| Candles have been an important staple in civilization | | | | personalized candles and accessories. Lanterns, also |
| for centuries. First used as a primary source of light, | | | | known as hurricanes, are hollow pillar or bowl shaped |
| they have grown to be used for much, much more. | | | | "containers" made of candle wax. The idea is to burn |
| Today, candles are still used for the soft and | | | | tea light inside, and the lantern will glow to provide a |
| romantic light they provide; however, they are used | | | | warm and soft glow. Many chandlers personalize |
| more for a pleasant atmosphere rather than a | | | | these lanterns for customers by superimposing |
| necessity as they once were. In addition, candles are | | | | pictures, flowers and herbs, and more. Another very |
| frequently used in cultural and religious ceremonies in | | | | unique candle idea is the "hand candle." Customers |
| times of sadness, and also in times of great joy. | | | | can dip their hands into warm wax several times to |
| Decorative candles are found in homes around the | | | | make a thick layer. When the wax has cooled and |
| world, often in beautiful centerpieces or displayed on | | | | hardened, the wax "hand" is removed, a wick is |
| fireplace mantles for all to enjoy. And scented | | | | inserted through the fingertips, and more wax is then |
| candles? There are few things better than entering a | | | | poured into the cavity. This produces a one of a kind |
| room where a sweetly scented candle is burning. | | | | candle that can be burned or kept for memories. |
| According to the Home Fragrance and Candle Report | | | | Home candle making is a growing pastime, with new |
| 2005, the market for candles reached $8.4 billion in | | | | chandlers every day. Many start by making candles |
| 2004, a growth of 14.1% over the previous year. | | | | as a hobby, or they make them as gifts for friends |
| Also in 2004, over 80% of American adults | | | | and family. The "bug" soon takes hold, however, and |
| purchased some form of candle or home fragrance | | | | the hobby can quickly turn into a business. Some |
| product. The candle industry has grown tremendously | | | | home chandlers discover new tricks or techniques |
| since the 19th century when they started being | | | | and end up with a totally unique and beautiful |
| marketed, and demand for candle products by | | | | product, while others work to perfect the tried and |
| consumers has grown even faster. To cater to | | | | true candle styles. Some of the most beautiful |
| consumers, candle companies offer such a large | | | | candles in the world are those that are handmade in |
| variety of candles and scents, that it can sometimes | | | | someone's home where they have devoted many |
| be quite a daunting task to choose which candles to | | | | hours of time and effort into producing candles that |
| purchase. | | | | not only smell great and look beautiful, but also burn |
| Not only are candles extremely popular for home | | | | extremely well. |
| fragrance, there is a growing community of chandlers | | | | Whether an entrepreneur, a hobbyist, or a consumer, |
| who make candles into art forms. In craft and | | | | candles are an important part of everyday life. |
| specialty shops everywhere, and also on millions of | | | | Looking back through history, candles were a building |
| web sites, you will see unique candles; some hand | | | | block to modern society. Once used as necessity, |
| carved, some sculpted, some molded, and others. | | | | they have become a joy to people everywhere, and |
| Although no one may ever know the true extent of | | | | a universal symbol of hope. Like no other product, |
| the variety out there, one thing can be said for | | | | candles provide ceremony, romance, fragrance, and |
| certain; these artistic candles are just about too | | | | beauty that will last a lifetime. When a candle is lit, it |
| pretty to burn. In addition to the beautiful carved | | | | truly feels like home. |
| candles, consumers can find a plethora of | | | | |