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Topic: Tips for Newbies (Read 23510 times) |
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Tereasa
Senior Member
Happy Holidays!
Posts: 344
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #20 on: Oct 21st, 2004, 9:38pm » |
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buy a sampler pack of wick and keep testing... then buy a sampler pack of another type of wicks... and test... then, well you get the idea.
Buy a digital scale, it really helps in the long run
Don't compare your work to anyone else's... take pride in your niche, and perfect your craft to the best standards you can.
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gerrie
Elite Member
I love candletech.com!
Posts: 1831
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #21 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 12:14am » |
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Don't think you have to buy every "to die for" Fo that you read about. You can only test so many FO's in a week, no reason to fill your shelves with a 100 FO's when you know you can't possibly get them all tested for a long time. Not only will it save you a bundle of money, it will make your life easier. TAKE IT SLOW.
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Scented
Elite Member
Got mouse anyone?
Posts: 17870
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #22 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 1:07am » |
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If you use the double boiler method, make sure to keep water in the pot!
Try not to mix water and wax
Don't use crayons for dyes.
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Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take - but by the moments that take our breath away.
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hawaiiansun
Elite Member
opinions are like a$$holes everybody has one
Posts: 1363
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #23 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 2:26am » |
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hi a 1lb slab of wax will make approx how many 15 hour votive candles?
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etkids
Senior Member
I love candletech.com!
Posts: 517
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #24 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 6:01am » |
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Great thread!!! Thanks for all the tips!!
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KJNANGEL
Full Member
I love candletech.com!
  
Posts: 220
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #25 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 7:39am » |
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i have to add this i printed some test sheets from the candle cauldron and i have to say i wish i had these to start they are the best at keeping everything you did while making the candle and you can go back to make a candle again ....
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ANNA
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hawaiiansun
Elite Member
opinions are like a$$holes everybody has one
Posts: 1363
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #26 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 7:49am » |
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how many lbs. of wax do you melt at a time? is it ok to do like 3-4 lbs if you have enough molds or is that an over kill?
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RobinInOR
Moderator
Elite Member
Always learning in So. Oregon...
Posts: 6646
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #27 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 12:30pm » |
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Don't start out with really large or really small containers/pillars. Trying to wick things that are larger than 3" in diameter will just get you into huge wicks or double wicking. Staying around 2.5 to 3 inches will make your life easier in the beginning.
Clothespins are also good to secure the top of a wick if the diameter of the mold/jar is small enough. Thread the wick through the hole and clamp the end between the jaws.
WD40 can get rid of the rust that you can get in your metal molds. And they can get rusty even if they've never been near water.
One way to flatten container tops is to put them on a cookie sheet under the broiler for a few minutes. Heat guns work too if you've got one.
Heat guns can be indispensible. The heat guns you get for embossing/stamping work too.
Remember that for paraffin 1 pound of wax will show up as 20 ounces of liquid volume in a measuring cup, even though 1 pound is equivalent to 16 weight ounces. Don't mix up fluid ounces and weight ounces. One pound is one pound no matter if it's liquid or solid.
testtesttesttesttesttesttesttesttesttest 
Enjoy what you do, don't get frustrated by all the different waxes, wicks, additives - it will eventually make sense as you keep reading and get more experience.
(When I'm testing, I color/scent the least amount I need so I don't waste any on bum tests. But I usually have a full presto melted, so that's 6#s plain wax melted at a time)
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Robin in OR
Containers: Calwax 30/LX. Votives: Calwax 10/LX. 3" Pillars: Calwax 10/RegPly. 2" Pillars: 1343/HTP. Tarts: Calwax 10/30 blend
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carolm
Full Member
I love candletech.com!
Posts: 230
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #28 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 1:42pm » |
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To be able to tell quickly when I have my candle color right, since the color in the pot is misleading, I have a white marble cutting board on my counter. I just pour out about 1/2 tsp and within 20 seconds, I know how it will look when cool. You could also use a plain white china saucer.
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Candlenut
Senior Member
I'd rather be making candles!!
Posts: 319
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #29 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 3:09pm » |
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I use the little office clips to hold some of my wicks. If you get wax on them it comes right off. The small ones work great.
They work good for potato chip bags too!!
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mary_jennets
Elite Member
Posts: 1239
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #30 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 3:17pm » |
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i am a newbie nd lovin' all the great tips! thanx
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hawaiiansun
Elite Member
opinions are like a$$holes everybody has one
Posts: 1363
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #31 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 6:34pm » |
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i'm a newbie also keep the tips coming i's much appreciated
my kit should come today so i'll have lots more questions once i get started
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Georgia
Elite Member
Lazy days!
Posts: 1986
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #32 on: Oct 23rd, 2004, 12:39pm » |
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number 5 in a triangle on the bottom of your storage containers is good - it won't suck the scent out.
polyPROpelene bags are good; polyethelene bags are bad
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Hang in there!
J223/HTP
BG Soy/htp
pillars 1343 square braid
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mary_jennets
Elite Member
Posts: 1239
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #33 on: Oct 23rd, 2004, 6:31pm » |
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great thread! i am learning a lot.
how does the temperature effect the wax and the final outcome (scent throw, color, ect.)?
i have read a ton of books and never come across the answer to my question; why is the temperature so dang important? 
yup, i'm a newbie, 
mary jennets
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hawaiiansun
Elite Member
opinions are like a$$holes everybody has one
Posts: 1363
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #34 on: Oct 23rd, 2004, 6:48pm » |
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ok another newbie question here
can you use a glass coffee pot to pour?
i have an aluminum pot to melt wax but can i pour it into the glass one for pouring?
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Don't cry cause it's over, smile cause it happenned....
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sharyl55
Elite Member
Tiki says 'Wicking is a PITA'
Posts: 1823
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #35 on: Oct 23rd, 2004, 9:33pm » |
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Document everything. I thought I could remember but no way. You'll find yourself making small adjustments then wondering a week later, after your candle has cured, wondering which adjustment goes with which sample. Now I make little notes and stick them in the ziplock containers with my wax melts so I know what I'm looking at when I check them.
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Sharyl, retired and lovin' it
Hurricanes - 1260, tarts - 6228 and J223, containers - J223 and CD wicks, 2005 goal votives.
Say a prayer for our service women and men
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eugenia
Elite Member
Wish I was There
Posts: 1699
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #36 on: Oct 24th, 2004, 6:07am » |
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Quote:how does the temperature effect the wax and the final outcome (scent throw, color, ect.)?
i have read a ton of books and never come across the answer |
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You need to melt the wax at a high enough temp to melt the wax. You don't want to add fragrance above 180 degrees because the fragrance will burn off. You need to check the specs of the wax you are using for the recommended pouring temp for that wax. They're all different. Remember, wax is flammable. You never need to heat over 200 degrees or so and don't leave melting wax unattended!
e
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candlemaker
Elite Member
Womanhood is just a step away from.... ANGELHOOD!!
Posts: 2855
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #37 on: Oct 24th, 2004, 2:03pm » |
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* Dont' Drink and Pour!!! I always mess up after a few Maragaritas!!
* Use a test sheet and document everything, (type of wick, jar, Fo Ect. ) If only I could follow my own advice!!
* The blue shop towels are AWESOME!!!
* With leftover wax, I pour into a bowl of some sort let cool and pop out, then baggie it and write the info on the baggie!!
Im sure Ill add more as I go!!--Tess
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Georgia
Elite Member
Lazy days!
Posts: 1986
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #38 on: Oct 24th, 2004, 4:15pm » |
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here's a weird on for ya...sticky notes fall off. Labels come with sticky edges. I save my empty sheets from labels and use the edges to write wick numbers on when testing. Stick it the container and it's there till it falls off AND it's free!
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Hang in there!
J223/HTP
BG Soy/htp
pillars 1343 square braid
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hawaiiansun
Elite Member
opinions are like a$$holes everybody has one
Posts: 1363
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Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #39 on: Oct 24th, 2004, 9:13pm » |
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hi i just got my first batch done how do i store my candles? of can i just let them sit out on a shelf? should i keep them covered to preserve the smell?
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Don't cry cause it's over, smile cause it happenned....
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