02/12/2021
Being in a pandemic for nearly a year encourages each person to find inner strength and stretch their own learning and creativity. In doing this, for all of us, staying home took on a whole new meaning. It brings perspective and insight into our physical health and the health of those around us, as well as a focus on our stress level and mental well being. For me, focusing on improving my physical health by developing better eating and exercise strategies also meant finding hobbies to stretch my learning and push me out of my comfort zone. In warm weather, that meant walking and working in the yard. For this long, cold winter it meant staying inside more and needing to push my limits again. So, I researched candle making! I love candles that smell like a fresh bakery! However, I found out some alarming facts related to the types of wax or wicks in most of my favorite scented candles. I had no idea about the toxins released into the air by paraffin wax or wicks entwined with metal. So, when deciding to try my hand at candle making it was important to use a clean burning SOY wax and wicks without metal. I use only premium non-toxic fragrance and essential oils in my candles. It’s been a lot of trial and error and still is, as this process is very new to me. Getting a great cold or hot scent throw from soy candles is a little more difficult than using paraffin wax, but totally worth not polluting my home and air with the petroleum byproducts of paraffin candles. When researching costs, then I understood why the mass produced candles were so much cheaper than what I could even buy the ingredients for making the candle! Take a look at your candle ingredients! If it doesn’t say “Soy” or “Beeswax” or indicate that it’s eco friendly and specify the type of wax, then you can bet you have paraffin or materials that don’t burn cleanly. You can tell by the black soot coming from your wick, or gathers on your containers and even the walls close to where you place your candles! Each of my candles are hand poured by me, in my kitchen and made with love. They are not perfect yet! But through trial & error, constructive feedback and practice, soon Sandy Candles, hand made with love, will be in your home too!
