LOS ANGELES, June 1 (Reuters) - Candle maker Blyth Inc. (BTH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday posted a net loss on charges and net sales that fell 4 percent on weak sales in its PartyLite U.S. direct selling business and higher commodity costs.

The company's net loss for the first quarter ended April 30 was $30.6 million, or 75 cents per share, compared with net income of $10 million, or 24 cents per share, a year earlier.

Net sales fell to $327.5 million from $342.8 million in the year-earlier quarter.