Glow Diva Candles

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Update

My shipment of natural wax came in, so I have been really busy making candles. I got two different types of wax; a 100% soy wax, and a soy/natural wax blend. I think I'm going to work with the natural wax blend; it's easy to work with and the resulting candles have a wonderful burn. Its natural scent is very pleasant, and both the commercial scents and essential oils seem to cover it easily. I had to order it from PA, and shipping was insane, so hopefully I will find a source closer to home.

I got a new melting pot that is just so slick to work with; it melts the wax in a fraction of the time, and without having to use the double-boiler and stove top method. A neighbor was giving away a large metal table and a small nightstand a couple weeks ago, so my neighbor/friend John and I grabbed those up, and Dave set up a workshop for me in the garage. Based on all the wonderful encouragement I've gotten from my friends (thanks ladies!! You know who you are!! :), I am really going to try to get this candle business going in 2005. I am ready and raring to go!

I have been working really hard on the Keepsake Candles, since people have expressed the most interest in those. I also have lots of ideas that play off the photo candle idea, so if I get a good solid technique down, I think they will be popular. I still have some work to do before I will get consistent results, but I am making some good progress.

I've been kicking around some ideas for names. So far I've come up with two; Glow Diva Candles (the logo would be a goddess figure, since diva is another word for goddess (thanks Diva*Mama! lol)), or Fey Illumine, since they would be sold on my aunt's site, which is Fey Communique. If anybody has any thoughts or opinions on those (good or bad!), or other suggestions, please share. You can email me privately if you don't want to post a comment.

SO, that's what I've been up to with the candles. Sorry I've been so quiet lately, things got crazy with the holidays and company arriving. Now that things are winding down, I hope to be around much more. :) I hope everyone had a very happy holiday with their families. :)

Green Chunks

Some new chunk candles! These have been turning out really nice, I love the look. These have been scented with a Cucumber Melon candle scent (not essential oils, in other words). I've been having fun playing, as you can see. :) I gave most of these new ones away as Christmas gifts (the ones that turned out anyway!), so I didn't get to keep any of my really nice ones. I have plenty of candles to do burn tests on now, though! The "rejects" still look pretty good, so I can't complain. :)

Keepsake Candle - Natural

Another Keepsake Candle, this one made with the all-natural soy blend wax. I used this one for a burn test, and the natural wax just burns SO nice. I'm really glad I'm getting away from the paraffin.

Starburst

Here are some "starburst" pattern candles (the formation on top reminds me of a starburst). The two in front are prototype Yule candles, made with myrrh and bayberry. I plan to offer a set of two small pillar candles for Yule; one as seen here, and the other will be green with pine scent (thanks for the great idea, Barb!). I will probably make larger ones as well, in case somebody wants a single large pillar instead.

Soft Colors

I've been experimenting with new coloring techniques, and I really like how these turned out. I bought some regular candle scent, and these just smell SO good. The two in front have a Moonlight Path scent (*love* it!), and the tall one is Jasmine. Too bad I had to give them up as gifts. ;)

Sunday, December 05, 2004

Evergreen

After three attempts, this candle is finally finished! The first time, I tried to put the pine piece inside the mold and pour the wax over it; it was too embedded, so it didn't show up the way I wanted. So I chopped it up and remelted it. The next pouring, I tried to take it out of the mold before it was completely cool, and yanked the wick right out of the candle. So when it DID cool, I chopped it up and remelted it again. I didn't get the deep green color I was going for, either, but I was afraid to add too much more dye and keep fiddling with it, so I just used it as-is (and there was no way I was going to melt and pour it yet again!). The embellishment took me a long time, but I think it looks nice. And, I added pine essential oil, so it smells faintly of pine.