Mozzie

Hi again Bevvy, I mainly make paraffin pillars - rustic, layers, chunks, you name it plus palm wax everlasting candles. I've tried soy with zero success so will stick with what I know for the time being. You'll get lots of useful information and friendly advice from the people on this forum so enjoy and learn. I'll be moving up to Cairns in June - quite a lifestyle change - but I dread the extra postage that everything will be costing once I move. It'll be worth buying stuff from Peak's, etc when the dollar gets above 90c again but at the moment it's ridiculous to even bother. Send me a pm if you want to "talk" further. Mozzie

Hi Bevvy, I'm from SA, soon to move to QLD. I find that Aussie Candle Supplies in WA and Natural Candle Supplies in NSW both have a terrific range of fragrances, dyes, moulds, wicks and natural waxes. I prefer paraffin and either buy that locally from Candle Creation or from Stacks of Wax in NSW. There is another South Australian on this forum, JojoT, and we get together every so often to share notes and just have a catch up. Welcome to a wonderful forum and a great addiction. Mozzie

Congratulations on your first pillar - very exciting. Lovely colour and fragrance. Chunks usually come out a bit rough on the sides because the overpour wax is cooling as it works its way through. If you want smoother sides next time, try heat gunning your mould for a couple of minutes after pouring or else do Donita's crackle finish after you've unmoulded your candle.

Does anyone know where I can buy polycarbonate pyramid moulds: either 6 x 6" or 4 x 4"? TIA. Mozzie

Jo, these are breathtaking! Gorgeous as always and such appropriate decorations. Mozzie

Sabrina, That looks stunning. I think that you may have just inspired me to give it a try myself. I have tons of Feather palm that I'm just not using because I prefer Cloudy in an undyed pillar but the Feather looks fabulous in black. Hmmm. Thanks, Mozzie

Update re various remedies for reducing flame size and melt pool: 1) 5% stearine - no (discernible) difference 2) 15% stearine - perfect flame for first couple of hours then turned into a whopper 3) 10% stearine plus 1% micro wax, 21 ply fb: flame started off tallish but has turned into a very nice size and melt pool (2 x 4 hour test burns) 4) 10% stearine plus 1% micro wax, 24 ply fb: pretty huge flame for first 4-hour test burn, then still tall for next 2 hours but very nice for 3rd and 4th hours of second test burn. So looks like micro wax is the answer this time round. Top, Thanks for suggesting it.

Top, It's 62C (144F). I thought about adding blue dye as colour isn't critical and some blues really seem to clog up a wick. What do you think? In the way of additives I also have vybar 103, micro wax (the soft one) and universal additive if you think that any of those might help. Oh, and I did get huge mushrooming after the 3-hour burn as per your prediction. LOL.

Just finished doing a 3-hour test burn with Patchouli at 3% and stearine at 10%. Used a 21 and a 24 ply flat braid and still have a pretty tall flame and a full melt pool. Any other suggestions greatly appreciated. Scent throw also (naturally) decreased which is a bit of a bummer.

Bruce, Mine is thick and dark (and smells horrible). The supplier sells it as an Essential Oil so I don't know if it's diluted with anything or not. Anyway, I've repoured with 3% Patchouli so will test burn tomorrow. Top, my wicks may have got clogged and mushroomed if I'd kept on burning but when I had a huge flame and an equally huge melt pool at the 2 hour mark I gave it up as a bad job and tried a smaller wick. Will report on results as they happen.

Thanks for the advice Top. I tried the 30ply and as you predicted, got a massive flame. I'll reduce the amount of EO and see how that works.

Help! I'm having trouble finding a suitable wick for an undyed 3" paraffin pillar with 10% stearine, 0.05% UV and 5% Patchouli EO. I started off with a 24 ply flat braid then moved down to a 21 ply then an 18 and finally a 15 ply. I also tried a 3/0 square braid for good measure. In each instance the flame is approx 1.5" high and a full (to overflowing) melt pool is reached within 2 hours. Any suggestions for reducing the flame size (and hopefully the melt pool at the same time) would be greatly appreciated. More or less stearine, more or less EO, etc? I've had other pillars with the opposite problem and am not sure what the cause is. Top, if you're out there and read this, know that I always value your insights. TIA.

Sabrina, they look fabulous. Now go and have a rest - no more candle making til the New Year. LOL. Love, Mozzie

Gorgeous colours, Donita. Loved your lateral thinking with the crackle. Have a great Christmas. Love, Mozzie

I just did a google search on Mary Engllbreit but couldn't find the pillars you are describing (probably everyone in America knows exactly what you're talking about but I have no idea) so could you post a photo of what you want to achieve as that may spark ideas. Mozzie

Thanks. I use a CD4 in my tea lights so a CD5 is probably a good place to start.

I usually use an LX10 wick in my paraffin votives but can no longer buy them locally. I have lots of CD wicks and wonder if anyone knows which wick in the CD range is equivalent to the LX10? TIA

Jo, I'm running out of superlatives to describe how amazing your creations are. Glad you're back to health and living life to the fullest.

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! They are all so awesome. Love the purple octagon and the angel wings and the ... Fact is, I love them all. The beads are an inspirational touch, especially for the Christmas candle. Hope you made lots of those because they are just going to walk out the door.

Jo, Beautiful work as always. Your creations really are works of art. Wish I was able to make it to your party next week and see them all in the flesh - rats! Bet you get lots of sales. Mozzie

Love those pyramids - stunning colour combination.

They all look awesome - great display too.

That looks gorgeous - lucky friend.

Fabulous looking everlasting - love the layers.

Violet, I buy my bulb pots in Australia. Here's the link in case they can tell you where they source them: http://www.naturalcandlesupply.com.au/browse.php?cid=399 I notice that they now call them 85g but know that they only hold 65g of wax plus fo and dye.