GoldieMN

What is the idea behind this? To add FO while the wax is still 180? Then do you stire and immediately move the pour pot off the heat? GoldieMN

Interesting that the jar doesn't get too hot. The highest wick recommended in the Premier chart for that size opening is 770. I tried a few 780's but would like to go higher for hot throw. GoldieMN

Are you using the wide mouth or regular jar? GoldieMN

MN Viking Colors! Beautiful GoldieMN

Yes, going to do the same. . .keep for samples at the sales. I need to be able to sleep at night, not worry if a candle is burning down someone's house. GoldieMN

I've seen it as 12% max but then that is from places like Candlescience, Nature's Garden, etc. Manufacturer's data sheet didn't have FO; at least the one I found. That is a good motto "if you can't smell it at 8%, don't bother with it"! lol Enjoy your time with your sister, OldGlory! KandleKrazy, I see this FO has almost 7% vanilla. Maybe that has something to do with it. I contacted RE to see what they say. GoldieMN

This was the batch I made with 10% since I wasn't getting as good of a hot throw that I wanted with 7.5-8%. I checked this morning and there is no more seepage (I wiped the oil off, yesterday). Also realized it is with one of my new fragrance oils--RE's Apple Pumpkin Strudel. Wonderful fragrance! I won't sell those that I wiped. Would you not sell any of that batch whether they seeped or not? GoldieMN

I'm noticing liquid on the top of some pint jars and figure it is seeping FO. Is this dangerous to burn? They are intended for a sale this weekend. If I wipe the oil off the top, will they still continue to seep after awhile? I don't want to sell something that will catch on fire. Using 464 in pint canning jars. Should I poke holes and melt the tops? Or won't that help if the fragrance is causing this. This was a new batch of 464. Didn't have this problem with last batch. I did pour them this time at 130 instead of my usual 110. Safety is my main worry. GoldieMN

They look delicious! GoldieMN

Wow, now that is interesting, adding scent right before pouring. I've always added my oil at 180. Is that my problem??? Need to go back and reread some threads. GoldieMN

Nope, you didn't give me bad advice. I was using 415 then switched to 464 when I wasn't getting the hot throw I wanted with a couple of fragrances. So your advice is on target. After my fall sale next week, I'm going to start testing everything with 6%; going to test as many samples as I can starting with those recommended by a number of you on this board. Anything that doesn't work, gets shelved. Thanks for all your help. GoldieMN

You might find the following thread interesting as well. I just came across it as I just had my first candle seep oil. What else? lol That batch I am going to remelt and get the % down to 6 or 7%. So thankful to Trappeur and OldGlory with their suggestions as well as anyone else who wants to join in the discussion! Anyway, lots of info here: http://www.craftserver.com/topic/105416-6-fo-versus-8-fo/page-1?hl=seeping GoldieMN

When I started pouring candles, I was using 6% oil. I had success with 415 and NG's Cinnamon Stick/Styx, RE's Christmas Bliss, Amish Quilt, Mac Apple, & Pumpkin Creme Brulee. Somewhere along the way I switched to Premier wicks (can't remember why). When I tried RE's Butter Rum Cappucino and Cornbread, I had no luck with hot throw. Upped the wick eventually to 780 and the oil to 8% which was better but still not enough hot throw for me. A few weeks ago, switched to 464 and started at about 7.7% oil. I figured I could live with 7-8% if it worked out. I got a good throw from RE's apple/pumpkin strudel. However, I tried the three pumpkin oils suggested on a post here, Pecan Waffle, Hanzel/Gretel, RE's Cinnabon, as well as the others that weren't working with 415. I get a good throw from Pecan Waffle but none of the others. That's why I thought I would give it one more go with 10%. I was hoping to have at least the Cornbread for my next sale; but there isn't enough time to cure now. I have a couple family members who check out the hot throw and seem to agree with me. GoldieMN

The saga continues. . . I've been testing 464 in an attempt to get a better hot throw as compared to 415. I'm confused on the pour temp. With 415, I followed instructions to pour at 110 which was the slushy stage. With 464, I'm seeing recommendations from 170 to 135, many again saying "slushy". My 464 is not slushy at any of these temps until it gets to about 100. So should I be pouring when slushy or when the wax gets to a particular temperature? And how does the pouring temp affect the candle? I'm using regular-mouth pint Ball jars, 780 Premier wicks (even though the Premier chart recommends something smaller), heating to 180 then adding 10% FO. Yes, I went to 10% because the last batch at 7.7% still didn't have the throw I wanted. I do wait the two weeks before testing. GoldieMN

http://rusticescentuals.com/has a"kettle corn", but I haven't checked it out. Anyone? GoldieMN

Thanks. I just started testing Pecan Waffle in 464 with Premier wicks; 8% oil. Also Hansel & Gretel but not getting much of a throw with it. GoldieMN

What % of oil did you use? GoldieMN

Bragging? Heaven's no! So happy you shared the picture and video with us. Good luck with your sales! GoldieMN

Welcome, Storybook! All kinds of help and fun on this site. Biggest challenge for many of us is to avoid those sample fragrance oil sales! lol Best of luck with your renewed interest in candles and soaps. GoldieMN

I like Mountain Tropics. GoldieMN

Yes, my Mac apple has a good strong throw. Almost too much for me, personally; but people seem to like it. I also have a Christmas scent (RE) that is a good hot thrower, and a cinnamon styx (NG). This past week I've been testing Apple/Pumpkin Streudel from Rustic Essentials; I'm very happy with it, but it is 10% fo. These are all from the 415 soy. My 464 candles won't be ready to test until Saturday. For now, I stopped testing 415. I was so hoping to get Cornbread (RE) to throw better. Funny thing about that, I mixed it with 464, will test Saturday, but the cold throw is unbelievably bad! Would switching soys make a different in the fragrance? We'll see how the hot throw is; but if someone opens a jar and smells it, I doubt they will want to buy it. Thanks for your suggestions, by the way. Yes, I pick OldGlory's mind and a few others on this forum as often as I can. lol GoldieMN

If it were me, I would blog about something I love. For you that could be simple, frugal life. I would have a "candle corner" or something similar where I would review one of my scents. . .maybe a "scent of the month". Have a clickable link for people to purchase. Perhaps a discount for that scent that month. You could include other information about candle safety, differences in waxes, how to's, etc. if you wanted to, but it wouldn't be necessary. Remember, you are writing about what you love. Then I would get the word out about your newsletter/blog. With the skill of marketing yourself, you are way ahead of the game than most of us. GoldieMN

What you want with a blog or website is to get found when someone does a search. One way is to have as many valid links on other web pages. The more valid links that a business has on other websites, the better chance that business has of getting into the top listings when someone searches for, let's say, "100% handmade soy candles". So what bloggers often do is ask other bloggers to provide a link in exchange for the other blogger doing the same. There are MANY other variables that go into Search Engine Optimization (SEO), but that is one of them; and the reason some have links to other websites. I would probably exchange links with other businesses that aren't in competition with me. So maybe other bloggers who sell handmade items, just not candles. GoldieMN

I agree. Get in on it before it gets crowded! TeeHee It is only going to cost to list for now until people start buying. I would also not list all at once. If I remember right, the older listings get pushed down with newer. So try to keep yours up by listing as often as possible. NOW, you veterans can surely correct me on this. I might be completely wrong. It has been known to happen. lol

I also love plaid. Perfect for Christmas labels. So happy you have such a great account. GoldieMN