jbrooks

I don't really make candles yet because after lots of testing, I'm still terrible, but my favorite to smell in other candles and in melts is Blue Spruce from CS. It's not at all a 'warm' holiday scent, and it smells probably more like a forest than a typical Christmas tree, but we always had spruce trees around the holidays, so it reminds me of that time.

I totally feel your pain. I recently (maybe 1.5-2 weeks ago?) attempted my first couple of batches of candles. I haven't used your waxes, I've been using 4630. All I can say is, wow was I disappointed! I've been lurking and reading here for about a year before trying anything, and I honestly thought it would go a bit smoother. Bought a presto pot and the works. Well, so far, I have a pretty decent CT, not a good HT. Have tried 1 oz/pp up to 1.5oz/pp (which did do a BIT better.) Some cured, some no cure; have tried a handful of scents. It's just a steep learning curve. I think wicking is the hardest part for me personally. So, I have no real advice, because I'm struggling too, but wanted to let you know that you're not alone here! I do think it takes tons of practice and testing, like everyone here is saying. I bought 3 more waxes to try as well just to see if I like something else before I pull my hair out trying to perfect one wax that might not even be for me. Best of luck to you!!!

Well so far it seems that the zincs are working out best for me, second would appear to be LX. I have pretty much fixed the bad sunken tops problem but HT is still almost non existent for me Also, when I said earlier that I didn't have a problem with wet spots, I take it back. Its really hit or miss for me. A couple have no wet spots at all, a couple start with none and then develop several, and some look like one big wet spot. Thankfully wet spots aren't a huge concern for me, but it does seem like there's no rhyme or reason to them forming. I am planning on trying some more waxes. I like the look of soy, but know I will prob have heat throw issues with it as well. I ordered the small sample sizes of GB 464 soy, IGI 6006 parasoy, and IGI 4627 paraffin from Peak today after I got the email about the 25% off shipping sale. I figure since I'm just starting out my best bet will be to try multiple waxes that interest me and see which I initially prefer, and then work on perfecting all the elements for that wax. Thanks again for all your help everyone! As a newbie I appreciate any and all input!

Thanks KS. Do you also go for a weaker burn instead of a hotter one? Do you tend to go for a full melt pool on the first burn? I know this is a good wax for throw, I'm just trying to work out the kinks to get it to throw for me As far as the melt thing, I have poured any leftover wax into little melt cups and when put in the warmer, they throw really well, so I know its not the wax or fragrance, its the system for sure.

Thanks for the advice RJ. Do you mind if I ask which series of wicks you tend to have the best luck with? I'm testing HTP, LX, ECO, and Zinc. I like the look of the HTPs and ECOs the best but I realize that doesn't mean anything at all. I read a lot of people having good luck with HTP and Zincs in this particular wax, so just curious what works for you.

So I've made 6 test candles (8 oz smooth sided jelly jar) with 4630, all with same fragrance but different sizes and types of wicks. I have a real problem with the tops not being smooth, they're sunken in towards the wick pretty significantly. I'm heating to 180-185 in the Presto then ladling into warmed fragrance in a warmed pouring pot (Pyrex.) I have tried pouring at 175 and 165, I have poured into warmed and unwarmed jars, I have left them on the countertop and I have put them into a Styrofoam insulated box/cooler to cool. Still all the tops are sunken, every single one. Other than a repour or a heat gun, is there anything else I may be able to do to fix this? Thankfully I am not having a big problem with wet spots, just the tops. Also, I read different things, but is there a "recommended" curing time for 4630? I ask because they all having outstanding cold throw but I started to burn one after less than a full 24 hrs to test the wick and there is no smell whatsoever unless I lean right over it. I'm sure that less than 24 hrs isn't enough time, but is there a recommendation of time to wait? Thanks so much for any input!

That's awesome Eric, thanks. I'm definitely going to try what I ordered (samples of htp, zinc, and Eco's & 100 ct of HTP 62 and LX 14 based on the CS recommendations) and see how those all go, then I think I should have a better idea of what I will actually need and what I can totally rule out. I have no idea what to expect, but a lot of people say the CS recommendations are really under wicked.

Yeah, I have a separate Gmail for my job currently, and I was going to use my personal one for candles, but I may make on specifically for it. Good idea, and thanks for the head's up on NG, I see that they do have small packs. Steve, do you know off the top of your head which suppliers offer free shipping with larger orders? The few I've looked at (CS, Flaming Candle Co - both are close-ish to me) don't seem to do anything like that. Just curious what kind of minimums places may require for free shipping offers. Thanks again you guys!

Thanks Node! That is really helpful, I haven't seen any of the small .99$ packs, so I will have to search a little further. And I'm really bad not to sign up for newsletters because of spam, but I will take your advice and do that too. It is definitely expensive starting out and not really knowing exactly what "system" works for you yet. Thankfully, I wasn't expecting this to be a big money-saver or anything - I've read this board for far too long to try and convince myself that this is an inexpensive venture Thanks again!

I am sure that a majority of you guys are familiar enough with the process to know which type of wick you typically prefer, sizes, etc. and probably don't have to branch out as much as when you first started. As a total newcomer, what would you recommend as far as purchasing wicks in the most cost effective way? I ordered sample packs of some of the more popular types of wicks, and each sample pack comes with 5 of each size for that wick. The other packs I see are 100 ct each or larger. I ordered 3 sample packs, and I ordered a couple of 100 ct packs of 2 sizes based on CS recommendations (which I realize can easily be WAY off depending on factors.) So my question is, when I run out of the sample packs, because lets say I can get use out of 10-15 of the wicks in the pack (I'm only using one jar size as of right now), where should I purchase packs of wicks? Is there anywhere that you guys purchase locally, do you place orders for only wicks, or do you always order a few packs of wicks with your FO/wax/supply orders? It doesn't seem very cost effective to pay shipping on a few packs of wicks alone, and as someone who isn't bulk purchasing yet I wondered if anyone had a little advice about that?

Hi all! Just wanting to introduce myself. I have been an "inactive" member of this forum since November of 2012. I have researched the entire time and just this week placed my first order for supplies to start testing and creating. I'm very excited to start this new hobby! I am starting out with 4630 and think I may eventually want to do a blend with a bit of soy, but am not worrying about that for now. I would rather get the 4630 down the way it is before stepping out of bounds too far. I've been a candle and fragrance zealot for awhile now; home fragrance, personal fragrance, you name it! I love Diptyque, Jo Malone, Bond No. 9, and Byredo candles probably the most, so I'm no stranger to spending money on candles. Hopefully now I can start funneling my money into my own candles instead! Ordered most of my supplies for starting out from CandleScience (their shipping was decent for my area), including several fragrance oils, and just have to go pick up a Presto and a scale this weekend! This forum has been an overwhelming wealth of information for a beginner, and I'm sure will continue to be an integral part of the craft! It's great to see so many people sharing such a passion for their hobby/craft/business! Looking forward to sharing with you all!