CandleAddict_RN

Has anyone ever used a Benzoin scent? I work in a hospital and one of our doctors made a joke about me making a benzoin candle for her. Well I googled it and couldn't believe there actually is an essential oil out there of it. If you've used it, does it really have a medicinal scent to it?

I have played around a bit with pillar palm wax, both feather palm and starburst palm but really have never perfected the wicking. I've used CD's & CSN's in the standard 3" Pillar with ok results. But the pillars I want to try for myself are odd shaped, narrower at the top and gets wider as it goes down. Pictures below. I was wondering if anyone has ever used Flat Braid wicks in Palm wax or maybe RRD. That is all I have in rolls or spools that will fit the taller one as it is 9 1/2" tall. If so, what size would you recommend using?

I've been using this wax for my clamshells for over a year and love it. I didn't like that it didn't have smooth tops at first but it finally grew on me. Now I just say it gives it character. I only sell to co-workers, friends & family and not one has even mentioned the look. All they say is how much better they smell and last compared to store bought or even sce&n%y.

I'm curious also about Panic clamshells. Do they open easily? I have eclamshells right now and they are a little hard to open.

I love Peaks Pear Spice!! But then again I haven't tried any others, LOL!

Very frustrated!!! So I've been trying to come up with something that will last as a car freshener and nothing seems to last very long! When I first tried the aroma beads they seemed to last at least a couple weeks strong and then slowly fade but doing a repeat of them and I can't even get a week! Or maybe it's just my nose. although I have my sons test them also and they don't seem to think they last very long either. So then i tried the crushed corn cob. Didn't even smell for a week. Now I'm trying the salt. Overdid the ratio on my first batch using White Tea & Ginger. Had to keep adding salt until I didn't see anymore oil droplets on the jar. It smelled awesome and put some in a sachet baggy and hung it in my car. After 2 days in there I can't smell the darn thing unless I'm holding it right up to the vent. HELP!!! Any suggestions??

My favorite winter candy apple is from Tennessee candle supply but understand the website is down. Luckily I still have about 1 1/2 lbs left. If they end up going out of business, I don't know what I'll do!!!

That sounds interesting! How does the salt work? It holds the scent well? Can you color it?

So for those of you that use aroma beads, have you tested them out from different suppliers? Have you found a difference in their performance based on supplier? If you have tried both the aroma beads and crushed corn cob, which do you prefer? I like the aroma beads because I like to color them but I'm also afraid to use them for the car in the Texas heat where I live.

I haven't tried them either. I have to many of my own samples to use up or test. But one of my co-workers brags that mine last longer and that others she's tried including wallyworlds start to smell burnt when the scent fades.

Yep, I am a nurse too! Working 12 hours can be long but love my stretch of days off, when i can arrange it that way, to dig out my candle making stuff. I too love taking care of my patients but I definitely would love to make that a part time job and free up more time for pouring. I know a candle business would never replace my salary but I really enjoy doing it and sharing it with others........... at a price of course

I know EXACTLY how you feel JABE! I've been testing off and on for a couple years now (I work full-time so it's when I get a chance), and it has driven me crazy! I have made a few for co-workers but keep telling them I'm not done testing and can't sell until then. I was complaining about my candles getting soot on them so one of my co-workers told me all the candles she buys does that. I said, "Well, MINE will not." LOL. I do think we can be very critical of ourselves but that's what makes us good candle makers. I've got a couple testers burning now and they always seem to start off beautifully. It's when they get further down into the jar that I run into problems. I'm using the 12oz Status jars right now and finally had a couple scents do well but I always think they can be better.

Oh and thank you ladies for the warming them tip. I put them in the sun for a short time today and WaaLaa. All dry

Ok, I looked back in my file and I first bought them from BCN. The last time I bought some which was last May was from SWC. I used up the last of what I had on these batches so I may now need to buy some from both places and test them separately to see if that was the culprit. Hopefully not as I'd like to buy locally. You know if I have to place an order to BCN it's not just going to be aroma beads.

I haven't tried the top of the dryer and the house has only been at 66-70 degrees. Will try a warmer spot on my next batch. I was hoping it wouldn't be based on supplier as SWC is only 30minutes from me. And come to think of it, my dear hubby mentioned that maybe the beads might be to old but I blew him off thinking that wouldn't be a factor, lol. I have had them for a couple months or so. How long do you think the shelf life might be on them? Unscented that is.