sparkette

nevermind..... got it!

When a wax says it will hold up to 5% Fragrance, how do I do the math to get the amount I need. i know one pound of wax is 16 ounces, but what do I divide it by to get the amount of FO I need?

Do you all have people who burn your candles for you on test burns or do you do them yourself?

You all have been so great and your advice is helping a lot. There is so much I have learned here in the last two days that I would not have found anywhere else.

Just last night I read somewhere that FO is measured by ounces of weight, not volume. That's maybe one of my reasons my candles weren't right. Starting over again this morning.

I am on a injury leave from work, so at least I have some time to do candles.

Or sweat looking like marks on the jar between the glass and candle..... what is it? How do they form? Why do they form and how can I prevent them? I've warmed the jar, poured at a lower temp, put them in a box (as I read here) to regulate the temp as they cool and they still did it.

What do you all use the heat gun for besides warming the jar? I saw a post a while back that I thought someone said they got rid of those marks with it. Any clues?

Thanks. I think I have got the hang of it. When you all test candles, do you test all sizes or just one small enough to get results off of.

So if you make a 20 oz. candle you burn a 20 oz. candle? So basically for every formula I use, I should make a "side" candle to test burn.

What causes the oil beads on the top of the candle?

So what is everyone's routines for test burning candles? When you make a candle do you make a votive on the side to burn, or do you make a full sized candle? Any tips or tricks to it? Right now I am bruning my mottled/christmas tree 8 oz candle. So far so good. Good smell. But there are oil beads on the top of the candle. I am assuming from too much FO?

I really need to get me a book. *rolls eyes* .

Coconut Blend Container Wax -

Temper the wax? You mean watch the temp? When you say burn it, what do you mean? This is actually a gift for someone so I don't want to burn it if I don't have to.

Sorry for all the questions. I'm new at this. I melted it to 170 then poured it at 140.

Well not perfect of course but better than I was getting. Perfect to me is no wet or sweat looking spots. Good smell. Even color. The wax isn't shrinking from the container. I used white and just a touch of blue to make a bright "Snow" white. (I hope anyway)

I work in the paint department at Walmart and color matching and experimenting comes easily to me now! *Wink* *Wink*

I made a container candle tonight (Smell of Christmas) and took all of the advice I have gotten here. The candles is PERFECT!. And I owe most of that to you all who have been so nice.

thanks so much. The hope in my candle making heart has been restored!

how do I figure what wicks I need and which wicks do you prefer?

Western Washington. I live in a small town called Chehalis (shuh-hay-liss), about 30 south of our state Capital, Olympia. I would like to have a successful candle business because like I said, there isn't really one here other than Walmart, where I work. I think if I could get the soap, lotion, bath supplies and candles going, I might be on to something. like Chehalis' own Bath & body works or something like that.

I am a vey impatient person and am starting to learn that candle making takes a lot of patience. I think I am getting the hang of it. Any books you would recommend?

Nice to meet you too!

Yup, the one I use is the Crystal Brite Palm Wax 5801. I buy from SwanS candles up north of me so I don't have to pay the shipping. I also use their Coconut Blend wax, as stated before. I really like that wax and was wondering if anyone had any tips on using it.

Has anyone else ever used this? I bought it from SwanS. A couple candles turned out, am making a Smell of Christmas container one today.

Also, so any of you use a crystal wax for Pillars and votives? I have had no luck with this wax so far.

Just wanted to get to know everyone a little better. My name is Janet and I have not been doing candles very long at all. I live in Washington St. I started doing it as a hopbby and want to take it to the next level. I get so frustrated when the candles don't turn out the way I was hoping that I want to give up.

What do most of you do candles for? Maybe some for a business and others for hobby? How long have you been doing them? Who do you use for your supplies? I have used LoneStar & Cierras Candle supplies. There is also a company up north from me called SwanS. I buy most of my stuff from them.

So I started making candles about 4 months ago, decided to try and make a business out of it about 1 month and half or so ago. Some days are great, others are so frustrating I want to cry.... then quit. I am having a lot of trouble with my container candles. Whenever I pour them, they get "steam-looking" spots on the the jars in between the glass and the candle. Another consistant problem is when I am working with soy wax it looks as though it has slipped, or shrunk away from the glass. and melted back down or something. What do I do to get the perfect container candle?

With pillars, I always get a seam line where I poured my second pour. Always! I have tried getting the wax hotter, tried keeping it cooloer.

I really want to make this a success so I can open a candle shop (there is nothing like that in my area and I know it would do good) and I love making candles. Please help.