Online Class: Candle Making 101

But this course doesn't stop with just making candles that are sure to impress your friends and family. Once you've learned how to design and craft your product using countless combinations of scent, color, and containers, you'll be given the tools and knowledge to take your journey on the final leg; candle making for profit through your own business.

The basics of building a niche candle market and targeting your marketing efforts to those that are naturally inclined to buy your candles will also be covered. You'll learn how to build a business plan and get the word out about your products. The nitty gritty of starting a business will be covered and you'll end with a thorough list of potential wholesale suppliers, candle making communities, and other resources for learning and sharing your new found passion!

The history of candle making is intertwined with the history of humankind itself. For thousands of years we have been engaged in the process of containing fire for light, warmth, cooking, and religious ceremonies. Candles are an important part of this heritage and to a certain extent still are today. Understanding the basics of this history helps us to appreciate more fully the true meaning of the power of a candle. 

This lesson will take you on the fascinating journey of the history of candle making. You will learn about:

• The First Candles.

• Candles in the Middle Ages.

• Candle Making in America.

The First Candles 

No one knows exactly when or where the first candle was made and used. However, evidence of the earliest candles, called rush dips or rushlights, have been found in ancient archeological digs throughout the world. Interestingly, the very first candles were not unlike some of today's ones that are more fashionable. Naturally formed hollows in stones were filled with animal fat, called tallow, and rush or other plant material was placed inside to soak up the fat. This then, was lit to form sustainable light, a candle. 

Over time, vegetable oils were used instead of tallow. Olive oil especially was popular in warmer European climates. A sign of the high value these early societies placed on candles is that certain early rush dips were made out of valuable stones such as quartz and lapis lazuli. 

Rushes, a pithy fibrous plant, were used effectively to form torch like candles. Their outer layers were peeled off and the inner, absorbent fiber was soaked in animal fat. This made them easy to light and to carry, allowing a portable form of illumination for hunting, foraging, or visiting nearby villages, whether for warring or peaceful purposes. Rushlights evolved over time into more advanced versions of this same basic layout. 

Candles in the Middle Ages

With the Middle Ages came important changes in the making of candles. Previously, due to the fact animal fat from sheep, cow, or pigs was used, candles gave off a pungent, unpleasant smell. Pork fat was the worst and relegated to the poorest people while sheep fat, although still foul smelling and giving off a black smoke, was considered the highest quality and therefore the most valuable. 

Candle Making in America 

Much of candle making in America today takes place on an enormous commercial basis. The hub of this industry is in Syracuse, New York. Companies here produce thousands of different kinds of candles and use ingredients from all over the world. Many smaller, boutique, candle making enterprises exist throughout America too.