Jenni Wix

I'm not currently making massage candles, but I was wondering if anyone uses cocoa butter in theirs, and specifically how that affects the burn. Are there solids in cocoa butter that would cause more sooting/smoke and carbon build up, etc. Any info is much appreciated.

List of questions I have, be it in further testing or research. Do premiere wicks tend to curl (is it because I'm over or under wicked, or is there any hope for them in this wax)? What makes wicks curl, and how to prevent it ( i keep looking into it but don't seem to get it yet) It's really annoying as it off centers the melt pool, creating hang up on one side, too much heat on the other. Will tweaking the Eco sizes (or cD if an in between size might work) help? Do CD curl?

I guess I hadn't mentioned melt pool. These tests haven't been scienticic, but I am noticing especially with first burns, a bit deeper pool, than desired complete MP. Guessing this is coconut.

A little update. I'm having a bit of trouble wicking for this in terms of how it burns during the bottom half, so far I haven't measured glass heat over 170, but I'm watching them and trimming every burn. There's been hang up. I've had some fragrances somewhat to completely tunnel, and I excavated some wax to burn them further (for the heck of it). Others, have been soso in terms of burn. Pretty good throw in general for every fragrance I tried. Both Eco and Premiere wicks have needed to be trimmed under 1/4 an inch, even with the hang up on one side. wicks are centered as best I can, but tend to curl. The first burn with premiere, I noticed mushrooming, but no soot/smoke. I've noticed with various wicks that it melts/burns quickly, less hours per candle as compared to the 444/CW coco blend I was trying out. So. Mixed feelings. I like the throw. Its not leaving the glass clean. Idk how important that is. Testing was in straight sided glass jars (SSJ) All Fo's used were likely heavier, FPs above 190. 4oz 2" D SSJ Premiere 720 (may be a little under wicked, but still needs a good trimming?) 8oz 2.5" D SSJ Premiere 740 (under wicked? curly hang up on half) 8oz 2.5" D SSJ Eco 8 (Needed to trim the wick down to a stub last half of container, and finally trimmed it too short '~' over wicked?) 16oz 3" D SSJ Eco 10 (significant hang up on all sides, under wicked) I am most concerned about the hours of burn time per candle, and not burning too hot with an average wick length. May test other wicks, too.

Ditto on the phthalate free Cranberry, @Marleigha. I have seen Yankee Sugar and Spice type dupes around, haven't tried one, but I just wanted to say that this Yankee candle, reminded me of a true glazed (yeast not cake) doughnut, with just a hint of spice.

I looked up the wax I first tried last year. It was 10lbs of 444 from The Candlemakers Store on Amazon. It came packaged well and in the correct amount. I had tons of sink holes, frosting and pitting with every application though. I don't think it was the fault of the supplier. Flaming and California Candle supply and Northwood offer some kits or bundles with "free" shipping.

Yeah, shipping is usually the kicker. Amazon price from suppliers usually has the shipping price built-in, so it's never really free. The suppliers Candlewic, Northwood and I think Candle Science sell through Amazon, and a lot of people go through them. Fair warning, though you've probably noticed, a lot of people are having mixed results with those waxes. The best I got was the Candlewic Coconut wax to mix though it was still pretty expensive per pound.

I saw a fig and honey at Lonestar, but I haven't tried it. I found RE's Honey Bee to be quite authentic and strong.

I just made a small batch of very pretty, good CT ...tunneling candles. I too shall take a mental heath break. For what I'm not sure. Probably lots of hanging out with the cats. Chocolate...

I'm sceptical about the excuses when I see perfectly smooth soy and parrafin candles sold en mass at the local chain store. I am really hesitant to try any Golden or even Ecosoya with all the drastic changes. @TallTayl and others are right. They will only be held to account by profit being affected. Options may be limited, but accepting bad product isn't helping any of us. If the business of the suppliers is important to the manufacturers, that is what we can affect. I hate to say it but, upping the fragrance capacity with less ability to provide throw, completely random texture, these things are not user error, this is poor manufacturing. Trying to convince people otherwise is gaslighting. I can't stand that. You'd practically have to have a degree in chemistry, let alone the facilities, to correct the problems with, say, 444 and the Ecosoya Qs. Probably others too. It's not practical for independent crafters. If the business of our suppliers matters to the manufacturers, then our business should matter to our suppliers.

Sounds interesting, will have to check her videos out, @ScentedPleasurez

Sorry I didn't see your question earlier, @Dhara, glad you found that post 😊 Brambleberry's are pretty strong, some might not work in wax but they have some scents made for candles.

Probably wanting to sample first because I'm pretty new, and so much of what I try isn't for me. The lbs I want to order soon are Fragrance Buddy. Sugar Cookie Royal Moon Works type is on I'd like to get an oz of, there's plenty I want to try from them.... Just missed the sale. But they weren't on my radar at the time. I can't keep up with it, lol.

Exactly. 😄 I'm already working on my give away box. I'm tempted by one new supplier to buy a bunch of 1lb bottles, because they seem to have almost all of the fragrances I'm interested in. I've heard good things about them, but of course every oil can't be good or my taste. I have seen the light... More 1oz it is. Thanks for the enabling. 😉

People get seriously excited about hauls! FOr me, It depends on the mood of the video. For instance, say a candle maker made a special trip to a big shop that wasn't in their town, and shared her thoughts and goodies for anyone interested... kind of like what we sometimes do here, just in text. Or say, a British You tuber is filming their reaction to American products new to them. I like those occasional fun ones.

Dumpster diving haul videos (didn't watch, no judgement, not my thing), seem pretty out there. My weird thing? Dollar Tree Haul /DIY vids. It's been a while but... I've watched candle hauls and reviews, as well as FO hauls, because I like seeing their reactions and opinions, though, I take it with a grain of salt.

that's how I feel about my obsession with FO's atm. SMH. Family not quite sharing the ...er... enthusiasm. Must. smell. all the things!!!

@TallTayl That is wisdom. I keep worrying about all these variables when few are priority. The most committed to genuinely natural, etc, aren't going to buy anything with fragrance oils. So many things people can nit pick. I've been captive audience to a fair amount of natural/ health preaching, so I know exactly what that feels like. You're right, that's so important to consider when communicating. Saps all the joy from a little splurge. At the same time, I appreciate when people aren't BSing me as a customer. I think the most I would do is have resources of info for genuinely curious people who ask. One of the reasons I appreciate this forum so much is that there is so much information and perspective that cuts through some of the gimmicks. Some of the only venues in my area are pretty concerned with "natural" products. I guess I'm still figuring my target market out, and how that shapes my priorities.

Good idea to showcase some details about various possible ingredients, @ScentedPleasurez

*trial. I didn't answer the original question. ... It's hard to pick just one supplier for FO. Many will say even the good suppliers have hits and misses. BB, the few I've tried have been quite strong in wax for me. I recently tried RE, I like many of them, but only put a few in wax with good results. SOS I like for novelty, variety, and have found some strong, accurate, single notes. Some of thier FOs on the other hand, have seemed light, or not what I expected. I love thier sniffie samples. Takes the risk out of trying lot of things. Nurture Soap is actually great. The people I had sniffing OOB the other day loved most of those oils. They are primarily a soap supplier, but the two I've tried so far, at %6 in candles have been fantastic.

Hi @Dhara, I've tried the 444 with CW Cocowax, 50/50 and gotten any where from barely any to spectacular hot throw. Replying because it's similar and from the same manufacturer. I really think it comes down to the FO. For example 444 alone threw well for me the first time I used it with %10 BBC Gingersnap Eco 8, 8oz straight sided glass jar, 2.5" D. But, it's ugly, so, I added %50 coconut. (Still ugly %95 of the time,) but for example 12% of a bakery blend barely had a HT, with similar set up. 6% of a fruity/bakery blend has had a medium throw, same wick/wax /jar. A little bitty 4oz, straight sided glass jar 2 " D, same wax, 720 premier wick fills my large bedroom with just 6% Blend of Honey Bee from RE, Green Herbal -WSP and Cedar Chips extreme strength -SOS (hoo boy, strong). Note- this has unanimously been thought to be too strong by everyone in my house. 😒 😄 But that's a small candle with 6% FO. Just goes to show I guess how much trail and error there is with FO's. I've found similar throw to candles for a few of the melts I've made from the same blend. The bakery and fruity bakery blends performed about the same in a melt as they did in candles. Best thrower so far, hands down, for melts and wax was BB buttermint (now discontinued) 1 oz P/P. But I bet my little candle that could would throw pretty well as a melt too. FO's have really varried.

Well put @Forrest That kind of rules out some deeper cylinder glass containers I've considered. Better for throw if it's shorter and wider anyway I guess. I'd love the manufacturers to come up with some wider jars.

Though, with the paraben thing I saw, I think the seller meant paraffin. I'm a logophile so I try to usually understand what I'm saying, but I can drop a mean Maloprop once in a while, even with words I understood at one point 🙃. Accidents happen. Though, when things are intentionally misleading, ugh.

I'm trying to use crunchy granola stuff wherever I can because natural/sustainable is great, but so is science. I'm learning a lot here. There's a balance to create in informing of what is used, and promoting certain traits. I'm still unsure of what I want to use. But I don't want to BS my self or potential customers. Selling handmade is on such a personal level.

@Crafty1_AJ. I don't know why but that is a big pet peeve. Strawberry essential oil... riiiiiiight 🙄. Don't forget elf sweat absolute. It makes me feel like gifting them a dump truck full of books. One of my favorites is paraben free. On a regular old candle description. Is that? ...sigh.