If you ask anyone where to get handmade candles, view a demonstration or take a class, most people point to Silver Dollar City’s craftspeople. The shop is nice, but I never catch a dipping demonstration, and the offerings are not unique or unusual.
Searching further, the mother of all candles, the European-style multi-colored carved candle is very hard to find. Once a popular choice up until the 1980s, these incredible creations have faded away, or are only found on the Internet.
There is one company in Missouri that is still producing the hand dipped, timely carved candle.
At Craftique Marketplace in Branson, hand carved candles are not only designed in the tradition of Polish or Russian old world styles; whimsical characters or seasonal decor have been added for an Ozarks twist. There is even an Elvis-themed masterpiece in the shop.
A hand dipped, hand carved candle is a painstakingly long process which requires much patience and an adept swift technique. The traditional woven basket design made famous by German artists is the most difficult, as the cooling of the wax has begun to take place as the design is folded onto itself. After dipping twenty layers of wax of different colors onto a shaped core, each layer is cooled by a dunk in cold water before the next is added. By the time all of the layers are accumulated, there is only 15 minutes of crafting time while the candles are still pliable.
Craftique Marketplace has open viewing of their candle crafting on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 2 p.m.
They can be located at 3506 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway Unit 65 in Branson.
There are several choices around the state for a fun, summer outing with a demonstration of candle making. Some even offer hands-on instruction.
K&K Company in Columbia offers a candle making workshop in groups of 12 participants. For only $60, you can learn the art of candle making with an easy jar candle for beginners. All of the supplies are included. The class is designed for adults, is BYOB for added fun and is two hours long.
K&K Company takes online reservations so you can book your class now at https://www.kkco.shop/products/candle-making-workshop.
Unique Creations Candle Bar in Downtown Jefferson City offers a very user friendly candle design studio that can be enjoyed as a group or individually. The whole process takes about 90 minutes and instructors provide a welcoming and patient atmosphere.
The basic candle bar experience begins at a $20 price point for an 8-ounce mason jar style candle that you create according to your own scent and color choices. There are 30 different container styles for you to choose from, with the largest candle available to create weighing in at a whopping 17-ounce, three wick metallic container. There are hundreds of custom scents to choose from when designing your masterpiece.
Unique Creations Candle Bar experience can be booked online at www.uniquecreationsjc.com or drop in at 120 East High Street in Jefferson City.
The Candle Fusion Studio has two locations in St. Charles and Midtown St. Louis. With over 75 fragrance oils to choose from, custom designed candles are made for you or let you enjoy the self service, candle bar experience. This shop only uses vegan soy wax, so you are limited on wax color; soy wax does not hold candle pigment well, so it is usually offered all natural without dye.
The Candle Fusion Studio at St. Charles is located in the Historic Main Street District at 104 South Main.
The Candle Fusion Studio in St. Louis is in the City Foundry at 3745 Foundry Way, #115.
Whether you have found a custom candle making bar or an expertly crafted work of art, Missouri offers some excellent candle crafting, made right here in our state.
*Photos compiled from referenced businesses’ Facebook pages.
