emilyspoppy

Dear Samantha; Be just a bit patient. I think the members of the board will get this wickless wax blend worked out pretty soon. I know it must be expensive for you to have wax shipped across the pond. I hate to do a lot of testing, too. I'm no fan of soy either, but 6006 in my opinion acts more like petro than vegie. It's a good wax (IMO). I currently use it with about a 10% blend of 4794 to stiffen it up a bit for clam shell melts. I plan to call a major supplier tomorrow who may be able to shed some light on the wax that a lot of chandlers right now seem intersted in. I'll PM you after I call him. I may post on this thread too. I'll be off the internet shortly; Putting that prime rib roast, I mentioned this morning, in the oven. Yummm! Your "Beefeater" Pal, David EDITED; Simultaneous posting with Beth.

Darlin' Angie; Knowing you are now on this board has made me so very happy! I am totally thrilled knowing there is someone here who understands my warped and silly sense of humor as you do. I've tried to curtail my foolishness, but it's been hard for me to do. I have been planning on wearing mittens while reading the board postings and just lurk here as so many others do. I've received a number of encouraging PM's from members who have admitted that they enjoy reading, but are afraid to post here. Such a shame. There are so many talented and friendly members here. I think that Alan has to be commended for permitting such an open board. It took some courage on his part. FYI; I once bought a one pound bottle of Dragon's Blood from Candles & Supplies. I wish I had read the description better. It was a very pleasant fruity/floral fragrance unlike any earthy/musky resinous Dragon's Blood fragrance I have ever found anywhere else. It may have been a mistake made by the person filling the bottle, but I won't be buying DB from them again. Isn't the freedom, to be able to mention other suppliers a refreshing change from the restrictions of "the other board"? (((((Hugs))))) back at ya !!! :highfive: Dave

My friend, Sam, makes my point too. I've been reading this thread without posting waiting for some resolution of the "search" issue. I don't think I would try to use a new wax unless I knew I could get it from at least several suppliers. I was away from the craft for awhile due to being hospitalized, but I've noticed that quite a few suppliers have gone out of business. I've spoken to a very friendly supplier of very good quality products with an extensive inventory. His company has been in business for a very long time. Although I've purchased waxes from his company, I had to confess to him that I was sold on IGI-4630A and his company only sold propietary parrafin container waxes. He chuckled and told me that he was a large purchaser of IGI products and sent me some samples to prove it. I have to admit, he was telling the truth. Right after I received the samples, I was hospitalized so I hadn't gotten back to him yet. I may give him a call this week and ask him to give us me his opinion on what's up with the wax you are interested in. My guess is that his company would be one of the least likely suppliers to go out of business. I like their products, service and shipping charges too. Maybe they would be interested in stocking this wax if they don't already carry it. My guess is he would stand a better chance of getting IGI to discuss it than an end-user would. I'll post again if I can find anything out. I think that there is a serious trend towards wickless fragranced products. I have a good friend in the trade, who told me recently that she no longer carries wicked items in her shop. She is very talented and business smart. She's in a different (more upscale) market than me, but I respect and appreciate her opinions. JMO/ Hope I can help! Dave @ Charlotte Hall country Candles

This will sound more STUPID than usual, even for ME, but I think I have found a trick that keeps me satisfied without spending money. I find a new (or old) supplier and take the time to go through their site and make up a "sweet" order. I know I don't actually NEED any of the stuff in my cart so I just clear it and head off to bed and dream it will be delivered in a big brown truck within a few days. By the time the order should have arrived, I'm over wanting the merchandise. STUPID . . You bet ! ECONOMICAL . . . Only time is spent (wasted) ! MARITAL HARMONY . . . I hope so ! (She never even knew how close I came to hitting that PayPal "Commit" button ! ) Dave the Dreamer

Hey! Old friend! GREAT to see you here! I've really missed posting with you. I need to send you a reply to your recent email. It's been pretty hectic for me lately. My family has been quite ill. I'm holding a sample bottle of Candlescience "Dragon's Blood" in my left hand as I type this with my right one. I use it in my candles. As you know, I'm not into B&B, but the label reads "Bath & Body Safe". I'll drop a bottle of it in the package I'm currently working on sending you. Have a great weekend and pray for spring. It's a nice day here! If you happen to run into some "nasties" on this board, just ignore them. I do. I'm sad to say that while this board is much more active than the other one we spent years on, there are a few members here that seem to enjoy being less than friendly. Our "other" friend won't post here, because of it. I've tried to change her mind, but to no avail. Shame! Keep posting! I wanna see my old dear "buddy" with a "Member" title under her name. "James" does too! Movies, Music, Fragrances and goodies to follow! Gotta get my wife to bring home a box! Dave

Hello & Welcome Dave (Who also misses Doneen.)

I just checked out their site and got in even with my salvaged PC on dial-up and old PITA IE 8 as a browser. http://wickswares.com/ I have the impression that they don't have too much stuff to sell other than some FO's. I think they have one that I have been searching for, though. EDIT; ANOTHER SIMULTANEOUS POSTING. I NEED TO TYPE QUICKER !!! :-)

Good Point! I wish you had posted this in the General Candle Making Forum. It may have gotten more attention, I've found that fewer replies to postings are forthcoming in this forum. I, of course, have no idea who is giving you advice on how you should try and "fix" crappy wax that they have sold you and don't offer any remedy other than to let you work it out on your own. I certainly hope it's not Peak! I would be embarrased to be writing this if they were. I am aware of one company whose customer care, technical advisor and owner was so excusive and evasive in responding to an issue that was clearly their mistake, a civil action is warranted. Obviously IGI has made a product that isn't performing properly, but being told by either the manufacturer or the distributor that you are going to have to "eat it" simply "bites" IMO. Several years ago I purchased a number of cases of IGI-4630 of the same batch lot from a supplier who also failed to, IMO, respond properly. My problem was more minor and I believe the opposite of what you appear to be experiencing. My wax did not contain enough petrolatum. I was having to do re-pours and heat topping my containers. It was very frustrating, but the candles burned OK. It sounds to me that your wax may have too much petrolatum in it's composition. IN MY OPINION; I would add your overly "oily" 4627 to a wax that is most similar to it in composition, but lacks a large amount of petrolatum. That wax would be IGI-4794. I would start with a 10% / 90% blend and continue to increase the 4794 percentage until you obtain the result you are looking for. I'd start out working with just a pound or so of your offending wax until you get it right. Of course, keep notes on the ratios. It may take some now. The wax should cool between testings. Once you think it looks right, I'd pour a candle with one of your well known and better behaved FOs that you have had previous good results with. Dye it as you usually would and allow it to cure as normal. If you are anxious to produce candles you may want to acquire some fresh 4627 from another supplier and fix your "diseased" wax "on the side", time permitting. I'd call a good company (Like Peak) explain your problem and ask them to check their batch numbers on their 4627 in stock. They too might appreciate a head's up on this problem. Perhaps they could turn around a shipment if they get some transported to them. My hunch is you should be able to come very close to getting the same wax as properly processed 4627. Wicking and burning properties should be the same if you are careful. It may take some time to get the ratio right, but once you do, I'll bet you're back to smooth sailing on a wax you're familiar with. A parasoy blend does not sound like something you are interested in working with. I wouldn't even consider using beeswax. I'd keep that fine wax for another use. I am far from being an expert, but this just makes sense to me. 4794 holds a good fragrance load and throws well. I would not use any additives like Vybar or Stearic Acid. Both waxes are pre-blended. Absorbing the extra "petro" should make the pillar/votive blend of 4794 a good good container blend. I'll bet it even maintains the one pour characteristic of 4627. It may turn out more like 4630, though! You might find you actually like it better! Good luck! PLEASE let us know how things go. Gotta go know! I'll be away from the board for awhile preparing my Peak order. $15% off all FO's is a sweet deal to me. Thanks Alan and team. Geez! I hope yor 4627 is "bug-free". JMO/HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

I love the name, "Moonshine", but it would confuse me as a potential customer. Confused is my normal mental state, however, I would be looking for a "boozy" smelling product. We use the name; "Moonglow" for one of my own "etherial-type" creations. I also have a personal recipe FO candle that I call "Spa Glow: in our inventory. JMO/HTH Dave

If you're buying CS's "Macintosh Apple", don't overlook getting their "Apple Harvest" too. It rocks. It smells like their "MA" on cinnamon spiced steroids. I like it even better than their "MA" for H/C throw. I renamed "AH", "Amish Apple" for sale in our Amish Farmer's Market shop. I have not put them in wax yet, but OOB their new FO's; "Orange and Chili Pepper'' , "Cotton Tree" and "Peach Nectar" ring my bell too. They smell like keepers for us. The "OCP" has me excited. It's a unique fragrance for a change. The "PN" will most likely replace our current "Georgia Peach". "CT" looks like a B&B hit in lotion, M&P and perhaps CP for those who do it. CS just wrapped up their annual sampler (99 cents) sale. Sorry!

It looks like my Bishop gave me some bad candle info! Sorry, everyone!

EDIT; I tried deleting this post, but I wasn't able to. I was only able to edit. Chefmon may be totally right. My knowledge of pure stearine candles comes from me secondhand. From our Parish Bishop. I'm sorry if this adds nothing but confusion to this topic. I'm very SORRY in ADVANCE if it does. Pure stearine candles were a huge improvement over tallow candles. Only "Betty" or grease-type lamps or "Rush" lights were much inferior. The biggest improvement in candles was the use of redesigned wicking from cotton and flax twisted wicks to cotton braided wick. as Chefmom pointed out there were two types of new & improved wicks; Flat braid and square braid. By far most professional chandlers of the earlier periods (18th Century) made and sold hand-dipped tapers. Professional molds made by tinsmiths became available but it took some time for them to acquire favor by candle makers. Anyone using one can attest to how difficult they can be to wick and unmold. I have a few in my collection of antique lighting equipment. They're nice to look at but bears to wick. I actually have one that I prize quite a bit. It has the 'nasty" remains of old candles with old style wicks still inside. Beeswax was the much preferred wax of churches and royalty or gentry. There were periods in the not too distant past, relatively speaking, that beeswax candles were off limits except to royals and churches in both Britain and Europe. As many of us know, beeswax makes a superior candle. Beeswax is still a bear to mold in metal, though. I'm a member of an American Anglican Church. Our priest is also a bishop. He was born in England, migrated to Canada and immigrated to America. He is now an American citizen, but his wife has remained a subject of the Crown. She was born near London. They met and were married in Canada. Both are very sweet and admired within our parish. Our bishop is also interested in the history of church candles. We have chatted on the subject several times. He buys candles for our parish from a church supply house. They sell both bleached beeswax and pure stearine. He didn't elaborate, but he told me that he buys beeswax candles, which we all pretty much know are very pricey, but he told me the price of the stearine tapers were just way too high for our poor parish to purchase. He also told me that he felt the only benefit over beeswax with stearine was during the hottest months in church's that did not have A/C units. Stearine he felt held up better in the heat, dripped a tiny bit less and hardly ever "drooped". The only benefit you should get out of paying so much for stearine would be for tapers or narrow pillars. I believe that both beesawax and stearine church candles sold today are made by a mold injection process. If that's not your thing I would trudge on with what you like as your favorite candle medium. The first candles I made were sold to historical homes and living museums. Even then I cheated on the wicking. The currators and attendants were not interested in babysitting true period candles made from tallow and twine. I bought my first spool of candle wicking (flat braid #2) from the Tarpley shop on Duke of Glouchester Street in Colonial Williamsburg around 35 years ago. The shop is still there, but I don't know if they stiill sell wick. I'm always amused by the candles used in period-based movies. Most of these movies use too many candles and of modern composition. Historically the big estates had hired snuffers always on hand to tend to the candles, even though most would have been made of beeswax. The twisted style of wicking needed constant tending regardless of wax type. The normal home burned one tallow candle per night that lasted less than a few hours. Everyone in the household would have to share it. most of the lighting came from the glow in the fireplace. YIKES! NO PS-4's or I-PODS !!! NO CRAFT SERVER BOARD !!!! If you want to watch a fiim that puts true period candles to work, check out "The Dutchess" with Keira Knightly and Ralph Fienes. The candles in that film almost take on the roll of a character. Someone finally got it right, at least in a Royal sense. They appear to be made of natural (unbleached) beeswax though; Proper for their status and wealth. If you want to get some pure stearine candles to try you might want to do a web search for church supplies or beg some from a church that can afford to buy them. Let us know if you make some or get some to test. I'm sure I'm not the only one interesed. Good luck and happy hunting. Heck! I may even beg the bishop to buy one for me. Once again CS has enabled me! DANG! JMO/HTH Dave

I couldn't have explained the procedure better. I'm glad to hear it works well for you, too! Dave

PHEW! Thanks good friend. It's nice to know you had my back. Maybe someday, I can do the same for you! Sleep tight tonight! David

PLEASE / PLEASE / PLEASE I DO APPRECIATE the gesture, I really do, but I'm cool with this. "Sliver" was not the one who PM'd me when I first joined. "SOW" may not like me or may not even notice me, (She would have to be pretty badly sighted not to!) but I can handle the way she comes accross on the board to me. I think it's humerous sometimes, actually. I'm sure there are a bunch of folks who don't care for my style or quirky sense of humor. but I understand that they can block me any old time they want to. I sort of asked for what I got on this thread. Some folks simply don't like, appreciate or understand my humor. I was treading on ice with this topic, and I knew it. And to think! I said I wasn't going to post here anymore. Now, not only am I stupid, I'm a fibber too! (lol) I'm sorry if this posting is even more illiterate than usual for me, but I'm rushing to get this in before others join in what might turn into an unwarranted fray. Have a great evening, everyone. God bless us all! No feud on my part. I'll be offline shortly. Dave

OMG! I'm already ugly! A shorter beauty rest is not acceptable. I'll be taking 10MG's of Ambien and four Tylenol PM's washed doiwn with two double Gin & Tonics. That ought to do it. I'm headed to bed right now! Thanks for clearing my confused mind. Leisa QUOTE; "Sorry if I confused ya Dave about a QA. And I do not like losing sleep, bummer!!!!" I'm always confused. It's my natural state!

PHEW!!! Looks like I can sleep tonight after all! Speaking of sleeping don't forget to "spring forward" your clocks tonight for that extra hour we'll be entitled too! Thanks, Karen! Dave

Before he died my dad had three auction houses at different times and in different states. He rented a site in Delaware and one in Pennsylvania and owned one in Maryland. I worked for him as a licensed auctioneer (He paid for the license/I took the test) in the one in Maryland. I've been to a bunch and a bunch more of auctions, but have no clue as to what you are describing a "quarter auction" to be. I guess I'm just plain "thick". I agree with the others though. Go and have fun and show up those other "know-it-lesses". I won't be able to sleep tonight until I can work out the concept of QA in my old brain! Dave

H Hello, Nell! Wecome to the board. I'm a chandler omny by trade and I know virtually nothing of B&B crafting, but I saw your thread and was interested in learning if you meant to post "potion" maker. If so, what sort of potions would that involve. I'm always interested in the culture of other countries. I'm assuming that Derbyshire is in England. If you meant Lotion maker, I'm fairly up to date, I guess. Who knows! Others might be interested in the types of B&B that are being marketed in Britain too. TIA Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

OH! PLEASE don't post like this about me. I really do appreciate the sentiment if sincere, but I am virtually candle stupid compared to the many fine young (and mature) chandlers on this board. Believe me when I say, I take more than I give here. Just being old, doesn't make me smart. I'd hate to have to quit posting here if it get's out of hand with the "nasties" attacking me. Most of us know how easy it is to trip and screw up. I believe that's why there are more lurkers than posters on boards. It takes courage (or as in my case, careless candidness) to write things that you know are going to be reviewed by so many. Coming accross as some sort of know-it-all is the VERY LAST impression I want anyone to have of me. I'm very OK with being laughed at as a jester, but I never want to be considered an arrogant a**hole by my brothers and sisters on this board. Just this week I held some bars of scented CP soap for the very first time. How could I possibly be thought of as a person having "a vast array of expertise" ??? I'm learning stuff everyday here. I post alot, mostly because I don't have too much of a social life. I have not even been outside of the house since Thanksgiving. CABIN FEVER! Thanks for understanding! (I hope) PLEASE take no offense. Jesus wants us all to love each other as he loves us. Dave

I felt that the commetary which was posted in the blog was a bit "suspicious"; Either wrong, evasive or excusive, actually. I've not purchased there, but I think the statement implying that no one should get into the candle making business was a bit over the top. Maybe that company shouldn't have gotten into the candle making supplies business. The chandlering world is in an evolving state of transition. That, however, has been the case since all I could find to dye wax with was crayons. The more succesfull chandlers will adjust and evolve to keep abreast of conditions. When the less talented or more inflexible makers quit the trade, there will be more of the pie left for those that remain to get a larger share. Candles have been around since early Roman times. If mankind should eradicate the human species, the last meal eaten by the last person left will most likely eaten by candlelight if eaten at night. Seriously! Just my very humble, but predjudiced opinion. Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

I'm not just lazy! I'm a big Sissy too! Glad to contribute a tip. Dave

YEP! I knew as I was typing the above that I was being premature and naive in thinking this thread wasn't going "South in a hand cart" !!! Sorry! May the fun begin! No more Comments are forthcoming from me on this thread. "THANK YOU" or "GOOD" replies to this post are not encouraged, PLEASE. TIA Dave the Cowardly Chandler

[ Dave-do you use soy, parasoy or paraffin? I did not have great luck my first round with CS FO's. Only a couple of keepers for me. I wondered since they seem geared to soy if that is why. I have now used and tried all types of wax combos (not Palm) but when I tried them the first time I was using a Paraffin blend. ] Dear Karen; I know from previous posts that you are aware that I like to play with my FO chemistry set. Woking with FO's is pretty much the only aspect of chandlering I find I still get a "kick" from. For the most part I prefer to work with primary FO's and create my own designer-type fragrances rather than buy them as a custom blend from a supplier. Some of the reasons are; 1.) Reduces number of FO's needed to order and inventory. 2.) Saves $$$ because basic fragrances are usually less expensive. 3.) Saves $$$ because buying larger quanities of an FO means a per ounce price break in many cases. 4.) I have control of the subtleties of the finished fragrance. 5.) We can honestly claim that we are the exclusive source of the fragrance or the "recipe" is our own. 6.) Allows us to use-up FO's that don't particually fly off the shelf in their unaltered state. 7.) Gives us some bragging rights if we do hit on a great one. "Get this here, or go without !!!" I have several right now that I designed that evoke quite a bit of chatter and attention in our shop. 8.) Gives customers the impression that we are truly a hancrafted boutique-type candle shop. 9.) It's fun! CONFESSION-TIME; I sold my first candle over 30 years ago, but my introduction to the vast world of candle fragrance sources didn't happen until I discovered this board at the start of this year! I've been "in a closet" about suppliers, but I'm announcing here I'm coming out! To date I've bought and poured from; Candlescience, Peak, BCN, BCS, Gemlight, Candlechem, Candles & Supplies, The Candlemakers Store, Lonestar, Candlewic, (Williamsburg Pottery/Williamsburg Candle Shop & Pourette - Now no longer FO sources.) My primary palete at this time consist's of around 80 unaltered fragrances, but we have stocked as many as 120 fragrances in our shop at one time and have had up to 150 in our "catalog". I've had a quite tough two year period with hospitals and operations and re-habs and I have not even set foot in our sales shop since my illness's began showing up. I am planning changes though to take place ASAP. I've been buying sampler FO's from new sources (for me) to test. Currently I'm looking hard at Natures Garden & Aroma Haven. I plan to eliminate a company for personal reasons. I will not mention which due to a concern that it may have an impact on an anticipated legal action, but I will state, however, that it is not Peak! There are other suppliers I am currently interested in also. I would like to reduce the number of suppliers along with the number of fragrances we stock rather than extending them. Significant changes are very much anticipated. I currently use 4630 for containers, 4794 for general use and 6006 for non-wicked projects. I always keep some 4627 on hand for blending for those days or times when 4630 or 6006 wants to act up. I HATE REPOURS! I'll also use it to soften-up GP wax at times. Bleached and Un-Bleached Beeswax Pastilles are always on my shelf and 25 pounds worth of genuine natural Bayberry whispers to me at times in my dreams from my candle supplies room. An open case of High-Temp wax is available to me for priming spooled wicking and using in the hurricanes I infrequently pour. Every now and then I grab one of the bags of soy or palm waxes I have tried to tame and dabble with it until I get bored or frustrated and put it away. I probably need to have a few classified sales, but that's another thread. It's been my own experience and opinion from doing research that if an FO throws well in Soy it will throw as well or better in Paraffin. That's just my opinion, though. I'm not an expert! HTH/JMO Dave