mindyw86

Hi Cindy and welcome! I love this site I too am a stay at home mom of 1 with 1 more on the way and we also live on a small farm. Lots of great people here. Enjoy!

Hey everyone, I have a couple of questions.... I have been making votives for quiet a while and they look great and smell good, but to me the HT isn't great. I am using 1 oz per lb and IGI 4794 wax. they burn great, nice and even. No flickering or smoking. I let them cure for at least 3 days sometimes way more. My hubby comes in from being out all day and says he smells them but even if I haven't poured for days I don't think they are that strong...Any thoughts? 1 more....I made my first 4 oz jelly jar candles the other day with 1oz per lb using IGI 4630. They turned out WAY better than I thought they would...lol The only visible problem I saw was on one side the wax didn't adhere to the jar all the ways about in the middle of the jar...you can't see it from the top...only from really looking at the side of the jar. I am testing the first now...melt pool so far is great! All the way around and even. I am using 44-24-18 z wicks. I am getting a good scent throw but not knock your socks off...is that because this wax says it will hold 1 1/2 oz per lb? Sorry this is so long...I guess I just kept going so if anyone is still reading this, any imput is much appreciated! lol tia

Ouch! mine wasn't that bad, but I was wondering the same thing...why in the world do they make them little boogers so sharp?! lol

Thanks everyone! Those all sound great! I can't wait to have the time and money to order some more. If you have anymore ideas..keep'em comin'.

Thanks Jane!! lol I thought I had heard of putting them upside down on a paper towel in the oven....but as you said the thought of putting paper towels in the oven scares the fool outta me! I guess I will give it a try though oh, and I found out the hard way that the votives are sharp that really hurt my finger! I will try the coffee beans too, hadn't really heard of that before

Hey everyone, I'm still somewhat new at all this, I started last summer making candles...I do votives with 4794 and containers with igi 4630 I have only gotten scents from Peaks and Lonstar...didn't really love LS. I was thinking of trying CS and more from Peaks. Anyone have some recommendations on what smells stronger and throws better in my waxes from these 2 places? I am just trying to not order from too many places right now to keep down shipping costs and have always heard great things about both. I love foods/fruity smells....but any recommendations are greatly appreciated!! TIA

Hey everyone, I lost this site for a while because of major computer problems, but luckily I found it again last night! I have been making votive candles for about 5 months now....I was going to start on containers today but figured out I didn't order wick stickum things and don't have a hot glue gun so I have to wait until I can get a hot glue gun...gonna try head to Wal mart tomorrow. A couple of quick questions... does putting the votive molds and glass jelly jars and stuff in the oven on low...(mine only goes to about 170) work best for cleaning out the residue? Second....I have trouble sometimes smelling my votives especially in my living room, (a pretty large and open space)...But DH usually says he can smell them just fine. I think it just may be me being inside with it all day:) Anyways, sorry to go on...lol I love this site and am sooooo glad I found it again! I was seriously going through withdrawls!

I figured I'd try one out either today or tomorrow...You are supposed to let them sit for a day or 2 right?

I have made a few more today...they have less pin holes, but still a few. you can't see them unless u look really close. I guess I'll keep trying.

Originally Posted by deb426 Gosh, I never thought of using goo gone for that. Thanks! Now I won't have to go to my regular job with magenta dye in my fingernails! I had to LOL at this because as soon as I got my sample pack from Peaks and the liquid dye I ordered I ended up with purple and red hands! My hubby has some had cleaner made my John Deere that works ok but it is still in my finger nails! I will have to invest in some goo gone!

Thanks everyone!! I didn't think the pin holes were that bad so maybe I can play around and get rid of them by different temps...idk I do have one of those candy thermometers and to be honest it makes me go cross-eyed! lol It just seems to take to long to get to the temp and stop. I'll have to check out a digital one. NewOrleans Lady- what is the 50/50 wax? How is it different? And is it just for votives? Thanks everyone! Mindy

Thanks! I figured that it would be! That's why I went ahead and bought some! lol What kind of thermometer do most of you use?? I have just used the one that came with my kit and I think a digital one would be a lot better... What do you think??

I poured my 1st votives today....the first attempt not so well, so I melted them back down and tried again I think they turned out alright as far as looks, but they have what looks like pin pricks on the side of them... I don't know what that is from..any help?? I will try add a pick but I don't know if you will be able to see them. I am using IGI 4794, used 1 1/2 ozs of FO for 2lbs. I poured at about 175 and repour at 185. I used some shavings of a dye block that came with the kit from Lonestar and don't like them very well....is liquid dye a lot better to use?? Grrrrrr! I tried to upload my pic but it's to big....and I don't know how to fix it! lol

Thanks! My Lonestar shipment is scheduled to arrive today!! I have my DH getting my presto pot ready now...I am just patiently (NOT) waiting!! LOL Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! Mindy

Thanks Tess for the warning! I'm not a big Candy Corn fan anyways but I might have eventually tried it...now I won't! LOL Oh, I can't wait for all those yummy smells to fill my house!!

Thank you CathyinME!! I will take lots of notes!!

Thanks Tess!! That info was very helpful and exactly what I wanted to know....I ordered a starter kit from Lonestar and it has 2 FOs in it so I bought one of the same FOs from peak in my sample pack just to see which one I thought had the better quality and if you could really tell a difference...now, I am just waiting for them all to get here!

Thanks Kim! I think I have the wax coated ones, but I'll have to check and make sure I am going to find me a good notebook today...I have a lot of them around but I have to go in my closet and find one today! I guess I'm lucky that I like to write and try organize stuff! lol I have been tracking my orders like crazy! lol I can't wait until they get here I think they should be here today or tomorrow! YAY

Thanks, that's what I needed to know:) I have a whole box of the paper ones! I will just have to watch how early I plan to measure...I am one of those people that usually will have it measured out and ready to pour, so I just have to make sure I don't do it to early.

Thank you! That all does sound a little less confusing.... Debra - I might just take you up on that! I bought the scale because I thought everything was supposed to be done by weight, so now I know it does....even the FO. Thank you! Oh, is the small dixie cups a good thing to measure the FO in?? I thought I read that somewhere but I can't remember.

Thanks for the replies! I have no one that I know that has ever tried anything like this so I have no one to talk to....I am SOOO GLAD I found this place!! Lindanelson - Thank you! I will definately try to master the votives first but thought I would order some container wax because I was ordering the sample pack sents and a few other things and shipping really sucks! lol so, I thought I would just go ahead and get it all at once

oops! Just messed up this post....sorry

Hi everyone! I ordered my first supplies Sunday night...A votive starter kit from Lonestar and some liquid dyes and other FOs, I also order some container wax, wick sample pack, liquid dyes and FO's from Peak. They should be here tomorrow or the next day and I'm trying to get ready because I know I will want to make my first ones as soon as it gets here!lol I want to ask a few questions about that first time.... First off, if I don't want to make 1 lb of wax all the same FO can I do 1/2 pound? If so how do you measure the FO...I have a digital scale. Can I melt 2 or more lbs at a time in my presto pot and reheat it numerous times if I'm only pouring about 1/2 lb batches?? I cleaned my kitchen yesturday and set up my card table and made myself room for a small work space. I think I had a few more questions, but now I forgot! lol Sorry this is so long I guess I'm just getting a bit nervous about them finally getting here...I don't want to totally screw up on the first attempt! Mindy

Thanks everyone! I placed an order last night at each place! I ordered a votive starter kit from Lonestar along with some liquid dyes and then I ordered some container wax and sample scents along with liquid dyes and the wick holders for container candles from Peaks ( I already have jars)... I am so excited and can't wait for everything to get here....I also have to get my husband to put a spigot on my presto pot that I am very glad I had just sitting in the cabinet!! I am sure I will be back with more questions...I have done a lot of research, but I might just need some encouragement and thoughts... Thanks so much! Mindy

Thanks everyone! I did some figuring and the wax at peaks is cheaper but the shipping at Lonestar is cheaper for me....but when I compare the same things with shipping Peaks is about a dollar and change cheaper..... I think I am going to get my kits from Lonestar because you get more but for supplies later I'm gonna go with Peak. I have been trying to figure out which way to go for days now, lol. So, I think I'll go with both! Thanks for all your thoughts! Mindy