April 2001 How to Make Candles, Candle Making Newsletter

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The En-Light-ener
Candle Making Newsletter

"The En-Light-ener" April 2001
Candle Making Newsletter

Welcome to the third edition of "The En-Light-ener," Candlewic's monthly newsletter for the candle making community. For those who have been with us for a while, we hope you are finding it to be very informative and "enlightening" in your quest for information on candle making. For those who have joined recently, we hope you enjoy it and look forward to hearing from you. We continue to state that this newsletter has been developed to keep you informed on various aspects of both standard and gel candles and would welcome any topics you may wish to have included. Please go to http://www.candlewic.com/suggest_topic.htm and let us know what you would like to know more about.

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NATURAL WAX
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Solid animal fats and natural waxes were the very first candle fuels. Animal tallow, bayberry wax and beeswax were among the early raw materials for candles that filled the requirement of being solid at room temperatures.

With the discovery of petroleum and the refining processes that followed, candle makers soon shifted their production to the more plentiful, less expensive, and more consistent petroleum wax, which became their raw material of choice.

Today, with petroleum wax prices increasing and talk of depleting oil sources, candle makers seem ready once again to return to natural fats and waxes as a source of solid fuels for candle making. We continue to see a trend in our industry to manufacture candles using renewable, biodegradable, all-natural products. Soy and palm based waxes along with beeswax are just a few of the ever increasing natural wax products used in making "all-natural" candles.

Natural oils and fats are routinely hydrogenated using today's modern processes to create many grades of natural wax products, which equal and exceed the consistency of petroleum waxes. The resulting products burn cleanly and efficiently when a proper wicking system is used. In many instances, burn times can be increased using all-natural wax products.

Highly crystalline products offer different and interesting structures and textures which make it possible to create many new products for the ever-changing retail candle market.

Since there are so many new materials available on the market today it is important to move slowly and test thoroughly before introducing your "all natural" wax candles.

For more information about pouring temperatures, colorants or fragrances to use with natural waxes, or to order natural waxes, go to
http://www.candlewic.com/natural_waxes.htm

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BURN TIME
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When making any type of candle that is intended for the consumer to burn, it is important to establish a burn time for your candle. Establishing a burn time will assist to ensure the quality of the candle is upheld and when used properly can be a very effective marketing tool. The burn time should coincide with your burning instructions, so when a consumer questions your burn time, it is important that you have data to support the burning rate.

While there is not a "true" regulation on how to determine a burn time the generally recognized standard is to light the candle, burn for 4 hours and blow out. You then wait a minimum of 1 hour and relight the candle. This procedure should be followed until the entire candle is consumed. Notes should also be recorded along the way indicating the extent of smoking, possibly mushrooming or other key characteristics. Using this method also will be of great assistance in determining if you have the proper wick size for your candle. Here are some tips:

1. If when you complete the burning cycle and there is wax on the sides of the container, it probably means the wick used was too small and you should go up a wick size and start the process again.

2. If all the wax was consumed and you had excessive smoking and sooting you should try a smaller wick.

3. If the wick "drowns out" during the burning cycle your wick was too small.

4. If your candle burns much faster than other candles you have recorded burn time notes for, your wick may have been too large.

These points are just some general suggestions on selecting the proper wick. Selecting your wick is one of the most important components of your candle and using this method will help ensure that you are using the proper size. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.
For more information, or to order wicks and wick assemblies, go to
http://www.candlewic.com/wicks.htm

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FAQ
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With so many different types of molds for making pillars, how do I know what type to use?

In the current market, there are three standard materials for pillar molds. Each one offers specific benefits and drawbacks. The most popular are aluminum molds. These molds are seamless and generally produce the best finish on a candle when used properly. However, in many instances odd sizes are not as readily available in aluminum, i.e. stars, ovals and scallop molds. Tin molds are widely used because of the ease in doing different shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, tin molds do have a seam to contend with. The acrylic or plexiglass molds are very good to use for botanical and other candles where objects need to be placed in the candle. The drawback with these materials is generally the cost and production life when subject to fragranced candles.

For more information, or to order molds, go to
http://www.candlewic.com/molds.htm

What is the proper pouring temperature for making candles?

There are many variables which go into the recommended pouring temperatures for candles. These include but are not limited to the desired finish, wax formula, type of mold being used and production requirements. In general, the hotter pouring temperature (caution should always be exercised when pouring over 150 degrees F) you pour the better finish you will get from the wax. In general, containers should be poured between 160-175 degrees F, pillars poured between 170-195 degrees F and votives 170-190 degrees F. You should also consult with your wax supplier to determine if other variables should be considered when determining your pouring temperature.

For more information, or to order waxes, go to
http://www.candlewic.com/waxes.htm

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FAST FACTS
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You can now track your candle supplies orders directly from the Candlewic web site. Just take your UPS tracking number to http://www.candlewic.com and enter in into the box under Order Tracking at the bottom right hand side of the page. When you click the Track button, you will get information about the shipping status of your order.

Issue Index

June 2008 - Fall Candle Season Starts Now, Extraordinary Candle Making Project, and more...

May 2008 -- Green Candle Making, Green Candle Projects, and more...

April 2008 -- Recent Candle Industry Price Increases, Aluminum Mold Candle Project, and more...

March 2008 -- Straight Wax, Exciting New Candle Making Products, and more...

February 2008 -- Business Side of Candle Making, Ice Candle Project, and more...

January 2008 -- Basics of Blended Wax Candles, Rose Floater Candle Project, and more...

December 2007 -- 12 Days of Business, 2007 Candle Making Projects, and more...

November 2007 -- Show Time for Candle Making, Making Snow Candles, and more...

October 2007 -- Ready, Set, GO candle making, Candle Luminaries, and more...

September 2007 -- GREENING Your Product Line and Your Bottom Line…, One-Pour Candle Tins, and more...

August 2007 -- Candle Making's Center of Focus, Making Streak Candles, and more...

July 2007 -- The Latest in Candle Making Products, Votive Candle Project, and more...

June 2007 -- Setting Your Candles' Sale Price, Summer Candle Projects, and more...

May 2007 -- Determining Your Candle Making Costs, Using Extra Candle Wax, and more...

April 2007 -- Natural Wax Buzz Part 2, Layered natural candles, and more...

March 2007--Crucial details of candle making, Candle projects with no melting required, and more...

February 2007--How to choose a candle making mold, Making custom candle molds, and more...

January 2007--"Green" Candle Making, tri-color jar candle project, and more...

December 2006--Looking into the candle making future, 2006 candle projects, and more...

November 2006--Introducing...a candle making introduction, candle projects, and more...

October 2006--Prime time: candle wicks, taper candle projects, and more...

September 2006--Clearly still here:Gel candle making, one-pour tins, and more...

August 2006--Fragrance - the driving force of candle making, a new contest, and more...

July 2006--Planning your production, using granulated wax, and more...

June 2006--Our 35th Year, using aluminum candle molds, how much candle fragrance to use, and more...

May 2006--Summertime candle making, making natural lemon candles and more...

April 2006--Choose the candle wick, making tealight candles and more...

March 2006--Choose the right wick base, blending soy wax with paraffin, making palm wax candles and more...

February 2006--The roll of wax additives in a blended wax world, UV additives, making grubby candles and more...

January 2006--The secrets of soy wax candles, more ways to use candles, making soy wax container candles and more...

December 2005--Planning for the new year, announcing our new home, secrets about wicks, and more...

November 2005--Holiday candle making, ideas to sell more candles, making luminaries and more...

October 2005--Temperture issues when making candles, how to start making candles and more...

September 2005--Choose the right candle mold, ASTM safety standards, and more...

August 2005--Color and Fragrance trends, choosing the right candle making tools, and more...

July 2005--Planning for efficient production, Marketing your Candles, Making Swirl Candles, and more...

June 2005--New market trends in candle shapes and textures, Making Textured Candles, and more...

May 2005--The trends and science of candle fragrances, Making Mottled Candles, and more...

April 2005--How to select the proper candle wick, Top Colors, Making "Earthy" Chunk Candles, and more...

March 2005--Selecting the right wax Part III, Our Top Waxes, Making Floral Candles, Our History and more...

February 2005--Selecting the right wax Part II, Our Top Fragrances, Making Fruit Candles and more...

January 2005--Selecting the right wax, Using blended wax, Coloring wax, Making Layered Jar Candles and more...

December 2004--All about candle making fragrances, Making Grubby Candles and more...

November 2004--Choosing Color for your candle making, Making snowball candles and more...

October 2004--Candle Making Busy Season, Making Palm Wax Candles, Speeding Up Candle Production and more...

September 2004--Candle Wax Melters, Making Sense of your Candle Scents, Making Taper Candles and more...

August 2004--Getting Ready For The Season, Using Votive Pins To Make Votive Candles, No Melt Candle Making and more...

July 2004--Some History & What's New, Paraffin Myths, Making Golf Ball Candles and more...

June 2004--Choosing the Right Candle Wax for Your Needs, Making One-Pour Tins and more...

May 2004--Investigating New Products, Burn Testing, Making Freestanding Gel Pillars & Novelties and more...

April 2004--Candle Making Trends, Rolled Candles with Beeswax Sheets, Making Taper Candles and more...

March 2004--Color Theory & Techniques, Floating Candle Molds, Making Tealight Candles and more...

February 2004--Mold Techniques, Computers and Candlemaking, Making Easter Egg Chunk Candles and more...

January 2004--Marketing Natural Wax and Paraffin Candles, Layering Natural Wax Candles and more...

December 2003--Holiday Greetings, 2003 Year in Review, The 6 P's, Making Icicle Candles and more...

November 2003--Building Your Candle Product Line, Making Holiday Ornaments & Soap-on-a-Wick and more...

October 2003--Marketing Your Candles, Polyurethane Molds, Making Lemon Candles, and more...

September 2003--Packaging & Labeling, Essential Oils, Making Rolled Pillars with Beeswax Sheets, and more...

August 2003--Using Palm Wax, Increasing Your Profit Margins, Using Aluminum Molds, and more...

July 2003--Ultra Violet Light Absorbers, Reducing Shipping Costs, Dipping Techniques, and more...

June 2003--Choosing the Right Wick, Using a Wick Stick, Making Floater Candles, and more...

May 2003--New Products Review, Pouring Temperatures, Finishes For Your Candles, and more...

April 2003--Selecting Paraffin, Natural and “Hybrid” Waxes, Using Pillar Pins, and more...

March 2003--Selling & Marketing Candles, Making it Easier to Make Pillars, Wax Art Crystals and more...

February 2003--Pouring Temperatures, Votive Tips, Making Grubby Candles, and more...

January 2003--Candle Making Safety Tips, Instruction Labels, What To Do With Extra Wax and more...

December 2002--Polycarbonate Molds, Making Clear Snowball Candles, and more...

November 2002--Candle Making as a Second Language, The Story of Chandler, Natural F Wax, and more...

October 2002--Candle Making as a Second Language, Projects Review and more...

September 2002--Accessorizing Your Manufacturing, Making Clear Pillar Candles, and more...

July/August 2002--Making Cinnamon Roll Candles, Clear Pillar Base, New Products, and more...

May/June 2002--Back to Basics, Making F Wax Candles, and more...

April 2002--Making Streaked Candles, Wax 101 part 3: Natural Wax, and more...

March 2002--Making Crackled Candles, Wax 101 part 2: Gel Wax, and more...

February 2002--Making Easter Egg Candles, Wax 101: An Overview, and more...

January 2002 --Review of 2001, Frosty Snowman Candles, New Products, Safety Info and more...

December 2001--Botanical candles, making white candles white and more...

November 2001--Chunk candles, clearance sale!, candlemaking books and more...

October 2001--The new candle market, choosing gels, votive wicks and more...

August 2001--New products, new location , new web site and more...

July 2001--Selling & Marketing Candles (part 3), Candle Burn Times and more...

June 2001--Selling & Marketing Candles (part 2), UV Light Absorbers, Wax Additive Recommendations and more...

May 2001--Selling & Marketing Candles, Burning Instructions, Selecting Sustainer Bases and more...

April 2001--Natural Waxes, Candle Burn Times, Wax Pouring Temperatures and more...

March 2001--Making Wax Inserts, Blended vs. Non-Blended Waxes, Colors, Fragrances and more...

February 2001--Whipped Wax, Wax Art Crystal Wax, Gel Candles, Using Containers and more...


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The Candlewic Company
Supplies the candle making industry with candle making kits, molds and accessories including candle wax, gel, and wicks.

3765 Old Easton Road
Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901
800-368-3352 | Local: 215-230-3601 | Fax: 215-230-3606

info@candlewic.com

Official Distributors of: Penreco Candle Gels
Members: IGCA, National Candle Association

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