Pam W

Henry, I made some Sweet Pea votives recently 1343 w/3tbs stearic & 1 oz FO - while cooling in the molds the mottling was actually rising up on the tops and the color was ozzing up along the insides of the mold. They came out really pretty but it was weird watching it. Even after being wrapped in papertowels overnight, they'd still slide out of my hand. The lady that I made 'em for was extremely pleased cause that's the way she likes 'em. All the people that I make candles for are requesting lots of oil so I'm trying to get as much FO into the wax as I can and keep it there. I'm getting a lot of feedback about how long they burn...since I've taught them all the science of hugging. You'd think that they wouldn't order so often if their candles last so long but it's turning out to be just the opposite.

Think I'll pass -- heck I spill enough wax on myself as it is

can't answer all your questions but as far as the heat gun goes, it does work on the shrink wrap but ya gotta be careful or the heat will shrink it so much & so fast that you'll end up with holes in the wrap. A blow dryer can also be used...doesn't get as hot.

I've been using Yaley's vybar & the directions say to use only 1 tablespoon per 2lbs but the vybar I recently got from Peak indicates usage at 1/2-1 tablespoon pp. I am heavy handed with the FO but don't want to bind it w/too much vybar.

I really like them better on the inside but the flat bottoms don't allow that. I got some 3x4 FB molds from Peak when they were on sale recently and I really like 'em. The cool candles slip out really easy. A while someone posted a link to a supplier that had 2 1/2' pins that will fit inside the Peak FB mold but I can't find the thread now.

This is probably one of those things that 'I shoulda known better' but learned the hard way. Been reading that it helps FO mix better if the FO is heated before added to wax. Ok, I heated & colored the wax, heated the FO(black cherry bomb), dumped it in the wax, gave a quick stir, took a big sniff and OMG - a hot plume of chemical hit my nose & went all the way to my tonsils. There was no cherry scent - just chemical. It was indescribably painful and by the end of the day the inside of my nose was blistered and sore all the way thru my sinsuses. Now, 6 days later I have a sinus infection. It's better today than yesterday. I can still smell so didn't do any permanent damage. Guess the lesson here is to wait a little while before sticking my nose in the pot

If you have some mold sealer, put a small glob around the wick pin to seal then stuff a tightly rolled piece of papertowel between the mold & pin stand to prevent wobble. Just about anything will work, even pieces of an old sponge. You just have to make sure you seal around the base of the pin itself. With the flat bottom molds, I pre-wick cause the wick & screw will make the mold wobble. I guess the bowl of beans trick would work.

the best part of making pillars, for me anyway, is pulling it from the mold to see what the candle fairy left.

I've poured several pillars recently using 1343. Some I used stearic for rustic/mottles and some I used vybar where I didn't want any mottling. I've noticed that the ones with vybar DO NOT weep where the ones w/stearic do even tho I used the same amt of FO in both recipes. Anyone else experienced this?

Nope, you didn't order wrong. I also ordered some and was disappointed when I found that they wouldn't go inside the mold nor sit level on the pin. I use a big wad of plumbers putty and press the mold down on the pin so that it's level.

bumping up.... Sheila: did they say what they wanted them for? You can't control how the customer will use something - all you can do is instruct them on proper usage. Besides, they can always to buy some at a craftstore. Sometimes I put a few drops in the mp of a unscented candle. I even put some baby powder FO in a little portable swamp cooler I have - talk about instant room freshner:cheesy2:

LL: you mean like this?? humanimal waste manure of human and animal

Scented, thanks for that info. Patchouli pillars are on my weekend to-list. Last Patchoulis I did for this particular friend were deep red rustic but I didn't use 1343. Not sure what color she'll want but she stopped by today to tell me that she & BF got married yesterday ... so I want to make the candles a wedding gifts & I can be creative. I'll have to browse the gallery for some inspiration.

I bet if you look real hard, you can find something laying around to remelt. Stoke up the 'ole BBQ, throw on a steak & melt pot at the same time. Wonder if you throw in some mesquite chips if you could get a Mesquite scented candle.

Hey Julia, Well, orders on the books as of now are: (all 3x6 pillars) 3 black cherry - flutted mold 3 Hot Cocoa - 2 cooling in the molds & 1 to go 3 Strawberry/vanilla - tilted layer w/Strawberry(vybar) on top & vanilla (stearic) on bottom - fluted mold. I made one of these a few days ago and poured the vanilla a little too hot causing slight blending of colors - ended up with nice strawberry top and light pink bottom with lots of white mottling. It turned out so pretty that I have to make 3 more just like it. A friend gave me a heads-up that she's in need of 3 - she usually wants Patchouli and I have that nice Asian Sandlewood from Peaks that I know she'll like. She always wants 'em triple scented. Since I'll be using 1343 it's a good thing I ordered 2lbs of Stearic. Of course, leftovers usually end up as tarts. Looks like you & I will both have a great weekend;)

Peak order just arrived: What shall I make first: Patchouli, Hot Cocoa, Strawberry, Cuc Melon or the freebie Almond Pastries? I don't believe that candlemaking is addicting...I started out with 1 oz bottles & now I'm up to the 8 oz'ers....I must be living on Denial Street;)

You did a really good job.

Now that's a nice set of candles. did you use 1343?

.....never tire of looking at candles

An afterthought here....the relief holes were visible only if I used the candle in the same position as poured. If turned upside down (which is really right side up) then the relief holes will be on the bottom of the candle and never seen........I've had a long day so I hope this makes sense.

Tamilea: keep in mind that 1343 will most likely seep/weep/bleed (whatever you wanna call it) any excess FO that the wax cannot hold. I've just started using 1343 and am still learning. I poured a 3x3 w/sandlewood and it did not weep at all but the leftovers I poured a little 2x3 and it weeped all over the place. I'm assuming it was because it was the leftover(bottom of pot) and had a considerable about of unblended FO. I made some 1343 pillars(non-rustics) using vybar instead of stearic and they did not weep at all. Just for the record: the 3x3 Sandlewood Rustic was made w/3 tablespoons of stearic, brown in color, wicked w/30 ply, poured at 155* - it's on its 3rd burn and doing great so far. there is a little bit of wick curl but I think w/hugging it will be ok.

HenryK, it's doing ok. Probably cause the candle is so dark. Don't think I'd use one this big in a lighter color though unless it's a heavy oil. I'll be pouring some patchouli in a few days and might try the 30 in that and wick down one size if necessary.

I can't pour the Hot Cocoa fast enough...friends have lined up at the door. Haven't tried the others but it's pretty much guaranteed that I will:rolleyes2

Ok Lin -- you've teased us long enough...

wish ya'll would quit posting pic of those pyramids......I'm trying to NOT buy any more molds:drool: BTW: like 'em