I started making traditional and decorated beeswax candles 3 1/2 years ago. By "traditional" I mean plain pillars, tea lights, votives and tapers. The decorated ones are either square or round pillars, made in various moulds. I add many things to the sides of the candle after it is made and dip it back in the wax so it has a soft look. I use photographs, flowers, naturally-found objects, etc. and embellish the candles with ribbons, buttons, etc. I also use dyes which come from natural spices and plant powders. I diffuse the powders into the wax to create colourful dyes. I am inspired by nature and the changing seasons.
I got started because I was looking for some beeswax with which to do batik. After I found a small amount of wax, I decided to try making some candles and fell in love with the smell and everything else about them. I still haven't got around to doing any batik. :)
I have the most fun making the layered pillars. These candles have different-coloured layers, and the coloured wax drips down the candle to create one-of-a-kind patterns. I never know what they will look like, and am always excited to take them out of the mould to see what I have.
One of my favourite pieces is a white pillar candle. The white wax has been naturally whitened, using a charcoal filtering technique, and I buy it like that. I took an old drawing of a landscape that my son did, photocopied it onto tissue wrapping paper and then glued the tissue paper onto the candle. Then I dipped the whole thing into hot white wax to give it a nice sheen.
I have the most fun making the layered pillars. These candles have different-coloured layers, and the coloured wax drips down the candle to create one-of-a-kind patterns. I never know what they will look like, and am always excited to take them out of the mould to see what I have.
One of my favourite pieces is a white pillar candle. The white wax has been naturally whitened, using a charcoal filtering technique, and I buy it like that. I took an old drawing of a landscape that my son did, photocopied it onto tissue wrapping paper and then glued the tissue paper onto the candle. Then I dipped the whole thing into hot white wax to give it a nice sheen.
The most difficult part of the process is cleaning the wax. I get it from a local beekeeper, so it has not been commercially filtered. I do the filtering at home in my basement, which is where I make my candles. It is not really a difficult job, just time-consuming.
What I like about making and selling candles is the beautiful smell that I get to work with, the fact that I get to meet a lot of new people and I can please people with my creations. Most of all, I love being able to take a simple candle and make it into a work of art, and a beautiful piece of home decor. I like working with beeswax because it is a natural product that produces a lovely glow and healthy burn, which doesn't pollute our homes like other commercially-produced paraffin candle products. No artificial scents or dyes are added.
What I like about making and selling candles is the beautiful smell that I get to work with, the fact that I get to meet a lot of new people and I can please people with my creations. Most of all, I love being able to take a simple candle and make it into a work of art, and a beautiful piece of home decor. I like working with beeswax because it is a natural product that produces a lovely glow and healthy burn, which doesn't pollute our homes like other commercially-produced paraffin candle products. No artificial scents or dyes are added.
The travel tin is a good seller. It burns for 13 hours. I enjoy finding photos, or magazine cut-outs with which to decorate the tin tops.
When I'm not creating I volunteer with the local chapter of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan to raise money for the education of women and girls in Afghanistan. I also volunteer with the Kids on the Block program, in which I travel to elementary schools with an employee of the Canadian Mental Health Association. We put on puppet shows for the school-children talking about mental health issues, divorce, bullying , etc.. I also play bassoon with the Kawartha Community Orchestra (we 're always eager to welcome to new members) and I belong to the Trinity United Church hand bell ringing choir. In addition, I am the editor/writer with Discovering Women magazine which is published four times a year in Peterborough.
I sell my candles at other craft shows; Simple Soap Store on George St., Peterborough; The Green-Up Store on Aylmer St., Peterborough; Stuff Store on Queen Street in Lakefield; and Gallery in the Attic on Hunter Street, Peterborough.
"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle". This applies to all aspects of life. We lose nothing of ourselves by giving to others, but when we do we light up the lives of many. ~ Melodie McCullogh. See her on Facebook: This Old Flame.