Today was I made a batch of candles among all that relaxing, too. I did a few of the custom molds, and then I decided to take on a batch of the traditional primitive vintage candles. I have enough molds to make 36 at a time. Three of them did not come out, though, so I got 33 out of the batch. The other three had little flaws, like the tip of the candle was flat because there was a bit of wax I could not get out and other way that to try to melt it out with the hot wax of a candle. That did not work, so I put the mold on top of the wood stove after, and what do you know? I have it clean now.
The going rate for a six inch by 3/4 inch primitive beeswax candle is $3.75 each. I will sell the burnt ones for $3.25, and the fancy candles, which have been dipped a couple of times to smooth the surface, for $4.75 each, or so. I think I can get a good finish with only two dips in the hot wax. each dip is adding thickness to the candle, making it harder to fit in a stick, so I will try not to do three, though I know that comes out with a good finish. I may also do the 9 inch ones, as they seem to go for a good price, too. I have been reluctant to honestly because I don’t think of them as practical. But I am not my customers, so I will see how some of those sell. Maybe I should have more than one mold for them.
I have my method down for making the candles. It is not perfect, I think, but it does work, and is easy at every step. I’d like to improve how to secure the wicks and the pouring, as there it a lot of overspill.
So, at the moment I have nearly everything to start an online shop and see how it goes. It is a small inventory, but I can always make more.