Sarah S

@Candybee and @The Candle Nook, have you tried Rain Barrel from NG? I love that water scent so much, exactly like a barrel of rain water sitting in a garden on a hot summer day. Fantastic throw in paraffin and palm.

I poured this one on Sunday, waiting for the cure since I put it in palm.... I'll keep you posted!

I agree with that thought process. I like to have a unique product, otherwise why not buy from the store?

@lovelyscents, yes the 125 is my favorite for candles! 💕💕 I also love the palm 1 too, for candles, it's ok in melts. Palm 2 pillar is much better for melts, imo. In my experience, bakery scents can throw well in palm, but they throw BETTER in paraffin. So like the Lemon Biscotti, for example, it will blow the doors off in 125, but is moderate in palm. I think if I didn't know what a stellar performer it was in paraffin, I would be more satisfied with it's throw in palm. Same with CW's Pumpkin Pancake (have you tried that one? It's amazing!), phenomenal in paraffin, ok in palm. Maybe it's something about the buttery notes? Cardamom and Star Anise is great in palm, as is CS's Cinnamon Chai, ICS's Toasted Marshmallow, and CW's OMH. So I think it's very specific bakery types that's struggle, and not all food or spicy or vanilla types. Like I mentioned, I've been playing with mixing 141 and palm 2 for tarts, with good results, but I've only tried a few fragrances so far, and none are bakery. I'm out of Lemon Biscotti, maybe I need to order some for the greater good and test it! 😁😁

Not at all, if it's burning well. Could be that FO needs the bigger wick. Keep testing, see how it does when it gets closer to the bottom, that part of the burn is always the determining factor for me.

I mostly use 16oz straight sided jars and 16oz salsa jars. I've used Status jars, 8oz tumblers, apothecary jars in various sizes, large candle bowls, and more, but the straight jars are my favorite for a simple easy candle. 😊💕

@Fireside, it has been a while since I've used the 129, but I like both of those waxes. I can't remember if there was something about the performance of the 129 that I didn't like, but it certainly was not a bad tart wax. Very easy to use, nice smooth finish. I didn't like the slight translucency of the wax, so I mostly use 141 for paraffin melts. I love to mix the 141 with just a bit of 125 for single-serving little melt cups that look so creamy and wonderful. I've already waxed on (haha!) about the awesomeness of CW's waxes in other threads, so I'll just say that I think if you test the 141 against the 129, and test the two of them against the IGI waxes, you'll find there is not a massive difference. CW is a convenient supplier for me, and I like the performance of their blends. If I lived on the West Coast, it might be a different story, and perhaps the IGI waxes would be a better choice. At the end of the day, I think you have to consider price, convenience, and performance, weigh each in accordance with your personal preference, and use whatever ranks highest in those factors. The only "best wax" is the one that you love to use! 😉

@Fireside, I strongly believe that the softer waxes do NOT make a better melt. I have teasted a lot of different combinations, and in my experience any blend with more than 30% soft wax will throw strongly in the short term, but has poor longevity. It may "fill the room" within a few minutes, but a couple hours later it's faded to practically nothing. Maybe if one has an older mid-sized bulb warmer that struggles to generate heat, a soft wax will perform better. But warmers are trending back to the hot-plate style or big 25 watt bulbs, which means a wax with a higher melt point will release the fragrance in a slower and more even rate. That means fragrances with nuanced layers smell stronger, and fragrances of all types last longer. Of course there may be exceptions, and everyone has their preference, but this is what my own testing has led me to believe. Right now my favorite tart wax is the palm 2 crystal pillar wax. Holy moley, the throw is so strong, and they last forever. Recently I mixed some CBL141 with the palm pillar, and that was pretty awesome too. I think if you are testing the harder waxes and are happy with the results, than roll with it. Confidence in your product trumps catering to a trend every time.

I believe Candlewic carries a wax specifically for candle carving. Aztec also has a large variety of waxes, as does Candles and Supplies. I'm mostly familiar with East Coast suppliers, there may be others situated on the West Coast or Midwest worth looking at too, but I can't recommend anyone specifically.

Hm, the HTP 73 should be a great wick for that combo. The Premier 750 should be good too, so I don't think over wicking is the issue, at least not for those two. And that's about 6% -7% load, which is well within that wax's capacity... I think the issue is probably just the narrower neck of the mason jar and the air currents created by the heat of the flame. I expect some dancing with a viscous wax like this, as the wicks have to burn pretty hot to get a good draw. Sometimes when I have a double wicked container, the flames go sideways, lol. Is it bad enough that it's affecting the quality of the burn? Are they poofing soot? The top of the jar getting hot, is that for all the wicks? The HTP 83 is a little big, that might be part of the issue with that one. I ditched mason jars pretty early on in my candle making, they are super convenient, which is appealing, but I was never very happy with the way they burned. Just IMO! 😁

I have heard that CW uses 4630 as the base, but I have also heard that they use 4627 as the base. The consistency seems closer to 4630 to me.

I don't think the dimpling with 141 is bad, certainly not compared to KY 133! It has always performed consistently well for me, and I feel like the additives help it throw well no matter what type of melter I use. I haven't used the 129 in a while, I know that someone recently had a problem with it, but it seems like it was an isolated incident with one lot. I do believe CW replaced the faulty wax with a case from a different lot, which I thought was pretty nice of them. The one thing I wish CW did differently was only offering their paraffin waxes in slabs. I totally get that most of their orders are by the case or by the pallet, and that's the most efficient way to package that much wax, but it would be awesome if they had smaller quantities of their pillar/votive waxes in pellet form. Breaking up the slabs is such a PITA! I have not tried the 4627. It's on my wish list!! I've been reluctant to order it, because the smallest amount I can find is a 25# box. And man, that stuff is pricey! I love the CBL 125 so much, it's hard to justify shelling out the money just to compare the two. One of these days I'll get some because I am curious about it. I think maybe one supplier has a 10# sample, maybe Lonestar? Aztec? I have heard that CW uses the 4627 as their base for the 125, but I have also heard that's they use 4630 as the base, so I'm not sure about that.

I don't! I just keep the wicks fairly short so the curl isn't quite so pronounced, make sure it's not over wicked, and I don't let it bother me. Usually my candles get a full MP about halfway down and then the issue is resolved, lol. I consider it a characteristic of the wick. Like wet spots and paraffin, lol.

Have you tried ICS's Toasted Marshmallow? Very sweet, a hint of caramalization, and it throws well for me in palm and CBL125. I like BC's S'Mores, but it's really heavy on the chocolate, so the next time I pour it I am going to mix in the marshmallow to cut it a bit. Does the McCall's have chocolate and graham, or is it just the marshmallow? I know this has been quite the quest for you!

Paraffin.

I've never heard of that wax, but if it's a pillar wax it's worth shot. I personally don't like to go over 30% with a softer wax when making melts, but I know there are a few people on here who love using 4627 as a melt/tart wax. How much fragrance does the 1230 hold?

Yes, it is paraffin. It mixes very well with soy wax, so that might be a fun project for you, Trapp! Of course it is just fantastic all by itself, and very easy to work with. For a pint canning or jelly jar, I would start with an HTP 73 for florals, some lighter pines, fruits, etc. Anything with vanilla, spices, or patchouli I would wick up to an 83. Some really heavy fragrances might need a 93. A 12oz Status, I'd start with an HTP 83 and move up from there. The bigger, taller Status jars are tricky, you really have to underwick for the top half of the burn because so much heat builds up toward the bottom. I would cautiously start with a 93 for a 22oz Status jar. HTH!

OMG you guys!!!!!!!! I picked up an order of wax and FOs from Candlewic on Friday, and they gave me samples of all 9 new fragrances for free!!! *swoon* Totally unexpected, and they must think I'm some kind of madwoman because I literally danced for joy out of that warehouse!! I haven't put any of them in anything yet, because I was out of town, but I will give you my OOB opinion and report back with actual product results later. So, in no particular order: Honeysuckle & Thyme - strange combination, didn't smell like honeysuckle or thyme to me. Strong floral-ish with a woody base. This one might bloom when diluted in wax, it was pretty strong OOB. Lavender Chamomile - interesting interpretation of this classic scent. More chamomile than lavender to my nose, not champhoric (I think I just made that word up!) like other lavenders, but also not powdery like a baby version. Really reminded me of a chamomile tea almost. I can't decide what I want to put this in, but it will likely be soap. Lemongrass & Ginger - lemongrass. Maybe the ginger will come forward in wax, I'm willing to give it a try, because this was very nice OOB. Sequoia & English Oak - whole lotta wood! A warm bottom to it, the fragrance description says tonka, and I would have said tonka or amber. It's a mellow wood, almost more like a teakwood than a fresh cut wood. I like it, and I'm going to try it in melts for my office. I need a "neutral" scent and this fits the bill. Fleur de Soleil - despite the fancy name, this is pretty boring OOB. Just a floral. Meh. A little more resinous than other florals, I personally would blend this with something like sandalwood or musk, but I'm not a floral girl, lol. The fragrance description has a lot of different notes, so maybe I'm not picking up on the complexity OOB. Zucchini Blossom - this is WONDERFUL OOB!!! I am seriously torn between testing it in wax vs soap, because it would be awesome in either. Green, leafy, fresh, a slight hint of damp earth, it's like the perky sister of Tomato Leaf. Fingers crossed, I hope it performs well!! Olive Leaf & Moringa - ok, don't laugh, but I had to Google moringa, and I'm still not sure what it's supposed to smell like. This oil didn't smell like much of anything OOB. Kind of green, maybe a little floral, it was just kind of blah to me, but maybe it would appeal as a spa scent. Sycamore Sage - doesn't smell like sage. However, it does smell awesome! The fragrance description is all over the place with marine notes, sage, rose, patch, sycamore bark... It is a very nice complex and sensual fragrance that would appeal to anyone who love earthy scents, resinous scents, or herbal scents. This one is lovely enough OOB that I might just hoard it for my lotions and perfumes. Salt Cavern - great interpretation of the salt trend! To me this is a dry salt with a warm bottom. Not an ocean-y scent OOB, but the faintest tang of marine air is there. Definitely going in wax ASAP, I like this one a lot, and I think the dry salty notes will complement some of the more flowery spring candles I have going right now. After I've had a chance to test a few of these, I'll try to post in the review forum. Man, I just keep falling behind with so many oils to post about!

@nashbubba, I am very sure Trapp posted out of concern and a desire to help. Tone is so difficult to convey when typing. I really appreciate that you absorbed our feedback about that container. You would not believe (or maybe you would!) some of the wildly unsafe and negligent candle making behaviors that been posted here in the past. We tend to be a little prickly about some things, lol. I think you have the right idea to start with a straight 3" jar. Soy can look creamy and beautiful in almost any glass container, so why not make it easier on yourself? Are you going to use the HTP 105? I would suggest, and maybe you've already thought of this, make two candles and wick one with the 105 and one with the 93, and burn them compare the two. If either is a winner, then make a candle for your son, and ask him to give you feedback on how it performs too. Then do the same thing with a different fragrance, and maybe send one of them to another lucky recipient to get feedback from... That way you are testing your candles, but still able to gift as well. Gifting is my favorite part of this hobby.

@Schmandarrr, what TT said. 😁

Sorry @Ravens, I was out of town with spotty internet. I really love HTPs with the 125. They work beautifully with great HT, minimal mushrooms (depending on FO), and they are easy to get in a lot of sizes. The lean can make me a little crazy, and the self-trimming can offset the MP quite a bit, but I find as long as it's not over or under wicked, that's an issue that resolves itself by the time you hit the mid point of the container. Cure time is minimal. I like 5 days to a week, but as little as 12 hours can be adequate. As soon as it is fully cooled, it's ready to go! The cure time for me is really more due to my schedule, lol. I'm excited to hear what you think of it! I love this wax, it is so easy, and the HT is spectacular. It's hard to find a FO that doesn't throw at least moderately in 125, and most oils that throw well in other waxes (like soy), knock it out of the park in 125! Enjoy!!

OMG!!! That is brilliant! I need that! Except I also need a workroom to put it in. 🤣

Candlewic’s Coastal Kale is great, and super strong. A little more kale than coast to my nose, but very fresh and a good summer scent. I love Aztec’s Bayside Marina too, warm and salty like the sunlight on a New England bay. Those are my two favorites. A lot of ocean type scents smell the same to me. Aztec’s Black Sea is another good one, totally unlike the one from CS. It is salty and rugged, and more like a storm-tossed ocean. Masculine. A little goes a long way with that one for me. Thats great you’re selling your tureens, they are beautiful!!! ❤️

Cinnamon Chai from Candle Science is fantastic. A little sweeter than Flaming’s but I like that one too. Pumpkin Chai Latte from Candlewic is wonderful!!! A favorite in the fall.

I’ve used a lot of different waxes for melts. So much of it depends on your personal preference. Lots of great advice here, do a lot of reading and then dig in and start testing! Fragrances are also very subjective. Personally I’ve had good results with oils from Candlewic, Indiana Candle, Natures Garden, and Aztec, just to name a few suppliers.