The art of making candles has been around since primitive times. Of course, as time went by they become much different in design than what they were back then. In the early days, candles were a necessity for heat and light. Today they serve as decorations, wonderfully smelling mechanisms in our homes, and offer light for romantic dinners and baths.The first known use of candles is not completely known. The remains of clay candle holders that date back to 4 BC have given us the knowledge that they have been in use for a very long time. Those clay candle holders were found in Egypt. Candles were also used in ancient times in both China and Japan. These candles were made of wax extracted from insects and seeds. The taper candles of India were made from the wax extracted from boiled cinnamon. Candles are not known to exist in American until 1 AD. It is believed Native American’s burned oily fish and the back of the Cerio tree. When settlers came to New England, they used similar techniques to extract wax from bayberries. Many modern candle makers still use that process to make bayberry candles. However, it is quite expensive to do so.Tallow was the product used to make candles in the 1600’s and 1700’s. This is a byproduct from animal fat. The product worked well but had a foul odor, especially when it was burning. Bees wax and paraffin wax both were introduced in the early 1800’s, and tallow stopped being used. The dipping process 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 individuals in their homes. Around 15 AD the idea to use molds for various types of candles was introduced in Paris. While this greatly improved the candle making process, there were still issues with getting the candles to burn properly.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 greatly 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 making process continued to evolve. It became much easier and faster to melt the paraffin wax. It is believed that the reason so many of the elements of candle making stayed the same, including the hand dipping process is because the popularity of candles diminished with the introduction of electricity. Today, candle making is a well known art 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 pleasure than for light or heat. The candle industry continues to grow with new types of candles being introduced all the time. The amount of colors, fragrances, and types of candles to choose from in the marketplace is absolutely amazing. Candles are a very common home decorating item. They are used to accent any room in your house. They are a common centerpiece for dinner parties and formal occasions. The unity candles that are presided over at many weddings hold a deep sense of tradition in the American culture. The art of making candles has definitely 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 assistance along the way.

If you love the beach and the beauty of the sea, you’ll take to decorating with coastal theme candle displays like a fish takes to water. Collections of shells, stones and sea treasures collected from days spent combing your favorite beaches will be brought into play in these decorative displays. Accent your mementos from favorite beach vacations with craft store items such as artificial starfish, sand dollars, coral and sea horses.

Driftwood, Coral and Hurricanes Accent a favorite piece of driftwood with this dramatic display. Start with a platter or charger large enough to accommodate your driftwood. Add a layer of plain or colored sand and arrange your driftwood on top. Surround it with seashells, sand dollars, pieces of coral, polished beach glass and stones. Add a few votive candles in cut glass or frosted glass holders for sparkle; or purchase candles in the shape of large seashells. This makes a great display for a table top. A piece of coral could be used in place of the driftwood.

Many variations on this theme are possible. For example, you could place a pillar candle and a hurricane on the center of the platter instead of the driftwood, surrounding it with shells, starfish, glass and stone pieces and a few tea light candles. Or take a glass cylinder, layer sand, pebbles and glass and push a pillar candle into the sand. Surround the candle with coastal accents like shells, sand dollars, and glass beads.

Coastal Layers and Moods

Beautiful candle holders in coastal theme can be incorporated with your natural accents to create striking displays.

• Arrange sand, tea light candles, beach glass, stones, shells and starfish on a white porcelain or clear glass platter around a finger clam shell candleholder. Beautiful candleholders in the shapes of sand dollars, starfish, sea urchins, egrets or sandpipers give you unlimited options in creating a unique display. A flat basket or wooden tray can also be used as a stand for your display. Consider battery operated candles in lieu of real candles; they’re safer and look as appealing as the real thing.

• Make whimsical candle displays with novelty candles shaped like beach balls and votive candles in small buckets. Arrange the beach ball candles on a tray layered with craft sand; add your beach balls and mini-bucket candles for a beach party on a platter! This is a fun arrangement for a cookout or patio party. Bring one as a hostess gift for any summer party or barbeque.

• Beautiful candles shaped like shells, sea birds, sand dollars, coral, sea urchins or sea horses, clams, lobsters, fish, crabs and more can be arranged on any platter or tray and embellished with additional shells, pieces of driftwood or coral, stones, or polished glass.

• Make a sea inspired table wreath. Start with a flat backed Styrofoam wreath foam. Spray on craft glue and sprinkle with craft sand; let dry and shake off excess. Use hot glue to affix sea shells, stones and glass. Mix in a few larger items like sand dollars or starfish. Set your wreath on a round tray large enough to accommodate it and place a pillar candle and hurricane in the center of your wreath. If the tray is much larger than the wreath, add a border of sand and accent it with colored beach glass or faux pearls.

• Lovely & modern design
• Table candle holder, Wall light or tea light candle holder
• Stainless steel base with satin glass cover
• Great for parties or weddings
• Looks good on dinner tables or restaurant tables

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