily make these container candles simply by using old canning jars you have around the house.
Don’t have canning jars? Don’t worry. If you spend any time at flea markets or frequent garage sales, you’ll find these. And if for some strange reason you can’t, you can usually buy a dozen of these jars relatively cheaply at just about any grocery store or even some of the discount or “dollar” stores.
You simply use these jars as the containers. Then you follow the directions for the container candles. If you use paraffin wax, you can add any type of scent you’d like — or think the recipient of your gift would like — and the color that you’d like.
Some canning jars have embossed or raised decorations on the surface. Others are quite plain. Consider using plain jars as gel candles (see the article on gel candle making) — and then you can place all types of accessories in the jar! You can even top the jars off — gel wax or otherwise — with the lid of the canning jar.
For an added effect, you may want to wrap the lid in some type of gingham fabric, or add a pretty ribbon, to make give it more of a country look.
Candles are versatile gifts. They are every bit as appropriate as a Christmas present as a birthday present — and every holiday in between. And since you love this hobby so much — because let’s face it, candle-making really is growing on you! — you will start to make up holidays so you have a reason to give candles away.
Here’s another canning jar candle idea.
We have all seen those beautiful canning jar candles with the pretty ribbon and potpourri. It is very easy to make your own canning jar potpourri candles with just a few inexpensive items that you can get from your local craft store or online. You will need wide mouth canning jars, ribbon, potpourri, votive candles with holders, and a hot glue gun.
To start, fill the jar with potpourri. You can add some extras such as dried apples or cinnamon sticks for more scent and color. Fill the jar full enough that when you set the votive candle holder on top it is even with the top of the jar. Place the candle in the holder once you have got the fit right.
Next, glue the ribbon around the top mouth area of the canning jar. You can further personalize your canning jar candles by gluing decorations on the outside of the jar. Canning jar candles are a great idea for crafts for young children to take home.
Canning jar candles are great for all Holidays as well. Add pumpkin cut outs for Halloween, little bunnies for Easter, and Christmas trees or small ornaments for Christmas. These make excellent fundraisers or items to sell at the next craft show. Those of you who are more creative will have no trouble designing your own.
If you want get more ideas — and even some cool directions for candles suitable for gifts… It’s all in my new eBook “Secrets to Creative Candle Making”, and the bonus e-books.
You’ll learn all the basics in a nutshell about making professional quality candles — right in the privacy and comfort of your home.
Trouble Shooting Your Candle Making
As with any hobby or adventure, you’re bound to make a few bumps in the road during your first couple of forays into the field. Or later on, you may encounter some strange phenomenon that has never occurred before.
It totally throws you off guard. And of course, since you’ve never seen it before you haven’t a clue how to fix it — or even if your candle can be “fixed.”
Let me tell you, there are few mistakes in candle making that can’t be repaired. And here are just a few of the ways you can spot your less than perfect candles and make them shine, not only in your family’s eyes, but in yours as well.
Help! The surface of my candle is pitted!
Again this is a problem that, unfortunately cannot be fixed with that particular candle (what a pity, you must keep that one for yourself, too!), but can be easily remedied with the next candles you pour.
A pitted surface indicates that the wax was too cool by the time you poured it.
Now, all you need to do with this particular problem is decide where in the process the cooling occurred. Did you not heat the wax to a sufficient temperature? If you suspect this, then just make sure that you get the temperature to the highest, safest range for the type of wax you’re using.
Did it cool too quickly in your pouring pot? If it did, then you need to re-think the order in which you produce your candles. What can you do differently that prepares your quicker for pouring?
For more troubleshooting advice and more information on candle making be sure to check out my new eBook, (just over there on the right side of the page), which gives you my step-by-step system of making professional quality candles from your kitchen.
You’ll love the bonuses as well.
Tips When Adding Color to Candles
To make more visually appealing candles, you will want to color them. Candle dyes are used to add color your candles.
Candle dyes are not actually true dyes since they do not change the wax color, but become evenly suspended throughout the wax, giving the illusion of color.
Some people use crayons to add color to their candles. This can be a fun way to add color, but you will find the color will not evenly distribute throughout the candle unless you constantly stir it to avoid settling of the color. Sediment created by crayons may also cause the flame to sputter.
Wax dyes are sold in disc or powder form. The discs are easier and safer to use if you simply follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Take care as the wax dyes are highly concentrated and if you spill them, they will stain practically anything. If you use powdered dyes, be very careful not to inhale the dyes. Always use a face mask or even a respirator with powders.
If you want more pastel colors, using a wax whitener will lighten the dyes. The most important thing to remember is that regardless of whatever coloring agent you use, it must be wax soluble.
If you are using a dye disk, grate the disc first, and dissolve it in the stearin before adding it to liquid wax. Remember, stearin acts as a solvent for dyes.
You can mix colors together to create as many colors as you want. Any color tends to fade as the wax hardens, so do a test run if you desire an exact color.
Two Basic Tools of the Candle Maker
Every good craftsman has some basic tools of the trade as they’re called. The master carpenter has his hammer, for example. The master mason has his trowel. Whether you realize it or not, you’re about to join the ranks of the master craftsperson. And you, too, should have one or two basic tools of your “trade” or craft.
Okay, so perhaps you want to downplay the “master” portion of the phrase — at least for now. Give yourself some time, though. Before you know it, you’ll be producing those exquisite candles.
Your two most important elements in making candles are outline below:
1. A pot.
You’ll need a container in which to melt your wax. Preferably, you’ll want to use a double boiler or something that will substitute for a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you may want to place empty cans on the bottom of a large pot arranged so that a smaller pot can nestle sturdily in there.
Or you can find two pots and simply place the smaller one inside the larger one. The pan which is directly touching the heat source will be filled with water which will heat and eventually, evenly and slowly melt the wax in the second pan.
You’ll want to keep the smaller pan, by the way, at least a half inch above the base of the larger pot.
There’s only once exception to using double boiler. That’s gel wax. The temperature at which gel wax gets “syrupy” (because it never really melts in the traditional sense) is between 200 and 220 degrees. You can’t reach this temperature with a double boiler.
2. Thermometer.
Since wax melts quickly and has the very real potential to literally explode if it reaches too high a temperature, you’ll discover that a thermometer is an absolute necessity. If you don’t use one specifically created for candles, you can use a candy thermometer or any one which indicates temperatures ranging from 100 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Whatever you do, don’t try to “eyeball” the temperature of your wax. If you’ve ever made candy, you may have discovered you got good at just looking at the texture of the candy to discern its temperature. Wax is well . . . a whole different ball of wax, so to speak. . . in this department.
A few other supplies you’ll eventually need, listed just quickly include:
*Candle molds
*Dipping can
*Food scale
*Baking or cookie sheet
*Hammer and screwdriver
So, get those basic tools,and you’ll be ready to begin.
Five Ways to Add Glow to Your Garden
Give your garden some glow with some creative ideas for using candles outdoors. Many materials that you can find right in your house can become receptacles for candles. By using these outdoors, your garden can become a mystical and charming place after dark. Here are five ideas that for you
Create pillars of light by wrapping strong vellum paper around pillar candles. You could use any paper, but vellum is more translucent. Place the candles on a fire-proof surface, such as rocks, tiles or concrete. Although you might think the paper would catch on fire, they will work even in a light breeze.
Use a frosted globe (you know the kind – some ceiling light fixtures use them) with a tea light candle inside. You’ll have a gorgeous glowing ball of light, a great addition along a pathway, set among rocks to support it. Just face the opening of the globe out of sight.
Tie twine around the edges of glass jar rims, and use the ends to hang the jar from a beam, a tree or a hook. Place a tea candle inside, and hang several of these from an arbor, or among a tree’s branches. Use small jars so it’s easy to place the candle inside. Baby food jars are a good choice.
Make some ice candles. Yes, I said ice. Just secure a small smooth sided container inside a larger one, fill the large one with water, and freeze it. Remove the small container. If it seems hard to remove, fill it quickly with hot water, and it should release. Remove the large container also, so you now have a clear ice container. Put a votive candle in the center. As the ice slowly melts from the lit candle’s heat, it will change the light’s intensity and pattern in interesting ways.
Use one of your tall glasses and place a tea candle inside. Take some leaves – broad ones, segmented ones, and different sized and shaped ones – and tie them around the glass with raffia or twine. As the light shines through them, the leaf vein structures will show beautifully. The heat will dry the leaves, but that won’t matter, as they will still look great.
These are just five ideas for candle containers to get you inspired. Look around your house, and you will find more. Check out the thrift shops for interesting glassware. With outdoor candles, you will enjoy beautiful evenings outdoors, enhanced by the soft glow of candlelight.
As always, with candles, use precautions. Keep them away from pets and children, and place them on fire-proof surfaces.
Making Hand Dipped Candles
Candle making can be a great hobby or a profitable business endeavor. The process is quite simple once you get the hang of it. If you already have the basics down cold, consider experimenting with the art of making hand dipped candles. Although these lovely creations take more time to craft, they are stunning. You can use several colors on each candle giving it a unique color scheme.
If you have experience in making candles, you already have the basic tools you will need, You will need a large amount of paraffin wax, wick, and a double boiler to melt it in. Other utensils include wooden spoons, bowls, and a good quality thermometer. You will probably want to add color to the wax, so choose from any of the various forms including cakes, chips, powder, or liquid. Any scents or fragrances you want to add must be pure oil, not one with a water or alcohol base.
Prepare the wax for hand dipped candles just as you do for regular candles. Heat it in the double boiler top until it reaches a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.Now, turn the heat down low to keep the wax in liquid form. Add color to the wax, using a small amount at a time until your reach the color you want. If you want scented candles, add a small amount of scent the mix at this time. Remember, using too much fragrance can result in the candle not burning properly.
Next, cut the wick for your candles, keeping it just a bit longer than the candle length you want. You will need some wick to act as a ‘handle’. If you are making sets of the candles,make sure your wicks are exactly the same length. Dip the wicks into the candle wax, making sure to coat it entirely. This is how you will build your candle – one dip at a time. Allow the waxed wicks to cool, then dip them again. If you want different areas of the candles to be different colors, simply prepare more than one color of wax ready to use. Once your candle has reached the desired thickness you want, shape the top, giving the top a pointed look. Dip them again to give them a final smooth finish.
Creating hand dipped candles is a great hobby or business venture. It is a time consuming process, but the candles are beautiful. Learning to make hand dipped candles can be quite tricky, so if you are not satisfied with your initial attempts, just melt down the wax and use it over again. This is not a good type of candle for beginners to try to learn as they may quickly become frustrated. .
Design your own hand dipped candles by varying color, size and length. Find a good book with great color photos and step by step directions for hand dipping candles. Look for ideas on internet sites. I guarantee you’ll have some fun with this unique and historic way of creating candles.
