chappyk Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Hey Guys:When starting out....trying to get my recipes down.....how many candles (usually) would you make (votives) to get the perfect candle. Also I am wondering how long ahead should I make candles to have them in stock. ( how long can paraffin candles keep?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam W Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 IMOH you need to learn to make a quality candle before you even consider starting a business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappyk Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Very true....but am still wondering how long paraffin candles keep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappyk Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Hey Guys: I came across this site in Ontario that sells starter kits...and since we are newbies.....please tell me what you guys think of this particlular one. Would it be relatively inexpensive to order from the states? http://www.villagecraftandcandle.com/product.asp?pID=3&cID=2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam W Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Very true....but am still wondering how long paraffin candles keep?I've stored my paraffin pillars for over 2 yrs with no loss of scent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyJo Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 that site is actually in Canada so shipping would probably be better for you than something shipped from the US but I don't know anything about that company so can't advise you on whether it would be a good kit or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in KY Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Paraffin last forever. I have seen candles 50 years old ... really. Bees wax last forever too. But soy is a different baby. They can look like crap as soon as they are poured but can last for a few years.I have a paraffin candle in a square jar, that has no wet spots and still smells great, doesn't have a lid either. It's 15 years old, never burned it cause I made it to go in a jar with a shade. I love paraffin just hate the clean up, so I make soy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjdaines Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I'm find paraffin not hard to clean at all, pillars and votives with the harder wax are a snap and paraffin in containers clean up is easy with a little microwave to melt, pour off excesses, goo gone and soap. Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in KY Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I'm not sure that site is a candle supply where they tell you what wax, wicks and scent you are buying. You need to know the type and name of the wax you are testing, what wicks CD's, CDN's, HTP, RRD etc and size 14, 18, 35?? But if you are in Canada I don't know any suppliers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravens Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) CanWax may be a better known candle-making supplier in Canada. They are located in Huntsville, ON, and they sell starter kits; here's the link to that page: http://www.canwax.com/Starter-Kits_c_33.htmlGood luck! :smiley2: Edited September 6, 2011 by Ravens typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertgibbens Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 IMOH you need to learn to make a quality candle before you even consider starting a business.Why is it again that candle testing is not considered by you to be "starting a business"? There always seems to be a lot of negativity (even unintended) toward new folks and their ventures.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella1952 Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 candle testing is not considered by you to be "starting a business"? There always seems to be a lot of negativity (even unintended) toward new folks and their ventures.... I agree with Pam. I don't consider making a few candles to test "starting a business" either. It's starting a HOBBY that MIGHT turn into a business. The "negativity" is not meant to discourage anyone, it is to let people know that there is a LOT MORE to making safe, high quality candles than just melting some wax, loading it up with some FO, sticking a wick in and going to the local craft show and selling them to people. We try to get new folks to slow down and think this through for the sake of all concerned. Many people have a year or more under their belts before they begin selling their candles because they are learning and are not experienced enough to be selling a product line that they have not had the time nor experience over time to have given due diligence. For people who make handcrafted candles, it reflects badly on ALL of us when inexperienced people begin selling too soon... The Christmas season is upon us and many folks have decided to make candles to gift and sell who have never done so before. There isn't TIME to perform due diligence in product testing before Christmas! Every year many poorly made candles are gifted and sold by new folks during the holidays... I'm always delighted to see people get interested in candlemaking, but not with this kind of deadline looming... It's real important when manufacturing something that burns with an open flame that one has demonstrated their ability to consistently make a safe and satisfactory product, wouldn't you agree? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_35550 Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Buy a kit and get busy. I think once you begin to look at the dynamics of the business it will automatically turn you in the right direction. You have to think so many different aspects (labels, names, licenses, insurance) that it will take you a good year to develop your company name and identity. Read until you get your stuff and then have at it.Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricofAZ Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I think every craft or trade comes with different levels. I'm not sure it is necessary to be "master" level before selling, but a good journeyman level should be appropriate when on your own and maybe an advanced apprentice under the in person guidance and supervision of another. Just about every trade works that way. With rare exception, everyone on this board takes pride and diligence in the craft and I'm sure that is what I am reading above.Testing is more than just one candle. For example, I've been working on a dripless carved taper. I pretty much have it now. Took a couple dozen carvings and burns to get there and its still not quite ready, but pretty close. I want the burn to terminate half way down the taper. Thought I had it worked out and on the 5th test, I had very serious problem with the wick. I'm so glad I didn't stop at one or two or three. I also learned that gloss coating is not a good idea as it can interact with the wick droppings in a bad way. So I can appreciate that a simple candle from a kit may work kinda OK and that a more complex one takes a while to get it right. I also recall that one situation where CPSC made a candle company recall 7 million tealights because ONE got hot and warped the plastic case. That's a tough standard to live up to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappyk Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 Thank you guys. This forum is a great resource. I am in no rush to start up a business tomorrow, although I have an entrepreneurial spirit and wouldn't mind being like a Yankee or Chesapeake Bay one day. My present job in the military comes first of course. Now I just need to figure out what candle fragrance to test first....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coconut Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Good luck to you, chappyk. A really great place to start, is to work your way back and read as much of this board as you can. A lot of the old posts have terrific information in them. It helped me a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravens Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Well, not familiar with Chesapeake Bay, but all my customers who used to buy Yankee candles, no longer do. Their candles quality's gone way down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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