Church Candles

Speckled_Egg

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to buy cheap ivory church candles (approx 25cm x 8cm)? I need 17 of them with a burning time of at least 8 hours.

I've bought a trial one in Matalan for £1.50 which I'm going to test. Ideally want candles that will burn evenly for quite a long time and not give off toxic fumes! :rotfl:

All suggestions appreciated!

floss2

Look in IKEA or the Pier - I think they both have an approximate guide burning time on them too

melancholly

i got a pack of 6 in costco before christmas. you could also try hobbycraft.

rwaite

I buy mine all the time from Matalan. I think they are really really good and a really good price. I've also got some from Poundstretcher in the past. xxx

Merrywidow

I don't know if you live anywhere near London but Candlemakers Supply -behind Olympia specialise in Church candles, all shapes and sizes. Church candles contain beeswax. They do mail order, check out their websight.

Toxic fumes are new to me. Golden rule is to keep the wick trimmed and out of draughts. I think if you want the genuine article you might have to pay a little extra. Cheap candles don't contain sterine or beeswax and burn down very quickly. I am a candle maker by profession but have retired, otherwise I could have knocked some up for you. Good luck

paddingtondoo

i get mine from Poundstretcher or Instore as they are now called round here.

They don't always have really good wicks in them though.

Do you have an Au Naturel? They are quite good as well.

fiscalfreckles

Our Poundland have them & they last ages.

Speckled_Egg

Thanks girls, that's really helpful.

I burnt the Matalan candle for two hours and it seemed fine. My main concern is that it burns down evenly. Some candles seem to burn in the middle only so you end up with the wick in a hole that snuffs itself out. They're going to be placed in tiny windows up fairly high so I want to light them about 3pm and leave them to burn until about 11.30pm (if that's possible!).

Any other thoughts would be appreciated!

:T

Speckled_Egg

Au Naturale has gone into receivership!

Merrywidow

Candlemaking lesson 2. When a candle burns only in the middle it means the wick is too small. Your plans for the candles sound very ambitious. What about candles in glass containers - Sainsbury & Homebase do a great line, they would burn safely for the length of time you need. My all time recommendation would be Yankee Candles, as an expert I find their wicks are perfect sizes and the candles burn evenly , no holes. Trouble is they a'int cheap but then quality never is. More advice on tap if you need it.

Speckled_Egg

Thanks Merrywidow

Yes, I guess my plans are ambitious! We're hiring a barn which has 17 small rectangular windows all high up. My florist friends are going to decorate them with candles and ivy. I'd really like them to light the candles then leave them and not worry.

The Yankee candles sound like a great idea. I've had one before and it was lovely. I really want to create a warming autumnal feel and those candles would do that (yum!). The barn is huge so I doubt if the scent would be overwhelming.

I'll nip to the garden centre at some point to have a good sniff at them all!

Will let you know how I get on.

x