Dariablue

If I use a mold release, will that affect the feathering of the palm wax?

Thank you for the fridge suggestion, I will give that a try!

I work with feather palm wax and have not run into this type of problem before. I recently purchased a new, metal mold that is 12 inches tall by 2 wide. The width is the same the whole way up instead of getting wider or narrower. I have poured a candle into it twice and both times I have had a terrible time getting the candle to unmold. I have never had a palm wax candle not slip out of the mold fairly easily, but this one is far from easy. The second candle that I poured in it, I finally ended up taking a wick pin to try and pry it out. Needless to say, I got to the point I didn't care what the candle came out looking like, I just wanted to get it out. It was unscented without any dye, so I was going to remelt it and pour it again if it got scuffed. I finally got it pulled out, but ended up pulling it so much that the candle broke in half with half of it still stuck in the mold. I was so frustrated at that point that I put the entire thing in the wax melter and melted the wax out of it.

The mold does not have any groves or a lip on it that the wax is getting caught on (at least not that I can figure out), but it does not come out easily. I have never used a mold release in the past, no need to - but now I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how I can make this a usable mold with palm wax. Any advice????

Beautiful candles - I love the layers of the square pillar!

If you are balancing a mold at a precarious angle, make sure it is stable before pouring wax into it. I've had some stupid "oops" moments because I rushed and didn't make sure the mold was going to be able to maintain that same position once filled with wax.

I've also learned to not wear my favorite jeans or shoes when making wax...one should learn after the first time...I am still retaught that lesson occasionally!

My boyfriend joined me in the candle studio this weekend and made this candle. The scent is: Moon Lake Hammock (Moon Lake Musk meets Oakmoss & Amber)

3 x 4.5" Palm Wax Pillar

Those are beautiful, I love the crispness of the lines!

1. Green Apple 3 x 4.5" Palm Wax

2. Pineapple Blossom 3 x 6" Palm Wax

3. Day at the Spa 3 x 4.5" Palm Wax

Here are a couple of the candles that I've made this weekend. I got some new fragrances in and I have to admit that my house smells very good!

A very fun distraction!

Thank you for such a kind comment, I'm not as experienced as a lot of the people on here - but I do have fun.

I really do have things around the house I should be doing, but this is more fun then doing laundry or unloading the dishwasher... :rolleyes2

1. Grapefruit & Mangosteen 3 x 4.5" Palm Wax Pillar

2. Himalayan Bamboo 3 x 4.5" Palm Wax Pillar

3. White Tea & Berries 3 x 4.5" Palm Wax Pillar

4. Lavender Vanilla 3 x 4.5" Palm Wax Pillar

I use metal molds and I just use my heat gun if I have any wax residue on the inside. I take the heat gun to it for 30 seconds or so, then I take a paper towel and wipe out the inside - it gets it good as new. Since I have not used silicone molds before, I am not sure if that could be done with those or not.

I have a couple molds in which the wick pin hole is a little bigger then the wick pin itself, the best thing that I have found is mold sealer (I know that you were asking for something different.) With those molds, I take a larger amount of mold sealer then I would normally use, roll it out into a long strip and coil it around the wick pin. I then put insert the wick pin and have to press down on the mold so that it flattens out the mold sealer and gets a nice, closed seal before I pour my candle. I have had molds in which I want to completely cover up the wick hole and not even use a wick pin. In those instances, I've used duct tape....layers. I've found that with duct tape, I usually put several layers.

I did see somewhere, and I can't remember where off hand, of a magnetic mold sealer. Depending on what kinds of molds you are using, you might be able to use a magnet if it is the right size to put on the bottom of the mold to help seal it.

Those look good enough to eat - I bet they smell delicious!

Making lots of floaters for two wedding orders - diamonds for one, gardenias for another. Also some food candles for another order - cheeseburger with everything, onion rings and fries - and a hotdog with fries.

I think I would be very overwhelmed trying to make a candle look like a cheeseburger with everything on it...I'd love to see pics once it is complete!

I have made some white, unscented palm wax pillars. Not very exciting, but elegant nonetheless. I also have a couple lilac scented candles that I've been working on this evening.

EccoLights - thank you for the information! I followed your link and did report them. I hope that this thread provides useful for those of us who use Etsy as it is intended to be used!

Thanks for the feedback - I think that you all hit it right on target! As soon as I posted the question, I came to the same conclusion that you had stated in your responses. I wasn't given any more information except for what I copied and pasted into the original post. I will stick with my own customers and reputable sources if someone wants to review a candle (after they've purchased it). SuzyK - I'm glad to hear that you get those types of requests through Etsy too....I assume this is just the first of more to follow.

Many thanks!!

I sell many of my palm wax candles by word-of-mouth, but I also have a site on Etsy. I was contacted by someone (who I don't know) today who wrote:

I was looking through your site and saw your page on Etsy. I wanted to know if I could get a few items sent to me to review on youtube, telling them about your page, your candles, etc. Would you be interested?

I have not responded back yet...

Couple thoughts running through my head are:

-They could be someone who is just looking at getting a couple free candles.

-Would having a review on youtube be good, bad or wouldn't make any difference

-Other things I haven't thought about yet...

I'm curious what others would do in this situation, or if you have been in this situation and what you have done. Many thanks!

Those are very beautiful! I'd have a difficult time burning them because I would just want to admire them!

Cute label!

I have not personally used that, but I have heard good things about it!

A couple more Palm Wax candles that I made this weekend

1. Buttered Rum

2. Green Tea & Lemongrass

3. Day at the Spa

A friend of mine asked me if the oils that she has to put in oil burners would be safe in a candle? I don't know the answer to that and thought I would put that out here to see if anyone knew. I always use "candle fragrances" and products specifically for candles in my candles, so I am not sure what is considered safe that isn't marketed as a candle product.

I don't want to make a product that is highly flammable and going to explode or anything along those lines!

Beautiful color - I bet they smell good!

Have fun with your first candle and let us know how it goes!