Cissy

Has anyone tried both of these? Is there much difference and which do you like better? I am out of the BCN Harvest, and they are out of stock for a couple of weeks. I am in a panic..needed this week. Also if any of you have tried the NG Harvest, how do you compare to BCN's. I also need to place an order from NG, but don't have time to try a 1 oz sample, then re-order. Thanks for any advice.

Why not make the 3rd layer just a plain brewed coffee scent to give more variety. Many people who drink coffee drink it plain. I haven't tried any other Fresh Brewed Coffee except BCN's, so can't compare, but don't really need to. It smells so realistic. My SIL had this scent in a tart burning at her store on her desk. A customer came in, commented on how good the coffee smelled. She apparently hadn't seen a burner like hers and she said, "The coffee smells wonderful, but what kind of coffee pot is that?". She must have been living a secluded life, but she knew her coffee well.

Atomic Fireball Cinnamon from RE/Aroma Haven, the Soap N Candles line. It is my favorite cinnamon. It smells like the red hot candy balls and is a really fresh cinnamon scent and very strong.

SliverofWax, you have a dirty mind, too. Cleanglow, I'm sure this was just a typo, but you did give us a good laugh. My first thought was that you were an extremely dedicated candlemaker going well beyond the call of duty or that you were on the wrong message board. Your plan does sound great, though. Hope it works out for you.

Just running this idea (maybe a crazy one) by you guys. Wonder if we could cut up the thicker paper plates into 1" or so squares, saturate them in FO, let dry, write name of FO and supplier on adhesive label (or tape it on) , wrap and seal individually inside wax paper or aluminum foil and mail in an envelope. This would be similar to the way Avon use to do fragrance samples, although their's were not dry and were much more professionally done. These are supplies everyone would have on hand and would be very light-weight. I'm not sure how long the FO would linger, though. It might work sort of like doing the cardboard air fresheners. Everyone wouldn't have the cardboard on hand, but all of us probably have paper plates, aluminum foil or wax paper.

Yes, Bed, Bath and Beyond has molds which look similar to Yamkee's. They also have the same molds that BCN carries, which are the ones I prefer. I haven't ordered from CandleSource, but they appear in the photo to have a smaller base diameter than BCN's and BBB's. I originally ordered the smaller base ones from Rustic Escentuals, (which appear to be the same as CandleSource) but now use BCN's type. They are much easier to clean and release tarts easier. I use a 50/50 container/votive paraffin blend. If I have time to leave them overnite, they practically fall out of the molds. They will also release by gently tapping on a flat surface up-side-down 2 to 3 hrs. after pouring. I have never used any type of mold release on these. The edges always look nice as long as I fill them as full as possible. I would think it will depend on the type of wax you are using, how easily they release.

Thanks everyone. I will experiment more. You gave me a better idea of the ratios I need to keep mine from being too red (as it was on the lst batch). I know it saves money to mix your colors so you don't have to order so many different colors to get the desired effect. I was just running out of time this week.

I have red, yellow, and brown dyes. What ratio (how many drops per lb.) would give me a burnt orange pumpkin color. I tried this once and added to much red. It looked OK when I dropped some on waxpaper to cool, but not after the finished candle. I need to make up candles this week and won't get my order of orange in time. Your help will be appreciated.

I need to make a correction on my earlier post. After speaking with the supplier, Candle Science, again, I had misunderstood him. The palm wax I had referred to is actually called "palm wax extender". I was unfamiliar with either and misunderstood him. I don't want to misquote anyone, so thought I needed to correct this information.

NG's "Country Garden" is identical to the Glade spray I used for years before I discovered candlemaking. I don't want to "get rid" of it though. It smells so good, I think I will keep it for myself.

Sorry, I should have added that the Astorlite J50 paraffin wax I was referring to is priced at $1.14 lb ($62.95 for 55 lb case due to a price increase). My main concern was, though, if anyone has tried this blend and their opinion on the wicking, scent throw, etc. I guess I will look for the cheapest palm wax, order a small amount and try it and see how I like it. I just don't want to have to start changing wick sizes on ones I've already tested, unless necessary.

Has anyone tried this? I was told by a supplier that blending 20 to 30% with paraffin container wax will save money, improves glass adhesion, and does not affect wicking.

Wow! I haven't been on the board much this past week until today, so hadn't read this thread. Getting ready to order a 55 lb case of J50 from Candle Science and saw that price has jumped up $8.00 per case since I just ordered a case on 07/10/06. Guess I'd better stock up with a few cases (although I really don't need to spend the money now), before their prices go up again or the J50 is discontinued. I read on an earlier thread that all IGI waxes are going to be discontinued. Is this true, and does anyone possibly know when? Forgive me if this info is already discussed elsewhere. I have to sign off and won't have time to research much before I need to place an order tomorrow.

If I do really well with it, I'll need to hire you as my fragrance designer or for more marketing ideas. (hehehe)

*getdown* Brilliant, Debscent. I think I will call it "Get Lei'd". I bet I couldn't keep them in stock. Think I'll make up bunches of tarts, and hit the bars at closing time. Sounds like a great soap and lotion fragrance, too. I'm sure I could quit my day job and flea marketing then and just work the night shift. bar-hopping.

This is one of my most favorite floral scents. I usually prefer bakery & fruits. This one is described as 'a beautiful floral melody of Leha Leha flowers, ylang, and white orchids', but I would like to rename it. It is very strong, but delicate also. Any suggestions for another name?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will ask around....a mechanic or electrician maybe, to learn how to use the car battery idea. I think it could be well worth the difference in sales to check this out. People do tend to buy more when their noses are stimulated. Some customers stop and buy that would not stop otherwise. Scents wafting through the air is a great attention getter.

Thanks, Grumpy Girl I had a feeling it might be dangerous, but knew nothing about them at all..had no idea what was inside a sterno can, have only seen the sterno and fondue on the shelves and at a couple of parties, etc. but never paid attention as to how they are actually operated. Thanks.

I am selling tarts at a festival coming up. They don't have electrical outlets and won't allow flames. I can tell a big difference in sales when I have tarts burning and customers can smell the scents as they walk by. Can anyone suggest any way to accomplish this without tealights or electricity? I know this is a stupid and probably dangerous question, but since I have never used a fondue pot w/sterno before, I'm not familiar at all with them. Those of you who have used them, would it be possible to melt my tarts this way, or would they get too hot and be too dangerous. I don't want to buy or rent one just to find out. Please give me your opinion on this.

Does anyone know where I can find an electric burner (ceramic type with a bowl) with a palm tree design. I need to purchase them wholesale to sell with my tarts. I've had several customers ask for this design.

I will try the oven and the heat gun ideas & see which I prefer. I also have spill-overs sometimes because I like to fill my molds to the brim and sometimes I just get a few drops too many. I put newspaper on my counter, lay molds on them (room for only 60 at a time) pour and cool a few hours, and if possible, sometimes overnite. If I am making more than 60 of the same scent/color, I don't even clean molds between batches unless I see an occasional mold that looks smudged inside and don't even worry about the outside until I finish all batches of that scent. I just decided to try it this way this week. It is cutting out some of the mold cleaning I was doing by making more than one batch of 60 of the same scent. I use a paraffin blend, so putting them in the freezer is not necessary, since they pop out easily if cooled enough. Thanks everyone for your ideas. Any suggestions which can save some time and work is sincerely appreciated.

Thanks Candle Man. That will be an improvement over trying to wipe the cooled wax off the molds. I had thought about placing them in oven on a paper towel, but just hadn't done it yet. I like the wire rack idea. Leave it to me, I guess I was just hoping for an even easier way, but I guess they are not going to clean themselves (unless I can con someone into doing it for me (not likely, though). Cleaning molds is the only part of making tarts that I dislike. I enjoy pouring, shrink wrapping, and labeling them. Wish someone would invent cheap disposable ones.

For those of you making tarts, 100 or more at a time, what do you find is the easiest way to clean your molds between batches? I know there has to be a faster way than cleaning one at a time by hand and I don't want to put them in the dishwasher. It is very time-consuming the way I have been doing them. Do most of you wash them in hot soapy water, rinse, and air dry them. I suppose I could do it this way and pour the hot water outside, not down my drain. I am selling more tarts now and need a quicker way to do this if possible. Any suggestions?

I just finished testing 22 FO samples today. One of them was Jasmine mixed with Magnolia and I loved it..2/3 Jasmine..1/3 Magnolia. My favorite floral so far since I'm not really into florals myself (prefer food scents). I haven't figured out what I'll call it yet. Maybe Magnolia Jazz. Any suggestions?

I don't remember saying what setting I used, but I did set at 3.5 (or halfway between 3 and 4). Would a .5 increase over the 3.0 setting make that much difference, enough to burn it out so quickly?