Little Africa's Fair trade animal candle production

Fair trade candles - How are they made?

Our highly decorative fair trade candles are hand-made in the small African Kingdom of Swaziland using the age-old technique "millefiore".

Millefiore, or "thousand flowers", first surfaced in ancient Alexandria, but was perfected in the great glassmaking cities of Murano and Venice. Glass beads and other objects created there were of such beauty and finesse that they became much sought-after and valuable artifacts.

The art of millefiore continues today. But instead of glass, the gifted candle makers of Swaziland use a special hard wax to create their colourful designs. The hard wax veneer forms the outer shell of the candle, which hardly melts when the candle is lit.

Once lit the inner wax melts and the outer shell stays intact emitting a soft colourful glow. The candles have a burn-again quality when re-fitted with a tea candle. (small sizes, frogs, owls and fish do not burn in this manner and can NOT fit a tea light in once used)

To view some of our candles being made please see our video clips.

All candles are handmade and made within fair trade regulations (view fair-trade standards imposed by WFTO)