Handmade Candles

Choosing handmade scented candles over mass-produced ones offers numerous benefits that are worth considering.

Environmentally Friendly: One of the most significant advantages of handmade candles is their minimal environmental impact. They are often made from natural ingredients like soy wax, coconut wax or beeswax, which are renewable resources. In contrast, mass-produced candles often use paraffin, a byproduct of petroleum, which contributes to air pollution when burned.

Quality Assurance: Handmade candles provide a level of quality assurance that mass-produced candles can't match. Because they're individually crafted and checked by a real person, there's an attention to detail that ensures each candle meets high standards. On the contrary, factories rely on machinery for consistency, which can sometimes result in compromised quality.

Unique and Personal: Handmade candles are unique and personal. Artisans pour their creativity into each piece, resulting in one-of-a-kind designs and scents you won't find in mass-produced candles. This individuality can add a special touch to your home decor or make for a thoughtful gift.

Supporting Small Businesses: By choosing handmade candles, you're supporting small businesses and artisans who are passionate about their craft. This not only helps local economies but also promotes the continuation of traditional crafting methods.

Health Benefits: Many handmade candles are made with essential oils, or high quaility phthalate free fragrance oils. Mass-produced candles, conversely, often contain lower quality synthetic fragrances that can trigger allergies or other health issues.

Handmade soy candles are indeed worth the investment for several reasons:

Sustainability: Soy candles are made from soy, coconut, or beeswax, renewable resources. This is in contrast to paraffin candles which are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.

Burn Time: Soy candles burn slower and cooler than paraffin candles, lasting up to 50% longer. This means that even though soy candles may be more expensive to purchase initially, over time you may actually save money because you're buying fewer candles.

Health Benefits: Unlike paraffin candles, soy candles do not release toxins into the air as they burn. They also produce less soot, which is not only better for your health but also for your walls and furniture.

Quality of Scent: Many people find that soy blend candles have a more pleasant, natural scent compared to paraffin candles. The reason for this is that soy wax has a lower melting point, which allows the fragrance to disperse gradually into the environment.

Support Small Businesses: Many handmade soy candles are made by small businesses and artisans. By purchasing these candles, you are supporting small businesses and contributing to the local economy.

So, while the upfront cost of a handmade soy candle may be higher than a mass-produced candle, the longer burn time, health benefits, quality of scent, and support of small businesses make it a worthwhile investment.

Caring for and maintaining your handmade scented candle can significantly extend its lifespan and enhance your experience. Here are some tips:

First Burn: The first burn is crucial. Allow the wax to melt across the entire surface to the edges of the container. This prevents tunneling and promotes an even burn for the duration of the candle's life.

Trim the Wick: Before each burn, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. This helps control the size of the flame and reduces soot or smoke. A pair of dedicated wick trimmers can make this task easy.

Center the Wick: After each burn, ensure the wick is centered in the candle. This prevents the flame from too closely touching the container, which can cause it to overheat.

Avoid Drafts: Keep your candle away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans, or any air current. Drafts can cause rapid and uneven burning, and excessive flickering resulting in a shorter candle life.

Storage: Store your candle in a cool, dark, and dry place. Excessive heat or light exposure can cause the candle to discolor and the fragrance to fade.

By following these steps, you can prolong the life of your handmade soy candle, improve its performance, and enjoy the full aromatic potential it has to offer.

When searching for a high-quality hand made candle, there are several factors to consider:

Wax Type: Look for candles made from natural waxes like soy,coconut or beeswax. These burn cleaner and longer than paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum.

Fragrance: High-quality candles typically use essential oils or high-quality fragrance oils. Avoid candles that don't specify the type of fragrance used, as they might contain synthetic scents that can be less pleasant and potentially harmful.

Wick Material: The best candles have wicks made from cotton or wood. Avoid candles with metal-core wicks, as they can potentially release harmful substances when burned.

Candle Size and Burn Time: High-quality candles often provide information about their burn time. A longer burn time often indicates better quality, as it suggests the use of superior wax and a well-crafted wick.

Transparency: Reputable candle makers will be transparent about their ingredients and manufacturing process. If this information isn't readily available, don't hesitate to ask.

Presentation: While not a definitive indicator of quality, presentation can offer clues. Handmade candles often come in reusable containers and may have unique, artistic designs. High-quality packaging can also indicate a maker who pays attention to detail.

Remember, a higher price doesn't always mean better quality. Use these tips to ensure you're getting the most value for your money.

The lifespan of a made by hand candle can vary greatly depending on its size, the type of wax used, and how it's burned. On average, smaller candles may last around 20 hours, while larger ones can burn for up to 50 hours or more. This is based on burning the candle for about 3-4 hours at a time, which is generally recommended to ensure an even melt pool and prevent tunneling.

However, it's important to note that the actual lifespan of your candle can be influenced by several factors. For example, if you burn your candle for longer periods of time, it may not last as long. Similarly, if you don't trim the wick regularly or keep the candle away from drafts, it might burn faster.

Unburned candles can be stored for years without any significant changes in quality, although some natural waxes like soy or beeswax may develop a frosty appearance over time. This doesn't affect the performance of the candle and will disappear once the candle is burned.

Remember, proper care and maintenance can significantly extend the life of your handmade soy candle and enhance your overall candle-burning experience.