By Sirena Van Schaik
Throughout time, candles have also held some symbolic meaning. There are candles for christenings, candles for holidays whether you are Christian, Muslim, Jewish or any other religion and there are candles that reflect a deeper meaning, whether it is a meaning of celebration or a meaning of love.
The colors of individual candles have different meanings as well and many people, although not knowledgeable about the different colors, are at the very least, interested in the meanings.
So before you light a candle, read this article to learn the many meanings of the colors.
The Colors of Candles:
White: More than likely, you understand what white means. It is after all linked eternally with purity, innocence and enlightenment. It is a cleansing color that is believed to cleanse both the mind and the spirit and heal any emotions that are in turmoil.Â
Black: There has always been something about black candles that bring up thoughts of discord and evil. Most people would shy away from black candles since they have been given such a negative image, especially at the hands of Hollywood. This is actually furthest from the true meaning of a black candle and in fact, black candles are supposed to be the color you burn when you are trying to destroy negative forces and energy. They are also believed to be the appropriate color to use for healing when you are battling a serious illness.
Red: It doesn’t take too much imagination to figure out the meaning of red candles. They have been linked with love, passion and sex for countless decades. Red candles encompass all of those things and more since the color can also mean health and vitality, fertility and strength, courage and willpower and it can also mean the darker emotions such as lust.
Purple: Purple is actually my favorite color of candle and it problem has to do with the colors link to wisdom and knowledge. It is a color that speaks of spirituality and divination as well as success and power.Â
Gold: Gold seems to be a popular color during Christmas season and it is fitting in many ways since gold is a color of divination and delightfully enough playfulness. It is also a color that brings to mind success and wealth.
Green: Like Gold, green is also associated with success, and wealth but it is also associated with health throughout a person’s life; health in marriage, employment, success, physical growth and also fertility. It is the color that reflects a bountiful harvest.
Blue: Blue is a tranquil color that is filled with harmony, contentment and a sense of peace. It is the color to use if you are trying to lose weight or if you are simply trying to find your center. An excellent color of candle for meditation, it is believed to bring inspiration and happiness.
Silver: We can’t forget about silver if we have already looked at a metallic candle. This is another color that is very popular during Christmas but it is actually a color that is known for its neutrality. It is another great choice for meditation and reflection.
Yellow: And what about yellow? It is the sunshiny color that brings with it a sense of happiness. It is also believed to reflect intelligence and wisdom and it is an excellent color to choose if you are busy in academic pursuits, whether they are studious or creative in nature. It is a color of change and energy and will definitely keep you busy.
And there are the meanings of a few of the more popular colors of candles. For every color there is a meaning and each color harmonizes another so play around for your own desired effect.
Filed under Remodeling by on Dec 3rd, 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 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.