Pam W

Well this is turning into the experience of a life time. Had a sit-down with one of the owners (not the one that's my friend) and he wants candles that blowout or as he puts it "run over & drip"...he has a vision of many candles w/wax dripping down the sides & over the edge of the shelf. The shelves will be 12x12 stone tiles w/one side embedded in the wall, each will be staggered so that no shelf is directly above the other. Maximum weight that each stone tile will hold is 1 lb. And he assures me that the 'open flame law' doesn't apply to candles...so I'll do it his way & laugh my butt off when the fire marshall issues a citation!! After all the hours I've spent learning how to make a candle burn properly Thanks for all your input & I'll post a pic when the wall is completed.

Wow, that sure makes me feel good about my candles

found this while browsing antique stores & since it was marked "MOLD", I just had to buy it. It's 3x7 1/2"...is it a candidate for 3 wicks or 4 and any suggestions on what type/size wicks to start with? I've only done one 3 wicker so don't really know where to start. Will have to be creative with design so the finished candle doesn't look like jello!!

I like mirrors too. When you burn your candles in front of a mirror, you get twice the bang for your buck. Browsed the antique stores all afternoon & found some neat things, i.e., crystal & cut glass vases & pitchers large enough to hold large pillars..wondering what beer pitchers & mugs w/floaters would look (wouldn't have to worry about the wick trimming) .....sooo many possibilities!!

tested the draft against the wall & it wasn't too bad but I did find out that there is a person called a Fire Marshall...duh!! Can't have open flames -- any candles must be in containers which is obviously the only safe way to do this. Attaching a pic of 'The Wall'. Just to the left of the wall is a huge window that will shortly be replaced with windows that open onto an open-air patio...more draft to consider...so again, using containers is the only way to go. There is a candle holder standing in the middle against the wall -- it is so exposed that it goes beyond scary!!

thanks for all the responses. You all picked up on my concerns very nicely...great minds think alike, as the old saying goes. Adding a little BW had crossed my mind and containers would be the safest was to go. First thing I'm going to do is go have lunch in the restaurant today, set up some 5' candle holders against the wall & watch the draft. Temps here in Phoenix are running close to 115* so the A/C will be kicking on a lot. We do have one employee that is so into candles that she burns her candles all the way to the tab...since I do their payroll I think I can work out a little incentive to make her the official 'candlewatcher' & I'm going to check out the placement of fire extinguishers and find out how the shelves will be installed.....then I'm going to browse the antique stores in search of some unique containers......I love shopping w/other peoples money

I was asked today to make close to 100 pillar candles, all different sizes, shapes & colors (w/o FOs) for a restaurant. The owner intends to put shelves across a large wall & have tons of candles to light for private dinner parties & various special functions. It will create a unique atmosphere for the guests & I'm thrilled at the chance to display my work, etc, etc, etc BUT extremely concerned about safety. I know the candles will not be tended by the staff - they'll be lit & forgotten for maybe up to 4 hrs. I've been suppling the restaurant w/candles for almost a year & none of the staff will take the time to trim a wick or give a little hug so I'm visualizing all kinds of disasters. The old brain is spinning with if, ands & buts. Every time I solve one possible scenerio another pops up............I know I don't want anything smaller than 3". Should I wick down a bit so that the candle will tunnel & flood out after 3-4 hrs? Should the candles be set inside large bowls in case of blowouts? hummmm...don't know how the draft will be against that wall I'm in the restaurant at least twice a week & can pull & replace any candles that look abused. The owner is a very good friend & he's just sunk close to $1mil into the purchase & remodel so I'd have to slit my throat if there was a fire I welcome any comments, concerns, dos & don'ts regarding this type of project.