Explore our creative candle making ideas from re-using old candle wax to layered candles.

Re-use Old Candle Wax

Candle wax deposits from previously used candles can be re-melted to create new candles. You can create intriguing colours of candles by mixing leftovers of different coloured used candles. Try to make sure that there are no pieces of burnt wick in the mix. You can also place these chunks of wax into the new candles you create. Place them piece by piece as you pour in the melted wax. They can of course be different colours and give you an interesting effect as the candle burns down. It is best not to mix different types of wax together as they have different characteristics and melting points.

Multi-coloured Candles

You can create multicoloured candles by partially filling up a mold or container with wax, allowing it to solidify and then adding more of a different coloured wax. Create a rainbow effect or how about a tribute to the British flag, red, white and blue. To create a more ‘tie and dye’ look; using a spoon, smear different coloured wax (at least 3 colours) which has been allowed to cool to a soft paste, on the interior sides of the container. Overlay the different coloured waxes so as to mix into other combined colours. Allow to dry completely and then fill the container with wax, translucent or coloured as you please.

Vertically Layered Candles

Alternatively, you can create a vertically layered coloured candle. This is achieved by creating a candle in the standard way (for example in a 3” mold – not a container) and then transplant it into a larger mold (for example a 4” or 5” mould), centre it in that mold and then pour wax all around the existing candle (i.e. between the candle and the inside of the mold). If you get wax on the candle in the centre, just wipe the wax off immediately (before it dries) with a paper towel.

Candles with Marbled Effect

You can create a marbling effect by adding different layers of coloured wax; partially filling up a mold or container with wax, allowing it to begin drying but not hardening and then adding more of a different coloured wax. This can be a bit of a trial and error process, but allows the creation of yet another unique looking candle.

Realistic Wax Fruit Bowl

For the more creative, use Wax Fruit within your candles. Carefully pack the fruit into your container, filling the container up to about one half centimetres from the rim. Make sure you do not pack it too much; allow some space for the additional wax to be added to adhere the fruit together. Prior to adding the molten wax, add the fragrance oil associated with the fruit. For example wax black cherries accompanied with our Black Cherry Fragrance Oil or perhaps wax strawberries with our Strawberry Fragrance Oil. It probably goes without saying, but please do not use real fruit.

Tie and Wax

If you want to branch out from candle making, you can use our Paraffin wax* to create your own wax and dye clothing, pillowcases or even curtains, incorporating whatever design you wish. This is a bit like ‘tie and dye’, but instead covering areas of material with wax to stop the dye from colouring parts of the material. This can extend your creative juices and impress your family and friends. Go into business yourself by creating and selling tie and dye products. * Paraffin wax is commonly used, but can result in cracking when placing the material into a container with the dye. This effect can supplement the design.

Go into Business

Why not turn your hobby into a small business venture, recovering the costs of your candle making and even making a profit. Using your talents and experience to create a range of candles to accompany celebratory events and other special occasions, to relax or stimulate, or simply to help add an aethetic to a living space. Essentially many of the reasons why you went into this hobby yourself.

A lot of businesses test market their products, so why don’t you. Let your family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues know of your aspirations to branch out into this exciting business enterprise and invite their encouragement and involvement by perhaps sampling some of your candles to provide vaulable feedback. And if they are prepared to contribute towards your costs, all the better. Try to make sure that throughout the whole process, the work involved does not become something of a unwelcomed chore. Schedule only the time you want to give over to the venture to ensure it remains a fully enjoyable experience.

Once you have established what sort of candles you think will sell best, you can start costing your candle making and work out what profit you think would best reward your efforts and goals. Why not consider being more adventurous and approach local shops for them to retail on your behalf (they will want some of your profit remember) or advertise in your local papers.

Now of course as with any business, there are some specific requirements:

Packaging – create your own unqiue branded label to affix onto either the candle (which can be pealed off easily) or the packaging. Don’t copy any text, logo or designs associated with another business. Ensure that the label contains the following information associated with the product:

> Retail Price.

> Type of wax used – warning asosociated with possible allergies.

> Dyes – if purchasing your dyes from us you can indicate on the packaging that they are all eco-friendly and non-toxic.

> Fragrance Oil – information associated with the legal CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Regulation and compliance with the Standards of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). Make sure you include not only the contents of the oil and any warnings, but also incorporate the graphics onto your labels. If this section on Fragrance Oil is putting you off a little, don’t worry, all the information you need can be found in our product listings. While we recommend you carry out some research into the legal requirements of retailing candles, all of the information you need can be found on our website. If in any doubt, just give one of our friendly team a call for more information or to discuss any concerns you might have. Remember, our advice is completely free.

Example of text which needs to be included on the packaging of candles which incorporate 15% Baltic Amber & Clove Fragrance Oil:

“All wax and dyes used in the making of this candle are eco-friendly and non-toxic, although caution should be taken when handling the candle if there might be a possibility of an allergic reaction. Warning: H317 – May cause an allergic skin reaction, H411 – Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. P272 – Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace, P273 – Avoid release to the environment, P280 – Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection, P302+P352 – IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water, P333+P313 – If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention, P362+P364 – Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.”

There are also two graphics which must be included on the labels – these graphics can simply be copied from our site (copyright free) and used on your labels. Remember all the text you need can be found on our Data Sheets located within each product listing for Fragrance Oils. It is all copyright free and isn’t as complicated or as difficult as you may initially think.

Tax – It is doubtful that small home business ventures such as this would have to be concerned about payment of tax, but it would be irresponsible of us not to mention and address this issue. So, if income from your venture reaches a point where you may need to pay tax, contact your local HMRC office for further guidance.

Legal Notice: Please note, the above text and recommendations are for guidance only and Cosy Owl cannot accept any legal liability for any actions associated with any business venture our customers may enter into.

For any advice or to talk through your project with one of our advisors, please do not hesitate to contact us at Cosy Owl on 01376 560 348.

 

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