CandleLytes

I have a huge order ( three 4 oz. jars and 48 votives) that I need to get done for a cistomer because she is having a baby shower and these are her "favors" . Well I have poured into 6 votive molds 3 times today and only 6 votives have passed my visiual tests. The others suck!!!! They are either uneven tops, or have bubbles. So I still have 42 left to go! Lordy!

Yes they are the same. I also do ones with the two different scents, overpour as one and chunks as another.

I work full time in retail and have my candle business on the side. Most of my customers are co-workers, family and friends and those that know someone in those categories.

It actually turned out very badly, I forgot to add vybar, and stir the batch too much. I am melting them down to make solid pillars and tomorrow will try again. I am also dealing with a very painful absessed tooth so maybe I just wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.

Actually I was posting because our area just flooded and I wasn't sure I was going to get my supplies this soon, but I apologize for being excited I got them and was able to make my pillars. My bad.

Yea we really need a size. but I'l give you my "in general". Usually I use flat braids with this wax. I only have two shapes I do right now, 5 point star and round. The star is maybe 2.5 inches from tip to tip of points and round is 3 inches. I use FB30 for the Star and FB36 for my round. But that works for me and I have spent thousands of hours testing all the scents I use. You really can't go on someone else's formula because the most important part of candle making is testing. What someone else does may not work for you. Just pick a type of wick to start with, if it doesn't work, try the next size up and repeat until you are through with every available size in that type. If none work, move on to the next type of wick. HTH.

got my supplies today and am in the process of making two Baby Powder marble Pillars. Yayee!

The only advice I can give is some that I didn't understand when I first began but then realized that these people knew exactly what they were talking about. "Start off with one type of wax, one type of container and one FO (Fragrance Oil) at a time." When you've conquered that, you can move on to next scent, and so on. I thought I was all that and was doing soy, palm waxes and paraffin all at once with several different containers and scents. I got burned out easily and stopped for several months before trying again. You will drive yourself insane if you don't take the advice to heart. Good luck to all newbies!

Thanks. Yes, they are for looks. I do both "opague" style chunks candles and translucent. They seem to burn just as other candles do. Sometimes I get funky and combine scents. Like today I am going to make some strawberry banana ones, and rose and and peony to see what they are like.

Thanks. I am very proud of them.

I guess I should apologize for my bad wording since it seems to bother a few on here. My candle is like Stella said, Tri-scented. I used 8% as well. Stella- again thank you. It's my own para soy formula.

I wait until the wax has set up a bit on the cooie sheet, then cut a sharp knife through. They break out very easily once the wax is cooled.

Thanks Stella! and everyone else.

I use CBA Pillar soy and 1239 for the chunks then pour into a cookie sheet. The over pour is my own 60/40 blend of pure soy and believe it or not, IGI1239. That actually happened by accident!!! I meant to use container paraffin but used 1239 by mistake and was about to melt down the 12 candles I had made and my sister told me to light one up anyway to see how it would burn. They burn awesome so I have kept with that formula. Why ruin a good thing, right? When I put my chunks in the jar I build up the sides first, then fill up the middle. That way the inner chunks push the ones flat up against the jar so they show through better. Then I pour my over pour way low so my colors don't bleed. They are one of the simpliest candles to make I think.

Can u tell i was bored yesterday?!!! LOL These are Choc. Chip Cookie Dough

They turned out flawless (or so it seems, for now)

Actually if ya all want to see some pics from yesterday and today, go to myspace : http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=366864183&albumId=1161325 I have a lot of good pics on there

Thanks tootie. Yep all dry. Water hasn't even gotten close to us yet. Actually Debra, that's a good idea, maybe. But thanks for the laugh. People on here are so cool. I will post some pics of my chunkies after I am through for the day. The cucmber melon ones turned out awesome!

I am pretty much Stuck like I posted in another thread because our whole town is shut down because of floods. So looks like today is a candle making day. Already made about 10 chunks and a few masons. Gotta love stock! LOL

I use them with my 4630 containers. Love them.

This candle came out really well. I was surprised. Bottom layer is JBN Lavender white layer is BC Gardenia top layer is CC Lilac

I'm not sure what wax you are using but I never do repours on melts. I would be worried about seam lines. A little sunk in in the middle isn't going to matter that much. As far for sink holes in pillars, I never use a heat gun. I just do repours like Firestarter said but never pour above your original pour line. You'll end up with seam lines or the chance of the wax spilling and dripping down the sides of the pillar where it has separated from the mold during cooling.

SO now that I have gotten through the holidays (whew, it was busy) now it's time to set another goal. To do a show. I am aiming for early March. I have now started building up me inventory. Any tips?

For those of you who offer gift sets, what do you put in them? I am having a hard time deciding on what to use for sets. Just trying to get some ideas.

Welcome to the board!