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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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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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The Romance Of Candles

August 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Why Candles Are Romantic

To say that candles are not romantic is like having Christmas without Santa Claus or better yet, having Christmas without the story of Ebenezer Scrooge.  Here’s why.

We have 5 senses that provoke thoughts and feelings which in return help to create memories.   Within these memories lies the magical romance that lasts a life time. 

Could you imagine Christmas without Santa Claus or a Christmas tree?  The word Christmas provokes thoughts and feelings of gatherings with your family and loved ones.  The magical aura that comes about from watching the glow of the Christmas lights.  The special gleam on the face of your loved ones on Christmas Eve.  The festive parties, and the beautiful tables decorated with candles and food that look absolutely beautiful and smell so delicious.  

When the word romantic is said, the following thoughts come to mind

Candle light dinner for two.

Relaxing with wine and candle light.

A bride and groom lighting their unity candle.

A romantic soak in the tub softly lit by candle light.

Beautiful holiday meals with gorgeous centerpieces that glow from the soft light of taper candles.

A trail of rose pedals and votive candles softly lighting the way to a romantic retreat.

A wedding reception or black tie affair romantically lit up by the soft glow of candles.

Candles simply bring a magical, romantic atmosphere to just about any occasion.  The flicker of the candle light presents a simple glow that you cannot get from anything else.

Now, I guess you could be like Ebenezer Scrooge and say bahumbug.  You could even argue that using candles for a romantic occasion actually could create a fire hazard.  Or you could say that drinking wine by candle light could actually relax you to the point of going to sleep and a fire could start.  Which you would be correct. 

However, using caution and properly burning candles, you might just find yourself in the same situation as Ebenezer.  Remember the magic that happened when Tiny Tim touched his heart?  Ebenezer had a life changing event that happened on Christmas which resulted in him sharing dinner with Tiny Tim’s family, guess what?  It was by candle light.

Simply stated, candles bring a magical, romantic glow to any occasion.  The ambiance of the glow from the candles flame, creates a memory that will last a life time in the eyes of the beholder.

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Submission guidelines:  You are welcome to publish this article in your opt-in newsletter or on your website provided it is published in its entirety, including the resource box.  Please email Ria Wallace of your intent to publish this article.

About the author:  This article was brought to you by Ria Wallace, Master Chandler and Owner of Ria’s Collectables – A Soy Candle Company that specializes in hand poured, natural wax candles.  Her mission in life is, “Touching peoples lives one minute, one day, one flame at a time…..™”  She is also author of Ria’s Pay it Forward where she shares real life stories of how others impact the everyday life of many.  Her helpful articles are regularly syndicated online.  You can find more articles about soy candle decorating tips, tools and resources to educate and inspire you to use natural wax candles safely and economically at home by visiting http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ria_Wallace

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(c) Copyright 2010-Ria Wallace

http://www.riascollectables.com

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Where To Buy Natural Wax Candles

August 28, 2010 By 2 Comments

Natural Wax Candle Gift BasketNatural Wax Candles

Are you searching for that perfect gift?  Hand poured candles made from natural wax could be your simplest and most worthwhile solution.

Choose from natural wax candles that are made from

  •  
    • Natural Soy Wax
    • Bayberry wax, also known as the Christmas Candle
    • Bees wax
    • Palm wax

Benefits of Natural Wax Candles

  • Natural wax candles are eco-friendly
  • A renewable resource
  • Biodegradable
  • Burn longer
  • Burn cleaner

To insure freshness and quality, our candle products are custom, hand poured to your order. 

Our luxurious, bath products are sure to entice you back to a time when life was so natural, simple and care free.  Pamper yourself with the benefits of Goat’s Milk soap, enjoy the simple, natural elegance of soaking in the tub with our Bath Salts, Teas, or Fizzes, you’ll be glad you did.

Whether you are shopping for a “Special Someone” or you are shopping for yourself, you will enjoy knowing that our products fit just about any occasion you may need.

 As a family owned and operated business we take delicate care of our customers.  If there is an occasion that you are looking for that special gift and need help with, please use our contact form and we will be more than happy to help.

 Our goal is … Touching lives, one minute, one day, one flame at a time…one bath at a time.

So come and allow your heart to speak through our natural hand made products and gifts.  Visit our store at http://www.riascollectables.com

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Candles-Are Your Candle Containers Turning Black?

August 8, 2010 By 4 Comments

We have all purchased gorgeous candle containers, or that cute little candle holder and ended up with black soot on the top and sides.  This is very common when paraffin wax has been used.  This can also take place when metal wicks are used or if you are not trimming your wick.

There are two metal candle wicks that were commonly used in the production of candles.  One is lead which if your candles are made in the United States, they do not contain lead.  The other is Zinc core wicks which burn hotter and can produce black soot.

If you have purchased a candle that produces black soot while you are burning it, ask your supplier if the candle is made of natural wax such as Beeswax, Palm Wax, or Soy.  Make sure that it is not a blend of natural wax and paraffin. 

If in fact your candle is made of “all natural” wax, ask if they use Zinc wicks.   If they do, look for a supplier that uses only cotton wicks. 

Ria’s Collectables is one of many small candle companies that uses natural wax as well as cotton wicks.  Regardless of who you purchase your candles from make sure they display the “We Checked” Logo on their web site.

Touching lives one day, one flame, one minute at a time…..

Add to your patio decor by placing natural Soy Wax candles in decorative containers.  Visit Ria’s Collectables for a variety of candle ideas

Submission guidelines: You are welcome to publish this article in your opt-in newsletter or on your website provided it is published in it’s entirety, including the resource box.  Please email Ria Wallace of your intent to publish this article.

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Newsletter Naming Contest

August 6, 2010 By 6 Comments

Ria’s Collectables is having a contest. 

Ria’s Collectables is starting a news letter.  I need your help with naming it.  So, let’s have some fun. 

Here are the rules:

  1. Suggest a name.
  2. You may enter twice.
  3. You can not enter any title that has a Copy Right or Trade Mark.
  4. If your name is choosen, you will have to give Ria’s Collectables exclusive rights to it.  In return, we will shamelessly plug your company by posting a banner on Simply Soy Candle News as a thank you.  In addition, you will receive one of our beautifuly hand poured soy pillar candles of our choice postage paid.  So, please make sure that you live within the United States.

The contest ends August 9th, 2010.  Winner’s will be notified via this blog on August 10th, 2010. 

If you have any questions, please let me know.  Good luck!

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Will The Real Soy Candle Please Stand Up?

August 4, 2010 By 5 Comments

There is a lot of buzz on the internet regarding soy candles.  However, did you know that just because it says, “Made With Soy”, you could actually be purchasing a candle with paraffin? 

That’s right, the key term here is, “made with soy”.  For most people they may not care, after all, they just purchased a candle that is made with soy.

So why is it important to know what your candle is made of?  Well, personally, I feel that you should know what the ingredients’ of your candle are. 

Shopping for candles is like shopping for groceries.  When you purchase food, you want the best possible, healthy ingredients’ possible.  The fresher the better.  Your candle purchase should be the same.

Paraffin is a petroleum based product.  It is drilled and processed out of basically the bottom of the barrel.  We all use petroleum in our automobiles and paraffin can actually be processed into a solid propellant used for hybrid rocket motors.     Would you want to use that in your candles?

Soy is produced by U.S. Farmers

Soy wax on the other hand is actually grown by U.S. Farmers and is considered a natural resource and eco-friendly.  Purchasing candles made from 100% soy wax, helps to contribute to the U.S. Economy and to the back bone of the American families.

At Ria’s Collectables, we only use 100% soy wax for our soy candles.  Our wax starts from the seeds that U.S. Farmers plant and is supplied by U.S. Producers.  We believe in supporting small American business and believe you deserve to know what your candles are made from.  We can proudly say, our candles are “Made In America” and are “Made with 100% Soy”.

When  you purchase your next soy candle, find out how much soy is actually used.  You might be surprised to find that it is a soy blended with paraffin candle.

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Simply Soy Candle News

July 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Welcome to Simply Soy Candle News.  I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy day and stopping by. Join me as I share with you the news of a small, family owned candle company.  From the making of the soy candles that are sold online through our online store, Ria’s Collectables, to how our soy candles touch the lives of many. 

We will be adding decorating tips and suggestions centered around using soy and palm wax candles, as well as making your own spa environment using natural wax candles.

Stay up to date on the behind the scene I have some exciting things in store for all of us. 

 Our customer’s asked and we listened.  Ria’s Collectables is undergoing some web-site remodeling.  Let us know what you think of the new site.  If you have any suggestions that you would like to talk about, just let me know.

 A special thank you to the Creo Communico Team , they have done a tremendous job in helping guide me through all of the small trials of a web-site transfer.  Without all the hard work they have accomplished behind the scenes, we would not have been able to meet our dead line for our new web-site and blog.

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