Beeswax/Soy combo

[beaglady]

After lots of procrastination and enough reading to really confuse myself, I'd like to take the plunge and start making candles. I already sell soap & some body care products at a local farmer's market.

I want to use at least 50% beeswax, and am willing to go up to 100%. This is because a) I'm a beekeeper and because of being a beekeeper, I have an opportunity to sell them through outlets where I can't sell if they aren't mostly beeswax c) there are already plenty of good soy candle sellers in my area. I can get lots of local beeswax from other beeks at good pricing, so cost isn't a huge issue. If I don't use 100% beeswax, I prefer soy rather than paraffin as a blender, since I already approach my business from a farming viewpoint.

I'm planning to use 4 oz tins & 8 oz jelly jars (not wide mouth) I haven't found much information on wicking beeswax in containers, so I'm not sure if I should wick for beewax, or wick for the container, if that makes sense. I do plan to add fragrance, but not color.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Diane W

[Tess]

I use BW with my container wax @ about 15-25%. I have to wick up ALOT~ I am using zincs, but I am going to start flirting with some cotton in the beeswax. Search the forum and use the words, wick and beeswax. Use a comma where the "and" is. Try the old forum too, lots of info on wicking BW there! I will say this much BW is a PITA but I love it!!

[beaglady]

Thanks for your help. I did search again and found a bit more info. Why do I always want to do things that 'can't' be done? It sounds like tins might be a bit safer than jars. Guess I'll start there.

Diane W

[Tess]

Thanks for your help. I did search again and found a bit more info. Why do I always want to do things that 'can't' be done? It sounds like tins might be a bit safer than jars. Guess I'll start there.

Diane W

It can be done, it just takes ALOT of time, money, and testing. BW to me is definately the most challenging. But you will be so proud when it works for you!!

[Henryk]

I just saw this post. Honestly what I would do is go for free standing candles - pilars, tapers, votives. You certainly have a jump on supply. Throw some rolled BW sheet candles in there and perhaps a novelty mold or two. IMO I just wouldn't use pure BW for containers. Burns too hot, plus it looks like hell when it seperates from the glass and hot bw slides down into it from the burns . So, if you have to use containers, tins are better. They will get REALLY hot however and I've heard so many horror stories hear about people not burning them right (burning the plastic off their TVs, blackening the tops of wood furniture, etc).

Everytime I've seen a beeswax candle table seller here they have a lot of interest - people really are into the natural side of it. I don't think they are too happy with the prices however - and to be honest, some of them do want an arm/leg for the amount of wax in the product - they don't even have the overhead of FO/dye.