Dear Maven - Wick won't stay lit?

Dear Maven,

What do you do with a candle, or specifically the wicks, that won’t stay lit especially in the larger size jars?

If you have a wick that won’t light, you’ve simply gone too far. It’s like saying, “now that I have a traffic ticket, how do I make it go away?” The trick is not to get the traffic ticket to begin with! Let me explain…

When you first receive your candle, you may notice that sometimes the top is not completely flat across. This is completely normal. The top becomes caved in when the natural crystallization process experiences slightly differing humidity and temperatures. 

If you come across a candle like this, the trick is not to trim your wick for the first lighting.   I know you’re thinking about that mantra that’s ingrained in your brain about always trimming your wicks. However, this is a special case. I give you permission to not trim your wicks—just this once!

You’ll need to plan on a first burn of approximately four hours to condition the candle but after this first burn it should level itself out. Once your candle is flat, then trim to ¼ inch and continue to burn. 

Getting the Smell from the Jar Lid

Dear Maven,

How do you get the smell out of the candle lid? I would like to re-use the container as a sugar
container. However, I do not want the sugar to smell like Cinnamon Garland. I have tried many things to get the smell out, including Homeology All Purpose.

Wow—another example of reduce, reuse, recycle. Way to go! Gold Canyon has the most powerful fragrance on the market and with this high quality it’s no wonder you can’t get that smell out. You can though—it just takes a little time.

Take the plastic ring off of the glass and wash them both with very hot soapy water, letting them soak 30 minutes or so. Rinse and allow them to dry. If the plastic ring still has a smell, let it sit in a bowl of baking soda for a week. Wash the plastic ring, let it dry and smell again. If it still has smell left, do another bowl of baking soda for a couple of weeks. That should do it!

I know it sometimes take a little extra work to repurpose something, but it’s all worth it. Plus, who else will have such a beautiful custom-designed diamond cut glass sugar container?

Your partner in going green,
Maven

Reflections in Decorating

Surprisingly, even something like concern over the economy has an effect on design trends. But it’s not what you may think. Most recently, people have been longing for and remembering the days of the past—heirloom colors and distressed finishes are now a very popular home décor trend.

The use of aged, heirloom colors and distressed finishes remind people of the past and they’re finding their way into home décor themes.

You can add small touches of aged and heirloom color finishes and feels to your home. Try these simple décor concepts:

• Change or repurpose old furniture instead of throwing it away. It may already look distressed, making it easier to get in line with this trend. If needed, use painting techniques or even try sanding away those old paint trends to create the look you want now.

• Find those old keepsakes and accent pieces you’ve stored away for safekeeping. Instead bring them out and display them proudly. Family heirlooms will always be in style!

• Live simply. Ironically, living simply is the current “trend” that was once a way of life. Get back to that place not only for your design wallet, but for the environment and our earth’s future.

• When you do decide to make new purchases, select the accent pieces that can be used in a variety of ways. This type of decor not only changes with time, but with your tastes as well.

• Check out Gold Canyon’s holders (pictured below) for seven versatile holders each with their own distinctive design, but the same quality rustic finish—perfect for your heirloom and distressed finished décor.

Decorating Using Old to Look New

Decorate Your Home With a New Look Using the Old!

Redecorate by Repurposing

 

You can give your home a new look without the new furnishings by simply “redecorating” and repurposing some items already in your home. You can add a new look and organize your home in every room without spending a dime!

Try these ideas for a fresh look and a more organized home:
1. Turn containers into unique holders or accent pieces. You can use empty jar candles, candle holders, candle accessories or Scent Pod™ containers as places to store supplies in the office; as food containers for candy, spices, flour, sugar or tea bags in the kitchen; as storage for buttons, safety pins or craft items in the spare bedroom; as everyday containers for storing cotton balls, soaps or cotton swabs.

2. Repurpose an old wicker basket by putting it in a different room and using as an accent piece on a table or on the floor. Try using it to store items you’d rather have out of sight like hand weights, incoming mail and toys or use it to hold toiletries on the bathroom counter, reducing your clutter.

3. Make kitchen storage stylish. Make space in your kitchen cabinets by instead displaying pretty dishes on countertops and cabinets and using them to store items needed at hand.

4. Start saving! Your empty jar candles are the perfect place to store all that extra change. Make a coin jar for everyone in your household and even make your own label with their name and what they are saving for.

5. Make a last minute gift. When you need to have a gift quickly or want to give something homemade, reuse your glass candle jars by creating your own recipe of cookie mixes, salsas or soups. Add a recipe label and a bow and your gift is complete!

Search your home for your old candle jars, candle holders, candle accessories, baskets and other items to repurpose and you’ll instantly feel more organized!

Using a Hurricane Candle Holder

Due to the size of a Hurricane holder, you can do any number of things with it.

Try putting some aquarium rocks in the bottom, and nestling in a votive holder and votive.

You could fill it with candy, and put in your votive and holder

Filling the hurricane with coffee beans can make an interesting look

Float a few tealights inside the hurricane holder

Fill with sand, and place the candle inside


Around the outside, there are all sorts of things you can do as well.

Wrap silk flowers or greenery around the base

Rose petals can be sprinkled around the candle

Confetti would make a nice touch