Lightning Bug

I've been trying to find the best wick for these jars, also. They just look too cute when done! Wicking depends on your soy brand and of course fragrance & color. Some soy takes larger wicking than others. EL container and Northstar's soy take smaller wicking than say Snowtops. In Snowtop's, I am using 2 drops of color and about 8.5% FO per pound. In light FO I have used RRD 47, HTP 126, CD 16-18 and Eco 10-12, in the heavier FO, I am at CD 18-20, RRD 50 or 55, Eco 12-14, and the 62C and soon will be trying the HTP 1212 or 1213 and Peak's cottons. None have been perfect for me yet. Hopefully someone will give a wicking suggestion and include the type of soy they use as that does make a difference. I feel like this is rambling, (hey, I am babysitting 3 grandkids today) but I guess I am looking for an answer also! Beth

I can't help a lot, but I think it was on Snowtop's forum that sombody mentioned they used their Orange Chiffon Cake and called it Wedding Cake. I haven't tried it yet, but most of their FO are real nice. Beth

Thanks alot. I just ordered from Northstar. Someday, I may try the making of them, but this is really easier. Thanks. Beth

Hi. I did look at Candlewic and didn't get to the part of how much they would cost. Actually that is very reasonable, but 500 when I have so many others already! I may end up trying the RRD 50's just to see. Candlesoylutions is where I got the ones I have, and I did just email them and haven't heard back yet. I just don't think they are now, as they don't mention it. I had also thought of trying to do my own, but I'm not sure about how to prime them. Can't be too hard. I guess you just soak the wick in the melted wax and lay it straight to dry. May have to find out about temperature and time. My candles are getting a bit better, so, maybe I'm just crazy! Thanks again for the help. Beth

Does anyone know where these would be available in lots of 100? I hate to have to buy more and find they don't work as well. I have some RRD 40's that are coated and they burn very nicely. Need a larger size, but haven't been able to find them. If not, do any of you make your own wicks? Hope someone has the answer! Thanks again. Beth

When you add beeswax to straight soy, does it change the temperature you heat to while melting the wax, do you need to do anything different to make it mix together, and do you still pour at the slushy stage? Thanks! Beth

Lastly, I've been testing 5 different 100% soy waxes, using CDN 16-22, HTP 105-1212, Eco 10-16, 60-62C, and RRD 40-47 in the sq. mason. I can get a melt pool, I can get hot and cold throw, but my flame flickers all over the place. I've used 6-9% FO, tried additives including beeswax, and used between 2-6 drops color for a pound of wax. I've poured slushy, and I've tried hotter. I've used 8 oz. jelly jars, 8 oz. square mason, and 10 oz. apoth. and hex jars. (Right now am concentrating strictly on the sq. mason.) Would the blends end this problem? Everyone says test...well, I've tested to the point I am going to give up and eat the wax...after all, it is food grade! If I use a candle capper, I can get a steadier flame. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, do you sell including a capper? I'm at my "wicks" end. Help! Beth

Hi. Here's a newbie question. Just what does happen if the wick hits an air pocket. Why wouldn't wax from the melt pool just run in and fill it? Had not heard that you had to poke relief holes in 100% soy, so just wondered. Thanks. Beth

Peak's cottons sound great. I did look at them but hate to spend the shipping cost on just a sample pack and then again to order a batch. Which two sizes would probably be the best sizes to use in the 8 oz. square mason. I'm using 100% soy with about 8% FO and maybe 2-4 drops of color per pound. Kerry, do you use soy and what size works good for you? Forget selling candles, someday, I'll have to have a wick sale. LOL. Beth

Hi. Another question. Can you just blend any soy and any paraffin together in various ratios or mix some of the purchased blends with 100% soy? I think I want the best of both worlds, but not quite sure how to start. Since I have lots of the GF 415, I hope to be able to blend something with it to help with wicking issues but still not smoke, have a good throw etc. Ya, I know, the perfect wax! One can always dream. Beth

Hey Moonrose 64...too funny. One of our cats would probably do the same. The other would have to be anesthetized to have a bath! As to all the basement users, what temperature is your basement? Mine is unheated but stays near 70 in the summer and 55-60 during the winter. Think those temps are ok for pouring 100% soy? I'm spooked enough to move it all to the basement...Also, the move would prevent my kitchen, bedroom, stairway, livingroom etc. messes! Seems once you start, you just keep expanding your area. Still LOL at your story! Beth

Hi all! I've been wondering about that also, since Northstar And C-3 Nature wax say 6%, EL container soy, Millenium, say 6-7%, while Bluegrass, Snowtop, and Millcreek all say to 9%. Will the 6% waxes throw at this level and if you add more, do they bleed? Carrie and Cheryl, I take it you are referring to the C-3 for the 9% FO? Just wondering as a few of the above have poured better than my Snowtop but felt that the 6% would not have a good enough throw. Still trying to decide if I should order different wax or just keep trying to wick the present. Thanks for all the help and encouragement. Beth

Hi. I think I will go both ways. As someone mentioned, some people really like the fragrance, but the color doesn't match their home's decor. And, on the other hand, I sort of like them pastel so maybe have one as the regular line and offer the other on order? Beth

Thanks to both of you! I learn so much from this forum and have to admit, it is easier than looking all of it up separately. And, Mnhorsemom, maybe then the RRD 47 isn't all that big. I worry so about big wicks and how many seem able to use 100% soy with smaller ones. So, Henryk, when the wick mushrooms because it can't burn all the fuel, do you need to use a bigger wick to burn more or a smaller wick to take up less? If you see this, give it an answer. Thanks again! Beth

It's me again. Just a quick question. Do the RRD wicks mushroom more than say the Eco or CD's? I know HTP's are better in that respect, but I dislike how they smell after burning. But, this is where I may have to go. Right now I'm trying different soy waxes and using the 8 oz. sq. mason and wicked with a RRD 47 and from 6% to 9% FO. This made ok melt pools on some (not total on all) but did mushroom so just looking for advice. Someday an almost perfect candle? Thanks again. Beth

Hi. I'm trying different waxes and two days ago poured an 8 oz. square mason with the Cargill. It turned out the nicest of four different soy waxes. No wet spots, no frosting, no holes. I had almost decided to order it as my main wax but maybe need to test more and see about the issues brought up in this thread. My question is what % FO do you use? I thought the directions said about 6%, and I am used to using more than that. Do you get a good throw at that amount? This forum saves so much needless purchasing! Beth

Thanks Henryk. I have two cats, one dog, and two parakeets. I had a break from the candle making while doing the greenhouse. That is when the birds were added to the family. The cats and dog have always had free run of the whole house. But, I made 6 tester candles a few days ago and lucky for me all the windows were open since the birds sit right beside my candle making area. Guess I'll have to move to the basement. Had been contemplating that anyhow. I had been worried that 60 degrees would be too cold to pour. But, will try and see how it all comes out. After all, family is family! Thanks again. Beth

Hi. Since I am using soy wax, I hadn't really thought about the effect of the FO on cats, birds, and dogs. Someone said it might be toxic to them, especially cats. Since soy burns so cleanly and should give a great throw, I wondered what anyone thought on this subject. Thanks. Beth

Well, I know what you mean...I may go with the natural tan colored kraft circles and rectangles. I am not real keen on the extra work of gluing! I had for a background, light-weight cardstock to make hang tags with and it has flecks in it and looks really nice. So I thought labels to match...but may have to change the hang tags. Maybe if I add a bit of glitter like they use in stamping I could make my own flecks? Talk about another step! LOL. Thanks again for all the ideas. It is so nice to be able to get input from people that are making candles! Beth

Thanks all. I had glues that would hold it to the glass containers, but was worried about the jar getting hot. So it probably doesn't matter because the jar probably doesn't get that hot anyway. I'll test some just like the wicks! Thanks again! Beth

Hi! Still trying to wick my 415 soy. For the first time, I had a candle with a steady flame. It was a RRD 40 in a 8 oz. straight jelly jar with slight color, almost full load of FO, and 1 Tbsp./lb. of natural additive. But, it took like 6 hours to get a full melt pool on all burns which effected the throw. I tried to wick up to an RRD 47 and the flicker comes back. Now what? Needless to say, I have ordered 4 different soys and will test them. But in the meantime, I feel like I should be able to get something to work. Thanks for all the help...makes all my failures easier! Beth

This sounds like a really dumb question, but I need some input! I made up some labels for my candles but can't find the background I want in readymade labels. So, if I just made them and wanted to glue them on the jars, what kind of glue could I use? Maybe it doesn't matter, but I wouldn't want them to burn up or turn color. Thanks for all the help. Love the new format on the forum! Beth