|
|
Author |
Topic: Tips for Newbies (Read 23514 times) |
|
Madd_Mikey
Senior Member
Too many candles, so little time !!
Posts: 559
|
 |
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #80 on: Feb 22nd, 2005, 10:13am » |
 Quote  Modify
|
Addition by RobinN:
Please ask specific questions in separate threads - don't add them to this one. A question will probably get buried and lost in all these wonderful tips!)
--------------------------------
Heat Gun, Heat Gun, Heat Gun, man what a blessing that was to spend 30 dollars. I just got a Heat Gun and it is the best thing since sliced bread. LOL The Heat Gun should be your FIRST purchase.
I can't believe how much time I have wasted trying to fix blemishes with rags, fingernails, scrappers, etc. when a heat gun would do it in a second or two.
Take Care,
Madd Mikey 
|
| « Last Edit: Apr 22nd, 2005, 2:03pm by RobinInOR » |
 IP Logged |
"When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail."
|
|
|
countrycat
Candletech Newbie
one can never have too many critters
Posts: 9
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #81 on: Mar 2nd, 2005, 9:39am » |
Quote Modify
|
Tips for newbies:
-Be careful,a whole presto pot full of hot wax on your hands isn't fun!
-Organize,otherwise your home turns into candle crap he**(ask me how I know)
-If you get fustrated stop,try another project and come back to it. Trying to learn how to wick,or testing waxes can make you loose your mind.
-If you sniff the fo bottle don't get it too close too your nose(cinnamon is not fun lol)
-If you're making black cherry don't stand over your presto pot and breathe. Black cherry burns your throat(at least mine) lol now I can't smell anything cherry without getting sick
hth
Lena
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
dakatzmeow
Full Member
Please love your kids and let them know it!
Posts: 87
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #82 on: Mar 4th, 2005, 8:53pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I keep my candle "notebook" on my computer. I call it my project journal. I note all the details, including ways I think I might make the project better next time. This includes not only candles, but bath and body as well.
The other suggestion I have is, as I find projects to try on the internet, bulletin boards, etc., I copy and then paste into a Word document (currently 18 pages long) called "Recipes to Try." Using Word, you can use the "Find" function to search for keywords. Then as I use a recipe, I make a note beside the name of what date I tried it so I can find it in my Project Journal. This really helps me because I'm bad about seeing a recipe to try, then forgetting where it is to find it when I need it.
|
|
IP Logged |
dakatzmeow@hotmail.com
Lori Q.
Snowtop 100% Soy Flakes--HTP or cotton wicks
|
|
|
DonnaGA
Elite Member
My little 'alien'....er 'angel'
Posts: 1577
|
|
How much wax? Basic Formula....
« Reply #83 on: Mar 10th, 2005, 6:43am » |
Quote Modify
|
Ever wonder what you are gonna do with the last little bit of FO in the bottle? How much wax do I need?
Here is a useful formula to determine the amount of wax you need for your available FO.
[(amount of fragrance by weight) divided by (fo percentage load you use)]
Example: you have .7 ounces of FO and you usually add 9%FO ppwax.
(.7/.09)=7.78 ounces of wax.
HTH.
Donna
|
|
IP Logged |
Donna in Georgia
"I lift my chin with pride."
|
|
|
kjbrook
Elite Member
Ansel Adams Rose and Driftwood
Posts: 1639
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #84 on: Mar 13th, 2005, 11:29am » |
Quote Modify
|
I use superglue on small cuts. You will get cut if you use votive molds or metal molds. Everyone gets cut. I put a drop of superglue on it and make sure the cut closes. It is better than a bandaid and doesn't sting.
|
|
IP Logged |
Wax and a wick, what's so hard about that.
|
|
|
sharyl55
Elite Member
Tiki says 'Wicking is a PITA'
Posts: 1823
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #85 on: Apr 1st, 2005, 2:48pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Wear shoes when pouring wax. Just splashed a bunch of wax on my feet when pouring onto a cookie sheet. Maybe a foot wax job will start a new rage.
|
|
IP Logged |
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
|
|
|
Candle_Kitty
Full Member
SPRING'S BACK!!! BRING ON THE THUNDERSTORMS!! !
    
Posts: 169
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #86 on: Apr 5th, 2005, 5:47pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I've been making candles now for roughly 8 years and this tip is one that I just recently learned...so it goes to prove, you never stop learning.
Ladies and even the gentlemen with ladies, old pantyhose or stockings does wonders! I read a post just a bit ago about a son that decided to help mom with a butter knife to a mold (ouch) and now that candles aren't coming out perfect. After you remove the candle from the mold, gently rub the pantyhose or stocking on the candle. It acts as a buffer and removes blemishes, scraps and scratches. After you remove the blemish, take a piece of 100% cotton or T-shirt material and rub to remove the small grains of wax. I've got two short pillar molds I've had for years and after a few accidental drops, they now have small dings on the ends. The pantyhose trick takes the blemish away every time.
And for those of us chandlers that wears rings (one on each finger here), I can never remember to remove them when I make my candles, so the pantyhose trick works on dings from rings as well. They've just become a part of my hands, what can I say? 
|
|
IP Logged |
I am a Sagittarian - if astrology has anything to do with it - the Centaur - the Archer - the Hunt - But the main thing is that we are The Doors.
Jim Morrison
|
|
|
goosebay_1999
Full Member
Certfied Fragance Oil Junkie!!
Posts: 79
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #87 on: Apr 21st, 2005, 8:55pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Mineral spirits from the hardware store is my best friend. You can clean all of your metal molds, plus the floor, and countertops with it. It takes liquid dye stains away very well. Always remember to test a small inconspicuous area for colorfastness etc with the mineral spirits. A professional chandler provided me with this useful info. 
|
|
IP Logged |
pillars 3035 square braid
EL Soy cottons
Ecosoya PB
Simply Soy votive blend
|
|
|
Patrice
Candletech Newbie
I love candletech.com!
Posts: 10
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #88 on: Apr 22nd, 2005, 6:59am » |
Quote Modify
|
One question, what is FO's?
Yep I'm a newbie too
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Katrinity
Senior Member
Posts: 497
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #89 on: Apr 22nd, 2005, 7:04am » |
Quote Modify
|
FO is Fragrance Oil's
|
|
IP Logged |
May All Your Candles Be Filled With Love
|
|
|
Patrice
Candletech Newbie
I love candletech.com!
Posts: 10
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #90 on: Apr 22nd, 2005, 7:40am » |
Quote Modify
|
What can you do if your container candles look oily?
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Nash
Junior Member
I love candletech.com!
Posts: 14
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #91 on: Apr 23rd, 2005, 6:11am » |
Quote Modify
|
on Oct 22nd, 2004, 7:39am, KJNANGEL wrote:| 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 .... |
|
Where are these test sheets that you are referring to?
Thanks, Nash
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
sharyl55
Elite Member
Tiki says 'Wicking is a PITA'
Posts: 1823
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #92 on: Apr 23rd, 2005, 2:02pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Patrice and Nash, you'll get faster answers if you post your questions on the General Candle Making board. The tips post is a reference tool. You can do a seach here for candle test sheets. A sample was posted a few months back. Or go to www.candlecauldron.com. On the right side you'll see test sheets.
|
|
IP Logged |
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
|
|
|
Nash
Junior Member
I love candletech.com!
Posts: 14
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #93 on: Apr 23rd, 2005, 7:43pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Apr 23rd, 2005, 2:02pm, sharyl55 wrote:| Patrice and Nash, you'll get faster answers if you post your questions on the General Candle Making board. |
|
Thank you Sharyl. I just signed up last night and I am reading all the Tips for Newbies. I am so clueless as where to even start with this candle making stuff but I am tired of not being able to find the color of candle I want. I am not even sure what the first thing is to buy. For some reason pink was real hard for me to find and the only one I did find I didn't like. So I have decided to start making my own. Here I am trying to learn. There is so much I don't understand even in this tip section. I think some of it will make sense when I start doing it though. There was a ton of good stuff on this tread. Thank you all for your imput on the tips.
Nash
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Candle_Kitty
Full Member
SPRING'S BACK!!! BRING ON THE THUNDERSTORMS!! !
Posts: 169
|
 |
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #94 on: Apr 30th, 2005, 7:11pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Leave it to me, clean my kitchen one day and realize there's lots more tips to give out! Here goes!!
While it's a good idea to put your test sheets, results, projects, etc. on the computer, it's an even better idea to back them up on floppy or CD. Computers are a very reliable source, until virus', spyware and the occasional system crash brings your computer down to nothing more than a dust collector and an expensive paperweight until you can get it to a computer technician. All those beautiful scents you've created, the idea you have for a perfect marble candle for your bedroom, color suggestions, project sheets are gone if it's a total system crash. Ask me how I know this, I just went through it 
Some people will tell you that a specific item is a must-have, I would shock a lot of people here if they knew just what I use to make my candles. The most expensive thing that you truly and in my opinion, HONESTLY need is good wax, reliable dyes and good FO's. You can go out and spend an enormous amount of money on all these gadgets, but when you purchase a cheap block of wax, all those gadgets won't help you. Eight years later, I'm still using the double boiler method because it's tried and true for me. I JUST spent the 20 dollars for a heat gun, something that I probably don't necessarily need, but I want nonetheless. Start off small, the old pan that the teflon has long been gone and you've no idea why you still have it works as a bottom to a double boiler. A stainless steel utensils cannister can be the top, just knock a good sized gouge on the side for a spigot and add a heat resistent handle...there's your pitcher for pouring wax.
Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Dollar General Store...those can be a lifeline when it comes to things that are needed for cleanup. Since I use the double-boiler method, I fight a lot with hard water deposits. A two dollar bottle of Calcium, Lime and Rust remover is just as effective as a four or five dollar bottle at Wal-Mart (if you buy economy, which I do....A LOT). A six roll paper towel bag will cost you three or four. Mineral spirits will cost maybe a dollar, citrus cleaner is a dollar...see where I'm going? Then when you've got the money, buy the Presto Pot if that's what you want to do, or buy the heat gun. Just make sure your money is going for the initial product, the candle itself.
If you have a tiny kitchen and don't think you have the room for this, think again. Mine is so small, two people in it will get me claustrophobic and screaming for the other person to get out of my space (literally). Room IS a good thing, but it doesn't limit you as to what you can do. Utilize your space, keep very organized. For my 'notebook', I have a dry erase board hanging next to the stove. For extra room, I have a piece of plywood that goes over my sinks and I've hung just about every pot and pan I own on the walls. It also forces you to keep on top of your kitchen better, 'what do I really need in here and what can go?'. Under the sink storage? Grab a box and stuff your cleaners, cans of mold release, gloss spray, etc. in it. Keep the molds and wax away from the sink (ruptured pipes on wax and molds isn't a good thing) by getting a bigger box and putting those in there and within reach.
And one last thing, all these tips are from people who have done this for a hobby or for money making. Personal preference is all over the place here. Do what's right for you and your candles will always be beautiful!
|
|
IP Logged |
I am a Sagittarian - if astrology has anything to do with it - the Centaur - the Archer - the Hunt - But the main thing is that we are The Doors.
Jim Morrison
|
|
|
beachbum
Full Member
Do, or not do. There is no Try. - Yoda
Posts: 100
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #95 on: May 14th, 2005, 10:31am » |
Quote Modify
|
And always, always, every night and every morning...look up, take a deep breath....smile big and say...."THANK YOU...(fill in your preferencial name here) for creating the candletech message board community!!!!"
|
|
IP Logged |
MoonShadows & RainForests
Enchantingly Natural Candles, Bath and Body
|
|
|
damsels_creations
Full Member
I love candletech.com! and Chris
Posts: 152
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #96 on: May 20th, 2005, 7:55am » |
Quote Modify
|
For those of us that have Cats..
We get the kitty litter in a Pail with a handle... after it is empty we clean it out really well and let dry overnite and then store my Wax in it.. Take label off of the Box or wrappings and put it on the top.. Take a Magic Marker and write the type of wax on all four(4) sides so no matter what you know that you have grabbed the right pail for the candle you are pouring.. and they are stackable to saves on storage...
Tamara
|
|
IP Logged |
Votives:IGI4794 ,36-24-24Z
Wax Smellties: IGI4794
I know a lil bit about everything and a whole lot about nothing.
|
|
|
Candle_Kitty
Full Member
SPRING'S BACK!!! BRING ON THE THUNDERSTORMS!! !
Posts: 169
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #97 on: May 25th, 2005, 5:07pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Make sure that when you pull your wick pins out of the candles, that you put something over the base to pull (we're talking the pillar pins)....I'm on my way to the emergency room, I've got a big gash in my finger 
|
|
IP Logged |
I am a Sagittarian - if astrology has anything to do with it - the Centaur - the Archer - the Hunt - But the main thing is that we are The Doors.
Jim Morrison
|
|
|
Kittie
Full Member
Posts: 52
|
 |
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #98 on: Jun 4th, 2005, 10:23am » |
Quote Modify
|
These tips are great! Thank you to everyone who contributed! 
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
debscent
Senior Member
Posts: 357
|
|
Re: Tips for Newbies
« Reply #99 on: Jun 14th, 2005, 9:58am » |
Quote Modify
|
How to tell if you will need a repour?
If you notice a thin "top" layer on your candle while cooling, you can figure on a repour. (Read that today, and I've been making candles for a year now).
|
| « Last Edit: Jun 14th, 2005, 9:59am by debscent » |
IP Logged |
|
|
|
|
Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.2!
Forum software copyright © 2000-2004 Yet another Bulletin Board
|
Dec 13th, 2006, 9:21pm
Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register.
How to Search
Abbreviations
Site Sponsors:
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print