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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1997-09-03, Page 111 •JiU S-1 � ' G>3EELEl'S 26 Thames Rd. East (Beside Rent 1 Video Get 1 FREE f° vatu-mart) CaII 2353803 Expires Wed., Sept. 10 ■ Second Section - September 3,1997 L Wick's Up - childhood pastime turned business By Heather Mir T -A Reporter GRAND BEND - After nearly 30 years, a childhood hobby has been revived.as a bustling business for entrepreneur Cindy Ballak. The Grand Bend -based operation named Wick's Up has been open since last Christmas when Ballak began making candles from moulds'reclaimed out of a Church attic where they sat for 15 years. Her mother had donated them to a local handicapped group but the work proved too challenging and they were set aside. Ballak learned the craft of candle -making as a child with her sister in Kitchener -Waterloo where they soon discovered local stores were interested in the unique items. After setting up a display in their parents' drycleaning store, the local newspaper picked up the story and before long, shops were placing orders. When the after-school work started interfering with studies, the girls were forced to give up the time-consuming hobby. More recently, Ballak noticed scented candles were being sold at a price of $30 each and thought back to her once - profitable pastime. She wasted no time in setting up shop below her apartment, located on Ontario Street behind Studio 21 hair salon. She ordered wax, scents, hardeners and wicks and went into business. Now Ballak retails more than 140 different hand -finished moulded candles. She also hosts home candle parties and can have -custom -make products ready within a week. Prices range from $5 for a small candle shaped like a chick for Easter to huge two -foot candles that will burn for 1,000 hours.selling for $80. And there's everything in between. Some of the most popular shapes include a Mexican man, Buddhas and bells used as wedding favors. In addition to local business, Ballak wholesales her product to seven stores in Ontario including Bainton's Old Mill Blyth and Olivalore in Bayfield as well as shops in Waterloo, Cindy Ballek's hand -made candles are a labor- intensive project. Pictured above are several samples of her more than 135 moulds. She is already preparing for the Christmas season and is available to host home candle parties. At left, Ballak demonstrates how mull -colored candles are created by using chunks of different colored wax held together with clear paraffin. Her business, called Wick's Up, is located on Ontario Street in Grand Bend. 4 4 SONY 46" PROJECTION T.V. Model KP46S17 • Reg. $2999 NQIN 2599 SONY 35" V SERIES HOME THEATRE T.V. Model KV35V35 • Reg. $2299 . . . k•, AUDIO • VIDEO SI RVICI; CENTRE • KENWOOD AC-3DIGITAL SURROUND 455 Watt HOME THEATRE AMP Model KR990D • Reg. $1599 NOW $1299 ry,J KENWOOD T.H.X. DIGITAL PRO -LOGIC 550 WATT HOME THEATRE AMP Model KRX1000 • Reg. $1999 $1299 Shakespeare and New Hamburg. She hopes to eventually sell to 20 stores but adds more than that would be more work than one person could handle. "You can't mass produce," she said, adding, the candles take eight hours to set and then must be re -poured after they condense. Ready for Halloween, Ballak has already started working on Christmas candles and by that time, she will begin pouring moulds for a Valentines Day line. If it sounds like Ballak keeps busy making candles alone, don't be fooled. She also is active during the tourist season and throughout the year cleaning homes, cottages and boats with a second business called Dirt of the Earth. ' For more information or to order candles Ballak can be contacted by phone at 238-1259. „RENTAL Air AAP' ArAdr Air ,dr at the Daticenter ) T ON TOOLS AND TOOL & RENTAL STOP or NT ACCESSORIES (Rentals including Sale Items excluded) • EXETER 235-4441 MTX 10" SUBS FROM $79-- MTX 9..==-MTX 12" SUBS FROM $99 200 WATT MTX THUNDER AMP $249 PICK-UP AND • DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILA01 SANYO 6 DISC PORTABLE- RADIO Model MCH5960 • Reg. $299 .$229111 ■ NORTHERN TELECOM CALL= BOXES $10 KENWOOD 120 WATT DETACH FACE TAPE DECK WITH 6 DISC CHANGER Model CHR -S5300• Reg. $499 NOW $459; IR. 1 I'A.I lit 1 63 AIN STI. EXETER 235-0003 • ESTIMATES • REPAIRS • INS I ,\I LATIONS