Making Candles

[Scarlett O]

Does anyone know what the best/least expensive wax to use when making candles? I read on another site that parafin works, but it smokes terribly.

I like to keep a pink 7-day pillar going at all times. It makes me feel better, but when the glass turns black from the smoke I feel like the positive energy gets blocked. It only happens when I make the candle myself, if it's new it burns clear. So, I'm thinking that it has to be because I'm a lousy candle maker.

Also...how do you keep the wick straight? I've tried pulling it tight as soon as the wax starts to set, that works ok...so long as I don't pull too hard and pull the wick completely out. Yes, I've done that, too.

The last thing...What do you do when the wax caves in, in the center?

Lemme guess...Give it up!! rofl

[Lavender]

Hi Scarlett O, have you looked in the Arts & Crafts forum? There's a couple of candle making thread there that might be helpful for you.

Here's the link to the candlemaking thread there. There's lots of other links in there as well.
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17695