Journey of a Small Business Making 300 Dice-Shaped Candles

The Beginnings of a Candle Making Journey

When I was first approached by Dice FM to create 300 custom candles for their Christmas gifts, I was both excited and nervous. As a small candle making business in East London, an order of that size was monumental. However, the team at Dice shared their vision - custom carved candles in the shape of their logo dice - and I knew it was a project I had to undertake.

Learning the Ropes of Candle Making

I had made candles as gifts for friends and family in the past using simple silicone molds. But creating intricate custom candles by hand was an entirely different feat. I invested in high quality wax, wicks, fragrance oils, and carving tools. I watched countless YouTube tutorials on candle carving techniques and tested small batches repeatedly until I achieved the perfect smooth finish.

Designing Meaningful Candles

The team at Dice wanted more than just a logo carved into each candle. They asked for subtle touches that represented their brand essence - transparency, interconnectivity, fluidity. I etched filigree lines across each carved dice and added delicate impressions of sound waves, representing their audio roots. These bespoke accents took time to perfect but made each candle unique.

The Long Journey of Crafting 300 Candles

Once the custom carved candle design was approved, I was faced with the monumental task of replicating it perfectly - 300 times over. I set up a studio space in my Hackney warehouse and began the long, laborious process.

Streamlining the Candle Making Process

In order to efficiently create 300 nearly identical candles, I developed a systematic approach. I would carve 10 candles then evaluate consistency before moving to the next batch. For tricky decorative elements like the sound wave impressions, I created custom tools to stamp the design rather than carving freehand each time. This sped up the process exponentially while still retaining the handmade, bespoke feel.

Ensuring Flawless Final Touches

As the weeks went on and candles began to fill every shelf and tabletop, I started the finishing touches. I blended bespoke fragrance oils for each candle, finding the perfect balance of woody and sweet notes. Then came labeling and packaging. I worked with a fellow small business owner to design custom stickers and wrapping paper reflecting the Dice brand style. Though mundane, these final steps brought the collection of 300 candles together beautifully.

Completing an Epic Custom Order

When I finally boxed up the last of the intricately carved and lovingly finished dice candles, I felt an immense sense of pride. I delivered them to the Dice FM headquarters in person, excited to see their joy and appreciation firsthand.

Lessons from a Candle Making Marathon

Completing 300 custom carved candles tested my skills and stamina like no other. But in the end, I learned so much about efficiency, consistency, and working with wonderful customers like Dice. My business is stronger thanks to this Stretch order that encouraged me to reach beyond what I thought possible as a small candle maker.

Growing My East London Candle Business

Creating the epic custom Christmas candles for Dice FM has already opened new doors for my business. Not only did my Instagram followers increase 30% once I started posting work-in-progress images, but other London media brands have reached out asking about possible collaborations.

I'm excited to continue making unique, hand-carved candles as gifts and creative collaborations. My workshop is full of fresh inspiration, new scents to blend, and innovative designs to bring to life. With such a monumental Stretch order under my belt, I'm ready to see how far my passion for bespoke candle making can take me!

FAQs

How many candles did the candle maker produce?

The candle maker produced 300 custom dice-shaped candles for the client Dice FM.

What was handmade about the candles?

The candles were fully hand-carved to resemble the Dice FM logo and incorporate subtle design elements representing the brand, such as sound waves.

What types of tools were used to make the candles?

High quality wax, wicks, fragrance oils, and manual carving tools were used. Custom stamp tools were later created for more efficient repetition of key design elements.

Where was the candle maker located?

The candle maker's small business was located in East London, specifically operating out of a workshop space in Hackney.

Did the order lead to more business opportunities?

Yes, completing this large custom order for 300 intricately carved dice candles significantly grew the candle maker's following, opened new client opportunities, and provided inspiration for future designs.