Wicks. Wicks. Wicks.

With wicks on sale this month I started thinking about how many questions I get every week with regards to wicks, wick size, testing wicks etc.. This month I decided to change my blog a bit to explain and also show you what a candle that burns correctly should look like and act like both.

How do I know what kind of wick to use in my candle? Wicking is tricky. In fact probably the most difficult part of making any candle. My rule of thumb is to wick first according to manufacturers recommendations but then also based on my own physical testing. I have tested at some point every wax we sell and every type of wick, although not all of them together.

In my experience candles that are made from a base of paraffin wax; Straight Paraffin, Blended Paraffin and Single/Reduced Pour Paraffin waxes tend to do the best in "most" cases with zinc core wicks. What does that mean? Well, for Pillar or Taper style candles, made from paraffin, a zinc wick isn't my first wick choice. I find Flat Braid Cotton or Square Braid Cotton wicks tend to work better for those types of candles. For a Tea Light candle, my preference is also for a cotton wick. In this case, a coreless braid but one already tabbed. For most paraffin containers, I prefer zinc core wicks. I find that they burn slower and because paraffin wax burns out, then down...this works best. On that note, many people don't like zinc core wicks personally (and that is OK! This is what trial and error testing is all about folks!) and use LX, HTP, CD etc. in their containers or votive candles. As long as it burns correctly and safely it's the right wick for you!

Soy Candles are a completely different animal versus those made from traditional Paraffin. Wicking a Pure Soy Wax, a Blended All-Vegetable Soy Base Wax or a Paraffin & Soy Blend, you will need to wick according to the soy in the wax. Soy is a lot more viscous and creates a more difficult burn situation than say a straight paraffin wax. Soy instead of burning out then down like paraffin also burns down before spreading out. If your wicks are not hot enough, the wick can not handle the down before out. For any wax with soy, zinc wicks are not recommended. Zinc can tend to fizzle out and stop burning out of nowhere, even if they had previously worked in the same combination for years. For any container (or tea light and or votive) candle with soy, my first choice is the CD series followed by the following in no particular order: HTP, ECO, LX, RRD, Performa, Paper Core.Wicking Pillar Soy is a bit tricky but I have found the Square and Flat Braid Cotton work well for me!

With ANY candle and ANY wick and ANY wax (yes, I meant business there!) you have to keep your wicks trimmed, burn for the proper amount of time for your container and be sure to TEST, TEST & TEST! The ideal burn for any jar candle is after 4 hours your melt should be between 1/4" and 1/2" deep against the glass (this may take a few burn cycles to get to, but as long as you see it by the third burn and the first two are VERY close, you should be good). If you are following this guideline and trimming your wicks before each burn (1/8" for soy and 1/4" for paraffin) you should also have very minimal soot and smoke, even near the end of the burn! Remember it IS all about the wicks. Wicks make the candle burn either correctly or incorrectly. The wicks create the melt pool which is where scent comes from. The wicks are what will either make a safe or unsafe candle while burning.

Bitter Creek Candle Supply offers one of the largest selections of wicks in the industry! Have a question about a wick? Can't decide which wick will be best for you? Need help selecting a wick? We offer FREE Technical Support to all our customers! Online help is available 9am to 5pm Central Time Monday through Friday. Click here for information on how to contact Tech Support by phone, e-mail or through our Live Online Chat Application! Real candlemaking advice from a working chandler with over a decade of experience in the business!

*We can only offer recommendations as to wick sizes and applications, but we cannot guarantee any certain wick to work in a certain application because of too many variables involved. The only way to determine the appropriate wick selection is by experimentation. Test burning will be necessary to determine the best wick for your candles! For testing, we offer for purchase, sample packs that contain 5 of each size wick within a series.


The candle in the photo above was made by me, Flicker. It is made from IGI 6006 which is a Paraffin & Soy Blend. It is poured in our 8 oz. Jelly Jar, colored with liquid candle dye and wicked with a CD series wick. That is taken after the candle has burned 4 full hours. This is what an ideal burn looks like.

Falling forward to Fall shows!

I tend to think a few months ahead in the game of making and selling candles and body care. I am a wholesaler for the most part. My shops are buying ahead sometimes 4-5 months! I am already putting the finishing touches on my Christmas line. This year I've decided to add Pinecone Fire starters! They are SO pretty and smell SOOO good!

Simple directions for this quick and profitable item!

You will need Wax (I used the IGI 4625 but any hard paraffin wax will work!)
Dye (I used Burgundy Liquid Dyes)
Fragrance (I used Mulled Cider, mmmmm! Such a yummy scent!)
and Wicks or String! (I used zinc core wicking)


Melt your wax. While the wax is melting wrap wick pieces around the cones to use as holders while dipping. They will also be the way the cones are lit later on!










Take your pinecones and dip them into the wax to form a base. I did this before adding the color and scent but that really doesn't matter. Just be sure the wax is hot 175-185* so that it will penetrate the cone to leave a nice solid base for the latter layers to adhere to.

Set aside the cones on wax paper to cool.

Now with scented and colored wax if you did not in the last step, allow the wax to slighly cool so it will build up vs. melt off the pinecone...dip, allow to drip off and set on the wax paper to cool.

Repeat the process until you have achieved your desired look.







These are pretty and sell easily at fall and winter shows! Average prices are $9-15 for a bag of 9. Use different colors with different scents. Also a great way to use up extra wax!!!! The better the packaging the more they will sell for! Include instructions and have some out for people to sniff!!!

Wonderful Water Crystals!

Who doesn't love a small area room freshener? Water Crystals work great to make "Smelly Jellies"!

These amazing little beads absorb up to 400 times their weight in water! Match your color to any decor simply by blending a water based dye (Our FD&C Liquid Bath and Body Dyes!) and scent according to your preference! Smelly Jellies are great in small spaces. The Bathroom, Bedroom, Kitchen. Try one in the Camper or RV for a little freshen up! Use one in your office for a "pick me up"! Put them in a sunny window for an even stronger fragrance release!




You Will Need















Water Crystals
Fragrance Oil
Liquid Bath & Body Dye
Glass Jar with Daisy Cut Out Lid
Distilled Water
Measuring Cups and Spoons

Directions for Water Crystals

• Fill a measuring cup with 6 oz. of distilled water. (Warmer water works faster)
• Add a few drops of liquid Bath & Body dye for desired color.
• Stir in 1 - 2 teaspoons fragrance oil.
• Add 1 teaspoon of Water Crystals.

• Mix all ingredients and allow to sit for approx. an hour or so. The crystals will soak up the water and expand into little gel-like pieces.

• Makes enough to fill an 8 oz. Jelly Jar.

Ideas

• Jelly Jars look cute with net, lace, or thin material in the lids (using only the rim and leaving out the middle piece)! This helps keep dust off your smelly jellies.

• Pick a material that goes with your product theme, such as country. Or you could pick a material to match the scents, like fruits, flowers, etc!

• You can also use smelly jellies in potpourri warmers for an even stronger scent! (They can tend to "spit" as the water evaporates. Be sure to keep them well hydrated! Keeping a lace of net covering over the jar also helps prevent this

• Smelly Jellies make great Baby Shower Favors.

• Sell Lavender, Lavender Vanilla or Rosemary Mint scented Smelly Jellies as inhalation for Stress relief!

• Use all natural essential oils to make Aromatherapy Jellies!

Tip

Fill a Jar or Bowl with unscented Water Crystals as a Centerpiece for a Party or Wedding. Use with a floating candle or Tea light!

(If you are going to use with a flame, do not scent the Water Crystals to prevent fire!)

Remember, any air freshener that is not heated or circulated will not "throw" like a candle or a tart!
Heat and circulation are what make the scent throw into the air, and without any heat source nothing is going to throw like a candle
or room spray. Room temp air freshener items can only do so much.

Cautions

•Keep out of the reach of children and pets!
The fragrance will last for several months, depending on the fragrance, use, and exposure. Refresh as the water evaporates using Distilled Water!

Rainbow in a Jar

Rainbows are happy! You can make a rainbow in a jar using our Aroma Beads! These amazing clear plastic beads that absorb up to 30% fragrance oil can be dyed to match any décor or color! Aroma Beads work great as Air Fresheners in Cars, RV’s, Closets and in small Office Spaces. Aroma Beads also work well in sachet bags in drawers, luggage and linen closets. Place a tablespoon of beads on the floor and suck up into the vacuum cleaner for a scent that emits as you clean! Set Aroma Beads out in a bowl as dry potpourri. You can add glitter or mica to the dry beads, they can be colored or clear. You can add dried floral pieces, shells etc. to add interest as well. Make single colors, or get creative and do layers or do as we have and make a Rainbow mix! Great for holiday theme color combos! Put them in a sunny window for an even stronger fragrance release!


You Will Need














Aroma Beads
Fragrance Oil
Liquid Candle Dye
5 Glass Jars with Lids (for mixing the beads)
Glass Jar with Daisy Cut Out Lid

Directions for Aroma Bead Jars

For this particular jar, I used five colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green & Blue.

•For each jar I weighed .2 weight oz of fragrance with 1-2 drops of liquid candle dye into my jar.















•Once the dye and scent are in my jars, I added .7 weight oz of beads for each color.















•Put your lid tight and shake your jar until all the beads are saturated. It can take anywhere from 1 day to over a week for the beads to completely absorb all of the oil, it will vary with different fragrances. Keep shaking the jar every few hours! At first it will seem soupy and look as if it will not soak up the oil... but be patient! The oil will eventually soak in!










•Once the oil is absorbed, you are done! Pour the beads into your jar in a rainbow layer! You can also add a bit of our White Mica Powder to the clear beads too for a shimmering, pearl effect!

Directions for Aroma Ornies
















•First make your scented & colored Aroma Beads as directed above.
•Choose metal cookie cutters in the shapes & sizes you want for your ornaments.
•Lay them on a metal non-stick cookie sheet. Fill each shape with the beads, completely covering the bottom with a layer about 1/4" deep.















•Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 5 - 10 minutes or until you can see that the beads have melted together. Baking times will vary with different ovens.















•Watch them carefully!
*Note: They will not be smooth like glass, they will be bumpy.
*If you want a hole in the top for hanging, stand a flat head nail on it's head where you want the hole to be.

Remove from oven with pot holders, and set on stove top to cool. A small amount of smoking is normal when they first come out. Allow tray to cool completely before touching! Next, carefully remove the cookie cutters.
*I prefer to cool mine in the freezer for a few minutes, which helps them release from the cookie cutters easier.

Once you remove the cutters, your ornament will be stuck to the pan, but it will peel off the non-stick metal fairly easily. Don't be alarmed if it feels stuck. They may feel like they won't budge at first, but once you start to pull it up it will peel off.
Peel the shapes off the sheet, and they are done! You can use a sharp tipped object like a nail to make a small hole near the top, and string some thin cord through to hang it with. Or try using a paper hole punch for thicker ribbon!

Tips

•Aroma Beads make great Wedding Favors. An ounce of beads in a Sachet Bag with a cute label is perfect!
•Try some fun color combos: Green & Red for Christmas, Black & Orange for Halloween, Pastels for Easter and baby showers! Or match your local school colors, or your favorite sports team colors! Or the colors of a wedding for favors! A mix or layers of bright rainbow colors would look great, or try a mix of fall colors like rust, gold, burgundy and brown! The possibilities are endless
•Package your Aroma Beads in our Jelly Jars, or any clear jar!
•Try this! Fill the lids of your apothecary jars with Aroma Beads in the scent to match the candle!
•Use Aroma Beads as a scented stuffing for Aroma Bears!
•Sell Eucalyptus & Peppermint scented Aroma Beads in a small jar as inhalation beads for sinus relief!
•Use all natural essential oils to make Aromatherapy Beads! People can carry a small sachet or bag in their purse or briefcase and whiff throughout the day for stress relief or rejuvenation!

Scent Throw

Remember, any air freshener that is not heated or circulated will not "throw" like a candle or a tart! Heat and circulation are what make the scent throw into the air, and without any heat source nothing is going to throw like a candle or room spray. Room temp air freshener items can only do so much. Aroma Beads need to be placed in an open dish where air will circulate to allow the fragrance to flow. The beads also need to be shaken around every now & then to "refresh" them and release the scent. Setting a sachet in front of an air vent in your house or car will help circulate the fragrance.

Cautions

•Do not set sachets or ornies on wood surfaces as the oils can stain the wood!
•Do not set them on painted surfaces or plastic surfaces as the oils can damage these surfaces
•Do not use in a tart warmer or potpourri burner as the beads can melt!
•Keep out of the reach of children and pets!
The fragrance will last for several months, depending on the fragrance, use, and exposure.

Pretty Petals!

Pretty Petals!

Soap Petals and leaves are a simple and inexpensive project that just about any one can do. Soap Petals are perfect for an add-on to your existing Bath & Body or Candle Line. This is a great project for supervised school age kids, Scout Troops or Sunday School Groups! This is an excellent and easy fundraiser, gift or addition to a gift basket. There are several ways to make these one time use guest soaps detailed below.

*1 pound of MP soap will do somewhere around 400-500 petals or leaves.

Soak & Dry

You will need:

• Silk Rose Petals
• Tweezers
• M&P Soap (clear)
• Fragrance Oil (soap safe at least 3%)
• Drying Racks and or Wax Paper

Melt your MP soap in a double boiler on the stove or in the microwave and add your fragrance.

Drop rose petals into the melted soap and stir around to make sure each petal gets completely submerged.






Pick petals out with long tweezers, hemostats or needle nose pliers, one by one, and set on metal cooling racks to dry.Put wax paper under racks to catch drippings.

Dipping on Tagboard

You will need:

• Silk Rose Petals
• Foamy Tagboard
• Straight Pins
• Drawer Organizer Tray (or any rectangle dish to dip soap in, like a loaf pan)
• M&P Soap (clear)
• Fragrance Oil (soap safe at least 3%)
• Either a clothesline to hang the boards on or shelving to lay them on (Need to be able to hang over the edge so the petals don't touch)

1. Cut the tagboard in strips (about 3 inches wide) and long enough to just fit into the drawer organizer/dish.
2. Pin roses to the tagboard on one long edge. Don't push the pins all the way in because you don't want the petal to touch the tagboard. I always do this ahead of time in the evenings while watching TV.
3. Melt 1-2 lbs of clear M&P, add fragrance and pour into drawer tray/pan.
4. Dip the edge of the tagboard that the petals are attached to, making sure to completely submerge the petals. Quickly lift out and allow to drain a bit, and place on a ledge or shelf so that the petals hang freely over the edge and are not touching anything. Or you can hang the tag boards with clothespins on a make-shift clothesline. Put wax paper or old newspaper under them to catch drippings.
5. Allow to dry thoroughly, and package.

Tip: If the soap in your pan starts to skim over, you can reheat it in the microwave (just make sure you're using a microwave safe dish!). The pins will only leave a very tiny pin hole in your petals, so small it will not be seen.

Stringing on a Line

You will need:

• Silk Rose Petals
• Needle & Thread
• Hooks to hang the line of petals
• Drawer Organizer Tray (or any rectangle dish to dip soap in, like a loaf pan)
• M&P Soap (clear)
• Fragrance Oil (soap safe at least 3%)

1. Thread the needle using double thread, and run it through the edge of the rose petals, stringing them like popcorn. You will want to make your thread long enough to leave extra at each end to attach onto something to hang. Spread the petals apart on the thread so they don't stick together when you dip them.
2. Melt clear M&P, add fragrance, and pour into drawer tray or loaf pan.
3. Starting at one end of your string of petals, dip in as much as will go into the organizer, lift that out, and add another group, etc. until you have the whole string dipped. It works best if you have someone next to you to hold up the string while you finish dipping.
4. Hang the string up on hooks or nails, or whatever works best for you, so that the string hangs like a clothesline. Be sure to put wax paper or old newspaper underneath to catch the drippings.
5. Let hang until completely dry, and then package.

Packaging and Selling Ideas!

• Add a bit of Mica Powder or Cosmetic Glitter to the soap. This will make the petals sparkle! Perfect for Pretty Princess Soaps for little girls or big girl Diva's!
• Use our clear plastic votive tubes to package your petals for a unique twist. Add in a few leaves to make it look more realistic!
• Use clear cello bags and tie the tops with metallic or colored ribbon. A hang tag label lets your product shine!
• A small basket with paper shreds with leaves and greens looks great shrink wrapped!
• Find some soap dishes or pretty crystal bowls to sell with your petals!
• Try putting a handful of petals in a large sea shell inside a clear bag!
• Petals are beautiful in a clear crystal candy dish with a lid to set on the counter!
• Soap Petals look upscale when packaged in our clear tealight boxes tied with a beautiful ribbon.
• Display your petals in your shop with a pretty antique pitcher and bowl set on a stand, so you can let people try one out and wash their hands with it! Demonstrations make great sales!

In your packaging be sure to include basic instructions so your consumer understands how to use a Soap Petal. Below is an example label:

Pretty Petals Soap Petals are a one time use Guest Soap. Take one petal in your hand and run under warm water in the sink. Rub like you would a bar soap to create lather. Rinse after use and discard used petal in the trash.

Ingredients: MUST be listed. Refer to your specific soap, colorant and be sure to include fragrance! Per FDA regulations you MUST add this as you are selling a cosmetic.

Be sure to place on this your business name, address and phone number and website as well. You want to have people come back for more and it’s the law!

Most people sell their soap petals & soap leaves in packages of 25 for around $6.00 to $7.00. Depending on our packaging will determine how you label the above information. It may be on a hang tag or a label affixed to your packaging. Sky is the limit, just be sure to label everything including your information and ingredients Be sure to note if you feel people will not understand that Soap Petals do not disintegrate and are not to be washed down the drain!

Since Soap Petals are a single use product AND they smell great, they are an excellent marketing tool! Place a single petal in a tiny bag and attach to your business card. Hand these out to customers and potential customers!

Fragrance & Color Chart for Petals & Leaves:

Here are several floral scented fragrance ideas from Bitter Creek North for each color petal:

• Pink: Amber Rose Tobacco, Jasmine, Magnolia, Orchid, Plumeria, Rose Jasmine,

• Pale Pink: Amber Rose Tobacco, Jasmine, Magnolia, Orchid, Plumeria, Rose Jasmine, Victorian Rose

• Fuscia: Jasmine, Magnolia, Orchid, Plumeria, Victorian Rose

• White: Gardenia, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Magnolia, Orchid, Plumeria, Rose Jasmine, Victorian Rose

• Yellow: Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Magnolia, Orchid, Plumeria, Rose Jasmin, Ylang Ylang, Victorian Rose

• Lavender: Freesia, Heather, Hyacinth, Lavender, Lilac, Orchid, Plumeria, Victorain Rose

• Burgundy: Orchid, Rose Jasmine, Victorian Rose

• Peach: Magnolia, Orchid, Plumeria, Victorian Rose

• Red: Orchid, Victorian Rose

• Cream: Gardenia, Magnolia, Orchid, Plumeria, Rose Jasmine, Victorian Rose

• Pale Blue: Jasmine, Orchid, Plumeria

• Green Leaves: Clover Leaf, English Ivy