A longtime downtown Lawrence business owner has been romancing the wax.

Bob Werts, owner of Waxman Candles, 609 Mass., above, has been molding a variety of whimsical candles in preparation for Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14.

“I don’t know if these are what they’re going to look like,” he said, looking over some of his prototypes.

He was experimenting with waxy representations of the letters L O V E, dual hearts, stacked hearts, a heart with an arrow and Xs and Os (kisses and hugs).

And he was even trying his hand at arranging wax into the shape of roses.

Werts has been making candles in downtown Lawrence for 36 years, using, on average, about 120 pounds of wax a day for his handmade creations.

For much more about Werts’ thoughts on those 36 years, click on the audio slideshow at left.