Flashback to January 2005: Candles

For several years, my parents owned a candle business and when I would come home on weekends I always enjoyed helping make them. The primary focus was on the handmade candles you see above. I'll attempt to briefly explain the process. A star shaped "core" was premade with colorless translucent wax. Several vats of colored wax were melted. The core was then dipped once into a color to coat the outside then immediately dipped into water to harden the wax. This process was repeated several times to build up the layers of colors on the outside of the core. After a sufficient number of layers of colors were added, you have approximately 5-10 minutes to cut with a knife or other tools the designs you see above, before the candle becomes too cold and hard to work with. I think my parents have ceased making candles which makes me sad. Over time it became not worth the travelling to loading and unloading at various craft shows and not reaching the proper market for them. I wish I could figure out a way to safely ship them as they are very fragile.