FlameyJamie

So I decided to do some research on other "homemade" candles to compare them to mine. There were a couple links under people's names here so I decided to visit some and ordered from one. Not mentioning who. That's not important. So I lit my candle this morning and began burning it. I feel like a fool because I sat there and watched it expecting it to burn 110% prefectly. But instead, I got a candle that.... for the most part has burned decently the four hours I had it lit. But there were some things it did, that I see a lot of people on here say they don't "pass" a candle if it does. Like flickering, and there was a small amount of mushrooming. not bad. And it smoked a little as it flickered. My question is... I don't get it. LOL. So why are some people so picky, but it seems to me most candles do some of those side effects slightly. I have even bought really expensive candles that do the same. Am I just being too picky about my candles? Do most people accept mushrooming? and flickering?

Another question on this same subject is.... when i used to by candles, I didn't always let them melt the full diameter of the jar. Do the majority of candle burning people - melt all away across or some for just an hour or two at a time? I see my friends and family with candles in their house that have wax on the sides, obviously not burning long enough. Do your customers realize that if they don't burn it all the way across and some of the wax stays it's their fault not yours?

I thought it was only too hot if it tunneled down or it smokes alot. It's burning well. I think I am comiing to the conclusion I am going to have double wick it instead. It's not shrooming or smoking. Burning really nice in fact. Steady flame, no bouncing or flickering. I am just hoping it burns to the edges and has no soot or shrooming all the way down. I used Cbadvance, cd22 wick, 8% Clean Cotton from Cierras Candles, no color, and the jar is 3 & 1/2" wide. Does that still seem like my wick is too big? I tried CD20 and the melt pool never grew past about 2 inches.

I meant how much is too little, sorry. Whenever I buy candles from a department store like Sears, or stores like Walgreens or even Wal*Mart there is always at least 1/2" of wax left over on the sides as the candle burns down. It's always been that way and I really didn't think anything of it. But then someone in my class mentioned hang up on the jars and the two ladies teaching the classes said that it is basically a personal choice when making candles. One said that some people want absolutely no hang up on the sides as well as no side effects (such as soot, smoke, etc.) and then others aren't so picky and are ok with a little hang up as long as there is no soot, no shrooms, no smoking and so on. Someone on here mentioned searching the threads and archives to get research and I have done that. I got a lot of answers I was looking for. But I just wanted to ask the current active posters how much you put up with? I have a 3 1/2" jar, and used a CD22 wick. I am 1 & 1/2 hours into my burn and all that is left on the sides is about 1/4" of wax maybe even just an 1/8th" not that much at all. Of course I realize I am not done with my test... I was just wondering.. What is the perfect candle?

well sometimes if you smell something a lot you get used to the scent and can't smell the difference but.... your name does imply you know a lot about Vanilla fragrances. No biggie. Sh*t happens, ya know? Lavender is very calming to me. I just recently had my first child and had a very high risk pregrancy because of stress and I used Lavender everything! I am surprised my son didn't come out looking like a lavender blossom! LMAO! It helped. it helped me sleep. Maybe I should have come up with something involving Lavender for my name.

I know this is going to sound like a stupid question but, what do you mean by bears? Bear shaped candles? Please keep in mind I am a newbie.

I am only working with CBAdvance from BitterCreek. The instructor of my classes told me to only work with one type of wax, and one container at a time. Once you get that down you move on. I have only had one or two that don't mushroom but I want them all not to mushroom if you know what I mean. One of the ladies in the class says it's not that important but I disagree.

I only have a few new scents. Lavender happens to be one of them and I am addicted to it! I have wax left over from a candle I made and I keep sniffing it! What are some of your favorite scents here.

Actually, really new. I have taken three classes at our local mall. I am very interested in pursuing this and tried my first soy batch on friday. Tested it this morning and noticed it has shrooms. I hate this. Not big ones. In fact, barely noticable. how much is too much when trying to "pass" a candle?