comfortscents Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I just thought it might be fun to impart some of our wisdom as veteran candle makers to newbies...I don't mean the stuff that you can read on the forum..I mean stuff you might have learned the hard way..for example...my advice to newbies would be. DON'T WEAR FLIP FLOPS WHEN YOU'RE POURING CANDLES..OR DON'T POUR NEAR YOUR KITCHEN GROUT..both of these lessons I learned a bit too late...burned toes and having to regrout my kitchen later I now know those are two things I should never try again. Okay ladies and gentlemen...what is something you learned from making candles that you will never do again? Let's see how some of us fumbled in the beginning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artcwolf Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I'm still a newbie, but i have learned to use the thermometer sleeve to hold the thermometer. Got my fingers in the wax at 200 degrees, and it hurts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinMom Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Ah.....dont pour wax down your sink! And NO it wasnt me it was my husband! lol....go figure if it was me I would have been in sh*t !!!! lol.....Oh another thing make sure to write down what you are using for each batch (additives, f/o, dye, pouring temps etc). Then you will know what to change, keep or even just to repeat the batch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGirl Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 If you get/use a Turk n Surf, Turkey Fryer, Presto Pot with a spigot, put some paper towels down on the floor under the valve -- the thing will drip no matter what you do so keep the clean up easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tereasa Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 don't put pour pots in the dishwasher with wax in themdon't use a hair dryer instead of a heat gundon't make candles on carpeting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judyvega Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Don't assume the lid on your liquid dye is screwed on tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerinarkansas Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Don't sit on a container of cinnamon apple fo if there is some spilled on container. That stuff will burn you in places you don't need a burn. GInger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comfortscents Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share Posted November 12, 2007 see how helpful we're being to the newbies? I have another one...don't put cinnamon bun oil on your lips to make them look poutier...they will look fuller but you will burn for hours...not that I would have done something as STUPID as that..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logcabinmomma Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN!!! You never know when you'll need to know whatever it was again!!!-Kristi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joym Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Be sure to check the temperature of the oven before putting something with wax in it.cheap paper plates are great to put under pouring pots, etc. to make clean-up easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindy5140 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 If you use a presto pot, please see what the temp is before you add your dye and FO. If not your whole house will be filled with good smelling smoke. And if your like me your nosy neighbors will call the fire department and you will look like an ass in front of all of your friends.That happened 2 yrs. ago and I still hear comments from them, lol.Wear old clothes when making candles, even though you think your being careful not getting any dye on them you still some how get dye on your clothes. I ruined many shirts.That's all I can think of, oh and wash your hands especially after pouring Red Hot that FO burns like a you know what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Be careful where you put that heat gun.If the nozzle on your dropper-bottle of colorant is clogged - DON'T JUST SQUEEZE HARD. Put a pin through it instead. Unless you always wanted a blue stovetop and matching counter... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorie Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Always remember to put your hair up when you are working with melted wax. That's an accident that took months to correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenny Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 When you get done melting excess wax from your pour pot and jars in the oven, don't just leave them in there to cool off. Take them out.... I've done that a couple of times and forgot them. Turning the oven back on later at 350 tends to make them smoke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artcwolf Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Thought of another tip. Dollar store hand and bath towels and lots of them. I put one hand towel under my presto pot and i've got enough open space to wipe my thermometer, mixxing spoon and a place to put my FO and dye while waiting for the wax to melt.Bath towl on the floor to catch drips from the pot, bath towl on the stove under my non stick cookie sheet to catch the drips the sheet doesn't catch(saved me from the wrath of my wife)I bought about 15 hand towel and have thrown 3 away so far from the exess wax build up.Oh yeah and Check the spout on the pot to make sure it's closed before melting wax, covered my floor and counter with wax lost 4 lbs of wax in the process Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlesprite7 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Don't let your cat walk under the pouring table...you will drip on him no matter how hard you try not to and then will have to trim the wax from his fur leaving a nice bald spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comfortscents Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share Posted November 12, 2007 is this fun or what? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJo Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 To save on the cost of paper towels, when you are in a fast food restaurant, grab a handful of napkins. These are good for wiping off small things like your thermometer, stirring utensils, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candle Makin Momma Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Wear an apron. Almost every shirt of mine has little dots on it where the wax washed out but the FO didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy, USMC Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 If you're going to put wax filled jars into the oven be sure you put them on a cookie sheet. Will save many hours of clean up time if one should tip over! (Not me. Really, not me!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennhalcyon Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 If you're gonna give your bottle of FO a good shake before adding it to wax, make sure the lid is screwed on tight!!! *oh but I did smell good that day* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyl55 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Paper towels, aluminum foil, wax paper and newspapers are your best friends. Newspaper the floor when making candles. So much easier to pick up the papers than scrap wax off the floor. No matter how careful you try to be stuff happens. I put the wax paper / foil on the counters. Should have bought stock in both companies. Now buy paper towels at Sam's Club by the 12 pack. Line the top of your scale with foil. So much easier to replace the foil than clean the scale. Paper Dixie cups are a Godsend. Another company I should have bought stock in. If using a paper cup to weigh out FO be sure to immediately pour it into your pour pot. Never use plastic cups to weigh out FO. Amazing how fast the FO can eat through that plastic. Gardening gloves are a must for cleaning molds especially votive cups. I haven't sliced my fingers / hand (knock on wood) since wearing the gloves. This should be a given but have a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it. No one plans on having a fire but stuff happens.Never fall asleep while melting wax in a double boiler. I've heard that a scorched pot stinks bad. Of course I wouldn't know. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennhalcyon Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Another one...buy a good digital scale and a good digital thermometer...they are great investments. My digital thermometer has a temp alarm that I can set which is great when you are multi-tasking (not that any of us ever have to do that) and alerts you when your wax reaches your set temp. It also has a timer so I can be sure I am mixing FO for at least 2 full minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candle Makin Momma Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 O scorched pot reeks!! lmao especially when you use a glass bowl in a pot, so there are wax bits in the bottom pot. Horrible horrible stink! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella1952 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Roll up your sleeves or wear short sleeves.DEFINITELY tie your hair back.Have a mister bottle of water set to "stream" for when your cat walks on the table where you are working.Throw the dogs out while pouring.Strain your wax when pouring. Saves giving away valued pet hair, dust, Presto Pot bits and lint with your candles and tarts.At LEAST wear socks.Rehearse pouring in your mind so that you will be more efficient and smooth when you pour for real.BEFORE you pour, get EVERYTHING out of the way around your container or mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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