PixieJ

Hi Ken! I am very impressed with your speadsheets. I use to / have started again using speadsheets for my candles (yours are so much nicer looking). My husband Ken also does some bath products at this time (due to his disability) I have him working on M&P soap, it is a nice compliment to my candles.

Hi! Hope you have a great time here.

Hi Patricia!

Hi Pam! Working with candles has improved my mood immensely.

Lately home smells like dragons blood. LOL

On 9/13/2016 at 4:23 PM, Candybee said:

....  Wicks Unlimited that has some excellent information on the technology and burn of wicks and tells you about the wicks they have and what wax applications they are for. You can even have them test your candle for you and they will find the right wick for you.... for a fee of course. ...

 

Thank you for all this info, I am learning a lot.

That is the exact way my mother and I made them when I was a kid. I think making candles as a child is a gate way to adult candle addiction. I get even more pleasure from them now ... I love your signature.

I wish I could join in the testing (but I don't have the resources), the database this would make would be fantastic.

3 hours ago, Candybee said:

Working with soy you need a lot of patience. Good luck! LOL

I am so screwed ... I can hardly wait 3 days before burning ... (kidding)

I guess I am not making myself clear. I do the power burn after all the other testing and the formula is as perfect as I can make it. Normal test burns 4 hrs help me decide the size of my wicks. Although I did just learn that a 1st burn does not have to be a full melt pool. I am so glad I found this board. Thank You

1 minute ago, wthomas57 said:

 

The problem with testing your candle for crazy poor burning conditions AND for proper use... is that wicking for a properly burning candle is not going to be the wick you want for someone who power burns all the time. Its just not possible. Conversely, wicking for power burners isn't going to be the correct wick for proper burning customers. 

 

Its like training for a sprint when you have to run a marathon. Forgive me for the corny pun, but you're gonna burn out. I may have that backwards, but you get my point.

All I guess you can really do is wick, test, and play for proper usage. If customers do otherwise, that is on them. And, its why we have warning labels and burn recommendations.

Its not that burning longer or short WONT work, its just that you are taking a risk.

 

I understand your point, but my abuse is for my peace of mind.I was/am still inexperienced, I feel testing is part of learning the craft.

On 9/10/2016 at 8:16 AM, Candle guy said:

Yams,

Welcome to the fun!!! A business to where testing and headaches run rampant hahaha. I hope that you are willing to drop a lot of coin because this is definitely an addictive business. I first got into this thinking it would be easy but I was dead wrong!!! Thousands of dollars later only to test much of that away lol. ......

I wish I had chosen a cheaper hobby ... like diamond collecting.

When I test, I have a few candles that I totally abuse once I think it is perfect ...do not trim wick, let burn short, then in a bathtub all day, let wick gunk collect, burn in draft, burn containers dry. I am safety paranoid (?) so all of these are controlled (someone watching/ home close) .

TL;DR – My name is Jorie, Candles are my passion.

Hi, my name is Jorie. I fell in love with making candles when I was a child, and I made them with my mom (paraffin, crayons and string). About 10-15 yrs ago I started making real candles, after many false starts, my candles got to be pretty good . Due to some family problems I needed to stop for about 8 years.

Now I have used up the old wax, and some of the old fos they still have lots of throw! And am considering switching to all natural wax (soy and palm (from reputable sources)). I spent yesterday making the 1st and 2nd test batches of soy w/ scent. I got such a “high” from listening to music, dancing and pouring. (and I don't think I can wait 2 weeks for 1st burn... LOL.) My son came home and said it smelled like home again.

I just read the list of questions...

Age – physical or mental?

Where do you live? - Central, IL

Are you married? Any kids? I have been married longer than I care to mention and we have 1 adult son (going to college).

If candle/Soap making isn't your primary job, what do you do? I am a caregiver to my Husband (severe stroke) and our friend/roommate (diabetes and heart issues), and helping my son work his way through school (aka cooking, cleaning, etc)