Dakota37 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I recently started making candles.I have a serious anxiety problem that keeps me at home and I am 1 year and a half sober from alcohol, so trying to find something to do that I enjoy and possibly make a bit of money. I have friends that are so kind and are offering to buy my candles but I'm horribly self critical and ever since I've felt the pressure to have them turn out just right, they have been turning out all wrong..=(The only thing I did different at first was use scent blocks instead of oil, but then people started giving me oils, so that's all I have to use, I used the recommended amount and the candle came out greasy with white spots, so I then started using less even though I want strongly scented candles, and am still having that problem. Well this morning my finished candles had all kinds of issues and a dull finish. The first time I used the molds and scent BLOCKS, they turned out nice and shiny and my only problem was small pit marks and some air bubbles, but I still think they looked pretty nice. Haven't been able to get them to turn out since.If anyone would like to go check out my FB page and see the video I put up today and also look at the photos of my first candles versus the ones after that would be great. I'm getting frustrated and ready to give up, but I don't want to disappoint people who were so happy that I found something to do....https://www.facebook.com/candlesbycharity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporadic Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 What kind of wax are you using, what kind of candles are you trying to make and are you using any wax additives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota37 Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 What kind of wax are you using, what kind of candles are you trying to make and are you using any wax additives?I am using paraffin wax purchased at a candle supply store, using metal molds, and no wax additives. i imagine you mean like vybar or something? If you do not have a FB and can't see my FB page I can try to post pics here if possible.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjdaines Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 What are these oils people are giving you? If they are not specifically made to be in wax then you should not use them. Peak's and Candle Science are two places with good fragrance oils. I am guessing you are making pillars and/or votives, to get a good burn with pillars you may need additives. We would also need to know what wicks you are using to help further. I make both paraffin and soy-based candles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SliverOfWax Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 When you say 'candle supply store' do you mean an actual supplier or a local craft-type store?I would recommend getting a kit, which comes complete, from someone like Peak, who owns this forum. Decide if you want to make votives, pillars, container candles, whatever, then get the appropriate kit. http://www.peakcandle.com/category/Candle-Making-Kits.aspxCongratulations on your sobriety. One day at a time..................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debscent Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I looked on your FB page. It looks like you are using straight paraffin. Are you weighing the amount of fragrance? Are you using a thermometer to see the temperature in which you add the fragrance? If you are using plain paraffin without any additives your fragrance load will be approximately 3%. More than that and you will get the oily residue. Let us know your process and where your supplies are coming from. There are very talented chandlers on this board who will steer you in the right direction. Do not get discouraged, we all started somewhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota37 Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 What are these oils people are giving you? If they are not specifically made to be in wax then you should not use them. Peak's and Candle Science are two places with good fragrance oils. I am guessing you are making pillars and/or votives, to get a good burn with pillars you may need additives. We would also need to know what wicks you are using to help further. I make both paraffin and soy-based candles.Well 2 of the kinds are from 2 different candle supply stores. I'm making heart shaped, start shaped, with metal molds. I always assume pillars are those tall ones. I'll see if I can try to post pics here. =) Yeah, I have no additives. never tried them..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B@BlissStreet Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I just took a peek at your FB page. You are obviously trying hard at this. Have you considered mastering a container candle before trying out other types? I think if you go back to basics and start with wax, wick, and fire, you will find a way to work it out. The chandlers and soapers here are the most talented bunch...but you have to give details to get help. We all use different products, but there are some basic rules that hold true that you can find here. Don't give up. There are people here that will assist you...just let us know your wax blend, your fo load, and size wicking and jar, and you will be amazed at the help you will receive as well as valuable direction to the older forum posts. DON'T QUIT!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota37 Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 Here is the first ones I made:Now here is the ones that are just messed up. The purple ones being the most recent from yesterday:Video from this morning: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota37 Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 When you say 'candle supply store' do you mean an actual supplier or a local craft-type store?I would recommend getting a kit, which comes complete, from someone like Peak, who owns this forum. Decide if you want to make votives, pillars, container candles, whatever, then get the appropriate kit. http://www.peakcandle.com/category/Candle-Making-Kits.aspxCongratulations on your sobriety. One day at a time.....................Thank you. And, the first thing I bought was a votive kit. They didn't turn out too terrible, scent blocks were used, but I did screw up with the wick tabs kind of "floating" at the bottom. The last 4 I made didn't do that. Also, I have gotten them from Zenith supplies and Swans Candle supplies. There was some that people sent me that were purchased at craft stores, and I used those once with zero success. Haven't used them since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota37 Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 I just took a peek at your FB page. You are obviously trying hard at this. Have you considered mastering a container candle before trying out other types? I think if you go back to basics and start with wax, wick, and fire, you will find a way to work it out. The chandlers and soapers here are the most talented bunch...but you have to give details to get help. We all use different products, but there are some basic rules that hold true that you can find here. Don't give up. There are people here that will assist you...just let us know your wax blend, your fo load, and size wicking and jar, and you will be amazed at the help you will receive as well as valuable direction to the older forum posts. DON'T QUIT!!!Thanks so much. Unfortunately I have so many bookmarks on how to make candles, and it seems that all of them have different ideas on what temp to add dyes, scent and when to pour. That ends up confusing me, so I figured I would try the forums. I appreciate all of your advice. I know that I probably need more supplies that I don't have. I also try so hard to do the re-pours right, but that's not always easy, as some people say poke relief holes and fill but don't tell me how long after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota37 Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 Oh, by the way, the blue on the wick is molding clay...lol. They were out of mold sealer when we went to one of the craft stores. It works, but I have to scrape that off when I'm done. As far as wicks, haven't tried the spool of wick that someone sent me because I was unsure if I had to do something different with that. I have been using pre tabbed and primed wicks for all candles and just cutting the tab off.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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