palette2006

I was wondering what is the best types of oils to use. I was reading about essential oils being much more expensive and limited as they come from plant parts vs. fragrance oils that are man made although there is a wider variety of them. Do most people use FO's in their soy candles? Is there a difference in quality of scent between essential oils and fragrance oils. My friend makes soap with essential oils and it gives off a very powerful scent. I use FO's in my candles and cannot get anything close to that. Anyway, I am confused on what to use and would appreciate the advise of the experts. Thanks, Leslie http://palette48.etsy.com

I really like the look of the hexagon glass 4 oz jars but I am having lots of trouble with them. I am using a soy wax blend and I get an airbubble in each corner of the jar. I tried melting the wax with a heat gun and because of the angle of the bubbles, I can't get at them unless I stick my fingers in the hot wax and I rather not do that. It has been one thing after another, I'm thinking of abandoning my hexagon jars just because I've had so much trouble with wet spots and frosting on them. Anyway, you all have been so helpful in the past. Hope you can help me again. Thanks! Leslie http://palette48.etsy.com http://www.sweetoutfits.com

The wax I use is 100% natural soy -PSW CB 127B and the wick size is 60-44-18 cotton. I was thinking of trying a smaller wick size. Thanks for the suggestion!

I am new to candle making and bought some hexagon 4 oz glass containers. I made some soy wax container candles and lit one and the glass got extremely hot from the melted wax. I know that glass does this but I was wondering if there are glass jars that would be safer to use. I read something about the fact that you shouldn't use just any glass for candles that it should be tempered. Not sure what that means and where do you buy your containers? Thanks!

Thank you for that information. I am off to the Michaels today to buy some of these paints! Leslie http://palette48.etsy.com http://www.sweetoutfits.com

Hi, I am relatively new to the candle making world and I would like to know about what types of paint to use for handpainting candles and also handpainting glass candle holders. I was reading about using paint pens for painting glass and I was wondering if someone could recommend a brand that they have tried and liked. Thanks! Leslie http://palette48.etsy.com http://www.sweetoutfits.com

My FO load is 12% per pound. I thought I had to add more scent because it was not very strong but I now know I need to let my candles cure longer. I pour the wax between 145-155 degrees. The instructions told me that pouring at 155 was the optimal temperature. Leslie http://palette48.etsy.com http://www.sweetoutfits.com

Thanks so much for diagnosing this as a possible problem. I will definitely try this to see if it eliminates the tunneling. I truly appreciate all your expertise! You all are great to share your knowledge with a fledgling like myself. Leslie http://palette48.etsy.com http://www.sweetoutfits.com

I am using PSW CC-127b 100% natural and 100% soy one pour wax. The wicks I used are pretabbed-cotton wicks 62-52-18 for 4-5 inch diameter containers, 60-44-18 pretabbed cotton for 3-4 inch diameter, and 51-32-18 pretabbed cotton for 2-3 inch diameter containers. I was using a 2 and 7/8 inch inner diameter container. I also bought these items as a soy candle making kit so I would think these are the proper wicks for this type of wax? I'm sorry I don't know what an FO load is? Thanks, Leslie http://palette48.etsy.com http://www.sweetoutfits.com

Hi, I have another question and I appreciate the help of all you experts. I have tested several wick sizes and all my soy container candles when lit will rapidly tunnel down like a 1/2 inch to an inch and then the burn rate seems to level out. I was reading that putting too much fragrance can also affect how it burns.I know that I probably put too much fragrance in. I waited like 24 hours after I poured the candle to light it and was also wondering if that is enough time for the candle to cure. My candles don't pool very well and I don't know how a soy candle is supposed to burn. I had a paraffin commercial candle and burned it for comparison. It never tunneled and it developed a nice pool on top. Are soy candles supposed to burn exactly like that? If so,I am definitely in trouble. Thanks, palette2006 http://palette48.etsy.com http://www.sweetoutfits.com

Thanks for the heat gun suggestion. That sounds like a great solution. palette2006 http://palette48.etsy.com http://www.sweetoutfits.com

Hi, I am new to the boards and just started doing some soy container candles. It happens with every candle where after the wax starts to harden around the wick, it's like the wick pulls at the hardening wax and then it cracks a little. I pour the wax at around 155 degrees or even at 145. I have been following the candlemaking instructions to the letter.I am wondering can I repour wax over that spot to try to fix it because that is the only small area that is affected. Why does this happen? Thanks for your help. Leslie http://www.sweetoutfits.com http://palette48.etsy.com