kepoore Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 (edited) What's your name? Kelli How old are you? Twenty-three Where do you live? Maryland, USA How long have you been making candles/soap/whatever? I've made melt and pour soaps a few times in the past few years, but I'm brand new to candle making! Are you married? Any kids? Married, but we have no children yet If candle/Soap making isn't your primary job, what do you do? I work with fabrics in a quality testing lab Anything else we should know? I've wanted to get into candle making for a few years now, but honestly it all seems pretty intimidating! Also intriguing because the craft seems to have so much science behind it in order for it to turn out exactly how you want. I've promised myself I'd finally take the step forward and gift homemade candles to friends and family this holiday season! I'm so happy a place like this exists because there is endless amounts of tips and information from both the experienced members here and those who are also new like me. I'm very excited to read through the threads and gather everything I can before placing my order at Peak and beginning this journey! If you have any helpful advice, feel free to leave it here!! It will be very much appreciated Side Note: I plan on creating candles with soy wax Edited August 23, 2016 by kepoore 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 (edited) Welcome to Craft Server Kelli! Glad to have you with us. Sounds like you are on the right track. There is some science and a learning curve involved in making candles that smell good and are safe to. Mostly you will be doing a lot of testing before you have your first candle ready. There is a state supplier list in the general candle section to help you find candlemaking suppliers to order from. Shipping can be brutal and sometimes closer is not the cheapest when it comes to suppliers. Peaks is a great supplier and one of the best. Since I live in Virginia you and I will probably use the same suppliers. Some good ones to try are: Candle Science (NC) - great fragrance oils (FOs), wicks, wax, jars, dyes Peaks (Harrisonburg, PA) - great FOs, wax, wicks, jars, molds, dyes Candles and Supplies (Quakertown, PA) - tons of good FOs, wicks, dyes, wax, jars Candlewic (PA) - wax, great FOs Fillmore Container (Lancaster, PA) - great prices on candle jars, canning jars, great FOs Backwoods Fragrance Supply (PA) - great FOs, some wax & candle supplies There are others you will find and everyone has their favs. Good luck! Edited August 23, 2016 by Candybee 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kepoore Posted September 7, 2016 Author Share Posted September 7, 2016 Wow, thank you so much, Candybee! That was very helpful and much appreciated. I'm very excited to begin this journey and not only make my first candle, but also to learn a lot through all of this testing. Thank you for your warm welcome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OldGlory Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 Welcome, Kelli! I am a soy wax fan too, started out with soy and still pour plenty of soy for a client who insists on it. It is a fussy wax, as you are about to find out, but doable. My first suggestion would be to limit your variables for a while. Use one wax, maybe 2 or 3 fragrance oils of different types (one bakery, one fruity, one woodsy for example), one size jar or container, and read the wicking suggestions that various websites/suppliers offer. I buy about 70% of my supplies from Aztec in Knoxville TN, and they offer (my favorite) Premier wicks, and a lot of information on selecting your wicks. They also offer a 5 for $5 each month on one oz fragrance samples (shipping on the 5 one oz bottles is around $7) so you don't have to spend a lot of money. You can find a lot of suggestions on which fragrances work in which waxes in the fragrance discussion category. There are lots of suppliers out there and they are mostly similar in what they offer. You might want to pick one that has everything you want AND decent shipping costs. Not all suppliers tack on extra costs, but some do. I would cry if I had to pay shipping on wax and jars - I'm really spoiled by having a supplier 30 miles away. I limit my suppliers to 3 or 4. I can find 99% of what I need between them. Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 Welcome to the board! Candlemaking isn't intimidating at all! Promise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puma52 Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 Welcome Kepoore!! We are so glad you are here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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