spark-me-up

WOW... I would be FURIOUS!!!! I'm so sorry this has happened to you =( BUT... I have the same news as @jackbenimble... just clicked on a couple of links & got the same message as he did, so perhaps you are ok now. NOT that they are excused in any way! I hope it never happens to you again... hope it never happens to ANY of us AT ALL.

"molds i use metal, plastic, and some large heavy silicone... metal always looks nice and clean after i clean them, plastic are nice and smooth shapes and sized silicone has the critters i like but leaves a mottling effect on them ... what am i doing wrong with them" I don't think you are doing anything "wrong". I have used silicone moulds & I think they leave a mottling effect because when you "peel" them back off the candle, the "grip" the mould has on the wax sort of takes a very VERY fine layer off the surface of your candle. I could be wrong, but that's the way I see it happens. You can try running over the candle, once you have it out of the mould, with a hair dryer or a heat gun set on low. I found that was enough to "zap" the frosted/ mottled effect away, because the problem I had was only superficial. The heat from the dryer or the gun left a nice "polish" in the end. Jut be sure to take it slow & be patient. Let us know if that works for you!

lol @chuck! What do the manufaturers say? I think they'd be safer because they are battery operated, right? So, they're like most alarm clocks. Any I have seen hold very small batteries though or are rechargeable, which is just as well cause they don't last long at all. Put it this way... far as I'm concerned, they're much safer than running the risk of leaving real ones lit! But still, read the packaging & see what their makers state.

As ACS 9.1 & 9.2 sized wicks? I can only find 9.0 & 9.3. After extensive testing, the 9.0 is a tiny bit too small but the 9.3 is way too big! Grrrr Wouldn't you know it?! Anyway, before I start contacting suppliers & possibly making a fool of myself, I thought I'd ask you guys... cause you have heard it ALL by now I have had a scout around, but can't find any related threads/ posts in here. Also, if there are such sizes, if anyone can recommend a supplier (that ships to Oz), I'd be stoked because the two over here don't appear to have them. Apologies if this is a silly question! & If it IS, I hope I've at least given you a bit of a laugh Cheers!!!!!!!!!!

WoW! 55 eh? That's taken the top off my head My main thing isn't fragrance but I decided to dabble- with EO's. I've started with one & I've been dicking around with it for weeks now! I thought I'd be sitting pretty when I started on the second LOL. So, this has been a great thread to read, thanks guys! Good Luck Mike... think I'd be about 89 but the time I reached your goal

=) Camay... no Candle making isn't Rocket Science! They don't have to contend with varying "quality" wax or EO or dye every damn time they send for more components...

"'til death do us part" *faint*

OMG just tootled over to my local ikea website... yes, they have the same thermometer, but they're charging $16.99 over here. Candle Making in Oz is bloody rediculous!!!!

& yeah... I LOVE the idea of an alarm too. Never come accross one equipped, but man, that'd be really handy!

My only 2 cents worth is to get a couple. I only had one & I busted it (don't ask) & had to stop EVERYTHING at the worst possible time. So, always have at least one spare!

Hi Bill, Glad you are having fun. Don't think ANYONE could make candles if there wasn't some of that involved, cause it's hard work! I love these boards. The people here are lovely & the advice & archives have proven invaluable to me!!! See you round!

Here's the deal... the more space you find, the more stuff you get to pack it with! I am pretty organised & I have just had a huge "spring clean" so everything is washed up & empty & tidy & the wax is picked off almost everything. YAY!!! My most favourite hated thing to do is clean all my test glasses etc, from container candles, That drives me NUTS. I wish I had a hot tap outside... or that I could just pour stuff down the drain. It's a BIG pain having to run in & out with tubs of hot soapy water etc. Anyway, good onya Jason... looks like your work space has a nice vibe. You're so orderly... wouldn't happen to be a Virgo would you?

I sent an e-mail to the makers & although I was very polite, I haven't heard back (surprise!) I also took a look at the "report this page" on ebay, but they seem more concerned with payment default & other skullduggery. & Yes, no one "official" seems to want to get involved unless the damage has already been done! thanks @EricofAZ =)

Hi Jason! So cool you make your own moulds =) Look forward to reading your posts... have fun!

Hi Mike! Officially poor with no spare bench space or table tops! That's where I get stuck... with storage! & I hate throwing any boxes I get out, cause you always need a box for SOMEthing. I am envious of you having such a great "team", I do it all by myself & could use some help... specially with all the math. Ouuu I hate numbers!!! Anyway, Good Luck & see ya round

RE: Plate stands There are bazillion types out there- from clear, plain plastic, to braided brass, to wrought iron, to antique. All different sizes (careful choosing one large enough to support the size you have) & it all depends on how much you want to/ can spend. Some places sell bulk sets but any I know are over here in Au & no good to you- sorry! You could try ebay, or anywhere that sells merchandising/ visual merchandising supplies. There are some really beautiful ones, that would look spectacular with yours (I don't make these, I know about the plate stands cause I'm a window dresser Anyway, good Luck... one things for sure, without looking at price, you can be guaranteed of falling in love with THE most expensive ones. Gah!!! =)

Grr! I made a comment in here & came back but it's gone. I was saying that @Stella, thank you for your suggestion, I always appreciate how you are so constructive when you answer people! Unfortunately, these candles are made off shore in China & are sold through ebay. I can't do anything from Australia because they are out of jurisdiction. If they were here, I may well consider it, because these are really dangerous =( & you know... one irresponsible person/ company does one stupid thing & causes a fire & then ALL candles are demonised. It's really unfair to those of us who do eveything in our power to keep people safe. Thanks!

Yep! They come boxed as a "gift" for your lover too. UNbelievable, but what can you do? This kind of crap makes my hair stand on end =(

I was just cruising around e-bay & came accross these little beauties! Check out the wick situation... Hope you all can see... don't want to mess with making the file any bigger in case I crash something!

Ok, Probably the quickest way to get your hands on wicks is at a craft store. Their range is usually limited & most (over here anyway) only have "flat braided" wick, sold by the meter. I would try a 15 ply. You will also need some wick "tabs" (these are the little silver bizzos, that sit in the bottom of your container & hold the wick). You will need to google or youtube a couple of tutorials to get a heads up on how to go about it all, because the type of wick I've mentioned will need to be dipped etc. Keep in mind that you don't want your wick too big, as you run a serious risk of it over heating your container & shattering the glass, so be VERY careful! (also, you do know you should only ever heat your wax up in a double boiler, right? Never in a pot directly on a stove top!!!) Don't want to sound all preachy, but don't want you to burn your house down either If you can afford to wait for a little while, you can check out peak candle supplies site & mail order your wicks (pre-tabbed... much easier!) from them. I mention them becuase I think they have a wick sizing chart on their site. You could also maybe mail them & ask what they'd recommend & maybe someone else will come along in here & give you a better suggestion than mine! Even if you CAN find wicks at your craft store, still take the time to watch a few tutorials. It's better to have a really clear idea & some good tips in your head before you get going. & finally, here in "Sunny Australia" it is a very cold 6 degrees, as we "speak", but it IS Winter & I am in Victoria, one of the coldest states =( Anyway, Good Luck!!!!! I hope all goes well... let us know =)

Hi just, Can you tell us what the diameter of your container is? & do you have any idea what kind of wax your votives are made from? Paraffin? Palm? etc... Cheers.

Yeah, plus ice packs/ blocks tend to "sweat" & if you're shipping in cardboard, the bottom could come off the box (due it getting wet & the weight on top). Also, it adds weight, so can end up costing more. Ahhh freight & postage, never a dull moment!

Sad thing is, there are people out there who will follow the advice =)

Still @EricofAZ, nice that you posted initially & said that!

Well Vivienne, you'll certainly be making life easier for yourself! Looks pretty =) As long as you can convey that people need to remove the ribbon so it dosn't catch fire!!! You know... sometimes you really need to spell things out... people do the dumbest things =)