Candles: Anything Goes?

Candles: Anything Goes?

Candles. Is more always better? Does anything go in Candle Making?

Flowers, Crystals, Coffee Beans, Cinnamon Sticks, Fruit, Metal, Pine Cones, Herbs, or anything else can be Placed in Candles.

Greetings! This matter has been brought up more frequently than normal, and it is a contentious issue in the candlemaking community. Concerning embeds:
Without the addition of embedded things that could further burn, heat and flash, pop, or otherwise scatter embers over surfaces, candles are already dangerous . Adding extra risk to an already dangerous scenario makes it even more dangerous.

Things that smell wonderful on their own don't always smell well while they're on fire. Cinnamon sticks, coffee beans, orange peels, rosemary... they don't smell like the 'hot' versions of themselves; instead, they smell like a blazing, smoky, acidic fire that you'd try to put out with a regular candle afterwards.

Customers/recipients are unlikely to heed instructions to remove items before lighting a candle, and removing them if they're embedded in wax may be pointless anyhow.
If something goes wrong, warning labels do not automatically absolve you of responsibility. For further information, contact your insurance provider.

If this was a good idea, why aren't these candles sold at Yankee/B+BW/DW Home/Voluspa/Root/Any other major candle brand?

  • Candle insurance can be difficult to find in the first place but will be exponentially more challenging to find if you insist on embedding items. Ask your insurance provider for further info.
  • For the US makers, you should 100% have liability insurance before you sell your first candle to the public. It will cost anywhere from $300-600/year for $1million in liability insurance. If you cannot afford $300/year for this much coverage, I suggest you hold off selling to the public until you can afford this.

Note that severe labeling regulations apply to UK manufacturers, and that manufacturing non-food products that look like food is not permitted.

If you're new to candlemaking, you should devote several weeks/months to learning and mastering the fundamentals (which are difficult enough) before adding anything additional to the process.
Trends on Etsy or Pinterest don't always indicate it's a smart idea, nor do they guarantee you'll make a living from it, as trends change quickly.

In the United States, candle manufacturing is largely unregulated. As a result, many people are doing a variety of activities that are probably not the best idea. It is not necessary for you to be one of them.

There are real individuals and businesses interested in religious, occult, worship, healing, and metaphysical ritual candles. Making and selling those types of candles is probably not for you if you have no idea what I'm talking about.

As candle manufacturers and sellers, we must exercise caution. You do so at your own risk.

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