Unity candles are often a very important part of traditional wedding ceremonies. This candle is a symbol of the union both families. The ceremony involves the bride and groom each lighting a taper candle with a large column candle in the middle. Once they have lit their taper candles, the bride and groom light the column with the flames form the tapers.
It is very simple to make these beautiful candles. By making them, you can personalize the message the message on the column candle for those getting married. The message can be a poem, Biblical scripture, or even a photo of the couple getting married.
Making the taper candles is very simple. It involves the hand dipping process. You will dip the two wicks over and over again in the hot wax until the taper candles are the desired width. After they have completely cooled you can trim the wick to ¼ inch of the top of the candle.
To make the column candle you will need to use a candle mold. Simply heat the wax and pour it into the mold until it completely cools. Prior to pouring the wax into the mold you will need to insert the wick from the bottom of the mold. Cut the wick several inches longer so that you can tie it to a pencil or other object. This will keep the wick centered while the candle is cooling.
After the column candle has cooled, you can place a poem, saying, photo, or even a wedding invitation to the candle using double stick tape or a glue gun. For a beautiful effect, consider cutting the attachment in an oval shape using the scissors that will leave a ridge all the way around the attachment.
To add beauty and appeal to the unity candles, you can make bows for them out of the wedding colors. For best results, use a piece of wire for each candle. Twist the wire in the front gently so you don’t damage the candles but enough to hold it securely in place. Don’t worry about the wire being seen as the beautiful bows will cover it up.
You will want to find some very pretty taper candle holders for these precious unity candles. Generally, the column candle will sit on a matching flat candle holder, similar to a small plate.
With the overall expense of a wedding, creating your own unity candles or allowing a friend or family member to do so as a gift will save you plenty. There are many great books available in craft stores and some bridal shops that provide step by step instructions for creating your own unity candles. The internet also offers great ideas and tips for making the process fun. Creating quality candles doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult.
The unity candle ceremony is an important part of many wedding ceremonies. You can provide the bride and groom with a wonderful trio of candles for their ceremony that they will treasure forever. The ability to add a personalized attachment to the column candle is a great incentive for making them yourself. Making additional column candles for the parents of the bride and groom or the wedding party is a great gift idea as well. You can place them in gift bags with bows that match the colors of the wedding.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Books on Candle Making
Making your own candles is a favorite craft and hobby many individuals. They find the process to be enjoyable and relaxing. Candle makers have been know to turn to their hobby in times of stress. For some candle makers, once they learn the basics they are ready for new challenges. Purchasing books on candle making can provide you with everything from basic instructions, tips, and creative ideas to make beautiful candles. Most candle making books offer wonderful illustrations as well as step by step instructions.
The type of book you want to purchase will depend on your candle making experience, the types of candles you are interested in making, and if you are making candles for fun or to sell. Take the time to explore what each book has to offer you before making a purchase so that you won’t be disappointed. You might also check with your local library for books on candle making. If you find one there you really like then you have the option to purchase it. You can also find great discounts on used candle making books online at Ebay and Yahoo Auctions.
“The Candle Maker’s Companion” by Betty Oppenheimer and Deborah Balmuth is considered to be the “must have” candle making book. It offers information for everyone including beginners and advanced. Another great choice is “The Encyclopedia of Candle Making Techniques”. This book has gotten rave reviews for providing quality information in an easy to understand form.
For those of you who have a solid foundation of basic candle making processes, consider trying “The Complete Candle Maker Techniques, Projects, and Inspirations”. The book offers great photos of forty different candles you can make. There are step by step instructions to help you make any of them that interest you. This book includes great tips and points as well to help candle makers avoid the common mistakes that affect the results of their candles.
For those of you who enjoy making candles for special occasions and holidays, the book “Creative Candles: Over 40 Inspiring Projects for Making and Decorating Candles for Every Occasion” by Sue Spear is a great book to consider for your collection. This book features candle making ideas for Halloween, Easter, and Christmas. There are also ideas for creating candles to use as center pieces and for wedding decorations.
If you are interested in doing candle making with your children, “Great Candles” is especially designed with fun candles that are easy to do with them. The book is also written in a way that children will be interested in reading it as well. The internet is a great resource to find other great candle making books to meet your expectations.
Candle making is a great pastime. You can educate yourself on the areas of candle making by exploring various books. There are books designed for all candle making levels of expertise as well as on particular themes of candles and types of candles. The market is flooded with resources in the area of candle making, so the process of tracking down a few good books on the subject should be easy as well as fairly inexpensive. Remember to check the library, local book sales, and yard sales for these books as well. Compare prices online to make sure you get the best price for the ones you are interested in.
The type of book you want to purchase will depend on your candle making experience, the types of candles you are interested in making, and if you are making candles for fun or to sell. Take the time to explore what each book has to offer you before making a purchase so that you won’t be disappointed. You might also check with your local library for books on candle making. If you find one there you really like then you have the option to purchase it. You can also find great discounts on used candle making books online at Ebay and Yahoo Auctions.
“The Candle Maker’s Companion” by Betty Oppenheimer and Deborah Balmuth is considered to be the “must have” candle making book. It offers information for everyone including beginners and advanced. Another great choice is “The Encyclopedia of Candle Making Techniques”. This book has gotten rave reviews for providing quality information in an easy to understand form.
For those of you who have a solid foundation of basic candle making processes, consider trying “The Complete Candle Maker Techniques, Projects, and Inspirations”. The book offers great photos of forty different candles you can make. There are step by step instructions to help you make any of them that interest you. This book includes great tips and points as well to help candle makers avoid the common mistakes that affect the results of their candles.
For those of you who enjoy making candles for special occasions and holidays, the book “Creative Candles: Over 40 Inspiring Projects for Making and Decorating Candles for Every Occasion” by Sue Spear is a great book to consider for your collection. This book features candle making ideas for Halloween, Easter, and Christmas. There are also ideas for creating candles to use as center pieces and for wedding decorations.
If you are interested in doing candle making with your children, “Great Candles” is especially designed with fun candles that are easy to do with them. The book is also written in a way that children will be interested in reading it as well. The internet is a great resource to find other great candle making books to meet your expectations.
Candle making is a great pastime. You can educate yourself on the areas of candle making by exploring various books. There are books designed for all candle making levels of expertise as well as on particular themes of candles and types of candles. The market is flooded with resources in the area of candle making, so the process of tracking down a few good books on the subject should be easy as well as fairly inexpensive. Remember to check the library, local book sales, and yard sales for these books as well. Compare prices online to make sure you get the best price for the ones you are interested in.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Candle Making for Fun or Profit
Candle making has virtually exploded onto the scene in recent years, as people have flocked to the craft as a hobby or with the desire to sell their handmade candles for profit.
Most people tend to gravitate toward candle making as they begin to realize just how much money they spend on candles. While learning the craft takes an investment of both time and money, it can be time well spent as it is easily achievable to make your own candles that are of comparable, if not better quality, than what is already available in the mass marketplace.
There are many reasons people burn candles: as air fresheners, to set a certain mood, for religious purposes, as a source of light, even as a tool to sell houses. And with the wide variety of candles available today such as container candles, pillar candles, gel candles, natural wax candles and candle tarts, there is bound to be a candle making specialty that appeals to anyone looking to have some fun with a new hobby or to grow a hobby into a substantial, thriving business.
The candle industry has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. The demand for candles is huge, and more and more people are beginning to look to candle making as a fun hobby, or as a way to supplement or entirely replace their income. Making candles part-time and selling them at various local craft shows or through local retailers is an excellent way to earn some extra cash.
For those individuals looking to take a more substantial leap into the craft, and perhaps even leave their current job, there are numerous ways to do so. Some candle makers wholesale candles to other retailers all over the country. Others set up their own websites and sell their candles at retail from an online store. Still others make their fortunes by primarily promoting their candles through fundraisers held by non-profit organizations.
While some people do see candles as a way to earn a living, others are choosing to continue their candle making activities purely as a hobby. There is much enjoyment in creating the perfect candle. By making your own candles, you can create candles designed specifically for your own personal tastes.
Maybe you prefer natural wax to paraffin wax and have a hard time finding natural wax candles. Now you can make your own. Maybe you can never find your favorite scent in a color you like. Not a problem. You can simply make some for yourself in any scent or color you desire. If you are truly a candle lover, learning to make your own candles can be personally rewarding - and a lot of fun!
Whatever your ultimate goals may be in making your own candles, it is a craft worth learning to do right. There are many books on the subject and the internet is filled with helpful hints, tips and resources. Dive in, dig deep and you will be amazed by the fantastic candles you can create. And the best part is, you get to say that you made them yourself.
Most people tend to gravitate toward candle making as they begin to realize just how much money they spend on candles. While learning the craft takes an investment of both time and money, it can be time well spent as it is easily achievable to make your own candles that are of comparable, if not better quality, than what is already available in the mass marketplace.
There are many reasons people burn candles: as air fresheners, to set a certain mood, for religious purposes, as a source of light, even as a tool to sell houses. And with the wide variety of candles available today such as container candles, pillar candles, gel candles, natural wax candles and candle tarts, there is bound to be a candle making specialty that appeals to anyone looking to have some fun with a new hobby or to grow a hobby into a substantial, thriving business.
The candle industry has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. The demand for candles is huge, and more and more people are beginning to look to candle making as a fun hobby, or as a way to supplement or entirely replace their income. Making candles part-time and selling them at various local craft shows or through local retailers is an excellent way to earn some extra cash.
For those individuals looking to take a more substantial leap into the craft, and perhaps even leave their current job, there are numerous ways to do so. Some candle makers wholesale candles to other retailers all over the country. Others set up their own websites and sell their candles at retail from an online store. Still others make their fortunes by primarily promoting their candles through fundraisers held by non-profit organizations.
While some people do see candles as a way to earn a living, others are choosing to continue their candle making activities purely as a hobby. There is much enjoyment in creating the perfect candle. By making your own candles, you can create candles designed specifically for your own personal tastes.
Maybe you prefer natural wax to paraffin wax and have a hard time finding natural wax candles. Now you can make your own. Maybe you can never find your favorite scent in a color you like. Not a problem. You can simply make some for yourself in any scent or color you desire. If you are truly a candle lover, learning to make your own candles can be personally rewarding - and a lot of fun!
Whatever your ultimate goals may be in making your own candles, it is a craft worth learning to do right. There are many books on the subject and the internet is filled with helpful hints, tips and resources. Dive in, dig deep and you will be amazed by the fantastic candles you can create. And the best part is, you get to say that you made them yourself.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Paraffin Wax vs. Natural Waxes
If you are a connoisseur of candles, then no doubt you have heard the great debate: paraffin wax vs. natural wax. While some candle makers choose to offer two separate candle lines, most crafters choose to focus their efforts on one type of wax or the other.
Although each wax offers its own benefits and drawbacks, one wax is not necessarily better than the other. It is up to you to decide which wax appeals to you and which you would prefer to work with. If you plan to sell your candles, you may also wish to keep in mind the types of shoppers you will be selling to when making your wax decision.
Paraffin candle wax has been around for centuries, and is most likely the wax that the majority of candle purchasers are familiar with. Paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct, and therefore it indirectly supports the petroleum industry. In today's marketplace, this fact alone has caused some long time candle makers to abandon their previous affinity for paraffin wax. As petroleum is a major component of paraffin wax, it also tends to emit more smoke and potentially hazardous toxins than its natural wax counterparts.
While there may be drawbacks to using paraffin, there are also many benefits. On the whole, paraffin tends to hold fragrance better, longer and easier than natural waxes. Typically, the scent throw (or strength of the scent emitted) from paraffin candles is stronger and can fill larger spaces more effectively. It is also typically easier for a candle maker to get fragrance to hold in the wax, avoiding fragrance 'seeping' issues. Overall, paraffin waxes tend to be less finicky than natural waxes, and require fewer additives and adjustments.
As an alternative to paraffin, natural waxes, such as soy, beeswax and palm wax, have become readily available to candle makers, and many are gravitating to these waxes for their natural and beneficial properties. While natural waxes may be slightly more expensive than paraffin, they are still an affordable option.
Because the scent throw of natural waxes is typically softer than paraffin, sometimes attaining a strong scent throw, or getting heavier amounts of fragrance oil to blend well with the wax, can be a challenge. Esthetic concerns are also usually more of an issue with natural waxes. Soy wax, for example, is prone to 'frosting', a white residue that can form on the tops and sides of the candle. Natural waxes may also have a tendency to form bubbles which make the candles less attractive to the eye.
On the flipside, there are many benefits to natural waxes. Overall, they do burn cleaner with less soot than paraffin candles, avoiding sooty build-up on walls. They also clean up with just soap and water in the event of a spill. Finally, they tend to appeal to many people because of their agricultural origins. Rather than support the petroleum industry as paraffin does, natural wax candles support agriculture.
Consider who you are selling your candles to, and what your own personal preferences are, when selecting the best wax for you. Regardless of which you choose, either type of wax is capable of producing excellent candles that you and your customers will enjoy.
Although each wax offers its own benefits and drawbacks, one wax is not necessarily better than the other. It is up to you to decide which wax appeals to you and which you would prefer to work with. If you plan to sell your candles, you may also wish to keep in mind the types of shoppers you will be selling to when making your wax decision.
Paraffin candle wax has been around for centuries, and is most likely the wax that the majority of candle purchasers are familiar with. Paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct, and therefore it indirectly supports the petroleum industry. In today's marketplace, this fact alone has caused some long time candle makers to abandon their previous affinity for paraffin wax. As petroleum is a major component of paraffin wax, it also tends to emit more smoke and potentially hazardous toxins than its natural wax counterparts.
While there may be drawbacks to using paraffin, there are also many benefits. On the whole, paraffin tends to hold fragrance better, longer and easier than natural waxes. Typically, the scent throw (or strength of the scent emitted) from paraffin candles is stronger and can fill larger spaces more effectively. It is also typically easier for a candle maker to get fragrance to hold in the wax, avoiding fragrance 'seeping' issues. Overall, paraffin waxes tend to be less finicky than natural waxes, and require fewer additives and adjustments.
As an alternative to paraffin, natural waxes, such as soy, beeswax and palm wax, have become readily available to candle makers, and many are gravitating to these waxes for their natural and beneficial properties. While natural waxes may be slightly more expensive than paraffin, they are still an affordable option.
Because the scent throw of natural waxes is typically softer than paraffin, sometimes attaining a strong scent throw, or getting heavier amounts of fragrance oil to blend well with the wax, can be a challenge. Esthetic concerns are also usually more of an issue with natural waxes. Soy wax, for example, is prone to 'frosting', a white residue that can form on the tops and sides of the candle. Natural waxes may also have a tendency to form bubbles which make the candles less attractive to the eye.
On the flipside, there are many benefits to natural waxes. Overall, they do burn cleaner with less soot than paraffin candles, avoiding sooty build-up on walls. They also clean up with just soap and water in the event of a spill. Finally, they tend to appeal to many people because of their agricultural origins. Rather than support the petroleum industry as paraffin does, natural wax candles support agriculture.
Consider who you are selling your candles to, and what your own personal preferences are, when selecting the best wax for you. Regardless of which you choose, either type of wax is capable of producing excellent candles that you and your customers will enjoy.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Beginner's Candle Making Kit
This Basic Candle Making Kit has everything you need to make your first pillar candles, including 10 pounds of candle wax, enough to make ten 3" x 4.5" pillars! The Basic Candle making Kit includes a variety of candle molds, waxes, additives, dyes, fragrances, and wicks as well as a candlemaking book to tell you how to put it all together! Contents may vary from the photo shown. This kit is a great value and you'll enjoy learning to make your own candles.
Beginner's Candle Making Kit
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