Fern-Marie

For just tarts, you can use that wax. You can use almost anything for just tarts. Don't be put off by 'container' wax. I use container waxes for tarts and tea lights. It's just a matter of convenience and have never had a problem. A lot of ppl prefer that type of wax, a pillar blend, because it's firmer. It's a good wax. Give it a whirl, you'll be fine.

There are para/soy blends pre mixed, I'm not sure if Peak's has it that way, but others do. I don't think that you want to get right into blending waxes, that's a bit more technical for a first timer, and at this stage is really not necessary. I'm sure Candle Science(CS) has one, I played around with it and liked it. It's got numbers in the name...6006, I can't remember the letters. You can buy by the pound. CS also has a rating next to each of their fragrances which indicates which FO works well with soy. Very helpful. However, with tarts or wickless candles, I have found that even the lowest graded of their fragrances will work. Burning with a wick is the problem. If you go through them, their Mistletoe FO is the most fabulous Christmas scent I have ever tried. They too are at the pinnacle of the candle business. Very respected, good stuff, great service. And since you're going to ask, lol, wickless is like a tart but it's poured into a short, squatty jar, i.e. a tureen like CS sells, and you place the jar of wax on a candle warmer, and when it melts, the scent will float through your whole home. Makes a great gift and can save on present buying. Remember, the larger the melt pool (mp), the stronger scenting effect. So it's like melting a huge tart, and it lasts a reallllyyyy long time. Candle warmers are sold at Michael's and some other stores - Walmart on occasion. Yes, the teflon coated pans are what you want. No, I do not spray them. I tried that and found it too messy, and that it altered the wax. If you can't get the tarts to pop out easily, put the whole pan in the freezer for 15 mins, that'll do it!

Unless specifically stated that it's soy, it's paraffin. A lot of ppl use 'votive' wax for tarts because it tends to be harder. I use soy, which is very soft...kind of like Crisco. I don't use soap molds, but I believe you can. I'm not positive, I don't make soap either.

1. Para/soy is fine, read each items description, and decide what you think is interesting for you..it really is a personal taste. 2. Silicone is great..but very expensive. That's why I use mini muffin tins from Wal-Mart. Keep it simple. 3. "One Pour" refers to the individual characteristics of a wax. Some waxes tend to settle, or dip once they set up. Because that appearance is 'unattractive' ppl will pour a second time after the wax has set in order to achieve a flat, smooth top. One Pour means that the wax should not need a second pour to look good. 4. UVI - if you are selling outside, or selling in a store where light and air may frequently hit your candles, then you should use it. Candle color will fade when exposed to UV light...think of it as a 'sunscreen' for candles. You don't need it. 5. Peaks is an excellent choice. High quality FOs, good service, and since they have kits.....good place to start. There, saved you again Vicky! lol

Yes, kits are great for beginners, that way you aren't putting a whole lot of money into buying all sorts of supplies only to find that it's more than you bargained for, or you hate this type of wax, or that type. Paraffin is a lot less headache than soy, for instance. Soy is popular, but it requires 'cure time' if you get into candles. Soy also 'frosts', pits, dents, etc., in general it can be ugly! It takes a lot of work to make it look pretty - especially for a beginner. If you don't mind ugly - go for it! You can melt soy in the microwave - this cuts down on a lot of equipment. For a hobby, or personal use to make tarts to scent your home, maybe as gifts for mom and the girlfriends, etc., you may want the ease of paraffin If you have one of those mini muffin pans, that's what a lot of us use for tarts. Have fun with it. Betcha get hooked! Good luck, and let us know how it works out for you.

Bingo! Vicky is a very experienced gel waxer, she would be the best one to give advice. I'm glad she posted for you. Good PRO advice...and she chooses not to do them for a reason.

Well, I 'found' a bag of soy in my closet.....? Haven't dug it out yet...have absolutely no idea what type it is. Must have been sedated that week. Hmmm. I'm gonna play - whatever it is.

Oh, well thanks for that visualization! lol Now you got me doing it!! Daisybelle, warning - gel wax is pretty pricey. Gel wax is highly volatile. It is a different creature from paraffins and soy. It is tempermental, and you MUST use fragrance oils (FO) specific to it. Not all FOs work with gel. It needs a lot of attention during the heating process. It is something to be mastered rather than tried as a hobby. Do what you will, but I think you may want to do a paraffin, which is much easier to work with and is cheaper to purchase by the pound. Good Luck to you with whatever you decide, and welcome to the boards. Fern-Marie

Great minds think alike!

Whoa! Warning: harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia will cause the gaskets in your dishwasher to deteriorate. DH fixes appliances and I got chewed out when he caught me putting a 'bit of bleach' in the dishwasher. Most dishwasher detergents have a bit of safe bleach in them. If you want to run them through the dishwasher, go ahead, but do not add any additional chemicals.

I just stumbled upon this: http://www.keystonecandle.com/Jar_Candle_Accessories.htm Those star toppers are on the bottom of the page. HTH

I hope that you don't mind me saying so, but I am so glad that we have talented men doing candles with a masculine theme. They look rugged and out-doorsy. Men would be far more likely go buy a candle for themselves that are more "them" than the pretty stuff we gals tend to do...and they do love the pines! They are so handsomely made. I just love them. Mucho Macho!

I like it...a lot! Nice choice.

What about an elastic going across the foot strap? You could easily hide it inside the fabric. That way, it would stretch/fit and have a bit of give to bend the toes. How did you sew through cork? What did you use? Really great project.

Yeah, right, that's what they said about the silicone glue. I ain't fallin' for that again! lol :tiptoe: ...I didn't read anything about a small torch, I'm thinking, hmmm, how can I sneak that propane thingy into my craft room without DH knowing I took it? See, that's where it starts!

...not I, using silicone glue darn near did me in, I can imagine what ole Lucy here could get into with a torch. How 'bout a bic, could I do it with a bic? I've pretty much got that mastered. lol I'd love to take a pic of DH if I mention torch!

We all go through this. You're going to be just fine. Keep your chin up. It will get better. Hold your head high when the competition is around, smile and look confident. ...and keep saying to yourself: ha, ha, my stuff is better than your stuff. lol I think you're feeling better already.

Man, that stuff ticks me off. Remind these ppl that you are not a machined factory...everyone is hand poured, that takes work. Let alone the care taken to scent them and make them look pretty...where lots of big companies out there don't care. Hand crafted items cost more...you get what you pay for. If there were a problem, she can speak directly with the person who made it, can she say that about Yankee? Also, if she buys a $6.00 candle with a wick, what are the chances she'll hit on a good brand and it will scent properly? Wickless last way longer than burning, so it is far more economical. Gimme her # I'll set her right! Untalented yo-yos who think they know what the hell they're talking about - they're my favorite target! Don't compromise!

...ditto

Way cute!

Wow! Aren't you talented! I wondered how that was done, now I know. Thanks for sharing.

Pyrex is great..I use that and others. Basicically, if you have something that is microwave safe...that's what I go by anyway. Never had a problem. Just don't let it overlap from the warmer plate onto the plastic area or it will crack the warmer.

Is the rule of thumb that what a fragrance does in soy, will be the same as the Glass Glow Palm - or did I misunderstand the statement on CS? I'm hoping it's better than the trials of soy and fragrance. I'm still waiting for CS to restock. I am so disappointed that they are out, and a bit concerned that it is taking so long to get it back in.

We've all had those days. It is hard, and tiring to be sure. The thing is: YOU know you can do this! YOU know you do it well! Be the best you can be, and don't expect it to happen overnight. Go to local stores, do you know anyone who has a business like a gift shop, hair dresser, even someone in an office that can take some samples to the girls in the office?? It will happen, contacts are hard to come by, but you will find them. Don't despair. You know you have the support and good wishes of everyone here - and we all have our struggles and down days, we're human. Get some rest, things will be clearer to you. Big hugs and best wishes.

Oooo, I'd forgotten about that one! THE BEST Christmas scent for soy that I have ever tried. My DH walked in the house last holiday and the look of sheer scent delight was on his face. He looked like a little kid at Christmas. He couldn't get over how much the house smelled like Christmas. It put him right in the holiday spirit. I kept it on the warmer all season...I made a wickless. Scented the entire house beautifully. It is on my list to re-order. This is a must have for the holidays.