Why Should You Care Who Makes The Candles You Burn?

Before I began making candles I took them for 

granted.  An occasional candle would be lit here 

and there but I was by no means an avid candle person.

I fell into that role when my neighbor and I 

began making candles to give her something to do 

in her retirement.

That was in 2005.

Beverly loved candles and had burned

them nearly all of the time.

She loved to take ends of paraffin candles and 

melt them, wick them and make her own candles.

However, when we decided to make a 

business of making candles we began studying.

We found out all of the benefits of soy wax.

We also loved the look of gel tea cups.

So we learned about gel too.

Unfortunately this was right after a major

recall because a

 bunch of gel candles had caught on fire

or blown up so there was a lot of fear

associated with the gel.

Lazy candlemakers had not taken the time

to learn what could or could not be done safely.

The good thing about this was that there was

a lot of information available which taught us what

was safe and not safe to use.

It was very specific.

Companies had begun testing their products

for gel compatibility.

Each oil has a different flash point.

It is very important to know what they are!!

We took all of this very seriously.

After all, neither of us wanted to be 

responsible for a fire or explosion.

Over the next year or two we learned much 

about working with both gel and soy.

How much fragrance oil could we put in

both of these and get the desired result?

What was the optimal temperature to pour 

these candles?

What size of wick did each candle require?

There are so many details that go into the making

of a great candle.

We didn't get it completely right in the beginning.

Sadly some of our first customers undoubtedly 

wondered about the candles they purchased.

Never a safety issue, of that I am sure...

but many were definitely underwicked.

However, after years of working with wax

and wicks I have found the combination that 

works.  I know how much fragrance oil to use,

how large of a wick...or how many wicks.

I get the temperature right when melting the wax.

I've learned not to add the fragrance oil while the wax is

too hot or I lose the fragrance to evaporation.

So many details......

I have found suppliers who deliver quality

products each and every time.

Believe me, they are not all

so ethical or dependable.

So, again I ask...

why should you care who makes your candle?

Safety first.

Quality of ingredients used.

Performance of the burn.

It all matters.

Trust me.

Am I perfect?

Nope!

Sometimes I get a dud wick,

or in the situation of a decor candle,

as opposed to a jar candle,

I underestimate the wicking needs.

Sizes and shapes definitely make that 

a bit more of a guessing game.

If you are ever disappointed with a candle 

that I have made I want to hear from you.

I will do everything within my power 

to make it right.

NOTE:  If you have had your eye on a
one of a kind but haven't decided for sure
this might be the time make up your mind.
I'm taking everything to a show on Monday
night and giving them 25% off the retail price.
To be fair I am offering you the same deal
between now and when I put my shop on
a mini vacation while I am gone.
Use coupon code OOAK25 at the check out.
You may use this code for any candle or combination
of candles in my shop beginning now and running
until late Monday afternoon.

EDITED TO ADD:

I just found these adorable candles on
EtsyLush.  You would never want to burn
them but the profits go to the Red Cross
Relief Fund in Japan.
Are these not CUTE??????

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70146631/japan-aid-100-percent-profits-to-red

So cute!
I had to show you!