Sharon in KY

I am almost retired from making candles and tarts. Have Prest pots, Turkey fryer, plastic pitchers to mix in for over 100 scents, smaller plastic cups to pour with and a microwave. Been at this since 1999. I have used a microwave to remelt in for most of those years. It doesn't work with paraffin unless it's mixed with soy.

Any way, about your scale. Mine has done that before when it need new batteries and when it was going bad. I'm sure you would have noticed it before since we are checking the amount we are adding. Your just second guessing. Put new batteries in and see how it does.

The last scale I bought had a plug so I didn't have to mess with batteries. Love it. Good luck, it's not easy and can change with every order you make.

They are OK to use if it said "skin safe". Pink Sugar turns almost a chocolate color in lotion or soad. If these are scents you like use a vanilla stabilizer to keep them from turning.

Ms Clause Cookies smells like VBN to me. AH/RA/KY Toasted Marshmallow smells Like Warm Vanilla Sugar from B&BW to me. JMO Don't think I have tried NG Vanilla Bean.

CM is very good from JS, smells like the real thing.

:lipsrseal

No thank you, can you imagine if the kids got a hold of that..

Like if they got a hold of a candle or melted tart? Or how about eating my tarts cause they look and smell just like the real thing?

How can you all criticize her for coming up with a new (maybe new) product. I remember when tarts and tart warmers were a bad thing. JMHO :lipsrseal

With Candlewick you can choose the length, tab size, type of wax coating and type of wick. Sign up for email and you'll know when wicks are 1/2 price for 1000.

I would try 1 - 1 1/2 oz of EO.

Yes The Scent Works English Lavender smells just like Yardley!!

Really? I thought I had bought some from them and didn't like it. Always looking for the Yardley English Lavender though, love it.

Mineral oil and paraffin would be a good combo. No exp. date. Don't know how cheap it would be.

I have no ideal, I know the worst than Vaseline goopy type but not like Crisco.

When I do that and I have. I get a spoon and scoop around the jar, removing enough wax so it's below where lid sets. Wipe around top edge to remove most of the wax, then heat gun till all is looking great. hth

All the wax I've saved from testing, minus the souffle cups I filled & gave away (100's) will be made into fire starters to be sold at a fall benefit for animal rescue. I definitely didn't want to haul 200LBs of used wax when I moved, but anything I could do to help would be worth it. So glad I didn't throw it away!

LOL, I'm sure by fall I'll have another 100LBs to use, the way I test!

This is a great ideal. Making fire starters for animal rescue fundraiser. Could have a bunch made up and ready for the wax all year long. Thanks Also don't forget you can always use the sample FO you didn't like for scents.

I have wicked a jar and poured the used tart wax into it. Makes a pretty candle, all the different colored layers. They make great candles for when the electric goes off. My customers swear they still have a great smell this way. The jars I use for these are 12 oz Mason type and are $2.00 each. Also put a caution label on the bottom.

Hello everybody :wave:

I was initially drawn to this forum because I want to start making candles. As I awaited activation, I've read so many threads, I've just about gone cross eyed! I've also decided that maybe I should POSSIBLY start smaller..wax melts. I'm twenty years old, and back when I was about twelve my mom brought me to the local craft store, and let me get a gel candle kit. I was in love. Only later to find out that this 'kit' consisted of a bowl, a wick, and squeezing the gel into said bowl. Oh, and it smelled awful! Fast forward to now, I buy ridiculous amounts of candles, only to be disappointed that they don't burn evenly, and you can't smell them five feet away! I shudder to think, but I don't think I've ever had a good quality candle. So that is what brings me here, the quest to make some awesome candles, and melts! So, what should I know before I start? Any and all tips are welcome and appreciated

I agree a kit is a great way to start. I guess you can get either paraffin or veg(soy) wax. Check out the different candle suppliers. A lot of them sell the kits and several have really good instructions on how to get started. Find a list of suppliers at the beginning of the General Candlemaking next click on Helpful-Links-For-Newbies next

Abbreviations / Supplier Links link Good luck...

I just took my first Basic Candle Making Class in PA today and I'm in love. What a great class. Came home with some pretty decent looking candles for a first timer. I'm going to use Golden 464 (for jar candles). What wicks does everybody recommend? I bought CD-12 Heinz Pretabbed (10" jars). Is this a good wick to use? I'm hearing/reading that a cotton wick is the way to go???????

Thanks.

Luanne

I use GF 435 and the CD wicks. In a 8oz square mason the CD 12 in working good (for now). I called the wick company? and got samples of the Premier wicks. Have some I can send you if they don't give them out any more.

My favorite was to place the container " on a flat table" you know, so the EO won't spill.:tiptoe:

AH/RE had good Very Sexy dupes when I was using them. Can't help on RL Romance.

AH/RA doesn't have Romance, I need Romance the worst cause I have orders. Maybe I'll give SOS a try. Thanks everyone.

Hi Sharon, I had a family member request RL Ronance. I decided on WSP version, I made CP and a large ParaSoy candle and lotion for her. The CP turned out lovely but the candle at 1.25 oz pp had Zero HT what a shock. I will be able to use it for CP, but won't waste my time making candles with it. HTH

I was thinking about WSP but need it to throw in soy.

Wholesale Soap Supply has the best VS dupe and they also carry Romance...their FO are not cheap but they are very good and strong.

SOS also but you have to get their Ultra or Premium.

I went to Wholesale Soap Supply and they don't sell FO. Do you mean Wholesale Supply Plus, they have both. Do you have a link?

I don't use either of these scents myself but had one from RA that sold well. Plus I have had a few of the Very Sexy dupes. My granddaughter has the VS and mine is not near the same smell. Has anyone used the real thing and gotten a good dupe. I still have VS but want to get another that smells like hers. I'm out of Romance and not ordering from RA anymore, so who has a good Romance? I'm kind of out of the loop and need some help. Thanks

A small crock pot works great or a candle warmer with a candle jar filled with water and EO. I would ask in the Fragrance forum and see if they have an answer.

Love, Love, Love it! You are sooo good.

2 oz bees wax

1 oz shea butter

1 oz kokum butter

2 oz SAO

not greasy at all

I have made this recipe with Cocoa Butter instead of Kokum Butter and with Jojoba oil. Mine is always greasy. So it's the Jojoba oil causing the greasy feel? I'll have to get some SOA and give it a try.

Amish Friendship Bread smells like it to me. Others may disagree with me but I thought BW's Honey Gingerbread does, too.

It is a VERY popular scent. People love it. Straight and mixed with just about anything you could dream to mix in with it.

I have BW's Honey Gingerbread, maybe add some spice cake with that.

Thanks I'll try adding some cucumber, but it sounds yucky. No wonder I never ate the stuff cause I hate cucumbers. I know I can order it but I'm going to close up my business soon and want to use up as much as I can. Though that it might be a good scent for this cold weather.