By Sirena Van Schaik
 Okay, right now you are probably thinking about something other than candles. Perhaps you are thinking of wax figures filling a room to set the mood but if that is what you have in mind I have to ask, are you setting up a Halloween mood?
 All joking aside, candles, which is the wax I am talking about, have been used for years to set a mood. Whether you are trying to unwind, trying to be romantic or simply trying to scent the air for a party, you are using them to set a mood.Â
 Once upon a time, candles had a pretty basic smell and although the candlelight could do wonders for the mood, the overall effect of a candle was somehow lost if it really started smoking. Today, candles come in a wide range of shapes, colors and, yes, scents. With all the selection that we have with candles, it is a surprise that it hasn’t ruined the mood we are searching to create.
 When you are setting a mood with candlelight and scents, it is important to look at what you would like the candles to do and also what you want them for. If they are there to provide a scent, then you need to focus on what smells you would like. Harsh smells while you are trying to meditate can detract from your focus, earthy smells when you are trying to have a nice home cooked meal may blend negatively with the smell of the food. There are as many factors to take into account with candles as there are choices in your wardrobe. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating but only a little.
The Dinner Party:
 Setting the mood for a dinner party can be a difficult task. If it is a romantic dinner, you will probably want to have some candles in the center of the table. Of course, I have never been a fan of the centerpiece candle, simply because I hate having to chat, romantically or not, around something.
 My recommendation for using candles for dinner parties or romantic meals is to place the candles around the room, either with tall candle holders, on mantels or in wall sconces. Once you have the candles lit, dim the overhead light slightly. This gives the illusion that each guest is bathed in candlelight and they are not sitting in the dark looking into it.Â
 It can create a very dreamy and romantic atmosphere and if you add a matching sent to the scene you can really set a mood. Make sure your smells complement each other. For instance, you won’t want to use an Apple Spice candle if you happen to be eating Chinese. Maybe a nice Green Tea Candle would suit it better and the Apple Spice can be saved for a roast dinner.
The Romantic Evening:
 Romance and candles really are made for each other and there are very few things that I could suggest that could make romantic candles even better. Again, the only part that I would suggest is having the candles up and out of the way. Have a glass of Champaign on the floor with the candles on a coffee table above you –preferably beside those flowers that you received.
 The other suggestion that I would make is to avoid a lot of cloying scents. Anything that will feel heavy to your stomach should be avoided and I would recommend avoiding any of the heavier floral scents. Instead go with fragrances that are considered to be sensual, things like chocolate or strawberries.
For Relaxation:
 As with romantic evenings, there is very little that I can say about candles for setting the relaxing mood. Everyone has their own scent that relaxes them, strangely Pina Colada is mine, and each prefers using candles in different ways.Â
 But since I am here, I would recommend playing with threes when you use candles for relaxation. I have found this to be an excellent method to setting a tranquil mood. A grouping of three candles in various spots of the room provides you with pools of soft light. They are excellent at dispersing the scents across the room and they offer you something to focus on.
 So whatever your mood is, the best advice I can offer is to play around with the placement and the scents until you find your perfect balance.
Filed under Remodeling by on Dec 2nd, 2008. Comment. 
By Sirena Van Schaik
As a young child, I remember some of the nicest memories of my childhood being surrounded by candles. We had candles on cakes, candles when camping, and candles when we were outside enjoying a summer night. There were candle festivals and candle walks and even a few candlelight services. Candles were something that cast an enchanted light on any festivity and I was only vaguely aware that candles were dangerous.
Sadly, that thought is something that very few people think about, even as adults. We use candles for many of the same reasons that we saw them being used for as children and many times we hardly think about the implications of a lit flame.
It is, after all, such a tiny spark, one that can be blown out so easily but that little spark can quickly ignite into a dangerous blaze.Â
To keep your home and your family safe, it is important to remember a few general rules about candle safety.
1. Never place a candle where it can catch fire.
Yes, I know that seems like an all encompassing thought but candles should always be placed in the center of a table or mantel place. They should never be placed in windows since the flame could ignite drapes, or other window dressings including blinds.Â
Candles should also be kept away from beds and piles of clothing. A candle can tip easily and it is important to not provide anything that could cause a blaze.
2. Keep children and pets away from candles.
This is pretty straightforward. Candles should be up high where a young child can’t reach it or accidentally knock it. The same goes for pets. Dogs have been known to clear a coffee table or two with their tails and a candle could easily be knocked into the couch or onto the carpet.
3. Always extinguish a candle before leaving a room.
You know the saying, “Never leave a candle unattended,†well, learn it, say it and remember it. A multitude of things can happen to a candle when you are not in the room and it is better to practice safety completely.
On the topic of extinguishing candles, make sure you extinguish them before you go to bed and also make sure that they are completely extinguished. I have known people who wake up in the morning to find the candle relit and burning happily.
Lastly, if a candle is about an inch from the bottom, extinguish it. Never leave a candle burning for more than 4 hours for both safety reasons and also to get the most out of your candles.
4. Follow those directions.
There are many different types of candles on the market today and each one will have slightly different care and burn instructions. If you are not familiar with a brand of candle, or even if you are, read the instructions and follow them.
5. Keep the candle in one place.
I have already talked about keeping your candles in a sturdy place but one last point to make about candle safety is to never carry a lit candle around. The melted wax can easily splash up and cause severe burns.
6. Keep the candles tidy.
Keeping a candle tidy not only helps keep the candle bright and beautiful but it also keeps the candle much safer.  Wicks should always be trimmed to ¼ inch to keep the flame low and dust, or pet hair should be brushed off the candle before use.Â
Once you have all the safety tips memorized, it doesn’t take anything to remember them.
Filed under Remodeling by on Dec 2nd, 2008. Comment.
Have you ever wondered what to do with those old candles that you have finished using? The wick is done, but you still have almost half a candle left. The wax is almost completely demolished with black streaks and beads of hardened drips. You can’t really keep them and drop a tealight into the center since they are rather ugly looking and it appears that the only use from them is the garbage can. It seems like a shame to toss them but what else can you really do with old candles.Â
Well, if you are really interested in the whole eco-friendly movement and going green, the answer is simple; reduce, reuse and recycle those old candles.
If you aren’t sure exactly how to do this, just look around at various craft stores or online candle sights and you will find a million and one uses for your old candles, including making new ones. It actually takes very little time and effort to recycle those old candles and you can create some truly delightful candles.
Before you start creating new candles, you will need to have a few things handy. These include:
• Molds – You can use just about anything from candle molds to glass jars. The nicest candles that I have ever seen came out of beer cans that ridged in shape.Â
• Old candles – Use any color of candle but remember that some colors will combine creating a muddied look.Â
• Candle Wicks – You can buy candle wicks at any craft store. All you will need to do is trim them down.
• Double Boiler – The best tool to use is a double boiler but if you don’t have one handy, a metal bowl inside a pot that contains several inches of water will also work. Just make sure there is a wide base to prevent spills.
And that is just about everything that you need. If you are melting down a few candles that are white, use some colored dyes to create new looks or add some essential oils to create scented candles.
Now that you have all the tools that you will need, it’s time to start making candles.Â
First, you will want to melt the wax in a double boiler over a medium –low heat on the stove. It is better for the wax to melt slowly to prevent fires. Stir the wax with a wooden spoon and remove from heat as soon as the wax is completely melted.
Next, you will need to pour the wax into the mold that you have at ready. Remember that you can use just about anything for a mold so get creative. If you would like to make some jarred candles, simply pour it into the glass. If you spill along the sides, immerse the glass into a bowl of hot water after the wax sets to remove it.
To create a wick for your new candle, take the strip of candle wicks and cut it down to reflect the size of your candle mold. Make sure to leave about 2 to 4 inches of wick, which you will need to tie to a pencil. Place the wick in the center of the melted candle wax and rest the pencil across the top of the mold so the wick doesn’t fall into the wax. Leave it until it sets and then remove it from the mold when it is cooled.
Making your own candles is an excellent way to reduce, reuse and recycle while being completely creative doing it.
Filed under Remodeling by on Nov 8th, 2008. Comment.
Have you ever had a candle that just doesn’t last? Before you can even get any great use out of it, you have spilt wax down the sides, a broken wick and a black stain across it. There seems to be nothing that can be done to get it lit again and it can be pretty frustrating since it only seems to occur when you purchase the really expensive candles.Â
Usually, when a candle begins to break down, it’s probably because you aren’t caring for it properly. I hear the groans from the back but what your mother has always said to you is true, “If you want something to last, then you really need to take care of it.â€
But really, how do you care for your candles? Don’t you just toss them into a drawer and pull them out for those special occasions. I would love to say sure, since it is the easiest way but unfortunately, easy isn’t always the best way. Sure you can throw them in a drawer but don’t expect a very nice candle to be pulled from the drawer for one of those special occasions.Â
To keep your candles looking great and to get the most out of them, there are a few tips that you should follow.
The Candle Snuffer: Don’t sniff at this little trinket. It is a candle lover’s best tool and you can buy one that is fairly inexpensive while still looking expensive. If you aren’t sure what a candle snuffer is, it is a bell shaped tool on a long handle. The hollow bell fits over the candle and extinguishes the flame. It’s simple and candle snuffers have been around for a long time.Â
But why are they so important in getting the most out of your candles? It’s simple; candle snuffers keep the wicks from being damaged. Blowing on a candle, or worse, extinguishing them with your wet fingers, can damage the wick. A damaged wick means more difficulty keeping the flame.
Cool Storage:Â If you are a person that only brings out candles for special occasions, there are a few ways that you should store them.Â
First, make sure you store them individually. Wrap each candle in a sheet of white tissue paper to avoid the colors to bleed into the candle. If you are storing scented candles, place them into their own plastic sealable bag. This will keep the scents fresh and will keep them from blending together.
Next, place them in a cool, dark area. Make sure the space is not damp since this can also damage them. Candles should always been stored flat to ensure that they do not bend. Also, if an area is too warm, the candles will begin to melt and will become misshapen.
Keep those Candles Tidy:  When you are trying to get the most out of your candles, it is best to keep them tidy. Remove excess wax that has dripped down the sides, or if you are using a jar candle, place the jar inside a sink of hot water to melt the wax on the side of the glass.Â
Keep the wick nice and tidy and always trim down your wicks to ¼ inch in length before each use. Make sure you cut the wicks when they are cool since a hot wick could stretch and tear.Â
Also, never burn your candles for longer than 4 hours. If you are having a full romantic evening, simply replenish the candles every 4 hours. This will keep your candles looking beautiful and will keep down the amount of soot that accumulates on the candle itself.Â
Lastly, try to keep the candles out of direct light. Prolonged time in light will make the colors fade and your beautiful candle will no longer look bright and new.
Just following these tips should ensure hours and even months of enjoyment with your candles.
Filed under Remodeling by on Nov 7th, 2008. Comment.
There is something infinitely beautiful about a well shaped candle. People will pay top dollar for this works of art and I have often found that many people will avoid using them since they are so exquisite.Â
If you do use the sculpted candle, you are left with a melted mess, trying to figure out exactly what to do with it now. Sure you can melt it down to make more candles but why don’t you melt it down to create another sculpture.Â
I am not a big fan of abstract art but I have come to really enjoy these wax sculptures. They are easy to make and you can make them with older children, under supervision. Actually, the first time I made an abstract wax sculpture, I was only 13.Â
They are very easy to make and you only need a few items to create a beautiful work of art. You don’t even need candles!
What you need:
·        Wax – This is the most important item for making a wax sculpture but I have used everything from store bought wax to old crayons. Remember that some colors will mix together creating a muddy color but others won’t.
·        Double Boiler – Since you are melting wax, it is best to use a double boiler or a metal bowl in a few inches of water. Adding a pot of wax to a direct source of heat can cause fires or at the very least, may burn the wax and ruin the pot.
·        Colored Dye – This is optional and sometimes you can just play around with the colors that you have in the crayons or old candles.Â
·        Metal Pie Plates – The disposable pie plates work best for this type of project
·        Kitchen Sink – The deeper the better.
Directions:
1.     Before you begin melting the wax, it is important to prepare it. Remove any wrappers from crayons, and cut out any wicks from the old candles.
2.     Once everything is prepared, fill up the kitchen sink with cold water. The colder the better. Fill it as deep as you can but make sure it won’t spill over the sides when you submerse your arms.
3.     Melt the wax at medium low on the stove in a double boiler. If you want to make sure the colors do not blend, use a few double boilers, each with a different color.
4.     When the wax is melted, carefully pour between 2 or 3 inches of hot wax into a pie plate as it rests on the surface of the water. Play with different levels of melted wax.
5.     Quickly spin the pie plate slightly and then submerge the plate. The candle wax will billow up into long streaks and you will create a wax sculpture. Make sure to wear rubber cloves, the longer the better, since the wax is still hot as it is forming.
6.     Pull out of the water and carefully pour out the excess water.Â
7.     Remove from the pie plate and if you do not like it, simply remove and place back into the pot to melt.Â
Playing with the depth of the wax and how you submerge the pie plate will give you a large range of sculptures you make, from jagged ice sculptures to billowing trees to delicate fairy mushrooms. Most of the sculptures will have a flat space where a glass votive or tealight can be attached to be used as an intricate sculpture.
8.     Make them long lasting by spraying them with a sealer.
And that is it. These little sculptures will have guests talking and you will have lots of fun trying to outdo yourself every time.
Filed under Remodeling by on Nov 3rd, 2008. Comment.
Before I say anything else, I have to tell you that gel candles are invariably better looking than traditional wax candles. That is not surprising, considering the fact that their unique nature means that gel candles need not be completely solid in appearance. So they can be translucent and multi-colored, and offer ample scope for ornamentation. For instance, some manufacturers embed small colorful items like seashells and beads within the gel to come up with an exclusive look, or there are others who add swirls of color to their gel candles, creating a lovely work of art.
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From experience, I have also found that gel candles last nearly twice as long as ordinary wax candles. Only a couple of days ago, as I was browsing through the stock at my regular candle-supplies store, I heard a woman place an order for 20 gel candles. When she caught me looking at her, she explained, “They’re for our mountain cabin. We didn’t want to spoil the ambience with electric lighting, and these candles each last at least three evenings!†In the case of aromatic gel candles, of course, this means longer-lasting light and fragrance.
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However, some people still have a few misgivings about gel candles, primarily, I suspect, because they burn at much higher temperatures than wax candles. My answer to all these people would be, adopt certain safety precautions, follow manufacturer’s instructions, and you’ll be fine! Besides, most respectable gel candle makers take great care to ensure that the glassware that contains the gel is strong enough to withstand the high temperatures and doesn’t crack, because not only does a gel candle produce high temperatures, but it does so for a longer time, since it burns much longer than a wax candle. Having said that, one of the basic precautions to use with gel candles is not to move a lighted or just snuffed out gel candle. Wait until it has cooled before you pick it up.
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The other supposed drawback of gel candles is that they cost a lot. In reply, I would say that the price is entirely justified considering the durability of the candles.Â
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Because they are easy to make, and supplies are abundantly available, gel candles have also become a great favorite with amateur candle makers. That is how I started out making these candles at home, and in no time at all, they had become a rage among my friends and acquaintances. The logical next step for any amateur candle maker is to set up a small business in gel candles, and in fact, such businesses are now burgeoning, as a casual online search will tell you.
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Estelle Rodriguez of Sacramento is a 36-year-old single mother who runs a small gel candle business that employs three people. We have friends in common, and the last time I saw her, Estelle complained that such was the popularity of her supplies that she was almost afraid of new orders coming through and was seriously thinking of shifting her home-based ‘manufacturing unit’ to larger premises and taking on more staff.
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However, if you do start making gel candles at home, please be sure to adopt all the required precautions such as those to protect your skin. Also, make sure you use the right kind of glassware.
Filed under Remodeling by on Oct 31st, 2008. Comment.