Jaye

Was just curious... are all fragrance oils safe to use in candles? While out shopping last night I came across some oils in Aveda that were beautifully scented, and incredibly strong. I think they were called "diffuser oils" and were pretty expensive ($20 for a one ounce bottle)... but I would have happily paid that for these if they're safe. I also found some in The Body Shop that were alot cheaper, but still nice and strong. How can I tell if these (or any) oils are safe to use in candles?

I was just about to place my order with Peak's for a sample pack, but discovered they don't have Butt Naked, which I got from The Candle Source and absolutely love. Can anybody recommend a scent from Peak's that's similar? TIA!

Oh, and another quick question... are all fragrance oils safe to use in candles? While out shopping last night I came across some oils in Aveda that were gorgeous smelling, and incredibly strong. I think they were called "diffuser oils" and were pretty expensive ($20 for a one ounce bottle)... but I would have happily paid that for these scents if they're safe. I also found some in The Body Shop that were alot cheaper, but still nice and strong. How can I tell if these oils are safe to use in candles?

I made one of these last night AL, using Scented's suggestions... and to my amazement... it worked! I used one those little plastic condiment thingies you get from salad bars and poked a hole in it with my wick pin. I plugged up my mold hole as usual with the wick pin and pushed the plastic container onto it upside down all the way to the bottom of the mold, then poured my wax. Once it had set, I just popped in a tealight... and lo and behold! Please disregard the actual candle... I was just using some leftover wax I had lying around... :embarasse

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Looks great, Candlelovr! I love it!

Like I've said before... absolutely gorgeous, Eugenia. Your candles are beautiful.

I know Eugenia. I'm ready to throw this bloody camera out the window.

How's this one...

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Nope, they still look pretty bad. I think I need a different background, and better lighting, and... Oh, let's face it... I need somebody that knows how to take pictures!

As far as I know 4045H is a blended wax. By that I mean that it is a blend of different paraffin, but does not have any additives. You would still need to add your stearic, or vybar etc.

Thanks MM! That's exactly what I wanted to know. I wasn't sure what they added to paraffin to make it "mottling wax" that made it any different from plain paraffin, which doesn't always mottle. I thought they may have added stearic, and so my adding it again was just a waste of time.

And thank you everyone else! I now know that I've been doing the right thing by adding it... I just haven't been adding enough!

Thanks guys! MasterBaker, I got the pyramid mold from Peaks. Not much fun to wick or keep straight while setting... but produces nice candles!

Last one...

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to add to that question.....Is all stearic acid the same?? Like say you order some from peaks, then from candlewic....will you get different results from different suppliers? Or is stearic just stearic wherever you get it fom??

Flutterbye, you make gorgeous rustics, and I think you once mentioned that you also use 4045H wax. Do you add stearic to yours?

The draped layer...

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And other layer...

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And fluted with chunks...

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Nothing special... just been playing! I'm determined to master tilted rustics. If it kills me! Thanks Eugenia for the inspiration and ideas. Your candles are absolutely beautiful!

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Sorry they're so big! One day I'll work out how to post pics of normal size on here... :tiptoe:

Hi guys. I've been using stearic flakes since day one... but I'm not exactly sure why! Could somebody please explain the pros and cons of using it, and why I'm putting it in my rustics? In the beginning I only used it to make white wax, but then I read that it should be included in mottles and rustics. I know I need to put it in my mottles to reduce fragrance migration or color bleeding... but I use 4045H mottling wax. Do I still need to add stearic to this wax? Or is it just added to plain paraffin? It seems like I'm adding it to every candle I make, but maybe that's unnecessary? :undecided

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hmmm, Jaye, you've given me some food for thought. I have some gay friends in Sydney who may know some people who know some people. Thanks for the idea.

No problem at all Mozzie. There may even be a few places along King Street (Newtown) and Oxford Street (Darlinghurst) that would be interested in chatting. If I still lived there, I could check out the prospects for you myself! Good luck!

Look at the date ya'll... lol

Oh. Whoops! :embarasse

I think it looks awesome! Great job!

It's a Pride pyramid! You did a wonderful job, Mozzie! I know alot of people that would kill for a candle like this. It's a pity you don't live in Sydney... you would make a bundle selling these during the months of February/March!

Thanks guys, but I don't need to worry about the safety of photo candles now. He and his wife ONLY want hurricanes, so hopefully with Donita's help, I'll be able to oblige. Fingers crossed!

It may say "enigma" under my name now, but I'm still pretty clueless about a lot of things. I made a photo-embedded hurricane for a workmate when I first started out, and it was perfect! It was a photo of his brand new baby girl and he and his wife absolutely loved it. He asked me yesterday if I could do some for his relatives too, and I opened up my big mouth and said yes. He wants TEN of them! By Friday! The one I did for him a couple of months ago took no time at all, so I wasn't too concerned about these ones, but I just cannot seem to get them to work! I swear I've tried this at least a dozen times today, and all I get are air bubbles all over the photo, or it's lopsided, or the wax sticks in the mold. I'm using exactly the same method as I did for the original one, but it's just not a happening thing this time around. I give up.

I think putting a photo on the outside of a pillar is much easier, but are they safe to burn? Time is against me, so I can't make one to test. The only one I've ever made was for a friend and that was for decoration only. I was hoping someone has made one of these in the past?

Sorry for the long-winded way of going about asking a simple question!

TIA!

The same happens to me if I'm using a full pot. I found using a funnel helps a lot! :smiley2:

That's two things in two days I've learned from you, Scented. Thursday you mentioned "burping" your wick pin to help get rid of any air bubbles and now the tip with the frozen mold. When I pour my rustics (into frozen molds) I get so many bubbles... it looks like I've just poured a milkshake! :rolleyes2 Thanks!

After seeing your first rustic in this mold flutterbye, I rushed out to get myself one! Haven't tried a rustic in it yet, but it produces great mottles! Your rustics look awesome!

And Kim, the mold is a little difficult to clean... but well worth the effort! Actually, I've discovered if I run hot water into it after unmolding, it helps a great deal. :smiley2:

I've never made these, so I can't offer any input about the wicking, but I can see why they're one of your biggest sellers! It looks wonderful! Great job!

Thanks for all the advice guys. This was my first (and so far only) mottled layer, but I plan on attempting another tonight. I don't have a heat gun, but I'll try pouring a little cooler and a little slower. Thanks again!

I'd love to pop over to Philly for a visit and show you how Jaye, however, until I've saved up for the fare you shall have to be content with this message. I've found if I pop my moulds into a milk carton cut down to size it makes it easier to turn the mould when I want to change the angle of the layer. If I don't do this, I end up with a messy candle too. BTW, I do have my fair share of failures too.

Thanks for the tip, Jo! I'll try that with the next one. When I'm in a nice, calm, serene and patient mood!

And the invite to Philly stands! Bring Mozzie with you!

Thanks everyone! But you do realize that now that I know you like seeing my pics, you are soon going to be sooooooo sick to death of seeing my name in the candle gallery...

Is that a Beardie?????

Nope Michael, Cosmo is an Old English Sheepdog. With a gorgeous face, and personality to match!