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While strolling the aisles
of an open-air market one fine Sunday morning something
caught my eye that stopped me dead in my tracks. "Will
you look at that," I said as I raced towards a
booth with my husband in close pursuit.
At the booth I picked
up the object that I had spied. It was a miniature aquarium
of sand, seashells, glass fish and blue water…
only, "Hey wait a minute, this isn't water! And
there's a wick in it! What is this stuff?" I asked.
"Gel," said
the woman at the booth, "it's a gel
candle."
"It's a candle?"
I asked amazed, as I turned it about. I was mesmerized
as I looked down upon it, and up at it, and into it
sideways and all around, turning it this way and that
in the light.
"Yes, it's a candle.
I have three different sizes as you see here,"
she said as she pointed to the items on her table. As
I clasped my mini aquarium, I gazed at the other candles
on display. They were all beautiful.
"Who makes them?"
I asked.
"My brother and
I do," she replied.
"You make them?
How do you do it?" I asked, but she just shrugged
with a knowing smile, her gel candle secrets kept safe
within.
I bought that lovely
little aquarium, and when I took it home and lit it,
its beauty came alive as the light of the flame danced
off the shells.
To this day it is a reminder
of my first step taken years ago into the world of Gel…
and the journey that followed.
Like me, when others
see the gel candles, many questions come to mind:
- What is this stuff?
- How is it made?
- How do I color the
gel?
- What wicks do I use?
- How is it scented?
- What glassware can
I use?
- What items can I put
in the candles?
- How do I package the
candles?
- How do I price the
candles?
- How do I sell the
candles?
These questions and more
have resulted in months of research, trial and error,
review and redo.
And the bottom line
is this: Gel Candles are Fun, Easy & can be Lucrative
While some gel candle
makers enjoy gel candles as a hobby, many have set up
businesses selling gel candles alone, or in addition
to their other products.
They are actively marketing
online, through direct mail and word-of mouth; going
to shows and fairs; providing home parties, seminars
and workshops; and wholesaling to gift stores and specialty
shops down the street, across the country, or around
the world.
Others are actively marketing
gel kits, wicks, fragrance oils, dyes, glassware, labels
and packaging, embed items and more.
But beware! Gel candles
can be addicting.
You could find yourself
hooked on creating or collecting these wonderful 3D
designs. Gel candles cast their magic over chandlers
and consumers alike. At that very moment in time they
have become a faithful customer, or another hooked crafter.
Either way, they want more and they want it now.
And I know you're hooked
too, or you would not have read this far. I have good
news for you.
You won't have to spend
months accumulating, sifting and cataloging the information
for your gel candle hobby or business.
It has been done for
you…leaving you time to 'play' at the Gel.
Greetings and welcome
to the world of Gel Candle making.
It has taken months of
accumulated hours to research and compose this easy
to read book, which will not only inform you, but will
save you hours of research. Hours better off spent making
these beautiful candles.
Gel Candles are Hot!
Every day, people who
see a gel candle for the first time ask:
o "What is that?" o "Can I do that?"
o "How do I get started?" o "Isn't there
a book somewhere?“
Well, now there are answers.
Contained herein is a wealth of knowledge for the beginner…
plus new ideas, designs, and contacts in an easy-to-read
reference manual for the more advanced candle maker.
Why Are Gel Candles So
Popular?
Why people like them:
Their 3D Effects, Sparkles, Brilliance, Design, and
Beauty enhance any décor.
Why candle makers like
to make them: Following guidelines of safety, embeds,
scent and color, your only limitation is your imagination.
The gel is a great medium
for achieving 3D effects, and the gel is so forgiving:
Scent too strong? Re-melt
the gel, adding additional gel for the new pour.
Too weak? Re-melt the gel adding additional scent, then
re-pour.
Not happy with the shade? Candle too dark: re-melt the
gel, adding additional clear gel for the new pour.
Candle too light? Re-melt the gel adding additional
color, then pour.
Design doesn't look right? Pull out all the gel, separate
from embeds, re-melt the gel, replace embeds, re-pour
the gel.
Re-melt, Re-scent, Re-color,
Re-design, Re-pour. This artistic freedom puts the new
Geller at ease. Now, let's get started!
Note: It is recommended
that you read through this entire book prior to making
your candles. Then refer back to sections as needed.
If you need further assistance, research the online
forums, contact your Supplier.
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