deena

I would retract your statement, apoligise about getting no help if you wish people to help you now and in the future. You might not be able to see us, but we are people with feelings and emotions and lifes other then sitting at the computer. Having got that off my chest, I cannot assist with your query at all, but welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of candle making.

Lol, knew what you meant, not that I picked up on it anyway.

Ok. I just never imagined adding these, would it go mouldy with time, or does adding the lye negate any possible mould issues? I know you say it is pureed but would those minute lumps cause plumbing issues?

Thanks Judy, so my orginal thoughts of 1% were right. It is showing my age to state I orginally learned the pounds and ounces formulas before Australia changed to metric!

I have not made soap for 20 odd years, but adding fruit and vegie puree's wow that is different. What are the benifets of adding these to soaps?

Anita it goes to show, that was two of us getting the equation wrong on the FO, I too had thought of it in the same way in calculating the %. I am glad I posted this thread have learned something new...again.

I use GW 464, my supplier states you can have 8 to 10% fragrance oil. I really have been getting it wrong, Judy your example had made my brain go ding, gees two days in a row! I used to measure my FO, then realised I should be weighing it. I forgot a percentage = 100%, so for those of you who can calculate thier maths equations.... How much percentage have I been using? If I worked with 1kg of wax I was adding 10 grams of FO. So in reality how much FO % have I been using? Thanks in advance for you answer. If I am not to tired tonight intend pouring more candles. Might actually get it right. No wonder you experienced ladies and gents say it is test test when you first start out, so dashed frustrating, but like all addictions so worth it.

That looks so nice, well done.

Your welcome, thanks for listening.

Ok so by posting this I hold myself up to ridicule but who else except a fellow candle maker would understand. I have been making candles for a short time and have always wondered why my cold throw is excellent but on burning hot throw not so good. Had thought it was since I have a open plan house and large area making the smell disapate. My friends who have tested for me, have given all positive praise, but myself was not so impressed, I was hoping to achieve huge hot throw as well. I have no idea why suddenly out of the blue today I realised I have only been using 1% fragrance oil, not the 10% I thought I was using. Now maths was never my strong point, but how "blonde" can you get. Have to laugh at myself though. Had not made any candles for awhile, the other night got really enthused and made 18 candles and four clam shells, was feeling very pleased with myself and the house was smelling divine with the 6 new fragrances I was using. Silly me knocked the wick holder in to the hot wax in one of the candles. Picture me trying to get it out of the hot wax, could grip it, then loose it, spent so much time trying to get it out, the stickum came unstuck and then I have the wick floating around too in the damn hot wax. What to do...........Quickly wicked up another jar, trying to hold a hot candle glass is difficult with your big pot holder so then thought best way to decant the wax would be to pour back in to my jug. Well must have been flustered, dropped half the wax in to the sink, so have to put the candle down, to quickly put the plug in the sink so no more wax then had already gone the plug hole would. Then of course, cause half the damn wax is eithier down the plug hole or in the sink I no longer have enough wax for the large candle jar it was orginally in. So wick up a smaller jar and get the clam shells out. Any wonder that was an end to the candle making that night. Oh my goodness then the nightmare to clean it up!!!! Just when I thought I had it right have to start again with 10% Oh well, have to laugh, and we do learn by our mistakes. Happy candle making.

Shame I live down under, I would put my hand up.

I am fairly new to this new addiction as well. I agree saving money mmmmmmmmmm but there is a great sense of satisfaction at making your own candles. Welcome.

I too have found this to occur with certain FO and when I have used colour, of course I am not sure which variable is the reason for the occurance. I had also wondered the first time this happened with me if it was because I had poured to cold, I had knowingly accidently let it cool to much, I had assummed this was the reason for it.

I hope you get over your cold soon Jonsie. Gingerbread, not sure it is a smell I would like. I have Autumn Harvest but have not made it yet, maybe I will in awhile. Have just made some French Lavender. Tammy it is great to just have ACS just around the corner kind of, but bad too, put my order, wait 24 hours, 20 minute drive and I have just spent more money and made yet more candles, it is very addictive. I am not doing much housework on my days off, not that it is my favourite past time anyway, lol.

Gees I had not actually thought of spicy scents being in all three categories you have mentioned. Initially my thoughts are for a spicy floral but any excuse to rationalalise more purchases is not really needed. I had not really thought of bakery type scents before and I do love a musky scent as well, so would love your suggestions in all three categories thank you. The house is beggining to be over run with candles. I can't wait for my days off from work to decide what candle scent it will be this week that gets made.

Thank you Richard. Amazing what a few days does, few more days testing and yes I think you are right think my preference is changing to the CDN wicks. Yes I am in Perth on this freezing morning today. It is great, I too am only 20 minutes away from Malaga and flying off this morning again for more supplies........ I am always open to your experience and knowledge and with so many options for scents from ACS yes suggestions are welcome. I love thier Frankincense & Myrrh, Sex on the Beach, Rose Petals. Undecided on the Cocoa Therapy. Wild Berry have not quite got the throw right on that. Last night made Fresh Linen so have not burned that yet. I do have several more scents that I have not made up yet but not sure that I like those scents yet in the bottle. My scent is personal and I may not like it but someone will. I know they have great descriptions on thier scents but do you have a great suggestion for a spicy type scent?

Hi everyone, just thought I would post a few comments. I have done lots of different craft things over the years, was going to get in to Scrapbooking and had bought all of the supplies to start, when I went to a candle party of a woman who makes her own. It was on the drive home my girlfriend commented to me, on how much did I think they would cost to make, that made me do some research. I found a local supplier to me and the rest is history. I have only been making candles for a few weeks and so very new, I am totally addicted. Reading the postings here, I am quite proud of my progress so far, touch wood have encountered only a few individual issues. I am making container candles with GW464, started with ACS wicks, and then tried CDN wicks. My preference is for the ACS, am really dissapointed so far with my CDN candles, sad as I have heaps of the wicks to use. I am experimenting with a lot of different styles and sizes of the glass jars and just tried some tins. My supplier is out of stock of the larger size jars I really want to use. I know that the recommendation appears to be to get one perfect and then move on, but I am afraid I am a bit impatient, or you could say I multi task. I started using dyes, but prefer the natural wax colour I think. I have tried several different FO, which in itself is a bit addictive as most that I have tried so far I like. I have in another post had recommendations for labels and as soon as I can figure out a name for my candles I will be ordering them. No not going to sell for a long time down the track, but would love to label my candles now and would love to think of a business name for the future. So difficult to think of a name, would ideally not like to use the word candle in the name as I have in the past made lots of different body products and who knows if the future holds a business for me making all of these delightful products for more then my family and friends. I would like a catchy name may be with the word wares, cottage, creek incorparated in the name. Sorry it is a bit long, but as I am sure you can identify with I feel passionate about this new love of mine, and it is wonderful to be apart of this wonderful forum of like minded individuals.

Thanks Richard

Thank you so much for your warm welcome. I am glad to hear that ACS is a good supplier. Yes the Metro Jar does seem to be popular in Perth, but I personally think it is the nicest shape. I am collecting more supplies tomorrow and have ordered a few other types of jars to experiment with and some new FO. I did contact a company in the US who shipped internationally, that a few forums I have read seem to rave about thier FOs. I am only a very new beggininer in the candle making game but would be interested to hear where you get your labels from?

I am new here, and see that you are in Perth. I have just begun making candles and have found a supplier in Malaga, I go and pick my supplies up saving on postage but they will deliver, thier website is http://www.aussiecandlesupplies.com.au I would be interested to hear what you say about thier costs and supplies given I am a newbie.