Just2BHappy

Thanks Belinda! I'll be receiving my first wax order at the end of the week, and I'll be placing an order at CS on Monday. Once I start testing (ie playing!) I'm sure I will have lots of questions! I'm so excited!

LOL, that's funny! I like mine somewhere in the middle. EXACTLY! This is what I alluded to in my fragrance oil thread. I wanted to eliminate as many variables as possible, so I could really evaluate the wax. I have read about the Candlescience shipping issues. I hope when I order it is all in stock in the NV warehouse. I live in California and CS has the best shipping prices to my location. I price-shopped, shipping included, several other companies, from different areas of the country, and CS beat them all. I would love to be able to drive to a supplier and pick up an order. Why are all the great suppliers in the middle of the country, or on the East Coast? The only suppliers near me don't carry IGI wax (well, one company carries ONE, I think it's 6006); they only have the stuff from China. Boooooooo. I learned about the Aztec 5 for 5 deal earlier this month, and went ahead and placed an order. I didn't get any of the FO you mentioned, so I might pick up some of those in March (I'm especially interested in the Sweet Potato and Brown Sugar, how did I not see that one?). I think I'll still try to get my 8 oz bottles for my testing from CS, though, just for the shipping savings (if they are coming from the same place). Can anyone recommend some powerhouses from CS? Thanks so much, again!

I think that's what I'm going to do. I think I'll start with just two; that's a pretty easy comparison, I hope. Is this one better, or is that one better! I'm a fairly organized person, and I have this weird thing where I kinda like to fill out forms. I'm a list-maker and a record-keeper. I'll even make a list of things I've done after the fact, just to be able to cross it all off! (Yeah, I know, it's weird.) This is a great support group, you're right. The evidence is all of the people, you include, who are willing to take the time to read my newbie posts and respond so helpfully! Thank you so much, Belinda!

Oh my gosh, I am honored! I can only hope to one day be counted as a member of your ranks! You made my day!

Hi OldGlory! Thank you for responding! I really am trying to be at least a little bit educated before I jump in. Everyone who responds to me helps me SO much! I have, actually I read it a while back, so I went back today and re-read it. You're right, there's a lot of great info there. I had started a thread in the FO section asking for help choosing one to start my testing with. I don't know how to link it here, but the name of the thread is "Good fo for a newbie to use for testing wax?". It was recommended that I start with single note scents, which makes sense to me. Mac Apple was recommended more than once. I decided on that one because it would be very different from the other one I chose, Very Vanilla. I chose that one based on a lot of good feedback I read about it through searching the forums, plus I just love vanilla scents and I wanted something I would enjoy working with. I do recall reading that vanilla scents can be finicky, though, and require a higher mix temp, and more actual mixing, to incorporate the FO into the wax. I figured I would give it a shot, but I really want my first attempts to be at least a step above total failures, so if you can recommend other FO's from Candlescience (my order with Peaks has already been placed) that would be good for a rookie, I would welcome that! (BTW, I cannot tolerate laundry or ocean scents, or anything overly perfumey--I DO like Pink Sugar, though, and anything sweet in general). I need to find some people willing to do this for me! Right now, this is a hobby. However, turning this into a business is in the back of my mind, MAYBE somewhere down the line. It really hadn't occurred to me at first, but I'm at a point in my life where the career path I have been on my whole life makes me extremely unhappy. I have resources right now that have allowed me to leave my job, but I HAVE to have something to do! Hence, the new hobby! Someone recently told me to "find my passion"; I don't know if this will be it, but if it is, I might pursue it. I haven't ruled it out, but I'm not actively pursuing the business end. (I hope that made sense!) Thank you SO much! Michelle

Hi justajesuschick! I am SO GLAD to hear I am not alone! I do have a little bit of a crafty gene, but I often find myself paralyzed by too many options. Which is why I am trying to narrow my focus with this endeavor. Most of the wax I have ordered is 2 lb samples from Peaks. I have a sample of 3022 coming as well, and I will be ordering 10 lbs each of 4625 and 4630 from Candlescience. I chose to get the larger sizes of those because they seem to be the base for a lot of blends that people have reported success with (you included, I think!). I have some FO samples coming from Peaks as well (figured I would piggyback some on the shipping I was paying for the wax). When I place my order with CS I will be ordering 2 8oz bottles of FO to use for testing. YES! That is what I want to figure out first. So, having said that, I have a couple more questions, if you don't mind. (Anyone else who wants to chime in as well, I appreciate all of your opinions.) 1) What is the max number of wax blends you recommend I start testing with? Two, three, more? I would keep all other factors consistent, including FO, like you suggested. Now that I think about it, would it be a good strategy to just test 2 blends against each other to start, then just keep trying to top it? 2) How large a batch of each blend is necessary to truly evaluate my first attempts? I will only be testing these myself (there is no way I will be giving testers any of my first attempts!). I have decided to use 2 oz portion cups for my testing. I don't want to make too large a batch and risk wasting precious wax on a lot of failures. But at the same time, I wonder if making small batches (say 4 oz, giving me 2 portion cups, plus a wee bit extra) would make it too hard to get measurements exact across batches (I imagine a drop or 2 of FO might make a difference in only 4 oz of wax). There's that overthinking again! I have been described as "uptight" more than once! But I have been working on it, and I find it much easier now to just let stuff go and roll with stuff. But I am quite analytical, and the process itself sounds fun to me. I say that having NEVER done this before, so I may come back here later and retract what I just said! I look forward to the day when I can start playing with scents (that REALLY sounds like fun)! I can't thank you enough! I have read a lot of your posts here, going back to when you first started, and it's obvious you have found success! I value your opinions and help! Michelle

I'm new here, too, but you've got WAY more experience than I do (I literally have none), and you've almost certainly been lurking longer than I have, so it seems a little strange for me to say "welcome"! But I wanted to say hello anyway! So.....hello!

Okay, so I have samples of 7 different waxes on the way (well, I will, once I place my order at Candlescience): 4627, 4794, 4786, 4625, 4630, 6006, and Clarus 3022. I think I have figured out the wax blends I want to try. There are 13 of them! I'm thinking this might be too much to start with, so I need advice. Would I be better off starting with maybe 3 blends, testing those, then tweaking from there? Or should I just go for it and make up all of the combinations I have in mind? My gut says to focus and not take on too much, especially since this is my first foray into wax (I should mention that I'm doing melts, not candles--at least not yet!). But then, I think, working with all the different waxes, I will learn a lot, which is kind of the point, right? Oh, and I also should mention that I do plan on using one FO to test all of the waxes (I'm thinking CS Very Vanilla, or CS Mac Apple). I'm going to create a spreadsheet that I can use to record my testing results/observations. This is what I'm planning to include: Date poured: Wax(es): name, supplier, % (if blended) Fragrance oil: name supplier, % used Mix temp Pour temp Form: portion cup, metal mold, silicone mold, chunk, etc Date tested: Melter: hot plate (wattage), light bulb (wattage), tealight Amount melted (ounces) Cold throw Hot throw Am I missing anything? I'm looking forward to the testing process, but I want to make sure I do it in a way that ensures I actually LEARN something, and make progress toward developing a nice melt, versus doing too much and becoming completely overwhelmed and confused! I don't even have any wax in my hands yet, and I already feel like I need someone to talk me down from the ledge, so to speak! Anyone willing to give me a little guidance? Thanks!

I know, right? I'm so anxious to just submit my order and get that wax in my hands! I'm willing to wait, though, if there's a chance they will have the sale in March.

Does Candlescience still do their sample sales? They weren't advertised in their 2015 newsletters. I ask because I am about to place an order with them, and I would kick myself if I ordered and then they had a sale right after that!

Welcome, from one newbie to another!

Nice to meet you, too, dandytea88! Yay, another Cali girl!

Thanks, soshiegirl! I figured I'd better pick a scent that I wouldn't mind smelling over and over and over again!

Thank you, ktaggard! I will keep this tip in mind when I start testing!

Thank you moonshine! This is exactly what I was hoping for! Because I am completely inexperienced, I wanted ONE variable that shouldn't be a factor in my testing. In other words, if (maybe I should say when! ) some of my tests fail, I'll know it was because of the wax blend, the process, or something else, not the fo. I wasn't sure how to proceed without at least one control! I'm so thankful you all have taken the time to share your knowledge and help me!

Thanks so much for your recommendations, ktaggard! I love Pink Sugar, so that will probably go on my Peak's list, and the Mac Apple on my CS list. Can I ask how you heat the fo? And how warm do you get it? I really appreciate the tips!

Thanks Becky! I'm only planning on making melts for now, so wicking won't be an issue. I honestly never thought about apple, that sounds like a great option!

Okay, gotcha! That totally makes sense. I really want to start off simple! Just wanted to make sure no-one thought I wanted to skip ahead!

Thanks Vicky! Oh, definitely, one step at a time! I want to focus on testing wax/wax blends until I find one that is at least workable for me. Blending scents is a long way down the road for me! I know this is going to take a LOT of time and testing. That's why I want to narrow my fragrance choices at first. I don't want to bounce around from fo to fo, because then I can't say whether the results I get re: CT, HT, etc, are due to the wax, or the fo. I just don't have the experience to know which variable is causing any issues I encounter (and I'm sure I will encounter issues!). Do you think it matters which scent I choose? I was eyeing CS Very Vanilla (basically because I love vanilla scents and I read that this one is typically a strong thrower).

Hi everyone! I'm new here and doing so much reading, my eyes hurt! I am about to place my first wax/fragrance oil orders with Candlescience and Peak's. I will be making melts (for myself), and playing around with (ie, testing!) the following paraffin and parasoy blends: 4265, 4630, 4794, 4627, and 6006. I will be ordering some fo samples, but for my testing, I really want to use one scent, and one scent only, to really be able to evaluate my melts. Since I have zero experience, I want to be sure that the scent I select is one that usually "works", in order to eliminate one variable. Can anyone recommend a fo from CS or Peaks that would be good for a newbie? I know so much depends on the wax itself, but I don't want to start testing with a fragrance that is really difficult to mix (I understand that bakery scents require a higher heat and more stirring to incorporate?), or with a fo that is really highly variable. TIA!

BTW, just re-reading my original post, it kinda sounds like I am obsessed with Downton Abbey! I do love the show, but I have many other interests as well. I just typed out a few random things I enjoy!

Thank you Vicky_CO! I'm glad to be here! Thanks ehatch! I've already learned so much, and I haven't even ordered any wax yet. And maybe this isn't the right place to say this, but I always try to let military folks and their families know how much I appreciate all that you do. I have so much respect for those who dedicate themselves to protecting our country and our freedoms. Thank you!!! Hi Candybee! Once a Cali girl, always a Cali girl! Thanks for the welcome, kandlekrazy! Yay, someone else from SoCal! I love the Central Coast, it's so beautiful! It's so nice to "meet" all of you. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Hello all! I found this forum while I was googling how to make wax melts. I am grateful that I did! I have been reading for several hours here every day for the past few weeks, and have learned so much from all of you who share here. Now, you should know, I have never made a candle in my life (or wax melts, or soap, or anything else scented)! I became interested in making wax melts after discovering indie sellers online. I have purchased from two of them so far, and it's been fun! The variety and quality are so much better than the Yank** stuff I've been buying for the last 15 years! Once I knew it was possible to do, I became interested in making my own melts. There are several memory-inducing scents that I have been searching for, without success; the idea that I could possibly blend a scent myself intrigues and excites me! I'm one to research a LOT before investing time and money into something, so I appreciate so much all of the info on this site. I don't like to share too much personal info online, but I will say that I am a SoCal native, female, and old enough that the music from my high school years is now considered "oldies" (sigh). I love the ocean, the mountains, and Downton Abbey! Thanks again to all!