Candles From A-Z

Making candles is a fun hobby enjoyed by thousands of people worldwide. It can also be a very lucrative hobby for some. Some very large candle companies are those that started out as a part-time hobby. The best thing about candle making is that you don't have to spend a fortune to start. Unlike some other hobbies that require special equipment or accessories when you are making candles you can use unscented wax and whatever type of bottles you may have around the house. Most start small, and once they get the feel they start experimenting with different types of wax and with fragrances.

Candle making is an easy thing to learn how to do along with being a great way to express your artistic abilities. From the choice of wax to the choice of candle shape, color and fragrance it's all in your hands. Homemade candles make wonderful gifts for family and friends or birthdays, holidays or special occasions. If you know your best friends favorite scent is lavender wouldn't it be wonderful to make her a lavender scented candle in a container that you know matches the theme of her home? She would love it.

Don't fret though, if you don't want to become a candle maker you can still easily find quality scented candles online with easy online searches. You may actually be amazed at the number you find. It's become very hip and chic to buy expensive scented candles. No longer does just bayberry or cinnamon or ocean mist scented candles fit the bill. Although these are still popular today as with everything there are now designer scented candles. Diptyque is one brand. They have very sophisticated and complex fragranced candles. Diptyque candles are available in scents you've never heard of such as black-currant leaves fig and firewood.

If you really don't have any interest in learning how to make candles that's OK too. There are literally thousands available for sale. Some are manufactured by well known brands like Yankee Candles or White Barn Candles or Diptyque Candles, some are lesser know, those home businesses that we mentioned above. While Yankee Candles have the fragrances that we all know like Christmas Pine or Cookie Dough, designer candles like Diptyque have bolder more sophisticated fragrances such as Garden Mint, Honey, Mimosa and Myrrh.

One of the best inventions since the candle is the electric candle warmer. When a candle in a glass jar is placed on top of the electric candle warmer the wax slowly melts allowing the fragrance to enter the air, without the use of fire. It's a much safer way to enjoy your candles. You can plug in an electric candle warmer and leave it on overnight, or all day if you wish. Just remember that the wax will become liquefied so you still need to use precautions.

You may also find candles made from all natural soy wax and not paraffin wax. More and more home candle makers and candle manufacturers are using all natural soy wax over paraffin. Paraffin wax is not ecologically friendly as soy wax is. Paraffin wax actually contains some toxins that are released into the air when the candle is lit, soy wax is pure. Paraffin wax is also a by product of the production of oil, soy wax is a totally renewable crop grown by farmers. Soy candles don't burn as hot as paraffin wax candles.

Some of the most popular quality scented candles on the market today are White Barn Candles and Classic Candles Scentsations Candles. These are modestly priced quality scented candles. Don't be surprised though if you see some brands, such as Diptyque selling at $48.00. There is a big difference in quality of candles between makers. There are different types of wax, such as paraffin and natural soy wax, and then different grades of paraffin wax. Candle making is an art that requires attention to detail as wax must be melted to a specific temperature before fragrance and coloring are added. It must then be cooled to a specific temperature before it can be poured into the container or mold. The choice of wick is important. A quality candle will have a long burn life and will burn evenly and cleanly.

As with most things, you get what you pay for when you purchase candles. If you're not particularly interested in quality scent or the quality of the burn, if you just want a decorative candle you can find them for any price. However, there are many differences in quality of candles because there are many different qualities of wax and coloring and fragrance agents used by candle makers. If you want a candle for scent, and want a candle that will burn evenly you'll want to spend a bit more to ensure you get these qualities.