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?

FYI on where to buy coconut wax blend. As already mentioned in this thread there is Swans who sells a coconut blend for $127 for 55#. California Candle Supply also sells a coconut blend (all veggie blend) for $76 for 55#. (I found California Candle Supply on AccuBlend's website as an official distributor of AccuBlend wax) I have no idea if it's the same wax but WOW - big price difference! I have ordered 11# from each place to see what I think. Wanted to share this with those of you who may be interested in trying a coconut blend but were put off by the price. At $76/55# it's about the same per pound as CBA. Obviously shipping costs will differ. HTH.

Hi everyone, I am wondering if anyone has compared the USA from Peak with the USA from candlemakers store? I have heard that not all USA is the same, so I am curious what the differences might be - both in general and between these two especially. Thank you!

Got the sample and have made several test candles. You can get the sample by contacting Elevance. http://www.elevance.com/ The Elite 200 is nice. It sets up beautifully. Perfectly smooth tops. I think the ht/ct is on par with C3. I didn't add any additives to the Elite 200 as do with C3. I haven't noticed any frosting. My candles are undyed but I still see frosting with C3. This wax didn't show any frosting. It does pull away from the container. If you are looking for good adhesion, this wax isn't for you. IMO (I am not an expert so take this with a grain of salt) I think this wax is harder than the other soy waxes I've worked with. The wick's flame was anemic, sometimes I wondered if it was going to stay lit. I would definitely need to wick up with this wax as I didn't get the normal melt pool. The day after my first burn of 4 hours or so, the wax had cracked in half along the line of the wick, right through the middle. It reminded me of what happens when you mix too much beeswax with soy. The look of the wax is great. Nice and smooth and no bubbles. I get bubbles in the melt pool with C3. Not sure it's the right wax for me, but it's worth a test if you are interested. HTH!

I'm getting a sample this week. Will let you know what I find.

I can understand it being hard to switch from dyed to undyed! I personally like it, as do my customers but a lot of folks prefer dyed. I get the bubbles only while burning. The melt pool is bubbly. Guess it's not a showstopper but it's not as perfect as I'd like. I'm going to give Elevance a call and see if I can give their new wax a try... might be worth a test-run.

I don't dye my wax so maybe that's why I'm having better luck with frosting? Plus I do add USA. Do you get bubbles with c-3?

I'd be interested in trying it. I'm using c-3 and love the HT/CT. I've figured out how to prevent sinkholes and frosting but I can't stand the bubbles. Maybe the elite-200 will be bubble-free?! How do you get a sample? Through Elevance or a distributor?

I've been burning Beau Brummel for 2 hours. I used 10% fo load in soy wax and it's burning wonderfully. A wonderful throw, very inviting scent. Love it and will be ordering more. I wish I knew more about the notes. The only details from the BB site provide tobacco and black tea. It mentions hints of fruit and spice but doesn't tell specifically what fruit or spice. I do like this and don't think it's overly masculine. I could see it appealing to men and women. Give it a try!!

I made up Beau Brummel but haven't burned it yet. I am going to burn it tonight probably. It smells wonderful so far. Unfortunately, the rest of the FOs I ordered (which all smell amazing by the way) are not Phthalate-Free. We market our candles as using only Phthalate-Free fragrance oils. I got caught up in the moment and completely forgot about that when I ordered all these. DUH! So... I'm sorry to say I won't be testing the rest of these but I will be offering the samples for sale as soon as I get time to post them in the Classifieds. Sorry about that!

I think it does have palm based on the threads I've found searching this forum. This is one example of a thread that includes a statement from someone at Cargill (who used to mfg this wax): http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57357&highlight=c-1&page=3 I know C-1 and C-3 Naturewax is no longer mfg by Cargil, now it's being mfg by Elevance, but the rep at the distributor told me the formula did not change. Who knows if that is 100% accurate. I suppose the only thing the palm would do would be make it a bit harder and not adhere to glass as well? I wonder how it affects the overall appearance, frosting and scent throw (those are my main concerns).