asands

I think I figured out the problem. The candle was moved (while burning) and the melt pool must've come in contact with the burnt portion of the wick. I have never had this problem with this candle before so I think this must be the reason. It's a candle I've burned many, many, many times with no black stuff ever appearing. And I have not changed the formulation or wick. I did run up the temp on the wax too much by accident right before I poured it. But I feel the most likely reason for the blackish melt pool was that the mp came in contact with the burning wick. Does that seem to make sense Stella? To others?

Any ideas on why there would be big blackish swirls in the melt pool of undyed C3? Thanks for sharing!

I would definitely test those new FOs out before you sell them. Take your time and don't rush the product out the door. People will understand and appreciate that you are doing it right. It will also give you the confidence to talk about and sell your product once you've been through what others will experience. Maybe set a goal for the holidays - introduce those news ones (if they work out) around that time instead of trying to pressure yourself to deliver in June. HTH!

Stella, is the silicon removable once the candle is finished?

I will let them know, good suggestion!

I have been using Bittercreek's wick stickums and have noticed that by the time the candle is finished burning, the stickum has disintegrated. Totally gone, like it burned away with the last vestiges of wax. Anyone else have this happen? I'm also using stickums from Candlemaker's store but I am not convinced these stay put all the time. At least it's still there at the end of the candle, whether it's in the right place or not... that's another story! Heard some advice on 3M heavy duty mounting. Maybe this is next for me?

Yes, for sure!

CBA just looks so beautiful when it sets up with minimal effort. No tempering needed, no additives needed, looks nice when burning. I would use it 'cause I'm lazy! It's just super easy to get beautiful candles with it. That's where the love affair ends (for me at least). I had high high hopes for Xcel but I decided against it (can't remember exactly why, I'd have to dig up my notes. I'm sure it's a good wax once you get the hang of it.

Oh sorry! USA is Universal Soy Additive. I use it to help soy set up nice and smooth on top. I get mine at the Candlemakers Store.

Does adding CBA impact your HT? I'll bet in 464 sets up nice with the addition of CBA. Never thought of adding it! I use USA with pretty nice results. Maybe I'll try CBA and get some of it's goodness to rub off - hopefully just not the poor HT part!

I wish I would've taken a photo! I had to throw it out cause I couldn't stand the smell of it. But I did like the way it was performing. Yes, it was a wide glass container candle - at least 4.5" diameter. The candle was a blend for sure (info said it was all veggie based blend), but not sure exactly what was in there. The bottom of the melt pool seem harder than softer, but was very shallow.

You are right on with those notes. I smell those, too. The patch isn't overpowering, it's very nice. It's an awesome blend.

**thought I had posted this already but I don't see that it posted, sorry if it's a duplicate** I have SW Instant Karma and BB Karma oils. The notes listed in each of the descriptions are nearly identical. So why do they smell soooo different? BB Karma has a strong clove aspect (I think that's what I'm smelling) and SW Instant Karma doesn't seem to have that note at all. SW Instant Karma is much lighter and has the faintest sweetness to it. BB Karma is like a black tea mixed with cloves. Does anyone find that these are more different than similar? I guess I expected them to be similar since the notes listed for each on their respective websites were the same. Confused!

Yes, I am referring to the melt pool. I was given a candle that had a wide but very shallow melt pool. Wondering what wax would have this tendency.

Is there a particular wax that burns out and then down, rather than down and then out? Does that make sense?