The Journal · Craft & materials

Can you light a decorative candle? How to light it and look after it

13 October 2026 · 3 min read

The short answer: yes. Our candles are sculpted by hand by Amélie, and they can be lit: when lit, they give off their scent; unlit, they stand like a small sculpture. Here is how to enjoy them for a long time, and safely.

Lit or unlit: two ways to enjoy it

Lit, the candle gives off its scent and its glow; the wax melts around the wick and the sculpted shape slowly changes. Unlit, it keeps its relief and its colours, and sits on a console, a shelf or a celebration table.

How to light it safely

Never leave it burning unattended, and make sure it is fully out before you leave the room.
Place it on a stable surface, away from curtains, fabrics and decorations.
If it is surrounded by dried flowers or berries, keep the flame away from them: they are flammable. We have a dedicated article: dried flower candle safety.
Trim the wick to 5–7 mm before lighting.

These steps follow official guidance (Health Canada, candle safety guidance).

Where to put it

On a console, a shelf, a dressing table or in the centre of a table. Avoid three places: full sun, which fades the colours; the top of a radiator or a lit fireplace, which softens the wax; a car in summer. A bathroom is fine, as long as the candle is not placed at the edge of the shower.

How to dust it

Dust settles in the relief. A soft brush, moved from top to bottom, is enough; for the nooks, a puff of cold air from a hairdryer set to cold and held at a distance. No water, no damp cloth: neither the wax nor the dried flowers like them.

How to store it out of season

Wrap it in tissue paper, lay it flat in a box, and keep the box somewhere cool and dry. No plastic bag in the sun, no overheated loft.

How to display it

In threes, at different heights; on a tray to group them; with linen, ceramics and a little greenery. Table ideas in how to decorate a celebration table with flower candles.