emilyspoppy

What . . . No lions and tigers and bears? *faint* Oh my!

Thanks, friend! I'll call for awhile today to try and get through. I'll be leaving very early tomorrow for medical testing and most likely won't return home until very late. If I do, however, manage to "connect", I'll send you a PM. Thanks again! "Dave in Muggy Maryland"

You're on a roll, Steve! More great advice. Dave

This post should be chiseled in stone for novice tart makers. Nice job, Steve! I'd add as a personal touch; If you're undecided about what wax to start with for making melts you should consider Candlewic's CBL-129. It's the best I've encountered so far. http://www.candlewic.com/store/Product.aspx?q=c69,p526&title=Container-Blend-Wax---CBL-129 JMO/HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

You're so right, as usual!

I haven't posted on this thread until now because, like many other crafters, it would be impossible for me to claim only one favorite fragrance oil. Some of my "best" that I really like I designed myself, too. I will, however, after consideration, comment that the fragrance I was happiest to find was Peak's "Wild Mountain Honey". The discovery ended what was a nearly decade long search for a true and strong honey fragrance. For me it works really well as a straight fragrance or a wonderful mixer in wax, lotion and M&P soap. It can add a boost to natural beeswax candles and the clear (amber) Honey M&P soap base, I'm confident, will be a serious seller for us when we roll it out this fall with our new B&B line I'm developing. ETA; I will add, however, that I was very sad to see Tennessee Candle go out of business. Their "Vanilla Bean Noel" was a much favored and useful FO to me even though I'm not personally a big vanilla fan. I started making my own drop dead "Oatmeal Milk & Honey" with it as the main ingredient. It's a rich and strong French-type vanilla that's B&B safe, "sticks" nicely and didn't discolor in my goat's milk and oatmeal M&P soap bases. I'll have to stop selling it in candles and melts and just hold it as a soap only fragrance. I only have about a pound and half of it left. My quest for more or a good replacement begins. Does it ever get easy? JMO/HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

I'm glad you found the link to be of value to you in your search. I've been a chandler for a lot of years, but it really wasn't until about 2005 when I found my first candle board that I really began getting a quality education. The very best learning experience, however, was by finding and using this board at the end of last year. Don't overlook the archived information found here. Most of your questions can be answered by searching for them there. I think it's the most efficient way to learn. You'll also pick up much "collateral" information. You're right on about the fragrances at NG. The prices and selection are good. Although, for many of us we cannot commit to buying fragrances from a single supplier, NG rates high on the most used source for FO. What I really like about their site is the very detailed information they provide on their products. Knowing the technical data on fragrance oils wasn't too much of a concern for me as a chandler-owner crafter, but since venturing into the world of B&B recently it has become extremely important. I wish all suppliers gave similar data and open feedback on the items they offer. Don't overlook Peak! When you support them you also support this board. Their fragrances are really top shelf, too. I've used many of their fragrances for years. JMO/HTH DAVE

Candy (and Steve) took the words right out my fingers! ETA; You might find this worthwhile; http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/candlemaking-soap-supplies/item/00eo/-Essential-Oils-Class.html HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

Yep! I wasn't fibbing when I told a gal buddy soaper recently that she need not worry that I would ever become a competitor for her CP soap business. I knew the "skinny" on coconut oil and soap, the rest was simply gibberish that just gave me a headache.

This old chandler-only geezer would like to know; Is this thread in English or some foreign language or secret code?

I think Shannon is absolutely correct. She knows this business. We have a very regular customer base in our shop. They are loyal, but they are frugal (cheap), too. They never forget a sale and always expect to pay that price whenever they buy. I always loved seeing new faces (tourists). If some regulars were in the shop at the time, I let them sell our products. They always want some payoff, though. Grrrrrrr! I have a difficult time sometimes with my wife, but I think I have pretty much even convinced her that we want to emphasize high quality rather than low price.

That's just because you're more talented (and patient) than me! (lol) . . . but TRUE!

If I had even a smidge of your talent, my "most precious resource" would be spent creating more of your great B&B products and your award winning crafted candle projects. I actually didn't mind making the first 10,000 or so votives, but I would rather eat dirt than routinely stock them now. Every now and then I find that I manage to work-up the energy to make a batch or two. I think the worst part is cleaning the dang molds. The scars on my fingers testify to that. The strange thing is . . . I actually enjoy burning them more than most other candles. :undecided Dave

If they "perform" as good as they look, you're going to be very successful. GREAT job! Dave

Russ; I think it depends on your market venue and what you consider is the most effective way to use your most valuable resource . . . Time. Unless I sell them for a buck apiece they just sit on the shelf. When I lower the price from $2 to $1 (BOGO) they have good movement. That's just my experience. They also are my least favorite chandlering project. You do remember me telling you that I've grown to hate candle making, too, don't you? (lol) Good luck whatever you decide. Dave

Russ; As usual, Candy, IMO is correct. Dave

Last night my DW, Betty, and I were watching a movie in which Michael Caine's character referred to a life well spent and accomplished. I mentioned to my partner of 40 years that I had done some pretty great things in my life, too. She was quick to ask me to name one. I was even quicker to report that; "I married you, didn't I ???" She fell silent, but the look on her face required no additional comment. She just called a few minutes ago from her job to tell me that she loved me! No lies! All true! Dave

Welcome, Glenn! Nice to see another "dude" on this board . . . as long as you don't "flirt" with what my DW refers to as my "candle making girlfriends". (lol) Just kidding, of course! "Flirt" as much as you can get away with! Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

Thank you for posting the source for "Barnwood". I certainly do agree that not FO's are created equal and will not work in all types and blends of wax, but I've been making container candles with IGI-4630A for years and I will report that I always cure them for at least a week before putting them out for sale. I'm convinced it does make a difference. Since 4630 already has Vybar in it's composition; I do not add any additional. Vybar will allow the wax to absorb more FO, but it will also reduce the strength of the throw if overused. 4630 can hold up to 10% FO as is. That should give you a pretty good throw if the FO is of good strength,well "designed" and properly cured. You might also try addimg your FO at a lower temperature (150F-160F). I've been doing this recently with good results. I'm planning on trying to take it down to 140F in some up-coming testing. I find that I'm not losing the more volatile keynotes when adding FO at the lower temperatures. This concept is a little controversial at this time, but I'm strongly leaning towards the lower temperature and a bit less stirring of the wax, during the process. JMO/HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

I'm sure that many members know of the "Fragrance Finder" website, but I'm also pretty confident that many members are not aware of it. I've seen a number of posts that request information that can be readily found on this very useful and user-friendly site. Although the feature is far from being a complete listing of all of the suppliers and fragrances available to us, it is still worth adding this link to your "Favorites" feature on your menu bar if it's not already there. http://www.fragranceoilfinder.com/catalog/index.php HTH Happy fragrancing! Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

Would you mind telling us the supplier you bought the "Barnwood" FO from? TIA

Ditto Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

You can get a free one with a $75 purchase from CW right now. It's a special offer. I have about 20 of them from CW and a half dozen of the 2 pounders (I bought them from Peak). I use them all of the time. I guess I'm stuck in the past. I'm picking up another one at CW when I check-out my cart which is already loaded.

Sounds to me that unless he scams the local Duncan Donut shop he's going to continue to get away with his "venture". I wonder how many free items and cash refunds this bottom dweller has netted over the years?