Handmade candles can be given as lovely, personalized gifts. Their long tradition of beauty and function make them perfect household items. Crafted from an assortment of processed or natural materials, they can be tinted with an endless palette of colors. Some are lightly scented, while others remain unscented.
The most historic remnants date back to ancient China. Made with whale fat, scientists believe they were first used for light and heat around 200 B. C. In the years following 400 A. D., their use became common in Europe. Fueled with olive oil, they were made from various animal and natural products.
Candle-makers are known as chandlers. They have a variety of materials available to them, including plant, animal and chemical sources. While tallow was the original substance, it’s no longer preferred. Distilled from animal fats, it’s often bypassed in favor of healthier, cleaner, more affordable alternatives.
Beeswax is a popular natural choice, which releases cleaner emissions. Created from honeycombs, it’s a remnant of the honey-collecting process. About a pound can be accumulated for every ten pounds of honey.
Plant sources are also in high-demand. Bayberry is crafted from the shrub’s waxy coating. This wide-spread flora has a long tradition as a preferred substance. Soybean oil yields another natural alternative. Due to its lower melting point, soywax is commonly found in containers, such as tea lights. Carnauba is crafted from palms. This shiny substance has hypo-allergenic properties.
Paraffin is also a widely-used substance. It’s a residue from petroleum-making procedures. In its natural form, it’s odorless, white and solid.
The wick provides the core element. A zinc center is often surrounded with braided strands of cotton. Flatter types are often preferred because they curl-up as they burn, allowing the flame to consume the waste. Wick thickness defines the size of the flame and the rate of burn.
Handmade candles tend to be more unique and of higher-quality than their mass-produced factory counterparts. With an endless range of colors, aroma, shapes and sizes, they make the perfect addition to any environment.
To read all about handmade custom pillar candles, natural soy candles, custom pillar candles and much more, stop by the Promethean Candle Boutique Candle shop.