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