Fire leaves dedicated candle makers close to wick's end

"The firefighters said it was the best-smelling fire they'd every smelled." That's what Seattle's Big Dipper Candle Company owner Brent Roose said to a reporter after the space that housed his candle making operations went up in flames. (Read the article.) After a long day of making valentine-shaped candles, a hot-plate was left on - and the rest - well, is history. The candle makers were able to salvage some of the wax and candles, though straining soot out of beeswax is a messy, time-consuming job. Recently, a reader posted a question about the safety of lye in cold process soapmaking in the Candle and Soap Making Forum. I replied that yes, lye could be dangerous, but if we take proper precautions, it can be dealt with completely safely - and (more importantly) that most accidents happen when we get overconfident, tired, hurried or lax. Take your time, and don't skimp on safety. Please.