emilyspoppy

Dawn; I used to pure bayberry wax more years ago than I would like to admit. I still have a small and, in my opinion, precious stock of around 10 pounds left. It resembles palm wax a bit in texture, in my opinion. I have only made tapers and votives with it and usually blend it with some beeswax to improve the burn qualities a bit. I'm very suspicious of sellers who claim to offer 100% pure bayberry candles on places like eBay. The wax is very expensive. I understand that the domestic harvesting of the berries has been banned and only foreign sources are available. If I were planning to buy any it would most likely be through S&P. All of the bayberry wax I have ever seen is a pale yellowish green. Somewhat like an olive color. The fragrance is pleasant, but slight. I suspect that modern chandlers mostly enhance the scent with fragrance oils and dye it to a bit darker green, too. JMO Hope you enjoy this truly wonderful wax. Let us know. Dave

This board is more friendly now since the time I encouraged you to join. Give it a try again. I have. Best holiday wishes! Dave

OK, BECKY! Where's Petunia? I miss you both . . . A lot! Best wishes to you and those you love. Dave

I do M&P and primarily melt in a microwave, but I have a couple Presto's that I "dedicated" to soap when making large batches. I keep the setting low so the base just melts and achieves a maximum temperature of less than 140F. I use the lid to keep the moisture (water) level balanced, but stir regularly. I use a nylon spoon. A heat resistant silicone spatula would also work. I have about a dozen Presto's, but never any issues with their Teflon coatings as I read others on the board have. (JMO/HTH) Dave

I've put some CS S&OE votives in a box with other fragrant votives and the fragrances were actually neutralized. I have an old lady who has several cats and a husband who smokes cigars order cases of jars of S&OE on a very regular basis for years. She actually gives some to guests and family members who comment on them when they visit at Christmas. She will be picking up two cases (24) tomorrow. Honest. I have them made, but will be pouring more today. Dave

CANDLESCIENCE. A best seller all year long for me. It works! Dave

Trapp; I know you are fond of vanilla. Vanilla Bean Noel from Tennessee Candle Supplies is my favorite vanilla for both candles and (M&P) soaps. I have a lot of vanilla fragrance oils from other suppliers on hand, but I was quite concerned that I was about out of VBN. I hope that they remain in business. They have been a bit hit and miss with going out of business and out-of-stocks the last few years. Dave

I thought I'd share this curious idea with my gal pals here on Craft Server. Enjoy! Dave http://sfglobe.com/2014/11/26/how-to-make-lipstick-from-crayons/?src=sidexpromo&pid=17881&tg=dn_263

Despite all of his bullsh*t claims, beeswax candles, when properly made, do burn well. This company's been around for awhile and does have pretty fair sales, but almost exclusively to a market that is susceptible to buying their very pricey products. I suspect that his customers want to believe his nonsense. A weirdo marketing weird items to weirdoes. All are happy hippies when they think their chakras are balanced. What a world!

Nah! Ashley's small spuds compared to his business. They actually sell a lot of product. Just goes to prove what Barnum said about suckers!

I don't know about your "chakra" or your dusty house, but I'll bet your wallet will get cleaned some. Did you notice the price of these candles? Of course, his $25.00 candle will replace $2000.00 worth of "tailpipe candles". What a bargain . . . What a crock of crap!

lol Maybe in your case it's for the best. I sensed how the silly TN chandler wanna-be seemed to excite you. This guy's "stuff" might bring on a stroke or worse for you. Dave

How about these claims! I wonder if this "dude" is a descendent or a love child of some (all natural) plant smoking offspring of PT Barnum and a hippy chick loving draft dodger who fled north in the sixties. The video is a bit long, but gets "better" as he "loosens-up"! Enjoy! Dave http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=natural+beeswax+candles&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=C0B88F8B328527CCB5C5C0B88F8B328527CCB5C5

LOL! "Piggy Jokes" I'll bet someone will wonder what that's about! I miss those days. It really was fun. Call me anytime after Tuesday. "Ethel" will gone for a week. She will be leaving early that morning, but I want to catch all of the old war movies they'll be showing on the tube. It's Veteran's Day! Semper-Fi! and Hoo-Rah! "Fred"

See, Trapp! I knew your firestarters would be a hit on the board. You're a talented chandler and a very nice lady. Keep in touch! Dave

I missed this thread when you first posted it. Since I've known you for years I did know which of the sisters you were. I did notice that you get even prettier with time! I'm still waiting (patiently) for some photos of your beautiful fire starters. I need some inspiration and it's starting to get cold! Dave

It's wonderful to know that there are still sons and dads who enjoy spending time together. I'm 65 now and my dad passed away many years ago. I still miss him, though. We did a lot of stuff together, but I wish I had taken even more time to learn more about him and the times he grew-up in. I don't believe a parent can give a greater gift than memories to their children. God bless you and those you love! Dave

Welcome, Justin! It's great to hear that another dude is joining the board. Guy's are a bit out-numbered on Craft Server. I wish you much success here. Try and talk your dad into joining us on the forum from time to time, too. He's a true friend to chandlers and missed more than he knows. Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles & Soaps

Show (post) some images of some of your fire-starters, too! You're soooo talented! "Ethel" (Betty) said; "Hi !!" "Fred"

http://www.tealightboxes.com/category_s/66.htm

Please try again or send your complete name and address in an email to me. dnbhill@olg.com Dave

Sarah; I'll put some CW soap bases, including Coconut, in the package I'll be sending you when the weather cools enough to ship candles from here in Maryland. It's still a bit too warm. Dave

I can't state that the issue is the wax, but I can tell you that, in my opinion, IGI waxes can be inconsistent. I try to buy several cases at a time, hoping to get the same batch lot. I test each batch before going into production. IGI-4630 is my primary container wax. When it's "right" it's a wonderful wax, IMO. I've found that I've needed to adjust it from time to time, however. I have a tub of petrolatum, stearic acid, Vybar and pillar-type waxes on hand and make adjustments as I deem necessary when the batch is "off". From what you're describing, there MAY be an issue with a high degree of petrolatum or a lack of stearic or Vybar. It would be very difficult to analyze in person and even more from afar. Regardless of what's going on, I wouldn't hold Peak responsible. IGI covers their butts, too, by claiming a fairly wide range in their production specifications. Alas, you'll find your probably get little relief for your problem. I don't want to minimize your issue, but consider it a blessing that it was only a slab. I've dealt with issues with five 60 pound cases with the same batch number. You might want to first try a different fragrance. I have somewhat controversial opinions on wax/FO blending. I've found that fixing the FO fixed the issue for me in all encounters to date. Another option might be to acquire a similar, but proprietary wax in the future. I've had good results with Candlewic's CBL-125. Candlewic get's mixed and often negative reviews by others on the board. I only offer this for your consideration. Good luck. Please let us know how things go. Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles Soaps

I wish I were able to edit the above, but alas . . .No doing! I forgot to mention Nature's Garden. As I initially wrote I only thought there was a chance that their soap base was the same as CW and CS. After checking it out, it appears they are not, There are some differences in the ingredients and order they are listed in. I did notice that each base's listing contained the attached disclaimer. I thought others might be interested, too. Peace! Dave Disclaimer: The following ingredients have been provided by our manufacturer. We have not had these ingredients confirmed by an independent lab due to the fact that having reverse engineering done for each soap and every batch of soap we buy from the manufacturer would be far too cost prohibitive for our small company. Natures Garden does not manufacturer or label our melt and pour soap bases; our manufacturer does this. Our soap bases are manufactured in a facility that also manufactures melt and pour soap bases that contain propylene glycol. It is a possibility that our bases, whether listed on the label or not, contain propylene glycol. The process of making melt and pour soap is proprietary information that only the manufacturer knows. All of the soaps listed below are considered "SOAP", and are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Our manufacturer is under no obligation to provide an ingredient listing for "soap", but he did so as a courtesy to our customers. As long as you do not make any claims besides these soap bases being "soap", you are not required to list the ingredients on your labels. For "soap" (not cosmetics), the Consumer Product Safety Commission mandates that the following information be listed on your label:Text on the package that identifies the product as "Soap" Name and address of your business Net weight of product