For example you may not want to confuse scents if you were going to have votive candles near a bubblebath because you might like a favorite scent in the bath instead.  Also if you were having a dinner with succulent food you might prefer to have candles unscented so that the smell of the food is not tainted with the perfume of the candles.

For this reason, if you have a home candle making business you might prefer to have a range of scented votive candles and some unscented votive candles so that your clients can choose as their needs require.

I have got a bit of a thing about votive candles, I always think they look so cute.  Don’t ask me why, I don’t know.  It is always the softer colored ones that I like so much, must bring out the romantic side in me!

Candle making is such fun and so inventive with all the colors scents and various shapes you can make.  Many people will use all sorts of candle moulds to make their candles even more interesting.   If you have a candle making home business you may be pushed for time to get too inventive with your candle making, but during times leading up to special occasions during the year it is fun to break out and make a few different ones.

As we know, melting your wax if items don’t sell is so easy.  So much better than cutting up a dress that doesn’t sell, isn’t it?!

There are just so many things you can use:

• all sorts of moulds from the kitchen
• items from the garage
• old tins and cartons
• egg shells for egg shapes

You really can let your imagination go wild when it comes to creating candle shapes.

I really enjoyed making ice candles ( I haven’t for a while now) and I used various shapes.  Check out this post.

Unfortunately I don’t have a picture now, but one candle with a difference that I loved was the V-shaped ice candle.  The bottom of the V became the top of the candle when it was taken out of the mold.  I do wish I had a photo because I would love to put it up for you to see.  Start with a light colored wax at the tip and as you build the candle change to a darker color so that when you turn the candle over the darker shade is at the bottom.

One problem that you have to sort out using a V-shaped candle mould is that you need to support the mold until the wax is set.  Putting the mold into something like a cut off milk carton works well.

Don’t forget to make sure the wick is coated in wax.

If you try this let me know how you got on.  PS.  If you want to make it even more different, once you have the candle out of the mold you can dribble wax down it as well.   Looks cool!  I always used to use various shades of pink candle wax (dyed), blue or purple, but even mixing colors like green and purple look fantastic.

These candles look so cool that you can leave it as an unscented candle too because everyone will be blown away by the effect of the candle.

Make some egg shaped candles for Easter and let the kids decorate them and make a display.   Read Amy’s comments on how to make Easter egg candles.

Put some candle fragrance in the Easter egg candles and your display will make your room smell beautiful throughout the Easter period.

Easter egg candles do not take a lot of candle wax either so they are quite an economical way to occupy the children with craft hobbies.

Making Easter Candles can be a lot of fun and are certainly something that the kids will enjoy being involved with.  You will be able to get the kids to decorate up the candles with glue and ribbon, with dimensional glues and also paint patterns on them.  This is the ideal kids candle making project.

Once all the decoration has been done making an Easter Egg candle display will also be a lot of fun – of course just before Easter weekend some chocolate ones can be added too!

Read Amy’s comments on how to making Easter Egg candles.  I am sure there will be lots of fun for the family making these candles.

For a home based candle maker to make money selling at craft shows there are a few basics that need to be in place.  I would not display my candles like the ones in the picture. It would look much more attractive if there were half the candles were displayed with some space in between each grouping to show off each group to its maximum.  This display just looks like it has been thrown together to get the candles out of the carrying boxes.

A good burn means repeat business

One of the most important aspects that make selling candes or any craft successful is that it must be of good quality.  As far as candles are concerned the most important thing for repeat business is a good burn to the candle.  This is not an obvious feature to the buyer at the show, but if you want repeat business then a good burn and a good scent throw, if you have scents in the candle, are important.

Candle colors

We all have our favorite colors when making crafts and there is nothing wrong with that.  In fact if you are working with your favorite colors it is quite probable that those candles are the best looking ones because they will have your love and care going into them.  All that is great, but again because you are selling candles, consideration needs to be given to the decor fashion colors all the rage at the time.  It is by making candles to fit the new and modern decor that could make or break you.

One thing I learnt early in retail is that it is the people who are redecorating that have the money.  If you get some of those as your clients your sales will be very good.

Candles for clients

I just mentioned in the previous paragraph that using decor colors is the way to go and it is for the home maker who wants decor matching accessories, but are they your clients?  Either because you make way out candles, or you choose way out colors, your client base may not be the home decorator.   Making for your client base is what will keep giving you repeat trade.

If you have found yourself a niche then go for it.  People love to buy something that is different and if you have the ability to make something really outstanding, don’t let anything stand in your way.  Sometimes though, things that are totally different take a little while to take off, so follow this path with care.

See who is buying your candles, find out what they are looking for and develop a trade to suit those who make up the bulk of your customers.  In saying that, don’t totally ignore the others as they too can be good consistent clients.

Displaying your products

Yet another important aspect after all that candle making!   Display your items with care, color co-ordinate, use accessories to give customers ideas as to how to use the candles at home and always keep an eye out for a different way to display your products so that it does not become boring.

You might well ask, so what?

Votive Candles

Well  if you are selling candles now would be the time to market fragrant votive candles as they are just wonderful for wedding settings. If you have a good display of candles that suit the current craze in bridesmaids’  colors then I would be most surprised if you did not get some good orders for wedding candles.

Piller Candles

These as fragrant candles are also great for center pieces for wedding tables.  A nice 8-10 inch pillar candles surrounded by flowers makes a lovely table center piece.

If you are going to make candles for weddings do display them nicely and I am sure you will be pleased with your sales.  It would probably be a good idea to approach wedding oganizers too and see if you can provide them with your wares.

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When you have your mold and you have attached the wick at the bottom, take the length of the wick up through the centre of the mold and wrap it around a flat pencil or chop stick until the wick is taught.  You can leave the wick like this while the candle sets, then cut it to length afterwards.

When you have a home candle making business it is important that these tricks are learnt so that your candles are of an exceptional quality all of the time.