Stella1952

We pour lots of layered palm wax candles - in fact, I think they make the KEWELLEST layered candles because of the incredible crystallizing properties of the palm wax. There is a happy medium to arrive at separate layers but that still "stick" together. For the layered candles, we do not pour at very high temps - just above slush gives the most control and least babysitting time. I posted some pics in the Gallery of them... sorry, I haven't taken the time to take new pics - we are trying to get a lot of candles ready for spring fests, etc.

Ummm, Soya, I am mathematically challenged... was your error because of the difference between dry measure and liquid measure?

Ducks, those are fabulous!! So many great ideas!!! THe leopard one is grrrrrrreat!!!

Mezz, I would be remiss if I did not qualify my mold choices by cautioning that using "found" molds IS dicey... flexible plastic and cartons are tricky because handling after pouring can put stress on the fragile structure of the cooling candle that later becomes a faultline, leading to the Grand Canyon... I have seen some kool mold lifter rigs here and there that look like they would make handling much easier on the baby candle... Metal or hard plastics (abs, etc.) are more reliable solutions because of the support they give to the candle inside. I use molds a lot in other artistic pursuits and have eaten my share of castings because the mold I was using was too flimsey or (ESPECIALLY!!!) because I couldn't keep my dang HANDS off it!!:rolleyes2 I am my own worst enemy when it comes to cracks...:rolleyes2 My tastes run to rustic things, so I love using "found" materials - more bucks to spend on da smell-goods!

WoW!! Thanks for all da nice words, folks!! Me and the DIL were so fired up last night, we worked all night. We made several plain shells that we are gonna apply botanical suff to today; we picked camellias at 1 am (the neighbors don't even bother to wonder what da crazy people next door are doin' anymore...) and this was my third attempt... I am proud of this one. It lacks finesse, but we're gettin' there... YAHOO!! We is havin' fun now, yeah!! :yay:

We IDOLIZE yo' stuff!! ALL Hail Donita!!!

I've made up several batches of palm pillars and votives and had zero trouble with sticking. I did use the palm stearic acid recommended - 1-3 tablespoonfuls per pound of wax. We used the minimum for the first batch and worked our way up to the maximum. We are not using purchased molds right now - using "found" molds like plastic containers, milk cartons, etc. Even the little glass flowerpots make nice molds (be SURE there is no "lip" that bulges inward on the rim of the glass, however, or the candle will hang in the mold). We do clean up the glass "molds" before repouring, but when the others get funky, into the trash they go! I don't NEED more stuff to wash... We, too, heat the molds and wipe them out with paper towels - works very well for soy and palm, although the container soy cleans up the easiest of everything we have tried thus far... I just got in some soy for pillars today - have not made any yet, but the votives I made earlier just dropped out in my hand! We love soy and palm wax - especially palm because of the interesting effects one can achieve with it. Not sure about candlemaking, but one should pay attention to the composition of the mold as well as the casting material when choosing release. Certain agents that work well for metal or abs plastic will eat latex alive, etc. Good luck - hope you're havin' fun!!

Thanks, Luke - I love ragged edges too, but this one was unintentional - it's a BOOBOO!! :rolleyes2 Because the first one I made was too thick, I was really paying attention to the thickness of the wall and got it a leedle too thin... That's all right - I'll get it dialed in!! We have been waiting on a shipment of wax to try these - nearly snached the UPS guy's arms off grabbin' the box this afternoon!! Thanks to Donita and others who have graciously shared their techniques so I could bumble through this. Can hardly wait for my DIL to get home so we can play some more (although I'm not wild about wandering around in the dark looking for more greens...). ROTFLMAO - not THAT L.A.!! Southeast Louisiana - Katrina country.

I really admire those!! They remind me of japanese viewing stones!! Wonderful!!!:yay:

This is my second attempt - the first one was too thick, etc. Eve though this one is far from perfect, I was very satisfied with this as a first (second) attempt... Maidenhair ferns grow under my house all year long. Even though it's too early, there are a few azaleas trying to peek out - these are some of the first Pride of Mobile red azaleas... Thanks for lookin'.

WOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!! :shocked2: Sigh!!! I so love your hurricane!! Re: dipping big 'uns... engine hoist? Hoyer lift? power winch and a come-along? modified garage-door opener? :yay: I can hardly wait to try one of these!!

Hi Pam - I sure do like that candle! About the air bubbles... Did you use a release agent on the rubber? The release not only helps the candle to slip out of the mold, but it helps diminish the surface tension of the mold material so that pesky air bubbles do not stick to it so readily. In other media, vibration is used to help air bubbles group and rise to the surface. I have a hand-held hand massager thingy that does a great job on air bubbles... Maybe you could dip the candle to coat over the bubbles... I hope you can find what's causing the bubbles and a solution, 'cause that mold is BEE-YOU-TEE-FULL!!! Good luck!

WoW, thanks for all the nice words, everybunny!! We've only been pouring candles since November. We began on soy, but I wanted to try some palm... We hadda great time wandering around the table with bits of colors in cans making the layers. My husband took some to show his friends and they buy stuff faster than we can make it! Have been over the hurricanes in the gallery here... dey are NEXT on the agenda! Coulda used some of them last summer... The nicest and funniest thing I have heard about the candles was after the folks bought out last week's candles, the bartender was serving drinks holding one of the purple votives up to her nose!

Tedious, but we liked these from last week's batch... Thanks for looking.