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Gary in Canada

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Posts posted by Gary in Canada

  1. On 11/1/2017 at 1:35 AM, Venetti said:

    I've tried to find the answer to my question but was unable to. 

     

    My question is this; what is the best parasoy for container candles?

     

    I want the best HT/CT possible in a parasoy. 

    Im trying to research a few but can't find any good information. 

     

    Thanks in advance!

    I just tried a coconut/soy blend and it poured beautiful...and had a great HT after only 48hrs. (I got impatient).. the only problem is...$$$$. 

  2. On 11/26/2017 at 2:09 AM, Daisymay66 said:

    I am so bummed out. The last time I bought a ton of burners from them. I go to look and they don't sell them anymore. I am so sad. I loved the punched tin look. Anyone know of other places that may sell them? 

    Not sure what CTW burners are?

  3. On 11/26/2017 at 9:46 PM, DT1120 said:

    Hello!

     

    I started making candles using parrafin and a parrafin and soy blend. I'm trying to use all soy but struggling to get a HT. What temp should  I ads the FO? I've heard 185 and now I'm hearing as low as 125. HELP PLEASE

    If you look on the internet long enough, you will get so much info on when to add FO, it will boggle your mind.  I've tried adding at both 185 and just before pouring, and they seemed to work pretty much the same HT... I know when I add the FO to the wax, I notice the FO sort of looks like oil in water...then when its mixed for about 2 min it becomes clear again.  I know most like to add at 185, and that seems to be what most suppliers recommend.

  4. I've made a lot of firestarters..  I save all the old wax from the bottom of containers...or failed testers.  I get a small paper cup, or a paper cupcake cup?...fill it with shedded paper, or wood shavings, then top it up with melted wax..just make sure you have some paper or wood sticking out that act as the "wick".  They work great..but maybe not as pretty as you want for gifts, but I'm sure you could make them a little more attractive, or do a nice festive wrapping to dicky doo them up a little.  I save all wax...different soys, a little parrafin, different colours, different scents then melt it all together...and it still works great.

    • Like 1
  5. If you can go to youtube and search for the type of candle you want to make, there are a LOT of videos to get you started.  You can also get a lot of info from candle makers suppliers...they want you to be able to make a good candle so you will buy there products.  It is a learning process...as I have found out!  I have a new found respect for candle makers that make a great product...a lot of work, time and money has gone into that candle.  

     

    But there is a lot of info on the internet to get you started.  Then it's a matter of just testing..and testing..

     

  6. On 12/7/2017 at 8:58 AM, TallTayl said:

    I usually just start with the one that works with my naked wax. After the second burn I can usually tell which way it needs to go. 

     

    If you test multiples of wicks, I would go one size up or down.

     

    you can partially fill the containers to see how each performs at the critical half way point.

     

    Or, as some have done successfully with deeper containers, pour without a wick, poke a hole and stuff your starting wick into the hole. If it does not work, you can pull the wick easily and replace with one you think might work better. After burning the rest of the candle pour one in that successful wick and retest from top to bottom. 

    This is what I do now...pour without any wick and use a wooden skewer to poke a hole to the bottom...cut the wick from the tab and insert it down.  If it looks like it's not working, then i blow it out..pull the wick out with needle nose pliers, and try another wick.  If it seems to be working..leave it in until after a 2 or 3 burns.  Great method which I learned on this forum...

  7. On 12/6/2017 at 9:52 PM, Trappeur said:

    Me too, I'm very curious!  Sounds so unique.

     

    Trappeur

    I remember "back in the day"...sand molded candles were real popular.   You would make a form out of wood...fill it with sand...make an mould of any shape in the sand, then pour your wax into it...let it harden, then remove.  Haven't seen those candles for a long time!!  Is that what your plan is Valtek?

     

    And as another note...up here in Canada...the wax I am testing now is $137 per 50lb...plus shipping!  $85 sounds REALLY good to me.. :rolleyes:

  8. On 11/28/2017 at 10:44 AM, Sunday said:

    Went to order some IGI 4625 and 4630 along with some 464 from Candle Science....but by the time I was ready to check out the shipping was over $100 on  $220 worth of wax (before tax)...OMG

    I want to ship it to Blaine, Washington ....then I still have to pay for a shipping company to ship it to B.C.... which just happens to be the cheapest part of this whole endevor....Will I have to pay duty?...well I guess I have to prove it's made in the states to the cheery customs agents...then I can payprovincial taxes.....by the time I pay exchange on the US dollar I will have spent around 400 for a bit of wax....I think I will be making some of the most valuable candles in the world!! I have tried to buy the wax here but apparently they don't have any in stock!  All of Canada? What? Don't people burn candles up here???????

    I use Canwax in Ontario...and Village Craft and Candle..they are both real good suppliers.  You also have a couple of suppliers in BC, but not sure which waxes they carry.  I've ordered supplies from the US, and the duty, and $$$ exchange is a killer. Never order wax from there but I would assume the shipping would be a killer.  Shipping from Ontario to BC should be more reasonable...I think?

  9. I have no idea of Coco83 wax...but I just started testing this new wax from a supplier up here http://www.canwax.com/Wax-CoconutSoy-Container-Blend-CW301_p_3795.html  I would assume its very similiar, but I have no way of telling for sure, because everything now is proprietary.

     

    It seems really greasy when I took it out of the bag...Melted to 180...added 8% FO and poured into 3" container at about 145...(also did one with no scent).  Looked perfect...no wet spots, smooth as a babies bum top...nice white/creamy colour even with Cinnamon buns FO which is a dark colour...but it didn't change the finished colour much (unlike Q210)...I didn't put in a wick because I am using the new "Poke a Hole and add a wick" method of testing.   I lit the scented one today with a Premier 775 wick...and it is burning perfect so far.. nice flame and great scent throw.  This wax seems perfect so far!!

    • Like 1
  10. I am pretty much in the same position as you...but I don't sell, but I do have about 10 girls that I want to make some candles for, but it has been a mad scramble trying to figure out the crazy soy issue...so I tried something new. And I'm doing the first burn tonight and it seems to be working great..perfect size flame and little to no "dancing" , great scent throw (after only 48hrs)...so I guess I will pour 10 candles for them, and hopefully they work as good for them!  

     

    But, I don't have a dentist appointment. :-)

  11. On 12/8/2017 at 8:28 AM, GailC said:

     

    I almost some some from there until the bubble problem with the one sheet I had. 

     

    I ended up getting some pretty scalloped oval labels, then was bitterly disappointed when they came and I discovered that the only templates for them were PDF and Maestro.  No Microsoft Word.  So I had to work with Maestro online, and it was a pain.  Plus, the free activation code is only good for 3 months.  What a ripoff.  

    I agree...and I got my Online Labels from a distributor up here..so I didn't get a code to try it for 3 months..  I am looking for other options.  

    I make wine and bottleit at a local store...and he has a labeling machine that is just awesome..the wine labels we put on our bottles are SO professional looking. If I made candles for a living, I would definately get the label machine he has.

  12. Just a thought here....I am a man lol... when I was doing wood working crafts a few years ago, everybody that bought my creations were women..I think because most women do not do woodworking they would buy my products...at that time, most men were of the belief that "hey...why buy that wood shelf when I can make it myself"....I think it may be the same with candles today.  Men do not make candles (generally speaking)..where as women probably think.."hey, I can make that myself". 

     

     I think woodworking was a lot easier to figure out than candles though...lol  ;)

    • Like 3
    • Haha 1
  13. 4 minutes ago, lisabeth13 said:

    Yeah, so far it hasn't actually been too bad. lol ;) The first time I visited Toronto was in February so sadly, I know it gets much worse than this. :laugh2:He actually bought me a Canada Goose jacket for Christmas several years ago to entice me to move here... but it took me a long time to make the move. haha. I do need some ear muffs and a nice warm hat though. But yes, the plan is to sit around and make candles all winter. :) Are you a Titans fan? 

    We had a friend that was from our area...moved to Arizona...met an Arizona girl..got married and had 2 kids..decided he would like to move back to Ontario.  He finally talked her into it (after a few years)..He got a job transfer and they did move here. It was the worst winter we have had in years...the kids loved it...but not the Arizona wife..lol.  She was here 6 months and told him she was moving back to Arizona...with or without him!  He quickly got a transfer back to Phoenix..haha..Try to hang in there..our winter is not like Tennessee, but there are a lot of things to do if you want to explore new things...

     

     I am an NFL fan..I run a pool at our local pub, and if the Titans can win me the pool...I am a fan.. I am actually a Bills fan because they are our closest NFL team..but I just love the NFL...

     

      

     

        

  14. OMG lisa....we have had a REAL mild fall so far...wait till you get to our winter....  What you have to do is go shopping and get yourself a real good winter coat...some nice warm boots...good gloves and a warm touque (hat lol) ...and get outside and enjoy the clean, cold fresh air! lol... If you're not up for that...make sure you have a nice warm cozy place where you live to make candles all winter long!! :)  Oh...and GO TITANS!!!:rolleyes: 

  15. 7 minutes ago, lisabeth13 said:

    @Gary in Canada Thank you for all the great info, Gary! :) I will definitely check out those places! I'm trying to make it feel like home here as best as I can. It's going to be an adjustment for a bit (can we say cold??!) but I think my hubby is worth it. ;) 

    There are a few more supplies here...but those are the 3 I use..and they all have their strong points and weaknesses...You can still order from the US, but the $$$ difference and shipping/duty is a killer.  Hubby is Canadian??  If you're from Buffalo..you will have no problem with our winter.. lol...If you're from Phoenix...our winter may be a problem..:(

  16. @ChristinaD  You might want to read this https://www.woodenwick.com/what-is-candle-sweating/  Maybe you can get some ideas from them.  Also..I remember reading quite a while ago that "sweating" does not affect the candle quality, and is common in soy candles (I read it...but not sure if I believe it)...and if I remember correctly, the article said to wipe the top of the candle with a paper towel.  Hopefully the article will help...  Wishing you all the best in your new venture!! :)

    • Like 1
  17. Sorry...I don't use 464..but with all the changes in soy wax in the last few months, maybe the FO didn't mix with the wax?  Before the changes, you could see the swirling of the FO when added to the wax...then as it was mixed, you could see it become very clear.  With the new waxes (I have been trying Q210 and 220)...they seem to be a more "cloudy" when melted, so it makes it a little more difficult to tell when the FO is blended in.  Not sure if that is the same with 464?.  I am almost finished with straight Soy...I just received a new wax that is coconut/soy that i will try.  By the way Kristina..your product looks great! 

    • Like 1
  18. 19 hours ago, chapguy said:

    Any luck finding a supplier? The ones I like tend to be Australian suppliers, but I’m also looking for an amber tumbler here in the states if anyone has recommendations. The ones at CandleScience are too thin. I like this one, but these are hard to find here in the states, surprisingly. 

     

    5280e40a0ca4d2fa588b7ad3f5944bc1--candle

    That jar almost looks like a cut off beer bottle...

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