scentlady

The farmers markets have baked goods vendors. Also when we were shopping for our garden flowers, several nurseries had baked goods, preserves, honey and gift items.

Well I had looked at CS and then NGI which suggested cd wicks, so that's why I was debating between the LX and CD. I'm opting for the cd first and see where that takes me rather than buy LX wicks also.

I have this link for directions but I haven't tried it:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6007273_make-homemade-soap-trays.html

I've been testing the new Natural Mulit-Bases from Nature's Garden and so far all my testers are loving them. I'm testing the Soy Body Butter..totally love it and the Soy Multi-Base..really like this as well. I like how you can make a thicker cream or make it into a lotion all with the same product.

yeah I like that idea too but I have reservations. I know there's enough preservative for the product but there's more worry about sanitary conditions when preparing. That's one reason I don't do lotion.

When I read wsp reviews I saw that some people thinned their lotion with distilled water and the staff online at wsp told me not to do that unless you adjust the preservative. That's why I was asking how thick it is.

I priced several lotion bases per gallon based on buying a case (4 gallons) at a time, including shipping to me in NYS. Now I realize some prices will vary for other locations but there really is quite a price variable here. I use mc now and people love it but based on reviews I'm considering trying wsp. Can anyone compare bcn to mc? For those who use wsp, can you use a pump bottle or is it too thick? Is Aquatech really that much better or, as they say, you get what you pay for?

case per gallon

wsp gm 104.00 26.00

millcreek 93.47 23.36

bcn 82.11 20.53

aquatech 143.00 35.75

ebc 115.45 28.86

Ok thanks. I am going to order the cd sample pack from WSP. That should be enough to start.

well I have a lot of htp wicks so I'll try those on the jelly jar but I didn't like them in the mason jar. I have cdn sample packs I could try or I may just get some cd12 and 14 to test for my mason jar. Thanks for your help!

It's an 8 oz jelly jar diameter about 2 3/8". I normally do 8 oz sq mason but I got a lot of jj for cheap so I thought I'd use them along with the masons. I was using hemp wicks in my mason jars and I'm thinking of changing because I had to get a different supplier and the wicks seem different now. I really hate to buy both cd and lx if I could make my life easier by choosing one or the other to start testing. RRD I hadn't really thought about so there's another choice. I just hate paying the high shipping on such a small item like sample packs of wicks.

I'm considering testing either lx or cd wicks in CB135. Any opinions as to which might work better with this wax?

I have some oils which are 5 years old, never opened, stored in my basement most of that time. Would they still be good? They don't smell bad but 5 yrs is a long time.

It may be the dryer sheets too if you're using a different brand. Maybe stop using the dryer sheets and the soap until the rash is gone. Then add them back one at a time to see if you develop a rash. If it's the soap you'll have to look at your recipes and see what you might have changed recently. Sometimes with contact dermatitis you never figure out the cause.

I'm not a fan of dryer sheets. Some of those fragrances are really strong. My ex always smelled like a dryer sheet. lol

Candle Cocoon has a lot of scents that only need an ounce per pound. And they are very strong at 1 oz. Millcreek is very strong in soy as well. 1.25 oz is plenty for a lot of their oils.

Are you going to make candles? I don't see any wicks. If so I suggest you start with only one kind of jar to do your testing. Then choose a wick. I know candlescience has a wick guide on their site. But that's a starting point so you'll need a sample pack of wicks so you can wick up or down if necessary. I also suggest you use an easier jar than a coke glass which may burn too hot at the bottom. maybe an 8 oz jelly jar. I have not used CB advanced so I can't help much with that part. I use cb135. Have you poured without the co? Also you could go to ngiwax site and read more about the wax. Hope this helps.

I'm glad you told her you are going to test your candles first. However I think it's going to take a lot more supplies and time to complete the necessary testing than what you are thinking. Each color,fo,wick and wax combo must be tested. And wick recommendations are just a starting point and you may have to test several kinds and sizes to make the best candle.

You may lay out several hundred dollars before you even consider selling. And don't even think about selling candles to anyone without getting insurance.

As far as I'm concerned a candle is an item to be used by adults. You can't control what your customer does, but if someone told me they were going to put candles in their daughters rooms, I would advise against it.

I'm really not trying to discourage you, just don't let anyone rush you into selling before you're sure you have a good and safe product to sell.

Mann Lake has some wick guidelines for beeswax candles and I applied those to the rolled candles as well. I'm not home so I can't check, but I think I used the 2/0 on my rolled tapers and they did not drip. I rolled my candles very tight to an inch or a little less.

I use Dr Bronner's. I got it from Target.

I don't use that wax so I can't give specific help but maybe you could make another tester without the coconut to see what happens. Or you could go down to 1% beeswax and leave the coconut. I haven't made candles in awhile but I did use beeswax but not much. Can't remember the exact amount right now

I like photo hurricanes but I think you would have to photocopy if you want the light to shine through. Also I don't know if you'll have a problem if it's prepasted paper. I have done a square on with something on each side so that shouldn't be a problem. The only thing I don't like about square hurricanes is the tendency of the sides to bow in as it's setting up. I use 5055 wax.

I only used CB 135 for containers. I haven't tried Golden Brands 444 but that is a container wax too. I'd take Judy's advice and get some wax especially for votives if that's what you want to make. It'll make your life much easier when you're just starting out.

I haven't tried those waxes but my advice is that if you can pick up your wax from a nearby supplier or get cheaper shipping then that's the wax I would try to work with.

I can't recommend any specific product but I'd certainly ask my pediatrician or allergist for advice. He or she should be able to recommend something.

I haven't made candles in awhile but when I did I used 1.5 oz FO per pound and poured slushy between 100 and 110. I got great hot and cold throw with Millcreek and Candle Cocoon oils. Sometimes with CC I used less FO.

I hate to change wax but I can now get EL Millenium wax locally. Can anyone tell me how these 2 waxes compare.

I have a friend who wants 200 votive candles for wedding favors next August. She's on a very tight budget because she was out of work due to illness. So my question is has anyone ever heard of or used candles4less.com. They have reasonably priced votive holders. I don't make votive candles but I would make them as containers with soy wax. However I want my product to be safe so I would like opinions as to whether I should do this or not.

You really can't go wrong with Millcreek. Their oils are very strong in soy. I was using cb135. Berry creme brulee, chestnuts and brown sugar, sweet pea, and the list goes on. I love spiced eggnog but it didn't sell that great for me.

Do a search on Millcreek in the fragrance section and you'll get lots of other suggestions.

Betterbee has a wicking needle for tapers

http://www.betterbee.com/products.asp?dept=851

I've only made the clamshell and they didn't sell all that well for me. But your fancy ones are really cute and that's what I would buy for a gift. For myself I don't need fancy so I buy plain clamshells. So take both. You never know which kind of customer you'll get.