Candle Making – Common Questions Answered
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.
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 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 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.
By Crafts Editor
