Alohagirl

I'm wondering if you're using a different batch of wax than you used last week. There is a version of 1343 called "1343N" and the N stands for non-mottling. Maybe that's why you can't get it to mottle.

Sorry about that. I should have provided details: I use either 1343 or 1274 for my rustics, and only 1/2 ounce per pound FO. Sometimes I use 3 TBSP stearic and sometimes no additives. The cooled melt pool will mottle every time. Most of the time the white spots are not that noticeable, but sometimes they really spoil the look of a partially-burned candle. I also have that same problem with scented chunk candles. (See photo below.) After the melt pool cools, mottling appears on top. In this case I wouldn't want to add a bunch of stearic and vybar because it would reduce the translucency. TopofMurrayHill: I didn't realize that microwax will eliminate mottling. I've heard UA will do it, but I'm afraid it will reduce translucency on the chunkies and interfere with the finish on a rustic. Does anyone know?

I poured Red Clove in 1343 and a paraffin preblend. I found it to be pretty strong in both waxes.

Beautiful work--you've taken embed pillars to a whole new level! (Dang, just when I get the hang of something, someone raises the bar!!)

There's no vybar in my rustic pillars so after I burn them the first time, the fragrance oil causes big mottles/snowflakes to form in the melt pool as it cools. This makes the top of the candle look ugly in between burns. Does this bother anyone else? Anybody know how to prevent this? (I tried adding vybar but it screws up the rustic finish.)

Ah, that explains it. Thanks.

Hey, last time I was in California I saw giant hurricanes made from a mold like that. They were for sale in a bed/bath store and looked really cool with a votive inside because the whole thing glowed.

I like them both. Puts me in the mood for fall.

I just ordered a bunch of mini cookie cutters from www.coppergifts.com. They're more expensive but they have some great shapes the other don't have.

Okay thanks. I wonder why the other shapes aren't made in seamless aluminum.

Wow, that looks cool. Sort of like a glowing moonrock or something.

...seamless molds in shapes besides round, square and hexagon? I'd love to make pyramids and obliques but I'm afraid of the non-seamless kind after getting cut so badly on them. TIA

A couple of months ago there was a discussion about instant-read thermometers and how great they are. If you search the old board maybe you'll find it. BTW, if your broken thermometers were the mercury-filled kind, you do know that stuff is highly toxic, right?

That one on the right burned so nicely. I like the color too. I agree with Dee. I keep the FO to .5 oz pp and still get good mottling, but without all the sweating and bulging problems.

Am I the only one who read that and got grossed out? BTW, Fantastic candles!!

Wow, you have such a way with those. The ones on the old board were fabulous and these are even more so.

Nice mix of colors. I like "Jamaica" too.

My 1343 mottles bulge like that too whenever I use more than 1/2 ounce FO pp. For some reason it only happens to the mottles, not the cold-pour rustics, even though they have the same recipe.

Welcome to the board!

Be sure to add the FO just before pouring. If you let it "cook" in the wax too long, that can weaken the scent too.

Welcome to the board. Whatever kind of pot you have, be really careful not to let the wax temperature get much higher than 200 degrees. It could catch fire or explode.

The wax is called "production pillar blend" and the scent is Lavender.

I like this one better when it's lit.

I really like it!

Hey, that's so cute!! I love the dolphin.