We are so excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at the process with you, and to showcase the care that our team puts into each Weekday Candle product.
Step 1: The Design
Did you know that each paint tin candle scent has its very own uniquely-designed label? Although each label is different, they were all crafted in a similar, hand-drawn style, so they still look cohesive together. One theme you’ll spot in each label? The outdoors. One of our designers, Salma, shares “I was inspired by flowers and greenery, so you’ll see that each label has a touch of nature.”
The colour palette of each label is also carefully considered, to match the season and scent of the candle. “For example, Fall scents like Pumpkin Spice have a warm colour palette that captures the spirit of autumn!” says Salma.
We love the unique look that these labels give each tin, and think that they make great pieces of decor for your desk, counter, or coffee table!
Step 2: The Pour
Every Weekday Candle is poured in-house, up in our loft, and our Paint Tins are no exception! It’s a pretty precise process and we’re lucky to say that we’ve got it down to a science!
Fun fact: The temperature of the wax is crucial in making the candle set nicely, so our team is careful to monitor these temperatures using a handy-dandy thermometer!
Once the wax reaches temp, it’s ready to pour! Each paint tin candle is poured by hand, one-by-one.
After they are poured, the candles are given some time to cool and set before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: The Assembly
Once the wax has set, it’s time for assembly. Our staff carefully wrap each jar with a label, fix each tin lid with a sticker describing the scent, and fasten a Weekday Candles band around the belly of the can. This takes the paint tins from this…
… to this!
Step 4: The Journey to You
Now that the candles are looking and smelling good, they’re ready to make their way to you! When you place an order online, our team carefully packages your order, ensuring that it arrives in pristine condition. For those visiting the Weekday Store, the candles make a brief trip from our warehouse to the store shelves, ready for you to explore and select your favourites.
We currently have 14 Paint Tin Candles available on our website, and we may or may not have some exciting new collections in store for the New Year!
Want to be first to hear about new scents? You can always keep in touch with us on Instagram @weekdaycandles or Facebook @weekdaycandles.
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Paraffin wax is the most common type of candle wax as it is cheap and can take on a multitude of shapes. It is a petroleum-based product first created in 1830 in Germany. It was a major advancement in candle technology as it burned cleaner and was much cheaper than the tallow (animal fat) candles that were common at the time.
There is a misconception that paraffin wax candles release toxins into your home as they burn, this is false. As long as the candle is properly made there is no risk in lighting a candle made of paraffin wax. However, as it is a product of crude oil it does have the same environmental impacts as other petroleum products. Any opportunity to replace a petroleum product with a naturally derived material is an easy way to live a little more green.
Palm wax is a natural material derived from palm oil. Palm oil is an extremely common ingredient in packaged products such as lipstick, laundry, detergent, and ice cream. Unfortunately, palm production is a huge contributor to deforestation. And as demand for palm oil and its derivatives grows, more land is cleared for plantations. This destroys important wildlife habitats and is largely to blame for the endangerment of orangutans and other species.
Palm is typically grown in poorer countries where governments are unable to prioritize conservation over economic welfare. It is up to consumers to decrease the demand for palm products, by refusing to purchase products containing palm derivatives.
Beeswax is a natural wax secreted by honey bees to build their hives. Generally, beeswax candles are unscented as the wax does not hold onto scent very well. Beeswax candles have a unique benefit in that they purify the air while they burn by producing negative ions that attach to positive ions such as pollen and dust. However, they are also the most expensive type of candle and tend to tunnel.
As the name suggests soy wax is a biodegradable wax derived from soybeans. It was developed in the 1990s as demand for natural candles took off. It is more affordable than beeswax while boasting many of the same benefits. It is also non-toxic, clean-burning, and produces very little soot. It is one of the most popular types of candle wax, second only to paraffin.
As outlined above, each type of wax has its advantages and disadvantages. We choose soy wax because it is a natural non-toxic material with a great scent throw. Scent throw describes how a candle's scent circulates a room. We chose our scents carefully and it is important to us that they can fill a room and be fully enjoyed.
Soy wax is also denser than paraffin wax and has a lower melting point, this means soy candles have a longer burn time. Longer burn time means you’ll get more use out of a soy candle than a paraffin candle of the same size. Soy wax is also very easy to work with. Because all of our candles are hand-poured it’s super important to us that the process is simple so we can guarantee a high-quality product each and every time!
]]>Humans have been burning candles for thousands of years. Their primary use was as a light source, but over time they gained cultural and religious significance across the world. Before candles, mainly oil lamps were used for light, but they had a tendency to spill and the wick needed to be pulled up by hand as it burned. Candles created a longstanding light source that required limited human attention to maintain.
The Romans are credited with making the first true candles, dating back to about 500 BC. They used rolled papyrus dipped in tallow (animal fat). Tarrow candles burned extremely dirty, emitting dark smoke and an unpleasant smell. Despite this, they became very common, and tallow candle making was a guild craft in 13th century France and England. The candlemakers (chandlers) would travel from home to home making candles out of the fats saved by the household.
During the middle ages, beeswax was discovered. As a clean-burning wax with a pleasant scent, it was greatly preferred to tallow. However, beeswax candles were expensive and typically only burned in churches and by the wealthy. Spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whale oil, was also discovered in the middle ages. Like beeswax, it was clean burning and scentless. Spermaceti candles burn bright and smokeless, and were quite popular for a period of time. However, as replacements for whale commodities were found, whaling decreased and thus did the production of spermaceti candles.
The next big discovery in the history of candles was the invention of paraffin wax. Paraffin wax, a petroleum product, was first manufactured in Germany in 1830. Scentless and clean-burning it quickly took over candle making and became the standard. However, the demand for candles took a sharp downward turn after the introduction of the lightbulb in 1879.
Paraffin wax candles were popular throughout the 20th century, but demand for candles as a decorative accessory hit a surge in the 1980s. Candles started to become available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colours. This interest in candles continued to grow throughout the 1990s, especially for scented and natural wax candles. This demand led to the creation of soy wax, now one of the most popular types of candle wax. It is cheaper than beeswax and is longer burning with a better scent throw than paraffin wax.
One of the most well known candle companies, Bath & Body Works was established in 1990. They are famous for their oversized three-wick candles with hundreds of scents. All of their stores hold a massive sale the first Saturday of December and it is now known as ‘Bath & Body Works Candle Day’. The passion for Bath & Body Works scented candles runs so deep that one woman even posted an 11-minute long rant when she was unable to get her hands on her favourite scent.
Many religions utilize candles in ceremonies and traditions. The Jewish Holiday, Hanukkah, centers around the lighting of candles on the menorah. The holiday is also known as the festival of lights.
Catholics place candles before statues of Saints and other religious figures, often lighting the candles in memoriam of the deceased. It is used as a symbol of the light of Christ or God. Candles are also used to mark the passage of advent with four candles in a wreath. The four candles represent; peace, love, hope, and joy. One candle is lit each week of advent.
Candles are also used in the celebration of Kwanzaa, an African-American celebration held from December 26 - January 1. A candle is lit each day and placed in a holder called a kinara. Kwanzaa is based on seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Each candle represents one of these principles.
These are just a few examples of how candles are used to celebrate and honour tradition. The nature of a candle, a small flickering light source easily lit and extinguished, lends itself so easily to symbolism it is no surprise most cultures utilize it in some way.
Candles are still widely used today, and can be found in almost any colour, shape, size, scent, or container you can think of. Like many products that became commercialized in the 20th century, there is now a movement to return to simplicity and hand poured candles are becoming preferred amongst consumers.
There is simply no denying the comfort lighting a candle can bring to a space. The consistent use of candles across centuries even after the invention of more convenient light sources demonstrates their influence. The discovery of fire is arguably the most pivotal human innovation ever, no longer did people have to spend half of their living hours in the dark. Perhaps we hold onto an instinctual fondness of fire that candles recall in our subconscious.
]]>Hygge (pronounced hooga) is a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. The word originates from Denmark and Norway and is a defining characteristic of Danish culture.
English does not have an interchangeable term for Hygge but it is often associated with words such as simple, cozy, ritual, enjoyment, comfort, security, and happiness. It is about being present in the moment and recognizing the enjoyment of a moment. Finding small daily rituals that bring pleasure and give life significance. The concept was born out of a need to survive long, dark winters which often brought with them a feeling of mundane monotony.
Living Hygge is not difficult, you don’t need to overhaul your home or throw away your possessions. Hygge simply emphasizes spending quality time with friends and family and slowing down to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. It’s sitting down for 10 minutes to sip your coffee instead of drinking it on the go. It’s taking a bubble bath with dimmed lights and a good book. It’s setting a nice table and eating dinner away from the tv, savoring each bite. It’s lighting a candle and calling an old friend to catch up.
We are all aware of how powerful smell can be at evoking emotion and bringing back memories. Just a whiff of apple pie can take you right back to being a child in your grandmother’s kitchen. The smoky scent of campfire reminds you of summer adventures with friends. The fresh air after a thunderstorm reeks of nostalgia and new possibilities. Filling your space with a scent that is comforting and enjoyable can be an excellent way to add some Hygge into your life. The ritual of lighting a candle is a subtle signal to your subconscious that this is a special moment, a moment to be appreciated.
In Western Culture there is a tendency to rush through the workweek. We want to put our heads down and get it over with, and then we attempt to cram a week’s worth of fun and relaxation into the two day weekend. But life is both too long and too short to live this way.
Weekday Candles are poured to be a candle for every day of the week. Friday often gets all the glory but we believe that each day offers its own opportunity to enjoy life and make a special moment. Each day has a unique atmosphere that deserves to be celebrated and savored. We hope that lighting one of our candles can help you take pause and find those moments of contentment, whether it’s Monday Morning, Friday Night, or any day in between.
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