It’s interesting how things come and go, being standard for a while, then falling out of favor and then coming back in popularity. It certainly is the case with home candle making. I recently visited a page (Home Candle Making) that made it pretty clear.

It used to be that making candles was a necessary household chore if they wanted to be able to have light in their home after the sunset. Home candle making used to be a rather unpleasant task. For centuries, the most common candles were made from tallow, a processed animal fat. Tallow candles couldn’t “hold a candle” to today’s candles (sorry – couldn’t help myself).

That changed with the almost simultaneous arrival of paraffin and the Industrial Revolution. People readily gave up the chore of making hundreds of candles to light their home for the year once affordable, clean burning candles became commercially available and affordable.

As you well know, incandescent electric lights have become the preferred way to light our homes, but people still enjoy using candles. However, most people no longer make their own.

Because candles are so symbolic, they often used as part of rituals such as church services and weddings. Homemakers use candles to crate an inviting atmosphere in their home, especially when entertaining. And of course candle light is always associated with the romantic dinner, whether at home or out at a fancy restaurant.

So even though we no longer need candles, we continue to enjoy using them. However, for many years almost no one made their own candles.  Now the cycle is moving full circle and candle making is moving back into the home. More and more people are becoming involved with the engaging hobby of making your own candles.

In fact, in many ways a homemade candle is superior to a purchased one because the chandler (candle maker) can personalize their creations.

If you want to try making a candle at home, the simplest way to get started is to make a rolled candle using a purchased sheet of wax.  This is great for beginners to try their hand at candle making. you form a candle from the wax by rolling it tightly around a wick.

After that you can move on to other forms of candles. A good place to find out how is: How to Make Your Own Candles.  While you're there, be sure to sign up for their free candle making mini-course.

If you think you're interested in trying candle making, probably the best resource I can point you to is Home Candle Making Made Easy. That ebook tells you everything you need to know to start making all kinds of candles.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon

Tagged with: • • • • •

Filed under: Crafts & Hobbies

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!