birdcharm

I've had better throw with GW464 if I add a small amount of paraffin, under 10%, as an additive.

Definitely! I've been thinking lately that maybe wick debris in a candle has some sort of meaning, lol ... like tea leaves, you know how some people read tea leaves? ("Tasseography - also known as tasseomancy or tassology - is a divination or fortune-telling method that interprets patterns in tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments.") Last week I was trying out a Performa wick I had in a sample pack that I had never tried, I don't think I'll use them. I thought it was interesting though and snapped a photo ... nothing like the photos shared here however! Good work!

Those oils seem to all be greater than 200dF flashpoint from what I could tell. I don't understand why they didn't send them in a Small Flat Rate box unless they don't want to use the Post Office ... some suppliers only ship using other services, but it makes it hard to order samples.

When I ordered, I must not have made my selections very well, lol. I thought the Apple-Cinnamon was alright, but it seemed to me to have an artificial quality, so I used it as an scented spray. I wasn't terribly impressed with Cinnamon Stick, but thought the Red Hot Cinnamon was acceptable. I enjoyed their Nag Champa, but I'm going to sample some others; I didn't really care for Indian Sandalwood, which I ordered for a friend, and am now awaiting another sandalwood sample. I was curious about their Mistletoe, a nice scent, but kind of funny, it was almost an exact match for a Bayberry from another supplier, so I poured it on in there! Their pine is a nice pine along the lines of Fraser Fir, but not quite. And, Sandalwood & Ginger Apple ... thought my friend would like that one, but it was kind of odd and I mixed it with some other apple and fir scents so it didn't go to waste. Like I said ... there was something wrong with my selections!!

I looked through some of my notes and tried to verify it at the USPS site, but I got lost so gave up, but I really think that the regulations have to do with liquids that have a flashpoint of under 141dF ... so I'm not understanding this ... ... unless some of them were lower flashpoint oils. I think there needs to be some special labeling applied to the package for this f/p range, as I've received oils between these f/p's via Priority Mail (air) that had special labeling. For smaller orders, USPS is the best option.

I may not be recalling this correctly, but I thought that f/o's with flashpoints over 140dF were okay to send either air or ground. The USPS ground service is a bit on the slow side.

Hi Shirley, I just wanted to say that I think you should venture into that drawer and see what you might be able to do with that wax ... be brave! The thing with vybar is that it is a synthetic, so it's probably not best to add it to soy (even if it's the one suited for lower meltpoint wax) -- I haven't used C3, so I don't know if you add paraffin to that, but if you can, it would probably be worth it to tear that candle apart for a remelt and add some paraffin wax. You may have easily added too much vybar to the wax even if it had been paraffin, as vybar should only be used in extremely small amounts. Ha-ha ... I'm a big fan of cans too! 😊

...wish leads me to something I was thinking in regard to making some things with glitter ... should there be a tag with other non-glitter items that says something like "product manufactured in a facility that contains glitter" ...lol.

I hope you're having a wonderful "Thanksgiving Weekend" too! P.S. The nice thing about some of the embed molds is that they can double as little hand soap molds for melt 'n' pour once the glitter can all be cleaned out! 😊

I was just double-checking to make sure based on your vybar question. I think parasoy does throw scent a bit better, but don't soy candles typically last longer? I think they may, so in that case, some people are going to prefer the vegetable wax, as to some, it's more important to them to spend their money on a candle that lasts longer rather than smells more -- I think the account you lost is foolish in their thinking and they should offer both types.

Are you using these additives with GW464?

It has to do with it being straight paraffin (i.e., no color, no stearic acid), so it's not opaque, sorry, I didn't exactly word that right!

I think making things in molds is fun too, I seemed to get interested in it from an earlier age, I think that lollipop kit had too much influence on me. That is an ultra fine glitter and I never use very much, I think mica is so fine that it may be a wick clogger, I'm not sure, I've never used it in candles. As you can see, the gift boxes were poured in two layers (it's straight paraffin wax, btw), with the glitter being sprinkled into the mold first, a thin layer of clear wax on top, then the colored wax -- this way, the bows had a chance to be a different color. I think I started off thinking I could simply make the bow area white, but they kept overflowing, so I went with whatever the wax wanted to do. 😪

Too much glitter might interfere with the candle, but I think a little is okay too and whenever I've burned a candle with some in it, the glitter does move and swirl outwards. I made these a few years ago to place on top of a candle, although they were a little difficult to remove from the mold.

I've used very small amounts of glitter with both gel candles and novelty candles with certain designs around the outward edges or on embellishments or embeds ... the glitter always moves away from the center. It does sink, however, so I use a 10mm wick tab sleeve to ensure that the candle will go out. I agree it's not something to be used in any abundance, but in very small amounts, it can be used without it causing any issues.

You can use regular glitter, although the effect will not be quite the same. I prefer to use the ultra-fine or fine in very small amounts. I think the specialty glitters allow you to use less while catching more light and they provide a pretty colorful effect. These are similar to some of types I'm referring to: link

I don't think anyone here is afraid of sharing if they have the time to do it, kind of like answering questions, if you have the time or think you have something worthwhile to offer. It seems that most crafters may have their unique methods that are simply something they have created ... some may share their techniques with friends, others might share them on a blog, or on a message board and others may not. I've had a candle-related blog for several years that has some stuff on it that I've shared with people I'll never know, but I don't really have much time to devote to it, it's just there and it helps me to remember how I may have done something if I need to refresh my memory. I wouldn't say that people who don't wish to share their findings on a board are uncaring people in any way, they are simply doing their craft and probably sharing the results of that with others in all sorts of ways.

One exception to this would be the embeds that are used in gel candles ... I know that's not what this thread is about though! It just came to mind because that's how I first got involved in making embeds (making them for gel candles) ... they all had to be made with a higher melt point wax so they wouldn't melt so easily. I think I've mentioned before or posted a photo about lightly using some specialty glitters that can be sprinkled into the mold before pouring, you just have to be extra careful when you pour, making sure not to pour directly over the glitter.

That's great ... I thought it would probably be a good idea or method, I just wasn't sure about it ... good to know someone has actually tried it out. I think I'd like to get one, esp. now that my high-temp glue gun trigger broke, so I got a Singer brand high-temp glue gun and this one leaks glue when not in use, really annoying and wasting glue too. So, do you have any pointers in regard to the type of glue you purchase for the dipping pot?

I'm not sure how to get a "mottled" look in soy, except for perhaps trying to make it a chunk candle of sorts, maybe by using soy wax that's cooled, but not cutting it into squares or chunks, just shredding it into nuggets with a fork, perhaps coloring it slightly and pouring over it ...?

This is how TallTayl recently explained this ... "Let’s all remember why we are here. This is a sharing site. We were all beginners once. We were all new to a community once. We are all ‘broken’ in some way outside of the community an seek an escape from the unpleasantness of the outside world. We found each other here to enjoy a community that lifts our crafting skills allowing us to lift the next person. The knowledge shared by those before us is what propels us forward. We put in the time and figure out new things, test new technology, and discover how to navigate these new wax and wick issues. We do it together. Not everyone fits the culture ..." I think that many of the experienced crafters here are more than willing to help, but I also do not feel that anyone should be expected to reveal what their arduous tests have taught them, rather beginners should be guided in the right direction and encouraged to do their own research and tests. That's why if I ask a question and receive no reply, I take it as encouragement to go find my own answers, which I cheerfully do. As far as placing test results we want to share in a particular forum category, that's a nice idea for those who wish to do it.

I'm starting to get myself into making votive candles. I've been fooling with a blend of paraffin and soy. So far I've tested with zinc core 44/20/18 and HTP 41 ... I prefer the HTP wick, but I've tested from a sample pack and now I need to buy some wicks. I am also curious about RRD ... I think it would be RRD-29 that I'd be looking for. Does anyone have any suggestions they'd like to offer for votives?

Yes, it can be very frustrating, especially when information on supplier websites might steer you in a wrong direction. That's why it's good to ask others who have more experience a few questions if you can, as their input may be invaluable. We all have to deal with the variations, although some of us know a little more than others and all of us together know more than any one of us. ☺️

I'd just like to say that when you started this thread, you were very frustrated. "I'm getting very frustrated by all this candle stuff ... THREE DIFFERENT SOURCES all gave the exact same pouring temperature range. One of those was the manufacturer! Candle Science, Candlewic, and IGI all said the pouring range was 175-185. I did that exactly and came back later only to find holes around the wicks again. .... I've been told that the hole around the wick means I'm pouring too hot. Or is it too cold? It doesn't matter! Why do I say that? Someone just please explain one thing for me. If I'm pouring in the recommended range, then how can I be pouring EITHER too hot OR too cold? I'm sick of this." Then, based on information you had gathered, you posted, "As far as pouring at the correct temp, I promise I was right in the range given by two different sellers and the manufacturer." Yet, you were not in the right range. No one thought you were an idiot. ScentedPleasurez told you, "Perhaps you are not comprehending what you read because this is what you said in your original post. If you go to candlewic site and read it does not say that's the pour temp SO your holes are in fact coming from pouring way to hot. ... @Kerven even pointed it out to you. This is a true 1 pour. I have worked with this wax for numerous years. You do not have to do all this extra. If you pour at the correct temp you will get an amazing candle every single time." So, I have to disagree with you when you say SP wasn't trying to help you. At that point, you said, "OK. I'll go back and check again. If I'm wrong, I'll come back here and admit to it." ... and, you discovered that you were wrong. "I was wrong about what Candlewic said. Yes @ScentedPleasurez I just saw the same thing you just clipped and posted from the Candlewic site. I said I would be back and report if I was wrong. Here I am. Looking back at my notes, it was Candlescience that listed the pour temp as 180F (+or- 5 degrees). I have the sheet I printed from the CS site here beside me. I also have the IGI sheet for 4627 Comfort Blend beside me on the desk. It gives the pouring temperature as 175-185F. You're right that @Kerven did point that out to me and I truly apologize to him for not paying better attention to what he was trying to tell me. I now need to determine if Candlewic has the wrong information listed or whether the manufacturer and Candlescience have it wrong. We are very fortunate to have people on this forum with your experience to help clear up issues like this, and to help out beginners like me with medically diagnosed cognitive handicaps. I'll get out of the way now." I do not believe that one person here thought any less of you for the confusion, especially since the information on the sites you visited didn't match up. Yet, a long time user of this wax was certainly trying to tell you and even posted a screenshot from the supplier that was giving the useful information. When you started to get distracted by trying to determine on your own which site was giving good information or bad information, SP told you, "Adjust your pour temp and try again. You are making things harder than they are. You are being given your answer and you now have to determine something else." At this point, SP was being brutally honest and truly trying to get you ON TRACK. You later posted, "According to the people who make the wax, I did pour at the "correct" temperature. She/he "pleasured whatever" knows more than they do. But since the expert on that wax says he/she is not coming back, we will never know. This same person went out of his/her way to try and humiliate and embarrass me and accomplished it. I was under the impression that asking questions was what this forum was all about. I didn't realize it was just a place to spread your feathers like a peacock. She/he never had any intention of trying to help me. It was very mean and calculated. Thanks for the offer of your wall. ;)" I think SP knows this wax, might even be what could be considered an expert on it after using it for so many years. Some information on the web is incorrect. We often find other opinions from crafters here than what may be on suppliers' websites, etc. When experienced crafters are offering their advice, they aren't doing it for any other reason than to be helpful. We're candle makers, not teachers ... we're not trained on "the right way to say something" or how to help someone without making them feel like idiots because they didn't know ... you often have to pay for those types of mentors. The ones we get here do it because they're willing to share some of their knowledge, so, if they should lose their patience or come off as being rude, overlook it, take what they offered and be happy. That's all I have to say, and I think SP is owed an apology.

Conditions are always going to be something to consider, so, in that case, no answer given is going to be a true-for-everyone--every time remedy. Yet, with some waxes that are not too particular, you may not have to do cartwheels in order to get them to perform to your liking. In those cases, if someone knows a wax very well and has used it under varied conditions, most likely it's pretty safe for them to say that their experience tells them its not so finicky. I don't think Scented Pleasurez was boasting about knowing everything about this wax, but clearly, she seems to feel from her experience that it was safe to say that it performs well under a wide range of conditions and she was trying to give advice regarding that point. @TallTayl, I'd like to know if ScentedPleasurez wished to change her mind about posting here, could she? I mean ... has she been banned from posting? And, if so, may we know why?