What are the advantages of soy candles?

Most candles on the market today, both in stores and on the internet, are made from paraffin. Paraffin is the more traditional wax for making candles. It is much cheaper to produce than soy wax, so candles made from paraffin wax are usually cheaper than candles made from soy wax. However, when you light a candle made from soy wax, you will know that spending the extra money on soy was worth it.

Soy wax has some distinct advantages over paraffin wax:

-Soy wax will hold a higher amount of fragrance oil than paraffin wax will. Therefore, you get a more richly scented candle.
-Soy wax candles have a longer burn time than paraffin candles. Soy candles typically last 30-50% longer than paraffin candles. Your candle will last longer.
-Soy wax burns cleaner than paraffin. The flame of a soy wax candle appears cleaner to the eye, and produces less soot. If you like to use candle shades with your candles, these will not become sooty when used with a soy candle. Soy wax will not deposit soot on the edges of the containers.
-Soy wax is made from soybeans, which are a renewable resource. Paraffin wax is made largely from petroleum products, which are a non-renewable resource. 
-By purchasing soy candles, made from soybeans, you are helping our American farm economy.
-Many people get headaches when they burn paraffin candles. Soy candles will generally not give you a headache.
-If spilled, soy wax will clean up with soap and water, no special cleaners needed. Paraffin wax is difficult to remove from many materials.

How does Shining Stars Soy Candle Shop ensure quality soy candles?
We do not put any chemicals or additives into our wax. This gives you the most natural soy candle possible. We use high quality products to make our candles. The highest amount of fragrance oil that soy wax will hold goes into every candle to bring you the strongest scented candle possible. We also test extensively for burn quality before listing a product.

Where does Shining Stars Soy Candle Shop get its products from?
All products that we currently sell are handmade. We DO NOT purchase candles from a third party, then sell them to you. We are not a "middleman" or "commissioned salesperson" for a larger candle company. Every product we sell is made to order-we do not melt the wax until you order it.

How did Shining Stars Soy Candle Shop get its start?
Well, I have always loved to have candles in my home. However, my favorite candle styles and scents seemed to be getting more and more expensive. I had always bought paraffin candles until someone gave me a soy candle as a Christmas gift one year. It was stronger, lasted longer and burned cleaner than any other candle I had ever bought. I started buying soy candles. Then, I decided to experiment with making my own candles. This went well and I started selling candles at church craft sales and to friends. I have always wanted to have my own business, so I began this web store in 2008 as a way to expand my business. This candle company allows me to use my creativity to create candles in designs and scents that I have hand-picked.

Does Shining Stars Soy Candles take suggestions?
Yes we are always open to suggestions. If you would like to suggest a scent or product, please e-mail me.

Will new products be coming soon?
Yes, when business picks up a bit, we will definitely be adding new products. Some ideas for new products:
-Soy votive candles
-Soy pillar candles
-Soy tarts
-Small bottles of fragrance oil
-Warmers for tarts and fragrance oil
-Combo packs- These would be similar to the ones Wal-Mart sells. I have not decided on what EXACTLY would go in them, but it would be something like two tarts, a votive or two, fragrance oil and a jar candle. All items in the combo pack would be of the same scent. 
- I would like to expand our scent selection to double what is available now. I have not decided what the new scents would be, but I will try to include "something for everyone". For example, some floral, some bakery, some designer types, etc.