Jaime811

Thanks very much for the help!

When I got up this morning, it was all gone. Completely dry, and smooth - like it never happened. Well, with the exception of my smudgy finger swipe which is still there!

It is meant to be around 103F today, so it will be interesting to see if it happens again.

Thanks again for the replies

Hello everyone,

I made a candle yesterday, and today it's got little droplets on the surface, and I don't know how to work out if it's the FO leaking out, or if my little candle needs a sweat band because it's freaking hot today?

Details are -

Container candle

100% Ecosoya xcel wax

candy cane FO - 7%

Wax heated to 190, FO and dye added at 180 and poured at 130.

No wet spots, perfect glass adhesion, smooth top, but a bitty patch of frosting near the wick.

It's around 33 C today (93 F) and 60% humidity - no idea if that even makes a difference?

I've not had this problem before, so I don't know what to do about it, or even why it happened? Do I just wipe it off, heat gun the top, or remelt the entire candle and start again?

Is it something I've stuffed up, or something that just happens?

And yes, that my my finger smudge mark from the right to the bottom lol

Thanks for reading!

I'm only new to making candles, so my note taking is probably very low tech compared to the experts.

I use a notepad to write the details of each candle - wax, scent, wick, colour, how much wax the jar / mold holds etc. I also write the time of every test burn so I can keep track of how long it actually burns for, and notes on appearance after every burn.

If I've stuffed up the wick and I need to change I rule a line across the page, write in the new wick and start over.

When I get the results I want, I test burn another from scratch (with the same specs) to be sure it's all happening right, then type up the winning formula. I keep a copy on the computer, and print a copy for the "OMG this candle actually worked" folder.

My folder currently only has 4 "recipe's" in it lol.

I also found it helpful to pour 2 test candles if you use wax that needs curing time. I realised very quickly when I was starting out that when you are *almost* on a winner (or so far wrong you have to question if you were actually awake when you selected a wick), it sucks to have to wait 1-2 weeks for curing to try the next idea.

Wowsers! That is amazing!

I was about to start a project just like that....no wait, my project is just getting a basic pillar to burn right. lol.

But wow, wow, wow, wow and wow!

How tall is it? I checked with my trusty online converter to see how much 3lbs was in kg - that is some serious candle weight.

Thanks

I made a soy pillar (coloured and FO), bombed with my first wick selection, decided it was beyond repair and melted down and made a new pillar.

Do I need to let it sit again for another 1-2 weeks before retesting?

Wisdom of the wise ones appreciated

I'm taking some new scents for a test drive this weekend - Australian Sandalwood, bamboo and musk, coconut palm and raspberry porter.

Also making new testers for a few scents that I was disappointed with last week - Himalayan bamboo, Oakmoss and amber and black orchid.

I like the first 2.

The simplistic elegance of the plain glass is my favourite.

Can't help at all with the lid issue sorry. I don't sell my candles so I'm not sure what is done with lidless glass.

Thanks very much for your replies.

If HT is great in a candle or melt (ES PB) after only curing for 4 days, is it safe to say that it will just as good after a proper curing time?

I made a melt and a candle to try out a new FO and the cold throw was great. I was too impatient and ended up trying them after 4 (the melt) and 5 (the votive) days.

The melt had a fantastic HT, the candle had a decent HT, but I got the wick wrong so it doesn't really count as I have to start again on that anyway.

So it got me to thinking if FO can get weaker over 2 weeks, or if HT is great after 4 or 5 days is it safe to say it works for my wax?

I rarely cave and test early, but I just couldn't resist this time. It was begging to be tested.

What does the payer say? Very beautiful candle!

nag champa, neroli & antique musk

It sounds like that scent you get when you walk past one of those shops that sells Balinese style wood furniture, beaded bags, silk cushions & incense etc. We have one of those in my local shopping center and I could spend hours just wandering around for the smell alone. Nag Champa is one of my fav scents.

Of course my imagination could be wayyyy off, but that is what came to mind when I read it. I bet it smells every bit as good as it sounds!

I use ecosoya PB and it doesn't just slide out for me. I use a tealight warmer, so when I go to change it I light a new tealight, and by the time I have picked a new melt the bottom has melted a tad and the disc slides out. I don't melt it all the way down and pour out as a liquid....unless I get distracted and forget about it!

Bwahahaha, I already cleaned the fingerprints off!

After I sat gazing at it for a while I gave it a poke...I think I was expecting a souffle moment where it would just sink into it's self when touched, and then quickly grabbed a tissue and removed the evidence of my doubt.

Hopefully after having a week or so to stare at it while it cures I will be looking forward to burning it.

It's an awesome feeling...especially seeing the test burns on my first candles hasn't been exactly successful - it's nice to have that reassurance that I will get there eventually. The test burn on this one might be a fail as well, but hey, it still has a great top!

So I'm doing a little happy dance, gave a little whoop whoop (very quiet, don't want to wake the kids up) and I can't stop looking at it.

I had to do a re pour last night before I went to bed, and this morning I lifted up the box covering my candle with fingers crossed, and I think my heart actually skipped a beat! Perfection! It's so perdy I can't bring myself to start the test burn yet.

I'm wondering if I should keep it as my inspiration candle and put a note on it saying "Yes, you CAN pour a great looking candle"

I'm sure there is probably some eye rolling going on...smooth top candle is hardly world peace, I know, but I'm having a serious *wow* moment.

Funny you should say that. It's getting ridiculously hot here and I've taken to doing all my testing at night in the study when I don't have to sit directly in front of a fan, or have the air con going. Of course when I'm sitting here at my computer reading away or watching a movie while watching a candle reveal my latest mistake, a glass (or 2) of wine goes down a treat.

My other half likes to poke fun at me saying that testing a candle is my excuse for solitary drinking, despite the fact that he sticks his head in every 20 mins to ask if I need a top up.

I've found it a fantastic way to wind down after a long day. And when my testing isn't going well, it helps to have a wine with my whine.

Thanks Stella!

Was excited about the possibility of not having to wait, but I'll be good and leave it be.

This is possibly one of "those" type questions (you know, the ones that scream "No idea what she is doing!!") but is curing needed for the wax, or just the fragrance part of the candle?

I'm having a little play around making my first pillar today with ecosoya PB, but no fragrance. Do the candles still need to cure, or is that unnecessary when it's unscented?

Feel free to laugh at me, just do it quietly please

Thanks everyone!

I will try again with a smaller wick. I have just started testing the candle I made with a CDN 7 and will see how that goes as well.

On the 3rd test burn, the container got quite hot. I could touch it an pick it up, but wouldn't be able to hold it for any length of time. After all the other burns though, it was comfortable to handle. I'm not sure why the 3rd was different?

The vanilla is just "vanilla" from Aussie candle supplies. I don't know who supplies to them from the US ( I assume they get them from someone over there though).

I've added in a pic of the container after the last burn, when it was completely cooled. If that is residue, is there a way to overcome that problem, or does that come down to wick as well, and will not happen when I get the right wick?

OK, I have finished testing my second attempt and I'm not overly happy with the results - although no injuries or house fires, so it's promising

Details -

Wax - 464

Wick - HTP 83

FO - vanilla 6%

Container dia - top 2.5" bottom 2"

height 2"

Burned in 2 - 2.5 hour intervals. There was another burn not shown, but OH has the camera, and still a bit over 1/2" of wax left.

On the first burn I had a full melt pool in about 40 mins, but the glass is not clean (I know there is a word for that, but my brain isn't being helpful this morning).

Scent throw was very poor.

I've probably left out a whole heap of important observations, but that's a start anyway.

The melt pool makes me think go down a size, but the wax left on the jar tells me no and I'm confused!

Any suggestions or opinions or slapping around appreciate

They are all lovely, but the Love Spell is my fav...love the colour!

My partner calls it "ground zero", I call it my sanctuary.

If you're in Oz, then you're only choices are htps or cdns as you know

Indeed we seem to have a very poor selection compared to the US. On the other hand, I guess it's a lot less confusing when you have a LOT less options. I spend so much time drooling in the classified section on this site though, thinking "If only..."

I can test one of my candles tomorrow! I keep reaching for it thinking "does 12 hours *really* matter", then mentally slapping myself for my impatience...