Soy Candles

Yes Halloween is here.  Maybe you are yet to make your Jack-O’-Lanterns.  Well here are some last minute tips.  Before buying your pumpkin, have in mind the design you want to create and then go find the right size pumpkin to match.  Choose a pumpkin that is uniformly orange, meaning it is ripe.  Be sure there are no bruises, cuts, nicks, dents, gouges, or scratches.  A smooth pumpkin is best for the use of stencils. 

Never carry your pumpkin by the stem.  It may break off and make it hard to get the top off when carving.  If the pumpkin you like has no stem or it broke off, don’t despair.  You can simply turn it over and carve the bottom out for the opening.  Simply sit your Jack-O’-Lantern over the light source on the cleaned bottom piece of pumpkin.  This works just as well and you will find that you don’t need the stem for a lid handle. 

Now that your pumpkin is carved and that face is ready to be lit up, try the use of a soy votive candle.  They are environmentally friendly and safe for your health use.   

Have you got your pumpkin chosen and scary face carved?  Your pumpkin is about to be transformed into the Halloween Jack-O’-Lantern.  To create the perfect carving or stencil you need to be sure and select the right pumpkin for the face you have in mind.  Medium sized pumpkins work best for most of the stencils you can buy or ones you make yourself.  The larger pumpkins are great for more elaborate creations and are excellent for centerpieces.  The smallest pumpkins make good choices for quick carvings and can be used in numbers to light up a pathway or for decorations at your Halloween party.  No matter the carving or size of pumpkin, you need to a way to glow that Face!  Soy votive candles make the best choice for health and economics.  You can even create your own Jack-O’-Lantern scent by the fragrance you choose for your pumpkin.  Soy votive candles burn 16-18 hours each and when purchased in 12 packs make a savings for you.  Treat your Jack-O’-Lantern to a scented soy votive candle today!

Recently many companies have been promoting the benefits of candles made from soy wax. But many people are still left wondering how these soy candles are better than traditional paraffin wax candles. The main difference is that 100-percent soy candles are made from natural soy and vegetable wax. Paraffin wax is a by-product of refined fuel. Basically, paraffin is what’s left at the bottom of the barrel after everything else is extracted from the fuel.

Soy wax candles also burn cleaner, longer and hold more fragrance. Soy candles don’t release any toxins into the air unlike paraffin candles. Paraffin wax can contain many cancer-causing carcinogens and these are released as the candles burn.

Soy candles are also eco-friendly because they don’t rely on fossil-fuel processing for their wax. Soy wax is comes from soy beans and its production puts much less stress on the environment.

Beeswax is one of nature’s best moisturizers. In addition to the wax’s moisturizing capability, it’s also a natural alternative to candle wax. Beeswax candles burn longer and cleaner than ordinary wax candles. This type of candle also gives off more light and heat than other candles.Burning beeswax candles in your home creates negatively-charged ions which clean the air of positive ions such as dust, toxins, mold, pollen, viruses and bad odors. Beeswax candles can improve the symptoms of allergy suffers and other environmental sensitivities.

A recent ingenious invention is beeswax massage oil candles. These candles provide all the air-cleaning benefits and double as a moisturizer and massage oil for your skin. Massage oil candles are meant to be kept by your bed and lit whenever you’re in the mood to get or give a massage.

With the cooler months just around the corner, I tend to burn more soy wax candles because I am in inside more.  Below are some soy candle safety tips to ensure a safer burn experience in your home.

• Burn on a heat resistant surface.
• Keep lit candle out of reach of children and pets.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.  Keep your lighted candle within sight.
• Never burn a candle near anything that can catch on fire.
• Read and follow all manufacturer instructions and warnings carefully.
• Trim the wick to 1/8 inch each time before burning.
• Use an appropriate candle holder, that will not tip over accidentally.
• Keep burning candle away from drafts, vents and air currents.
• Extinguish if your candle smokes, flickers repeatedly, or the flame becomes too high.  Cool and trim the wick.  Check for drafts and then re-light.
• Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris.
• Always burn candles in a well ventilated room.
• Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container.  For a safety margin, stop burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains, 1/2 inch if in a container.
• Never touch or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.
• Extinguish a pillar candle if the wax pool approaches the outer edge.
• Place lighted candles at least 3 inches apart.

Enjoy the winter months by enhancing your sense of smell, sight, and touch with soy wax candles, soy wood wicks and soy body massage candles.  Happy winter months ahead!

Your soy candle has a mind of its own and no matter the type, may burn differently due to many factors.  No one wants a contrary soy candle with a small flame that decreases the amount of light cast or small burn pools that reduce your candles burn time, leaving a bunch of unusable wax.  Causes of a candle that have a small flame and small burn pools include the following:

1. The length of time that you burn your soy candle at each occurrence is not long enough.  You should try to let your candle burn long enough so the entire top layer melts to the sides before you put it out.  Of course this tip means a candle in a container versus a free standing one.  Be sure to burn your soy wax votive in a snug fitting container.  Try to burn candles at least an hour each burn for each inch of diameter of wax.  This allows the candle to melt down from the sides. 
2. Wick tips.  If your wick becomes to long from burning over long periods of time, be sure to trim it to about 1/8 of an inch.  This will keep your candle looking nice and lasting longer.  Carefully trim the wick every 4 hours or so in half, which will be about the 1/8 inch.  You may notice what looks like mushrooming of the wick.  This is normal for natural wicks.  Be sure and trim the wick before each use.  It is recommended to use a candle snuffer or bending the wick over into the wax when extinguishing your candle.  This will eliminate smoke from the wick.  Always re-center the wick for proper burning the next time you light the candle.  Use a non-flammable item {such as a metal nail file or silverware} to gently push the base of the wick towards the center.  
3. Temperature of the surroundings.  Be sure to keep candles away from cold sources when storing them, such as windows in the winter.  This causes the wax to become cold and when burning will melt slower, resulting in a small flame and wax being left on the sides.  Try to keep your soy candles at room temperature between 65-75 degrees F.  

Hopefully these suggestions will help make your soy candle burn experience a delight.  Happy Burning! 

If you are looking for a fun idea for the winter inside blahs, here it is.  Make your own soy candles and be in charge of the scent that you want to entice your home with.  A great activity to share with your children. 

Making soy candles is inexpensive.  All you need is these five items:  1 pound of soy wax per large candle, 1-2 ounces of fragrance{depends on how strong you want the aroma},  container for the melted wax to go in, some color wax dye, and cotton wicks.

Now you are ready to begin.  Get a pan and melt the soy wax on medium heat.  Once melted, take off the heat, stir in the fragrance oil with a wooden spoon, till completely blended.  Now add the wax dye and blend in.  Pour the wax into your container and put the cotton wick right into the middle.  Lay a knife across the top of the container to let the wick lean against until the wax is set, to keep the wick in the middle.  Let the wax dry completely.  Dry the soy candle overnight and then trim the wick to an inch in length.

Some great ideas as you are making your soy candles are:  Make a multi-colored candle by adding a second layer of wax to your wax layer that is almost dry.  Of course it is a different color.  You can add multiple layers this way of different colored wax.  Also, you can make a totally wild soy candle by pouring the different colored waxes in all at the same time, thus making a cool looking soy candle. 

Be sure to monitor the hot wax if your children are making these with you.  Hot wax does burn if it gets on your skin.  Soy wax is easy to clean up if it gets on things you would not want it to.  Simply use soap and water.  As you are heating the wax, be sure you stir it all the time as it can get too hot and burn, thus making it unusable.

Experiment with the fragrance oils.  Come up with your own unique aromas.  Share them with your family and friends.  Happy soy candle making!

Not only are soybeans being used in soy candles, but they have been given the new identity of a massage oil.  Now you can purchase a special soy candle called a soy body massage candle, that can burn as a soy candle or can be used as a body massage oil.  Since a soy candle’s burn temperature is lower than that of a paraffin candle there is much less chance of burns.  Simply let the massage candle burn 20 minutes to melt a pool of wax, extinguish the flame, drizzle a small amount of the melted oil onto your skin and massage it in.  It is great as a hand lotion or as a massage oil.  Use sparingly, as this rich emollient goes a long way.   If you are in a romantic mood, surprise your loved one with a full body massage. 

This product can also be used without melting.  Use it as a body balm by scooping out a small amount with your fingers and apply it directly to your skin.  When the solid lotion reaches skin temperature it will melt into your skin, releasing its moisturizing properties.  Our massage candles are made with only the finest ingredients available: Cosmetic grade soy oil, Grape-seed oil, Shea butter, Mango butter, Jojoba oil, Vitamin E, and Beeswax.

Wow, what a way to enhance your love life and your senses!  The soy candle will indulge your sense of sight with the tantalizing glow of the candlelight; your sense of touch with the warm skin-nourishing, moisturizing, natural massage oil; and smell from its deliciously soft fragrance.  The nutrient rich oils contained in the soy body massage candle will soften, hydrate and rejuvenate your skin leaving it deeply moisturized.

Our soy body massage candles are made with natural hemp wicks, do not contain dyes and are extremely safe for the body and the environment.  Never insert fingers in the candle while burning.  Extinguish the flame before applying oil.  Do not use massage oil on face and avoid contact with eyes.  Flush with water if contact occurs and discontinue use if irritation occurs.   

For a wonderful relaxing experience that heightens your senses and leaves your skin lustrous, silky smooth and delicately scented, try a soy body massage candle.  Make the intimate moments spent with your loved one extra special.  This sensual product is IRRESISTIBLE!

My daughter has told me that when you buy a candle the first thing you do is to smell it.  This is very difficult to do when buying online.  It might even stop you from thinking about buying a candle online.  The whole sensory experience is halted.  But there is hope.  Here are some facts to consider in buying your online purchase of candles.  

Consider the reasons why you would purchase a candle in the first place.  Is it the wax, type, size, or the scent.  After making these determinations, break it down to these choices.

Wax:  There are many different types and if you have allergies it will influence this choice.  Below are some common types of wax used in making candles. 

1. You can choose candles made from paraffin.  They are the most common type, but even though they are cheap, they are made from petroleum by-products.  Remember paraffin leaves soot build-up in your home and releases carcinogens into the air when burned, like benzene and toluene.  Poor choice for allergies and asthma.
2. Then you can find a gel candle, also made from petroleum by-products.  Gel is a clear wax and accepts color and fragrance easily.  The wax is so soft however, it needs wick reinforcement and then becomes a health risk.
3. Now we come to the choice of soy wax.  It is produced from soybeans.  It doesn’t produce soot or carcinogens like petroleum based waxes.  It is also a renewable resource, burns longer than paraffin and is good for allergies and asthma.  Soy candles make a better health choice.

Type:  You can find candles in containers or free standing.  They come in jars of all shapes and sizes, even travel tins.  Then to the free standing ones: pillars, tapers, and votives.  Be sure to consider the color of your candle pick as well.

1. Does your home have small children or pets that might cause your candle to be a safety consideration.  A candle in a container would be best to prevent splashing, spilling or falling over.  But if a free standing candle is your choice then be sure to keep it out of reach.  Consider also that soy wax washes out with only soap and water and the wax doesn’t burn as hot, so less chance of burns.
2. What size are you looking for?  Do you want a big one or several small ones, or both? 
3. Then think about the color.  Are you enhancing the room decor or just buying for size and fragrance alone?

Burn Times:  These vary depending on the size of candle and its wick.  A rule to remember is this:

1. Smaller candles with smaller wicks burn in about 7-9 hours per ounce of wax used.
2. Larger candles with larger wicks burn faster, about 5-7 hours per ounce of wax used.
3. Then Soy candles burn longer, due to the lower burn temperature.  They make the best economical choice.

Fragrance:  This is the tricky one.  There is no way to experience the sensory joy of smelling your candle online. 

1. You will have to trust the descriptions offered by the website.  
2. Those people with asthma and allergies consider that the scent is the culprit that starts an episode for them, but it is the wax that is the real trigger.  Soy candle wax doesn’t cause as strong a reaction, even if it is highly scented.  Remember you can find unscented soy wax candles.
3. What is the fragrance you are after and the reason you would choose it?  The seasons might cause you to make a different choice, like pumpkin spice for Halloween and Thanksgiving, or evergreen for Christmas.  Then maybe you just have a favorite fragrance that you want to fill your home with. 

Whatever the reasons you are looking to buy candles online the best choice for: health, economics, and going green are soy candles.  Happy hunting!

Did you know that a person can recall smells after a year, with 65% accuracy.  Compare that with sight recall of photos after only three months, of a 50% accuracy rate.  Our sense of smell recall is more enhanced than that of sight.  Remember going to grandma’s house as a kid and when you walked in, the smell of fresh bread found its way to your nose, or those delicious oatmeal cookies.  My the memories that brings back.  You can relive those precious memories with a fragrant soy candle of the same scent.  Bring grandma’s house to your house!

Some more fun facts on smell are as follows:

• Our sense of smell plays an important part in our well-being and quality of life.
• We all have our own unique odor-identity, or smell fingerprint.
• People don’t smell the same odor in the same way.  An example, is a rose that smells sweeter to one person than another.
• You can recognize about 10,000 different odors.
• Our sense of smell greatly influences our sense of taste.  When you are sick with a cold and can’t smell, nothing tastes good either.
• In animals and fish, the brain has a larger portion of it devoted to the sense of smell. 
• Your nose can tell you where an odor originates, if you will follow the directional path of the smell.
• As the day progresses, our sense of smell is more acute.
• Women have a keener sense of smell than men.
• And there are many odors that pass us daily that we are not even aware of.

Now after learning some fun facts on your sense of smell, why not enjoy enticing it with your favorite soy candle fragrance.  You can even share your unique fingerprint of smell with others, as you give away those memories to loved ones.  Choose for them the scented memory you would like to give away with love.