Candles For A Cause – Toledo Deaf Club

Our Candles for a cause articles help to bring awareness in areas that I believe are worthy of noting.  Sometimes the best way to help is by spreading the word of people and communities that help others. 

Social clubs are a very important part of our communities.  There are many well known clubs such as the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, and 4H just to name a few.  These clubs help to provide a community that reaches to people within special areas.

The Toledo Deaf Club is no different.  Founded in 1936 is has been a long standing club for the deaf community within the Toledo, Ohio.  Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan areas.

Serving as a source for the deaf community for job postings, social gatherings, as well as severing the deaf community with community outreach help. 

They are holding a special meeting on Saturday, July 30th 2011 at 2 p.m. at the club at 1809 Adams St, in Toledo, Ohio to discuss the future of the club.

To learn more about the Toledo Deaf Club and this special meeting, please view this article written by Traci Tillman and published by ToledoBlade.com.

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

Cleaning Day Candle Fragrances

Gosh, we all dread that wonderful day that we set aside for cleaning.  If you are an animal lover, you know that sometimes there are certain smells that little Fido and fluffy leave behind. 

Using candle scented with essential oils that are specific for eliminating odors is great when your cleaning.

Here is a list of great order eliminating fragrances:

Mandarin

A fruitful aroma for eliminating and neutralizing odors naturally. The air is scrubbed of malodors by a tangy citrus blend, a natural essence of rosemary and sweetened by pineapple and sun ripened raspberry

 

Olive Tree

Blended with naturally occurring oils specifically for eliminating and neutralizing odors without potentially harmful, synthetic chemicals. A burst of lemon sunshine prepares the air to be thoroughly cleansed with spicy blend of geranium, thyme, and rosemary essential oils

 

Rosemary and Thyme 

Typical household odors; tobacco, pet, bathroom, and kitchen; are no match to this cleansing citrus mélange. Sweet floral extracts cheer on this astringent blend of essential oils, yielding to a warm amber finish. A delightful way to eliminate and neutralize odors naturally without the potential harm of synthetic chemicals.

What are some of your favorite fragrance while you clean?

Ways To Use Candles For Your Outdoor Wedding Reception

Adding candle light to your outdoor wedding reception helps to give your special event a touch of magic.  Illuminating a walk way for your guests is just one idea.  Knowing where you are going to be using candles for your reception will help you create that special memorable moment.  Check below for more ideas.

Places to use candles

Adding a simple table centerpiece is ideal for outdoors.   Floating candles in a clear bowl with a little food coloring is a great way to add a little pizzazz to your table.

Pillar candles set in hurricane globes is another great way to add a simple elegant touch.

If there a pool, float tea lights in special floating tea light holders to add a touch of crystal to your pool water.

If  you will be giving votive candles as a wedding favor, add them to each guests table setting with a simple thank you card attached.

Line walk ways with lanterns that have votives in them.  This gives off a very beautiful, soft light for your guests.

Planning a wedding can be very stressful.  By using the ideas above this should give you a good starting point to help elevate some stress. 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 for your purchases to meet shipping deadlines.

For a great check list of ideas on planning your candle purchases for your wedding, read the following article;

10 Things To Consider Before You Purchase Candles For Your Wedding

How are you using candles for your outdoor wedding?

Great Summer Candle Fragrances

Although the heat of summer is on us, one cannot help but notice all of the fragrances blooming in our gardens.

Here are some great summer candle fragrance to bring indoors so that your home smells like a garden.

Daffodil

A refreshing green floral with a lively mixture of tulip, jasmine, field grass, osmanthus & white musk.

 

English Lavender

 Imagine fields of fresh sweet lavender…a smooth calming fragrance.

 

Gardenia

A fragrance that captures the exuberance of a gardenia in bloom.

 

Honeysuckle

Just imagine an evening walk in the countryside past the honeysuckle vine cascading over the fence row.

 

Jasmine

From the Old World to today, Jasmine maintains its unique aroma as a perfume prepared in a blossom.

 

Peony

Imagine the beauty of the Peony in bloom blended with jasmine and white lily.

What are some of your favorite candle fragrances?

 

A Scent For Every Room

Those of you that follow the blog know that I am passionate about candle light and family.  Bringing family back to the table and creating a magical atmosphere is a moment that lasts a life time.

We all have memories of certain smells and how they can either be pleasing or not.  I recently read an article written by Inner Bliss Designs  about how scents help to create an awareness. 

Using scents to help define your homes space is a great way to make a small changes that will help you feel better.  You can read the article here

Below are some ideas to help define the scent of your room.

 Define Your Rooms Scent

Each room of your home has a purpose.  Here is a list of candle fragrances that are great for some of the rooms of your home. 

Kitchen – each of us have a different thought about our kitchens and how we would like them to smell.   

Spice Scents

  • Cinnamon
  • Vanilla
  • Sage
  • Spiced Wassail

 Bakery Scents

  • McIntosh Apple Type
  • Pumpkin Soufflé
  • Pink Sugar Type

Coffee Scents

I am an avid coffee drinker so you know I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee.  So if you love coffee, here are a couple of great coffee fragrances

  • French Vanilla
  • Carmel Cafe
  • Irish Mocha

Bathroom

I actually have two bathrooms, one in the master bedroom and one that everyone uses.  Both have very different candle fragrances.  I like to mix different candle fragrances to give a unique fragrance of their own.

Master Bathroom

  • Australian Bamboo
  • Curve Type
  • Obsession Type

Main Bathroom

  • Baby Powder
  • Bedroom
  • Lavender
  • Jasmine
  • Lilly’s of The Valley
  • Rose

These are just a few fragrances that will help you design your own unique fragrance for your home. 

What are some candle fragrances you use?

Are Your Candles Made From 100% Soy?

Being a Master Chandler I have a tendency to pay attention to details of what others are selling. Like how a candle is made, what goes into it, etc. There are so many different types of candle blends in the market, it’s nearly impossible for every candle company to make the exact same candle.

Because of the benefits of soy candles, many people have been seeking out natural wax candles or 100% soy candles. A true soy candle is not that easy to find. Most soy candles that you find in the market are blends of wax, with some being blended with paraffin.  Because a soy candle can be blended with and still be marketed as being “100% soy” I thought some simple facts would help you determine how much soy is in your candles.

Fact 1 – Soy Does Not Mean Natural

If the soy candle contains fragrance oil instead of essential oil, it is not all natural.  Essential oils are made from sources such as:

  1. Flowers
  2. Plant Leafs and Roots
  3. Tree Flowers
  4. Plant and Herb Resins
  5. The Bark from Trees and Plants

Fact 2 – How Much Soy Is In Your Pillar Candle?

In order to make pillar candles from soy wax, the wax is blended.  A candle maker only has to have 51% soy wax in their pillar candle to claim soy. 

Many candle makers will blend their soy with the following:

  1. Paraffin
  2. Palm Wax
  3. Bees wax

A true soy pillar candle will be made from pure soybean oil that is enhanced with the finest botanical oils to help aide in the performance of the candle.  This is important to know if you are concerned with your candles being natural.

Fact 3 – Not All Wicks Are The Same

In order to help maintain your soy candle being natural, your wick is also important.  Soy candles made with cotton or hemp wick are the best way to go.

Fact 4 – Adding Color Changes Everything

To maintain purity, soy candles should be naturally colored.  This is accomplished by your candle maker infusing natural herbs with the soy wax. 

Fact 5 – Soy Wax Is Cost Effective

It is easy to say that soy wax candles are more expensive than department store candles, there are reasons for this. Soy candles burn anywhere from 1-1-1/2 times longer. This is because a soy candle burns cooler than paraffin. 

Next time your purchase a soy candle be sure to read the ingredients on the package.  See what your candle is made from.  You just might be surprised.

What are some things you look for when purchasing candles?

 

Decorating With Candles – Natural Wax Candles In The Fireplace

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?

Candle Safety-Votive Candle Recall

 

On July 5th, 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with Dollar Tree Stores Inc., voluntarily recalled some of their glass votive candles due to the candle holder shattering while burning.

There has only been one instance of the candle holder breaking and no injuries were reported.

For more information on this recall please visit The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions web site.

Burning candles properly is a must for any homes safety.

10 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 sandwiches can be special
  • Wedding Ceremonies
  • Wedding Receptions
  • Decorate a fireplace mantle
  • Flower arrangements
  • Candle light dinner for two
  • Gala events such as silent auctions
  • Black tie affairs
  • Accent a centerpiece

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

Candle Safety-Taper Candle Recall Yankee Candle

  With the holiday season approaching fast, you should look at your candle inventory to make sure that you do not have any candles that have been affected by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recalls.

 Most of us love taper candles during our holiday meals and some of you may actually have some from the 2010 shopping season. 

 Note:

 On November 23rd, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with General Wax & Candle Company, of North Hollywood, California, voluntarily recalled 33,000 10 inch metallic silver and gold taper candles.  UPC code 609032492687 or 609032492694.  These candles were sold exclusively through Yankee Candle Company stores nationwide.

 The purpose of this recall is due to the metallic paint on the candles can ignite.

 For more information on this recall please visit The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions web site.

Burning candles properly is a must for any homes safety.