NancyJo

What pretty soap!!! I keep trying to rebatch every so often but never get it as nice as yours. Mine usually end up like a clumpy mess!!

Cybersix

I don't do pillars so I might be talking out my butt, but do you have excess wrap? If so, maybe you can pull it tight in the back, making a seam down the back of the pillar, making the front tight, trying to eliminate as many wrinkles as possible?

What I do with votives is take the excess, fold the excess over itself then while holding the excess, start shrinking the top first, then the sides and finally the bottom. My heat gun has two levels, low and high, use the lower setting.

Hope this helps

I don't know if you have tried this but maybe you could try waving the heat gun over the shrink wrap, not holding it stationery until you are done. This way, the candle doesn't get heated too much that if there is a wrinkle, it will not mark the candle. Like Scented said, it does not take much, so by doing it in shorter bursts, this might eliminate the marking of the candle

Thanks for your help. I need to look for one of the stainless steel spoons. I usually use a silicone spatula, but I guess you can never have enough soaping utensils.

I went to Family Dollar, looking for a bucket to soap in and found an 8 quart stainless steel for $7.00.

The label says stainless steel, but being from the dollar store, is it the same stainless steel you can soap with? I wasn't sure if there were grades, where some you can use or not use.

Tried looking on the web, but everything I found you need to be a scientist to figure out what they are saying.

TIA

OMG those are gorgeous!! They look like stained glass. You did a great job!!!

There are no Amish places nearby for me- but I'd be willing to travel for some deals. The places I've visited in PA were higher than most stores and online.

Hey MA--yes there is an Amish place nearby. It is about 45 minutes away, but for the life of me I can't remember where it is.

Dave and I took a ride one afternoon for something to do. We didn't go shopping there so don't know about the prices.

If you want to go for a ride, let me know!!!

Thanks!!!

They take a lot of patience, especially since I only have one mold at the moment. It makes 24 hearts at a time so it ends up being an all day project. I usually do other things around making them!

Thanks again

Thanks, the ones in the picture are scented Apple Blossom.

I am not quite sure how I am going to sell them. I was thinking of clear acrylic cylinders, about the same size as a 2 oz jar for B&B products, or maybe in resealable zip lock bags...not quite sure yet.

Here are some pictures of my new melties. I haven't decided on packaging yet, just storing them in cello bags.

Thanks for looking....

In my spare room, I went to Home Depot and got those laminated shelves that are used for closets.

Just put on a wall and the strips holding the shelves have room for more if needed.

Thanks for finding it, was too early in the morning to hunt for it.

The guy is a fast shipper and the molds are very well made. Right now I am plugging along making a supply of each fragrance. Want to get some more molds so it will then go faster!!!

Check out this website:

http://stores.ebay.com/Scorpio-Innovations

I think somewhere in there are dots. He has all kinds of shapes.

I got a mold from him with small hearts. They aren't too bad to make but time consuming. I just melt leftover votive wax. I use a pipette, drop the wax into the molds. Each mold makes approx 0.2 oz of hearts.

I was going to package them in clear containers with 1 oz in each container.

I just saw this video and thought it might be helpful for some newbies....

http://video.about.com/candleandsoap/Achieve-Trace-in-Soap-Making.htm?nl=1

I tried to use pipette to fill the tubes but my lip balm mixture became solid inside the pipette and I couldn't use it anymore. The mixture is liquid in my pyrex cup but as soon as I suck it up with the pipette, it became solid. Any advice?

Don't suck it up all the way. I keep mine in a double boiler on low so the lip balm is still liquid and have my tubes ready to be filled. That way you can fill the pipette and dump it in the tube, kinda all in one motion.

Takes a little practice but you will get the hang of it quickly!

I am starting to dabble in making non-water lotions, using recipes with aloe vera juice instead of water

The aloe juice I got is from Sam's Club and has a preservative in it so do I need to add an additional preservative or is what is in the juice sufficient?

Thanks

To save on the cost of paper towels, when you are in a fast food restaurant, grab a handful of napkins. These are good for wiping off small things like your thermometer, stirring utensils, etc

Fillmore Container also has some frosted jars

Could you possibly make your own? Is there any higher end sytrofoam and make indents for your products and cut to the size of a brief case or suitcase?

Not quite sure what you are looking for but just a suggestion

Maybe I is not too late to find some craft shows to do. I am in the process of doing that now.

I found some craft shows through a local TV station's website. They have activities listed months in advance. Maybe you could find some and call to see if they still have tables left.

Just a suggestion to try to re-coup some of your money

Well, took the plunge and did my first craft show. It was a 2 day show so took a ton of inventory. It was a show that hadn't been held for a couple of years so thought the turnout would be great, was totally disappointed when I made less than $300.00:angry2:

Anyway, here are some pics. The lady in the picture is my Mom.

Just wondering what she is selling. You said she has a real estate agent handling the sale, does that mean she is also selling her store front? Ususally a real estate agent does not take care of the sale of the actual business, usually a lawyer handles that.

Also, what is included in the sale , such as is she just selling her store or is there equipment included? Is she selling you her customer list and maybe you can generate business that way? If she has a good following, maybe she can help you sway her customers to you.

Just be careful if you do it and I would have a lawyer check it out before you sign anything

Thank you for doing this. It was very informative and I like the fact that if I was actually doing it, I could ask questions if necessary

I really enjoyed it and thank you for being so generous with your time

Try Fillmore Containers, they have several different types of lids

I put a slab in an old pillowcase and hit with a sledge hammer!