Is The Scent Gone?

When we make our scented candles the fragrance is added to the liquid wax prior to pouring it into the molds or glass jars. So the candle is scented the same strength from top to bottom. This is how most candle manufacturers make their candles. Occasionally we get a customer that says when they first light a candle it smelled but after a while the scent was gone. The easiest way to explain this is the "fish analogy". If you have ever cooked fish in your kitchen you instantly smell it as it heats up and for a long time after it has been eaten but eventually you stop noticing it altogether. The fishy smell is gone. However, if someone else comes into your home they can instantly tell you cooked fish for dinner. So why can they smell it and you cant? The olfactory receptors in your nose that detect smell become accustom to it and have stopped sending neurological signals to your brain to tell you that fish is in the air. One of the easiest ways to get around this issue is to use multiple conflicting fragrances, one at a time. Burn one fragrance for a while then switch to another and so on. This helps to continually stimulate the sensors in your nose and trigger the signal to your brain. There are some poor quality candles out there that don't have a very strong scent, you're on your own to figure those out. Just remember, you can get a great smelling candle without spending a ton of money on a name brand.

Way Too Short?

A few posts back I gave a tip on burning candles involving wick trimming. Today I was getting ready to light a candle in my home and I trimmed my wicks prior to lighting it. Lately I have been burning our new 2 wick 12oz soy candles. I trimmed both wicks but on the second one I snipped it a little too short. I went ahead and lit them both to see if it might turn out all right. In about 5 minutes the short wick was out. I realized I should have included a tip in my prior post on how to fix a candle with a wick that is too short. There are two simple methods to use in this situation. If your candle is a multi-wick candle you can try lighting both wicks and see what happens. If after a few minutes the short wick goes out, simply pour out the liquid wax into the trash, trim the longer wick and re-light them. The second method can be used if not enough wax has been liquified or if your candle only has one wick. Using a butter knife, spoon, or other similar object, carve a layer of wax off the top of your candle and throw it out (or put it into a candle warmer). The re-light your candle, grab a book, and relax.

A Common Unscented Candle Question

One of the most common questions we receive from customers who have ordered unscented candles from us is "Why do my candles smell, I ordered unscented?" I kind of chuckle when I get this question because it actually helps us market our scented candles too. The answer to this common phenomenon is this: The unscented candles that were sent to our customers are unscented. What is happening is that we make both our scented and unscented candles in the same building. We also do all of our packing for shipments in the same area too. The air in here gets pretty heavy with scent from the wax used in our scented candles and it sticks to everything. The packing peanuts and cardboard boxes absorb some of the air saturating them with fragrance. The scent in the air is even strong enough that when we go out to eat, after work on Friday nights, the cooks and waiters/waitresses that know us will come say hi to us while we are still inline because they smelled us walk into the restaurant. So the simple solution to solving the case of the scented unscented candles is take them out of the packaging and use them when you are ready. They won't give off any smell. The way this helps market our scented candles is if our unscented candles can smell that great, imagine what our scented candles smell like.

Decorative Accents Aid In Home Decorating

Just about everybody, except for maybe college age males, are at least a little bit interested in decorating their abode. It is simple to put together very attractive and affordable displays that can help brighten up you home. We have just recently added a new category to our site called Botanical Accents. It includes all kinds of nuts, pods, balls, and textures in a variety of colors. Adding these small decorative pieces around a display of candles, in a glass vase, or bowl is all it takes to put that extra touch into your decor. Even a college age guy can do it, if he wanted to.

Candle Burning Tip

One of the single best things that you can do to keep your candles burn correctly is trim the wicks each time you light it. Candle wicks tend to get a little too long, the longer a candle burns. Of course there are exceptions. If you like to let your candles burn all day it would good to occasionally extinguish it and trim the wick back down to about a 1/4 inch. If you notice that you candles are burning hot (the flame seems big) you can trim the wick even a little shorter. Some fragrances burn a little "easier" than others like vanilla. Make sure that you keep the wick trimmings out of your candle. There are lots of special cutting tools available that will hold the wick piece so it doesn't fall in. We sell the Wickman Wick Trimmer which works nicely. A pair of scissors works fine too. Keeping your wick the right length will also help reduce sooting.

Don't be afraid of your candles. If you notice that the wick has drifted out of the center of the candle, use a knife or pair of scissors to move it back to center while the wax is warm.

Stimulate Your $ cent-es

In times of economical crisis, after the fears subside, people start to realize what's really important. We start to enjoy the small things in life - a home cooked meal, time with loved ones, and we appreciate the things we have. Decorate your home even on a "shoe-string budget". You can even use them as a functional light source. Get the most "bang for your buck", using our affordable candles to stimulate your mind, body and spirit with warm, soothing, or invigorating candle fragrances.

Wedding Candle Ideas and Tips (part two)

Scent or No Scent?

Don't rule out scent at your wedding reception. Choose candles that have a fruit or food related fragrance, such as vanilla, chocolate, apples, or berries. Still think scent is not right for your wedding? Use unscented candles from our pillar, votive, floater, and taper lines.

The Perfect Color

Don't stress if we don't have your "perfect" color. The lights in reception rooms are usually dim. The color trends for this year are bold, exotic, and bright. Aqua, Hot pink, oranges, yellows and lime green are the colors for 2009! Don't want to go too bold? Use these shades as a splash of color in your candle arrangements.

Destination wedding

Want a destination wedding, but guests can't afford to travel? Make the destination your wedding theme. Use exotic, tropical colors in your wedding candles and accessories.

Pearls and Ribbons

Create candle designs that are truly your own and save cash at the same time! Craft Stores carry pearl pins that you can pin to your wedding candles, and attach a ribbon in your wedding colors.

Unique Tables

Not all of the table centerpieces need to be exactly alike. You can decorate with a set of 3 pillars on one table and on the next table have a bowl with floating candles. The use of reed diffusers as a centerpiece can add dimension that is visually and aesthetically stimulating.

Also, let those centerpieces do "double duty". Designate someone to distribute them to special friends or relatives, or to hospitals, churches, or retirement homes when your event is over. You could use them as prizes given to winners of games played during the reception.

Varying heights

Use candles of different heights to make a statement. A mixed arrangement of pillar candles, of all different sizes make a spectacular look.

Finishing touches

Create your own table decorations for a one-of-a-kind wedding! Use stones, beaded garland, or dried flowers as a finishing touch to your centerpiece.

Favors and Gifts

Our candles are cost-effective, so consider purchasing one for each guest at your reception. Wrap them in tulle, or with raffia ribbon, and leave them at each person's place setting.

If you are stumped when it comes to what to get your bridesmaids, consider the gift of candles! Personalize each candle with a photo of the happy couple, either alone or with that bridesmaid, or with the wedding date, invitation, or design of your choosing processed on each candle!

Honeymoon romance

One of the most romantic ways to begin your lives together is by the light of a candle. Toss a candle tin or some tealites into your suitcase! You will earn points with your partner!

IT'S YOUR WEDDING! DO IT THE WAY YOU WANT!