Winter Preparations Part 2: Introducing Crochet Mug Cozies

For the first time in forever I feel like I accomplished a heck of a lot of stuff in a week!  The most exciting part was the discovery of a crochet item I can make fairly quickly... mug cozies.  Aren't they cute?!  I feel a bit bad about copying someone else's idea, but there are patterns published all over the internet and I think there is room for me in the cozy market.

I've also made quite a few candles to add to my online inventory this week.  The rose petal candles really do smell better than a dozen roses.  I highly recommend them to any man who needs to buy a romantic present for a lady.  The green colored black tea candles also smell amazing.  If you want something clean smelling with a hint of spicy, you should give these a burn.

Happy Labor Day!  I'm off to relax, watch TV, and possibly crochet some more cozies!

         

New Online Pricing Structure

One thing I've learned over my years of selling candles is that if something isn't selling, you need to change something... usually the packaging or the pricing structure. After a few months pondering, I've finally taken the plunge to include shipping costs in my online pricing. All online listings have already been updated to show the new FREE SHIPPING prices. Coincidentally, the prices I have come up with are only a mere dollar or two per candle over the local retail prices at Hemp Wise and Midnight Sun. I hope you will find the new prices more attractive!

Recycled baby food jars were $3.25... now $4.75 each including shipping!

Recycled frappuccino jar candles were $6.25 a piece... now $8 each including shipping.

3" x 6" Square Pillar was $12... now $16 including shipping!!!

3" x 3 1/4" Small Cylinder was $8... now $11.25 including shipping.

The P Word

Paraffin has gotten a bad rap as the world has made an effort to "go green". Perhaps the fact that I make the bulk of my candle income from paraffin wax pillar candles is what made me decide to start donating 5% of all purchases to the Environmental Defense Fund. But it doesn't matter if you think I did it out of green guilt, as a generous gesture, or a gimmic to increase sales... what matters is the truth about paraffin.

All over the internet you can find postings about the harmful effects of paraffin. The thing I wonder if people notice is that the authors of the information are usually the same person making and selling soy candles, which is why they follow the list of reasons not to buy paraffin with a monologue on the benefits of soy. I might respect their opinions more if I felt they were truly backed up with scientific facts. But, I tried clicking the link to the supposed EPA Report which details how paraffin candles ruin your indoor air quality, and the report was "not found". I guess we will have to wait a bit longer to back up our opinions on candle pollutants.

For now, let me list some of the main criticisms and my opinion as to their validity:

(1) Paraffin is a byproduct of crude oil, which we know to be harmul to the environment. In regards to the toxic chemicals supposedly released into the air as paraffin candles burn, I would like to point out one key ingredient not cited as a factor: the wick. Paraffin candles have traditionally been made with lead core wicks, the true culprits of unclean air. I used them when I first began making candles because I didn't know any better, but switched as soon as I saw the 100% cotton alternative. And I can tell you from observation that the flame from a lead core wicked candle does emit an ominous black cloud of smoke. While I still have never seen the EPA report detailing the carcinogens in paraffin candles, if it does exist, I am confident those candles had lead core wicks.

(2) Paraffin is petroleum based; it comes from a non-renewable resource. I cannot debate much on this point. Unlike soy wax, the ingredients needed to create paraffin definitely cannot be grown from seeds. However, soy wax is far too soft to be used in a pillar candle unless blended with paraffin. Furthermore, soy wax is more white than clear, which limits my ability to make dark colored candles. So for now, I choose to keep making my pillar candles with paraffin and to promote my new recycled jar candles with 100% soy wax. I highly doubt the world's candle obsession is the one that will use up valuable resources first, so let's focus on more important items like clean water and alternative energy.

(3) Buying petroleum based products supports the evil oil industry. Seriously?! It is hard for me to believe someone would think their choice to not purchase paraffin candles would be felt by the oil giants. They probably wouldn't even notice a change in revenue if you stopped driving completely and never bought a drop of fuel from them again... but at least that would make a significant environmental impact.

(4) Paraffin candles create soot, but soy candles don't. Do you honestly believe that there is anything anywhere that when burned would produce no soot? The only control you have is over the amount of soot, which can be limited by a properly trimmed wick and an undisturbed flame. Again I have no scientific evidence to back up my opinion, but was interested to read on a fellow candle maker's website that not all soot is black. In fact, soy candles produce white soot. Furthermore, the soot produced from any candle is no more harmful than the soot produced by heating cooking oil on your stovetop.

(5) Paraffin is not biodegradable. It may not break down when sent to a landfill, but there is hardly any wax left when one of my pillar candles finishes burning. And, I take those leftover nubs and melt them back down the next time I make a similar batch. I would be more than happy to take wax back from my customers for recycling... though it would have to be from a Homemade by Hoyt candle to ensure it was the right wax blend.

Resources:
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/soy-vs-paraffin-candles-the-great-debate-39919.html
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/soycandles.htm
http://www.scented-soy-wax-candles.com/paraffin-candles.html