Holly

I am on a roll. I am trying to catch up on things. I got behind due to some unfortunate events, and now I am trying to complete some things for the holidays. I have done some searching online before posting this. I sure miss the old Scent Review archives. I feel like I need too ask to often now. I am short on time so reviews may help find the good ones a little faster. I need some reviews for the following Christmas scents from WSP: Bayberry Type Christmas Wreath Festival of Lights Home Sweet Home Mistletoe (compared to BCN's) O'Christmas Tree Other than a Christmas tree scent I need one or two more other kinds of Christmas scents. I am on the hunt. I already have Peaks Sugar Plums Berries which I love. I am still not sure on a Christmas tree scent and I have tried several -- Snowtop, BCN, tree blends from NG, and I am testing Heartfelts Rocky Mt. Pine right now -- need to go check. I may be experiencing candlenose. :undecided I use Calsoy CB-3. Thanks! ~Holly

Hi Jen, Thank you so much for the offer. I emailed Stacy last night asking her to let me know if I had ordered it or not. She said that I did not and that she was going to give me that one for my free sample, which is so nice of her. I had ordered the Cin. Buns instead -- forgetting about the Christmas one. Thanks again! ~Holly

Hi Kim, I would love to have another one but I worry about the same thing happening again. We ended up getting another Lab (yellow) for our Chocolate Lab. They have become the dynamic duel. lol So right now, that is a handful. I still miss having a Pug. She was the first one I ever had and they are wonderful companions. My neighbor's daughter ended up giving them a pug for father's day. He is adorable and every time I see him I think of Pugsy. Maybe someday I will get another one. They are expensive too. Maybe someday you can get one.

I bought one snowman jar last year at a local store, and I for the life of me can't remember where I got it. :undecided I would rather buy them local than have to pay shipping. Does anyone know who usually carries this? I was in Micheal's the other day and I did not see them there. I have not been to Walmart in awhile. Does Walmart usually carry them? I guess I could call around. Has anyone purchased these this year from a local store? I already know which stores online that carries them. Thanks.

You are welcome.

http://www.daystarsupplies.com/

Hi Kim, Is that your Pug in the picture? He/she is adorable/precious! I had a Pug named Pugsy. She was my sweetheart. Unfortunately, she was taken by a mountain lion in April this year when I let her out around 11:30 at night to go potty after making candles. I was devasted and I still miss her. She slept with me every night and was my "shadow". I love Pugs!

Thanks everyone for your reviews! I placed an order today and now forget if I ordered the I'll Be Home for Christmas. I ordered the sample pack and can't even remember now. I will have to email her to find out. Here is what I ordered I'll Be Home for Christmas -- I think Banana Spiced Bread Ultimate Vanilla Classic Mulberry Cinnamon Glazed Baklava and I also ordered Apache tears. I will order again soon and try some of the other ones you all mentioned. I look forward to receiving and testing her oils. Thanks again. ~Holly

Hi Fern, you and me both. That is why I have always double wicked in jars that would take too long for a good size meltpool. The soy burns a lot slower than the paraffin even when double wicked but a good meltpool does form fairly quick when it is double wicked with an awesome scent throw. It is just the last 1/2 inch from the sides and the corners that take the longest and if a person does not allow it to burn long enough there can be hang-up. I never had this problem with paraffin. However, I love soy! What I try to strive for is a complete meltpool in a faster rate than a single wicked candle but not one that gets too deep too quick. Also, I strive for a steady flame that does not become too weak or too big within 3 - 4 hours. I have had great luck with the flames in this soy. It just takes a little longer to get the corners and the last little bit on the sides -- needs to burn the full 3 - 4 hours (usually) to clean the sides and corners. HTH ~Holly

I have a sample of it. I will have to test it! Are you testing it in soy? Thanks for the review.

I am testing the WYW version tonight, and I think it is the same as the WSP Perfect Pumpkin. Has anyone else noticed this? I could be wrong. If not, they are darn close.

Hi, I have not tested as many soys as paraffin, but out of the ones I tested I prefer Calsoy CB-3. There are many who have not tried this soy because you have to get it on the west coast. Fortunately, that is a good thing for me. So far, I have tested Eco Soya 120, Eco Soya 135, Cargill C-3, Calsoy CB-3 and some soy/paraffin blends and the Calsoy CB-3 has worked the best for me. There are some things that I like better about the other ones but with all things considered Calsoy is it. I am sure there are many other good ones out there, but I am sick of testing. :rolleyes2

Thanks Vicky for the insight. I really do love the soy. It is a learning experience getting to know all about soy. :rolleyes2 I believe I do have the wicking right. I test, test and test some more. lol I guess if a person lights a candle an hour or even two hours before they need to blow it out, it is to be expected that the meltpool will not be complete. I know this, but others don't really know this even when instructions are written out and given for the best burn performance. I am not going to worry about it and be thankful for all the good qualities soy has to offer.

Hi, Swan's is great, but their website has been down for awhile. Their website is: www.swanscandles.com I hope they get it running again soon. ~Holly

I have a question that I always seem to forget to ask. At one time when I was strictly using paraffin and double wicking it was easy to get a complete meltpool within a shorter period of time. It was never an issue. Usually the problem then was getting too deep of one too fast until I finally found the right paraffin that burned at a good rate but still at a faster rate than single wicking. My question is: With a slow burning soy, what do you do for times when people cannot burn it long enough for the full meltpool and then they end up with hang up? I have some friends that burn for long periods and others who do not. This never seemed to be a problem when double wicking paraffin -- full meltpool happens much faster. But since this soy burns sooooo slow, even with double wicking it takes more time to create the full meltpool. Actually, this is the case with paraffin too that is only single wicked -- full meltpool in around 3 hours or so in a 3 inch -- an inch an hour. Of course with double wicking soy it is somewhat faster than that -- not as fast as with paraffin though. My jars are NOT made of the thin glass so it may even take longer than the thinner glass and they also have the hard to get corners. I can't wick up anymore because then the flames will be too big and not safe. I just hope that for those who tend to light it without having the time to burn it long enough do not dislike hang-up. Is this a bad thing that a candle has to be burned for a complete 3 - 4 hour burn for a full meltpool in order to clean the sides? One of my jars is just a little over 3" and the other one is about 4 (both with corners). When "I" burn I do not get hang-up -- just a slight residue (raindrops) because I usually burn the time needed. Any thoughts? :rolleyes2

Hi Sunni, It could be the wax, since you have tried several oils. Altough, I have read that if you add the FO too high it is not good and it can also be bad if you add it too low. 140 seems a little low to me. It may not be blending in well enough. It does not give enough time for you to stir it in before you get to the temp you need to pour. I used to add my FO oil no lower or higher than 155 with the paraffin wax but now I add it between 170 and 175. I do the same with my soy now -- usually at 175. It has worked great for me. What pour temp does your wax recommend? Maybe you can try adding your FO in at a higher temp -- at least 165 or possibly 160 and also higher at 175. See if that helps. If not, it may very well be that the wax is not the best throwing wax. I have tried a few of the para/soy blends and I do not get as good of a cold or hot throw as I do with straight paraffin or straight soy. I have gone through a lot of wax trying to find the one that works for me and Calsoy CB-3 has been the best for me so far. I also use JS-123 paraffin blend which is good but not in all of my jars. It is really easy to work with and wick and burns slow for a paraffin. It has a great scent throw too. I use it in wide-mouthed jars for the best burn qualities. The three companies that you are using are good companies. I do prefer WSP and Peaks over Bittercreak though. However, Bittercreek is good. The downfalls in using the Calsoy CB-3 is that you can get frost but this is different for different people -- depends on ones variables. Also, it is a soy so there can be those soy quirks but not for everyone gets the same ones/same outcome. Once again, it depends on one's variables: jars used, how much oil, what kind of dye, how much dye, temp of work area, environment -- dry, humid, etc. The soy guirks, can be: frost, dips, cracking, pitting/airpockets/sinkholes. However, this has not been real bad for me and there are things you can do to fix this. Calsoy CB-3 is a very pretty soy and it has an AWESOME scent throw (especially for soy). Although, there are some scents that just do not throw as well in it as in paraffin so you have to hunt around a little more. Most oils work wonderful in this wax. I seek out oils that have been previously tested in soy with good results. I have found that even though the soy/para blends are easier to use, I still prefer the straight soy or soy/veggie blend. I will say that Calwax has a soy/par blend that has a great cold and hot throw and that is the Calwax CB-30. It has more paraffin than soy, I believe. I did not stick with it because it did not work well in my jars. I had a little trouble wicking it. It is a great wax though. Good luck and keep at it. You will find what works for you in time. ~Holly

Hi LVN, I believe I have tried to pour at that low of a temp but it was real goopy and I don't believe it gave me as smooth of tops. I guess it can really be different for everyone with different variables. I felt too that I was wasting wax in the pot and if you really scrape it out it cools too fast and then the tops are bumpy. What kind of jars do you use? Do you use liquid dye? I have been testing different apple pie/baked apple scents. It took me a while to find one that threw really well. I even had trouble with this scent in paraffin. I finally decided to go with Snowtops Baked Apples. It throws awesome -- entire house thrower, upstairs too! I tried several and it even beat WYW. I also just got done testing Blueberry Muffins. Many are pretty good but once again Snowtop had the best throw for me. Here are some others that I just poured: Plumeria -- Peaks French Vanilla -- Peaks Vanilla Grapefruit -- WYW Carmelized Pear -- TSB -- already know this works in paraffin but now need to test it in soy. I am pretty sure it will throw Almond & Honey -- WYW -- awesome throw with this, but expensive Pumpkin Almond Biscotti -- Keystone -- not getting a good throw with this yet. I will retest in a day or soy. Perfect Pumpkin -- WYW -- it seems like this one smells just like WSP Perfect Pumpkin. I have not burned the WYW one yet so I am not totally sure. I have already found two pumpkins that throw really well (for a pumpkin scent anyway) in the CB-3 and they are Pumpkin Spice from The Scented Bean and Perfect Pumpkin from WSP. I am just double checking to make sure I have picked the best I can. I have many more that I am testing, but I don't want to completely highjack this thread. Let me know what is working for you from Candlesource. You can pm me if you want. I have never tried them. I will check them out. And, yes, I agree, The Scented Bean is awesome. They are great oils for soy. Thanks LVN!

Hi Jeana, I forgot to ask Vicki what temp she pours at. It seems like if I pour cooler than 130 (or sometimes 129/128) the tops are not as smooth. I know others on here that use this wax pour at 125 with great results. I guess it can be different for everyone -- what kind of jars, environment, how warm or cold the working area is, etc. There are so many variables.

I called Calwax awhile ago and asked what they recommended for FO percentage. It was not stated in the instructions. They told me that they tell their costumers to test anywhere from 7% - 10% depending on the oil and that they recommend 7% ideally. I use anywhere from 7% - 9% -- depending on the oil. I have never had FO settle on the bottom or come out and stick to the sides. I do get frosting with some oils but mainly because of the liquid dyes -- darker browns, reds, blues, and purples. I have been using the Pryme colors for the colors that give me the most frost and it seems to be working. However, after a burn, I will still get a frost line, but I don't mind that. I just do not like that blotchy look when new all over the candle. I was told that if I do not use beeswax then I should use the UA to help with smooth tops -- one or the other but not both. I did try it without anything and the tops were not as smooth and the frosting was a bit worse. I agree with LVN it really is a nice soy wax and it does have an awesome throw. LVN, what temperature do you pour and still get smooth tops? ~Holly

Hi, I need some reviews on the following: (I use Calsoy CB-3) Autumn Celebration Cornucopia I'll Be Home for Christmas Tis Christmas Vanilla Rum Raisin Balls Apache Tears I ran a search and did not find much on these. Also, if there is any FO's that you recommend from Day Star please let me know. I have never ordered from them. Thanks in advance! ~Holly

Hi again, I should have mentioned that in my experience the C-3 takes smaller RRD wicks than the Calsoy CB-3 -- at least 1 - 2 sizes smaller.

Forgot to add: I pour around 130. If I pour hotter the tops are not as smooth and I think I get a little more frosting. 130 seems to work the best for my situation. I may try pouring hotter again and see what happens since I have to take the gun to the top anyway.

Hi Vicki, Yep, I get the same thing. Drive me nuts. :undecided Other than that and some frosting at times, this soy wax is awesome. I have been meaning to try the stearic acid but just have not gotten around to it. I have been poking relief holes to make sure there are no air pockets underneath that dip and using the heat gun. The tops do not turn out as smooth as they are before I poke and heat the tops, but I sure don't want the dip, airline circular crack and airpockets. As soon as I get around to testing it with the stearic acid, I will let you know. Maybe someone else will jump in here and confirm that it does indeed help. Do you use a modifier additive made for soy or the "Universal Additive"? ~Holly

Hi Sunni, Which FO did you use? And from where? Sometimes it can be the quality of oil or it could also be that the particular FO that you used does not throw well in your wax. I use Calsoy CB-3 (soy/vegi blend) and I find that most oils throw in it REALLY well, but there are always some that just will not throw as well in it as another wax. I have also found that when I have tested some para/soy blends I did not get as good of a scent throw as with my Calsoy CB-3. However, this is just my experience. Have you tested many oils in your parasoy? Which parasoy is it? If you have not tried many frangrance oils, it helps to test several to know if it is the wax or not. Also, the temp you add the FO can sometimes be an issue. I hope this helps a bit. Keep trying.

Hi, Here are some companies that carry the "UA" -- below. Just By Nuture is the only one out of these three that calls it Universal Additive, but I believe they are all about the same. I actually did not get mine at Just By Nature but got it at CandleSoylutions. Moon Glow also carries it. http://www.justbynature.com/additives.html http://www.candlesoylutions.com/thumbnail.asp?cid=4 http://www.moonglowcandles.net/additives.htm Some other places may carry it, but I am not sure who. It does not state what is in it (briefly glanced), but I am pretty sure it is a vegi base modifier. I will say that the tops are MUCH smoother with it than without it and it also helps a bit with frosting issues. Although, there will always be some frost. ~Holly