jfear

2 hours ago, grama said:

Just got in a case of 4786 Thursday from Aztec and it was fine.

Excellent. Thank you for suggesting them. My last hope!

22 hours ago, TallTayl said:

Has anyone tried bulk apothecary? I recently bought a couple cases on two occasions when I found decent coupon codes (one 10% and one 16%). That really offset the shipping costs and each time the wax was as expected.

That's good to know. They are my next try if Aztec's wax is anything like Lonestars.

4 hours ago, wthomas57 said:

The smallest candle I have ever considered double wicking.... and still haven't actually done anything more than just consider it... is Tumblers (or status jars).

Those are 3" in diameter so significantly larger than a small mason. Even those I would be afraid of too much heat or too quick of a melt pool unless I had the PERFECT wick combo. Masons would be even worse since they hold the heat in even more. Although, the glass is thicker than tumblers, so you have that going for you. Less brittle.

 

Now... regarding melt pool. Everyone is right... dont aim to get a full MP on the first burn or two. That is candle/container homocide. Sure looks great that you got a full pool early on, but its only bad news from there. there should be a rim or some hang up until you get a little further down. When I first started, I read some bad advice as well about full MP's early on.  Besides many people test at half full and that is why they are making those statements.

 

That being said, double wicks candles WILL get a quicker melt pool. Its one of the "reasons" people do it, because it throws fragrance quicker and often stronger. But candle doesn't last as long either. However, just because you get a full mp quicker doesn't mean you should be getting full deep melt pools right away. Most importantly, I just dont see WHY you would wanna double wick a small mason? One wick does just as good.

 

The reason I consider doing it for tumblers, in case you are wondering, is because tumblers can be awfully difficult to wick sometimes with one wick depending on the wax. Sometimes, I find that to avoid tunneling throughout I have to wick up to a size that is ultimately too big and causes other problems. But not doing it causes tunneling and/or poor HT. So.. I have CONSIDERED double wicking small wicks to see how it does. I imagine it will end up being too hot though in the end. My best bet will be to use cooler burning wicks like Zincs or wicks that give me tons of incremental sizing (like premiers) to help me find the perfect size.

Well said. I have been testing with 3 inch tumblers for a month or so now, Peak's clearance. I bought them because they appear to be an easy enough container to wick; this could not be further from the truth! These tumblers are tough. I was desperate and I tried double-wicking with HTP 52s, the melt pool was achieved far too quickly on the first burn and the glass was way too hot further down the jar. I then tried the 41s but they had incredibly weak flames. I finally decided on a single wick, a 93 and although I get a little hang on the first 2-3 burns, it ends up being perfect further down the jar.

I'm really quite happy with the single wick because the double-wicks in a smaller jar seem aesthetically off to me, they also burn far too fast even with the smallest wicks being used.

Ughh. This is all really disheartening. ?

Old Glory, did Aztec at least reimburse you or give you store credit for the 6006 issue?

I think you're right about the blended wax being the problem, I've ordered 4625 from 3 different suppliers and it's all basically the same.

It's the absolute worst time for this to happen. I've used all of my good batch of wax for testers and I have nothing to pour for my shoppe but crappy Lonestar wax. ?

Peak said their 4786 shipment was delayed and it could be another 4 weeks! So, I ordered some from Aztec this morning, my fingers are crossed.

Just wanted to give an update; after contacting Lonestar about this bad batch of wax, the woman I spoke with was unapologetic about it. There was no compensation basically; she also responded in a way that made me feel like I didn't know what I was talking about. I know my 4786 and this is just a bad batch, period. Discolored, soft, water beaded and a strange smell once melted.

Anyway, that was twice that I ordered from Lonestar out of desperation and the last. I feel as though any other company would have tried to rectify the situation.

Now Peak, please get my 4786 back in stock! 

On August 29, 2016 at 2:44 PM, YAMS said:

I have seen many posts on  4786.  Being completely new to candle making can some of you weigh in as to what makes this wax so good?   What kind of wax it is?  Any information would be helpful.  Thanks for helping out the newbies.   I don't sell candles nor do I plan to but I would love to perfect the art for myself and my friends and family.   Happy Monday 

Hello!

 I basically could not perform my craft without 4786; it's superb! It can be used straight for containers or tarts and it blends beautifully with pillar blends for freestanders. The reasons I use it is because of its creaminess, its opacity, its rigidity for a container blend, and it throws beautifully. I've been using it since I started and have not looked back.

My supplier is Peak, theirs never disappoints. 

Wow Moonstar, simply stunning! Those crepe paper candy melts are so great, what a lovely idea!

1 hour ago, Trappeur said:

I ditto what everyone said about RE Apple Pie (ky)....it's great!

 

If you need to smell more pie crust the one from Indiana is super super and so realistic.  When I make my blend of pumpkin pie I use more pie crust than anything and boy can you smell it and all the ingrediants just fold into one another so very smooth.

 

Also I love love Indiana;s apple strudel and it can pass for Apple pie which I do quite a bit!  You can smell everything in it and it is strong scent.

 

I need to order Balsam Fir from Fillmore and I think I'll get the nutmeg and ginger.  I noticed they have a New scent called Balsam&Clove that I'm getting.  Geesh I wonder if they use the same balsam (christmas tree) and do a blend.  That would be awesome.  What else is good since I'm ordering from them?

 

Another one I highly recommend is Fillmore's Bayberry Cinnaman.  I don't care for a plain bayberry as it is too stout for me but this Bayberry Cinnamon was a wonderful twist on the just plain bayberry.  I'm ordering 2 pounds of it today.

 

Yesterday I made up a bunch of candles in Candle Science's  Apple Maple Bourbon (love it), did a large crystal in the Coriander and Tonka, (new one I'll review later) and also did some candles in Christmas Hearth (another must have favorite I sell at Christmas and then change the name for summer to another name).  What I love about Christmas Hearth is  you can smell the crackling fire in it, the orange and other somewhat sweet smelling spices (like simmering potpourri) and also the pine. It's my most favorite Hearth fragrance along with Crackling Firewood from WSP (which this one is pure firewood).  Just wish I could wick it in a jar or any jar as it definitely is a BIG wicker upper.

 

Geesh I delivered an order to my big apple orchard account twice this past week and I couldn't believe they were set up for Christmas!  I thought I had time!  What happened to the end of summer and Halloween and Thanksgiving?  They just went right past it! lol

 

Trappeur

I know, it stresses me out seeing everyones Christmas displays! I'm still preparing for Halloween! 

Thanks for the recommendations, "Christmas Hearth" sounds amazing. I have a sample of "Apples and Maple Bourbon" I still need to try, you've inspired me to do so!

2 hours ago, Moonstar said:

Thanks jfear ... I did get a sample of RE Homemade Apple Pie (KY) during their recent sale so can't wait to try it in my wax for melts. I think 

I'll just add some pie crust . I believe both Peak + ICS carries one but will most likely order from ICS since I need to place an order anyhow.

I got the same results as you did with Peak's and Fillmore's Apple Pie was just so - so on HT for me too. Fillmore's Nutmeg Ginger on the 

other - hand is VERY strong. Almost too much, so I cut back a tad on that one. I noticed Fillmore has a few new Fall FO's , Cider Donut 

being one of them. Man, I can't get over that summer is over. Not sure about you guys but for me, it FLEW by. But I do love Fall !

Can't wait for Cider Mills - Cider + warm cinnamon donuts YUM !!!! 

You're ansolutely right, the time has flown! Becoming a chandler has made time fly even faster for me. There's just not enough time in the year to test all of these amazing FOs! 

Oh my, I love Fillmore. I did notice that Cider Donut! One of my favorites is their Pumpkin Soufflé, so amazing!

On August 18, 2016 at 6:52 PM, Moonstar said:

Do you get crust too - Im with you Im usually disappointed with Apple Pie . Thanks for letting me know . I just posted my review for OOB on mine - its SO fun lol !

Okay, here's what I've met on my Apple Pie journey:

? Peak's "Warm Apple Pie": Possibly the most accurate, crust too! But sadly, it's super weak; no cold or hot throw for me. 

?Rustic Escentuals' "Homemade Apple Pie": Wow, this one is good. Not a lot of crust yet a superb sharp apple with just enough spice. Great throws, cold and hot.

?Rustic Escentuals' "Baked Apple HI": This one is stellar. It's not so much a pie as it is an incredible apple/cinnamon blend. It's more like Apple Pie made with Cinnamon Red Hots! It's awesome.

These are great jars; I use the little 4 ouncers from Fillmore. For little jars they throw really well! Because they're so small I just single wick them. 

1 hour ago, grama said:

I get my 4786 from Aztec.  It is white & hard.

Great to know! I was going to call them on Monday and ask them if they have normal 4786, so thank you!

I decided to use some of the Lonestar wax for containers, because I need it. The package was filled with condensation and I wiped the wax down, however after melting it had some water beading going on. I can't get all the water out of the slab until I melt it. The color and rigidity is the least of my worries now! So bummed, could anything else go wrong today? ?

I wanted to mention as well that Peak's 4786 is firm enough to make tarts with whereas Lonestar's is not.

Hello everyone!

Peak was once again out of 4786, it sells so fast, arghh! Anyway, I was desperate and ordered some from Lonestar; although marked as IGI 4786, it most definitely is not. It's yellowed in color and it's soft, like soft enough to put a deep thumbprint in it. Not at all like from Peak. Why does this happen?!!

I ordered from Lonestar once last year and was disappointed but I really needed my 4786! Peak said they'll have it back in stock by September.

Does anyone know who carries 4786 comparable to Peak's? Peak's is bright white and much firmer than at Lonestar.

Glad I missed this one, still recovering from Rustic Escentuals' sale!

I was having a really challenging time wicking a 3 inch tumbler; I purchased them because they look like a simple jar, easy enough to wick, on the contrary!

I actually gave into double-wicking and I'm really happy with the results! With 2 HTP 41 or 52 (depending on fo) I get a beautiful even burn and super consistent flames. I was always daunted by double wicking but I'm so glad I tried it!

On August 20, 2016 at 5:49 AM, Trappeur said:

Those have always been my choice of wicks also when using c3 but changed over when I went to 464 wax.  Cd's have a curl also.  But it is something I just have accepted the uneven meltpool.  But it is only in the beginning as it catches up as the candle burns down.  I have heard of what Chefmom said about off centering the wick, but just never did it because as the candle got to midway point burning and then further down the jar gets hotter and I just didn't want 1 side burning more hot.  That's just my way of thinking.

 

I do what Chefmom does when extinquishing the candle by pushing the wick into the wax and you have no after glow.  Also when  you do that you don't have a brittle wick that sends little charred pieces off the wick into the wax when you light the candle.

 

Trappeur

Yes, HTPs have treated me so well that I'm learning to deal with the initial hang, because it does always catch up! 

I have a question I would very much value your opinion on. I find that there is a large difference between the 93 and the 104 HTP. I am wicking a 3 inch diameter tumbler with 4786 and 5% fo.

The 93 has a beautifully tame flame but even after 3 hours I still don't get a full melt. The 104 reaches a gorgeous full melt by 2.5 hours yet the flame gets too large for my comfort zone. I find that the 104 with all variables gets wispy and a bit too large for my comfort zone. I can't imagine double wicking a tumbler but I am getting desperate!

I really want to use HTP but I'm not sure what's worse, a really slow melt pool or a tall wispy flame! Do you have any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

On June 21, 2016 at 9:07 AM, kandlekrazy said:

I get my cotton core from Candlewic.  I use primarily the 60C or 62C when I make candles with C3 and they mushrooms but I don't get smoke.  Vanilla tends to give a tiny bit of soot on the glass which means it's smoking but I don't see it.

Should add that HTP (which are paper core) work well with my wax as well, I just have to twist them to get them to burn straight down the candle.

Cotton cores I like to use for cupcake candles and other freestanders mostly, but HTP I use for my containers.

I love my HTPs, the throw, no mushrooming, etc. But I must admit I despise that uneven melt pool, albiet only in the introductory burn it still drives me crazy! I want to tell my customers, just give it another chance, consecutive burns will be even I promise!

I twist mine as well; do you give it just a little twist or a crazy tight twist? Sometimes it seems to make a difference and sometimes it doesn't. 

Wow! That crystal candle with the embeds is stunning! Thanks for sharing pictures!

May I ask, how you placed the embeds? Did you lay them out prior to the repour?

1 hour ago, Moonstar said:

Which Apple Pie did you get - I got The Home Made Apple Pie (KY) Mines really good too) Did you test in wax melt or candle ? I forgot what kinda

wax for candles you said you use. I'll be posting my OOB reviews from RE's 20 for $20 sale very soon. I was like a kid at Christmas today lol ! 

Which others did you get + really liked ? 

I have the "Baked Apple HI" which is the Home Interiors' dupe. It's seriously so good (spicy, crisp and just enough sweet). It is easily my favorite apple next to CS "Apple Harvest". I've tried basic apple pies from numerous suppliers which have all disappointed except for this one.

I ordered from the RE sale as well, my standouts are "Apple and Pumpkin Strudel" and "Spiced Autumn Wreath". Basically, I love all the oils I ordered but these 3 are stellar.

RE is currently my favorite FO supplier, I'm kind of obsessed. I am actually ok with their shipping on the higher end; if it wasn't I would be ordering all the time!

On May 22, 2016 at 0:06 PM, GailC said:

I'm late to the party discussing apple scents, but my very favorite  is Rustic Escentuals Baked Apple, Home Interiors type. Remember all those Home Interiors parties in the 80's? Sometimes I couldn't afford anything but a Baked Apple candle, but that was OK, because I loved that fragrance, and still do.

 

When I first started making candles, I bought all kinds of apple pies, apple strudels, and apple dumplings FOs, searching for that scent from the 80's.  I was so happy when I discovered RE carried it.

Oh my, I finally got around to trying RE's Baked Apple HI; it's incredible! So strong, accurate and exactly what I was looking for in an apple pie fragrance for The Fall. The best! Thanks again for this suggestion, so good!

Yes, 4627 is super soft and even in the cold it only gets as firm as vaseline really. I love it though; I blend it with 4786 for rigidity.