HALLOWEEN Tea Lights!

 

 HALLOWEEN Tea Lights!

Fall is in the air! This time of year is always the perfect time to start bringing out all your favorite scented candles; not only that, but it also means that Halloween is creeping up. What signifies Halloween better than a lit-up Jack-O-Lantern? Keep reading to learn how to make your own tealight candle to place in your pumpkin or around your house for the holidays! 

 

 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Tea lights

Tea light wicks

Soy wax

A pour pot for melting and pouring the wax

Dye chips

Fragrance (if desired)

A thermometer 

 

MELTING THE WAX

Place pre-measured wax inside the pour/melting pot, then place pour pot inside a larger pot with a few inches of water; heat the water on the stove to begin melting the wax (1.5 lbs of wax makes 50 .5 oz tea lights). Place the thermometer inside the pour pot with the melting wax, the temperature of the melted wax should be regulated around 170 degrees. 

 

ADDING COLOR

Once your melted wax is at 170 degrees you can add your candle dye. Stir the color with the wax for a full two minutes so the color will bond with the wax. 

 

GETTING READY TO POUR

After the color has been added, let the wax cool to 110-115 degrees and stir frequently while cooling. Allowing the wax to cool before pouring will help prevent the cracking, flaking and discoloration that is common with soy waxes. Line up all tea light holders to prepare for the pour with your wicks. 

 

POURING THE CANDLES

Slowly pour wax into tea light holders. Let your candles cool completely before moving or using. Best cure time for soy candles is typically 48 hours. 

 

We hope you enjoy your new tealight candles! Be sure to check out our September newsletter for 20% off tealight display tubes!

Happy creating!

Fall Candle Inspiration

 

Happy August!

If you haven’t already started to think about this coming fall and the holiday season, now may be the time to start stocking up and preparing for the busiest time of the year for candle creators!

To help get you started and into the autumn mood, we, once again, have come out with a Halloween line that launched at the end of July and is already flying off our shelves!

Some of which that are included in our Halloween line are the following –

1.      1. Witch’s Inventory

2.      2. Werewolf Ridge

3.      3. Full Moon

4.      4. Boo Brownie

5.      5. Haunted Ship

6.      6. Scare Crow

7.     7. Scary Berry

Order yours today HERE and look for *NEW to enjoy our 2021 line!

Also on our shelves are some of the top fall fragrances such as, Pumpkin Chai, Be Thankful, Autumn Apple Fest, Hot Maple Toddy, and so many more. Our popular fall scents can be found under Fragrances > Fragrances by Category > Autumn/Fall Fragrances and will be listed in our upcoming fall newsletters!

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Looking for ways to use your candles in your home and as a display in your shop? Create tall pillars using your favorite fall scents and spice them up with a bold leafy candle ring to enjoy as the focal piece of all your gathering this fall! Below you can find our instructions on how to make your own pillars using our Pillar Kit, that’s available on our site!

Instructions:

1.      Seal the wick hole in the mold with the rubber mold plug, and then put some mold sealer putty over that to prevent leaks.

2.      Place the auto wick pin inside the mold. It's a good idea to coat the inside of the mold with a mold release spray, especially on first use. If you do not have any, you can use cooking oil or spray silicone.

3.      Weigh your wax on a scale. Melt the wax in the pouring pot, set inside a pot of water on the stove (like a double boiler). NEVER directly on the burner!

4.      Once melted, add approx. 1-2 dye chips per pound of wax (depending on desired shade) and stir until dissolved.

5.      Next add approx. 1 oz. of scent per pound of wax, and stir well. Some fragrances blend easier than others, so some may require more stirring. Vanilla based oils tend to have a more difficult time blending. If you run into a difficult one, try adding a bit of Vybar 103 and stir very well up until you pour.

6.      Check temperature with thermometer. Once wax is approx. 180-190 degrees it is ready to pour.

7.      Pour from the pouring pitcher into your mold slowly and steadily, and fill to top of mold. For faster cooling and a shiny finish, mold can be set into a cool water bath. Water level must cover wax level to avoid lines.

8.      Once wax has set to partially solid, poke several release holes around the pin, about 3/4 the depth of the mold. This helps to release any trapped air and prevent bubbles. You can use a skewer for this.

9.      Allow wax to completely harden. Wax will form a well or a "sink hole" in the center. Do a second pour, filling well to top of original fill line. Allow wax to completely harden again.

10.   Remove candle from mold. It should come out easily, but if you should have any trouble, put it in the freezer for awhile and try again.

11.   Remove auto wick pin from candle. You will have a perfectly centered hole in the pillar. Insert pre-tabbed wick in hole from bottom.

12.  It is best to allow your candles at least 1 week to cure before test burning for optimal fragrance throw. Always test burn your candles before selling, and make sure to include a caution label on each one!

We hope you are just as excited about our Halloween line and our fall fragrances. As always, be sure to share with us your creations using Bitter Creek Candle Supplies!

Farmer's Market Tips & Tricks

 

If you’re anything like me, I buy candles for EVERY occasion. Whether it be a birthday, a housewarming party, Christmas or a wedding – a candle is the perfect gift! But what makes a gift even more special, is when it can be homemade and created for a specific someone. I think that’s the best part about candles, they come in all different shapes and sizes, they always smell good no matter what fragrance you choose, and they are so simple, yet so thoughtful.

Keeping that in mind, not only are candles super popular for gift giving, but lately, candle making supplies has become a hot commodity and more and more people are learning the craft of candle making. If you’re one of them, gear up this season and check out your local farmer’s markets or craft shows to showcase your new products! Follow the tips and tricks below to have a successful first show!

Tips and tricks for summer markets and crafts shows:

1.      1. Always bring more than enough product to sell – include different sizes, fragrances, and styles so your customers have a variety to choose from

2.      2. Business cards! Have your business cards on display so customers can get in touch with you after the markets if they have any questions. They are also great to add into the gift bag with a candle when a sale is made.

3.      3. Create a multidimensional display – create a display that draws people in. Putting candles and other products on different shelves, allows for people to see everything that you have to offer! Keep it stocked too, the fuller it looks, the more people will be intrigued

4.      4. Have samples available for customers to try. Perfect for displaying on your table for them to smell or sending home in a gift bag when you make a sale. Samples could include a small 4oz size candle, wax melts with different fragrances, or a card with a hint of fragrance on it

5.      5. Be organized! Depending on the market you’re in or where the sale is, it can get pretty busy. Keep a notebook that says exactly what you have on hand, other things you offer, and ultimately what you are able to sell each candle for, and how many you sell. This will help in future markets so you can be prepared and successful every time

6.      6. Have a business banner or decorative sign made that stands out amongst the other crafters. Something that clearly says who you are and what you’re selling. A pricing sheet may also be helpful so people don’t have to be too intimidated to ask.

7.      7. Offer sales for returning customers or send them with a coupon after they purchase a candle so they can buy again! This could include a “Buy 1 Get 1” deal, 10% off next purchase, or a bonus product when they order again!

8.      8. Lastly, have fun! For us, at Bitter Creek, our market time period is just around a couple months of the year and usually depending on the weather – make the most of them and enjoy yourself. A smile can be just enough to bring a new customer in.

*Also keep in mind you’ll probably have to bring your own table, a nice table cloth, change, a chair to sit on, and something to keep you occupied when the crowds start to die down! Happy Selling! 

 

 

Citronella Candle Making

 

After a long winter for our northern friends comes a hot, humid, and bug filled summer. With only a few months to enjoy the great outdoors in the Midwest; bugs and bug maintenance is often forgotten about until it’s too late. Citronella oil and citrus scented candles are becoming more widespread versus your ordinary bug spray with harmful toxins and we’ve got just the right stuff to make them on your own!

*Please note these candles do NOT protect you from any diseases carried by mosquitoes/bugs – they are only a simple repellent to keep them away from you for a short period of time.  

Supplies Needed:

EZSoy or EZParaSoy Wax

CD-12 or ECO-8 Tabbed Wicks

Jar of your choice (I used an old soup can and doctored it up so it fit as outdoor décor)

20mm Wick Stickums

Diamond Dye Chips (Not required)

Caution Labels

Fragrance Suggestions:

Citronella, Lavender, Eucalyptus Spearmint, and Lemongrass.

1.  Pre-wick your jars using the Wick Stickums on the bottom of the round metal wick tabs. Stick them down in the center of your jars and make sure they are secure. A hollowed out Bic pen works nicely for pushing down over the wick.
2. Weigh your wax on a scale. Melt the wax in the pouring pot, set inside a pot of water on the stove (like a double boiler). NEVER directly on the burner! *For smaller candles, microwave safe bowls will work, as long you continue to check and stir.
3. Once melted, add approx. 1-2 dye chips per pound of wax (depending on desired shade) and stir until dissolved.
4. Next add approx. 1 oz. of scent per pound of wax, and stir well. Some fragrances blend easier than others, so some may require more stirring.
5. Check temperature with the thermometer. Once wax is approx. 160-165 degrees it is ready to pour.
6. Pour from the pouring pitcher into your jars slowly and steadily. Pouring into pre-warmed jars can help prevent jump lines and wet spots. Keep wicks as straight and centered as possible.
7. Once wax has set slightly on top, enough to hold the wick in place, it is safe to carefully move your jars into a box or an insulated plastic cooler. The slower the candles cool, the better. Give them ample time to completely set up before trimming the wick and putting the lids on the jars.
8. It is best to allow your candles at least 1 week to cure before test burning for optimal fragrance throw. Always test burn your candles before selling, and make sure to include a caution label on each one! 
   
   
   
   

Mother's Day Candles

 

Looking for the perfect gift for your mom for Mother’s Day? We’ve got you covered! If your mom is anything like mine, a hand-made personalized gift is all it takes to make the dimples on her cheeks come out and her eyes to get squinty! At Bitter Creek, we have all you need to make the perfect gift. Not sure where to start? Follow the steps below and we will help you create a candle made just for mom!

Supplies Needed:

EZSoy or EZParaSoy Wax

CD-12 or ECO-8 Tabbed Wicks (be sure to check jar diameter and get the correct size wick, found on our wicks page on our website!)

Jar of your choice (linked below)

20mm Wick Stickums

Diamond Dye Chips (Not required)

Caution Labels

Fragrance Suggestions:

24 Carat, Amaretto, Cranberry Champagne, French Vanilla, Hawaiian Paradise, Magnolia Tabac, Raspberry Burst, Sunflower & Pomelo, Wine Cellar – or of course, your mother’s favorites, too!

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1. Pre-wick your jars using the Wick Stickums on the bottom of the round metal wick tabs. Stick them down in the center of your jars and make sure they are secure. A hollowed out Bic pen works nicely for pushing down over the wick.

2. Weigh your wax on a scale. Melt the wax in the pouring pot, set inside a pot of water on the stove (like a double boiler). NEVER directly on the burner! *For smaller candles, microwave safe bowls will work, as long you continue to check and stir.

3. Once melted, add approx. 1-2 dye chips per pound of wax (depending on desired shade) and stir until dissolved.

4. Next add approx. 1 oz. of scent per pound of wax, and stir well. Some fragrances blend easier than others, so some may require more stirring.

5. Check temperature with the thermometer. Once wax is approx. 160-165 degrees it is ready to pour.

6. Pour from the pouring pitcher into your jars slowly and steadily. Pouring into pre-warmed jars can help prevent jump lines and wet spots. Keep wicks as straight and centered as possible.

7. Once wax has set slightly on top, enough to hold the wick in place, it is safe to carefully move your jars into a box or an insulated plastic cooler. The slower the candles cool, the better. Give them ample time to completely set up before trimming the wick and putting the lids on the jars.

8. It is best to allow your candles at least 1 week to cure before test burning for optimal fragrance throw. Always test burn your candles before selling, and make sure to include a caution label on each one! 

9. Finally, check out our Votive Boxes linked below, along with some paper shred to create a cute gift box with all of her favorite things and enjoy!

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Not so sure on the candle idea? That’s okay! We offer a wide variety of other products to make your mom smile this Mother’s Day! We also have everything you need to make soaps, air fresheners, bath salts, and so much more! Just visit our website, click the “Instructions” tab, and browse through until you find that something special!

Once your candle is done, be sure to save a picture of it and check in on our Facebook for a special Mother's Day Giveaway!  

 

 

Links: Votive Boxes; Paper Shred; Jars;