| Anything that makes your candles stand out from | | | | is too thick, the candle will smoke. If the wick is |
| the rest is likely to increase your profits. Look for | | | | too thin the candle won't last long. |
| unusual designs and colours and try to create | | | | MARKETING YOUR CANDLES |
| something unique. Here are some ideas to copy: | | | | First decide whether you want to sell your |
| * Chunky Candles | | | | candles yourself or have others market them for |
| The chunky effect is obtained from embedded | | | | you. Candles sell well at craft fairs, by mail order, |
| pieces of different coloured wax that are visible | | | | through gift and souvenir shops, through garden |
| through the walls of the candle. Hardened blocks | | | | centres, and other retail outlets. Many |
| of wax are arranged in the mould, leaving spaces | | | | candle-makers offer their goods for others to sell |
| for the melted wax to settle into. The effect can | | | | on a sale-or-return basis; some offer low volume |
| be stunning, especially where several colours are | | | | wholesale packages with prices reducing for larger |
| used. | | | | sales. |
| * Striped Candles | | | | As you become more proficient you might |
| To make a vertically striped candle, begin with a | | | | consider working to commission, literally designing |
| candle made of one colour. Remove it from the | | | | and producing candles exclusively for regular |
| mould and leave to cool. Apply masking tape | | | | buyers. Restaurants, hotels, stately homes, |
| vertically down the candle, depending on the width | | | | souvenir shops and tourist centres are likely |
| you want your stripes to be. Pour a tiny amount | | | | markets for exclusive designs. Commissioned |
| of dyed wax in a large shallow container (a swiss | | | | designs offered by one very successful |
| roll tin or painting tray is useful). Now roll your | | | | Herefordshire-based firm include birthday candles |
| candle over the wax, covering the sides evenly. | | | | with signs of the zodiac (recipients' name and date |
| Remove from the tray, being careful not to get | | | | of birth included as an optional extra); wedding |
| wax on the top of your candle. Leave to cool | | | | candles with partners' names and wedding date |
| before removing the strips. | | | | painted in gold; engraved local views and |
| * Egg Candles | | | | landmarks, and much more. Local landmarks and |
| Empty eggshells make excellent moulds, especially | | | | tourist attractions are particularly good sellers |
| for candles with an Easter design and obvious | | | | through souvenir shops, restaurants and hotels, |
| popularity at seasonal craft fairs. One egg is | | | | and are usually made to commission. Most of this |
| needed for every candle and careful cleaning is | | | | firm's candles are made using moulds and finished |
| essential. To prepare the mould, make a hole | | | | by hand. This is one of several firms for which |
| about 1/2 inch in diameter in the large end of a | | | | the bulk of business comes through commissions, |
| raw egg. Pierce the yolk with a skewer or knitting | | | | particularly at Christmas with customers looking |
| needle and allow the contents to drain. Wash the | | | | for unusual, more personal gifts for family and |
| inside thoroughly and stand the egg on a piece of | | | | friends. Firms' advertising messages can also be |
| kitchen towel until completely dry. Stand your | | | | incorporated into candles, making this a popular |
| eggs in an egg box for stability and insert the | | | | alternative to gifts traditionally chosen by firms to |
| wicks leaving a long piece to trail at the top. Fill | | | | promote their trade mugs, diaries, calendars, |
| with melted wax and leave to set. Chip away the | | | | wallcharts, and so on. |
| shells and decorate to finish. | | | | INCREASE YOUR PROFITS |
| * Layered Candles | | | | Keep your eyes open for new and unusual ways |
| Layers of different coloured wax are attractive | | | | to market your work. For example |
| and colours can be chosen to reflect the season | | | | - Consider how candles might be introduced into |
| or special occasion red, white and green for | | | | other businesses. The gift basket service is a |
| Christmas; rust, orange and brown for autumn; | | | | useful example, many of which package gourmet |
| different shades of pink or blue for a new baby, | | | | foods, trinkets, champagne and high class |
| and so on. In layered candles, each colour is | | | | confectionery, but rarely candles for the |
| poured after the previous one has hardened, | | | | celebration dinner. |
| producing either horizontal or angled layers, | | | | - Study high-pedestrian tourist areas, like stately |
| depending on the angle of the mould. Time | | | | homes, museums, tourist attractions. Offer to |
| allowed between pouring successive layers is | | | | make candles for them, incorporating maps, |
| crucial. The previous layer must be set before | | | | advertising messages, pictures, announcements, |
| another is added or the colours will mix. Make | | | | scenes, etc. |
| sure the wick is properly in place when the mould | | | | - Look for targetable groups to make and market |
| is arranged at an angle. | | | | to. Collectors are a useful example. People |
| CANDLE-MAKING TIPS AND TECHNIQUES | | | | interested in collecting teddy bears, dolls, pigs and |
| - Make your own moulds from everyday | | | | frogs might also be interested in candle designs to |
| household items like milk cartons, eggs, rubber | | | | reflect their hobby. Model cottages represent |
| balls and jelly moulds. | | | | another product currently selling well in resin and |
| - Be careful when choosing your wick. If the wick | | | | pottery form but rarely offered in wax. |