CandleKitty

True that they carry a lot of small sizes, but you really can't get away from the EO prices. IMO, N.A.N oils are a lot better than Young Living - even if YL has a wider listing.

Hello David I think you are right about 1343 - IGI's website no longer lists it. I am really bummed out about this, too - I love 1343, it's a very responsive wax and figure I'd use it for a very long time. I like to change things up and experiment with other waxes, but I've always gone back to 1343.

I agree with Scented - stick a wick in it and if you stand there as it forms, you can manipulate it into shapes. That is completely wicked in a good way.

That is very pretty, nice job! And such a cool name for it. I can vouch at how addicting making marbles are - I made so many marbles and posted the pictures that I couldn't think of making a straight pour candle with just one color. Once you get the timing down, it's easy peasy to do. I can't wait to get my supplies from Peak's now - I'm itching to do one - LOL!!

I was EXTREMELY happy to see that you included N.A.N (Native American Nutritionals) in your essential oil suppliers listing. If there is anyone wanting to know where to get good essentials that are decently priced, you should check out N.A.N Oils. I personally can vouch for their strength and their customer service, I am lucky to be living only 30 miles from them in Missouri and I have personally met Paul Dean. He is an amazing man who is incredibly knowledgeable in natural healing and essential oils. I will say that some of their blends for the more expensive oils (namely Rose Blend, Sandalwood Blend, Vanilla Blend for starters) are cut with a jojoba or almond carrier to keep the price low, so if you intend to use essentials in your candles I would not recommend using them. For Bath and Body however, the carriers would enhance your product. For their other blends such as Cloves and Limes - the scent is absolutely divine and their well-being blends are incredible. My fiancee suffers from debilitating stomach issues and Paul personally set him up with a series of oils that has eased his problem dramatically. Thank you again, Scented - you're the best honey!! :yay: :yay: :highfive:

Something else to consider with EOs is that to cut down the cost of the oil itself, some sellers will actually cut the oil with a carrier like almond or jojoba. Not knowing what either one of those carriers would do in candle wax I'd stay away from anything that says 'blend' in the name - like Rose Blend unless you know for absolute certain that the blend is actually a blend of other EOs. I do intend on using EOs in my candle line eventually, I've had many wonderful years using EOs with everything else (bath bombs, bath salts, body sprays, perfumes) that I feel remiss not to at least experiment with them in my candles. And I agree with EricofAZ - it's awesome to see an EO forum here.

Hey Joy DPS/Morris is still selling 1343 but when I got on the website I noticed the Springfield center didn't list it. I'm calling Monday to verify, I'm just covering my bases in the event that center isn't going to continue carrying it. I've also been wanting to change things up a bit anyway, I started off using 1218 for a while before moving to 1343.

Thanks for replying, Vicky. I have been wondering what a marble would look like using a mottling wax - how is the fragrance load for you and have you had any serious wicking issues with it?

I have been using IGI-1343 for several years now, however since I have started coming back from my hiatus, I checked with my wax distributor and found out they are no longer carrying the 1343. I know that I can continue getting my wax from other suppliers but my distributor is an hour and a half from me and I can save quite a bit of money if I continue using them either by going up to get the wax or having it shipped to me (or have my family pick up wax for me since they also have a distribution center in KCK). I am wanting to know if anyone has used any other IGI's straight paraffins, I don't do the pre-blended wax because straight paraffin gives me a lot of versatility - I use several different techniques when I make my candles. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA

Very nice job, sweetie - and I love the big baby in your lap! Welcome to the boards, although fair warning - these can be as addicting as collecting FOs. We have some awesome people here so never be afraid to ask questions and keep posting pictures when you can! :thumbsup:

Honestly, my favorites ebb and flow with the seasons but I'm off. Right now, I'm loving Strawberry Kiwi, later in the summer I'll break out the Spiced Cranberry. But, there's always an underlying Vanilla Sugar, smells like vanilla frosting and oh my god, I always want cupcakes. I adore Fruit Slices so that gets burned on the occasion as well. It depends upon my mood actually. And yes, I love the Patchouli, too.

Thanks for responding, Chris After some careful thought, I think I will toss them - I just hate to lose them because compared to chips they are expensive and I never really got to experiment with them. I can't really blame the ex-roommate for this, had I had myself in the right frame of mind I would have known to bring them into the house instead of just tossing them into a tote and let them sit for so long. I might buy them again but for right now, I think I'll stay with the chips.

Welcome to the boards - you'll find lots of people here willing to help and lots of inspiration. Be careful though - these boards are just as addicting as candle making!!

Unfortunately, anything with an open flame will be considered a fire hazard. Here in Southern Missouri most, if not all insurance companies now do not insure a home that has a fireplace as a heat source. You can adjust your warning labels if that's what you feel you should do, but the sad part of it all is that not everyone is going to read it and burn a candle correctly - if that was the case, candles wouldn't be in the top 5. I preach to so many people when the subject of candles come up that I'm blue in the face, but yet something always happens and I hear about a near-miss fire and all I can do is shake my head. It's sad, but it's true. It's not really about educating the masses, it's about how many of them actually have the common sense not to put a burning candle next to the bedroom curtains or put it low enough that a toddler can dump it over. I know I sound harsh, that's not my intention and you are right, this subject comes up quite frequently. Until we come up with a viable solution that injects common sense into people's brain, candles will always be the bane of firefighters' existence and will always be in the top 5 reasons for house fires.

I have a bit of an issue that I actually was sort of expecting but not to this degree. I had to give up candle-making for a good long while, mostly because I didn't have the funds but also because I dealt with an incredibly bad and intense move out of my roommate and by the time I was done with that, I was just done. During the move, the ex-roommate basically tore the house up, threw my things just about everywhere she could and got into my supplies and equipment and scattered them all over the garage and even out into the yard. I made the mistake of giving her a weekend to move out and I went to my fiancee's so there would be no stress. I didn't realize it would cause more - hindsight is 20/20. I have lost the majority of my liquid dyes because when I got back home that Monday and saw that everything was scattered, my first and only thought was to get everything in totes and deal with it later (My Presto Pot was actually outside half buried in mud). I wasn't thinking completely straight when I did this so when I started pulling my equipment out, I ended up turning my office into a candle mold critical care unit (long story there) and made out a list of everything I would need to replace. I actually thought I lost all of my liquid dyes but a search in my back room just now for something completely unrelated revealed I had three bottles back there that I had forgotten about. Unfortunately, I lost another bottle of dye, but there are two that I believe I can salvage. I need to know if there is a way to thin the dyes - both are too thick or should I just scrap the two bottles? My gut says to try and save them but my brain is reminding me that even though I lost the liquids, I've still got the chips and this very situation was the reason I used chips to begin with. Every last chip that I had came out in pristine condition - not so much with the liquids. I bought them to experiment with but I never really got the chance, it wasn't that long after I started making candles again that all hell broke loose and she left. Need lots of help here - what would everyone here do? TIA

I actually did samples shortly before I was to start my business in KC. I made up some small bags with a couple of votives and some mini-tarts and charged $5 for the bag. After you clear up the confusion regarding how she pays and such, if it feels right then I would do it. Those bags I made flew out of my hands quicker than I could make them, it's a great idea.

So, I ordered from Peak just this past weekend and have been anxiously expecting my shipment to arrive, which should have been yesterday. No thanks to UPS, I didn't get my supplies. What made it worse, I checked the website and it said it was already delivered and sitting at my front door. I go outside and no such package so I run up and down the road looking for it and nothing. Called UPS, then called Peak and now I have to wait until at least Monday. I'm just so thrilled, I could pee myself.

I never put a spigot on mine just like OldGlory and my Presto is still melting wax with no flakes and I've had it for just over ten years. On top of that, I only put wax and additives then pour the wax into a pour pot to add dye and FO unless I'm making marbles and then it goes into a bowl. I'll stay with my Presto for as long as it holds out or until my fiancee finds a small turkey fryer.

Some of the long-time members will hopefully remember me, I have been gone a very, very long time and after some careful thinking and some amazing advice from a close friend of mine, I am dusting off my candle making supplies and I am getting back into my wax. For those of you that don't know me, I have been making candles off and on for twenty (cough,cough) years and live in Gainesville, Missouri - thirty some odd miles from the Arkansas border in the south-central area. I don't have a specialty per se as far as candles, I work mostly with IGI-1343 and just about every candle technique that's been posted here, I've gotten my paws on. Friends tell me my best candles are the marbles, but I have a ton of fun with chunks and swirls. I am excited to be back in my wax and back with Peak - I am anxiously awaiting my first shipment today as a matter of fact. I just hope UPS finds me LOL!!!