Over the past few weeks I bought a candle mold from Townsends, on of my favorite online shops. I used some beeswax I bought before, and some wick we had in the candle making box, and made some candles when the mold arrived. Quite happy with the results, and aware of the size of the candles, I then turned a stand on the lathe from a piece of firewood. Again, I was thrilled with the results. I had a period-like piece that I could proudly display. Better yet, I could burn it with the satisfaction of knowing that I could recycle the wax, and I could make more candles.
That whole process was fairly simple and straight forward to me. I showed it to Missus, and she thinks I should try selling them on Etsy. Only seems logical. I might as well make some more for practice on the lathe and sell the results after I have a supply of sundries to keep me happy.
This weekend I ordered 25 pounds of beeswax, and two molds for short colonial candles, again from Townsends. I may get one more tall mold, if I need it, or if I worry about the one I have breaking and putting me out of business for a few days. I got some firewood on Friday, and hopefully have a couple of pieces I can work with in the next few evenings when I want to pass the time away.
So, with that, I can explore some online selling to help support the farm or my woodworking habits or whatnot. There’s no harm in trying, and certainly no harm in seeing what comes of it! Missus provided me an old crockpot to warm the wax in, and I have a space out in the shop to work happily in. I have got to pile on the firewood this spring, and while I am out, I can find as much wood as possible to turn.
The best bit about turning candle bases is that they are easy, short projects, that give opportunity to try different shapes and yet I have a completed item that is useful, and maybe even sellable when I am done with it. The next best thing is that even if none of them sell, I will have a lot of candles and stands, which I love, and since the candles are all made of beeswax, the house will smell lovely!