hotmama

I have always used fragrance oils in my candles but want to put together a line of Chakra and Feng Shui candles using essential oils. I realize that essentials are more "watery" so do I mix them with some sort of oil base, do I use the same amount per pound as I would fo's?

I need to fill some 2.5"x 10" (approx) glasses with unscented soy wax. Just wondering what's the best wick for an even burn. I normally use HTP wicks in my shorter jars but they're only 6" long. Can I use a raw cotton wick and if so, square braid and what size? Here's a pic of the glasses. Thanks!

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I just used a combo of purple and blue liquid dye from Cierra Candles. I suppose any liquid dye would work though.

The tortoise palm wax was hit and miss when I first started making them but then I finally found a blog about the proper pouring temp and re-pour method that FINALLY made them a success. I used paper towels to polish these just after unmolding them but rubbing them with my hands does the trick too. I just wish my pillars sold as well as my jars, but oh well! They're fun to make!

Yes, it's the dupe for BBW and it's very pretty! I poured the 6" candle last and it's a little more purple than the other two...don't know why, it's from the same batch, just different day (?) Howdy fellow Oregonian!

Here are some tortoise palm pillars I made in Moonlight Path...SUCCESS AT LAST![ATTACH]21390[/ATTACH]

Anyone out there know how to make/get supplies for car fresheners? Kind of like the little cardboard christmas trees that hang from the rearview mirror type?

mama

Thanks so much for the info. been having trouble with this wax but I absolutely love the finished product! I'm going to try your suggestions!

I really want to try the wooden wicks in my January fragrance of the month but have never used them. My jars are tumblers about 3-4" in diameter and I use a soy/bees wax blend @ about 90/10. Not sure what size to order as they just come in small, medium, large and XL. Any input would be great as well as a reputable Co. to get them from. Thanks!

Does it have to be a soy pillar? I've always had trouble with soy pillars as the wax is so soft (even with the specially formulated pillar blend) that it gets too hot after a while and just collapses! I have some great palm wax that makes beautiful pillars and burns just as cleanly. Problem is, my largest size is 3x8".

Oh, too bad about the container vs. pillar. I absolutely love the effect of this wax. Check it out with my pumpkin spice![ATTACH]20607[/ATTACH]

I'm using a #1 square braid from Peaks for a 3" diameter. The type of palm is tortoise shell and I'm pouring at 200 degrees. Perfect burn leaving about 1/2" (maybe a tiny bit less) around the edge, then before you know it---eruption!

It seems no matter how hard I try to get all the air bubbles out of my palm pillars, about 1/4 down and after 3-4 hours of burning I get a crack in the side and wax pours out. Is this a bubble or something else?

I've got a tortoise shell palm wax and it's absolutely beautiful! Exactly what I was looking for! check it out if you haven't found it already

http://newcart.candlesandsupplies.com/Store/Products/Candles/PID-WAX-R2419.aspx

just found this post and FYI, JD Wholesale hasn't gotten any better with customer service. I ordered these warmers on Aug. 10th and it's still being processed (it's now the 23rd)...two emails later, still no response. Guess I'll try the number provided. Thank goodness for this site!

Coconut oil? Wow, I would have never thought of that, I will have to give it a try! I usually just use bees wax but even then I end up with a little frosting, thanks for the info!

Mama

I don't make pure bees wax candles, but I do add 10% bees wax to my soy candles. I notice a crack when the wax cools to quickly, like in the winter months as the weather gets colder and my little shop isn't quite as warm. I think it may have something to do with the quality of the bees wax as well, I notice it more when I have the bees wax/paraffin blend. I think you're going to have to remelt your wax and repour if you want to get rid of the crack as it probably goes all the way to the bottom of the candle. If it's just a surface crack, try melting the top with a heat gun and let it cool slowly. Not sure if I helped, but thought I'd ponder the question with you!

Mama

Depending on how much wax you want to melt, my presto pot holds about 8 lbs. and I love it. Commercial melters are very expensive, so depending on your output, I would just go with a couple presto pots. I bought mine already converted, but I think it's fairly easy to do it yourself. Good luck!

Mama

I used some expired GB soy wax, the box said to use it within one year of the date stamped on the box, anyway, the only thing I noticed is that it seemed to frost a lot. Not sure if it had anything to do with the expiration or just the brand. I put 10% bees wax in my soy. Helps with color, burn and keeps the tops smooth and shiny.

Mama

I started off using chips but switched to liquid as it's easier to mix colors and regulate shades. I buy from either Peaks or Cierra Candles. Don't worry about the strong smell of the liquid, it dissipates once you mix it into the wax.

Mama

Weird! That has never happened to me, so I guess I'm not any help! Did you switch brands? Do you use any beeswax in with the soy? Wow, hope you figure it out, I'm dying to know what caused this.

Mama:confused:

Usually a flickering wick is caused from some impurities in the wax. I had that issue when I was using unfiltered beeswax in my sox. The wick gets clogged and causes the wick to flicker. Maybe the jars was dusty? I know buy only filtered beeswax, as I couldn't successfully filter it myself. Hope this helps!

Mama:)

My candles do the same, never had a complaint. Seeing where I poked relief holes doesn't affect the burn. When I don't poke holes, the wick burns down to the bottom in about 2 minutes and then it's useless. I would rather have my customers ask me about the holes and give me a chance to explain, than never hear from them again because of a bad experience. Most people understand.

Presto Pots are the way to go! They have a thermostat so you can keep the wax at very low temps. and it's ready to go when you are!

Mama

Is it a container candle or a pillar? If it's a container, the ultimate goal for me is to get a melt pool around the entire perimeter of the jar. This can take a couple of hours. If it's a pillar, I generally go for a melt pool out to about 1/2" from the edge. Are you using pure soy or a blend?

Mama