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Lighting up a career
If you are creative and wish to earn some extra money, then candle-making could be right up your alley.
Remember Dimple Kapadia and how her elegantly designed, fragrant candles became the talk of the town? Well, with Diwali round the corner you can also be the next P3P, provided of course you have oodles of creativity. And, perhaps that is what you need the most because the business requires very little cash investment.
The primary reason for this is that the basic raw material — wax — is cheap. Learning the basic skills is also simple enough. There are dozens of candle-making styles that one can adopt.
The Internet has made it possible for candle-makers to sell their products on a global scale. You could also become a regular supplier for a crafts outlet. Says candle-maker Poonam Burman, “There is a plenty of scope for candle-makers. While individuals use candles as decorative elements, hotels/retail outlets use them as props. The variety is so diverse that one can get candles made of glass, pebbles, flowers and even kundan work. The demand has suddenly shot up and that has created a spurt in the business.”
The lure of cash is so great that even college students or people in related professions are becoming budding candle-makers! Says beautician, Bharti Taneja, who recently launched her range of aromatherapy candles, “I attended a candle-making workshop in Canada and I got so interested in it that I decided to diversify my business to include this craft. Not only is it a lucrative profession, but you are also able to give jobs to the unemployed.”
Adds Khushboo Sahni, a third-year student of LSR College, Delhi University, “I took to candle-making right after school. I found it interesting and eventually took it up as a profession. One thing led to another and today I take part in lots of exhibitions and get orders from a number of upmarket interior/gift shops. Further, the demand for candles is no longer restricted to just the festival season. Hence, a candle-maker need not run out of orders after the festivities are over.”
There are a very few courses run by established institutes, however, established candle-makers do conduct courses in the craft. The Alps Academy in Lajpat Nagar, Delhi, is the only institute to have recently started a course in candle-making.
Says Taneja, “The process of making candles can be easily passed on but the aspirant must have an inborn talent.” And what’s more you can jump onto the bandwagon even if you are not well educated. It is, however, imperative that you learn the tricks of the trade from the right professional.”
Agrees Sahni, “Ascertain the credentials of the person organising the workshop and insist on seeing his designs. For only then will you be able to make out if he/she can teach you the right method. You should also take care to see that you don’t get scalded while making the candles.”
The best way to sell your products is to take part in exhibitions and Diwali melas. You just have to be aware of which are the popular ones in your city and book space. If that sounds like a lot of work, then the other way to market your candles is either through word of mouth (which obviously will take some time to materialise) or approach an interior or gift shop (which are the best places to showcase your products). However, you must be skilled in the art of negotiating if you opt for the latter.
Be innovative because if you don’t bring out a new range every few months, then you will not be able to make it in this profession for very long. After all, not only is there huge competition but the customer is also aware of the latest market trends, says Sahni. Innovation is hence the best policy. Happy candle-making!
For further information contact The Alps Academy at 51720447-9
