Let's Get it Started - Candles 1-8

There is quite a bit more to candle-making than what meets the eye. As with many other things, you can only truly learn with research and experimenting - trial and error.

At this time I had read an article saying that you need to create 87 candles to identify yourself as a bona fide candle maker. I decided that I was going to make 88 candles as a goal for myself to reach, to create the process of developing a candle company.

Everything would need to be tested - the vessel, the wax used, the wick, the fragrance oil, the flashpoint, and more. I didn't know it yet, but I had much more to learn!

Candles 1-4: In hindsight, I realize I did not take detailed notes on creating these candles. I wasn't sure what I wanted to record, or what information I may need moving forward. (I didn't know I wanted to start a blog about it yet!)

All I know for sure is that I used 4 oz vessels and wrote down the following:

1. Too much wax!

2. Tunneling burn - "when only a small circle of wax melts around the wick while your candle is burning, instead of across the entire surface of the candle."
   

An example of tunneling in candles. Photo Source: https://allseasonswaxcompany.com.au/blog/how-to-fix-and-prevent-candle-tunnelling

3 & 4. 1 cup of wax, half a bottle of cinnamon & vanilla fragrance. I learned pouring hot wax at the side like a tap beer can be better. 1 cup of wax = 1 4 oz jar.

At candle 5, I purchased some 8oz amber jars and used 12 oz of wax with 10ml of fragrance oil. I had poured one of the candles and tried to position the wick holder, only to have it pop up from the base (💩). I measured the temperature under 140 degrees (with a meat thermometer at the time) before doing the pour again. Having the wick pop up had never happened to me before so it was slightly stressful, but a good learning opportunity.

At this point in my research, I learned that the wick size determines how fast the candle burns. I also learned the term "mushrooming" - defined as"a candle defect that occurs when the wick of a candle burns too hot, causing a buildup of carbon on the wick that creates a small, mushroom-shaped protrusion" (see pic below)

An example of mushrooming in candle making. Photo Source: https://www.craftserver.com/topic/6339-mushrooming/

For candles 7 and 8, I used a natural soy wax that I had purchased on Amazon with 1.4 oz of fragrance oil.

At this point, I was realizing that I wanted to learn more about the process, and how to make it a better product, which inspired me to keep pushing!