Life is to be lived and enjoyed
Not all candles are created equal.
The creation of a candle
To create a new candle, we’re talking about four to six weeks, assuming everything works out on first tries.
It’s not just grab a pot, some wax, and a wick. There you go.
Firstly, I have find the fragrance I want to use, and that takes as long as it takes.
Once fragrance is out of the way.
Then it’s testing time over the cauldron.
How much fragrance oil goes in the wax?
What wick is best for the size of container?
Will the wick give the most efficient burn time?
So, some test candles are made with set variables, this takes a few days, but a flame has never touched the wick, and it wont for a while yet.
Now we wait while the wax cures, I give it ten days, it takes that long for the magic to work and the elements to infuse.
Time for test burning. This is the process where I test the wax pool and hot throw (you want to smell the candle while it burns), and to see how long the candle will last. This takes about three days.
From cauldron to now, we’re just over two weeks. Assuming everything went well, and all the boxes are ticked first time, it’s time to make your candles.
Making and curing is two more weeks. So four ish weeks from cauldron to you.
If the wicks or the fragrance are wrong, well back to the beginning.
It’s just me, pottering away, so it takes time to do it right.
I’m not a multimillion pound business with labs and and a bunch of faceless technicians throwing chemicals in a vat.
What’s in an Argyll Candle Guy candle?
Soy Wax
A lot of candles that you will find in large stores are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of the oil industry, It’s cheep, but it’s not sustainable. The world is trying to move away from relying on crude oil.
With this in mind I choose to use soy wax, it is derived from plants, and as such is a renewable resource.
Fragrance Oils
Our Fragrance oils are sourced from various companies that specialise in oils that are created to work with wax.
We also only deal with companies that are vegan and eco friendly. In this day and age there is no reason to be testing products on animals.
Ecological Responsibility
I figure that I should start as I mean to go on, and with this in mind I use recycled material wherever possible, from labelling to packaging.
The containers we use are recyclable or reusable.
Giving Back
As part of giving back from day one, 5% of all sales go to Childrens Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
As well as this, I’ll be running occasional promotions to raise funds for other charities and groups that need promoting.
Get the most from your candle
Setting up
I know what your thinking, just pop the lid and light that little pot of wonderfulness.
STOP!!!
Take a few seconds, appreciate the fragrance, enjoy the simple elegance of the design.
I’ve put my heart into this.
Right! Now we do the practical part.
When you get a new candle, or you are going to relight the candle, make sure the wick is between 5 & 7 mm in length (about 1/4 inch in old money).
If the wick is too long, the flame can get a bit unruly.
Location, location, location.
You should always set your candle on a flat, even, heat resistant surface. Make sure it’s not too close walls, or things that burn (the candle is the only flame you want to see)
Avoid burning candles in drafts areas.
Now we embrace our primal being.
It’s time for the candle to fulfil it’s destiny.
light the wick with a long match, or a long neck lighter.
On the first burn, allow the candle to burn until the melt pool covers the entire surface of the vessel.
Only burn a candle for up to 4 hours, and never wander off and forget it’s burning.
Stop burning candles when they reach there lowest safe point 5 to 10 mm.
Disposal
Soy wax is bio degradable. When you get to the end of your candle, warm the container and remove the remaining wax, wipe the container down. You now have a handy dandy pot for bits & bobs.
Check with your local council on their disposal rules, and follow whatever they advise.
Please keep in mind, even the safest products are harmful in the wrong places. Never let wax get into the local water supply as wax is harmful to marine life.
get the most from your melts
The correct equipment
Always use a melter/heater that is designed for wax melts and not the similar style that is for fragrance oil. They have slightly different dimensions which means they heat differently.
If you use one heated with a tea light, remember to use an unscented tea light.
The correct amounts
Follow the guidelines that come with wax melter. Don’t be tempted to add a little less, the wax may over heat. When waxes overheat they can go on fire.
Don’t add to much wax, the wax won’t heat enough. This may stop fragrance spreading fully.
Disposal
When the melt loses its fragrance, dispose of the wax in the same way mentioned above for the finished candle wax.
Candy Cane is back
Candy Cane is back for a limited run before Crimbo