silkysoycreations

Ah, ok...thanks for the location updates...yes I know where southlake is so now know general area of Lonestar. I talked to David that day...he was the only male there...maybe he just didn't know?? Very nice guy though and answered a gazillion questions for me and very patient. AAA is right down the street from Taylored...seemed to be a smaller show room and not as big of a selection as Taylored...just noticed their status jars $5 cheaper per 12. Good to know about Taylored fragrances as they had a whole wall full of them...could spend a day sniffing!

Thanks Henry for the feedback...sounds like a big difference 90 vs 70 hrs. and surprised wicks can produce that much difference...so much learning, making my head spin !

Thank you Kerry! I've been to both Taylored Concepts and AAA...bought only at Taylored which later I found the containers were cheaper at AAA, grrr. Both carry the C3 wax. Do you like their FO? When I asked Taylored Concepts if their FO were pure/uncut he avoided the question and just stated they were great (of course). I don't even know if I really need pure/uncut FO...just read some where that's what I should choose. I'm not sure where Keller is...figured it was far away but if it's close to Taylored and AAA then maybe not.

Great thread Henry...I'm a newbie so don't really have a lot to add but you're tests are helping me a lot as that is the same container I'm using on all my tests...different wax and wick but nice to see a pics to compare to what I'm burning, thanks! How many total hours do you estimate those candles to burn?

Here's the link to a pic of a C3 wax with a 60-44-18z...FMP after 1hr. 15min. http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i170/workingmomathome/DSCF0377.jpg I tried a 51-32-18z and it took 4hrs for a FMP. Both wicks were purchased at different companies. Do you think the 60 is performing the FMP too fast? And do you think the 51 is too slow? Container is still the libbey status/metro jar, 8oz with C3 wax and scent is creme brulee.

Mesquite is just as far away as GP so nice to know of some other places outside of Dallas, thanks! Anyone here use C3 and like it? Suprise not to hear others talk about it unless ya'll have tried and moved onto something else. I'll be looking for 1 lb. sampler wax from now on...got 2 10lb. bags...what was I thinking! Well I still haven't spent as much as I was spending on Partylite. I have a huge buffet in our dining room which has 6 shelves/4 drawers...all stuffed with those pretty blue boxes :smiley2: but I'm sure I'll catch up soon. Does anyone mix 100% soy brands to get the blend they want? I'm watching a C3 right now and it these tiny bubbles in the melted wax...didn't notice that in the C1.

So what does everyone do with their left over test soy ? Good to know Angela about the wick because I'm seeing that issue already. I hate to throw in the towel on C3 just yet because of it's outter appearance looks so nice in clear glass and I have a lot of it left over but if I can't get this next wick to work well I may have too! Thanks Geek about the GP location. My folks live in Bedford (HEB) so familar with that area...I'll have to check out it out, thanks!! So when you switch over to parasoy do you still advertise as a soy candle? The reason I haven't even thought about parasoy yet is I wanted the health benefits of 100% soy (just from what I've read).

Thanks Angela (btw, I'm an Angela too and don't think I mentioned that, opps) on the pour...I'll do it at 180 next time, thanks!! Do you not use C3 because you don't like how it performs, too costly, etc...? Yes, I had a couple of containers before I knew the difficulty involved and now focused on only one container for the time being. I'm seeing that as well even though I haven't experiemented with any other FO or dye yet...testing will always be a part of it if you change any factor. I'm overly ambitious & need to realize this all just takes time but one I'm willing to do! Thanks Angela!

What temp do you like to pour C3? I'm pouring around 140...too low then? I do notice the first pour is not as bad as the ones following so I can see how it cools I guess it gets worse. Thanks for the tips on C3...much appreciated. I haven't tried the eco series...do you like them for C3 or just in general? I ordered from Lonestar but only containers...not close enough to drive there, durn. I've only found two local Dallas locations but not sure if their pricing is wholesale. Haha, I was wondering what the length of time typically is for mastering. My hubby thinks I'm obsessed in just a week because I've been at it each and every day and night and neglecting pretty much everything else. I did only one test today...C3 with a 60-44-18z for a size 8oz. status/metro jar. The full melt pool doesn't start with a 51-32-18z until 5hrs. + in. That just seems way too long to me so we'll see what happens with the 60. Thank you candledog for the reply!

Opps, pool...lol.

Thanks Jennifer for the reply. I can understand that...I've now moved up to an advise giver instead of a seeker on a residential cleaning forum so I know what both ends feel like. I'm not partial to anything so curious to know what waxes you've used and liked? I was told to try soy120 so I think that'll be my next attempt but open to hear others thoughts. Also what is a general rule of thumb for when a full melt pull should happen? Is 4hrs. too long?

I'm another newbie to candle making from Fairview, TX (DFW area) and my love and passion for candles is what inspired me to take on the challenge. I have no background or experience other than burning candles, haha...I actually own/operate a residential house cleaning biz for the last 2yrs. I thought I'd make my own 100% soy candles to save money since I invest a lot into Partylite candles but so far I've invested a lot of money and the savings has not occured yet so not sure what I was thinking! At first the trial and error was fun but now it's getting overwhelming & costly. I'm hoping for a break-through soon but since I've only been at it for a week (every single day!) I may have a long road ahead. So far I've experiented with Naturewax C-1 and C-3 for containers with no additivies other than FO & liquid dye...both have their pro's and con's & even seeing changes as they set longer, ugh. Wicks I've used are 44-24-18z, 51-32-18z, and 60-44-18z. Trying to obtain a full melt pool with it not happening too quickly is still under works. Not only do you have to worry about what size but when it's best to double wick as well. The closest I've come to an ok candle is the following: 8oz. metro/libbey status jar, C-3 wax, pure/uncut FO & liquid dye (ivory & coffee mix), one 51 wick. I do like that the C-3 wax seems to have less wet spots than the C-1 but I'm noticing a lot of caving in around the wick each time so I've been using a heat gun to semi-fix the problem (surface not as smooth afterwards). Also when the wax hardens it's a different color than the original pour so now I'm having stripes which I guess looks kind of cool but was hoping it would harden close to the same color. Cold and hot scent throw ok...would like it stronger but not sure how to make that happen yet...creme brulee scent is the only one i've dealt with. I've been a lurker for a week and figured I'd post and welcome any advice, tips, suggestions, etc... to what I've mentioned above. I'd be thrilled just to make a container candle for my own use and to give out as gifts for family/friends and my house cleaning customers!