BrandNewToCandles

Thanks. After reading another board I realized maybe the wax did need to be cooler. Next time I'll pour one at 130 and another at 100, see what works.

So I did my very first container candles last night with the soy wax kit I bought for containers. The color is not what I expected, but that's easy to fix. The cold throw is amazing, I'm letting them sit for a while longer before I burn them for testing (I made two, one for each type of wick I have). The larger one, which I poured last, looks a little rippled and there are a couple spots between the wax and the glass. I assume I poured too cold (110 as recommended in the kit). I also didn't warm the glasses before I poured. If I pour at about 130 into heated containers, will this help? I've done some research and I think that'll do it, just checking with the professionals. Also, the fo and dye blended really well in the wax and the wax melted easily, no chunks. Is this a sign of good quality? Thanks!

Turns out my supplies did arrive today, they were delivered to mil's house. I am now waiting for my peanut butter cup scented soy wax to cool to pouring temp. I am using the wicks provided in the kit and a container of the recommended diameter. I have detailed notes, things not to do next time. I have already learned that the maple dye chip is not light brown, it's red brown so my color looks bad, but trial and error, right?

Thanks! I checked the website and some of those fragrance oils sound delicious!! I want to sincerely thank you all for any info you provided. I know I haven't made a candle yet but I am VERY serious about this, I have been reading like crazy and the only thing stopping me from actually pouring is Canada Post...lol. I intend to use up all my supplies testing different combos and burning candles until I know just what works for me and I hope someday in the not too distant future I can share something with all of you. Just wondering, when testing, what should I take note of? From what I have read, I'm looking for melt pool, scent throw, smoking, mushrooming, safety of the containers, the appearance of the candle. Am I missing anything obvious? Also, do most of you sell candles? Are you pretty well set up? I'll be pouring small batches in my kitchen for my own use, until they get good enough to give as gifts, in all likelihood I'll never sell a candle. Am I the minority?

Well, I got one package today but not the one with the wax! I have my thermometer, votive molds, some wicks and 1 oz of orange and vanilla ice cream swirl. Once everything arrives I will have 32 different scents to try, should tide me over for quite some time. I decided to try a small amount of each fragrance/supplier first then buy in bulk the ones I really get attached to. I have a minor tendency to go overboard with new things...lol. Another question. A very close friend of mine is also trying candle making for the first time and she's planning to pour votives first then use a tiny drill bit to make the wick hole instead of purchasing wick pins. Has anyone done this?

Have you used the grocery store wax? Do you use additives, and which ones/how much? Trying to keep an open mind... Thanks. I've seen a lot about UV inhibitors, are they really that important or do you guys only use it for candles you sell? Great advice about knowing the brands, thanks! I hadn't considered that, although I had heard that some people keep detailed info about each pour to compare batches, a candle notebook, I guess. Sounds useful. The nearest "city" is 2 hours away but my sister lives there, so shipping heavy items to her might be a good idea, should be cheaper, right? I'm already loving these boards, so much info from all of you. Thanks so much! The mail arrives in about an hour, maybe I'll have details about my (hopefully) productive first pour later today. How much wax do you guys suggest using at first? I was thinking a pound to avoid a lot of measuring of dye and oil, since everything is premeasured. Is this a good idea?

Thanks again, this is very helpful. I will definately avoid the grocery store wax. I am in a very small town (probably about 500 people) on the Port au Port peninsula in Newfoundland. It is an hours drive from the nearest grocery store, hospital, fast food place, etc. The nearest post office, pharmacy and school are in the next community but that's about it. So you see my problem. Even within Canada shipping is high for me because of the island aspect... thanks for the heads up on brokerage fees, the sellers I bought from did ship priority post and so far I've been lucky about extra fees, but my two largest packages haven't arrived yet, so we'll see. I have bought from The Candle Source, the smells are great from the bottles but I haven't gotten my wax yet, so we'll see about that too. The soy wax kit is from Millenium Gel Candles in Canada and comes with wicks, so I'm hoping it's the right wicks and that problem will be solved. I actually only realized the complications of soy wax after I had bought the auction, but it was cheap, so...lol. Has anyone (most likely Canadians) bought from Canwax? They have a pretty decent selection, I'm wondering about quality. I hadn't heard of anywhere else, good to have a suggestion. I want to make votives and containers, maybe a few tealights and tarts. If I buy the tealight cups with wicks from the same supplier is this a safe bet with regards to wicking? What's a good type/size for standard votives? Sorry about all the questions, but I'm SO new to this. I really thought it was just melting wax and pouring....lol!!

Thank you! I know, I don't even know what I bought on ebay...lol. You confirmed what I thought about grocery store paraffin, I was just hoping it might be ok since that's the only thing even remotely near here (and I have to drive an hour for that)!

Hi there. I am a total candle virgin, I haven't even poured my first candle yet! I got obsessed with the idea a few weeks ago after visiting a friend who had made a couple batches. She spent a small fortune in supplies and I couldn't, so I came home and spent HOURS on ebay. I have now spent a small fortune myself but I am awaiting a TON of supplies, so I don't feel so bad...lol. I bought a 10 pound soy starter kit with 10 oz of oils, 10 dye blocks and color chips and a bunch of wicks, stickums and labels. Only then did I start looking for actual information and now I'm thinking maybe my supplies aren't such great quality. Will this be a major problem for my first attempt, or do you think it might be ok to begin with cheaper supplies and purchase more expensive, quality items after I get the hang of it? I have looked for specific details in the ebay listing but the seller was very vague, I guess I'll know this week when things arrive. I have also bought a whole bunch of extra fo's and color blocks, votive molds, paraffin wax, wicks, a thermometer and tons of cute containers. Is there a huge difference in fragrance oils from one supplier to another? If I want to stick to small containers and votives for a while, can you guys suggest a good wax and wick I might try? My trouble is that I'm in a VERY rural part of Canada and the nearest supplier is literally a plane ride away and shipping for anything with much weight to it is outrageous, so I'd like to spend my money on real quality next time. What about general purpose grocery store paraffin with the right additives, any good? Also, how many of you use wick pins? I haven't bought any but they sound useful... Any help you can provide would be great, my supplies could be here tomorrow and I'm excited to get started, wouldn't want to get totally discouraged by a bad first experience. Also, what is your absolute FAVORITE scent? Thanks so much!