I looked at https://www.candlescience.com/ and it looks fun, however I don’t like the shipping costs. Instead of buying a 20lb bag of wax online, are there any recommended stores in the DFW area?
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How much do you need? We have some in CA.
@coloneldan may know some places.
I’m just getting started, so I’m thinking of just experimenting with a few pounds.
Is the wax in CA available for members to buy / use?
As a prime member, shipping is free, so I get wax through Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CZGATQC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I think we can spare a couple of pounds. But please toss something into the donation box @uglyknees and the rest of CA will appreciate it. Looking Amazon wax is about $2/lb. We also have the scents, colors, etc. you’re welcome to experiment with.
The wax is white and is on a mid-level shelf at near the end of the tall work benches - other candle making stuff (technical term) is in nearby containers.
Have fun!
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I’ve been making candles off and on for a number of years. There are essentially three kinds of wax that are dominant in the candle making market. There are a number of others but the big three are 1)paraffin, oil based and sometimes smokey 2)beeswax, very sweet smelling, long burning but expensive and somewhat more difficult to work with than paraffin and 3)soywax which is low smoke, reasonably priced and very flexible to use in a number of different candles. It is also much softer than paraffin and doesn’t burn as brightly (according to some) as either beeswax or paraffin.
Your mileage may vary because there are a number of additives you can use to extend burn time, improve the amount of light and rigidity of the wax as well as add a fragrance to it.
It is really all about what kind of candle you’re making. Here are my recommendations for sources: 1) Hobby Lobby or Michaels - they have wax in small quantities. You can get a 10 lb block pretty cheap at Hobby Lobby especially if you use the online 40% off coupon 2) Grocery stores - canning wax is just clarified paraffin wax. (It is food safe). Watch for them to go on sale 3) Online - Amazon or one of the other online supply houses. I like Candlewic because they have a great selection and you can buy things there you can’t find elsewhere. I bought beeswax sheets for instance from them when they went on sale. You can get them elsewhere but they are pricey.
Perhaps my favorite source though is close to free. Go to almost any garage sale and buy or trade for old candles. You can find them at Goodwill and other thrift centers for next to nothing.
I held a recycled candle class at DMS and there was no shortage of candles. You can make some nice candles from other people’s cast offs simply by melting them down. I’d recommend you start at Hobby Lobby.
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