New in my Shops: Carved Candles and Plaques!

I've recently started exploring my ability to carve. So far I've only done carvings in wax - beeswax and paraffin. At some point I will likely try using other materials, but this is great fun for now! :) I work with completely cooled/solid wax and use wood carving tools for cutting. Then I use Lemon essential oil to soften any hard lines or edges. The Lemon essential oil naturally dissolves wax and works with both beeswax and paraffin.

My carvings take between 8 and 16 hours to complete. I don't refer to pictures as I carve. I simply have a general idea in mind when I start and then see what shows up as I work. After I finish the carving, I make a silicon mold from the original. The carvings I have for sale are the wax duplicates made from the molds. The molds create perfect reproductions!

Here are the first two carvings that I have listed in my shops.

Beeswax Goddess Candle
This is my first detailed carving and I'm very happy with how she came out! She's 2 inches tall. I carved her from beeswax, starting from a square votive. It took about 8 hours to carve this.

Fairy Plaque 
I love this fairy design! I carved the original in beeswax. The picture shows the reproduction made from paraffin wax. This also took me about 8 hours to carve. This plaque is 3 inches in diameter and is 3/4 inch thick. There is a flat edge, which allows it to stand on any flat surface. This has no wick and is meant to be displayed for decoration only, not for burning or melting.

Keep watching my shops for more to come!

Etsy shop
http://dragon06.etsy.com

ArtFire shop
http://DragonsDen.artfire.com

Get the Most From Your Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles are a great natural alternative to those who prefer not to burn paraffin wax. Beeswax has an attractive color and rich natural scent. Beeswax also has a high melt point, making the candles last a long time. These things are all generally well known, and beeswax candles are quite popular.

Many people don't realize, however, that beeswax candles need a little more work and attention than other types of candles. Here's a list of things to keep in mind when you're burning beeswax candles of any size. These tips will help you get the most out of your beeswax.

• It's important to keep the wick trimmed to 1/4 inch. If the flame becomes small and looks like it might go out, it's time to trim the wick.
• Burn your candle for an extended period of time. This increases the size of the melt pool to ensure your candle burns right to the edge. For tea lights burn them at least 1 hour each time, for votives at least 2 hours, and burn your pillar at least 3 hours each time.
• Pillars will not melt all the way to the edge. Over time, fold the wax from the sides toward the center.
  
• Do not blow out your candle. Snuff the candle or extinguish the wick by dipping it in the melted wax. Then be sure to straighten it again. I use a skewer to do this.
  

Blog Special: Free Tea Lights!

Visit my shop (Dragon's Den on Etsy) and get a free set of 6 scented tea lights with any order!


You choose the scent - either Vanilla Bean Noel or White Lily & Amber. Vanilla Bean Noel is a blend of buttery, rich vanilla and musk. It is my favorite vanilla scent by far! White Lily & Amber is described as: "a soft background of white amber and musk provide a comfortable backdrop for crisp top notes of dewy cyclamen and smooth mimosa with middle notes of white lily." It is rich and feminine without being too floral. It's just a gorgeous scent!

These candles are handmade from a beeswax and paraffin blend and all cotton wicks. They are long burning with great scent throw. There is no color added to these candles. They are the natural creamy color of the wax blend.

There is no minimum order for this special. This is totally free with no extra shipping added to your order. Just enter either "Vanilla" or "White Lily & Amber" in the message to seller box on checkout. I will add the package of six tea lights to your order when I see the code.

This special lasts until next Saturday (Feb. 21, 2009).

Candle giveaway!

I'm being featured on the Bath, Body, Candle blog. There is also a giveaway where you could win these pure beeswax layered candles! Just go to the link and comment to win! :)