emilyspoppy

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

I just did an oops!  Apple strudel I listed above is from Indiana Candle Supplies....not Tennessee....

 

Trappeur

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!

Ok... I had to slap myself half way thru - this guy is a trip and I will be ordering one to see if my chakra changes or the ions in the air feel different and all my dust disappears in my house....

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!

Darn, I wish I could watch that but I'm on dial up. Takes an hour to see a few minutes of a video, lol!

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

Thankyou Puma, Candybee and Dave,

 

I just love little kitties....And your right......I squeeze them all the time.....All 18 of them! lol....Yep you read that rigjht...lol

 

I'll keep in touch Dave....you too, ok?  Miss ya.  and all your piggy jokes!.

 

Trappeur

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

Dave, thanks for dropping in to welcome Justin. And, FYI, he is the dude that goes out to PA with me from time to time, when I need someone to work on the network out there. 

 

Last summer, when we were setting up the warehouse in PA, he was there to help.  He never saw lightning bugs prior, as we don't have them in Colorado. Dude was sticking them in 9 oz hex jars all night. Lol.

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

Lol,

 

You should have been a comedian Dave.....lol

 

Oh, yea....you remember those?....ok, I'll do that.

 

Matter of fact, I have to get a couple hundred of them made this week...Have 3 stores that have already called me to get going on some of them.

So I have to hit the woods with my horse and dog to get picking up pine cones, acorns twigs and stuff.  I love doing that with my animals.  You should see what we look like....it's so funny...I tie plastic garbage bags around the neck of my horse Timmy,  and we trapse through the woods with me shoving pine cones into the bag.  He is such a ham this horse....He just goes with the flow..We are loaded with acorns  this year it's unbelievable.

 

Trapper

 

Just be careful not to pick up some "stuff" that Timmy left on the trail last year. It might look "country cute" and rustic, but I doubt if you'll get any repeat sales from customers who ere unfortunate enough to fire-one-up!!!

 

Best of luck, ol' friend!

Show (post) some images of some of your fire-starters, too!

You're soooo talented!

"Ethel" (Betty) said; "Hi !!"

"Fred"

I am making cp guest bar soaps and I am looking for either bands or boxes to package my soaps in I have been looking but can't find any to put my 1.5 oz bars of soap in Any ideas I would be greatful for Thanks

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

I guess PM isn't working, I've had difficulty with sending -----Thank you for your offer and all of the great information that you've provided.

Please try again or send your complete name and address in an email to me.

dnbhill@olg.com

Dave

Dave- thank you for all of the information!  I have not yet tried the bases from Candlewic, have tried many others but mainly the goal milk.  I will have to try the coconut oil one now, didn't even think of considering this one!  So many options out there too   7Pawz- your soap is so pretty with the imbeds, love the pink color!- I tried doing imbeds once and they all melted together when I did the overpour, so I obviously need to practice this more!

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

1. Text on the package that identifies the product as "Soap"
2. Name and address of your business 
3. Net weight of product

I don't believe that I'm actually typing this, but I guess it needs to be cleared up for the benefit of members who are searching for M&P bases to work with.

The two clear bases that Candy compared are not marketed as the same. One (C&S) is marketed as "Ultra Clear" while CW's is marketed as "Clear".  The ingredients on these bases between the companies are not the same. I agree with Candy there.

It's been my experience that several companies stock different versions of clear "types" in their own inventories.  The ingredients do vary among them. I really can't offer any other advice on a clear-type soap base other than to state I had no issues with CW's Clear Soap Base for myself or reports from testers. It is a bit more "cloudy" than I'd prefer, however.

I checked on the following from websites which CS & CW both stock. The Ingredients are identical both in name and in order between both suppliers. I also compared labels on those bases that I acquired from CW that I currently have on hand. They are the same as those they have listed on their website.

These soaps are sold by both companies. The ingredients are identical on both websites. Any member so inclined can check them out for themselves;

Cocoa Butter

White Base

Olive Oil

Hemp Oil

Honey

Goats Milk

Mango Butter

Soy Milk

CW also stocks;  (C&S does not show these in their catalog.)

Coconut Oil & Oatmeal ; The basic ingredients on these are the same as their other soap bases with only the principal additive varying.

C&S also Stocks;  (CW does not show these in their catalog.)

Green Tea

I remain convinced that the bases sold by both companies are the same.

NOTE;

C&S lists 24 SKU's of M&P Soap Bases. Currently 8 are out of stock.

Several show a "back in stock" due date of 7/16/14. Today is 9/16/14 !!  1/3 OUT OF STOCK !!  For how long? Is a crafter who resells product able to endure this situation and remain in the business of making and selling soap if they buy from this company? I'm not!

PRICES;

C&W  $4.40 / 2 lbs.   -   $20.40 / 10 lbs.  (All types)   (Volume discount available) 

C&S  $5.40 to 5.60 / 2 lbs.   -   $24.00 to $28.00 / 10 lbs. (Varies by Type)  (Volume discount available)

I have a ton of respect for Candy both as a crafter and a friend. I know she is a master soaper/chandler and very experienced with M&P. Actually much of what I know about M&P soap was gleaned from her postings on this board.

I'm aware that CW used to sell another M&P soap base. I managed to get some and was very disappointed in the quality. If that was the soap base she tested, I can understand why she would be reluctant to purchase base from CW.

I'm not trying to convince her or anyone that I know better. I don't.

I will never be as talented as her in the world of B&B marketing. I am however, stating that I was a bit luckier than her WHEN I tested CW's soap bases.

Love to you all!

Dave