Rustic Votive Holders
Candles have been around for centuries – the earliest known candles were first seen in China around 200 BC and appeared in Europe after 400 AD. These first candles were generally made of natural fat and wax, with paraffin revolutionising candle-making in the 1830s. These days candles are a scented luxury found on the mantelpieces in ‘hygge’ homes across the globe, and no longer principally used for illumination. As a child in the 70s, I can recall the frequent power cuts we experienced in the evenings, and remember with fondness doing jigsaws by candle light.
There’s something about candles – they create subtle lighting and bathe your home with texture and colour. Studies have shown that soft light has a calming effect on the body and relaxing with candlelight can help reduce stress.
This article first appeared in The GMC Group publication Woodwork Craft 2017