History of Candle Making - 1000BC to Scentsy

By: Stephanie McClellan .... Click on the author's name to view their profile and articles!!!

The skill of making candles has been around since ancient times. Of course, as time went by candles became very different in design than what they were back then. In the early days, candles were a essential need for heat and light. In our day they act as decorations, delightfully smelling in our homes, and offer light for dreamy dinners and romantic baths.

The original known use of candles is not completely known. The remains of clay candle holders that date back to 4 BC have given us the realization that they have been in use for a very long time. It seems that the first candles were used in Egypt.

Candles were also used in the earliest periods in both China and Japan. The candles in China and Japan candles were made out of of wax extracted from insects and seeds. Taper candles, made in India were made out of wax that was extracted from boiled cinnamon. Candles are not known to exist in American until 1 AD. It is believed Native American’s first burned oily fish and the back of the Cerio tree. When the first settlers landed in New England, they used similar techniques to extract wax from bayberries. Many contemporary candle makers still use that method to make bayberry candles. However, it is quite pricey to do so.

Tallow was the product used to make candles in the 1600’s and 1700’s. This is a derivative from animal fat. The product worked well but had a disgusting odor, in particular when it was burning. Bees wax and paraffin wax both were introduced in the early 1800’s, and tallow stopped being used.

The dipping procedure for taper candles as we know it today began in 13 AD. Traveler merchants went door to door from town to town. While there, they made taper candles for persons in their homes. Around 15 AD the idea to use molds for an assortment of types of candles was introduced in Paris. While this greatly enhanced the candle creating procedure, there were still issues with getting the candles to burn correctly.

In the 1800’s, candle makers felt the wick was the weakest area of the candle as well as the cause for defective burning patterns. A braided wick was developed in 1825 that seemed to very much improve the burning of several types of candles. By 1830, a process was in place to make candles using paraffin wax and molds. These candles were of good quality and burned well.

As gas and electricity were introduced, the candle creating process continued to evolve. It became much easier and quicker to melt the paraffin wax. It is believed that the reason so many of the elements of candle creating stayed the same, including the hand dipping process is because the popularity of candles diminished with the introduction of electricity.

Today, candle creating is a well known skill form. There are many companies who manufacture wonderful candles with some very unique fragrances. There are also small businesses that still make their candles by home in their kitchen. Candle making is a great hobby and fun activity for the whole family to be involved in.

Candles are now used more for luxury and enjoyment than for light or warmth. The candle trade continues to grow with new types of candles being introduced all the time. The amount of colors, fragrances, and variations of candles to choose from in the marketplace are absolutely incredible.

Candles are used to accent any room in your house. Candles are a very common home decorating item. Candles can be used as a centerpiece for formal occasions and dinner parties. Unity candles that are presided over at many marriages hold a deep sense of tradition in the American culture.

One of the newest Candle companies to create incredible smelling wickless candles, or flameless candles, is a Company called Scentsy.

Inspired by an Oprah episode on “Millionaire Moms,” stay-at-home mom Kara Egan was seized with the desire to start a company of her own. Then, over lunch one day, her sister-in-law Colette Gunnell mentioned this weird thing her neighbor did, breaking scented candles into pieces and melting them in an old potpourri warmer.

Something clicked for Kara. “I heard the words in my mind saying Kara, this is it.” She called Colette that same evening and asked her, “Why don’t we start a business together selling candle chunks in a warmer?”

The skill of creating candles has without doubt changed over time. If you are interested in trying your hand at it, choose a candle that is fairly easy to make such as the container candle or the votive. This will allow you the chance to get used to the process. There are several good candle making kits available for a low price as well as books to give you tips and support along the way.

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The art of creating candles has been around since ancient times. Of course, as time went by candles became quite different in design than what they were when the first candle was made.. Candles are now used more for luxury and pleasure than for light or heat. The candle industry continues to grow with new types of candle making being introduced a

Stephanie McClellan is an Independant Scentsy Consultant. Scentsy manufactures the most incredible smelling candle warmers, or wickless candles, in the world. Scentsy candles are safe and sound, wonderful looking, and wonderful smelling. You can look over the many different styles and scents on Stephanie's Scentsy site. FlamelessCandleWarmers.Scentsy.com

Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Stephanie McClellan