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Good thought on wicking. Candlescience told me I can promote them as "vegan friendly". Guess I will.

Obviously undyed candles still frost; it is just not that obvious. You have to look right at it under bright light. In other words, you really can't see it easily. You won't regret it. And if you have dye left over, and decide to go dye free, just post it on the classifieds on this forum. Someone who maybe uses paraffin will be sure to buy it. Good luck.

BTW the smaller jars probably got frosted quicker bc they cooled quicker. Eventually your other candle will frost, in my experience, at least.

Frosting was a major headache for me bc I was using 464 and 444 w/ no additives. I used to dye. I asked a chemist what could counter the frosting, etc. She said 100% soy wax is "amorphous" which means that under pressure, it readily forms little crystals (which is the frosting). That's why with cooler temps, wax contracts, more pressure, more crystals. I have had candles that were dyed that I poured and looked good for 2 weeks or more and then developed the dreaded frosting starting on base. Coolest. According to the chemist, you would have to add a lot of additives or blend with paraffin to counter this natural process. I lost so many dyed candles that I was unable to sell bc they were so unsightly. About 1 month ago I switched to undyed candles and it was the best decision I have ever made. Customers don't mind and actually some women seem to prefer undyed (more natural, doesn't clash w/ decor, etc.) As long as the candle smells good that's all that matters. Do yourself a favour and consider going dye free if you are using 100% soy. I don't regret it and sales are still as good or better.

I'm trying to get a health grocery store to carry my candles. I use 100% soy wax (444, GB) and fragrance oils from candle science. No additives, no dye. CS has high quality and as I am sure you know, they are augmented with essential oils. Can I rightfully call my candles "vegan"? I don't want to call it that if it's not. Just want your opinion. I put an email into candlescience and they said that their EO are obviously plant derived and their fragrance oils are of course a combo of artificial, and natural EOs. They didn't think they were derived from animals. Let me know what you think! Thanks.

Thanks for all your feedback. I will continue to double wick my 4 inch diameter jars and single-wick my 3 inch diameter jar. The single wick works well; I just wondered if I am imagining that the scent throw (while good) is not quite as strong. I cannot imagine double wicking a 3 inch jar; it would be too much in my case. The reason why I started making 8 oz jars is occasionally people would ask for a smaller one. I mainly sell the 16 oz apothecary jar. I'm curious how the 8 oz single wick will sell. Which one sells better for you?

Back to Mwanga's successes; Mwanga, can you give us any tips to secure those types of contracts? Congratulations. You must be excited.

Regarding what Beth pointed out, I also think it depends on the grade paraffin. I wouldn't be as hesitant to buy paraffin produced here in the US or overseas in Europe; I would be selective with my source. I personally only use 100% soy in my candles. But high grade paraffin is probably not too bad. I'm sure one day they'll come out with a study saying that residual pesticides, etc. in soy wax is producing toxins in the home. Even if you grill a piece of chicken, "toxins" are produced.

The only ones I saw that contained lead wicks were imported from China and sold at a major store. I initially thought the wicks were zinc. I used to be involved in lead paint abatement. We had these wicks looked at closely and they were indeed lead. Any candle made in China with a metal cored wick, I get suspicious about. (Even though it might on occasion be zinc.) Then again, what do I expect? The whole scandal with the lead on painted toys, melamine, lead-contaminated toothpaste, etc.

Hi everyone, I seel 444 soy candles (no additives) in an indoor farmers market (open air) in hot Florida. I have been debating on going to an outdoor market and using a tent/canopy. Does anyone do outdoor markets with their soy candles in the hot hot weather? (As in Florida hot, 90s and high humidity). If so, how do they hold up? No additives, no dye. Thanks!

So with my new 8 oz containers, I have a 3 inch diameter melt pool (achieved after 3 hrs). The depth after 3-4 hrs is 3/8 inch deep. Does this sound alright? I'm just not used to single wicking. I've always double wicked because of the large (wide) containers I've used. (My containers look like yours in your avatar, rjdaines. I should add that with double wicking a 4 inch diameter apothecar jar, the melt pool after a few hours is just over 1/2 inch deep. A little deep, I think; but if I wick down then the melt pool doesn't reach the sides and I get hangup. Double wicking is a bit of a challenge.

Hello, I need opinions. I make a 16 oz candle, 444 wax, double-wicked in a 4 inch diameter glass jar. Scent throw is great. I recently started making a 8 oz candle, single wicked, 444 wax, 3 inch diameter glass jar. Same scents, same percent of FO, same wick (except different size) etc, no hangup, good meltpool, etc. I am thinking that I get more scent throw with double wicked (maybe since meltpool width is 4 inches vs. 3), but single wick seems decent too. In your personal opinion, do double-wicked candles give more scent throw than single wicked candles? Thanks!

No, nothing. I used 464 for about 6 months and switched over to 444 when it got hot. I have made every fragrance with 444 that I did with 464. Jar and wicks are same. Wax performs same with me. It's great.

Mwanga, Your candles look amazing. In defense of Mwanga, there are some grounds to what he says on his website. CNN and other major new orgs carried a story recently about paraffin and their toxins. I personally only work with soy; however, I am not adverse to using paraffin candles in my house on occasion. But Mwanga has a point. http://articles.cnn.com/2009-08-21/health/candles.air.pollution_1_candles-indoor-air-pollution?_s=PM:HEALTH

I take credit cards and cash. No cheques whatsoever from people I don't know. I keep $40 worth of change (plenty) with me at the show, in 10s, 5s, 1s and lots of quarters, etc. I have about 60% of sales in credit cards and $40 cash. I only accept cheques from friends/colleagues buying from me.

I make tarts with scalloped edge. I sell a pack of 5 tarts (weight = 4 oz) for $4. No one bats an eye. Sc+++tsy sells a 3.25 oz package for $5.

For me personally there was no difference as far as wick performance for 464 vs. 444. I live in the warm south. I like 464 but changed due to melt point. I've been really happy with 444.

Have you considered not adding colour to your candles? I'd rip my hair out over frosting. I minded more than customers. Frosting is normal for soy, as you know. It bothered me so much though, visually; I finally just stopped colouring the candles. I was concerned that this was going to affect sales, but it hasn't in the least. Actually, some ladies say they even prefer uncoloured. Obviously there is still frosting, but it is difficult to see (unless you look extremely closely in the brightest light.) Going uncoloured was the best decision I made. As long as a candle smells good, that's all that matters.

1.5 oz eo per 16 oz wax seems a little high. Not to mention expensive. Have you tried scent testing with 1 oz eo/16 oz wax?

I personally like working with 464 but changed recently to 444 because it is hot in my area. I have had seepage very occasionally, esp. if candles have been sitting in hot car for a while. But it goes away. As far as bumpiness/craters, this is a normal part of 100% soy. I use a heat gun. But even between burning the candle, the bumpiness returns. The soy wax forms crystalline growth, and you really just can't help it unless you start wanting to add additives. I keep mine at 100% soy, no additives or dyes.