eitsfan

Plumeria

Ocean Mist

Sea Spray

What's your name? Chris

How old are you? 60

Where do you live? Virginia

How long have you been making candles/soap/whatever? Since 2014 on and off

How did you get started making candles/soap/whatever? Saw a cool sea scape candle online and wanted to learn how to do them myself

Are you married? Any kids? 25 years next month, 24 year old son, 19 year old daughter

If candle/Soap making isn't your primary job, what do you do? I work in the Operations department for a space defense company

Anything else we should know? Been a member here since 2013 and just discovered this thread! UGH!! I have made probably 100+ candles and to my knowledge, no one has burned 1. So, I decided to not wick them and not call them candles anymore, more of a decoration. I also 3d print things, customize sports figures, make t-shirts (I have a vinyl cutter) and do shadow boxes. Grew up in Hawaii and that's where I got my love for the ocean and beaches. LOVE this place also!! SO much information!

On 1/1/2021 at 6:57 PM, lauralou said:

These are absolutely beautiful! 
 

I’m new here and have a few questions:

 

1) If you embed items in the outer glass, is it okay to use pine needles, silk flowers, and other craft embellishments since this part is not being burned? 
2) I saw the directions, but still don’t quit understand how to “suspend” the inside glass votive. Can someone explain?

3) If the inner glass sits on the bottom, can a glue dot be used?

4) Would you refill with a gel tealight or soy tealight? Does it matter?

5) If not using the double glass method, would you recommend high density or is medium gel okay? I’ve seen bulk gel at Hobby Lobby or Michaels, but the density is low. Is it okay to use sand and shells? Would starfish burn?

6) Recommended locations for bulk items like zinc wicks, glass jars, etc.

 

I’m very new and have SO many questions! If anyone has time to answer, I would greatly appreciate it. 

 

I still have not tried making one of these yet but will try to answer best I can:

1) Should be OK

2) Still haven't figured that out either!

3) I'm not sure how that adhere if it gets hot. Best to use an acrylic adhesive like E6000

4) This is why I haven't made any, the refilling part. I would suggest to the customer to buy a refill tealight of a scent they like

5) I use medium as high costs more and medium ain't cheap! : ) I have used sand and shells and starfish. Just don't place the shells or starfish too close to the wick

6) I got glass jars for Christmas from Amazon and I bought my wicks from https://candlewic.com/c/candle-making/wicks/

Hope this helps

You are correct, the hotter the pour, the less bubbles there should be and I'm glad thinning down is working for you.

I rarely make candles anymore, but I did one recently for a Christmas gift. I have started not adding a wick to them because 99.9% of folks I've sold to do not burn them because they like the way they look. So I got a lot of jars with lids for Christmas and will be making what I like to call "Gel Creations". Below is a candle, the darker colored one and a creation I did for myself.

Anyone else use shadow boxes for crafting? Here are a couple that I've done. Just for the record, no live sea live was removed from the ocean.

I've had some come out with a lot of tiny bubbles also. Learned that pouring onto a metal spoon will cut down on the bubbles but if there are still too many to your liking, I've placed mine on a cookie sheet and heated them up some in the oven at 200 degrees for an hour or so. 

I've got the Silhouette a couple of years ago and love it!

I'm not sure about pressed flowers, but I have used modge podge to wrap tissue paper around some tiki candles I made. Burned with zero issues.

I've never used dried flowers, but definitely need to clean the shells thoroughly and let them dry completely.

Is there a way to change your user name?

On 12/16/2020 at 5:27 PM, Guest Mary said:

I am so sorry but please can you help me. May I ask you a question that has been racking my brain...... How do I get scented gel wax to solidify fully. I mean, to the point where it will not move even if I tip the glass container that is housing the scented gel wax upside down? 

I've never seen a gel candle totally solid. There may be some out there, but I personally haven't seen any.

On 1/1/2021 at 6:57 PM, lauralou said:

These are absolutely beautiful! 
 

I’m new here and have a few questions:

 

1) If you embed items in the outer glass, is it okay to use pine needles, silk flowers, and other craft embellishments since this part is not being burned? 
2) I saw the directions, but still don’t quit understand how to “suspend” the inside glass votive. Can someone explain?

3) If the inner glass sits on the bottom, can a glue dot be used?

4) Would you refill with a gel tealight or soy tealight? Does it matter?

5) If not using the double glass method, would you recommend high density or is medium gel okay? I’ve seen bulk gel at Hobby Lobby or Michaels, but the density is low. Is it okay to use sand and shells? Would starfish burn?

6) Recommended locations for bulk items like zinc wicks, glass jars, etc.

 

I’m very new and have SO many questions! If anyone has time to answer, I would greatly appreciate it. 

 

I use medium density Penreco gel and buy 5 gallon buckets at a time. Amazon has it.

On 1/9/2019 at 1:28 PM, Jcandleattic said:

Unfortunately Vicky is no longer on the board as she has passed away a few years ago. 

WOW, that is so sad to hear. She was a true gem!

Well, since this is in the Gel Candle Making section, I will say that I use Penreco Medium density gel wax. Love the fact that you can make clear candles, place embeds and such in them. Good luck!

Guess I should have stated a few years ago, used a blow dryer. Thanks!

Eitsfan - Fillmore carries them--I don't see the dimension listed??

 

http://www.fillmorecontainer.com/70-oz-Pumpkin-Jar-wCover-P682.aspx?c=1

Thanks!

Hello everyone.  Bought a case of the Anchor Hocking large clear pumpkin containers with lids.  At the widest point, they are about 6 3/4" across.  I use a  60/40 paraffin/soy blend (my own blend) and am using 8% fo--pumpkin pie from OT.  I've got zinc, cotton, CD, HTP, and Premier wicks.  I was thinking I should probably use 3 to 4 wicks for this width.  I will be coloing the wax. 

Do any of you have any starting point recommendations for wicking on this huge container?  Thank you all! 

Hello, where did you get a case of them from, if you don't mind my asking? Thanks!

I just added a couple of pics in the gallery (not sure how to get them to show up here) that are gel candles I made. I used modge podge to apply the tissue paper around the outside. I know they aren't the prettiest candles, but they were my first attempt at this style and they are for myself. Haven't had any problems with the jars getting too hot or the paper coming off.
 

Thanks to both of you, your responses have been a tremendous help! Have a great weekend!

Chris

Thanks Vicky! I have another question and I apologize for asking so many of them! I have seen some double glassed candles where tealight candles were used in the inner container therefore making it a "forever" candle? Have you tried that? I was curious if that was done and no scent was in the tealight if it would heat up the surrounding gel enough that it could be scented. Something I need to try! Thanks for the tutorial, it does seem a lot easier now!

Chris

I have looked and looked thru here trying to find out where to get the small containers from. Can anyone shed some light on this? These look very cool by the way! Thanks!

Chris

Nevermind, made some, tested at a campfire and they burned for 8-10 minutes, got the wood started and they are good to go!

Has anyone made these out of gel? Or can you even make them out of gel? Thanks!

Very nice & congrats on your sales! I have an off the wall question for you, where did you run across the flat "driftwood" pieces? I have been looking all over the internet for some to make signs with. Thanks in adavance!

Chris