Fern

SatinDucky: The LX wicks don't curl in pillars...the smaller ones used in containers curl, I'm assuming because the wax is softer and it burns hotter...but in pillars they burn straight and even; however, you do have to wick up. Just my experience with them, thought I'd share.

Dana...you're kidding me! That wax is OK6228?! I buy a lot of FO's from them and never new that. Had I known that I would have gotten it from them instead of WSP that charges an arm and a leg for shipping. I know where I'll be getting it from now on...thanks for sharing that info.

I use LX wicks in J223 and get great results. Very little sooting and nice even burn.

Welcome to the board Lorim! Very nice to have you join us. I think you're going to like it here. We are a very nice bunch, if I do say so myself.

Sorry to tell you this Mike...but I have yet to find a wick that is truly self-trimming...including the ones you've mentioned...they curl and that's just about it...and I believe I have tried just about every wick known to mankind. It's all deceptive advertising if you ask me.

I make 1 oz tarts and charge $1.00 each or buy a dozen and get two free.

Candle making is just plain expensive...there's no way around it. Some suppliers are more expensive than others. You want to use good quality wax, wicks and fragrance oils. The best thing to do is locate suppliers that are close to your area so that you can save on shipping costs or better yet, pick up yourself. I get my waxes from Candlewic or Wholesale Supplies Plus. WSP is very, very expensive when it comes to shipping and only use them when I have to. I buy my fragrance oils from Peak, Natures Garden, Wholesale Supplies Plus, and on occassion from Tradewinds. Oh, and I get my wicks and dyes from Candlewic because they have such a good selection and they are somewhat close to me. My best advice to you is to get a starter kit. Peak has a nice starter kit that you could try. Master that and then move on to your next project. There's plenty of people on this board willing to help you if you run into trouble...all you have to do is ask. Good luck!

I love the tarts too! I've got burners in several rooms of my house. Gotta have my environment smelling good at all times. Right now I'm burning Butterfly Garden...and it smells devine! I'm upstairs in the office right now but it's trailing up the stairway from the burner down in the living room. I'm still amazed myself that so many people don't know about these little gems...especially with Yankee Candle around who sells so many of them. I guess a lot of people don't buy their candles at YC, otherwise they would already know about them.

Standard tarts are about 1 oz each...Yankee's are under an oz but don't recall by how much. You might want to ask your client what size tarts she wants and go from there. Also, I'd certainly test the tarts first to make sure they are good and strong. I don't know anything about your votive wax as I use 50% each of OK6228 and J223. I add 1 oz FO to 12 oz of wax and get really strong throw with this formula. Just thought I'd let you know what I've been successful with...do with it what you may. Oh yes, and good luck to you on your account!

Yes...I take the wick pin out...unmold the candle...then run the wick pin in and out of the candle several times...knock out all the crumbs...insert the wick...then do the repour. I like your idea of putting a drop of clear wax near the wick and the hole. It seems easier than what I do.

You've got some very consistent mottling going on...I think it's a great mottle and love the color too. Good job!

Very nice E!

Nice colors! Good job!

Welcome to the board! I think you're going to like it here. I make my tarts with 50% OK6228 (pillar wax) and 50% J223 (container wax). I use 1 oz fo per 12 oz of wax mix (my tarts are 1 oz ea) and get very strong throw. Of course I use good quality FO's to start with so that makes a difference as well. Happy tart making!

Hey Dee: I've experienced that problem before too. What I have done is run the wick pin in and out of the hole several times so that it actually gets a little bigger in diameter, then run my wick through. When I do my repour, the wax usually drains down through the hole and fills in the gap. You're left with a little bit of wax that has poured through to the other side, but I wait for it to set up real good and then scrape it off. Sometimes this leaves a small mark where it's been scraped off, sometimes not...it depends on how heavily it's leaked through or how careful I have been scraping it off. Anyway, that's the way I have been dealing with it. Maybe someone else has a better way of handling this....I'd be curious to see what others do. Fern

Wow Vicky! Those came out great!

It says it's a votive/pillar wax...not exactly the type of wax you want to use in containers. I'm surprised that the rep recommended using it for containers. Are you sure she understood that you were making containers?

Sure there is something you can do with a 1/2 oz. sample...make some tarts.

I used 2 LX-12's...about 1 inch apart...could be a little less....what I'm going for is equal space all around the wicks and sides of the container so that I get a nice even burn. My J223 is finally here, so I've got a tester going right now in the Wally World container scented with Love Spell. Not exactly a favorite of mine, but it's for a friend...and man does it have nice throw. It's burning beautiful right now and no mushrooms like I had with the Joy Wax. Regarding the heart containers...I've seen members who have posted those in the Gallery...I think it was on the old site...and they used three wicks for those. I don't know what size they used but I'm sure someone will let you know once they see this post.

Did you try any of the LX wicks? One thing I do know is that you don't want to follow their suggestion chart on sizing. I had to wick way, way up in order to get them to perform properly. Now remember, I tested these in Joy Wax a very soft and greasy wax. The only thing I hated about the Joy Wax and why I switched to J223 was that it caused horrible mushrooming in all my wicks...and I don't even use zinc, which are notorius for that and not every scent would throw in it...because it is mostly soy. I have no idea how that would work for you in 1945 because I have never used that wax. Regarding that big mother of container...I have one too. My sister gave it to me because she thought I'd want to make a candle out of it. I haven't even attempted to wick it...and don't think I will any time soon.

Michi: I guess what I was trying to say is...I can single wick this container and it burns fine but the scent throw is no where near as strong when I double wick it. Maybe I'm being dense here...but I just thought it was odd...I guess it's not. Oh my God...I guess I have lost my mind! LOL It's stronger because the melt pool is larger and hotter. What a dope! I guess I asked this question before I was fully awake...it was a late night last night. Everyone else who was going to reply to this...don't bother...I answered my own dumb question.

I recently started testing some container candles using two wicks. I was using the heavy, square with rounded edges glassware from Wally World...the ones that have an opening of approximately 3". I was testing them in Joy Wax because I had run out of J223 at the time and found that I got way better scent throw using two LX 12's rather then the 1 LX-28. Both cleaned up the sides nicely, however, the LX-28 took a while longer...actually...quite a bit longer. The two LX-12's burned a little quicker but very evenly; however, it never got to the point where the container was too hot. Has anyone else experienced this sort of thing or am I imagining this? :undecided

Yes. The person caused a slight draft when she/he walked by it which caused it to smoke. It's perfectly normal and nothing to be concerned about.

Welcome! I won't repeat the advice of the others before me...they were all correct in what they are telling you. The most important thing is not to get too frustrated when you first start. There is a lot to learn. You will encounter difficulties along the way...as we all did... but there will be many people here who will gladly assist you along the way. So have fun with it and be creative.

I just received my FO order from Nature's Garden today and for the very first time I got a free sample...but it wasn't an FO sample. It was a little sample packet of soap scented Dewberry. It was kind of strange though...the soap was the size of Dot's candies...actually, even smaller....I received about 10 of them. I mean I appreciate a free sample, but all I can do is smell it...because I don't know how I'm suppose to use soap this small. LOL If anyone has a clue as to what to do with soap this size...please let me know.