Advice for new candle makers

So I used to make candles with my nan when I was a little girl. I quite vividly remember wandering to Woolworths with my pocket money, buying a milk pan and having a bash on my own (I can't have been older than about 11), and then tipping any excess wax down the sink.

Needless to say, my mum was less than impressed. And I was rapidly put off making them in case I broke the house by blocking the pipes again!

So yeah, when I spotted an unloved candlemaking kit knocking around on Shpock, it definitely sparked my interest.

Without batting an eyelid, I set to work and bashed out two massive batches of soy wax container candles. I used what I realised later, was Eco Wax 464 with a 5% fragrance load.

Having got enormously over excited at the outset, I'd also ordered a bunch of very unspecific wicks on Ebay. These all got mixed into the batches too.

So yeah, here is what I learned:

1. Unspecific wicks are pretty useless for making candles

Turns out there's a bit of science to candle making. Wicks that were supplied with the kit I bought, were specific to the type of wax used and the size of container. My duff ones all did something called 'tunnelling' (that is, burning by boring a hole down the centre of the candle and barely melting any wax around the edges) which also meant very little wax was melted and they didn't smell at all.

Although my research is yet to indicate what caused the bubbles in this candle, 

this is a better burn than my earlier tests - wax is melting to the edge and the 'milk pool' of melted wax isn't too deep.

I've since done bunches of research into which wicks I should be using and I'm as good as starting all over again, from scratch.

Wicks that are too hot for the container will blitz the scent too quickly as they melt too deep a milk pool.

I've been told 1/4 in maximum melted wax pool is the indicator of a good wick fit.

2. The same % fragrance load to wax ratio, doesn't work for every fragrance.

I just went straight in with my kit instructions and presumed that 5% of whatever scent, added at the correct temperature, would do the trick. It didn't.

I've now learned that Eco Soy 464 wax is generally a tricky one for getting a decent scent throw. I'm thinking next month I might swap to a different wax type, but apparently everyone has different preferences. I like the idea of soya as it's eco-friendly, but apparently a paraffix/eco mix suitable for containers (as it won't hold it's shape marvellously when used in moulds) might give me a better scent throw.

Did you know: It can take up to 10 days for a candle to fully cure. Candles lit before this time may have a tendency not to smell at all.

I could totally always try a higher percentage too, apparently 5% is pretty low.

3. You can't just go out and sell them

So there's a few things here.

Firstly, labelling. You need to display adequate safety information and any safety information about the chemicals you're using as fragrances, which are potential irritants. I splashed around ebay buying all sorts of candle scents from different suppliers and am now retrospectively having to go back to all of them to provide me with the necessary legal information which I must add as a printed label if I choose to sell them. Good to have on file, regardless.

Secondly, insurance. If someone burns themselves, or worse - starts a fire using one of your candles, you have to have insurance. If they take you to court without any, you're in trouble. UK insurance is pretty decent cost-wise but if you want to sell to America (which is 'high-risk'), be warned - prices skyrocket.

4. It's going to take quite a lot of experimenting before you have a product you're happy to sell

This is pretty much where I'm at. I'm not happy with what I've already produced and I only really sell stuff to raise money for charity anyway. So it's going to be a while before Freddie candles hit Etsy. For now at least! I'll keep you posted on how the process goes.

5. Decorations are potential fire-hazards

My friendship bracelet idea is still viable - but I need to add printed warnings to make sure people remove the decorations before they light the candles, Shown: Sea Breeze, Sandalwood.

I've got so many ideas for horror film-themed candles, father's day candles and spring botanicals ranges that I've gone off in all sorts of directions. What I've discovered is I need to reign it in and hone the basics first.

So if you're new to this like I am - my advice would be to be patient, do your research and leave plenty of time for curing and testing. Keep lots of notes and get all the information about any scents you buy up front. I'm going to wait until I've perfected the formula before I even start thinking about product design!

Good luck!

Hand-strung low cost freshwater pearls inspired by Jersey

Pearls have always caught my eye, ever since I was little.

But not traditional pearls.

I nearly always wear a black choker made from onyx, but pearls are so much more special.

After falling head-over-heels for a black pearl string I came across, I ended up teaching myself how to string them. And I'm happy to be able to now share my creations with you!

I was on Jersey a couple of years ago, writing an article for Woman's Weekly (absolutely amazing island, I can't wait to go back). In the airport on the way home, we were delayed, so I was blessed with a good couple of hours or so to parouse the airport shops.

My article for Woman's Weekly magazine

Dazzling in one of the jewellery outlets was a ethereal-metallic black pearl string with an irridescent finish. They totally spoke to me. I don't remember what they cost, but they were well out of my price league. Probably Tahitian pearls. I don't actually remember.

Those that know me will know I pretty much always wear a choker. I started off beading because I couldn't buy them anywhere in the right length (my neck is pretty narrow), so I gave up and started making them myself.

Naturally dyed using potatoes, these are known as 'peacock' pearls for the subtle and reflective cosmic blue, green and purple hues.

So after two years of persevering with what I can only describe as an 'extremely fiddly' technique, I've finally got the knack. And I have recreated that most gorgeous necklace that caught my eye.

I'm completely thrilled to finally be sharing them with you on my Etsy shop! I've found some amazing natural colours of pearl and just keep falling in love with them all. I'm just working on sourcing some nice vintage boxes and hopefully will be able to pack these up in the most amazing box too.