Expand the Focus
Candle Making: Beyond Minneapolis
There are numerous towns and cities that offer resources for people interested in learning the craft of candle making. From brick-and-mortar stores with a variety of items to online retailers offering essential supplies and materials, there are plenty of options for those looking to create their own great scented candles. In addition to supply shops, many regions also have dedicated classes and workshops that teach participants the various techniques and skills necessary for crafting unique pieces. Areas such as San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Washington D.C., Chicago, Austin, Philadelphia, and Atlanta are among those communities that are particularly well equipped with premier materials and knowledgeable experts in this hobby. It is worth researching any local outlets that may be available near you or online as these could prove to be invaluable resources when starting out your candle-making endeavors.
Provide Historical Insights
Candle making in Minneapolis dates back to the fur-trading era of the 18th century, when French and British traders would engage in regular visits to native American communities around present-day Minneapolis. During this period, the earliest city founders made their candles with tallow (rendered animal fat) and feathers.
Candle making was a thriving cottage industry alongside fur trading until the middle 19th century Friesland immigrants arrived with modern paraffin wax technology from Europe. This began the transition of candle and soap makers in Minneapolis over to using paraffin wax, which is still used today. Paraffin wax has a longer burning time and more stable texture than traditional tallow, so it quickly overtook it as the preferred material.
Modern candle-making methods are based closely on these early historical traditions, but with material now available to create much more fragrant candles using soy wax or beeswax as an alternative to paraffin wax. The traditional shapes typical of beacon candles from earlier centuries are also still seen across different candle makers in modern times. This includes dishes such as votives or candelabras formed out of slips of wax poured over a ceramic form before being allowed to cool and set into its layered formations.
Add a Resources Section
Resources for Candle Makers In Minneapolis:
Online
• Candle Making Supplies USA – This website is full of helpful resources for candle makers, including tips, tutorials and a blog. They also offer high quality waxes, wicks and other materials at competitive prices.
• Lovely Candles – Accessed via Instagram, Lovely Candles offers candle making classes and tutorials to help novice and experienced candle makers hone their craft.
• The DIY Candle Co – A blog filled with candle making advice, materials and ideas. All the supplies needed to make candles can be sourced from this website.
Offline
• Michaels Arts & Crafts – Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been making candles for years, it’s likely that this arts & crafts store in Minneapolis has something to offer everyone. From tools and wax to scents and molds, they stock it all!
• CreateMyCandle – Located on University Avenue Southeast in Minneapolis is home to CreateMyCandle; a one-stop shop for all your candle making needs. Not only do they supply well known brands of products but they also provide custom molded candles!
Share Expert Knowledge
Organize Workshops: Create workshops for people who are interested in candle making and maintain a safe environment for them to learn and practice. Offer one-on-one classes, group classes, and online courses. Provide all of the materials needed to make candles, such as waxes, colors, fragrances, molds, wicks, tools and other equipment. Also include some basic instruction on how to use various candle-making techniques like dipping and pouring.
Host Events: Host events around the city where candle makers can showcase and demonstrate their creations. Have experts present on different aspects of candle making such as scented candles or soy wax candles. Have seminars with discussions on other candle related topics such as safety tips or fun décor ideas using candles.
Offer Classes: For those wishing to further their skills offer advanced classes that cover topics like creating specific shapes or textures with color blending and scent layering. Have guest lecturers drop by to teach courses on business development related topics so that those who wish to pursue a career in candle making will have the resources they need to succeed.
Create a DIY Guide
DIY Guide to Making a Candle
Materials Needed:
* Wax (Para or Soy are the most popular)
* Wick
* Wicking Needle
* Double Boiler
*Thermometer
*Metal Container for Melting Wax
* Fragrance or Essential Oil of Your Choice (optional)
* Dye for Color (optional)
Tools & Equipment Needed:
*Scissors
*Pour pot
*Double boiler with lid or microwave-safe container
*Measuring cup or spoon
Step 1: Measure out and melt the wax in a double boiler. Ensure that any additional materials, such as fragrance or dye, are also added to the melting wax. Make sure to stir everything together until you obtain even consistency.
Step 2: Thread a wick into the needle and carefully dip it into the melted wax and pull it up, coating the wick with the melted wax. Secure your wick inside the container you plan to use by tying one end around either a pencil or chopstick placed across your vessel and resting against its sides. Allow your wick to cool down before continuing on.
Step 3: Temperatures should stay around 115-150 degrees Fahrenheit, so check them regularly throughout melting process. Once desired temperature is reached, pour melted wax into your container while maintaining even strength when pouring–take care not to pour too quickly as this can cause air bubbles in final product.
Step 4: Allow time for your candle to cool down completely before discovering whether you’ve created something that is candle worthy! Depending on how much wax was used it may take several hours for this process to occur, so please be patient! If upon uncovering your work of art you still feel dissatisfied with results, don’t worry”try again until you get that dream candle!
Highlight Different Styles
Candle making in Minneapolis has taken a life of its own, with endless patterns and styles of candles to choose from. From traditional pillar candles to scented, spun-sugar and wax-dipped creations, it can be challenging for newcomers to know where to start. So here are some helpful tips on how to incorporate different types of candle designs and styles into your own creative pieces.
Pillar candles work great as centerpieces or accents in the home. For a classic look, you can use various colors, sizes, and shapes of pillar candles in the same metal or glass holders. Mix-and-match hues such as rose gold and silver for an elegant touch, line them up for a neat, symmetrical effect or mix them up in clusters around the house for a whimsical feel. You can even add decorations such as seashells, artificial flowers or pinecones to give your decoration added texture.
For those who prefer something sweet, spun sugar candies provide unique color combinations with an unmistakable texture that will catch any eyeful! These colorful creations hold their shape well when used alone as adornments on cakes or tablescapes. Or hang them from wires with tassels in your doorway or window shutters for a festive touch!
Finally, wax dipped candles offer unique opportunities for customizing the design itself by changing out the color of twine holding each individual item together. Using bright cord in various colors can create beautiful arrangements that are fun yet still easy to assemble!
Showcase Local Artisans
Candle making in Minneapolis is an art form that deserves more recognition. The local candle makers are more than just businesspeople, they are skilled craftsmen who have dedicated their craft to making beautiful and unique candles. Showcase this talent by featuring the work of these artisans on your blog or website. A great way to do this is to give readers a peak behind the scenes by giving interviews and photographs of the local candle makers’ crafting process, or organizing events that allow visitors to meet the local candle producers and watch them make their pieces. You can also feature posts about upcoming projects, or reviews of completed projects, which could include insights from customers who use the handmade candles in their homes. By recognizing and highlighting the work of these talented individuals, you can help highlight their craftsmanship and bring more attention to candle-making in Minneapolis.
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
