They are for ambiance, and if nobody is around to appreciate them, they are wasted (as well as dangerous).
Traditional Candlesticks
It seems sometimes that candlesticks have gone by the wayside.
A pair of finely crafted, hand-turned candlesticks lend a sense of formality to a dinner party.
They are perfect for the Shabbat ceremony (This website will display the candle lighting times for your area).
My regular size tabletop candlesticks take any standard 3/4" (19 mm) tapered candle.
I can make a custom size if you make your own candles or you have a larger size candle.
If a pillar type candlestick is listed it will have the size of the candle base accepted.
I like traditional wax candles and they are available everywhere.
Oil candles, which some find more attractive (and maybe cleaner) will also fit my candlesticks.
You can order very high quality oil candles from Firelight Glass.
My candlesticks have a wide (and I think elegant) base for stability, so there is no danger of tipping if someone bumps the table.
Maple candlesticks look best (I think) on bare tables, no matter what finish is on the tabletop.
Walnut candlesticks look best on white tablecloths (just my opinion).
I turn several distinct traditional patterns and they are all sold in pairs.
I generally turn these from Walnut and Maple, but I can accommodate special requests (there may an extra charge).
I do not gild my candlesticks. If you want to have them gilded I can accommodate you surface-wise.
Miniature Candlesticks
I make these from exotic woods as well as domestic woods and they hold candles from 1/4" to about 7/16" (6 mm to 10 mm).
This would be a large birthday candle size.
Small candles should be available at your local supermarket or drugstore - CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, etc.
The patterns are the same as the large candlesticks. I sometimes make singles that are not one of my standard patterns. These will be noted when they are placed on the page.
Tea-Light Holders
Tea-light holders are a different class of candlestick.
They hold any standard tea-light candle.
They can be very attractive when placed around the room or soothing when placed around the bathtub.
Scented tea-lights are available everywhere.
Hurricane Lamps
With the addition of a chimney, candles become a viable source of light in a drafty room when the power goes out.
My candle-lamps are also nice to look at while you curse the power company.
You can order chimneys here and here or get them locally.