Ever dreamed of becoming a candle maker?
[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”55990″ qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]It is no secret that at Iggy Box, we love our candle makers…
They are the heart and soul of our candle club and we can’t get enough of their infectious passion and energy for what they do.
As you know, each month, we spend some time getting to know our candle makers, through our ‘Meet the Maker’ series… But this month we wanted to add a little extra and get into the nitty gritty of the wonderful art of candle making and what it really takes to become a candle maker…
So to bring us all the answers, we have partnered with Zaga Colovic, a well renowned Candle Designer with over 15 years experience and the founder of ‘Beauty Handmade’. Zaga works with clients all over the world helping them create their dream candle businesses, giving hands on support throughout the whole process.
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Tell us a little bit about yourself and the inspiration behind ‘Beauty Handmade’?
I am a perfumer and a candle designer with over 15 years in the beauty industry. I created Beauty Handmade to provide training to creative entrepreneurs, so that they can fulfil their dreams of starting a candle and functional perfumery brands.
Where did your passion for scents come from?
My passion for scents (hopefully it doesn’t sound too cliche) comes from an early childhood. I was brought up on organic food and taught from an early age by my grandmother the importance of herbs and flowers in everyday life. My first contact with real perfume was when my friend and I, at a very early age, broke my mum’s bottle of Magie Noir 1978 by Lancôme. I can still smell it in my head. I loved that narcotic scent of flowers in there and I could not stop sniffing the bottle. My passion for beauty and my obsession for fragrances really comes from my family.
Would you agree that candle making is an art?
Indeed, candle making is not just melting the wax and pouring it into the container… It is a process that requires a lot of experimenting. The wick is very important and it frankly takes time to find the right wick. My clients typically take 6 to 10 months to launch their businesses.
What are the key ingredients and equipment that you need to make a candle?
Obviously a good wax melter, a good quality wax, a compatible wick and fragrances that are safe, alongside lots of knowledge as to how to make a good candle and a bit of chemistry and how wax works.
Different candle makers use different waxes, oils and wicks to create that perfect burn… do you have a preferred wax, oil type or wick to use?
I tend to use pure soy wax but coconut blends are really good. The industry is getting better and we are now having more options regarding natural waxes vs 7/8 years ago.
What would a typical ‘day in the life’ of a candle maker look like?There is no typical day for me. I get up at 7am, go through my admin work and my emails at home office until around 9am. I arrive at my office/studio at 10am. I normally see clients at 11 though the day. It could be one client for a day or 2 clients one in the morning – one in the afternoon. I do lots of travel so I travel all over the world to see and work with my clients. If I am not seeing clients, I’m creating fragrances!
What are your top tips for those wanting to start their own candle making business?
Do your branding first. Be 100% clear as to why you want to do this and what problem you are solving. Do not assume that Rome is built in one day, so you may need professional help to assist you on this journey and tell you how to do it.
We know that you have helped to create some amazing candle brands… What can people expect from your candle making workshops?Brand clarity, USP for your business, personal motivation and encouragement, lots of contacts, clear guidance and steps to developing and growing the business… and free support after the workshop until you make it.
Candles have the ability to touch people in so many different ways. For you, what is so special about a candle?
It’s the fragrance for me. People do buy candles based on the fragrance and repeat order if they like how a scent throws and how candles burn. I always advise my clients to have a bespoke fragrance for their brands. Buying the same fragrances and calling them different names is not the way forward for the people I work with. As a brand you must have a signature bespoke fragrance, innovative, different, relevant to your culture and your audience!
So, there you have it, a little insight into the wonderful world of candle making. We would like to say a big thank you to Zaga for sharing all of that with us.
It is safe to say that the scented candle market in the UK is booming and its growth is set to continue over the coming years. It is amazing to see more and more candle makers creating their beautiful and unique collections… and we hope to work with as many of them as possible over the coming years!
If you have been reading this and think that candle making might be for you, then we would definitely recommend that you have a chat with Zaga. We know she would love to hear from you and you can find her details here:
https://beautyhandmade.co.uk/contact-us/
Or if there are any candle makers out there, who would like to partner with us in any of our upcoming boxes, then we would absolutely love to hear from you. Just get in touch with us at hello@iggybox.co.uk
See you soon Iggy Boxers!
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