> *** Quoting Donna Lewis from a message to Carol Shenkenberger ***
 > CS >  It would be hard to 'unclogg'.
 > DL> Boiling water could be poured through it to melt the wax - OUTSIDE of
 > DL> course in a far corner so the wax doesn't clog the drain lines.
CS > Donna?  I gather this is a new thing for you right?  Not sure but if you
CS > are new to candle making, you will appreciate the following info, and if
CS > you arent new to it, another may appreciate the info.  Thats what I call
CS > a 'win-win' message .
Many years ago I played with it, thanks for the updated information.
 > What you need to make candles, on a regular basis.  Some of this costs a
 > bit, but less in total starting costs than a sewing machine for example.
 > Must haves:  about 5 cans, metal, empty large coffee tins and medium
 > coffee tins mixed are perfect.  (Use these to pour that boiling water
 > over the strainer, and you keep the wax after the water has cooled).
 > Use these mostly to store the various colors of 'leftover' wax both from
 > when you heat more than you need for a candle, and when you get that bit
 > that runs off into the pan as you burn one.
 > Optional:  A real melting pot, which is made of seamless non-rustable
 > metal.  You put the wax to actually melt in this.  You *can* use one of
 > the tins above, but they will start to rust at the edges which will
 > discolor the wax after a time.
 > Optional:  Real molds, made of non-rustable metal.  If cant afford a
 > melting pot and these, buy these first.
 > Optional:  Specialty molds, in 2 piece plastic type. Use duct tape to
 > seal edges and a hot butter knife to remove the edges left on the wax
 > after cooling. Enlarge the pouring hole at the base with a craft knife
 > or sizzors.
 > Must haves:  Professional wick material, dont try 'yarn or regular
 > string' if you want a usable candle.
 > Must haves:  Sticks to tie the wick to as it holds above the wax.  I use
 > the oriental skewers sold for 1$ for a pack of 50 or so.
 > Optional:  Plug wax, used at the 'bottom' of the mold (which becomes the
 > top of the candle) to seal about the knot in the wick.  Can use duct
 > tape at need.
 > Must haves:  A deep non-leakable 'something' to set the mold in.  Its
 > volume should be enough that if you didnt seal the mold fully and all
 > the hot wax leaks out, it will all fit in the pan and not on your floor.
 >  (a coffee tin will do but I use some old rusted cakepans that are
 > obviously too rusted to bake a cake in).
 > Optional/Required:  If you dont have metal molds, something else to use
 > for them such as milk cartons (I advise small ones like lunch sized as
 > the bigger ones dont make good burning candles unless you use at least 2
 > wicks and that looks wierd and melts wierder but in old days when we
 > used candles for light, it was not a bad idea).
----------->  snip ------------>
 > Optional but almost required:  Scents and colors.  For scents, play it
 > SAFE.  DONT USE ANYTHING NOT MADE FOR CANDLES.  A friend of mine tried
 > to be 'cheap' here and added regular perfume to hot wax.  Fortunately it
 > all healed up with no permanent damage to her eyes or looks, but I dont
 > advise that trick nor would she.  Colors are easier with ones made for
 > candlemaking but feel free to experiment with crayons (tend to make the
 > wax burn wierd as the wax in crayons isnt candle wax) or food coloring
 > (Tends to smell odd as it burns but harmless otherwise and your milage
 > may vary).  For colors I like best the wax color chips as they are
 > inexpensive, work well, and are very easy to use.
Thanks for this very helpful hint.  I do have some cologne I'd wondered 
about. Guess I'll keep that for the light bulb ring.
------------------>  big snip ---------------->
 > I have been candle crafting since I was about 12 years old.  With a
 > schock, I realize I am nearing 40.  That tells you how long I have been
 > at it.  In all those years, I have found one company I a truely happy
 > with for both service (outstanding) and price (excellent).  I can with
 > complete happyiness refer you to a company I dont work for or have any
 > attachment to other than 'happy customer'.
 > Pourette MFG CO.
 > PO Box 15220
 > Seattle, Washington 98115
 > Phone:  (206) 525-4488
 > FAX: (206) 525-2795
Thanks for the address,  I'll also try to get them on the WWW
 > I did not copy down their web address, but a search will show them under
 > CANDLES POURETTE  just fine.
 > My recommendations for you:
Thanks for all the good advise.  It has been saved to a .txt file to print 
and keep in my files.
ttyl
Donna
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