The final choice to be made in the candle making process always seems to be the wick. Those that have gone through this experience know well that if the proper wick isn't selected, it doesn't matter if you picked the best fragrance, wax or even container because the candle will not burn properly. And if the candle doesn't burn properly, the consumer won't come back.

When choosing a wick, there are some important criteria to follow. You should strive to achieve:

• consistent flame size
• moderate container temperature
• minimal or no blooming (carbon deposits)
• well-formed wax pool with no dripping
• minimal glow after the candle has been extinguished

Where do I start?
The issue any candle maker has is where to start when choosing the proper wick. In today's marketplace the possibilities are endless and that can be overwhelming at times. The frustration for many is that there is not a magic formula to determine what wick is right for the given application. There are over 300 different wicks! The best one for your application will vary depending on the wax you are using, the fragrance load, candle diameter and even the color.

So the question is, where do you start? Below are some highlights of the most frequently used wicks:

• RRD--is a round directional wick with a cotton core and tension threads. It has been designed for optimal burn in solid-colored, scented votives and containers. This series may be one of the more popular due to its versatility in working with both paraffin and soy waxes.

• HTP--Are otherwise known as high-tension paper wicks. These wicks have a paper core wound into the wick to offer rigidity. These wicks are specially designed for use in votives and containers.

• CD--Also have a paper core wound into the wick and are very well suited for votives and containers.

• LX--is a flat braided wick with stabilized threads that help the wick "curl" during the burning process. These wicks will work in votives, containers and pillars. This wick is also an excellent choice for pillars made of the ECO-Soya PB and the Pillar Palm waxes.

• Zinc--This core has always offered rigidity in the "hot pour" process. The down side is that zinc is prone to mushrooming and carbon deposits. This series is very popular with paraffin waxes in containers.

Candlewic Wick Choice Resources:

• Candlewic offers many standard wick assemblies and a broad selection of spooled wicking.
• For a summary of all the wick series, be sure to check out this section of the Candlewic website which lists all of the wick series from smallest to largest.

http://www.candlewic.com/candle-wicks/pop-spools.asp

• Don't forget about our Custom Wick Builder! Watch this video to see how it works!

It is important that you spend time selecting the proper wick so you can really showcase the fragrances you have selected. The staff at Candlewic can help you with this process and we encourage you to take advantage of their expertise.

Gel candles are an extremely popular and versatile type of candle. They allow for a lot of artistic possibility. One popular gel candle creation you've probably seen is the "Fruit Preserve." This is where a jelly jar is filled with wax fruit inserts (shown right), then filled with gel. You can even create champagne glasses, beer mugs and other "drink" candle creations with gel. In some respects, gel can be easier to learn with than most candle materials. It's important to know the requirements and properties of gel,
however, before you venture into the process.

Gel, as previously defined by Penreco and now Calumet, is:

A specially selected, processed mineral oil that is gelled with copolymers that give them a clear rubbery texture. Similar to traditional wax candles, clear gel candles are commonly produced from a hydrocarbon base stock.

Instructions for Selecting the Proper Gel

The selection of the proper gel is limited to three different densities. The determination of the proper gel for your application will be dependent upon the type of gel candle you will be making and how much fragrance will be used.

1. 

   The low density (Candlewic's CG-1) is generally suited for gel candles with 0-3% fragrance loads. Generally, the low density can be poured at lower temperatures, ideally 195°-205°F.
2. The medium density (Candlewic's CG-2) is generally suited for candles with 3-5% fragrance. This density is a good gel for embedding many of the wax inserts. This particular gel is quickly becoming the most popular gel.
3. The high density (Candlewic's CG-3) is best suited when embedding heavier wax inserts and higher scent loads.

When making gel candles there are no additives needed, and in most instances, anything you add to the gel, including fragrance sometimes, can cloud the finished product.

Safety Precautions for Making Gel Candles

Before making gel candles for resale it is important that you review all of the safety precautions for manufacturing these candles. These safety precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Must use fragrances that are non-polar. (If you are not sure, check with your fragrance supplier)
• Fragrances must have a flash point higher then 170° F
• Proper wick selection is critical. In some instances you may want to undersize your wick. This can create a unique "glowing" effect as the candle burns. It is important to test burn wicks in all your containers.
• A wick assembly should have a wick base that has a 9mm neck.
• Depending upon density, do not go over the recommended percent usage for fragrance.
• Always have burning instructions.
• Make sure gel embeds are not flammable. (It can be surprising at times what objects are flammable.)

One of the most intriguing aspects of the gel candle is its endless ability to create new and interesting designs. The gel candle has brought a whole new level of "art" to candle making. Glass containers filled with "scenes" and other designs make this product as popular as ever.

Want to know more? Check out our Gel Candle Making Tips for Beginners.

One of the looks most often associated with heavily fragranced candles is the mottled look. This look can be easily accomplished with containers, pillars and votives. It requires starting with the right wax. Not all waxes will mottle, so using the right wax is essential.

The first step is to decide what type of candle you will be making and choosing the appropriate wax for that application.

Materials

• Containers – Use 2530H
• Votives – Use 3035H
• Pillars – Use 4045H
• Color blocks
• Scent

Step 1
Select, clean, wick, and prepare your jars or molds as you normally do.

Step 2

Melt your wax, add color and 5% fragrance.

Step 3
Once the candle has been poured and is completely cooled, remove it from the mold.

Step 4
Pour your wax between 165-175°F.

Step 5

Pillars and votives: Top off your candle. When the top off completely hardens, remove it from the mold.

Containers: Top off candle.

Special Notes on Mottled Candles:

The reaction between the fragrance and the wax (causing it to fracture) is what causes the mottling. The fragrance and the process can have an impact on the level of mottling. If you do not achieve the desired mottling, try pouring cooler first and then hotter until the desired result is achieved.

Need a good gift for the holidays? What about a home-made candle? Tri-color candle jars are easy to make and beautiful too!

Materials Needed:

• 2 lb of Palm 1 wax
• Pouring pitcher
• Thermometer
• Burgundy liquid dye
• EVO-12
• Apothecary jar
• RRD-50 wick
• Wooden popsicle sticks

Step 1

Add 1 lb of the Palm 1 wax into the pouring pitcher.

Step 2

Clip the thermometer onto the top of the pouring pitcher with the thermometer inside.

Step 3

Place the wax filled pouring pitcher into a large pan of boiling water. This will create a double boiler for you to heat your wax. Do not allow the water to boil dry.

NEVER HEAT WAX DIRECTLY ON A HEAT SOURCE. Heating wax on direct heat can cause the wax to overheat and possibly ignite.

Step 4

As the wax melts, monitor the temperature with the thermometer. For accuracy do not allow the bottom of the thermometer to touch the bottom or sides of the pouring pot. Tip the pouring pot until the bottom of the thermometer is covered with the liquid wax. When the wax temperature reaches 185° F add two teaspoons of the liquid EVO-12 Burgundy color and stir.

Step 5

Now you are ready to pour the first layer into the Apothecary jar. Monitor the temperature making sure it is at the pouring temperature of 180° F. Pour the first layer of colored wax into your jar to a height of 1”. After approximately 5 minutes place the RRD-50 wick into the jar. Make sure the wick tab is centered on the bottom of the container. The hot wax will cause the wick to lean so use wooden popsicle sticks or wooden coffee stirrers to prevent the wick from falling toward the sides of the jar. Place the stick across the top of the jar to support the wick. Two sticks may be needed. Place the wick between each stick until it is centered.

Step 6

Allow the wax to cool for approximately 3 hours or until the layer is solid and firm.

Step 7

To prepare your second layer you will add 4 oz of Palm 1 wax to the colored wax that remains in your pour pitcher and repeat the melting and pouring process above (remember do not add any color).  We are increasing the wax amount so that the original color will decrease in intensity.

Step 8

Repeat the cooling time for the second layer.

Step 9

Last layer, add 4oz. of Palm 1 wax to the remaining wax in the pour pitcher and repeat the melt and pour processes, making sure that the pour temp is at 180° F. Repeat the cooling process.

Without doubt one of the hottest topics in the US right now is the continued momentum in the marketing power of “Green Products.” No longer when someone refers to green does it mean money. The latest buzz associated with the multi-meaning word "green" is products/services that promote global environmental protection. This can be a very small effort such as the new trend in emails of putting a footnote at the bottom of the email “not to print out unless necessary” all the way up to homes that can now be self sufficient with solar power, wind, and other environmentally friendly features.

Our regular readers have probably noticed that using natural products has become a regular part of our features. Some of the information we will cover has appeared previously but some of the information may be very surprising and interesting. The good news is the candle market is chalk full of great products that can utilize raw materials that are renewable.

Green Candle Waxes

One way to keep your candle making process environmentally "green" is to choose a "green" candle wax.

1. Beeswax-Beeswax is 100% natural and contains no harmful additives. You can even make beeswax candles without melting the wax. Beeswax sheets provide an easy, eco-friendly alternative.
2. Soy Wax-Soy wax is simply hydrogenated soybean oil and the best application for this wax is in containers. Soy as a plant has been around for thousands of years.

Other Green Components

In addition to wax there are other key components of the candle to consider. In an effort to continue to offer products to meet today’s consumers, we are very excited to launch a brand new line of glassware made of 100% recycled glass. This new line will start with six styles and more to come.

Think of the marketing appeal your candle will have when you can advertise that the wax is natural and the glassware is made of 100% recycled glass. As companies look to make their candles more green, using recycled glass can go a long way in this strategy. Since the container is made of recycled glass there can be some uneven surfaces in the glass. If your strategy is to make your candles even more environmentally friendly this will go a long way in doing so.

Another component, while not large, is the metal sustainer. Did you know that metal was one of the first materials to be recycled and in today’s world is one of the most recycled materials. The metal sustainers we offer have on average 40% of recycled metals. In the upcoming months we will be trying to move that figure higher to 80%. The problem right now is there is a shortage of metal and achieving the percentage you desire in recycled material is not attainable.

One of the easier components of a candle to keep natural is the wick. The wick is generally cotton which is also 100% natural. On several series of wicks there are cores that can be natural such as cotton and paper. In addition, new wicks are continually developed to improve the performance of the candle regarding to sooting and smoking.

If you want all natural fragrances you can consider essential oils, however, they do have some inherent issues, such as low flash points and limited selection. Be sure to test any essential oil in your specific application.

The demand for green products will continue to increase and the more your products can offer that use "green components" the more markets you open.