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I am wanting to do just a 100% soy based candle but after searching here, it looks like everyone has to mix paraffin in with the soy to get a good mix to make tarts.

Well hamburgers. It looks like the Ecosoya isn't that great. With the coupon I got from peak, their shipping is going to be super cheap for me compared to some other places. I just checked candle science and their shipping for 10lbs is more than peak's without the coupon. Really wanted to use soy, but it appears I may have to use paraffin :-/

Peak just sent me a coupon for 25% off shipping.... Sooooo I guess I know where I'm getting my stuff this weekend! HA!

SHHHHHH!! DONT TELL ME ITS NOT GONNA BE CHEAPER!! I refuse to believe it! hahaha! The companies that struck me as being above average for service and quality are: Peak Lonestar Candle Science Candlewic Wholesale supplies plus So hopefully one of them will be cheaper on shipping to Indiana. So much to learn about mixing waxes! Will give me a good project over the winter I suppose But I guess I don't understand why some advertise a tart/votive blend yet it seems to be just a standard wax (or am I missing something here?) Thanks for the help so far everyone! I am grateful!

Thanks!! To save on expenses for the time being I think I'm going to skip dyes. However, liquid dye was how I was considering going since its so much easier/more economical way to do it.

Who do you use for wax? I was looking at Candle Science as well, but I was trying to do everything from one place.

hmm drat.. It suggested to use a blend or a votive mix but Peak doesn't have a soy votive mix, unless im missing it.

Ok, so I poked around on Peak and came up with this shopping list. I want to start out with a small batch to try my hand at this and try to get the basics under my belt before spending a large amount of money on wax. One thing I don't understand is all of the different waxes. Some make sense others not so much So here is my shopping list: 1 bottle of Cinnamon & Balsam FO - 2.50 12 Tart Molds - 7.80 2lb sample of GW464 - 4.50 4lb pouring pot (for later use) - 8.99 1 glass top scale w/TARE feature - 34.95 1 metal themometer - 6.28 Grand total: 65.02 before shipping/handling. Am i missing anything?

oh i got plenty of those already! i use them to clean out my tart warmers lol!

I had planned on only doing soy based candles. Trying to be as eco-friendly as I can, plus I like soy candles better. They seem to be better for some reason (not sure why! ha!) I am mainly going to be doing tarts for myself. If i get good enough at it, then I might sell a few but mainly just doing this as a hobby for myself and break my Yankee addiction ha! I've come across Candle Science and I like their how to videos, those are really great! Hopefully going to be buying some supplies soon to get started. So far on my list is: Melting Pot Spare pan to make the double broiler digital thermometer scale (good one) Tart Molds Small order of wax A scent of some sorts. I think thats all I need. :-/

hmm well then. Seeing how Peak seems to be the cheapest, I also found this: http://www.wellingtonfragrance.com/Alphabetic-Listing-of-all-Oils-C277.aspx . Has anyone had any experience with these folks?

thanks! glad to be here!

I wasn't aware that Peak owns the board. Interesting. They do seem to be well priced on just about everything I'd need to get started. So what does everyone do with those 1oz's that just sit around and collect dust? Sell them? Trade Them? I am only going to be making candles, and mostly focusing on tarts (im a huge tart warmer fan). Does the oil take on different characteristics when its in the wax vs out of the container? (sorry for all of the new person questions! :-/)

So, I have been doing a TON of research into where to order my supplies from. So much so I created a spreadsheet listing the common items I'll need and marking the lowest/highest cost vendors. A common theme is that Peak tends to be the cheapest, however, has anyone had first hand experience with them? Their website seems to be very nice and well laid out but sometimes looks can be misleading. The only downside I don't like about Peak so far is they do not have small sample vials of oils to smell before buying larger containers. As I do not have anywhere local to get oils from I am a little concerned with buying a 1oz bottle then find out I do not like the scent. Seems like a lot of wasted money Thanks everyone for the advice!

What's your name? James How old are you? 28 Where do you live? Indianapolis Metro How long have you been making candles/soap/whatever? Candles, and just getting started. Doctor suggested I find a hobby to relieve my stress. How did you get started making candles/soap/whatever? Spending 200$+ a quarter at yankee for tarts tends to get a little expensive after a while. I am a huge tart warmer fan, I have two in my house! I change them out daily so I tend to go through them alot. I figured there has got to be a cheaper way to do this so I started researching. Are you married? Any kids? no, and no. I'd be broke if I had either! HA! If candle making isn't your primary job, what do you do? I work in a 911 center dealing with Fire and EMS related calls for service. Lets just say, it tends to be stressful. Anything else? I tend to be OCD a bit, so while researching different vendors to get my supplies, I ended up making a spreadsheet and putting the different waxes and basic supplies in the list, then the list flagged who was the cheapest so I knew where I was getting the best deal.:rolleyes2 So ya..slightly OCD