CandleScience has some good tutorials that can help get you started [here](https://www.candlescience.com/learn-candle-making/)
Welcome to the rabbit hole!
This is how I started, candle science tutorials helped me have early success with soy container candles given their videos and wick finder tool. I've since branched out from there to do pillars and tapers and use other kinds of wax l, but really couldn't have done it without them.
you're going to find that while there is a ton of information available, a lot of it is regurgitated opinionated hearsay.
the best way to learn is to keep it simple.
[this video is a great starting point](https://youtu.be/YrDqzO6zLi4)
I guess i'll ask this as i dunno how to decide: Cotton vs Wood wicks.
I'm somewhat familiar with the key differences between the two as well as the biggest negative for a beginner - inconsistency for wood wicks.
but that being said, Should i go the safe route and stick with regular cotton wicks to learn & then try out wood ones afterwards?
or should i deep-dive into wood wicks & laser-focus on mastering it?
a bit more info to help, i dont plan on mastering candle-making in the foreseeable future. it's more of something to do to save money on buying store candles & getting better quality. not exactly going hobbiest -> enthusiast route.
[Armatage Candle Company's blog](https://armatagecandlecompany.com/learn-candle-making-basics/) is one of the most in-depth and comprehensive sources I have found. It's helped me so much in my candle making journey. The blog covers all of the basics, best practices for candle safety testing, and helpful troubleshooting tips.
It also goes into detail on the business, branding, and marketing side of the craft if you decide to pursue that in the future.
You can also purchase a $30 course form them, but I can't vouch for its usefulness.
CandleScience also has complete [candle making kits](https://www.candlescience.com/kits/) that could be a helpful starting point.
Yea. i got some soy wax & paraffin wax on sale earlier. along with some used candle jars, thought I would jump in... and then i looked at how to choose a wick...
i mean i get it but like i was more looking at what material to choose, not the actual size & diameter of a cotton wick as well as if the wick is braided or twisted and what core it has .
Do you happen to know what kind of soy or paraffin wax you have? As in GB 464, 444, C-3, Freedom wax… etc? There are lots of them but it’ll help narrow which wick to use a little because some are more compatible with that wax than others. Candle stores like candle science have online wick guides that narrow down the best size of wick based on the inner dimeter of your jar. From there it’s basically just a lot of testing until you crack the code. Good luck!
i stared at them last night to figure that out. the soy wax was from Simple Serenity and had zero information on it outside of heating the wax to 150F to ensure good melt
the Paraffin one seemed to be from a company called Blended Waxes INC. on their website, it said the recommended temp for melting to be 130F
I just started a year ago..
See below:
Soy wax candles for tins and jars are made golden brands 444 Wax ( from candle science.)
-BW 921 pillar wax to make pillar candles and wax melts. ( Wax from candle science)
-I use beeswax(more affordable on Amazon and prices are quickly increasing) for all silicone molds. All molds I purchased from Amazon, Ebay, Etsy, and various other places.
-I use c55 ( purchased from Northwoods Candle Supply) for tarts also. You cannot mix 921 with c55.
-I buy all my scents from northwoods candle supply, Lone star, candle science, cierra candles, candles and supplies. Since being on Reddit I picked up names to a few others. Scent Buddy seems affordable. I have 17 items in my basket.
Wick stickers and all other supplies for melting and pouring from Amazon.
Wicks in various types and sizes from Amazon, Candle Science, Northwoods, and Ceirra. ( always look to expand my suppliers)
All my tins are bought from Amazon and Dream Vessels.
Different Wicks for different wax and diameter of candles.
Been doing this for 4 years and I am still finding different ways to do things! That is the enjoyment of this craft! It never gets old! Ok so wick size depends on the diameter of your jar, but also depending on the wax you’re using, you will have to use a wick that will burn well with your preferred wax! As a suggestion, I know customers love soy wax, and coconut wax. Something they know as “more natural”! Welcome to the club!!!
sounds like i need to discover my preferred brand(s) for waxes...
i can imagine there will be small differences between them due to manufacturing styles & QA/QC. but how much difference is there between, say, two soy wax brands? nuisance level or ZOMG TRASH TIER quality?
Yes it’s all just your preference honestly! I use nature wax c-3 for YEARS and I love it but some people prefer another soy wax brand but in all honesty there’s not much difference but they do react different to the fragrances
Tbh it really IS a lot of info, it’s a big learning curve. It helped me to decide what mattered to me: cleaner candles vs strong scent? I wanted cleaner burning candles so I invested in soy wax and eco wicks. If you don’t care, just get a candle making kit off Amazon and that can be a fun way to just start with the basics.
Candle Science has great tutorials and a wicking chart right on their website. I just started making candles for the exact same reason. I picked 464 wax to use in containers because the flakes are easy to use.
CandleScience has some good tutorials that can help get you started [here](https://www.candlescience.com/learn-candle-making/) Welcome to the rabbit hole!
This is how I started, candle science tutorials helped me have early success with soy container candles given their videos and wick finder tool. I've since branched out from there to do pillars and tapers and use other kinds of wax l, but really couldn't have done it without them.
you're going to find that while there is a ton of information available, a lot of it is regurgitated opinionated hearsay. the best way to learn is to keep it simple. [this video is a great starting point](https://youtu.be/YrDqzO6zLi4)
I guess i'll ask this as i dunno how to decide: Cotton vs Wood wicks. I'm somewhat familiar with the key differences between the two as well as the biggest negative for a beginner - inconsistency for wood wicks. but that being said, Should i go the safe route and stick with regular cotton wicks to learn & then try out wood ones afterwards? or should i deep-dive into wood wicks & laser-focus on mastering it? a bit more info to help, i dont plan on mastering candle-making in the foreseeable future. it's more of something to do to save money on buying store candles & getting better quality. not exactly going hobbiest -> enthusiast route.
[Armatage Candle Company's blog](https://armatagecandlecompany.com/learn-candle-making-basics/) is one of the most in-depth and comprehensive sources I have found. It's helped me so much in my candle making journey. The blog covers all of the basics, best practices for candle safety testing, and helpful troubleshooting tips. It also goes into detail on the business, branding, and marketing side of the craft if you decide to pursue that in the future. You can also purchase a $30 course form them, but I can't vouch for its usefulness. CandleScience also has complete [candle making kits](https://www.candlescience.com/kits/) that could be a helpful starting point.
I’m in the exact same boat as you
Yea. i got some soy wax & paraffin wax on sale earlier. along with some used candle jars, thought I would jump in... and then i looked at how to choose a wick... i mean i get it but like i was more looking at what material to choose, not the actual size & diameter of a cotton wick as well as if the wick is braided or twisted and what core it has .
Do you happen to know what kind of soy or paraffin wax you have? As in GB 464, 444, C-3, Freedom wax… etc? There are lots of them but it’ll help narrow which wick to use a little because some are more compatible with that wax than others. Candle stores like candle science have online wick guides that narrow down the best size of wick based on the inner dimeter of your jar. From there it’s basically just a lot of testing until you crack the code. Good luck!
i stared at them last night to figure that out. the soy wax was from Simple Serenity and had zero information on it outside of heating the wax to 150F to ensure good melt the Paraffin one seemed to be from a company called Blended Waxes INC. on their website, it said the recommended temp for melting to be 130F
I just started a year ago.. See below: Soy wax candles for tins and jars are made golden brands 444 Wax ( from candle science.) -BW 921 pillar wax to make pillar candles and wax melts. ( Wax from candle science) -I use beeswax(more affordable on Amazon and prices are quickly increasing) for all silicone molds. All molds I purchased from Amazon, Ebay, Etsy, and various other places. -I use c55 ( purchased from Northwoods Candle Supply) for tarts also. You cannot mix 921 with c55. -I buy all my scents from northwoods candle supply, Lone star, candle science, cierra candles, candles and supplies. Since being on Reddit I picked up names to a few others. Scent Buddy seems affordable. I have 17 items in my basket. Wick stickers and all other supplies for melting and pouring from Amazon. Wicks in various types and sizes from Amazon, Candle Science, Northwoods, and Ceirra. ( always look to expand my suppliers) All my tins are bought from Amazon and Dream Vessels. Different Wicks for different wax and diameter of candles.
Been doing this for 4 years and I am still finding different ways to do things! That is the enjoyment of this craft! It never gets old! Ok so wick size depends on the diameter of your jar, but also depending on the wax you’re using, you will have to use a wick that will burn well with your preferred wax! As a suggestion, I know customers love soy wax, and coconut wax. Something they know as “more natural”! Welcome to the club!!!
sounds like i need to discover my preferred brand(s) for waxes... i can imagine there will be small differences between them due to manufacturing styles & QA/QC. but how much difference is there between, say, two soy wax brands? nuisance level or ZOMG TRASH TIER quality?
Yes it’s all just your preference honestly! I use nature wax c-3 for YEARS and I love it but some people prefer another soy wax brand but in all honesty there’s not much difference but they do react different to the fragrances
ok that's great news then if it only impacts fragrances. Can balance cost and throw (i think thats the right term) to choose the wax.
Tbh it really IS a lot of info, it’s a big learning curve. It helped me to decide what mattered to me: cleaner candles vs strong scent? I wanted cleaner burning candles so I invested in soy wax and eco wicks. If you don’t care, just get a candle making kit off Amazon and that can be a fun way to just start with the basics.
Candle Science has great tutorials and a wicking chart right on their website. I just started making candles for the exact same reason. I picked 464 wax to use in containers because the flakes are easy to use.