Hobby & Craft Forums

I've been doing a little more research into making my candles and have decided to make them from soy wax after reading that parafin wax isn't the best material for my project and beeswax is apparently very expensive. I've been reading about adding stearin to the wax but have just read somewhere that you aren't supposed to use stearing in container candles as the candle will shrink and come away from the sides- is this right? Is it usually okay to use stearing with soy wax in non container candles?

Also, does anyone know the best place to get candle dyes from? I've read that dyes come in a solid block, powders or liquids. Which is the best to work with for a complete beginer like me?

The OH uses Stearin in a Parafin Wax; which, when cools shrinks; not sure about soy wax.

I've bought dye crayons from a website called HomeCrafts Direct

It dips in the middle,
doesn't come away from the sides though,
Just keep a little left over wax poke a few hole after top has hardened a little and top up with remaining wax,
has to be repeated a couple of times but they work out lovely

I have heard these are quite good for small supplies

http://www.sensoryperfection.co.uk

I read a bit more after posting this thread last night and it seems you can buy an actual soy wax container mix which is especially formulated for container candles. I might buy the soy container mix and the paraffin wax (and add stearin to it) and see which one turns out best. I do know from what I've read that soy wax burns a lot cleaner than paraffin wax and burn time is up to twice as long too.

Thanks for your replies guys- much appreciated!

I have a load of Soya Wax and various bits of candle making stuff I was going to post on Ebay as we've discontinued our Candle Kits....I will put this in the proper thread

Oh brill Judith- just bought a few bits an a small amount so I'll defo have a look at that. How come you've discontiued your candle making kits? Any particular reason?