2rottndogs

I take alot of notes also. I write everything down...I keep notes on where the scent I'm using came from, what type of wax and where bought, the amount of color used... and so on.

I keep track of how long I've cured a candle and whether or not there is a good cold throw and hot throw. I'll make notes on the candles I burn. I don't test all of them, but I'll randomly select some containers that I've poured. I tend to test only when I've made a major change... wick, container, different wax.

I get to a point where I don't have the time to burn all these testers, so I have some friends that are more than happy to help burn the candles. I give them a list of what I'm looking for and they keep notes too. LOL...one of the *perks* of being friends with someone that makes candles... a never ending supply of them.

I've found the notetaking to be invaluable. I've made mistakes and been able to go back through and see what I did. And paying attention to the mistakes and experiences of others here has without a doubt saved me tons of time and money.

Kim

I don't worry about how the tops look for the most part. Some sinking or pulling away from the wicks is fine with me since when the candle is burned, none of that will exist again. Not to mention... I like my customers seeing some of that as long as it's not horrendous looking... it adds to the uniqueness of being *home* poured and not mass produced like some name brand candles.

I've poured at all kinds of temps.. hot, cold, slushy, clear... it hasn't mattered enough for me to work myself in to a nosebleed over. What may make a beautiful candle one day may not work the next.

Kimberly

Candlebuddy,

Let me know if you ever find that supplier in NH... right now I'm ordering out of NY... GAAAWWD!!!! Shipping is sooo expensive on everything...and it doesn't help that I live just East of the Cheese House. <--- local saying

Seriously though, I'd make trips to NH if I could find a supplier there close or fairly close to the Maine border. I'm about 4 hours from the Maine/NH border.

So anyways... I've looked at some of the other waxes that everyone else is using, but I don't dare to switch. Other than some wicking issues, which everyone seems to have, I have good cold and hot throw and I'm reluctant to try something that might give me more headache than it's worth.

Kimberly

You are so lucky that you can get it locally... I have to order mine and a 50 lb. box cost me $47 and then there was the shipping that came to something around $41. *faint*

I gotta find me something cheaper... the shipping is going to kill me before I ever make any money.

Kimberly

And what's your opinion of what you're using?

I'm using c-3... and I don't really have an opinion of what I'm using because I'm too scared to switch and try something else to compare it to.

Kimberly

Carrie,

You should have been there the day I caught one of my rum cakes on fire! I doubled the recipe, but I don't think there would have been a problem if I hadn't put both cakes in at the same time.

I opened the oven door and the rum fumes almost took my eyebrows off! Then when I looked again, one of the cakes was on fire. I opened the door, pulled out the pan and was trying to beat the fire out with an oven mitt.

Needless to say, I never made the rum cakes again.

Kimberly

OCCASIONALLY... I have issues with fire. Meaning every so often, I accidently burn something. My husband swears the smoke dectector is my done signal when it comes to cooking.:rolleyes2

Well.... I have officially learned to not #1. turn the microwave on for long periods of time when trying to loosen wax on the sides of containers, #2. some fo's are more volitile than others and #3. if you're going to leave a paper towel in the container to absorb wax as it melts, don't walk off!

MOTHEROFGAWD!!!!! Needless to say, I had smoke!

But!!! It doesn't stop there... I don't claim to be the fastest learner!:rolleyes2 I not only did it once, but I did it twice! LOL! Priceless... I wish I could have seen my face when I opened the microwave!

Kimberly

I'm as of yet not having any issues with my candles, but I thought if I could understand what the numbers mean when it comes to using wicks...I might stave of some problems before they even happen.

For example.... what do the numbers mean when I buy wicks that are labled like this... 44-28-18c. They only thing I figured out was that the *c* means cotton and that was only because my zinc wicks ended in a *z*.

Just doing some brain picking.

Kimberly

And so far so good. I have tested Amber Rose, Lilac, Pineapple Tangerine and I have Cantalope/Honeydew burning right now.

Every one of them give a great hot throw...I am so excited!

The only thing I would change is that I used some zinc wicks instead of my cotton. While they do burn a little differently, they still give a super hot throw. I'm considering myself lucky at this point.

I'm just so excited about the candles that I just don't know what to do with myself other than POUR MORE CANDLES!!!!

Kim

Just because I think their nice doesn't mean they truly are, so I have a good friend that's giving honest critique of my candle. So far so good.

I've lite 2 others so far with good results... finally... there are 6 candles ready for resale that I think are going to sell well.

Kim

Flyspeck,

I'm using c3 from The Jar Company and my fo's are currently from Brambleberry and Wellington... though I have some fo's coming from Bitter Creek? I've been to so many darned sites, I can't remember who I ordered from last week without looking it up!

The only fo I'm not happy with so far is one called Beach Breezes by BB. Throws great cold ... nada when hot. Haven't decided if there needs to be slightly more oil, needs to cure longer, might be better as a tart or if it's just a dud. I'll have to play with that fo at a later date.

Kimberly

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one using Wellington. None of my Wellington candles are done curing yet, I'd be interested in seeing what ones you have that throw well.

I also use Brambleberry.

Kimberly

Thanks candlebuddy,

That's Brenin and Madison on my profile... rottie 6 and 7. I just lost an old girl that I rescued... had her a day shy of a year and during that time, she was an absolute delight. I miss her terribly.

Kimberly

I'm not so sure any I make will stand up to a 5 year cure.

That had to have been one AWESOME candle after a 5 year cure!! LOL

Kimberly

Love the site, great pictures, easy to get around.... I have soap and candle envy!!!!!!!! lol

Kimberly

Pineapple Tangerine... scent reminds of some tanning lotions that Carribean Gold and Australian Gold used to make.

FTR...I hate that soy candles have to cure for so long... just call me instant...I want results... like... NOW!!!!

Kimberly

Whooooo Suzy:highfive:

Kimberly

I swore to my husband if this scent worked, I'd give up coffee for real. I didn't pinkie swear though!

Kimberly

The only thing I noticed about the candle was after it's been burned for awhile, put out and rehardened, it almost looks like there was oil and wax separation. The slightly darker places are hard too, but I'm thinking that must be the scent.

At this point, I'm beyond caring. All I care about is a candle that will burn well and throws a great scent... both of which it's doing.

Kimberly

I used the Cargill c-3 and the lilac fo from Brambleberry.

I do have Rotties and I'll answer to almost anything.

Kimberly

Thanks Carrie, that was exactly what I needed to know and ditto on the being thankful for this site... I could pick ya'lls brains over and over and over and still find something new that I didn't know before.

To the power pourers... may you forever reign!

Kimberly

I'd been cleaning the same way you are Jami, but it just seemed to simple a process.

Kimberly

Thanks Casey,

I didn't know if leaving a residual amount in the pot would make a difference or not...lol... I was envisioning having to buy hundreds of pour pots in order to keep switching scents. So glad I asked, you've saved me the hassle of breaking into a nosebleed over the expense of *extra* pots.

Kimberly

How do ya'll clean up after pouring candles? I mean... there's a coating of wax on stuff that you've used. How do you get the wax off melting pots and stuff if it's not recommended to let any of the wax down your sink drain.

I'd be interested in the clean up routine of someone that pours multiple scents in a give day.

Kimberly

I have had lilac soy candles curing for a week and after reading so many posts of people that don't get a good hot throw, I was scared !#$^less that I'd been curing candles that wouldn't throw.*faint*

I was sniffing them off and on through out the curing process and the cold throw was really strong... I am happy to report that my tester candle is throwing hot.

I'm 3 rooms away and I can still smell it really well.

Kimberly