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Decorating With Candles – Natural Wax Candles In The Fireplace

July 12, 2011 By 2 Comments

Summer is a time of year that many of us have home projects that we are working on.  Maybe you are doing a fast make over like Tor Constantino of The Daily Retort did.  You can view his video of his family’s fast home make over by visiting  here.  Or maybe you just need to make a change to a room.

Creating a natural wax candlescape is easy and creates a great focal point for your room.

To create a simple candlescape gather the following materials:

  • A tray or even a plate that you are not using works great
  • Several natural wax pillar candles of varying heights
  • Choose a pillar candle color that accents your room making sure that they are the same color.

Place the pillar candles on your plate or tray making sure that you have at least an inch between them.  You can place decorative stones on the plate to add an interesting effect.  Place your tray of candles in your fireplace hearth and enjoy.

Candle Safety;

Always be sure to not light candles in a gas fireplace.  Keep lit candles away from children and pets.  And as always, never leave a burning candle unattended.

How do you place your candles on your fireplace?

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Candles For A Cause – Behind The Scenes

July 9, 2011 By 8 Comments

Touching lives one minute, one day, one flame at a time… is my motto.  As the owner and Master Chandler of Ria’s Collectables, I have had the wonderful opportunity to participate in some great fund raising events.

Here are some of them and not in the order in which I like.  I think that each cause has its own merits. 

 

 

50th Morgan County Habitat for Humanity House Dedication 

 Aaron and I had a great time sharing our day with the Morgan County Habitat For Humanity.  Steven Baldwin was even there to help with this fantastic build. 

 

At the end of the build we attending the Dedication Ceremony.  Our gift to the Baker family was a custom gift basket filled with soy candles, soy melts, wax melter, and a floating rose made from palm wax.

 

 

To read more about the 50th Morgan County Habitat For Humanity House Dedication you can read our full article here  or learn more about Morgan County Habitat For Humanity at by visiting their web site here.

Jesse’s Blanket

We proudly support  the efforts of Anna and Jonathan Maxwell in their endeavors to help raise money for the Huntsville Hospital  Neonatal ICU.  You can read more about Jesse’s Blanket by visiting  the web site.

Seminole Boys and Girls Club – U9 Soccer Team

We are a large fan of the Seminole Boys and Girls Club U9 Soccer Team.  These kids worked hard to end their 2010 soccer season undefeated.  A portion of our candle sales is dedication to the purchase and production of Seminole Boys and Girls Club’s awards for all of their sports and art activities.

For more information on how you may be able to help this organization, please visit their link http://www.bgcnal.com/

Annual Boy’s Mother’s Day Candle Making Class

Every year we host an annual Mother’s Day Candle Making Class for boys only.  This is a perfect time for local area boys to secretly make their mother’s or grandmother’s a special gift for Mother’s Day.  Many of these boys come from single parent homes or are being raised by their grandparents.  All food and materials are donated by Ria’s Collectables.

Throughout the year we stay very busy behind the scenes with community involvement.  For more information on how we may be of assistance for your next fund raiser, please contact us through our web site contact form.

What are some ways that you get involved with your community?

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Taper Candles

January 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 Taper candles are a great, simple way to add elegance to your table.  You do not have to be elabrate to your table setting and you do not have to have more than one.

Natural Wax Taper Candle

 

The Empty Bottle Taper

The Empty Bottle Taper is a classic hand dipped yellow beeswax taper candle.  It has a small amount of drip.  For those how like drip over a bottle, this is a perfect candle.

Honey Comb Rolled Beeswax

A honey comb rolled beeswax candle is made of beeswax.  It is typically colored and his hand rolled.  It has a very unique honey comb texture which allows it to be used in various decorating schemes.

Bayberry Taper Candles

Bayberry taper candles are made from bayberry wax.  It comes from berries off of the Myrica shrub.  This shrub is also called bayberry and candle berry.  Candles made from bayberry wax give you a long burning, olive green, natural candle.  Bayberry candles are the most expensive on the market.

Beeswax

Beeswax candles are a natural wax candle. They come in both white and natural yellow.  They are virtually drip free and are the second most expensive candle on the market.

Palm

Palm taper candles bring a grace of elegance to your table.  With their natural crystal effect and long burn times, they are sure to be the talk of the table.

Paraffin

Paraffin taper candles are by far the most used taper candles on the market.  They are mass produced in factory’s and most often imported from overseas.

Soy

Soy taper candles are produced from the soy bean.  They are a renewable resource which make them great if you are concerned about being eco-friendly.  Soy beans are grown and produced in the United States.

Uses For Taper Candles

Here are some ways that you can use taper candles:

  • To share a romantic moment with someone
  • To teach children that even peanut butter sandwhiches can be special
  • Wedding Ceremonies
  • Wedding Receptions
  • Decorate a fireplace mantal
  • Flower arrangements
  • Candle light dinner for two
  • Gayla events such as silent auctions
  • Black tie affairs

Taper candles do have a variety of uses.  Depending on your occassion, taper candles may be just the perfect fit.  Natual wax taper candles offer you a long burn time allowing you to enjoy your occassion.

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Natural Wax Taper Candles What Are They?

January 5, 2011 By 1 Comment

Natural Wax Tapers

Natural wax taper candles are made from just that, natural wax.  The following are some natural waxes:

  • Bayberry
  • Beeswax
  • Palm Wax
  • Soy Wax

Bayberry – has a beautiful natural olive green color and a natural fir smell to it.  Generally, candle makers will blend beeswax with the bayberry to help with the strength of the candle.  The natural bayberry candle is the only, other than the muted yellow of beeswax, that is naturally colored.  That means that the beautiful olive color is throughout the whole candle.   Typically, a true natural bayberry 12″ taper candle will last for almost 15 hours. 

Beeswax – pure beeswax candles can either be white or yellow.  It has a soft sweet smell.  Candle makers have a variety of ways that they actually make some of their beeswax candles.

  • Dipped
  • Hand Rolled
  • Poured

Hand dipped beeswax candles bring a very rustic look to your candle.  Hand rolled is usually from what is called honey comb sheets and are usually with color.  Poured is by actually pouring the wax into molds.  Typically, with a well made hand dipped beeswax candle, you should be able to obtain a burn rate of 1 inch per hour.  So, if you have an 8″ taper candle, your candle will burn for approximately 8 hours.

Palm Wax – Palm wax Taper Candles bring beauty to your table.  Palm is a vegetable wax and is a renewable resource.  Pure palm wax taper candles have a beautiful crystal effect throughout them which shimmers with the light.  They are very rigid and will burn for the same amount of time that a beeswax candle will burn which is 1″-1-1/2″ per hour.

Soy Wax – Soy wax taper candles are another vegetable wax.  Produced from soy beans that are grown here in the United States.  They are also a renewable resource and will also burn for approximately 1″-1-1/2″ per hour.

With a significantly longer burn rate and virtually less soot.  Your natural wax taper candles are the way to go. 

  • They allow you to be able to enjoy your meal while your candles are burning. 
  • The soot does not interfere with your meal
  • Your candles can be buring while you are entertaining and not just during your meal.

Natural wax taper candles do cost more than what you can buy in the department store, however, to obtain the same length of time that you want your candles to be lit, with a wax consumption of what we received, you would have to purchase two to three times as many of the taper candles alone.

If one of your goals for the new year is to be more eco-friendly, natural wax taper candles help you to reach that goal.

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How Natural Wax Tapers Add Value To Your Budget

January 4, 2011 By 1 Comment

Taper Candles

 

Have you ever purchased taper candles at your local department store?  We did this year for a couple of reasons.

  1. The color matched some of the florals within the custom centerpiece that we made and,
  2. I wanted to test the burn rate on not only the taper candles, but the matching votives as well.
  3. I also wanted to test the soot level that would or would not be emitted from the candles.

Thankfully, this centerpiece was not for a customer.  This centerpiece was a test and boy did the candles fail.

Wax

The candles were made of paraffin which is typically found in your local department stores.  The tapers were unscented while the votives had a great cinnamon-pumpkin spice.

Color

The color of both the taper and votive candles is a beautiful rust.  While burning the taper candles, I found that the tapers were actually over dipped with color instead of having a pure color straight through the candle.  Which meant that while burning, the inside of the candle was actually white.

Failure

The candles failed in a couple of areas.  The 10″ taper candles had to be blown out within 10 minutes due to the fast burn rate.  2″ within 10 minutes is far to fast for a candle to burn.  They also produced a large amount of soot while they were burning.  The drip however, was minimal. 

The votives failed within 30 minutes.  Here is why:

  • One votive literally fell apart and tunneled in the process leaving nothing but a disfigured shell.
  • One votive failed by becoming a complete blob.
  • Out of three votives, only one withstood the burn and lasted throughout our dinner.
  • There was an unusual amount of soot
  • None of the votives were able to last longer than an hour
  • Additionally, the closer they got to the bottom, the more soot was produced.

Natural Wax Tapers

Natural wax taper candles are made from just that, natural wax.  The following are some natural waxes:

  • Bayberry
  • Beeswax
  • Palm Wax
  • Soy Wax

Bayberry – has a beautiful natural olive green color and a natural fir smell to it.  Generally, candle makers will blend beeswax with the bayberry to help with the strength of the candle.  The natural bayberry candle is the only, other than the muted yellow of beeswax, that is naturally colored.  That means that the beautiful olive color is throughout the whole candle.   Typically, a true natural bayberry 12″ taper candle will last for almost 15 hours. 

Beeswax – pure beeswax candles can either be white or yellow.  It has a soft sweet smell.  Candle makers have a variety of ways that they actually make some of their beeswax candles.

  • Dipped
  • Hand Rolled
  • Poured

Hand dipped beeswax candles bring a very rustic look to your candle.  Hand rolled is usually from what is called honey comb sheets and are usually with color.  Poured is by actually pouring the wax into molds.  Typically, with a well made hand dipped beeswax candle, you should be able to obtain a burn rate of 1 inch per hour.  So, if you have an 8″ taper candle, your candle will burn for approximately 8 hours.

Palm Wax – Palm wax Taper Candles bring beauty to your table.  Palm is a vegetable wax and is a renewable resource.  Pure palm wax taper candles have a beautiful crystal effect throughout them which shimmers with the light.  They are very rigid and will burn for the same amount of time that a beeswax candle will burn which is 1″-1-1/2″ per hour.

Soy Wax – Soy wax taper candles are another vegetable wax.  Produced from soy beans that are grown here in the United States.  They are also a renewable resource and will also burn for approximately 1″-1-1/2″ per hour.

With a significantly longer burn rate and virtually less soot.  Your natural wax taper candles are the way to go. 

  • They allow you to be able to enjoy your meal while your candles are burning. 
  • The soot does not interfere with your meal
  • Your candles can be buring while you are entertaining and not just during your meal.

Natural wax taper candles do cost more than what you can buy in the department store, however, to obtain the same length of time that you want your candles to be lit, with a wax consumption of what we received, you would have to purchase two to three times as many of the taper candles alone.

With the burn rate of a natural wax candle, you could actually have several special meals with just one set.  Which brings you more value for your dollar.

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Your Candle Goals For 2011

January 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you are like many people, you have a budget and have set financial goals and budgets for the new year.  Knowing when and how you are going to use candles will help in keeping you on your budget.  Below is some great thought provoking ideas to consider for the year.

Things To Consider

  • Are you a person who loves candles? 
  • Do you have a wedding in the future and you plan on using candles for your reception
  • Are you going to use a Unity Candle Set?
  • Are you going to use candles as a party or wedding favor?
  • Do you have an event this year that you will be using candles for?
  • Do you have a silent auction planned?
  • Are you a realtor that gives candles as a closing gift?
  • Are you selling your home this  year?
  • Do you know a candle lover?
  • Do you use candles for your holiday meals?
  • Are you planning a fund raiser this year?

Knowing how you will be using your candles will help you to plan your purchases.  Especially if you purchase your candles on-line.  This not only allows you to budget, it also allows you time your purchases to meet shipping dead lines.

Using Candles In Weddings

If you plan to use candles in your wedding for things such as  your favors, unity candle lighting, or for your reception.  You should determine if you plan to purchase candles at your local department store or on line.  If you are purchasing your candles on-line, the sooner you decide on your candle maker the better.  This insures that your candles will arrive on time and if there is a problem, it can be rectified before your big day.

For Receptions and Events

As with weddings, you should determine what kind of candle you want to use.  Some options you should consider are as follows:

  • Will they be used as favors?
  • If used as a favor, are you going to have custom tagging?
  • Centerpieces?
  • What color do you intend on using?
  • What type of wax do you want to use?
  • Does your wax type matter to you?

Realtor Closing Gifts

If you are a Realtor, candles are a great way to show your client your appreciation.  Some things to consider are:

  • Do you want a single candle?
  • Candle Gift Basket?
  • Do you want your marketing material incorporated with your gift?
  • Do you want to use natural wax candles?

Home Staging

If you are planning on selling your home this year, light candles through out your home will help to make it feel inviting.

Fund Raising

Candles are perfect for fund raising.  They offer you a great return on your fund raising event.  Using a local candle maker allows you to have a more personal relationship within your fund raising efforts.  They are also easier to sell than many items that are being used for fund raising today.

Fund  Raising Ideas

Here are some community areas that would benefit from fund raising:

  • Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs
  • Sports Teams
  • Schools
  • Churches
  • After School Programs

As you can see, there are many reasons to plan your candle purchases.  Being prepared will be one of the simplest goals you can do to help your budget.

For additional ideas for budgeting your candle purchases, you can read this article which has some additional ideas.

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Which Is Best–Natural Soy Candles or Paraffin Wax Candles?

October 31, 2010 By 5 Comments

Candles are one of the best gifts you’ll ever give or receive. Everyone loves candles, and always has a place for one or two. They are a very consumable product, since you never get the full experience from the candle until you burn it.

Some candles are never meant to be used other than to decorate a specific space, while others are meant to be burned, but are so beautiful you just cannot bear to light the wick. Natural soy candles are one type of candle that has become a very popular choice in candle purchases.

Candles can be made from a variety of materials, beeswax, paraffin and soy being the primary materials in use today. By far, the leading wax being used currently is paraffin wax, which is a by-product of petroleum.

When you choose to use petroleum based candles, you are going to get the extra soot these naturally create. Although a perfectly soot free candle is a myth, natural soy candles are as close as you can get to a soot free candle.

Your Wick Matters

There have been some problems with certain types of paraffin candles, because of lead content that has been found within the wick. Not all paraffin candles have been found to contain the lead laced wicks, but you certainly would not want to leave an issue such as this to chance.

Small animals in the home such as birds, cats and the smaller dog breeds have been known to get sick, or even perish because of the toxins created by burning paraffin candles with the lead laced wicks. Of course, it is also advisable to keep such candles away from the elderly, and children in particular.

Natural soy candles don’t have the same troubles with the emissions from burning like ones made with paraffin. You will find that soy candles have a tendency to burn longer than other candles of comparable size. They also burn cooler.

This means you get a candle which provides more fragrance and candle light for the money. On average, soy candles have been shown to last thirty percent longer than their petroleum based counterparts.

For the most part, when an individual is not happy with a candle, it’s because it had such a nice aroma before lighting, but became somewhat bland when lit. This problem lies in how fast the wax is burning, and the amount of soot produced while burning.

Frgrance

Natural soy candles do not burn as fast as other types do, and they produce less heat because they burn slower, and at a lower temperature. This slow and low burn factor allows the soy candle to disperse its scent slowly, and gives it superior room coverage without becoming over powering.

The next time you’re out gift shopping, either for yourself or someone else, you really should consider natural soy candles. These lovely candles come in a wider variety of colors and scents, so you are sure to find something to please even the pickiest person on your gift list.

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