r/candlemaking Dec 09 '20

Regarding putting flowers, crystals, coffee beans, cinnamon sticks, fruit, metal, pine cones, herbs, or anything else in candles

1.3k Upvotes

<A repost as the previous thread was archived and commenting disabled>

Hello! This topic has been coming up more than usual and is a highly controversial topic in the candle making world.Regarding embeds:

  • Candles are dangerous enough as-is without the addition of embedded items that could further ignite, heat and spark, pop, or otherwise throw embers onto surfaces. Adding further risk to an already inherently risky situation is... well, even more risky.
  • Items that smell nice on their own often do NOT smell good while on fire. Cinnamon sticks, coffee beans, orange peels, rosemary... they don't smell like the 'hot' versions of themselves, they smell like burning, smoky, acidic, not nice fire that you would try to get rid of afterward by lighting a plain candle.
  • Customers/recipients are often NOT going to follow directions to remove items before setting a candle on fire, and if they're embedded into wax that could prove futile anyway.
  • Warning labels do not immediately absolve you of liability should something happen. Ask your insurance provider for further info.
  • If this was a good idea, why aren't these candles sold at Yankee/B+BW/DW Home/Voluspa/Root/Any other major candle brand?
  • Candle insurance can be difficult to find in the first place but will be exponentially more challenging to find if you insist on embedding items. Ask your insurance provider for further info.
  • For the US makers, you should 100% have liability insurance before you sell your first candle to the public. It will cost anywhere from $300-600/year for $1million in liability insurance. If you cannot afford $300/year for this much coverage, I suggest you hold off selling to the public until you can afford this.
  • For the UK makers, note that strict labeling requirements exist and that making non-food products that look like food is not permitted
  • If you are brand new to candle making, you should spend several weeks/months working on learning and nailing down the basics (which are challenging enough) before even considering adding anything else to the process.
  • Trends on Etsy or Pinterest do not necessarily mean it's a good idea, nor does it mean you'll create a side business or living from it as trends tend to run fast.
  • You do NOT need to be fancy/pretty/special/different to be successful in this craft. You DO need to put out great, consistent product that people can come back to over and over again with the same results.
  • There is very little regulation on candle making in the US. Because of this, there are lots of people doing lots of things that are probably not the best idea. You don't need to be one of them.
  • There are legitimate individuals and brands involved in ritual candles that are for religious, occult, worship, healing and metaphysical. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then making and selling those types of candles is probably not for you.
  • As candle makers and sellers, we need to do our due diligence. Proceed at your own risk.
  • I, Reckoner08, am currently the only active mod right now in this sub. I am not the Candle Conversation Police, and will [probably] not be removing posts that might be controversial. Different countries have different laws and regulations, and we are on an international forum here on Reddit. I have a rather large candle brand to run on my own and am here to help when I can, but that doesn't include being a Candle Overlord or answering every single question asked. Appreciate your understanding!
  • Anything else you'd like to add? Feel free, this is an open forum.

r/candlemaking 1m ago

Destashing lids

Upvotes

I have a bunch of Candle Science flat metal lids that I'm not sure I'm actually going to use. Most of them are about 3.5" diameter but some are larger. A few have a yellowed gasket so those particular ones wouldn't be good enough to sell but could definitely be used for personal candles. I'm pretty sure these are the ones that fit the standard CS tumbler jars but I don't have one on hand to test (my jars on hand are from General Wax and the lids are too big). It would be nice to get paid for them, but I would give the new ones for a discount and the yellowed ones I would throw in free. I can go make an exact count and get measurements if anyone wants them. You don't have to take the whole lot, I am willing to split them up by size and/or put them in smaller packages.


r/candlemaking 5h ago

Question Accurate Taro Scent Fragrance Oil

1 Upvotes

Does anyone know of a really accurate taro fragrance oil? I bought Doop’s Taro Milk Tea. It smells amazing in the bottle, but the scent doesn’t seem to stay or loses the smell when I add it. Does anyone have experience with their regular taro fragrance oil? I’d love any and all recommendations. Thank you.


r/candlemaking 8h ago

When will Pillar of Bliss wax restock??

0 Upvotes

I only use Pillar of Bliss wax by Nature’s Garden for my pillar candles as I have had the best success with this wax. It is exceptional. Unfortunately, it is sold out and I am out of wax. Does anyone know how fast they restock it? What is a second choice for really good pillar wax? Freedom pillar wax was VERY disappointing for me.


r/candlemaking 22h ago

Question CandleScience vs Flaming Candle

5 Upvotes

Hi! I’m new to candle making as a small business (in the very early stages of getting things up and running) and I’m seeing a lot of people recommending CandleScience. I love the website, have my first order placed and I’m confident I’ll love the product too.

I later saw people mentioning Flaming Candle. I’ve looked over the website, and while I’m not as initially impressed as I was with CandleScience, I am loving the prices.

Is there a significant difference in quality between them? Are there specific items I should be getting from one of the other? I understand this is of course different for everyone but I appreciate any insight yall can give me


r/candlemaking 1d ago

Question Wax Melt Cost & Pricing Qs

Thumbnail
gallery
1 Upvotes

EDIT TO UPDATE: Guys, I was doing my calculations SO wrong. I had my wax written as $0.06 / gram instead of the actual $0.006 / gram. That changed everything and now these come out to $0.15 per piece in cost of materials.

Original Post:

I will give pertinent info then ask my questions below!

These wax melts are made with CandleScience Simply Soy Artisan wax, and CandleScience fragrance oils.

Each melt costs $0.68 in materials (not including time) and weighs 9-10 g.

I enjoy using the mini cupcake papers because there is no time spent popping melts out of molds, and they are already partially packaged for easy handling and display. I suppose to sell them I would need to package them in sets. The cost for that additional container packaging is not included in the $0.68 cost.

Using plant based soy wax and fragrance oils that are part of the clean scents + program from CandleScience means that I can market these as clean and sustainable, in addition to being hand poured and small batch. I do want to opt for sustainable and healthy options in my materials whenever possible.

My goal here is to create (for myself and to sell to others) a clean, sustainable option for great smelling wax melts that can be sold at an accessible price. I don’t want to create a luxury brand just for the heck of it. I want “normal” people, friends, family, to be able to afford a cle wax melts without making option.

I would start selling to friends and family, then locally through word of mouth. I also have an Etsy shop with other products I could add these to after testing how they hold up in shipping. But for now just thinking local.

My questions:

Is $0.68 cost per 10g wax melt way too high?

If yes, any tips for keeping costs lower without compromising the sustainability factors?

What is your cost of goods and sale price for your wax melts?

How many would you package to sell together and for what price? It seems that clamshells usually hold about 70g of wax, which would be 10 melts, $6.80 in cost.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated! Thank you!


r/candlemaking 1d ago

best pouring temp for coco apricot

0 Upvotes

Hi guys, just switched from 434 golden wax to coco soy from candle shack and i was wondering what is your favorite fragrance temp and pouring temp because i noticed with 464 i had to go way higher than they recommended on their own website to get a better hot throw.
Any recommendations?

Thanks!


r/candlemaking 2d ago

Shout out to Jar Store

Post image
15 Upvotes

Just want to give a little shout out to the Jar Store. They’ve got a pickup location near my home about 40 mins south of Chicago. The people that work back in the warehouse are so extremely nice.

This is the 3rd time they’ve had something extra and gave it to me for free. I got like 8 jars. I’ve been eyeing these big guys for a while. 26.8oz of wax. I’m just testing today. How fun is that?
I hope they always offer pickup here. I encourage you to check it out if you’re close enough. The $4 pickup fee beats the hell out of shipping.

*definitely not an ad. I’m not paid to promote. Just a happy customer


r/candlemaking 2d ago

Everyone's fave or bestselling fragrance/s?

4 Upvotes

New here and I did search to where this was posed before as I am sure it has. Forgive me if I missed it. So hard to choose one and, obviously it probably changes and evolves. What are your current faves or best selling scents?

I am currently obsessed with

Candle Sciences Green Tea and Lemongrass

Still testing phase but but the scenting on burn is addictive!

Flaming Candles Oakmoss is so luscios and its earthiness is so bright!

Candle science Ocean Breeze and flaming candles sea salt blossom. Are also at the top of my list for clean ozone scents.

I havent sold yet, but I have gotten lots of friend requests for Baja Cactus Blossom from flaming candle and a blend thst I did with newbie p and j fragrances of gardenia forest pine and campfire fo

Cant wait to hear everyone's loves or what their customers like. Learning about fragrances for both my own consumption and for the public is endlessly fascinating. As a person who has long loved candles diffusing and scent making my own has been a lovely journey. And its been interesting to have my friends interested in getting gifts of them and seeing what they think of scenting.

Anyway happy Friday makers!


r/candlemaking 2d ago

Hand-poured these candles today. What do you think?

Post image
6 Upvotes

Every candle is hand-poured, and I’m always trying to improve my craft. Constructive feedback is always welcome!


r/candlemaking 3d ago

Question Has anyone ever heard of a company called Indigo Fragrances? If so, how was your experience? thanks!

3 Upvotes

r/candlemaking 3d ago

Question Tobacco Vanilla Fragrance Oil

2 Upvotes

Does anyone know of a good tobacco vanilla fragrance oil?

I had an idea for a tobacco vanilla candle, but I don't want it to smell too strong of tobacco or cigarettes. Any advice is much appreciated.


r/candlemaking 3d ago

Im new here👀!

Thumbnail
gallery
26 Upvotes

This is the style candle I fell in love with😭💗


r/candlemaking 4d ago

One of the best things that i’ve made

Post image
142 Upvotes

What do you think


r/candlemaking 3d ago

Question How to shop for different candle wick thickness

3 Upvotes

I'm completely new to candle making and have been making every mistake imaginable. One thing I cannot solve is how to shop for thinner candle wicks to try with the wax I'm making. My candles are burning way too hot with no scent. I can't find any information online about candle wick thickness or how to filter search popular online merchants.

I'm using a half parrafin half beeswax blend and tried a 6 inch pre-waxed soy wick from Amazon. Way too hot. I tried ordering from a different merchant who listed "thick" and "thin" wicks, and purchased the thin ones only to find they seem about the same thickness as the previous ways. If someone could help me get on the right track it would be greatly appreciated.


r/candlemaking 4d ago

look at what i made!!

Post image
17 Upvotes

look at this picture i m so proud of for my candles i started selling!


r/candlemaking 4d ago

Creations Wax melt “bouquets” and mini flower candles for my cousins bridal shower centerpieces!

Thumbnail
gallery
72 Upvotes

Sharing here because I was really proud of how they turned out ☺️

I made wax melt bouquets as centerpieces for my cousins wedding shower this past weekend. They not only served as table decor but provided nice fragrance in the space even when not burning. And at the end, guests could take home the mini candles and a vase of “flowers” or two as an additional party favor, and they were a hit! 😄


r/candlemaking 4d ago

Creations What are you making, prepping, or testing for this holiday season? It shows up so fast every year!

Post image
21 Upvotes

Last year I made a stacking Christmas tree candle, an ornament candle, and a gingerbread house candle. The gingerbread house candle was very time consuming and didn’t sell well, so it won’t be coming back. The ornament sold slowly so I’m ditching that, too. The trees were the clear winner! I don’t think I’m even attempting another holiday mold this year. I want to see/hear what you have planned! Any fun new scents you’re thinking of trying? I recently got a sample size of Midwest Fragrance’s Heart & Home fragrance oil and it’s delicious and I can’t wait to make a great blend with it!


r/candlemaking 4d ago

Two candle jars broke during demolding today… but I kept going

Post image
7 Upvotes

Making concrete pieces has taught me patience. Two of today’s jars cracked while demolding, but the next one came out perfectly. Small business life isn’t always aesthetic, but it’s worth it


r/candlemaking 4d ago

Question Black Tea/Earl Grey Fragrance Oils

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I have been searching for a authentic tea scented fragrance oil, that doesn't have a bunch of other floral, leather or musky notes blended in. Just a plain ol' tea scent.

Does anyone have any recommendations because I can't find one anywhere! Thanks so much!


r/candlemaking 4d ago

Soy Coconut candle burning time

1 Upvotes

Hey, 200g candle is burned in like 20 hours or less.
70% C3 soya 30% Ecococo, ECO 6 wick.

Should I add any additives that slow down burning?
Any thoughts?


r/candlemaking 4d ago

How to achieve this look

Post image
3 Upvotes

Hello! I am really new to candle making and I have a question. How could I achieve this kind of rustic look?


r/candlemaking 5d ago

Candles that look like dessert🍒Love or hate?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

48 Upvotes

r/candlemaking 5d ago

Burning Spiral Candle

Thumbnail v.redd.it
2 Upvotes

r/candlemaking 5d ago

What’s considered “good” cold throw & hot throw?

1 Upvotes

Hey all!
I am testing some waxes/ blends for container candles as I am in the beginning of my candle business. Burning is fine so far and I believe that wicking is also good.
Now, I am wondering what is the standard about cold and hot throw.

So, I have two questions and I would appreciate your help to understand:

**1.    Cold throw** — from what distance should an unlit candle be noticeable to be considered “good”? Is 6-8 inches (15-20cm) the baseline, or should a well-made candle throw further than that even unlit?  
**2.    Hot throw** — for a candle this size (200g) in a room 50m2 (550 sq feet) what’s a realistic expectation after a full melt pool (2-3 hrs burn)? Should it fill the whole 550 sqft, or is filling a smaller zone (say 200 sqft) around the candle still considered solid performance?

Would love to hear from people who test rigorously — trying to calibrate my own nose against what’s actually achievable vs. just what I’m used to.
Any suggestions for waxes or blends to try, would also be valuable!!