Types of wax........?

[Wick'n'Wax]

Hi,

I'm currently using wax bought from Hobbycraft, its the only place I can get any from. Someone mentioned earlier that they didn't think it was suitable for container candles. I've so far done, a 3wick candle in earthenware pot, one in a vase type ornament, started 2 strawberry sundaes in glass bowl/dishes and started 3 tarts and 3 cupcakes. (I'm addicted lol)

It's all really just for practice. However, I've noticed things like soy wax, gel wax etc.

Can anyone tell me which wax should be used for what?

I'm in the UK btw.

I need to source getting wax cheaper. 1kg at £3.99 I bought this morning has gone, so has the 1kg I bought yesterday lol.

I'll have to buy a bit more from HC in the meantime, but thought it best I order some online.

I've bought some of the gel wax today and the colour red, was going to use this as a kind of glaze on a strawberry tart. Is it ok to have gel wax over the top of normal wax?

so many questions, sorry

xx

[Ian H]

Hi there xx, I'm quite new to the wax melters society but being based in Yorkshire I've shopped around for my wax and things. Bare in mind that in the UK you will not find local sources with the range of options that those lucky people Stateside have.

I get my wax and wicks etc. from http://www.4candles.co.uk/ . Their products are very good, delivery is cheap and fast, 2 working days. Check out their site, pillar blend paraffin is £11.45 for 5 kg. I mainly use a 50/50 mix of paraffin and soy+ for my container candles. Soy+ I find to be very good. I've just received a delivery of 5kg paraffin, 5kg Soy+ and 4 kg of container paraffin that I'm going to mix with the soy. I ordered other things also and the postage was £8.99.

As to your question on gel wax, I'm certain that you can't mix it with other waxes. The dye you use should be the liquid type and if you add fragrance you must add one that is approved for gel wax. Having stated this I have never used gel wax..........YET.

Keep it up and good melting.

Ian

[Wick'n'Wax]

Thanks Ian, will take a look at their site.

I've got the gel colouring, but never thought about the fragrance

[sugarysweet95]

Hi and welcome, another fellow Brit to add to the board - there's getting to be quite a few of us now!!!

I've found on line stores to be the best for getting equipment and i have three favourites!!!

For wax and additives - http://www.craftwiseuk.com/acatalog/candlemaking.html

They sell wax in large quantities and it's amazing how fast it goes!!! LOL - It's good paraffin wax in beaded form and they have free postage over £10 which is great (and usually pretty fast as well)!!!

For general bits and bobs - http://www.4candles.co.uk/ and http://www.candelights.co.uk/

Both have a nice range of bits and bobs, great customer service and fast delivery.

These two http://www.soapbasics.co.uk/

and http://www.sensoryperfection.co.uk/store/Default.asp are great too, sensory perfection has a massive range of great scents, though her ebay store (of the same name) is even cheaper. She's very nice and great to deal with.

Anyway hope that gives you some starters. As for making containers. You can buy special container wax (some of the stores above have some) or you can add microcrystalline soft to paraffin wax so it sticks better to the sides. This is on my list of things to try, but i think it would be easier to use an additive than to buy extra wax!

Anyway hope that helps!!!!

[sugarysweet95]

Oh and as for why you need container wax, well to be honest you don't "need" container wax, ordinary paraffin wax will work fine in containers - apart from just one problem, the wax doesnt always stick to the sides. It often comes away from the sides of the container as it shrinks when it cools (hence why you can take it out of moulds). Container wax, or paraffin wax with micro soft is softer, so it adheres better to the sides of the container.

So it depends on how fussy you are really - if you want the wax to nicely adhere to the container, or if you're not bothered.

[Keith]

Hi there xx, I'm quite new to the wax melters society but being based in Yorkshire I've shopped around for my wax and things. Bare in mind that in the UK you will not find local sources with the range of options that those lucky people Stateside have.

I get my wax and wicks etc. from http://www.4candles.co.uk/ . Their products are very good, delivery is cheap and fast, 2 working days. Check out their site, pillar blend paraffin is £11.45 for 5 kg. I mainly use a 50/50 mix of paraffin and soy+ for my container candles. Soy+ I find to be very good. I've just received a delivery of 5kg paraffin, 5kg Soy+ and 4 kg of container paraffin that I'm going to mix with the soy. I ordered other things also and the postage was £8.99.

As to your question on gel wax, I'm certain that you can't mix it with other waxes. The dye you use should be the liquid type and if you add fragrance you must add one that is approved for gel wax. Having stated this I have never used gel wax..........YET.

Keep it up and good melting.

Ian

Hey Ian .. when are you going to start plugging me ? I was wondering why business was dropping

Oh by the way, I had mixed results on the fragrance cloning, the sample manager is looking at the formula again, she reckons they should be exaclty the same but clean cotton, baby powder and fresh cut roses were miles from what they should be. Having said that the lavender and strawberry are fantastic, I've never had better

Keith

[Keith]

Hi and welcome, another fellow Brit to add to the board - there's getting to be quite a few of us now!!!

I've found on line stores to be the best for getting equipment and i have three favourites!!!

For wax and additives - http://www.craftwiseuk.com/acatalog/candlemaking.html

They sell wax in large quantities and it's amazing how fast it goes!!! LOL - It's good paraffin wax in beaded form and they have free postage over £10 which is great (and usually pretty fast as well)!!!

For general bits and bobs - http://www.4candles.co.uk/ and http://www.candelights.co.uk/

Both have a nice range of bits and bobs, great customer service and fast delivery.

These two http://www.soapbasics.co.uk/

and http://www.sensoryperfection.co.uk/store/Default.asp are great too, sensory perfection has a massive range of great scents, though her ebay store (of the same name) is even cheaper. She's very nice and great to deal with.

Anyway hope that gives you some starters. As for making containers. You can buy special container wax (some of the stores above have some) or you can add microcrystalline soft to paraffin wax so it sticks better to the sides. This is on my list of things to try, but i think it would be easier to use an additive than to buy extra wax!

Anyway hope that helps!!!!

Candelights is also good for all kinds of wax, a wide range of wicks, colours, liquid and chip, fragrances and moulds and containers as well as the bit and bobs mentioned.

We offer great rates for postage ( at cost ) and same day despatch.

Keith

http://www.candelights.co.uk

[Ian H]

Hey Ian .. when are you going to start plugging me ? I was wondering why business was dropping

Oh by the way, I had mixed results on the fragrance cloning, the sample manager is looking at the formula again, she reckons they should be exaclty the same but clean cotton, baby powder and fresh cut roses were miles from what they should be. Having said that the lavender and strawberry are fantastic, I've never had better

Keith

Hi Keith.................OK you've made me feel a little guilty. But in my defence I have never taken wax from you, and as this thread is about wax it would have been wrong of me to endorse your wax.

However if anyone is looking for a truly awesome buttery vanilla FO I think that Keith's Luscious vanilla is possibly the best in the world. I'm ordering more soon.

I'm pleased that you have made some progress on the FO development but not surprised you've hit a few snags, it's quite a complex area. Keep at it you will get there.

Ian

[Wick'n'Wax]

thanks Ian, thanks keith

I'll take a look. I need some vanilla actually. couldn't find your postage rate anywhere keith, can't I see for looking?

[clane]

"bits and bobs" - I love that!!!

[sugarysweet95]

"bits and bobs" - I love that!!!

Hey!!!

I go on the board usually quite late when my brain isn't always working as well as it could be (not that it ever is anyway!!! LOL!!!)

Bits and bobs covers all aspecs of candle making equipment, hence i did not elaborate!!!!

LOL!!!!!

[chauntelle]

I was lucky when i first started making candles coz i found a little craft supplies shop about 10 mins away,brought a little and got addicted!! Went to hobbycraft about a week later and was so shocked by their prices, i was paying less than half of what h.c was charging, the moulds and oils were so much cheaper too!! I would recomend trying sensory perfection. Jo is really good free delivery in the uk. Havent tried the wax yet as i havent run out from my current supplier but her oils are great (i use parrafin, guessing thats what u use!!) she had an offer where she sent me a free sample. Theres a wide range of accessories such as moulds,jugs and warning labels definately worth checking out!!

Have you tried the search link at the top because i remember some good suppliers in the uk were being talked about in the summer try typing uk suppliers and im sure you'll find some suggestions. Good luck hope you find one soon i think hc are sooo expensive!!

[Keith]

thanks Ian' date=' thanks keith

I'll take a look. I need some vanilla actually. couldn't find your postage rate anywhere keith, can't I see for looking?[/quote']

It shows as soon as you add something to the cart. It's also on the T & C page.

Basically, if you're order is under 2kg then it's shipped by Royal Mail and if over then it's overnight courier unless you're on the Isles or in Ireland when it's 48 hour delivery. All charges are at cost, no profit is made from postage unlike the horrensous postage charges you see on Ebay ....

Keith

[Keith]

Hi Keith.................OK you've made me feel a little guilty. But in my defence I have never taken wax from you, and as this thread is about wax it would have been wrong of me to endorse your wax.

However if anyone is looking for a truly awesome buttery vanilla FO I think that Keith's Luscious vanilla is possibly the best in the world. I'm ordering more soon.

I'm pleased that you have made some progress on the FO development but not surprised you've hit a few snags, it's quite a complex area. Keep at it you will get there.

Ian

There is answer to the wax situation ... buy some from me !! I only stock THE best ...... Sasol paraffin waxes, both block and bead, the natural wax I carry is EcoSoya and works out an lot less than Sasol's soya+. I also do large quantities and wholesale which offer massive reductions on 1 or 5 kg prices and of course no VAT ... so all round a good deal, the only problem I see is that I'm in Lancashire and you're in Yorkshire ......

[Keith]

Thanks Ian' date=' will take a look at their site.

I've got the gel colouring, but never thought about the fragrance [/quote']

The fragrance problem is twofold, firstly the flashpoint has to be right then there's the polarity. Basically if it's wrong you get pools of fragrance in your oil that hasn't dissolved into the wax, these will set on fire with disastrous consequences. It's vitally important to have the right FO's for gel ....

Keith