Common Materials used in Candles

Perhaps you have not considered the light by which you apply for your US Green Card if you are an immigrant trying to fill out your citizenship application, but we have come a long way from simple candlelight.  Now days we have electric lighting and candles are used for mood or therapy, lit or placed as décor, not as something necessary.  Even so, knowing what is in a candle that allows it to create light gives a connection to the past, and is something worth knowing, even if you no longer are forced to fill out important papers by such weak light.

What is a candle?  The base definition of a candle is a block or cylinder made of wax that has a wick running through it.  The wick is the method used to feed a single flame melted wax.  The methods used to create these blocks range from cast molds to dipped forms.  The method used depends largely on the wax type, with some beeswax candles using rolled honeycomb that is neither moulded or dipped.

The main materials used in candles are wax and wick, but of these items there are many types.  Waxes used in candles can be petroleum paraffin based, which is the most common, or made of beeswax, soy, tallow, or other plant based waxes. Sometimes these waxes are blended to create better burning or longer scent holding candle products. Newer candle like items, gel candles, are not made of wax at all – but rather are a mix of mineral oil and a polymer that burns like a wax. There is much debate on what the least polluting waxes are, although most experts say beeswax, stearin made from palm waxes, and soy waxes tend to be among the best.  Highly refined paraffin can also burn nearly as cleanly.  One should remember that dyes and scents will create more pollution and smoke then natural unscented and dye-free wax will.

The wick is also very important.  Not only should it be trimmed to help fuel burn better (a shorter wick will produce less smoke), but the type of fiber and the weave used will determine how quickly a candle burns. In most cases wicks are made from braided cotton and can contain a core of lead (which is banned in the US), zinc, paper fiber, or synthetic fiber.  The stiffener material helps slow the wick’s burn and control how fast the candle wax is used up.  The larger the diameter of the wick the larger the flame it can produce.  The downside to a larger flame is that the candle will burn faster. When braided flat the wick will curl and self trim to the correct length to maintain a steady long lasting flame.

Next time you have an important task, be it filing taxes, or trying to get a US Green Card because you are an immigrant filling out your citizenship application take a moment to consider the light you are doing it by and remember the wonders of the simple candle.

Posted on January 5th, 2012 by Mark Huntington
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Methods to Sell Your Candles

If you have a candle business, there are many ways you can sell your candles.  These include online, a physical store, and through mail order.  There are pros and cons to each of these methods.  It is up to you which type of store you prefer to sell your products.

An online store is the most affordable type of store to sell candles for many reasons.  Online, you can design your candle shop and once your store is up and running, the only fees you will have include the costs for shipping, making more candles, and the annual fees for the domain name.  If your state requires it, you may need to pay sales taxes each year also.  Many people enjoy an online store because they can run it from the comfort of their own home.  Just ensure your online site is optimized and users find you when looking for candles and not edge protectors.  If your site is pulling up when people are searching for edge protectors, chances are good they are not going to buy candles from your business.  Talk to a writer about how you can get the right content so your business isn’t found from edge protector searches.

A physical store can be very expensive because of the costs associated with it.  Physical stores require money for monthly rent, utilities, employee salaries, safety items like corrugated cardboard edge protectors, and even the cost to travel to and from work in fuel.  Unless your business is generating so much revenue and you have so many orders that you need to hire employees to make candles for you and provide shipping and your home doesn’t have the space, you can run your business from home.  You can even be subject to being sued if a child slips on a wet floor and cuts their head open because you weren’t using corrugated cardboard edge protectors on the corners.  Not everyone thinks about using things like corrugated cardboard edge protectors in a business, but many people think of ways to sue a business due to safety issues.

Another type of business you might consider is a mail order business.  This is the cheapest kind of business but you won’t get the visibility as you would have a store on the street or on the web.  Keep in mind when you sell candles and ship them you must provide fragile shipment protection.  Fragile shipment protection will allow buyers to ship back their candles if they arrive to them and the glass or container is broken.  Fragile shipment protection helps you build credibility that you stand behind your product and you want the customers to be happy.

Some of the several different methods you can use to sell candles include an online store, mail order, or setting up a physical store location.  These are the most popular methods of selling candles.  It is best to consider which type of store fits in your budget best, which is the most convenient, and which store you will be most comfortable operating.

Posted on June 11th, 2011 by Mark Huntington
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Counteracting Stress

Life can be very stressful these days. There are pressures from jobs, relationships and just life in general. Any or all of it can give you a good jolt to your system.  Moms that spend all day out in the world with their children dressed up in the cool baby clothes and a diaper bag full of cute clothes might seem like the don’t have a care in the world and like life is nothing but calm for them. But the reality is often just the exact opposite.

One of the easiest ways these days to get all of that stress into a manageable form is as simple as lighting a candle and letting the aroma take your mind to another calmer place. The cute clothes aside and the contents of the diaper bags and all off the cool baby clothes will just melt into a memory. The trials of the day will fall by the wayside and you can just go back to being you.

Stress is something that you can learn to manage in many ways. Some people use meditation, some use medication and still some others choose self help and relaxation methods like candles and music and a nice warm bath. Everyone has their own special ways of dealing with and handling the stresses of life. Some of us internalize. Some of us let it out and deal with it and others do what they can to keep the effects to a minimum.

If given the choice many of us would rather take the night off rather than just spend the day being on edge and ready to break. Most of us take more than enough pills and other things that clog our bodies on a daily basis. So it just makes sense to take a more natural approach and let the calming effects of a nice smelling candle and the soft gentle glow that it gives off. It can make an otherwise very bad day simply go back to being just a day.

So how do you know that you are getting to edge of your stress tolerance level? There are several indicators that you can use to gauge this. For the most part, if you see a change in your over all mood and you start getting overly irritated by things that normally wouldn’t even bother you. Then it might be time to take a de-stressing session.

Generally people are not the bet judge of themselves so watch how others react to you. If they start acting strange towards you, or if you find that they just walk away from you after s short conversation and you think that is a little odd considering that you were not done with the conversation or they make excuses to get away from you. Then there is a good chance that you are overly stressed and should consider backing away from things for a while and letting your body have the chance that it needs to recover from the bad day that you are having.

Posted on March 5th, 2011 by Mark Huntington
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Dealing With the Stressful Immigration Process

I have a friend who is dealing with US immigration authorities, trying to apply for green card renewal. One of my co-workers is applying for US citizenship and is excited to be a US citizen but is worried about her application. One thing I have learned about talking to my two friends is how stressful it is to apply for US citizenship and deal with US immigration forms. The forms are complex and the process takes time. In the meantime, my friends are fretting about the status of their applications while also taking part in the usual round of work and home responsibilities.

It has all made me think how important it is to de-stress in our lives. Now, you may not be waiting for green card renewal or awaiting the status of your US citizenship, but there are likely some stressors in your life. Whether it is that flu that just won’t go away or that huge project at work, we all tend to fret.

And fretting is just bad news. Research study after research study has proven it: stress raises our blood pressure, wakens our immune systems, makes us age faster, and makes us more ill. Excessive stress has been linked to everything from wrinkles to heart attacks, so it is time to stamp this dangerous aggressor out of our lives forever. Of course, it’s easy to say that. We all know that dealing with hectic surprises and overwrought schedules take more than just determination.

I have found that time out for me really does work. Even if I only have fifteen minutes a day, I light a scented candle and retreat to a quiet, dark room. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I take a bath. Sometimes I do nothing at all. The point is to do very little or almost nothing at all, to let my thoughts drift and to just relax and let go. After fifteen minutes (or, if I’m lucky, an hour) of this, I feel revived and refreshed, ready to tackle anything. And taking time out each day has a cumulative effect: I feel lighter, happier, calmer, and less stressed out.

For me, a luxury scented candle is a crucial part of the whole me-time experience. First, the scent of the candle is really important. Aromatherapy is a proven way to help reduce stress, and after experimenting with candles, I am certainly a believer! Secondly, a candle lets me shut out most of the lights. This is crucial, since dim lighting is essential for relaxation. With the lights on, it’s too tempting to clean up, do a little reading and work – lights out are a must if I want to relax! The light of the candle also makes me feel totally relaxed and pampered.

Posted on February 22nd, 2010 by Mark Huntington
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Save Money and Buy Archipelago Candles Online

Buying candles on the web is the best thing you can do if you want to save money. Gifts can be expensive and it always seems as if birthdays and special occasions come at an inconvenient time when money is scarce. Many of the ways that you can save money buying candles online include with sales tax, shipping costs, sales, and even in fuel costs for your car.

Today, times are hard for everyone and it is difficult to be able to afford gifts for people. If you are a big gift buyer then buying is important to you for your friends. You might think of creative gifts that are inexpensive. Candles are great gifts too. Candles are all over the web. You can buy anything on the web you want. You can even purchase mens vintage clothing at an online vintage clothing store. You might be looking for vintage dresses, bubble bath, electronics, and candles. No matter what you need the web has it and you can save money when you go to the web for your needs and not the local stores around town.

Saving money on fuel is one of the biggest factors for people when they are looking for candles. Many shops around town have candles but they might not have the archipelago candles that you are looking for. If you want to keep the money in the local economy and shop locally, you can still do so by visiting local store websites. This way you don’t have to drive around town from store to store to find exactly what you are looking for. This will save you in fuel costs and it will save you in time. Time is money if you are a busy person and the web is not only convenient but will save you hours in shopping around your local retail shops.

Sales tax is not required when you shop online. Some states do require sales tax so you may have to pay. However, if you strategically shop you can find sales on the web. Sales tax can be expensive in stores when you buy candles if you are buying a lot of them. The good news is that not everyone requires you to pay sales tax so this can save you money.

Shipping costs can be expensive. You need to be sure that when you shop on the web that you verify the shipping costs. Some retail stores on the web will offer big sales and then absorb the cost of the sale in a high shipping fee. You need to compare when you purchase candles on the web for the lowest prices and the best shipping. Some sites will actually give you free shipping if you make a minimum purchase. This can save you a lot of money too.

The web is the best place to buy candles as gifts or for you if money is tight. You can save money by doing comparison shopping without even leaving your home. This is a big deal because you won’t have to drive from store to store to find the best deals. The web is not expensive if you strategically shop looking for sales on shipping, buy one get one free, and other types of deals.

Article source: http://www.archipelago-candle.com/blog/save-money-and-buy-archipelago-candles-online/

Posted on June 27th, 2009 by Mark Huntington
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Archipelago Candles for Christmas

Archipelago candles are an excellent idea for Christmas decorating and for gifts. You can find outstanding collections of pillar candles that last a long time, have wonderful holiday scents, and that provide amazing aromatherapy benefits.

When you are looking for candles for the Christmas holiday pillars are usually the candle of choice. They look fantastic anywhere you decide to place them. You can light all of the candles at once or you can light only one. No matter how you light them they look absolutely fabulous. When you line up pillar candles they look best if you have several of different size. This allows the light from each candle to burn differently which gives a better glow to the room, especially if the lights are on to white Christmas trees.

The archipelago candles are favored during the Christmas holiday because you can find them in red and green to match the season’s colors. They look fabulous with all of your decorations you have around your home. They also provide enough light you don’t need the lights on to the Christmas trees if you want to save energy. The brightness of these candles will really surprise you. When you burn many of the candles together you will find you can light up the entire room.

Many people love the archipelago candles during the holidays because you can buy them in holiday scents. The favorite scents people love to buy with the pillar candles include orange, cinnamon, spice, and pine. The larger pillar candles will burn for up to 125 hours. This means they can last you maybe even longer than the entire holiday. The medium size pillars can burn up to 65 hours and the smaller archipelagos in a jar will last for around 60 hours. These aromas are perfect when you have artificial Christmas trees and you don’t have the joy of a fresh pine tree in your home.

Archipelago pillar candles are excellent for the holiday because during this time of year it can be stressful on anyone. Because of the size of the candle, you always get a stronger aroma throughout the room. You don’t have to light a bunch of the candles at once to be able to enjoy the aromas. It can provide instant aromatherapy benefits for people who are stressed at Christmas. The scents provide a relaxing and calming affect for anyone who needs it.

There are many reasons why you might consider using archipelago candles during the Christmas holiday this year. People also love to receive the pillars as gifts too. These candles will burn much longer than a traditional candle and they provide amazing benefits through aromatherapy. The candles burn much brighter than other candles too. Many people love the look of these pillar candles and they use them for decorating purposes and never burn them. You can save them for the way they look but because they smell so wonderful, the temptation may be too much for you to not be able to burn them.

Article source: http://www.archipelago-candle.com/blog/archipelago-candles-for-christmas/

Posted on September 13th, 2008 by Mark Huntington
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Making Christmas Archipelago Candles

There are many ways you can make your own Archipelago candles for the holidays. Candles can be expensive but they are wonderful to have during the Christmas season. Making candles is easy to do, inexpensive, and there are many things to think about when you make candles at home.

When you make your own Archipelago candles for Christmas you will need a few things. The cheapest way to make them is to gather around the remnants from old candles that you are finished with. If you don’t have old candles then you will need to buy the wax flakes. You will need other various items like a boiling pan, a measuring cup, dye, shot glasses, and wicks. You might want to buy red and green dyes so they match your artificial Christmas trees.

When you begin making your candles you will add all of the wax into the measuring cup. Discolored wax is best when you are going to dye the candles. Place the measuring cup in a pot of boiling water and let the wax melt. When the wax is completely melted, you will then add the wax dye to make the green and red candles. You will need to cut the wicks so they are perfect length to fit the shot glasses. Measure them properly so the wick will be about half an inch above the glass.

Once you have dyed the wax to the color of your liking you will then pour the wax in the shot glasses about ½ inch from the top of the glass. Fill each shot glass. If you want to make multi colored candles you will have several different measuring cups full of different colors. You will pour the wax into a shot glass half way. Let that sit for a while until it becomes semi-set. Then you will pour the second color on top of the shot glass. You might want red and green candles to go with your lighted palm trees.

There are many things to think about when you make your own Archipelago candles. If you want to recycle candles you should recycle them into the same type. Tapers should be recycled into tapers as pillars should be recycled into pillars. Wax crayon candles are the best way to dye candles. This is the best method because you can avoid burning if too much is used. Another thing to consider is when you place the wick in the shot glass when you are pouring the wax it is easier to wrap the wick around a toothpick. This will allow the wick to be centered in the candle.

Making Christmas candles is fun. It is very simple to make candles at home for the holidays and they will match your artificial Christmas trees too. All you need to do is melt the wax, put in the dye and pour it into the glasses. Christmas is an excellent time to light candles. Archipelago candles are excellent candles to burn. You can save a lot of money during the holiday season by making your own candles.

Article source: http://www.archipelago-candle.com/blog/making-christmas-archipelago-candles/

Posted on August 17th, 2008 by Mark Huntington
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Types of Archipelago Candle Collections

There are many different types of Archipelago candles you might consider. These candles are favorites by many people and you will love them too. The collections include the Excursion, Signature, Destinations, Home, and Monogram. All of these candles are wonderful blends and provide amazing aromas for you to enjoy.

The Archipelago candles are favored because they give people long hours of enjoyment of their favorite scents. You can find them in virtually any color, aroma, different sizes and more.

The Excursion blend of Archipelago candles has a woodsy scent. You can bring the outdoors in with the smells of flowers, spices, and woods blended together in an exquisite fragrance. These candles are hand poured and they use lead free wicks so you don’t have to worry about breathing in toxic fumes when you put the candle out. The Excursion collection is designed in an apothecary-style glass jar that looks really amazing when it’s lit. These candles also burn for almost 60 hours.

The Signature candles are hand poured and amazing to burn in any home. The ingredients are nothing but the finest. You can also get fragrance oils from the Archipelago Signature collection. The wax is premium and contains 50% natural soy wax with a blend of nothing but the best. These candles can emit at least 50 hours of burn time.

The Destinations collection includes some of the finest fragrances from around the world. Each candle is a soy candle that can burn for over 90 hours. The candles are packed uniquely in their own gift boxes and they come complete with a luggage tag. The Destination blends are more favored because they burn for longer periods of time and they also have a cleaner burn than the traditional candles.

The Home collection is designed for people who consider themselves candle connoisseur. These candles may not have a luxurious design but they are very sophisticated providing gourmet blends that enhance any room in a home. These candles also burn for more than 90 hours and they are made with 50% soy wax.

The monogram collection is the best gift you can give to a friend or family member. You can personalize a gift when you buy letters of the alphabet with candles. Spell someone’s name or a phrase with candles. In addition, the Monogram collection uses a different fragrance oil blend for each candle. Each candle comes in their own unique pastel box that is monogrammed and the box also has a crystal knob for easy opening. This is a very classy gift anyone would love. These candles also burn for more than 60 hours.

The Archipelago candles have many collections to provide total satisfaction to the customers. You might want a neat looking candle or an amazing scent. You will get both with any collection you decide on when you burn the Archipelago candles. The different candle collections you can choose from include the home, monogram, destinations, signature, and the excursion. The scents are very pleasing to anyone.

Article source: http://www.archipelago-candle.com/blog/types-of-archipelago-candle-collections/

Posted on July 31st, 2008 by Mark Huntington
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Savvy Shoppers Buy Archipelago Botanicals Candles-Here’s Why

Today, there is a huge market and a huge demand for candles. There are also many products stepping in to fill the demand. In this tough market, it is rare for a company to make a name for itself. Quite simply, there are so many companies out there making candles that it is rare for any company to distinguish itself. It takes a truly exceptional product to create a buzz around candles today.

Archipelago Botanicals has certainly beat the odds and has created a name for itself. Reviewers, columnists, bloggers, and customers are raving about these candles and it is not hard to see why. Archipelago Botanicals candles come in unique and special fragrance combinations. Rather than sticking with the usual fragrances – such as “lilac” and “peach” – the creators of Archipelago Botanicals candles have worked hard to create notes and under notes of scent for a complex fragrance. Archipelago Botanicals candles have a complexity of scent that is usually reserved for fine perfumes like Christina Aguilera perfume for example. It certainly helps that the product line also has a number of delicious scents to choose from.

Archipelago candles create delicious combinations of scents – such as blends of pomegranate, tangerine, rhubarb and vanilla and fresh roses or blends of linden and fruit wood or combinations of fig, red currant, and pomegranate. Archipelago Botanicals also releases special scents in time for the holidays. Even more exciting is the fact that Archipelago Botanicals takes perfume seriously. Archipelago Botanicals candles do not have to be lit in order for their fragrance to come through. Even unlit Archipelago Botanicals candles create enough fragrance to gently scent a room – all without being overpowering.

In an age where books and DVDs are constantly being created about the environment, it certainly doesn’t hurt that Archipelago Botanicals candles are easy on the environment and on your health. These clean burning, soy based candles are hand poured and made from top-quality natural ingredients. You can burn these long-lasting candles in your home for hours without worrying about inhaling dangerous chemicals.

Archipelago Botanicals candles have also garnered a strong following because they are extremely attractive. They come in a variety of sizes and styles – including cylinders, votives, tins, glass gift jars, traveling candles, and even frosted glass vanity candles. Each candle is gorgeously wrapped. In fact, the wrapping and packaging on Archipelago Botanicals candles is reminiscent of fine chocolates or perfumes – no other candle on the market is packaged this beautifully. The wrapping and packaging makes Archipelago Botanicals candles ideal for gift giving. If you want to keep a few for yourself, you will feel extra pampered by the packaging. You are also sure to feel pampered by the natural beauty of the candles, which range in colors from pastels and pewters to olive greens to wheat hues to vibrant primary colors. Even the names of Archipelago Botanicals candles are beguiling — Madagascar, Paramour, Stonehenge, Havana, Bosc, Luna, and Belize sound more like the names of fine perfumes than the names of candles. In terms of packaging, marketing, scent, quality, and appearance, Archipelago Botanicals candles are simply the leading candle product today.

Article source: http://www.archipelago-candle.com/blog/savvy-shoppers-buy-archipelago-botanicals-candles-heres-why/

Posted on August 21st, 2007 by Mark Huntington
Filed under: Archipelago Candles | 1 Comment »

Why Archipelago Botanicals Candles?

Archipelago Botanicals candles are a special type of all natural candle product. Each Archipelago Botanicals candle is poured by hand, making each candle unique and made especially for you. The hand pouring process also ensures the highest quality and the ultimate luxury.

Archipelago Botanicals candles are also made using only the best ingredients, so that they enhance your home while also being perfectly safe, both to your health and to the environment. All Archipelago Botanicals candles are made with 50% soy. Only metal-free wicks are used, to better preserve your health and the environment.

In a world that is often too hectic, candles are a wonderfully inexpensive way to pamper yourself. As more people realize this, more people demand high-quality candles that really deliver luxury. Companies are responding with new product lines that pamper all the senses. Archipelago Botanicals candles are a leading product. These candles provide unique and high-quality light, scent, and beauty. Designed to burn cleanly, Archipelago Botanicals candles pose no health risks and no environmental risks. At the same time, Archipelago Botanicals candles can help reduce your stress-related risks.

Many books and research articles have pointed out how important personal time is. Free time to do nothing but relax can help ease stress, improve outlook, lower blood pressure levels, improve sleep, and improve overall health. Scientists have long known that combining aromatherapy with relaxation techniques can really enhance the health benefits of relaxation. Scents soothe our minds and help us to relax even more.

Luckily, Archipelago Botanicals candles come in a wide variety of fragrances, from Archipelago Botanicals Ambiant Candles (which offer a fragrance of Avocado, Teakwood and Amber) to Archipelago Botanicals Bosc Candles (which boast a fragrance of Bosc Pear, Eucalyptus and Jasmine) to Archipelago Botanicals Cairo Candles (which have a fragrance with notes of Amber, Orange Blossom, Myrrh and Olibanum). You can also opt for Archipelago Botanicals Demeter Candles, which blend scents of Orange and Patchouli, or Archipelago Botanicals Fiji Candles, which release a fragrance of Coconut, Sugar Cane and Lemon Leaf. Archipelago Botanicals Havana Candles have an aroma of Bergamot, Cuban Tobacco Leaf, and Ylang Ylang and Archipelago Botanicals Lanai Candles boast a fragrance of Ginger, Pineapple and Mandarin. Archipelago Botanicals Luna Candles are a soothing blend of Lemon Verbena and Lavender and Archipelago Botanicals Madagascar Candles are an exotic scent of White Orchid, Vanilla, Freesia and Jasmine. Archipelago Botanicals Paramour Candles blend the fragrance of Papaya, Mango and Pomegranate, while Archipelago Botanicals Stonehenge Candles offer an intoxicating blend of Smoked Cedarwood, Bergamot and Amber. Archipelago Botanicals Tuscany Candles boast a sweet fragrance composed of Sweet Basil, Cilantro and Rosemary, while Archipelago Botanicals Venus Candles are a heady blend of Sweet Basil, Rosemary and Eucalyptus. Archipelago Botanicals Versaille Candles combine the exotic notes of Honeysuckle, Olibanum and French Lavender.

Archipelago Candles also come in all sorts of styles and colors to perfectly match your décor and mood. From pale peach colors to deep earthy colors, you can select the candles you desire. Archipelago Botanicals candles also come in a variety of sizes and styles, from votive candles, to candle tins to glass jar candles and candles of every size, from miniature to large. You can select the right candles to suit your bathroom or living room décor. You can even buy groups of candles in different sizes to create attractive centerpieces in your home.

Article source: http://www.archipelago-candle.com/blog/why-archipelago-botanicals-candles/

Posted on July 20th, 2007 by Mark Huntington
Filed under: Archipelago Candles | 1 Comment »

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