CandleLytes Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I was talking to a lady at a craft show this morning who makes soy candles. Didn't reveal to her I made candles but asked about how she makes them smell so good. She told me she uses 9% FO (I told her I didn't know what 9% meant, LOL, so she went on the explain the process of adding FO to wax) in all her candles, which is more than most use.I never use that in my pure soy! At the most I use 7%. I tried that much when I first started doing this and got huge mushrooms. What do you all think. Is this the norm? Should I try it? It just made me think maybe I am the one out of the loop, not her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 If you are using good, quality oils 6 to 7% should be the most you need for a great candle with a super throw. I have lots of oils I actually can use 3 to 5% for a great throw. As you found out using more can cause mushrooms or even weak flames, which to me is a total waste of money. If an FO needs 9% or higher for a good throw, I won't use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenabug Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I remember learning this (%)back when I first started, but somehow I got into a system of using 1oz of fo per lb. If it doesn't smell strong enough with this I don't reorder it. However to use up the bottle I add 1.25 oz or 1.33oz per lb to get it strong enough. So what am I using the percentage % way? Am I using the norm 6%/7% or more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntoniasCreations Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I tried the 8 to 9% fo and was very sad by the results. Most of them would sweat like crazy and not that much of a difference, so I felt like I was throwing money away. So right now I am using 7% fo which seems to be doing great. Antonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsbennis Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 If you have a good quality fo you shouldnt need that much, to me its just a waste of money and can create burn issues! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharonA Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Candlelytes,So, that was you in my booth!!!! I thought you were being kind of nosy!!!JUST KIDDING!!!! Got you back.:smiley2: Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnS Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 I have a friend whose co-worker used 1.5 ounce to a lb. When I first started to make candles my friend said don't bother making candles if you don't use 1.5 ounce.They will not be strong and you won't sell any .So our first candle we used 1.5 ounce to a lb of APPLE PIE. Couldn't wait to try our first candle so as soon as it hardened I lit it. We had to fumigate the house I thought I would suffocate with that much FO and the jar was pitch black. Never again will I use that much. You can imagine the flame. Now my friend says my candles are strong. I tell her I don't have to use that much FO. I did see her co-workers candle burn and it was black. What a waste to use that much FO. Triple scented doesn't mean it is a good candle.Some FO you might have to wick up but so far I find none. If the candle like someone else mentioned isn't strong with 1 ounce they don't use that FO.I feel the same way.A waste. One I dropped this year was Harvest after burning it and not feeling it is a strong burning candle with 1 ounce FO. Will replace it with something else for fall.LynnS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iammommytwo Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 I think too, that it all depends on which wax you are using. The 464 has capabilities of holding a higher percentage, and w/that wax I use ~9% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I never use more than 5% in any wax and have always had good smelling candles that people even say are too strong at times with certain FO. EO is supposed to be milder in a candle than FO but 5% is adequate. Don't waste money if you don't need to!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharonA Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 what kind of wax do you use where you only need 5% or is it oils that you use. I can say that the oils I have used from the candlemakers store I can get away with using 4-5% of the grade A.Just curious.sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3bees~1flower Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I can say that the oils I have used from the candlemakers store I can get away with using 4-5% of the grade A.hope you're happy...i just ordered 8, 1oz samples b/c of your little quote above... can't wait to try them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharonA Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Let me know what you try. I get cherry and citrus odor eliminatorWater LilyMulled Cider Island MangoThat's it so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3bees~1flower Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 ok, i got the following:coffee break...seems weak OOBcoffee caramel cream.....nice...stronger than coffee breakvanilla rum cake....YUM!country vanilla......all i smell is cinnamon, not very vanilla'y to mecountry coconut.....very nice...i smell a little bit of a fruity note.patchouli blossom.....flowery, but not annoyingly so. nice blend of patch and floral.vanilla sugar.....nice, but kinda weak oobwarm vanilla sugar....nice, pretty dead on as a bbw dupehaven't gotten any in a candle yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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