Frequently Asked Questions

To start making candles, you'll need wax (soy, paraffin, or beeswax), wicks, a container or mold, fragrance oil (optional), dye (optional), a pouring pot, thermometer, and a scale. For beginners, we recommend starting with soy wax and pre-tabbed wicks as they're the easiest to work with.

Soy wax is generally the best choice for beginners. It has a lower melting point, is forgiving with temperature variations, cleans up easily with soap and water, and produces excellent scent throw. It's also a natural, renewable resource.

Wick size depends on your container diameter and wax type. As a general rule, measure your container's diameter and refer to wick manufacturer guidelines. Testing is essential - burn your candle for 3-4 hours and check that the melt pool reaches the edges without tunneling or smoking.

Soy wax is made from soybeans (natural, renewable), burns cleaner with less soot, has excellent scent throw, and is easy to clean. Paraffin wax is petroleum-based, typically less expensive, holds color better, and has a higher melting point. Many candle makers use blends to get the best of both.

Most waxes can hold 6-10% fragrance oil by weight. For example, if you have 1 pound (16 oz) of wax, you'd use 0.96-1.6 oz of fragrance oil. Always check your wax manufacturer's recommended fragrance load, as exceeding it can cause issues like sweating or poor burn quality.

Yes, but with caveats. Essential oils are natural but typically have weaker scent throw in candles, can be more expensive, and some have lower flash points. Fragrance oils are specifically formulated for candles with better scent throw and stability. Many makers use a blend of both.

Yes! We offer local pickup at our Colorado location. During checkout, select 'Local Pickup' and choose an available time slot. You'll receive a confirmation email with pickup instructions and location details.

We offer local delivery within our Colorado service area. Delivery availability and fees are calculated based on your address distance. Orders under 30 miles have a flat delivery fee, while orders over 30 miles have calculated rates. Check delivery availability by entering your address at checkout.

Yes, we ship to all 50 US states via USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Shipping rates are calculated in real-time at checkout based on your location and order weight/dimensions. All shipments include tracking information.

Shipping times vary by carrier and service selected. At checkout, you'll see estimated delivery times for each shipping option. Standard shipping typically takes 3-7 business days, while expedited options are available for faster delivery.

Tunneling (wax only melting in the center) usually means your wick is too small for your container. The first burn is crucial - let your candle burn until the melt pool reaches all edges (about 1 hour per inch of diameter). If tunneling persists, try a larger wick size.

Add fragrance oil when your wax has cooled to 180-185°F (82-85°C) for most waxes. Adding fragrance at too high a temperature can cause the scent to evaporate, while adding it too cool may not allow proper binding. Always check your specific wax manufacturer's recommendations.

Cure time varies by wax type. Soy candles benefit from 1-2 weeks of curing for optimal scent throw. Paraffin candles can often be burned after 24-48 hours. During curing, the fragrance oil fully binds with the wax, resulting in better scent when burned.

Golden Wax 464 (GW 464) performs best with a fragrance load of 6-10% by weight, with most makers finding the sweet spot around 8-9%. At this ratio, the wax fully binds the fragrance without sweating or seeping to the surface. Exceeding 10% can lead to fragrance oil pooling on top of cured candles and reduced burn quality.

Frosting is a natural characteristic of soy wax caused by polymorphic changes in the wax crystals — it does not affect burn quality or scent throw. To minimize it, pour at a lower temperature (around 120-130°F), avoid moving candles while cooling, and keep candles away from drafts. Some makers use a heat gun to gently smooth the surface after pouring, or accept frosting as a sign of 100% natural soy wax.

Start by measuring your container volume in fluid ounces, then multiply by 0.85 to get the approximate wax weight in ounces (wax is lighter than water). For fragrance, multiply the wax weight by your fragrance load percentage — for example, 16 oz of wax at 8% fragrance load requires 1.28 oz of fragrance oil. Always weigh ingredients on a digital scale rather than measuring by volume for consistent results.