Candle makers are always looking for new ways to re-invent, apply new skills, show creativity, and get better at their craft. It is no secret that some candle crafters find-working with soy wax can be difficult at times; moreover, to master.
Here are 5 Tips newly soy wax candle makers can use:
- Enjoy the uniqueness of soy wax
In order for you to become successful working with soy, you must understand what you are working with, and why. Soy wax come from soybeans. It is a vegetable wax made from the oil of soybean. Soy is a renewable resource and burns cleaner and slower! Ask yourself why do you prefer soy wax over paraffin wax, bees wax, gel wax, etc? What do you hope to achieve using soy? How could you market your product?
- Understand the characteristics of soy wax
The aesthetics of soy candles has a been trending topic many candle crafters and candle lovers address frequently. Soy wax has many characteristics that crafters should know and share with their candle lovers or buyers.
Soy has a tendency to frost, either around the edges or on the top of a soy candle. The frosting has been termed as 'bloom'! The 'bloom' of soy candles has been mistaken (aesthetically) as having dried out, or being unpleasant to look at. Truth is, the frosting is what makes soy so unique. In fact, the bloom is when the vegetable oils crystalize and has returned back to its more natural state. Subscribe to our newsletter for understanding the characteristics of soy wax.
- Test again!
Testing your candles is a must do! It takes more than simply melting your wax, dying, adding fragrance, and pouring your wax into a candle jar. Learning how certain wicks perform in different waxes can only be achieved through testing. Some candle containers require certain wick sizes, and may need more than one. You may find some fragrances do not perform well, or may cause discoloration. It is imperative to test every type of candle you intend to use personally or commercially. Stay tuned for our blog post on wicking or subscribe to our newsletter.
- Understanding your temperatures
Every candle maker need to learn about proper use of temperature control. You can heat wax in a double-boiler system to 180°F - 185°F, and depending on your fragrance, you should not exceed certain flash points. “Flash point” is the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off vapor within a test vessel in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with the air near the surface of the liquid. The higher the flash point, the easier it is to ignite a liquid solvent. To learn more about temperatures, subscribe to our newsletter.
- Take Notes
You might think I would include this beneath the testing tip; however, note taking should be a system you implement in general. As a candle maker, you will constantly learn new things, test new vessels and wicks, and apply new colors and fragrances. Having the option to refer back to your latest findings is invaluable. You should notate:
- Types of wax used
- Additives
- Colors/color combinations
- Suppliers used
- Types of wicks and which performed better
- What fragrance was used and how much
- Cooling notes
- Names of candles
Your note taking can seem endless but I assure you, great note taking will take you a long way!
I hope you found these tips helpful! Leave a comment and let us know what types of tips or topics you would like us to speak about! Stay tuned for more tips, hacks, and gems.