EmpressC

Thanks for clearing that up for me, Robin! I've been using 1 oz per pound, so maybe I'll start up'ing it to 1.5 ozs.

Hi all. I am hoping some of you can clear up some confusion for me. When calculating how much FO to use, should the calculation be based on wax weight or volume? I know that 16 oz. of solid wax is 20 oz. when melted. So, should I be calculating the amount of FO to use based on the 16 or the 20 ounces? I am asking because I always feel my candles are a bit weaker than they should be. Hope this makes sense. Thanx.

Absolutely beautiful...what wax is that, BTW?

Very pretty!!! I really liked that scent in the bottle, so I did a rustic pillar with Ocean scent, but for some reason I totally detested the scent once it cured. Everyone else who smells it seems to love it though. So I guess it's just me. All the same, your pillars look lovely.

I am just glad you mentioned this new supplier. They are WAY closer to me than BCN! Prices are a tad higher, but they are so close I could just go pick up my orders and never have to pay for shipping again! Yay!!! :highfive:

Thanx for the input. Wow! I was thinking the CD12 was better, so it's good I asked. I'll continue to let them both burn to see the results. I also have an LX20 burning as well. It looked pretty similar to the CD10, so I didn't bother to post that pic. Based on your comments, I suppose the LX20 might not be a bad choice, since it is less expensive. Although with regard to soot, the CD wicks seem to be superior. I also had an HTP tester but it was sooting like crazy, so I decided against it after the first 3 hour burn. Thanks and any additional comments are welcome.

Hi all. Even though I'm posting pics, I didn't think this should go in the gallery section cuz it's really not a beautiful finished creation. It's just a test. Anyhoo... I am testing CD10 and CD12 wicks in a 3 x 3 x 4.5 square pillar, 4625 wax. I would like some input on which wick you all think is doing better. The CD10 appears to be tunnelling. The CD12 seems to be burning more wax, but I am not sure if it's burning too much. What do you think? Apologies for the crudity of pics...they were taken with my cell phone. First one is CD10, last two are CD 12. Any input would be greatly appreciated. TIA. Edited to add: the CD10 is after 2 3-hour burns. The CD12 is after 3 3-hour burns.

Gonna be making (and testing) pillars in various scents: Sage & Lemongrass, Misbehavin and Christmas Splendor. I have no idea what my house will smell like when I'm done. :undecided

I wouldn't have considered it a "dumb" question in the first place. There's no such thing...unless one is asking a question they already know the answer to. Now THAT would be dumb. As for using the search feature, OK GOT IT. We know that the Blessed, Hallowed search feature is under-used. But if a person has a quick question they want to ask, they are free to ask it WITHOUT going to the Righteous, Most High search feature. Other users can either answer the question or they can direct the person to Our God the search engine. That poor, lonely search feature. We simply MUST use it more often!!!

Agreed, that was harsh. I have to admit, before finding this board, I didn't know what tarts were either. Why is that something everyone should automatically know???

Thanx Steph. I agree, I didn't seem to have this problem before. May I ask, at what temp do you add FO and dye? I originally was heating to 175, then add FO and dye, then pour. Lately I've been heating to 185. Could it be I'm letting it get too hot??? Hadn't thought of that before.

I know EXACTLY what you're feeling. I started small in terms of buying supplies, just to test the waters. I swear, they must put some mojo on the starter kits cuz not that I've re-ordered (ratherly largely cost-wise), I am running into all sorts of issues!!! I guess I do still enjoy what I'm doing, but it's so frustrating at times when things that I've done before don't turn out the same. C'est la vie!

If I had not already purchased so much of it, I would try another wax. In fact, I do have some 1343 as well, but I haven't really tried it yet. I started out with a 10-lb slab of 4625, but I don't recall that having this same effect. So I purchased a lot more. And now that I'm using it I am noticing it. I guess I will just have to get used to it for now.

Hurricanes?

Can't I just use stearic? I already have that.

OK, thanx Top. I'll give those suggestions a try.

Thanx for the response. However, if that were the case, I'd expect it to appear translucent throughout. But it's not. It is more translucent near the edges, as if the color just isn't settling there.

:whistle: I did try doing a search...just did not come up with anything pertinent. I know I can't be the only person who's ever experienced this!!

Anybody??? :undecided

OK, so I'm getting pretty close to a perfect candle. My problem is that the edges of my candles seem to have a faded look compared to the middle part of the candle. This is coming right out of the mold. It seems that the color is more translucent near the edges. Any idea why this is happening? I'm using IGI 4625 preblended paraffin, 1/8 tsp UV inhibitor, liquid dye from Cajun Candle. Seems to happen regardless of FO, but in this case I'm using Cool Water (Davidoff Type). Is it the brand/type of dye, the wax or something else? TIA.

What size is that pillar? I'd be curious to know how the votive hold is placed in there as well.

I am burning another of the votives with an LX12. I originally thought it might be too big. Guess I was wrong. :smiley2: I can now smell the scent (faintly) in the room. So I'll pour another batch with adequate FO and test again. Thanx.

Thanx for the responses. I used a 1oz sample of FO. Didn't even consider that it might not be enough. And yep, I did purchase sample packs of several different wicks (zinc, RRD, performa, paper core, HTP, hemp....not sure of what else). Well, knowing that about wicks and FO amounts gives me hope. I absolutely LOVE the fragrance so wouldn't want to abandon it. That's why this forum is great. Always someone available to give a quick and helpful response. Thanx again! Back to testing...

I used 20 oz. IGI 4794 votive wax with 1 oz. Peak's Sage & Lemongrass FO. The cold throw is VERY strong and fabulous. I was so impressed that I immediately purchased 32 oz. of the FO. About 2 weeks later, I test burned two votives, one wicked with LX8 and the other LX10. However, when all throughout the burning, I had NO smell. I thought perhaps I was experiencing candle nose, so I left home for about 30 minutes and came back. Still couldn't smell a thing. I placed the candles in two different rooms, each of which I had tested candles in in the past. However, I've never used the LX wicks before. So I'm not sure if the wick could affect the smell (although I doubt that) or if I did something wrong, or if simply the FO just doesn't produce a good hot throw. It's just so baffling because the smell was SO STRONG before I burned it. Any thoughts? TIA

I've bought (what I feel is) loads from BCN. What I want to know is, why the hell am I not receiving this infamous newsletter??? :awww: :tiptoe:...going to go check receipts cuz I don't think I got my hundred weight shipping discount either!!! :undecided