BrySC

Hmmm...funny you ask that about the weather because the past few days have been the first cold weather we've had. That initially crossed my mind, but then I thought it couldn't be the problem. But maybe it is. What do I do about the weather? Wait until April to make rustics again?

I've been making rustics for months and selling to friends and co workers, then last week, apparently something changed, and NONE come out right. EVERY ONE comes out like the pics. It's like the outside edge of the candles stick to the mold instead of releasing. I cleaned the molds very good just in case that was the problem, but that didn't help. I haven't changed the way I do anything. Any ideas? THANKS!

Actually the one's I make are pillars.

Thanks for the opinion J...actually I did buy the 5055 for hurricanes, but thought I'd try it for some chunks. But maybe I should look for a different wax. Thanks.

And I'm talking about the actual chunks, not the candle. I believe you're supposed to use wax with a higher melting point so the chunks don't melt when you pour the other wax over them. And 5055 supposedly has a high melting point. Thanks for any answers.

I've been wanting to try a chunk candle for quite a while...and finally did it. I made it kinda Christmasy...red and green, with Christmas Spruce scent. I kinda like it.

I'm wanting to experiment with something new, so I chose a coffee bean candle. I bought the wax beans, but I'm not sure how you do this. If you put the beans in the bottom of the mold, when you take it out of the mold, they'll be at the top. (since candles are upside down in the molds) So, how do y'all make coffee bean candles? I did a search on the forum for "coffee beans", but didn't really see how to do it. Thanks for any info.

Well, I thought you were supposed to use additives with 1343 to improve the finish, and from what I read, UA doesn't increase the "opaqueness" as much as the others. But maybe I should just use straight 1343?

Thanks so much Luci...I found them at that link.

KJohnson said that he/she got the beans from someone named "RE". So, stupid question number 2...who or what the heck is RE? I did a google search for wax coffee beans, but didn't come up with anything.

LOL Been awhile since I've played with the draped layers...aka "M" candles.

I have a request for a coffee bean candle, but not sure what to use. I thought I saw where someone once used wax coffee beans. If so, where do you get those...and won't the overpour wax melt them? I looked at the grocery store today for coffee beans, but it seems like a waste to buy expensive, flavored beans when it's not necessary. So, what's the answer? Thanks for any info.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm gonna give them a try.

I'll definitely try that. But the way I get pink is just with a little red. Is that what you used?

I did a search on the forum, but didn't see a discussion of this. I need a bright orange, but have not had much luck. I tried mixing yellow and red, but it came out very dark. I even tried variations...added more yellow, then more red. Still no luck. I bought orange dye from Candle Science, but that comes out kinda like "old gold" with a few drops...or almost rust with more drops. Is bright orange possible? Thanks.

Thanks so much for the nice replies. Everyone here is always so nice. The watermelon is my favorite also. I think I'm going to try it in rustic. (I find rustic easier to do also, so I'm glad the people I sell to like it best.)

Hey y'all. I haven't posted in a few weeks, but I'm SLOWLY getting better at candle making. I've even started selling candles to co workers. Here's is a pic that I'm going to post on the bulletin board at work. They're all rustic except the watermelon. Seems like everyone I work with likes the rustics the best.

So that's in response to my question, huh? Well THANKS so much for the idea. I'm going to definitely give it a try. I usually use wick pins though. I wonder if you could twist the wick, then dip it in wax to get it to hold the "twist"? And then insert it into the candle the regular way.

I've sold a few candles to some co workers, and I've had a few remarks about the wick bending over and causing the candle to burn off-center...which can cause the wax to pour down the side that it's burning towards after it's been burning awhile. Everything I've read says that it's SUPPOSED to bend over...so if that's the case, there's no way to keep it from burning to one side. Right? I've thought about the zinc core wicks...but from what I've read, most people use flat braid or square braid wicks...and both bend over. So...what do y'all know about this?

I'm far from an expert, but have been playing with rustics for a few months...so thought I'd share a few experiences. While doing layered rustics, I was having a problem with the layers coming apart after taking them out of the mold. So I learned that you have to pour the second layer before the first cools too much, so they'll adhere to each other. I've never once chilled the mold, and always get a nice rustic look. I don't use a thermometer either (like someone else said). I pour them right when I see the first signs of the top of the wax cooling. It starts out like little streaks.

To add to this question...what DO you use for overpour then? I assume 1343 with no additives? Thanks!

This is a good question. I keep reading all these "you MUST have a business plan" posts. Well, I started by making a few candles...then gave a few away as gifts...now have a few for sale in my sister-in-law's furniture store. Not sure what kind of plan I need to have. Just improve my candles, and sell as many as possible. I don't plan on this ever being a sole source of income. I'm sure more experienced candle makers will respond here.

Hmmm...cutting my own ribbon might be an idea...but where do you find paper grocery bags these days? LOL And I actually don't even know what rafia is. I'll do a little research. I do have the warning labels for the bottom of the candles...but wanted some kind of label with the business name. I didn't think about this before, but I guess I do need hang tags with pillars since I won't have them shrink wrapped. Now...where to get hang tags.

Hey everyone. I've been playing with candles for a few months, and have actually turned out a few good one's, which I gave as gifts. Well, my sister-in-law owns a small teak-wood furniture store and wants to put a few of my candles in her store. I only make pillars for now, and I want to put a small ribbon around the candles...I'm envisioning something like a ribbon made out of paperbag like material. I've looked at craft stores and Wal-Mart, but can't find anything like what I want. I've also looked on several websites where I get my supplies, but no luck. And one more question about labeling. What info do y'all put on labels? Company name, and maybe something that says "Hand made candles"...but what else? Ok...thanks so much for reading this, and any info is GREATLY appreciated.

Britt...did you have any pinhole problems also? Just curious if the UA did anything with those.