Candles and more candles!

Last week I cranked out a bunch of candles for orders. I am finding that my love for getting messy and making fabulously scented and magickal candles is taking over my business these days. But that is okay, like I said I love it!

Since candle making in Pumpkin Cottage takes over the entire kitchen I plan around it. Most of the candles I sell are made at time of purchase. Some of the candles, especially the votives, I keep on hand (around 2-4) because I know they sell like hot-cakes. So when I get an order I take over the kitchen for at least 2 days and that means we will be eating what can be delivered or picked-up.

It's a messy process even for someone as anal about keeping things neat and tidy as me. I think the process feeds the side of me that wants to be more uninhabited and carefree about spotless kitchen counters. The cabinets by the stove already have a few wax drippings that I can not get off without stripping the paint, so they stay there...and I try not to look at them. LOL!

After a couple of days of playing with wax the candles are done and ready for images to be fixed on them and then prayers and blessings. As you can see herbs, oils and sparkly things are part of the pouring process. Each ingredient has an intention even for the non-magickal candles. I guess really all of them are magickal in one way or another.

Santa Muerte has been getting a lot of love lately. The $10 sale on her candles is still going on. These are wonderful candles for offerings on altars. I adore making unique candles for her.

In the photo above you will see a few candles I made last week. The Santa Muerte ones of course, and a couple from the Vamp Series of the Rustic Glam Candles, as well as a test candle for Abundance featuring the exclusive Alien Shell design I created for abundance (seen on the left behind the blue Santa Muerte candle). I love the way it came out and will be adding this and others to the website soon.

The votives seen here are going into my stash to use for various things...from power's-off-again-light-a-candle to spellwork for clients. These votives were made with leftover wax that I didn't want to waste.

The 3 candles on the right that do not have wicks are really not candles. These are what I call Spell Bombs, wax embedded with herbs and things and an extra bit of power to help them ignite. They are to be thrown into a fire to release specific energy. They aren't for sale...yet. I have to perfect the recipe as they can explode in a rather big way depending on the intention and purpose. I may only sell them to practitioners I know who are able to contain energy well...or I may just make them for my client and personal work.

As the holiday season approaches I will be making candles more often, probably weekly as I need to stock up for selling at holiday festivals and fairs.

Until next time!

This Week's Projects!

Another One-of-a-Kind Shrine for La Santisima Muerte. I'm still crafting the goodies that will go inside (incense, oil, mojo, candles). Below you can see the mojo filled and blessed with herbs sacred to her.

 

 

Close up of the image. It started out black and white then was doctored in Photoshop and then embellished by hand with paint, pigments, shells, paper flowers and an awesome resin cameo! Shrines are custom and can be ordered by contacting me at info (at) pumpkincottageconjure (dot) com

This is the mojo that will go in the shrine. The fabric has skulls and crossbones.
Cute, right?

Speaking of mojos, here is a Road Opener mojo conjured for a customer. Made with a black, white and silver skull fabric and red lace.

I make a lot of money drawing/prosperity mojos. This one was ordered by a customer. I love the little silver money bag charm!

I'm running a mojo special. 20%!
Each one is hand-crafted, blessed and unique. They come with a dram bottle of blessed hoodoo oil and a 4" candle with instructions on how to "wake-up" and work your mojo. Interested? Venture on over to Pumpkin Cottage Conjure.

Blessed Hallows!

This weekend was spent marveling at the sudden snow storm that hit the East Coast. Luckily we did not loose power, however family on the other side of the Hudson River are still without power.

I decided to take advantage of the weather (being since I can't do the much needed yard work and clean-up before the real winter kicks in) and the spirit-imposed downtime (tending to my personal spiritual practices) to make some candles and try out a few new candle-making techniques.

I have a few novena spell candles to make for clients and customers. I am now hand-pouring almost all of the spell candles I use. My goal is to have molds available for all the candles I use by the end of the year.

So here is the weekend candle-making in pics:


Melting wax as I chop and chip away at the ginormous block of wax.


Pouring a skull candle for a client's spell.

There are always money drawing and prosperity candles needed by clients and customers. Making the candles myself allows me to charge the candle with prayers while pouring. I also add the appropriate oils and plant and flower bits to the wax itself.

I try to contain the mess as much as possible. I love making candles!

Skull candle done. And also a most lovely La Santisima Muerte candle. Each is carefully scented with essential oils. The skull candle has some herbs and glitter added to it. La Santisima will get embellished a bit later. Both candles are appropriate for this time of year, dontcha think?

Like I said I am trying a few new techniques...as well as some new candle wax materials and blends. Trial and error makes for the best outcome.

Back to the kitchen.

I will post final pics once they are ready.

Have a blessed days!

Dollar store altars!

Today I went to Dollar General to pick up some miscellaneous necessities. I know I am not the only one who goes into these dollar stores and comes out with things you didn't know you needed.

I found myself standing in the aisle with the artificial flowers...just staring at them...not knowing why. Finally after a few minutes of being dumbfounded I grabbed two bunches of fake flowers and went on my way.

When I got home I realized what the flowers were for. Santisima Muerte and Yemaya both wanted some beautification done to their altars. And since I am good little Spirit server...

Santisima Muerte (Holy Death) altar

Yemaya altar