I began making candle when I was 12 years old. I started out with a small kit I received as a Christmas gift. I even used an old coffee can to melt my wax! As crude as that may have been, my love for the art of candle making survived through the years. I made candles for my own personal use, but I found that candle making could be profitable. So, I started my own business. I will proceed with giving you as many helpful ideas as possible.
Candle making is truly an art, and it takes a lot of patience, and time. There were hours of studying involved as well; there are certain Do's and Don'ts in making viable, safe candles. Safety is of the utmost concern!! Both for the maker and the user. I went straight to the web for answers. Although there are many interesting sites when it comes to making candles, there are only a few I would recommend. If you plan on experimenting with candle making I recommend hitting the web for beginners classes offered online. But if you already know that making candles is what you want to do, and you want to start a business, I would check out http://www.pioneerthinking.com/advancecandles.html for some professional advice.
Let's get down to the basics of candle making. There are many things to consider when making candles. There are a variety of scents, colors, waxes, and techniques with which to experiment. Put on your happy face, and get started! As I said previously, studying these different aspects of candle making will go along way when it finally comes time to start producing them.
The following is a list of things to consider when attempting to learn candle making:
Type of wax - gel, soy, traditional
Type of Wick - zinc, traditional, and size
Color - many varieties
Scent - again many varieties
Type of Candle - pillar, container, votive, etc...
Work Area - where and amount of space
Safety - Warning Labels and information regarding temperature
Occasion - Christmas, Birthday, Halloween, etc...
While this by no means covers all the issues, it would be highly recommended to do some research as you will be liable if anything BAD happens from the product you are creating!!
Gel Candles
Personally, I think gel candles are the most interesting to make. At the same time, they can be the most difficult . The temperature of the wax before pouring is of the utmost importance, as the result will depend on it. Gel candles hold a great deal of scent, and can burn hours longer than the traditional wax candle. Adding a layered look to the candle is quite easy also. Try adding some special effects to this candle for a more personal touch. Special effects(embeds) may include seashells, rocks, or even sand for a nautical look. The wick type is extremely important due to the properties of the gel. Zinc wicks, which are what's needed for gel candles, have replaced the old lead wick (safety reasons cited). Check out http://www.gelcandlemaking.com/ for some helpful tips from those who have been making candles much longer than I.
Soy Candles
Soy is a unique and fairly new form of wax. It is made from the soybean. Soy is easiest to clean, and the longer more cleaner burning wax product. My personal opinion is that this is true. Soy wax melts easier than the others, and clean up is a snap! A little soap and water and that's all you need! Soy candles hold scent well, and there is little soot or residue after burning this candle. A definite keeper in my opinion. The price for soy wax varies from company to company so a little research is needed to find the best price per pound. For example, I purchased 50lbs. of soy wax at just under $1.01 a pound. This is a great profit maker! For more information on soy wax visit: http://iasoybeans.com/ispb/soycandles.html
Closing Thoughts
I could go on for hours, but I think you get the drift. Study, experiment, and don't give up! Try lots of different combinations, but do follow the advice regarding compatibility of your products.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS- USE WARNING LABELS!! Even if you give your finished product as a gift.
And ALWAYS have fun! The greater the "scents" of joy you have in your finished product, the greater the reward ~ financial or otherwise.
Other Links
http://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/products.html