snowman

Vicky, Thanks for the excellent advice and words of wisdom. I made a critical mistake, which was basing my suggested price on the competition rather than my numbers. I reviewed similar size molds offered by others and priced accordingly. Not the correct method of doing business. I have accomplished my intended purpose of the original post and will adjust my sale efforts to be more realistic as well as competitive. I feel very fortunate to have this Forum as an educational resource in many respects. J.Snow

Forgot more important details, this mold has embossed lettering, One side of the bottle has "Liberty Milk Co. - Buffalo, NY" and the opposite side has the "Statue of Liberty". J.Snow

Vicky - The candle is 22 oz. of beeswax. The height is 7" and it is 3" in diameter. The mold weighs 2.11 lbs and is the new Mold Star Silicone from Smooth-On. Thanks for the inquiry, I should have included these numbers in the original post. J.Snow

Let me state on the front end that I am not offering or attemping to offer these molds for sale on this forum. I'm just looking for advice, suggestions and input from the many experts and veterans of the candle business. I have purchased many molds from several excellent silicone mold makers. A few are probably members of this forum. Got no complaints about their products. I just think I have developed a better mouse trap and want the opinions of my peers. I have developed a line of molds for antique and unique bottles and jars. I am including a PVC sleeve to protect and preserve the mold as well as a wick pin. My question is; does this package look like something of interest to the market and would it sell at $110.00? Or should I quit wasting time and money and stick to making candles? Your opinions and critical evaluations will be most appreciated. J.Snow

Thanks Jonsie!! Will give BCN a try and see what happens. Will post the results. I keep thinking I should scrap the wood wick idea and then Hardwood peps me up to try again...

Hardwood - First test burned beautifully. Next 2 test not satisfactory, didn't burn worth a flip. Can I soak these wood wicks in something that will give them a little better firepower? I think I about have the new ribbon wick figured out and will be ready to do a test next week. Have you looked at the ribbon wicks and do you have an opinion, advice or suggestions???

You've got no idea how much I appreciate your assist. Looks like it would be a no-brainer for the sellers of products to be responsive, Can you imagine the prospective buyer of a new vehicle at a dealership and no one will answer questions. This example don't count, I know such has happened. I won't buy from Unity again, if I can find another source. The tool goes all the way through the rose, stick the wood wick out the bottom, attach a clip, push the clip into the rose with a little assist from another heat tool and you have a wood wick rose. I'll attached more photos soon. I've got to work on inserting the wick before pouring the wax....

Hardwood - Tried to reply to your post. Couldn't attach photos and had to go advanced. Not sure how this all comes together. Thought I should go ahead with this reply to make you aware of the other reply...

Hardwood - Searched everywhere for what I hoped would be quality wicks. Settled on Unity and sent them an email for advice re my rose candles. No reply, you would think in this economic environment a company would at least respond to any sales opportunity. So, I ordered from Unity based on their available descriptions. Received the wicks recommended for palm and others. Don't believe they had a wick specific for beeswax. Tried to order based on your guidelines. They are not 1/2 inch or .04 thick. Here is a photo of a test burn, this candle is not 100% beeswax. Flame is a little high, good crackle, melt pool was ok but could be a little larger. What do you think about putting 2 wicks together and a little offset to make up the 1/2 inch? Also, attached is a photo of a

glowworm - My apologies for overlooking your message and request. The yellow rose is from a mold obtained from Roses' Roses, I believe their new website is moldmakinghandyman. The dark orange is from Penguin Love Molds. If you can't find their web sites, let me know and I'll copy and send. Would do so now if I can figure how to open another link without kicking me out of this site.

Hardwood - Here are the photos identified in the prior post. Let me know if you have questions and you can call me at 479-903-3349.

Hardwood - Many thanks for the reply & assistance offer. The rose in the photo is 4" dia. x 2" hgt. & a 1.5" base. I'll attach another photo of the base. I also have 2 additional roses (may have to send photos in a 2nd reply), the yellow is 4" dia. X 1.5" hgt. & a 2.5" base. The pegged rose is 4.5" dia. X 3" hgt. & a .75 base. I would think the ideal melt pool would be in the range of a .25" outside lip. Do you or would you sell me wicks for these? If no, your recommendation for a source. J.Snow

I'm thinking a wood wick would look neat in my beeswax roses. However, I have no experience with wood wicks. Seeking the advice of anyone with experience. Will a wood wick work in this situation? If yes, your recommendation as to size, wood type and/or brand name. Any and all advice will be most appreciated. J.Snow

Stella - Thanks for the look and reply. Your opinion is most appreciated. J.Snow

I have made molds for a variety of old bottles with embossed lettering. Here are a few reproductions made from beeswax. I have tried a few with color to see if it would make a difference on how the lettering stands out. Several that I have shown these to have suggested that a wick is not necessary as most will never burn them. I even have a mold for a popular soft drink bottle that I am trying to get permission to use. Probably a lost cause. The opinions of this forum would be appreciated. Should they be offered as candles or wax art????? J.Snow

Go to a Heat & Air Shop that makes metal ducts for H&A unit installation. They can make you whatever size you want and the cost should be minimal. You will have a good smooth surface for candle removal. Be sure and spray the inside with mold release or silicone spray before pouring. If the seam is an issue, look at covering the seam with metal tape. You can buy a roll at most hardware stores. Same tape you would use to cover the wick hole in metal molds. j.Snow

Thank you Ms. Vicky and all others who replied to my reply. I thought my message was humorous, my spouse (who I call Precious) says I was being a smart a**. Possibly I'm like that Broad on the "View" (Joy Blowhard), who regularly says "now listen, this is going to be funny". Again, many thanks to all and Micro Wax here I come. J.Snow

There has to be something I'm overlooking. Is it the wording of my post, do I possibly have BO? Not 1 reply. I know from research others have used GPC-15 in the past. Does no one use now? Is there another product that will do the same as GPC-15, but simpler to use? If it's the BO, I'll cheat on the conservation and bump the shower up to twice a week. Who would have thought I smelled bad with all this candle fragrance. I can go into a store and usually have 2 to 4 people following me sniffing. J.Frosty (fka Snow)

Forum reasearch would suggest that most prefer not using C-15. What is the reccomended alternative? I make roses and I am on a petal breaking streak. For awhile, no or minimal problems. I'm trying to use a 75 Soy - 25 beeswax formula. I had no or very little breakage at 50/50. I would like to cut down to an 80/20 due to the cost of beeswax. I am trying the C-15 and as most indicate, it's a mess. Any advice, suggestions, etc., will be most appreciated. J.Snow

I would like to start a "candle making teaching program". Would anyone know where I could obtain a book on teaching candle making or other information such as a successful program that another candle maker has developed? I would gladly pay for such information and would not ask someone to give me something they spent hours developing. What I am looking for is an outline, ideas, as well as do's and don'ts without reinventing the wheel again. Many thanks to any and all that respond. My email is popscandleshoppe@cox.net J.Snow

M&G - I use an IR thermometer along with regular therms. You will get pros and cons as to their accuracy. I find they vary very little with digital or regulat therms. As to distance from the wax surface, that is not a major issue. I would try to be within a few inches, 6 to 10. That's one of the advantages of an IR thermometer, you can measure the temp a couple of feet away if necessary and get the same reading. I have friends that use them for grilling and other outdoor cooking. One friend swears by the IR for checking the temp of his oil for deep frying fish. Hope this helps. If you have a specific question, please ask and I will try to answer. J.Snow

I have designed a "Tilter" that you can fit from 6 to 8 - 4" molds and a corresponding number of 3" and 2" molds on. After the final tilted layer pour, it lays flat for the final pour. I use polycarbonate tubing for the molds, which gets expensive for the 4" and 3" diameter. However, you can see the level of each layer you're pouring and the setup cooling. Not expensive to build the base unit, a 4'x8' sheet of OSB or plywood and as many sheets of 24" x 24" plexaglass as needed for the number of Tilters made. If anyone is interested , I can supply photos sometime soon. J.Snow

Crazzie - I had a problem breaking candles with a drill until I tried a power screwdriver with a drill chuck attachment and a small 1/16 bit for the first hole. Now I very seldom break a candle. I found 2 things cause the candle to break; the drill bit is turning to fast and too much down pressure on the drill. The power screwdriver turns at a slower speed, you can hold it in your hand at a more natural angle, which causes less down pressure. After the first hole with the small bit, enlarging the hole to the exact wick size with another bit or a hot rod is simple. Possibly info that you already knew or more than you wanted to know, thought i would pass along for whatever benefit it might provide or space it might take up. JS

Sorry if this is the wrong section for this post. I am in need of an alternate (another) web site as it would appear my web site designer/developer has gone South or otherwise departed for parts unknown. As I haven't heard from her in sometime nor will she respond to my contact efforts. Obvious I am not going to have a web site in time for Christmas shopping. Any ideas, suggestions anyone might have would be most appreciated. Many thanks... J.Snow

This is the Spiral candle I am inquiring about...