Best products from r/candlemaking

Oh, I'm sorry to hear it mushroomed at the bottom! That's never happened to me. I can tell you the method I use exactly and maybe that will help.

I generally let the candle cure for at least a full day (sometimes longer) before spinning the bottoms. I cut the wick very close to the base, and create a small burrow to tuck the wick further into the candle. I also will put the heat up a little higher if need be, and work quickly. It generally shouldn't take longer than 60 seconds (if that). I apply even but gentle pressure from the top center of the candle and move it in a swirly pattern rather quickly, then quickly swipe the bottom of the candle on a piece of absorbent paper (brown paper grocery bags work great for this- just don't do it across the inked parts on the outside of the bags or you'll pick up the ink on your candle bottom).

Maybe try letting the candle cure longer and putting the heat up a little higher on your skillet, so you will be able to flash melt the bottom quickly, without heating up the rest of the candle. Also if you can't get it even after the first 30-60 seconds, pull it off the heat and let it cool down for a while, before putting it back on the heat. That should prevent the heat from reaching past the very bottom of the candle.

I would also consider picking up some books on candle making. Youtube videos are good sometimes, but no one seems to want to give away trade secrets with candle making online, since we tend to spend a lot of money and time perfecting our craft. The books are great for beginners, they really spell out the steps from start to finish for each kind of candle you could think of. I recommend this one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762406011/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nature's garden has some pretty good tutorials too that are worth looking over https://www.naturesgardencandles.com/freecandle/candle-classes

Best of luck to you!

Oh wow, that is really cool. Try pouring hotter then. Wax is kind of weird. I usually try to pour on the cooler side, but I've read that some people think it is better to pour hotter, with the idea being that when you first pour, the wax on the sides of the glass cools fast, but the inside is hot enough to remelt the outside wax, and then it all cools more evenly. This has not been very effective for me, but if pouring cool is not working for you, then pour hot. I've also had pretty good results using can koozies. These just help the candle cool more evenly.

This wax can be a nightmare to cut up. To do this without losing your mind you will need the following:

1. Gloves that can be tossed; not dish gloves but the throwaway latex ones
   
2. Heat Gun
   
3. Large metal scoop, like an ice cream spade/scoop or metal spoon I use this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KVDXU8K/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
4. A chopper scooper thing that is also metal. I use this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000T3KZXU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
5. Wax Paper
   
6. Newspaper or something to protect your work surface
   
   Ok so now that your ready for battle lay some newspaper or some sort of protection on your table or floor wherever your going to start chopping away.
   
   I buy the 25lb blocks they come in a square shape wrapped in plastic. I cut one side of the plastic from top to bottom and a bit on the sides to expose the wax. Next I heat up my ice cream spade and chopper thingie. Then I start cutting the wax into smaller square shapes that I then weigh out to about 5 pounds each. I put a giant sheet of wax paper on my scale, weigh them to 5 pounds and then wrap them up in the wax paper for later use. The wax comes off the wax paper pretty easy and if you find some getting stuck just take your heated tool and nudge it off.
   
   You will have to re heat your tools quite frequently but it makes it way easier to get thru the wax, just try not to burn yourself on the tools... I also wrap the base of my heat gun with either paper towel or plastic wrap to keep it from getting covered in wax.
   
   Alternatively you can just take out what you need from the block but I find it easier to just get it done all at once. This wax is a pain to work with but the scent throw is so worth it. Make sure you heat up your jars a bit too as this wax has a tendency to pull away from the sides. Best of luck to you!

I am writing this as someone who attended a good workshop rather than a person with any experience running one. Big things are firstly about being friendly and approachable. You may have some people who have lots of experience, some experience, and also people with zero experience making candles.

​

Secondly, when it comes to logistics, use a Slow Cooker (That's what we call them in the UK, not sure about anywhere else) and have all the wax melted and ready before the class. It doesn't require an expensive one, just a clean one. Also buy a ladle to distribute the wax. You can then distribute the wax when you need to. I would suggest you do this yourself, as if anyone else burns themselves with hot wax, I imagine it won't go down well no matter who is at fault.

​

Another thing that will help is a digital thermometer. Easy to use, often has several unit settings and people in your class can use them one between two.

​

Lastly, have some Silicone Moulds for excess wax, then people can share them and take them home and it means there's no waste.

​

Have anything like containers and whatnot already ready beforehand, and make sure people bring aprons (Maybe have some spare yourself).

​

Lastly, depending on how long the class is, don't be afraid to give them a break. I imagine not all 16 customers will know each other, so have a break with some food and drink can often work wonders.

​

Hope this helps!

Here is where I store my candles and empty jars. I just moved and am so excited to have a candle room. I’m still organizing it, but I’m happy with what I have so far!

I bought the clear boxes from Target, which hold 14 candles. I bought the black storage rack from Amazon. The gray utility storage cabinet was also an Amazon purchase from 6 years ago, so I don’t have a current link.

No pictures of the shipping storage yet, like bubble mailers, boxes, tissue, etc. I also have a small closet full of my FOs and candle making supplies.

Hope that gives you storage ideas!

Votives are a great way to make sure all of the wax is being used. Something like this might be nice http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009IWJODK/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1396646875&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40

Obviously, I'm going to say to make your own! Haha. But since you wouldn't be messing with fragrance oils, half of the hard work is done for you!

I use a presto pot and it's fantastic! It melts the wax much faster allowing you to then pour the melted wax into pour pots. I hope you try it. This is the one I got and I love it!
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-Options-Electric-Multi-Cooker-Steamer/dp/B00005OTXY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451867108&sr=8-1&keywords=Presto+pot

A great way to get the same look is to make your own little wax coffee beans using a silicone candy mold like this https://www.amazon.com/yueton-Silicone-Chocolate-Decoration-Bakeware/dp/B0177B0F7C

​

Then you get the beans effect and a safe, well burning candle.

Why don't you try this stickers? The extra strong double sided adhesive foam discs are perfect for securing wicks to the bottom of your container in hot wax. The candle wick stickers prevent your candle wick from shifting in container while wax cools. They stick fine even after pour wax.

They work great for me. They hold the wick up nice and snug. They work for my small and large candles. Also I get these
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01E0724PW/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1517499710&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=candle+wick. It saves a lot of time compared to other methods. For me at least.

Also the wick centering devices are curved inward so it still easy to pour. You can always give the wick some slack and have the device on the edge while you pour then tighten the wick back up in the center

Hearts and Crafts Soy Candle Wax... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DK8W2YM?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I got this one. So far it's working great!

This is the one I have. Have used it several times to fix tops and wet spots and it works great! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EU2T8GG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Use the CandleScience wick guide while you're building your cart and that'll give you a good idea of which ones to start testing!

I use this cheap infrared thermometer I swiped from the garage tools. Hold it at the recommended distance and it works great!

Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -58℉~ 716℉ (-50℃ ~ 380℃), Yellow and Black https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00837ZGRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jTVADbGSJVHB9

I used one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Tech-Crafts-Bottle-Cutter/dp/B004ZRV3AU

[If you live near a Michael's Craft Store, they always have a 40% off (sometimes 50%) coupon that you can print from their website. I think it was $25 in store, which still beats Amazon's price after using the coupon.]

After following the cutting directions I alternated dipping the top half of the bottle in a pot of boiling water then a pot of cold water for 5-7 seconds in each, until the top popped off. Wet sanded it (to keep glass dust from going everywhere) flat with 80 grit paper and then used 220 grit to smooth down the sharp edges.

Word of warning - make sure you carefully clean out the pots when you are done! There tends to be very fine shavings of glass at the bottom and if you use the pot for anything else it might end up mixed in!

House of Crafts Candlemaking Craft Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000GCFO5I/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_YXX5wbS4GKSN6

Says pure paraffin wax 😊

I’d try switching brands of wicks, even the ones I get off amazon cheap burn 3 inches easily. You can also try wooden wicks to guarantee they get the whole diameter. https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Wick-Co-Original-Authentic/dp/B07JR9JGSW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=wooden+wicks&qid=1566955498&s=gateway&sr=8-3

This is what I bought:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B4JNWRY

I'm using the WRMK Wick for making my candles, so I can adjust the temperature along a pretty wide band.