Hello all! Back into the candle game after years of finding other projects! I used to just find interesting vessels to make candles but lately I have been so inspired to create these intricate braiding candle sculptures. I’m aware of how much trial and error I’ll go threw to make these right. But I’m hoping for some insight in the candle community to at least let me start strong! Has anyone has success with bending multiple tapers into interesting geometry and shapes? Is beeswax the best start? How would an experienced candlemaker go about trying to dive headfirst into this! Thank you all! Here’s an attached picture to get the idea I’m going for!
TL;DR: How does a beginner set up success for making sculptural braided candles?

I’m 62, a physician, a mother of five, and a grandmother of three. Candle making wasn’t something I expected to add to that list, but here I am.

What began as something personal eventually grew into a small candle business here in Texas. I’ve always loved fragrance, but making candles has given me a whole new appreciation for the work behind a good one.

It’s taught me about wax, fragrance, patience, and how much the little details matter. I’m still learning, and that’s part of what keeps me interested.

I’d love to hear how others here got started. Was it a particular candle you wanted to make, a creative outlet, or just curiosity? And what part of the process do you enjoy most now?

Does anyone else recognize that distinct smell in the air right before it snows?

You know, when you step outside and immediately think, "It smells like snow is coming!"

I'm trying to find a fragrance oil that captures that exact smell. To me, it's not sharp, minty, or piney. It's more of a soft, damp, earthy smell that's incredibly hard to describe. If you know that smell and have an oil recommendation, I would love to hear it!!

I continue to have issues with Makesy for example ordering boxes that are in stock and weeks later they say "oh sorry it's not" - any other tips on where to get wooden wicks ? Kind of tired of depending on them with on going issues

​Hi everyone!

​I’m expecting twin girls and would love to make handmade candles as birth favors for guests. Since I already enjoy making candles as a hobby, this feels like a really sweet and personal project.

​I could use some advice on two things:

​Glass containers: I'm looking for affordable, small glass jars to make a larger batch. Can I use just any cheap glass jar (like small food or dessert jars), or do they strictly need to be heat-resistant? Also, any tips on where to buy cheap bulk jars in Europe?

​Inspiration: If you have any cute design ideas, examples, or tips for making candle favors (especially for twins), I’d love to see them!

​Thanks so much for your help! 💕

Hello again candle masters! I want to ask how do you deal with this? I got my formula right, tested right with wick size, burns well (without AC). Melts well, 1hr and has the right melt pool.

I'm using cotton wick and pure soy wax. And my friend used it in an office room with airconditioning, it tunneled. I already wick up during the test, and it mushrooms and produces more soot.

Should i revise my formula and still wick up? Or it' really the airconditioning? Plus how will you address this to your customers if you were in my shoes?

Thank you very much, awesome chandlers! 🙌

every supplier catalog has like 20 versions of pine and cinnamon and after while they all sound same lol. ive looked at candle makers on Alibaba and theres enough jar and scent options to get completely carried away, so im trying to keep this simple. maybe one pine, one spice, one vanilla or bakery smell and one cleaner winter scent. shop owners, what actually moves? do novelty shaped candles sell or people mostly buy normal jars with holiday label? also when does christmas candle demand basically fall off cliff? if i keep packaging subtle maybe leftover can still sell in january. giant santa candle is probably harder to explain once holidays are done.

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Hi! I’m making coffee candles using soy wax and gel wax, but the wax seems to form layers on top while burning, and the flame makes a flickering/crackling sound.

Does anyone know what could be causing this and how I can fix it? Any advice would be appreciated!

I'm making a scented candle for my boyfriend's birthday. I am going through a really difficult time financially and can't afford to buy essential oils as they are really costly locally and I don't wanna buy it online without knowing it's fragrance. Is there any way to make a nice scened candle with stuff that are already present at home?

Any other advice are also welcomed for a first time candle maker!

Has anyone made their own custom dye chips? I have purchased the correct dye powder for wax but I don't have any idea how much powder I should use for making the dye chips.

I read one post that mentioned 30 grams to 1 ounce of wax and I think the wax they were using was stearic acid. However they don't mention if they were using dye powder or liquid.

I like to DIY or reverse engineer as much as possible. Now that I have the powder, I need to find a starting point for the first try. I have stearic acid and some leftover sunflower wax from when I was making some cosmetics. I have read that both would work for dye chips but I would like to get some input from others

I’ve been searching around for anyone that can do gold foiling, and I came across Banner Buzz. Internet says it’s a legitimate company, but reviews are all over the place.

I don’t want to DIY my own because it seems like a headache, but maybe I’m reading too much into that.

I need a company that can do very low quantities (like 25), but not cost an arm and a leg.

Any recommendations would be helpful.

ok so how are people here doing the website side

a year of markets, 12 scents, finally setting up properly online. pouring and photos i am fine with. the website is where i go blank

someone sent me amboras because you describe the shop you want and it builds it, which sounds too good to be true

does any of that survive jars and variants and shipping weights, or does everyone end up paying a person in the end