About Samantha Expertise I can answer general questions on candle and soapmaking, questions on how to get supplies, how your creations should look when finished, and project troubleshooting. I can help you choose the right wick or wax, and answer safety issues, as well as fun stuff, like how to design a website for your new candle/soap business!
Experience I have been doing this as a hobby for five years, and am just starting to turn it into a business!
Organizations None
Publications None
Education/Credentials Bachelors of Science in Computer Science
Awards and Honors Member of Alpha Chi Omega (Honor Society)
Member of Delta Episilon Sigma (Honor Society)
Question Samatha;
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I know absolutely nothing about
candles except I do love them. I sell antique
furniture and quilts and I thought the candles
would be a great addity. It would be a great
side line and a wonderful gift for my friends.
Thanks
Regena Smith
Answer Hi, Regena!
Selling candles as a business requires a lot of work, commitment, testing, and I guess, dough! There are a lot of factors in candlemaking that can mean the difference between a safe candle and a hazardous one. The first step is to decide what kinds of candles you would like to make. There are votives, pillars, and containers. Each one of these candles have different properties. Container candles need to adhere to the container they are in, pillars need tobe able to stand freely while being burnt, and votives melt in a way that they must be burned in a snug fitting votive holder.
What you will need to make candles is wax, scent, dye, molds, wicks, and finally additives if you are using a unblended wax. A blended wax means the additives are already in it. I want to warn you that products you get from the craft store are in no way sufficient for this craft unless the products are for yourself and friends. There is almost no scent throw.
You need to pick a wick that is correct for the diameter of the candle you are making. You also need to take into account the "wax formula" you are using. What I mean by that is some scents and dyes need to "wicked up" meanin your need touse a bigger wick.
You in the end need to test for scent throw, burning, quality, and safety before selling your candles. Check out the Candle Cauldron website for wonderful instructions on candlemaking. Also, play around on the Bittercreek website. They are supplies for candle and soap makers, and they have tons of instruction sheets, and helpful hints. I would probably suggest also picking up a simple candlemaking book from your bookstore to start to get your feet wet before trying to create your own perfect candle formula!
