Seasonal flower choices are a lovely aspect of candle making

One of the nicest things about using seasonal flowers is that it follows a more natural order, and the candle maker can mimic the seasons in her craft. In the spring, the colors and fragrances are softer and more delicate, using flowers like cherry blossoms, tulip, or lilac. The blossoms are often dried between sheets of paper and then gently inserted into softened, white wax to give the impression of new life. The colors are usually pastel shades of pinks, purples, and whites, and the candle is often left unscented or lightly fragrant to accentuate the beauty of the blossoms. Spring blossoms are usually available for a short time, so the craftswoman must be ready to dry as soon as they are picked to preserve their colors.

For Summer, the options can be braver and brighter. The flowers bring an abundance of colour and can be used to bring a sense of joy to your candles. Using marigolds, in shades of bright orange and yellow, and brightly coloured zinnias and dahlia flowers can produce a bright pop of contrast with dark wax and create a really fun candle. These stronger flowers can keep their colour when they’re being imbedded, and can cope with the wax being slightly hotter, so they’re a good choice if you’re still getting to grips with wax temperatures. You can also add in herbs such as rosemary leaves or lavender buds to add in some extra texture, and the herb will leave a subtle fragrance even when the candle is burning right down. Summer flowers allow you to be a bit more indulgent, and you can pack in the blooms to create a luscious and intricate effect.

Fall seems to demand a warmer, darker color palette of darker foliage and fall blooms. Copper and orange mums match with pressed maple leaves and dried hydrangea blossoms to make a soft, contemplative candle. This color palette works well with the honey tone of the beeswax, and the contrast in shapes between the veins of a leaf and petals of a flower create a soft visual interest as the candle burns. Symbolic or narrative candles work well with fall flowers, too— say, a design that evokes the fall leaves at the top and roots at the bottom, etc. Be aware that fall is also drier than summer, so these flowers can be dried more easily, which means they will keep longer and be less likely to grow mold.

Evergreen foliage and winter blooming flowers bring a sense of sophistication to the table. The silvery green of pine and eucalyptus and the muted whites of hellebores provide a lovely contrast to the creamy wax and lend themselves to simple, contemplative designs. Pine can weep its sap and compromise the quality of the burn if it isn’t prepared correctly, and the eucalyptus holds its lovely shape best if pressed and then gently placed into a cooler wax — if it gets too warm it will curl. The soft color palette allows for an emphasis on line and negative space — one sprig or a small cluster of blooms thoughtfully placed can be quite contemplative. The overall effect of a winter candle is often more sculptural and frequently aimed at a holiday table or perhaps a solitary winter night, with less emphasis on ornamentation.

This approach to selecting flowers, and using flowers that are currently in season, is something that I try to implement throughout the year. Not only does it keep me present and thoughtful in my flower selection process, but also, it challenges me to patiently wait for the flowers to dry, and to think outside the box when designing each arrangement. Ultimately, I feel that it makes for a far more special and meaningful candle, as I always associate each one with the time of year it was made in. I hope that when you burn your candle, you are reminded of that as well.