IGI 6006 Container Candle

Recently I polled people on their favorite container wax on our message board. The two that come out on top are the Ez Soy and the IGI 6006. I use both waxes and honestly love them both! I recently did a blog using our Ez Soy so decided that with the holiday season fast approaching a blog on a basic container candle using the IGI 6006 was a great idea. Many of our customers are not actually candlemakers at all and hopefully this will entice them into giving candle making a try!




To get started you will need the following:
12 oz Apothecary Jars and the lid of your choice (The jars and lids are sold separately)
Wick Stickum
CD 10 wicks (For most scents. It is up to you to test to determine actual size)
Warning Labels
Candle Dye (all of the candle dyes we sell except pigments are compatible with this wax)
IGI 6006 Wax

Begin by melting your wax to 180-195*. While your wax is melting heat your jars in the oven. Heat for 20 minutes on the lowest oven setting in a pre-heated oven.

Wick your heated jars. Take the Wick Stickums and attach them to the wicks and insert them in the jars. (be careful the jars are HOT!) The wicks should be placed so they are in the center of the container with the wicks nearly touching. In the end the wicks should be about an inch apart in the center of the jar. Our Ez Wick Setter Multi will make this MUCH easier!

For three candles you will need 32 weight ounces of IGI 6006. Once the wax is to temp, weigh out 2 ounces of fragrance and add your desired dye type, color and amount to the wax and stir well to incorporate. Once the dye is blended properly, add your fragrance and again, stir well.

Bring your wax temp down to about 165-170 and pour into the heated jars. This will help minimize shrinking and prevent skip lines and wet spots in the finished candle. Cool the candles as slow as possible taking care to be sure the wicks stay centered in the candle as it cools.

Your finished candles should look like this. Sometimes this wax will require a "second pour" or "top off", to do this re-heat the wax you had left from your first pour. Heat it to 10* hotter than you did the first pour and pour over the candles to the original pour line.

At this time trim your wicks to 1/4" maximum and adhere your warning label to the bottom of the jar and attach any other labels you would like such as your company logo etc. and place the jars lid on top.





Container candles should be burned for about four hours at a time. Doing so ensures that the candles will burn properly from beginning to end. These are great Christmas gifts for your family, friends and teachers! Be creative! Different adornments on the jars such as homespun ties, raffia, candle charms etc all give a different look unique to you!

To see a list of some of our most popular Christmas Scent ideas click Here:

Dead Sea Salts!

This month the Bitter Creek South Newsletter has an awesome sale on bath salts! With the cooler fall and winter weather just around the corner, many people take advantage and soak in a hot bathtub more often.

Taking a hot bath can be quite therapeutic in itself but did you know there are many more reasons for a bath than just the long soak? Using Dead Sea Salts in your bath (which are LOADED with minerals that are actually beneficial to your health) turn a good bath into an amazing experience that is good for the Body, Mind and Soul! Do you have Psoriasis? Eczema? Acne? How about Arthritis, Sports Injuries or plain sore tired muscles? If you answered yes to any of these, Dead Sea Salts may be your answer!

Situated between Israel and Jordan is the Dead Sea, a wonder that has healed, cured, and inspired people for thousands of years. The climate in this area is warm, sunny and dry year-round. The air is clean, pure, and free of the pollution that is found elsewhere in the world. The water is filled with minerals that are known to soothe tired muscles, decrease inflammation and promote healing. The Dead Sea acts as a cure for many common health ailments. The problem? It's not convenient for most people to pack their bags and take a dip in the soothing waters of the Dead Sea. The solution? Bringing the Dead Sea home to you!

Dead Sea salts have been reported to have the following benefits:
Rheumatologic Conditions – Dead Sea salts can be effective in balneotherapy (from Latin: balneum, "bath" is the treatment of disease by bathing, usually practiced at spas. While it is considered distinct from hydrotherapy, there are some overlaps in practice and in underlying principles. Balneotherapy may involve hot or cold water, massage through moving water, relaxation or stimulation. Many mineral waters at spas are rich in particular minerals (silica, sulfur, selenium, radium) which can be absorbed through the skin. Medicinal clays are also widely used, which practice is known as 'fangotherapy'.) of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Osteoarthritis. The minerals are absorbed while soaking, stimulating blood circulation.
Common Skin Ailments – Research has demonstrated that skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis are relieved by regular soaking in water with added Dead Sea salt. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends Dead Sea and Dead Sea salts as effective treatments for psoriasis. One study concluded that the high concentration of magnesium in Dead Sea salt was instrumental in improving skin hydration and reducing inflammation.
Allergies - The high concentration of bromide and magnesium in the Dead Sea salt can relieve allergic reactions by cleansing and detoxifying.
Skin Aging – Further research into Dead Sea salt benefits has shown a 40% reduction in the depth of wrinkling.

Making Bath Salts is a simple process. You will need the following for this project:
1 lb Dead Sea Salts
Blue FD&C Liquid Dye
Green FD&C Liquid Dye
Gulf Tides Fragrance Oil
Mason Jar and Lid

First, weigh out three containers of Dead Sea Salts each holding an equal amount from the 16 oz. These weigh 5.3 oz each.

Secondly pour one of the containers into a sandwich size Zip-Loc Baggie and add 4 drops of the Green FD&C Liquid Dye and 1/4 tsp Gulf Tides Fragrance Oil.

^{Knead the salts in the baggie until they are fully blended and look like this.}

^{Now pour another one of the containers into a sandwich size Zip-Loc Baggie and add 2 drops of the Blue FD&C Liquid Dye and 1/4 tsp Gulf Tides Fragrance Oil.}










Knead the salts in the baggie until they are fully blended and look like this.

Finally, pour the last of the containers into a sandwich size Zip-Loc Baggie and add 1/4 tsp Gulf Tides Fragrance Oil and knead to incorporate.

Last, pour each of the three baggies into a Pint Size Mason Jar alternating colors until you have the look you want to achieve. This is a simple project that has complex benefits for your health! 

To use Dead Sea Salts in your bath, add 1/4-1/2 Cup into hot running water depending on the size of your tub. Enjoy!

A is for Apple.

A is For AppleThere are so many awesome things on sale this month at Bitter Creek I had a hard time choosing what to write about! Since the wax, aluminum molds and Wick Your Wax fo's and Apple Scents are all on sale in September I started thinking a warm smelling fall candle was in order (besides my house needs fall decorating too!). I decided to in the end make a 3" x 4" Drizzled Candle using the Wick Your Wax Mulled Cider. I can't wait to burn it! 





For this candle you will need the following:

• 1 pound of paraffin pillar wax. (I made mine from IGI 1343 with 3 tbsp of wax Steric Acid) 
• 1/2 weight oz of Wick Your Wax Mulled Cider
• 2/0 Square Braid Cotton Wick
• Burgandy Shades Liquid Candle Dye
• Brown Shades Liquid Candle Dye
• 3" x 4.5" Seamless Aluminum Mold
• Pillar Wick Pin
• Mold Sealer Putty

Pour your base candle following these instructions:

Place the Wick Pin inside your Pillar Mold and seal the bottom using a piece of mold sealer putty so the wax cannot leak out.


 

Heat wax and Steric Acid to 180*. Once wax reaches desired temp, add your dye, blend well then add fragrance and again blend well. Allow wax to cool to 160-165 and pour into a room temp or chilled mold. The colder the mold or wax the more rustic the finished candle will be. 

Poke relief holes around the wick of the candle once the wax has become solid but is still pliable. 

After the first pour has cooled some, reheat your reserved wax from your first pour and refill the void (sink hole) in the candle until you reach the level of the first pour. You will want your second pour to be 10* hotter than your first pour to minimize lines from the second pour. Repeat the re-pour process as necessary. To make a rustic finished candle, do not heat the molds and pour the wax at 165*.

 

 To make a mottled/rustic candle, simply use the wax and no additives or add MottleMax™ per product instructions. To make a smooth opaque creamy looking candle add Vybar 103 at the rate of 1/2 tsp per lb of wax. Both can be used to make a rustic cold pour candle. A candle with Vybar 103 or Mottle Max will hold more fragrance oil than one with none.








Finishing Touches!

Although a rustic candle always makes a great centerpiece, I thought it seemed a bit plain for my fall/harvest table. To finish this candle re-heat the left over wax and add some Coffee/Caramel Liquid Candle Dye to make it a dark brown. Allow to cool just until it will pour but stop quickly and pour down the sides of the candle to give it a "drizzled" look. I did add a touch of the IGI 6006 wax to soften the look a bit but that is not necessary.

Enjoy this simple but unique look this fall! For increased value and retail sales try placing them on a cute Tin Candle Plate. Some Rustic Potpourri looks great in the bottom of the bag around the candle and pan as well! Scent some to match the candle!

Working With Wick Stickums™

This month Bitter Creek South is offering 100 FREE Wick Stickums™ with each package of 100 wicks! What an AWESOME deal!

Wick Stickums™
*Bitter Creek's exclusive brand!*

The best on the market! Unlike other similar products, our improved design has stronger adhesive and easy to use pull tabs! These stick to the bottom of your metal wick tabs to secure the wick in your containers. No more messy glue guns!

To use Wick Stickums™ pull one off the paper backing and place the sticky side over the bottom of the wick tab (the metal base on your wicks).

Before using, be sure the tab is free of wax and other debris or they may not stick.

Remove the other side of the Wick Stickums™ and place the sticky side down in the bottom of your container. This will adhere the wick to the container and prevent the wick from sliding around while the candle is burning. This creates a MUCH safer product!
 
Before using, be sure the container is free of wax and other debris or they may not stick.

Finally secure your wick using one of our many wick holders and pour! Wick Stickums™ will hold the tab securely to the container during your pour too, making it possible to keep your wicks perfectly centered each and every time!










I started using Wick Stickums™ in 2000 and I never looked back! No more hot glue, no more messy adhesives, just Pull & Stick! This is the perfect time to stock up on wicks and Wick Stickums™ or to give them a try for the first time!

While you are ordering from BCS, I highly recommend a sampler pack of our many new fragrances!

See the Bitter Creek South Newsletter for details on ordering this months specials!

Please remember busy season is fast approaching. Please be sure to order in advance and stock up so you don't run out! :)

Happy Candle Making!
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Wonderful Wild World of Wood Wicks!

When you think of summer, you think of campfires, when you think of winter you think of fireplaces. They both have one thing in common, the great crackling sound from the fire! Did you know that Bitter Creek offers a wick that is made of 100% natural organic wood! Here is some information on our amazing Wood Wicks!

This candle is made using EZ Soy™ Wax
18 oz apothecary jarSweet Potato Pecan Pie
#5 Two Wicks (5/8") Wood Wicks
Orange Diamond Dye Chips
Candle has been burning 5.5 hours with no trimming.

  
Wood Wicks

*Wood Wicks require a special wick clip (tab) sold separately!

• 100% natural grown. 100% organic. No chemical treatments

• Fast burn pool formation for superior hot throw.

• No straightening. 100% rigid in manufacturing.

• Crackling wood fire sound while wood wick is burning.

• Does not require trimming.

• No mushrooms. Little to no debris. Minimal carbon buildup.

• When sized properly no smoking during burn cycle.

• Little to no afterglow sooting.

• Less overheating at End of Life with wood wick clip.

• Clip keeps flame at safety height, 3/8” above bottom.

• Works in Containers, Pillars, and Votives.

• Efficiently burns all waxes; Paraffin, Soy, Mottling, Palm etc.

• Wood wicks are sized from ¼” to 1” wide.

• Soy and Soy blends may require 2 wicks.

• One clip fits all wood wick sizes and thicknesses.

• Large flat area on bottom of clip for easy use of Wick Stickums.

• Clip is tin coated steel which inhibits rust and discoloration.

• Widths and height come in 1/8” increments for exact sizing.

• Ideal wick height when pouring is 1/8”-1/4” above wax surface.

• 100% grown, manufactured, and sold in the USA.

Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? It's not! These wicks are amazing!!! They burn clean, are very low maintenance, burn hot enough to achieve perfect melt pools and optimize scent throw and at the same time don't burn too hot at all! Every candle we've wicked with these has been simply impressive!! 

Before choosing to carry this line of wicks, we tried every wood wick we could find. They were NOT impressive. There was limited sizing, they were so thick they were difficult to trim after burning and more impossible to cut to size. They drown out in every wax and none burned even close to right. In a nutshell, if you tried the wicks we did, you are probably afraid to try again. Don't be. These are not the same wicks. These have been engineered by one of the best in the industry to be one of a kind. They burn amazing!

Our wood wicks are compatible with most waxes. We offer a chart that will give you a basic idea of where to start when wicking with them in your wax (I've pasted this to the bottom of this page for your convenience) I have added some pictures of the wicks in jars so you can see how great they burn! The best part is they really crackle and it's loud enough to hear unlike some of the big brands!

For anyone wanting to make a basic Wood Wick Candle to start, here is a list of supplies and directions for you! 

Ez Soy Wax
8 oz Smooth Side Jelly Jar
Lid for Jelly Jar
Caution Labels
Blank Candle Labels
Dyes (The only dye we do not recommend are liquids in this wax)
Fragrance Oil
Wood Wicks
Wood Wick Tab
Wick Stickum

• To make the Wood Wick Jelly Jar Candle first be sure your jar is clean of debris.
• Place the two #3 Wood Wicks in the Special Wood Wick Tab
• Place a Wick Stickum on the bottom of the tab and adhere to the Jelly Jar
• Follow these instructions for heating the wax, scenting, coloring and pouring it:
  HeatEZ Soy™ to 175-180*. Add your dye and blend well, then add your fragrance and blend well.
  Allow the wax to cool to about 105* and start stirring. When the wax reaches a slushy stage, it looks similar to an Icee starting to warm up, pour the wax into room temperature jars. The actual pour temp of the wax is about 95* but because it is not completely fluid at this point, an internal temp is hard to achieve. Pouring hotter will result in more frosting and tops that are not completely smooth
• Trim the wicks and place lids on the jars and allow to "cure for at least 48 hours before burning. Some scents may take up to two full weeks to cure.
• Don't forget to place a warning label on the bottom of the jar and make a label for the front with your company logo! :)
  

We recommend using chip, block, powder or flake dyes with soy waxes. Liquid dyes can cause excessive frosting due to the solvents in them. If your tops are not smooth, try pouring a touch cooler. If they are lumpy try a bit warmer. It does take some trial and error testing to determine the exact right pour temp for you.

Wood Wicked 3 1/2" Diameter Candle Burning:

Wood Wick conversion measurements:

#2 width 0.250" - 1/4"
#3 width 0.375" - 3/8"
#4 width 0.500" - 1/2"
#5 width 0.625" - 5/8"
#6 width 0.750" - 3/4"
#7 width 0.875" - 7/8"
#8 width 1.000" - 1"

Candle Diameter	100% Paraffin	100% Soy	100% Palm	Paraffin/Soy Blend	Single Pour Soft Wax
2" Diameter Candle	#2	#2 (2 Wicks)	#2	#3	#3
3" Diameter Candle	#3	#3 (2 Wicks)	#3	#2 (2 Wicks)	#4
3.5" Diameter Candle	#4	#4 (2 Wicks)	#5	#3 (2 Wicks)	#3 (2 Wicks)
4" Diameter Candle	#6	#5 (2 Wicks)	#7	#4 (2 Wicks)	#4 (2 Wicks)
5" Diameter Candle	#3 (2 Wicks)	#7 (2 Wicks)	#3 (2 Wicks)	#6 (2 Wicks)	#6 (2 Wicks)

*All Wood Wicks are sold in 6" lengths.

*Wood Wicks require a special wick clip (tab). These can be found in this category with the wood wicks as well as with the Wick Tabs.

*Please keep in mind these are only suggestions on where to begin your testing. All applications should be individually tested for proper sizing.

**No chemicals were used in the forests or processing/manufacturing of the wood wicks. Are our wood wicks Certified Organic? No. "Certification" in the organics industry is a complex process that the tree growers, mill, wick manufacturer and Bitter Creek would have to go through costing a huge sum of money. The Certification Process is a piece of paper that states what we already do, make an organic wick. We do not plan to make this a "Certified Organic" product anytime in the future unless the cost is significantly lowered. But you have our word, they ARE an Organic Product, they are just not certified.

Wood Wick Candles are beautiful and sound amazing but smell amazing too! Give the wood wicks a try on your next order. They unique sound and look will set you apart from your competition giving you an edge!

Happy Candlemaking!
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