My First Tarts/Clamshells

[mrsadler05]

I started making candles in October on a whim. I did some research, read this forum- a lot- and bought some supplies. Wow, no one was exaggerating when they said wicking is a beatch!

My neighbor came over with a basket of Scentsy one night and I giggled all the way as I escorted her to my kitchen to show her my endeavors.

After my husband and I sniffed every single tart from Scentsy, we were really let down. Scentsy tarts STINK!!

I started reading up on tart melts and comparing waxes and I was torn between the Ky tart wax and another recommended by Ravens. I decided to give the Ky a try since it is back in stock and many people here are happy with it.

So here are a couple of pics of my first tester batches. My house was really cold so I plugged in a small room heater on my counter, but it wasn't much help. Before I could finish pouring, the wax would start to set up so I had to keep putting the mixing pot in the oven.

I knew better, but tried to heat gun some of the hills created on some of the tarts as the wax set up to quickly. Thank goodness they are testers.

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All the Best,

Leigh

[SharonKay]

Hi Leigh~ I wasn't able to enlarge the pictures much but from what I can see those look very nice. When I make mine I pour them and immeadiately put them on a cooling rack and then cover the rack with a large plastic container that I picked up at Walmart, this helps the clamshells or candles cool and setup at a slower rate. My husband made me a table for cooling my candles so that's what I set everything on.

What fragrance did you use?

Sharon

[Ravens]

Leigh, I could get a close-up of your clamshells, but they seem fine.

Glad the KY wax is working for you, I just have no luck whatsoever with it :rolleyes2

[mrsadler05]

Thanks, Ladies. I think the tarts look perfect, surprisingly. I was concerned about the room being so cold and the wax cooling so quickly it set up in mid pour while still in the pot. I thought this would cause some considerable flaws. The only thing I am concerned about at this point is that tarts seem a bit too hard. One even cracked when I opened the package this evening so my husband could smell it.

Sharon, I used Berry Creme Brule, Green Bamboo, Christmas Hearth, Cranberry Marmalade and Plumberry Spice. If only there was a way I could test them all at once. Ah, patience.

Who am I kidding. I don't even have a warmer yet. I ordered one of the Scentsy warmers from my neighbor but it hasn't come in yet. I felt bad for her because she said noone else had ordered anything from her. (Small wonder. Overpriced and they STINK!)

I will loet you all know how they do as soon as I can test them.

[SharonKay]

I have been so busy testing fragrances. I probably tested four different ones today. I let them melt for about three hours and then change to another one. This last week made about fifty diffferent fragrances and now I am testing them. Right now I am using a blend of Enchanted Lites Millennium soy blend and EL Votive. I am using 75/25. The first batch I used 50/50 blend and I had a dip in the middle and it was a little to brittle for my liking so I changed it to 75/25 and they come out of the clamshell easily and break up just like a bar of chocolate. One of my testers will be receiving hers in the mail tomorrow and I am really anxious to here how she likes them.

Have fun testing!

[mrsadler05]

So happy to say that I tested some of the tarts and so far they are amazing. I have no idea when the electric warmers I ordered will be in so I gave in and tested with my tealight warmers.

I love, love, love the way they feel- not nearly as hard as I thought they were going to be- and the way they throw.

This is so much easier than traditional candles!!! I wish I would have started with tarts first.