Carol

Hobby Lobby is only thing near besides Wal-Mart and Target. Everything else is almost 2 hours away.

I actually didn't have shrinkage in the containers just the votives and pillars.I just bought random containers from the Good Will which was recommended by a friend who makes candles for herself. They were actually a ton cheaper than buying from Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby.Hobby Lobby is the only place that carries any type of wax near me. Which comes in 10lb slab.I don't remember what type of paraffin wax is was and didn't think to right it down considering its the only wax I can get in that distance so I figured I'd only be using that wax. I do think it was supplied by Candlewic though because there was a sticker on it with that company. I belive my husband put 1/4 once of fragrance per pound. Which so far seems to be good for small rooms. Cinnamon is over powering though. With the pillar candle I have burned so far one side is up higher than the other by like 1/4 of and inch and is doing very little tunneling and the wax spilled over the side on the 3 burn. I think my wic wasn't centered very good though.Seems all the wics are actually being pulled to the side when it shrinks.Maybe I'm not making the string tight enough?

I am just starting out making candles.Hopefully will be able to start a business in the future but I'm very confused about some things.Think I read to many threads that were different. For instants.. Are the candles supposed to have the tunneling? From what I've read depends on what you like but no. How deep is the melted pool supposed to be? There are so many different waxes.What is the best to use? There are not really any stores near me that even sell waxes.(I'm out in the boonies and it's 1 hour to closet store)So I go the only thing they I found which is 10lbs slabs of paraffin wax.I made pillars,votives and jars out of it but I see people saying use soy wax or blends for jars or what not and I'm very confused by it all.Does soy wax like melt slower or something or like can someone explain to me the differences of the waxes. Me reading all this is just making it more confusing.I know people have different opinions but what would be best for a beginner to use for jars of any size and pillars and votives.Also are tarts like tea lights or they something only used for the warmer type things? With the first votive and pillar I did came out very smooth and shiny(only have 1 pillar mold and 3 votive molds atm) and the other I made afterward came out rough and had lines through it like i took a knife and carver around them.What made this happen?The molds were cleaned out after each use. And with paraffin wax how do you get less shrinkage? Even with a second re pour a had some shrinkage. Does paraffin wax burn longer than a soy or blended wax? If I blend paraffin with soy how much do I use of each one?