Archive for September, 2009

Having a Hard Time With Smoke and Soot

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
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This can literally happen to anyone, with any type of candle, for many different reasons. First, the length of your wick is of utmost importance to the way that your favorite candles burn. The less wick that the melting wax has to soak up on, the smaller and more controlled your flame will be. ¼ inch is considered as a great foundational wick length, and this can be adjusted down to as little as 1/8 inch, depending on the burn that you are achieving.

Next, you will want to be sure that your candles are in a completely draft-free zone. For example, if you have placed candles at the entryway or foyer of your home while expecting guests, you should expect that the drafts from the door opening and closing will disturb the flame on your wick and offset the steady rate at which the wax vaporizes. This causes smoke and soot. Maybe you should move those candles to the buffet hutch in the dining room?

candlestyle.com/having-a-hard-time-with-smoke-and-soot/#more-57″ class=”more-link”>(more…)

Posted in Candle Use | No Comments »

Fun Facts For Fellow Candle Fanatics

Saturday, September 26th, 2009
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So, I thought we could throw out a few numbers that help to explain just where the popularity of and demand for scented candles actually comes from, and a few of these fun little statistics might actually help you to determine who to buy for in the future. After all, 86% of the population, both male and female, have stated that they are highly appreciative of receiving candles as gifts for a wide variety of holidays, events, and occasions. No more wondering what to give that impossibly difficult person who has everything, right?

Of the candle users polled, over 42% described their usage of candles to be primarily in the living room, stating that scent was the most important factor of purchase. The remainder, or those who preferred to use unscented candles, admitted that they used candles to cozy up, warm, and comfort a room. This did not apply to the holiday seasons alone, either. Only 35% of annual candle sales takes place between November and February, leaving the remaining 65% spread out rather evenly through the year.

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False Claims of Aromatherapy

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
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Many candle makers and organic soy candle manufacturers are willing to throw the old “aromatherapy” card at the consumer from time to time, giving little to no definition of what qualifies these candles as such. Aromatherapy is achieved through the burning, steaming, vaporizing, and infusing of natural elements and scents, that the body will react naturally to those materials produced by mother earth. In other words, an apple or its extract could be considered as true aromatherapy. The baked apple cinnamon scented candle that you dearly love does not fall under this same category. I know, it’s a painful truth.

This does not effect my loose definition and use of the phrase aromatherapy, however, because I happen to believe that any smell which touches and moves a person qualifies as such a therapeutic thing. Combining the smells that truly intoxicate, sooth, and inspire you with the natural element of flame is purely genius, and is the best self-improvement and self-awareness session that a person could ever ask for.

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Creating Romance With Candles

Sunday, September 20th, 2009
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The feelings of calm, serene, and peaceful oneness that can cause complete relaxation throughout your body and mind are synonymous with the flicker and glow of of romantic scented candles. You use them to effortless tame your thoughts, they help you to focus your energy on positive reflection, and they allow you to heal both emotionally and mentally after life has had its way with you. Candles are magical in that way. So when you need all of those elements to work in favor of your love life, there is no better tool. Candles are affordable, beautiful, practical, and so easy to get a hold of.

The only thing better than enjoying candlelight alone is enjoying it with that person who you want to connect with most. There is something so anciently eloquent about this soft ambience, as if this is the way that you are meant to see each other. Using candles to provide a deep comfort and tranquil warmth is the key to bonding, whether your relationship is brand new or as old as the hills. Whatever has drawn you to this person is sure to shine through under the soft and gentle light of the candle flame. Most romance experts suggest using white candles, though many soft hues and sheens are acceptable.

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Creating a Candle Garden

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
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Depending on the climatic conditions of your home town, there are many fascinating ways in which to embellish your outdoor space with candles. For those who have indoor/outdoor space, such as Florida rooms, screened porches, or sun porches, a candle garden can add a glow and amazing focal point for the interior of the home as well as the outdoors. Whatever your situation, this type of project can usually be accomplished with spare gardening odds and ends that you already have in the shed.

As a general rule, the more robust candles work well for the outdoors, as even the slightest and mildest breezes can dance or extinguish a small wick candle. That said, try to find some of the old planting pots and smaller terracotta pots that your landscaping came in, and use these as votive holders. You don’t need to line them unless you want to be able to see a great deal of the candle coming up from the pot.

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Candle Safety Isn’t Always Elementary

Monday, September 14th, 2009
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For obvious reasons, an open flame can be destructive to most fabrics, plants, living things, and wooden objects. While we simply love and adore candles, and feel that every home should be completely stocked with them, it is also important to touch on some of the safety concerns and dangers which pop up year after year. Though much of what needs to be said may seem simple or self-explanatory, we often set aside safety for convenience or ambience, thinking somewhere at the back of our minds that it won’t hurt just this once.  A mistake that can prove fatal.

When placing candle groupings for living room or bedroom ambience, it is important to gauge the movement of curtains and other such objects. For instance, if the window is open, and you have ivy cascading from your mantle, is there a chance that a breeze could settle a sprig of that ivy onto the scented candles you have lit?  In circumstances where you may not be in complete control of your environment, it is best to err on the side of caution.

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Candle Groupings For Style and Drama

Friday, September 11th, 2009
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One of the discriminatory mistakes that we make with scented candles is that we see them as having a certain, acceptable place in the home. Hurricanes go on the mantle, candlesticks go on the formal dining room table, tea lights go around the bathtub, and so on. Many seem to fear popping color into a room through the use of candles, holders, and accessories, and this doesn’t have to be so. Because candles are to be enjoyed, and tend to need changing out so often, you can afford to experiment with colors, groupings, and displays without too much stress or worry.

Any time that you can create drama, depth, or color to a corner or a table, an awkward space or an overlooked niche, you have added an element of warmth and finish to that room overall. Candles and the many ways of accessorizing and securing them can add all of these elements that you are looking for without breaking your budget.

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Posted in Candle Decor | 1 Comment »

Aromatherapy Only Works if it Soothes You…

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
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If you are an aromatherapy enthusiast, you have most likely been dragged through miles and pages and hours of instructions about which herbs, flowers, roots, leaves, and spices are the sure-fire remedy for what ails you, but have you really listened to yourself on this matter? The thing about nature is that it provides everything the human body needs to be healthy and robust throughout life, but it also has a tricky way of stumping and ailing more sensitive people. The truth is, no scented candle will work to relax and calm you if the smell of it turns your stomach.

My own personal relaxation scent happens to be a roasted cinnamon apple, and if that doesn’t do the trick, I will opt for an sugar cookie scent. Why, you ask, would I want the bathroom to smell like a bakery kitchen when I’m supposed to be soothing my senses and calming my muscles? Because these are my favorite smells in the entire world, save for the fresh, beautiful scent of an infant and the aroma of a succulent pork roast. Flowers are really nice, and so is ginger root, but I find them pungent and overly perfumed, making it hard for me to relax.

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Custom Candles for the Holidays

Friday, September 4th, 2009
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Getting ready for the Holidays?  What better way to show your affection is by giving a customized scented candle.  Candlestyle has rolled out a new promotion for the holidays by offering a new custom label designed by you.  For example, you can design the label of your candle of choice with your own images and followed with a a quick messages to express your thoughts…”Happy Holidays, with Love, Jane doe”  or” Thinking of you through the Holidays, Love Always, Jane Doe, or Merry Christmas or Happy Halloween, Love, Jane Doe.

With this new feature we added to our scented candles the new custom labels are endless.  You could also do a funny candle like the one we already offer “Butt Naked”, like “Stinky Feet” or Sweaty Armpits”  and have the candle actually smell like roses. FYI:  “Butt Naked” really smells like sweet apples, honey dew melon with hints of prickly pears.  This candle has a wonderful fresh scent that fills the air with beautiful citrus aromas.

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