I'm a hoarder.
I don't intend to be one, but it seems that I am. My niece was helping me organize the pantry this evening, and she brought to my attention the fact that I have enough candles to light most of Illinois.
I love candles, especially this time of the year. I love the pumpkin spice scented ones and those that are spiced apple scented. I like the warmth of the flame, and the homey feeling they give the house.
Unfortunately, I have so many candles that I couldn't remember all that I had. We found two that had woven designs reminiscent of a willow basket. I have votives and tea lights, pillars and tapers. I have vanilla, fresh linen, sweat pea, sea breeze, balsam, pumpkin, apple, French vanilla, and unscented candles.
She didn't get to see the two drawers of candles that I've been hording in the mud room. Actually, I hope to use up most of them this year. Candles that have been kept too long loose their finish. I have burgundy, pink, white, cream, ivory, Williamsburg blue, evergreen, pumpkin and red. I have candles in a dozen heights and several widths. I have cheap orange candles that were intended for the jack o'lanterns that we never carved this year, and gold ball candles that I hope to use this Christmas.
I wonder if I could be a pyromaniac?
At any rate, my niece persuaded me to pitch some of the candles out. And for every one I got rid of, I found another box of candles. She made me throw out several red candles I had been keeping for Christmas decorations. And, a ball candle whose life I had extended by dropping votives and tea lights into it's burned out center. I really hated to give up that candle....
So, I guess you could accuse me of hording without intent. The bright side of this is, if the electricity goes out, I can heat the house for several hours!
Call me the next time you feel the urge to buy more candles and I'll see if I can talk you out of it--LOL.
Oh, and I melt down old candles to make new ones--I can tailor the color and fragrance that way (with the addition of scent chips). (You should see the custom-made apricot candle in our front room--that smells of pina colada.) Fortunately, of all the things that I hoard, candles are a minority vice.
I was about to say you should have mented them down and made new ones with them.
I often refill used-up outdoor candles (often in terracotta pots) and put in some citronella essential oil. Great for keeping bugs away on outdoor summer evenings. And it doesn't matter if the wax is a bit of a weird colour as no-one notices in that light!
Value Witch.....Meet Value Cop Car! *G*
I used to do things like that in another life...when I was a poor struggling teacher. I don't know why I gave it up.
Your suggestions are perfect for all the unscented, partially-burned dinner candles that you can't use again!
Thanks, ladies!
Sounds like you could have a garage sale on candles Buffy.
Not YOU, TOO! Doc, the least you could have done was support my addiction! *G*