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Basic Requirements for Candle
Making are:
* a place to work (it is too
dangerous and messy for the kitchen)
* adequate storage space for materials
* a relatively cool place to put finished candles (they will
sag in hot temperatures)
* utensils to melt and blend the waxes, molds and wax additives.
Startup supplies should include
wax (sold in sheets or slabs), colors, stearic acid, temperature
gauge, double broiler, a heating medium, molds and mold accessories
(wick, lead, clay, etc).
Equipment and supplies to get
started at the crafts level should run in neighborhood of $200
from a professional supplier like Pourette (see Business Sources).
The candle making process is
not complicated, but does require time and attention to detail
for safety reasons as well as product quality.
Melting wax is highly volatile
and can catch fire easily (this is why double broilers are used)if
one isn't very careful. In the standard molding process, raw
wax is melted and brought to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
During this time, certain additives
such as stearic acid, colors and scents are added. Meanwhile,
the mold is cleaned and sprayed with release (silicon). A wick
inserted from the bottom and tied to a stick across the top and
the hole in the bottom sealed with clay.
Note that the top of the mold
equates to the bottom of the candle, and vice versa! Heavy lead
wires (weights) are wrapped around the bottom of the mold.
The mold placed in a convenient
position to receive the hot wax. When the wax is ready it is
slowly and carefully poured down the side of the mold to prevent
bubbles from forming.. The mold is filled to the top.
The remaining wax is kept at
ready temperature and used to refill the hollow that forms as
the wax shrinks, a natural result of the cooling process.
During this process the mold
is frequently placed in cool water to speed the cooling process
(the reason for the lead wire). If the candles meant to be hollow
(like hurricane candle), the still molten center is poured back
as soon as the sides cool to the desired thickness (about 1/2
inch). When cool, the candle is removed from the mold, the wick
trimmed and any final touches made.
Molds can be solid plaster of
pairs,metal or metal shells, or flexible plastic. The flexible
plastic and metal molds are the most popular. It is difficult
to make your own molds for many projects. Most anything can be
used for a mold -- from hollowed out wet sand to paper cones.
To make a flexible rubber mold,
coat the subject with the commercial silicon formula and paint
on successive coats (after each coat dries) of compound until
the desired thickness is reached.
Allow your mold to cure and
then simply peel it off and start making casts. The procedure
for using most molds is similar except that some need to be fastened
together (2 or more parts and some need to be supported (in sand,
plaster or even water).
There are unlimited variations
that can result in strikingly different and very impressive candles.
One is dipping a partially formed
candle into vats of different colored wax, then peeling back
layers with a knife to reveal the contrasting colors and textures.
Another is filling a cavity
in damp sand with wax, which yields a candle with a sandy surface.
One "secret" technique
was discovered by accident. A rubber mold was made of a wooden
statue purchased in the Philippines. The statue had been made
by aborigines who used shoe polish for a "stained"
finish.
The heat from the mold curing
process caused the shoe polish to break away from the wood and
mar the smooth finish. The resulting mold imparted a pitted or
frosted type surface to the molded candle -- not desired (and
expected) smooth shiny surface.
The candle maker made several
black candles and applied bronze. "rub and Buff" and
the results were fantastic. The candles looked like they were
made of solid bronze and sold like wildfire!
The way to get started is to
order supplies and begin as a craft or hobby. Get your wax from
as close to home as possible to save on freight (you will need
about 50lbs. to start).When you feel confident of your ability
and have a pretty good idea of the market, you are ready to consider
becoming a business. Make up some samples, take some pictures
and sell.
The difficult part is marketing
( due to competition from commercial, import and hobby candle
makers). Some suggested techniques are:
a. Concentrate initially on
a few items that you can produce expertly on a fairly large scale
for wholesaling to gift stores. Examples: Anniversary or hurricane
candles.
b. Develop an "original"
candle or series and market them as exclusives, either wholesale
or retail. Examples: Statue of local hero, school emblem.
c. Visit local retailers and
ask what they could use at what price; plan your production with
their responses in mind.
d. Set up a display (rent a
window in a vacant store) to show candles you have to offer;
include a sign with your number or address.
e. Organize candle making classes,
charge a fee and sell not only the finished products but supplies
as well.
f. Rent a booth at a good flea
market each holiday season and "test" the market and
sell of any remaining stock.
g. Have professional pictures
taken of your best work, make up a catalog or send the pictures
and descriptions (of candles you can mass produce) to catalog
houses.
Anyone who works with candles
just a few weeks will automatically come up with numerous original
ideas and variations.
That is one of the beauties
of this craft -- it almost forces you to be creative! Whether
you produce a low volume of exquisite, high quality candles or
a high volume of easier to produce candles, big ones or little
ones is entirely up to you.
One candle may be highly profitable
if it is a work of art. Note that candle making does not restrict
you to wax only. You can sell other items that are decorated
or complimented by candles, such as driftwood centerpieces with
candles.
Soap making is very similar
to candle making in that they are both molded, colored, and scented.
In fact, many of the molds and
ingredients are interchangeable. Plaster craft is also related
(the same molds can be used, so long as they are thoroughly cleaned).
For ceramics you use totally
different and much more expensive) equipment, though many of
the artistic skills are very similar.
The most glaring potential problem
area in candle making is the danger of fire from the wax. Don't
even THINK of melting wax without a good double broiler and fire
extinguisher handy.
If the wax were to boil over,
splash onto an open flame (or red heating element) a very serious
fire could result. Anytime you are melting wax, make sure it
is watched CONSTANTLY and that it is not allowed to get too hot.
BUSINESS SOURCES
POURETTE MFG. CO.,6818 Roosevelt
Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, 206/525-4488. Candle and soap making
equipment and supplies. Old, reliable company.
CAROLINA SOAP & CANDLE MAKERS,
Southern Pines, NC 28387. Line of wholesale candles.
K & L CANDLES, Box 322,
Warren, RI 02885. Line of religious and 250 other types of candles
and related products. |
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