Candle QA

The world would still be in the dark if it were not for the candle. Mankind evolved from a burning branch into a wax candle to light the way. But in the modern home most candles are either purely decorative or they are used to freshen the home from smelly odors. There are entire lines of candles devoted expressly to scenting an area of your home. Many people have forgotten how important a candle can be until they need it.

Candles do not run on batteries and can light up a darkened room on a stormy night. Candles can set the mood for a romantic evening for two or can brighten up a birthday cake. Candles have proven very useful over the years but many people have simply no clue as to how they are made. This article will cover some of the basic questions you may have about candles, how they are made and how you can enjoy candles in your own home made by your very own hand.

What is the history of the candle?

Since the invention of fire mankind has needed some light to hold off the darkness. Having a flaming torch was not always the answer. No one knows who the first person was that created a candle out of wax or fat but it is known that without them we would not be where we are today with electricity. The first known candles were nothing more than a vat of fuel with a cloth placed inside as the wick. The fuel source later evolved into a hard paraffin or wax that could be easily transported by the person using the candle. This history of the candle dates back to before 400 B.C. with the Egyptians. That is quite a long time for the candle to evolve.

What are candles made of?

A candle can be made of many different things. Early candles found in the ruins of the Egyptians and Chinese gave us candles that were made out of wax that came from ground up seeds and insects. Candles can be made from animal fat such as whale blubber, from cinnamon and from paraffin which is the most commonly used substance today. Early settlers in New England made candles from Bayberries and you can still find candles made from this today though they are a bit expensive since it takes so many to make one candle.

How are candles made?

Candles are made up of two things: a fat, wax or paraffin and a wick. Extra things such as scents or decorations are added to make the appearance and smell of the candle better and more appealing. The paraffin is heated and poured into a mold. The wick is then inserted and held in place by a rod so that it remains upright during the hardening process. After the candle is hardened it is then removed from the mold. It is that simple to make a candle if you have the right equipment.

Can I make a candle at home?

Yes, candle making is very easy at home if you have the proper ingredients and tools necessary to do the job. There are even kits you can buy at retail stores and online that include everything you need to make your very own candle. If you have the tools and just need the ingredients to make the candle you can check out EBay. EBay has many auctions for waxes, scents and even candle holders that you can bid on and win. Some auctions even feature a 'Buy it now' that allows you to skip the bidding part.

What types of candles are there?

There are votive, taper, square, round and many more shapes of candles. The candles themselves can be made out of wax, paraffin, tallow or even Bayberry. In the past candles were made out of animal fat, insects, seeds and anything else that provided a wax or fuel source for the candle to burn.

Can I make a career out of candle making?

Yes, yes you can make a career out of candle making. Once you have the necessary supplies and tools you will be amazed at how simple and inexpensive it is to make candles. You will have to make more than just the basic candle though if you hope to make money with your candles. People expect scented candles and/or intricate designs to help beautify their home. Candles are now considered a luxury, not a necessity.

What types of scents can I put into my candle?

If there is a scent in the world, you can probably find the oil to put into your candle. That is meaning to say that the scent is entirely up to you. There is a wide range of essential oils to add to candles that can be added to create a scented candle. You may like the smell of apples and cinnamon or lavender. It is entirely up to you to decide what scented candle you wish to make. You can even combine scents in different layers of the candle.

How do I add objects into my candle?

One of the biggest mistakes novice candle makers will make is to add fresh flowers to their candle wax. The wax causes the flower to wilt and you will wind up with a shriveled flower that has lost its color and shape. Using dried flowers will eliminate this. You can also add objects like shells and other decorative items. The key is to placing them in the candle before it hardens. You shouldn't place the item in while it is still solely in liquid form. Wait a few minutes then gently insert the objects. This keeps them from settling at the bottom of the candle.

How do I get the intricate designs I see in stores into my homemade candle?

There are a wide variety of things you can do to a candle. It is an extremely versatile craft. You can add objects into the candle for added visual pleasure or you can try the technique of making a multi layered candle with each layer having its own scent. The trick is to have a mold and pouring in wax 1/3 of the way. After it hardens then you add a different color of wax with a different scent. Let this layer harden and then repeat the process until the wax is at the top of your container. You can also buy decorative molds from your craft store that will leave pretty patterns on the outside of the candle.

How much should I sell my candles for?

In order to determine how much the candles should sell for you need to figure out a few things. How much did the material cost you? How many candles were you able to make out of the material? Take the cost of the material and divide by the number of candles that were made. The resulting number is how much it cost per candle. Now figure in the percentage of your time and effort plus how much profit you wish to make per candle. Just remember to not go too high or people will not buy your candles if they can find them cheaper somewhere else.

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