Soy Wax Candle Forum - Online resource for soy candle makers

I started making soy candles (10-oz apothecary jars) a few months ago and have been learning as I go along. My husband and mother both love scented candles, and I began making candles when my supplier (Fuzzy Bean Candle Company) went out of business. Of course I became hooked very quickly and have been enjoying the learning process. Right now I'm making candles in customized fragrances for members of an online group that I joined in December 2009. My specialty is themed candles with scents that are related to books we've been reading. It's a lot of fun, and I have organized a panel of volunteer "sniff testers" to help create new scents by combining different fragrance oils. I've also tried my hand at making bath salts with customized fragrances.

Making soy candles is my avocation, but I'd like to develop it into a side business. My main business is writing and editing, and that's why my user name is RewriteLady. I specialize in helping people rewrite text for print publications and websites. I don't have a website for my candles yet, but I started a blog at WordPress last week.

My biggest challenge up to this point has been finding the right size and type of wick to make my candles burn evenly. I've tried two different types of wicks and have not been satisfied with the results. Just ordered 500 wicks from CandleWic using their chart. I'll let you know if they work well for me. My typical candle contains 8 oz. soy wax, about a tablespoon of stearic acid, 1/2 to 3/4 oz fragrance oil. No dyes yet, just "naked" white candles.