Hope

Ditto Deb & Top's advice. I use same EL wax. One experiment, I used same candle cooking procedures, except the heating temp. (I remove, then add FO immediately). One was 150F, the other was 180F (temp. range of instructions). I wanted to see if/what differences there were. 150F didn't mix as well as the 180F. 180F seemed to have a better hot/cold throw overall.

Plastic votive holders? BTW, a 'tight fitting' holder doesn't mean that every millimeter of the votive needs to be hugged to death! It just need to be close fitting enough so that when the wax becomes molten, you'll have a nice diameter for that melt pool. Otherwise, if burned like a pillar.... lots of wasted wax. See my pic? You can get votive holders like that at a local dept. store. Maybe you can just let the votive situation sit a day or so, and come back to it later. That helps me sometimes. Don't give up on it yet! Don't let the votive win..

Bern, Here's a glass holder that I've been testing with. Well,... I wanted to see how my camera's work ethic translates to this board too. Votive holder is approx. 2"w x 2 3/4". Quarter is for visual comparison. Good luck!

Haven't checked how they burn in relation to cotton wicks. They do have some nice characteristics when I was testing with them, although I don't presently use them (only 6 sizes, if I remember correctly). Here's a link for where they're made. Min. order for pre-wax, cut, and tabbed is listed at 5000 pcs. wickstore.com HTH!

Can you tell us the % amount of soy in the wax? I understand that exact formulations would be proprietary. I just got through reading the last 16 pg. thread (GW464), popped on back to veg. candles, & here you are again! I'm interested in reading the testing that follows...

Here's a paraffin to try: 123 MJK paraffin. Works wonders!

There is a thread on the Candlesoylutions msg. board that explains some of the soy-based FO originations and such. Probably something to post on their msg. board, they're nice and helpful. I haven't used EL or CSoylutions FO, so no opinion there. I'll eventually check them (EL FO) out since I use their wax, and they test the FO's in their wax. (When more $ becomes available! :smiley2: ) Northstar. Rrrrrr. There are some opinions and commentary on them on this board. I tried the (12) 1 oz. FO deal. Short of giving a detailed review, I'll just say... unimpressed. I did try to contact them, to no avail. HTH!

Started with scraps copied onto notebook paper, now... various templates specific for experiment (whatever I happen to be testing for). Arranged by date, exp. type, then indexed, put in 3-ring binders.

It could be art, like Elyse commented. Or, perhaps used in a Roschach-y type test. Best to keep the lid on, after 12 hr. incubation, it may be sentient.

Wow! Happy shroom picking! For size comparison, what is the diameter of the wax surface?

Book reviews, author interviews.

Yippee! We get a magazine! Maybe you could have something like a Cosmo type quiz: Is s/he seeing other candles? or How do you manage your feelings at the end of a candle's life? ...just kidding! A bit more seriously, articles on websites and technology pertinent to the business.

Found it in the archives. Sorry, although I not new with computers, this is my first msg. board.

That's a very helpful link and thanks for looking, Candle Man. But I am experimenting with waxing my own wicks to compare with prewaxed wicks. So far, there is a difference between wicks I tested. I'm just trying to make a decision with the next batch of wicks I'll be ordering, raw or waxed. Again, thank you!

if it exists here. I thought I read one here at one time, maybe I'm mistaken. I tried using the search function without success. Any help? TIA

I might be mistaken here, but the diameter in that pic looks like it might be a poured flower pot. If thats the case, I've used the 44-36-18c before for personal use candles.

Hi Japes! Welcome to the board! Although I am pretty new to the board and candlemaking, I did alot of research on candlemaking and the components before ordering anything. It sounds like you want to make a great candle but are a little hazy on how to do it. I've never bought a kit, so I can't personally vouch for them. However, they do seem like a wonderful way to have all or most of the things to make a candle. Anyhow, waxes have different characteristics. It might help to read the manufacturer's and/or distributer's description. Also, price, local availability, or shipping to your area, msg. board comments on the wax, and don't forget to do a background check since it'll be working for you... just kidding! Wicks, research and sampler packs! Mmmm samplers, ooops! Wicks, not Whitman's! FO, same. This seems to take the most time and money, IMO. So basically, lots of R&D. Take the time and make it your own, and have fun!

Stacie, although I don't sell yet, I wouldn't be too upset about the imports. I think it would cater to a different market. For that thought, I think we all have different markets which we target. Prims, spa-type, dupes, etc. I haven't checked your site, if you have one... (I'm staying away from other's sites and candle gallery till I have my own hammered out ) but I'm sure you'll still have customers who will want your candles. BTW, did you happen to check out 'AS082, $.72', it's under "Houseware/Garment". Are they selling someone? Or the outfit? Sorry, I couldn't resist putting that one in!

I did a search on it before I posted. It didn't show, maybe I didn't search for the right words. It's past my bedtime, mind getting fuzzy. Thanks for the reply sudsnwicks, I'll check it out.

Congratulations! Hope the exposure gives you lots of business!

My significant other happened upon this website today. www.candlerevolution.com It says, "...creating a SOLID 6-FIGURE RESIDUAL INCOME over the next 9 to 18 months!" in regards to their home-based soy candle business. Well, now I know I've been going about this candle research and testing all wrong! I'll just have to join up and get rich starting next week. They haven't e-mailed back yet. I'm quite curious to hear their pitch. Thought I'd share the wealth... ~Hope

Do any of you more experienced natural wax candle makers find a deterioration of the non-chemically treated wicks in candles which have sat around for for long periods of time? Maybe 6 months or a year? I probably wouldn't be able to find the candles again to test with the dust around here! I imagine palm would be more acidic than soy. I'm still relatively new to making soy candles. I've contemplated experimenting with palm wax,... the feathering wax looks so pretty! Presently I've been using HTP's, cotton cores, paper cores (these 3 are A&P wicks), and hemp cores. Trying to find that perfect wick for my proposed containers. I use a 100% soy wax for containers. ~Hope

What kind of thermometer are you using? I just write this b/c I first used a probe type thermometer and was getting inconsistant results. Well, a glass candy thermometer gave much better results. Had some blistered tops with probe. Just a thought... Hope

Thank you all! I'm hoping I don't end up with candle nose: do use mask, ventilate, etc. Although logically I should wait for the testing results to make a judgement on these FO's. I just have a feeling about them.... :undecided I do appreciate the oob scent suggestions/comments. I guess it all goes with the territory. Testing, testing, testing.. kinda reminds me of a nice chemistry class. :smiley2: Off to the batcave, or rather the hopecave for more happy candlemaking! Again, thanks everybody! Hope

Thanks for the help. Hopefully after some curing, it will develop.