Cissy

Just ran across this older thread. I was thinking of trying the monoi in roll ons. If it has an odor already, will this interfere or change the odor of the FO you're using?

The gladware containers are stackable, so won't take up that much space. They can get expensive, though, if you have a lot of different scents. I felt it was a necessity, better than losing the money and hard work involved in making the tarts. I stack several of my different scents (only one scent in each container) and they do not mix. If you plan to make approximately 30 or so one ounce tarts at a time, then you will need the family size to store them in. I write the name of the FO (if it's a keeper) on the container with a magic marker so I won't put another scent in that one later. I agree with others that you don't want to mix scents in the same container. I have to check my display jars often to make sure a customer has not put the tart back into the wrong jar. Once, this happened and I didn't notice, so sealed the jar up at end of day, left it there for a few days in the wrong container. I thought I was going to have to throw the rest of the jar out. It took several days of airing them out to get the scent of magnolia out of my tropical tarts. I seal mine individually, too with shrink wrap. I also make my tarts very strong. I would think that the stronger you make them, the bigger problem you would have in scents blending together. I've seen people sell unwrapped tarts and throw all scents together in a zip lock back and inconsiderately give them to customers this way. Even the cheap scented ones would probably blend together if left long enough in the same bag.

It's so difficult to come up with an idea that Wal-mart doesn't already have. They are killing other retailers, aren't they. They're great, if you are the customer, but it's impossible to compete with their prices on anything, unless you're one of the big dogs. I was trying to think of something that doesn't require a lot of labor to add to my inventory since I just don't have time for more labor intensive products. Thanks for the imput. Glad I asked before I ordered these.

Does anyone make these? Fire Mountain Gems has a hugh selection of these Maybe I'm not very observant or behind the times, but I haven't noticed anyone wearing these. I just found these on their site and wondered how popular they are. I think they are ingenious and wonder how they will sell and if they sell better with a chain or if they sell as well alone to add to a charm bracelet or necklace. You can write a prayer and slip it in the box to wear.

Sockmonkey, thanks for the blueearthdesign link. I really like the last one on the page. When I get ready to sell, I will probably order that one. Taryn, as I mentioned, I am going to do further research on the carrier oils, then decide what I want to order. Believe me, I will be testing extensively, I even test my tarts to death before I sell them to the public. The last thing I ever want to hear is a complaint from any customer about anything I sell. I will be way more particular with a product they put on their skin. I asked all the other questions regarding the bottles and displays because I like to plan everything out before I jump into anything, even my packaging and displays. It can prevent unexpected and wasted expenses on products and additional shipping, sometimes. I'm glad I asked the question about using straight FO. It certainly benefited me and might help someone else who has never made the roll ons, who might read the same post I read or get misinformation from elsewhere, and never ask other opinions and end up with a hugh problem. Advice from several sources is always so important and one of the things about this board that I really appreciate. Thanks everyone.

Actually, I read on this board from a long time member's post, that they had been using the straight cosmetic grade FO in roller ons. (prefer to not mention any names, as it seemed everyone else didn't do this). I then called SOS today, talked to the person who answered phone, told him I wanted to use FO in roller perfume bottle. He understood exactly the application I intended and told me it would be ok to use the cosmetic grade (only) for this purpose, without adding anything to the FO. He could not have possibly misunderstood me, as I explained to him in detail. I still wanted other opinions here, though, because I don't want to take any chances on skin irritations. Thanks for your advice. I will decide what I will be blending with the FO after more research.. Can someone help me with the other questions in my post? Thanks.

I read that some use a straight cosmetic grade perfume in their roll on perfume instead of using or blending FO with cyclo, FCO, etc. This sounds like so much less trouble. What are the advantages of blending other than possibly saving money. I'm thinking of trying these in my line and prefer to go the easiest way, but also wish to make them the best way. I called a supplier who told me it would be ok to use the cosmetic grade alone, but would appreciate opinions of others here as to advantages and disadvantages. 2nd question: Do any of you use the swirl or decorative design roller bottles instead of the plain ones. I figure I will have to put a label on top of the cap since the bottle isn't smooth. If any of you use the 1/3 oz swirl design from SOS, will a 3/4" round label fit the top of cap? Any ideas on labeling these swirl/decorative bottles? All ideas are greatly appreciated. 3rd question: I know I'm asking a lot of questions here, but here goes one more. Can anyone suggest where I can get a display that will fit these bottles. I searched several sites and saw lipstick displays, but not sure if the holes will be big enough for the roll on bottles. They only gave outside dimensions, not the actual size of the holes. Since I didn't find the actual dimensions either at SOS, I'm afraid of ordering any displays and then the bottles not fitting.

Jenn Sorry, I haven't followed up on this thread til now. I preferred the zinc. You might prefer another. Try several if you have them on hand.

Wendy You're correct in that it is a govermental law, not USPS. My point, although I didn't state the source properly, is that it is the law. Maybe you, with your expertise, could help BCN rush it up and fix their site for them. Get it?

I can understand all the UK candlemakers being upset and worried, but please put the blame where it really belongs, with the USPS laws. Please be considerate of a suppliers' reputation before you plant negative thoughts into others' minds, especially newbies, who might not have ever ordered from a supplier you mention. I try to put myself in another business person's shoes. There is no supplier on earth who is going to please everyone in every way. I would not want to deal with one who does not follow the law. If they can't be trusted to do so, then how can I trust them? I'm sure BCN is in business, not only to make money just as us candlemakers are, but will do the best they can in the time frame they can, to service their customers. They have always gone out of their way to give me great service, and I am just a small-time customer of theirs. I do not wish to try to damage any business' reputation unless they willfully do me a disservice, because I know how I would feel if one of my customers did this to me. All I'm saying is, please try to remember this. Sometimes what we say or do to damage another can come home to us. I know many will be inconvenienced and hurt financially by these laws, but we can and will adjust somehow. That's just a part of life. Nothing is guaranteed to stay the same. We just have to roll with the punches and hang in there until it gets better.

I just received one 2-oz FO bottle today USPS. It was shipped to me in a plain manilla envelope, didn't even have any bubble wrap, only an invoice in the envelope. It did have a 200 FP though. Anyone could easily tell it was a bottle of liquid, but it had not been tampered with or opened by USPS nor did the envelope have any notation on it. USPS is apparently missing checking some of them out. For sometime, though, my local PO always asks me when I'm shipping a package, if it contains anything flammable. I understand suppliers not taking any chances and getting fined. Forgive me if this has been discussed elsewhere already, but does this new law affect the shipping of tarts containing oil with less than 200 FP, or does it pertain to liquids only? I wouldn't think so, or jar candles could never be shipped by USPS. (I'll read the USPS regulations link later, have to get some sleep now).

IMO, there are basically three kinds of people who ask these type questions. 1st Type: The sincere, but not too smart person: This type person is sincerely interested in learning to make candle products, maybe as a needed source of income or maybe just as a hobby to keep from getting bored...but not smart enough to realize anyone in business would not be wise to give out all their trade secrets. Anyone not smart enough to figure this out, will not be smart enough to learn to make a quality product anyway. 2nd Type: The smart, but lazy person: This person is smart enough to learn, but too lazy to put forth much effort to achieve on their own, without someone else guiding them all the way. This person wants everything handed to them without having to work for it. 3rd Type: The smart, but greedy, backstabbing person: When this type person sees that someone else is making money, they get dollar signs in their eyes and will resort to any tactic to get the information they need. They have the audacity to expect someone else to just hand out all their costly info even if it has the potential to take money out of their pocket. They are smart enough to know they should not be asking all the questions they ask, but are so greedy, they simply do not care who they hurt as long as they get what they want. These people are copycats and want the big easy dollars. They will stand up in your face asking questions as if they think you are stupid enough to tell them everything it took you years and thousands of dollars to learn yourself. Sadly, most people I deal with seem to fit into the 3rd type category.

Ginger, I used 8% FO in the CBL129 with no problems.

I don't know that it actually "sucks it out", but it sure doesn't suck it in, nor hold it in. BTW: If you use a container with a #5 triangle, make sure the lid is air tight. I have seen a couple of these at cheap prices, but the lid does not fit tightly enough. I, too, use the Glad containers.

With my hard slab wax, I put the slab in a 33 gal. trashbag. I slam it onto my concrete shop floor a time or two, (cuss a time or two...not really, it's not that bad) then the pieces left too large to put into my Presto, I angle them on another pc. of wax in the bag and bang it with a rubber mallet hammer. If you don't have a concrete floor, do it on your driveway or any hard surface you can't damage. I then leave it in the same bag and use as needed. I wouldn't change a wax I preferred just to save the extra trouble. I do use a new bag each slab or two, 'cause I beat holes in it sometimes.LOL

Ron, there are so many variables as to how long the scent will last. Some scents just simply 'hang in there' longer than others. It also depends on the warmer you are using. Higher watt candle warmers get the wax hotter, therefore puts out stronger scent, but also burns the scent off quicker. The candlemaker's life would be so much simpler if every candle warmer on the market had to be the same wattage. As it is, you never know what kind of warmer your customer will be using, unless they buy yours, or unless you ask them (then they usually don't know the wattage). Another variable is the fact that every nose is different. Some people have better noses (more sensitive) than others, so can smell longer (all noses or candles are not created equal). Because of this, you will never be able to tell the customer exactly how long the scent will last for them in wickless or tarts (and many of them do ask this question). You can only tell them how long it lasts for you on your warmer after testing each one out. This is quite time consuming, with wickless and tarts, but well worth the time, if you want to sound knowledgeable and be upfront with your customers. You will, of course, need a higher watt warmer, 17 to 24 watts, for wickless candles, so it will melt the entire candle. The higher the wattage, the quicker it will melt. Wish I could give you a more precise answer to your question.

I made a few candles last fall with the CBL129 and got too busy to do more with it, but fully intend to get back to it asap....still have 2/3 case left. I tried J50, J223, IGI 4627, and several others and it was my favorite paraffin wax. The finished candle (cold throw) just smelled better to me in this wax than others, and the color and hot throw was better. It is a harder wax in your container when it sets up, but I love this quality. The wick stays centered better when burning because of the firmness, the melt pool does not get as deep as with other paraffin waxes I tried. I sell soy candles currently, but personally prefer paraffin myself. I am going to add paraffin to my line as time permits. Some customers just don't care whether the wax is soy or not, they are more interested in a strong smellin' candle. Others won't buy anything but soy, so I want to offer both, and the 129 is my favorite so far, and I don't plan at this point to try any other paraffin. BTW, I preferred zinc in the ones I tested.

Their service is the best. No matter how busy they are, they (all) have been so helpful, no matter how many questions I had, they patiently took time to answer them. Their shipping rates are great since they do not add a handling or insurance fee, as some companies do.

Thanks, everyone. I think I'll just can that idea. They're just too expensive.

Does anyone know where to purchase these? The standard size measures 1-1/2" diameter x 3/4" deep and holds approximately 14 grams of wax. I'm looking for larger ones, but not having any luck finding them.

Candle Man: Thank you so much. This info is very helpful.

Do any of you crafters know what kind of drill, etc. I would need to drill small holes in seashells to necklaces or other types of jewelry. Any advice will be appreciated.

Livelovebath I really like the necklace. I have been thinking of doing seashell necklaces also, but didn't know what I would need to drill a small hole in the shell with. Can you enlighten me on this? I don't have a website, nor live anywhere near you, so won't be any competition. You can pm me if you'd rather. Thanks

I forgot one thing too, and might as well ask while on this subject. OBI's site shows the warmer diameter of 4.6". How wide is the actual plate (the maximum width jar which will fit the plate)?