Tessa has passed over but her web page is back. The temporary writer is our own editor, Judy.

Welcome to the new-look honest shopping online page. Since the last issue appeared Tessa finally got in touch with me. She has moved on from her human life and is enjoying the Summerlands. It took a while for her to come through. She told me that she was very ill last October and November, so that when she did pass away she needed to ‘recuperate and acclimatise’ before getting in touch. She came to me during January 2005 to tell me she was okay. The nice news is that she has her legs back, and her best friend Donny was with her. The bad news is that she nagged me to get on with bringing her web page back to life in the ezine!

So here it is, and in a new guise. I cannot write like Tessa - with her friendly and welcoming down-home style. Also, I do shop on-line - but mainly for books - so now I will tell you about the shops I have found for you, basing them on themes in the issue. What I cannot do is tell you if they are quick and efficient at responding to your orders! So if you use the suggested shops please let me know about the quality of service. If they get a recommendation and 'thumbs up' from you I will then send out Tessa's special award for their web stores.

This issue sees me looking at suppliers of candle-making products around the English speaking world. It ties in with the article on candle magic on the Wiccan page. So, if you want to try your hand at creating a candle for invocation then these stores have the supplies you will need - neat huh?

It is too hot now to curl up in front of my fire - as Tessa always loved to do - but enjoy surfing for candle supplies around the Net as the night draws in and it is too dark to be in the garden.

~ Judy Farncombe ~

A UK based company, so for all you British Wiccans and witches who want to make your own invocation candles try them out. If you live in London you can also go and visit the West London based shop [it is near Olympia, in West Kensington].

They have been supplying candlemaking supplies to craft candle makers and hobbyists in the UK since 1969. they claim to be 'Europe's largest and also best stocked source for all candle making equipment and supplies'. They are also able to respond to telephone enquiries during normal UK working hours. They will supply a vast range of quality candle making equipment and supplies across the UK and internationally.

So what do they stock? They have a fun collection of candle molds - I was particularly taken with the owls head. They also have a section on candle additives [colours, wax glue and hardening agents], perfumes, candlemaking equipement. You can even buy starter kits. The one illustrated below is for kids.

So can you buy stuff if you do not live in the UK? Yes you can, they have a clear and helpful ordering page. So if you are based in the USA, Canada, Australia or Asia, just read the instructions. I like a web site store that realises that it is a world wide market place! There is a minimum order amount - but that is usual if the seller has to send things out.

The real-life store is based in Kaplan, Louisiana, USA; but you can order on-line as well as visit them. In their candle-making kit section they have one aimed for those wanting to make votive candles - now isn't that useful for those of you wanting to do just that!

They have a nice line in fragrance oils. There is a section giving step-by-step instructions on how to make candles with a print out option. There are lots of molds [although nothing as charming as the UK owls and frogs!]. There is a lot on offer, and they have special sales of items too.

Something that always interests me is whether a web store is concious that people from other countries may want to buy their wares. This site does not make it clear that you can order from outside the US - sales information is in the company policy section. Luckily for me another Brit had already done the leg-work on that question - see Candlemaking.org.uk below - Dee Stapleton has ordered from them and has been very happy with their products. The do have a minimum order limit.

What is wrong with this web site? Only a garish layout [purple and green], loud cajun music [luckily you can turn it off if you do not like it]; and, finally, a prediliction for dancing alligators! But these things are a matter of taste and a sense of humour and have nothing to do with the quality of products or service.

This store is physically based in Columbia Station, Ohio.

The sales policy information does not state if they ship outside the USA, but as they have placed the international dialing code on their telephone number, perhaps they do. Luckilly for me Dee has used them and recommends their selection for perfumes.

What do they stock? They hold candle-making kits for $25 US, they have candle colourants, molds [for soaps as well as candles], and many more useful items. But where they come out tops is in the fragrance market.

They also have a section of how to make candles and a newsletter. The web site has a classic look to it and is easy to navigate.

this web site is the #1 resource for candlemakers worldwide! This website has been online since 1999 and helped thousands of candlemakers across the globe! You can find everything from the basic information needed to make your first candles as well as more advanced information and selling tips.

She has a wealth of knowledge on the subject and freely shares it with us, the readers. She has reviews of useful and relevant books, and probably an affiliate link to Amazon for a piece of the book sales [like we do at Psychic-tymes for books we review]. She supplies you with recipes for making candles - excellent!

She does not sell supplies, but she has tried out many suppliers and shares the best with us. So why have I put a link to her web site here? Mainly because of the quality of her information. Her site will stop you from having to re-invent the wheel. I have used Dee Stapleton's advice on other candle-making suppliers to create this page [thank you Dee!]. Her web site is well worth its weight in gold so visit it.

It has been hard to locate an Australian-based candle-making supplier. Here is a pleasant, small and easy to navigate site from a supplier based in Adelaide, South Australia. The contact page seems to indicate that they only ship within Australia as no shipping postage costs are quoted for outside that great continent.

They have a nice selection of candle moulds, the moon one illustrated would make a great base for a votive candle. If you scroll through some of the eight pages they have of candle molds you can see lots to tempt you - I was rather partial to their dragon mold on the second page. If you want to order anything you may have to contact them to see if they will ship outside Australia. They accept credit card sales so they could supply world-wide if they wanted to - but email them to check before purchasing on-line.

It is a small web site with a limited selection of supplies, but the molds make up for it. I also wanted to include a web site to get supplies for our Australian readers. Dee has not got any Aussie links or recommendations, so if you use these suppliers let me know how the service is.

Warning, this article maybe sent to others but any or all the words or content can not be changed, or placed on a website without written permission from the author. Judy Farncombe of FARNCOMBE PUBLISHING has the EXCLUSIVE right/permission to use this article on the Psychic-Tymes website/publication. By sending this article for another to read, you, the sender, are agreeing to send it as is without changing copyright or warning, or changing content.

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