Beaches

An update to this.  I ordered a couple bowls from someone I found on line.  I did make the candles, but apparently one of the bowls had some kind of crack or natural hole in it and wax started leaking from it.  Fortunately I saw it happen and got it in a pan to avoid a huge mess.  The other one does look cute, but I would never give anyone one.  I will let this one sit on the counter, and when I do burn it, I will burn it in the fireplace where it will be safe and contained.

Agreed.  I always thought they would be completely irresponsible to sell candles made in them.  I only want to make one for myself, and would never even give them as gifts.  That said, I just think it would look cute on my kitchen counter and don't plan on burning it, unless I am right there with the thing.  The reason I decided to not sell my candles is because I can't get past the thought of so many people who burn candles incorrectly.  Even with insurance I don't want to deal with anyone who burns down their house.

Hi Everyone,   

I don't post much and am having a bit of trouble navigating the new site. I am a hobbyist but professional level candle maker.  I have never made the dough bowl candles, but want to know the best resources for them.  Can anyone please point me in the right direction? 

Thank You

I do a blend of Lemon Verbena and Cucumber.   It smells great.  

Wholesale Supplies Plus Festival of Lights is the same as Rustic Escentuals Country Gift Store.

I make candles as a hobby, so I don't go through as much wax as some of you.  I always buy my wax in the 50 lb box, and prefer 464 for basic container candles.  I have been buying from Candle Science for years, but have now placed my first order for wax from Candlewic, even though they are clear across the country.  I do not understand why CS has so drastically raised their price on wax.   I only live 2 hours from the Reno location, and can drive to get it in good weather.  Right now the Sierra passes are a disaster zone with snow, so no way would I try it.  CS is now charging $92.73 a box shipped to me.  I used to pay $77.00, then it went up to $87.00. I sure will miss the overnight delivery since I'm so close, but that is just too much for a box of wax.  Candlewic is $86.00 shipped, but it will take a week or more to get to me.  I guess I will just have to order a years worth of wax from now on and pick it up when I go to Reno.  Does anyone know what is going on with them to keep raising the price?  Are other suppliers doing this?  

On 9/23/2017 at 4:54 PM, Beaches said:

I had 2  one ounce bottles of Fall Festival from the last Lone Star ounce sale.  I was on the fence about them, because their reviews of it are great, but oob I smelled a faint rotten apple scent and not much else.  I went ahead and used them, and added a half ounce of cinnamon to it.  I used 2 lbs of 464 and made 3 little 6 ounce candles and the rest in melts. This was 4 days ago.  As I poured them, I still was not very impressed.  Yesterday I sniffed one of the melts, and it did smell pretty good.  i never do this, but I put it in the melter.  Normally I cure my stuff for months.  That melt had a powerful throw, and it smelled great!  What a surprise, this never happens for me.  I generally know if I don't care for something in the bottle, it's a waste of wax to try to use it.  Not this time.  Now I can't wait to burn the candles, but I think I will give them another week or so.  The scent reminds me of walking in a store that is selling fall candles.  I will have to get more of this one.

 

I'm burning the candles and they are awesome.  Great throw, great scent.  

45 minutes ago, Faerywren said:

I had to cure them a month to get the throw I was looking for. It is a softer scent to be sure, but I don't have to cure any scent for a MONTH to get optimum results. 

I've not tried the vanilla cardamom, but that does sound good! Some of my usual ones are: Nordic Spa, Cowboy, Sea Petals, Twilight Woods, Mahogany Woods and Windswept Waves. I have some others that I haven't put in wax, yet.

I like the Cardamom Vanilla, it's a good one.

I got 2 of the sets and they arrive tomorrow.  It worked out cheaper than ordering 2 each of the ones I wanted to try, so I just got two sets.  I'll post once I smell them all.  I probably won't like the pot ones, or anything that smells like men's aftershave.  But the rest sound pretty good.  Can't wait to get them.  

Toasted Almond from Sweetcakes is great.  Good throw and does not smell toasted at all.  

I like Lonestar's Dreamsickle.  It smells spot on, but is a little light so try it with the max amount for your wax.  Also, Chubba Dubba from Nature's Garden is sort of like a creamsickle scent.  It's worth trying a sample if you have not already tried it.

Just now, Beaches said:

I love Santa's Whiskers!  One of my all time favorites.  

 

Are you talking about the one from RE or Nature's Garden?  RE is the one I love.

On 9/28/2017 at 5:09 PM, bfroberts said:

Another vote for CS Whiskey.  Barf.  I despise ALL the Fruit Loops FO's.  Cereal in general.
But the one I absolutely cannot stand above all others is Santa's Whiskers from RE.  Smells like something crawled in Santa's beard and died.

I love Santa's Whiskers!  One of my all time favorites.  

My worst pics would be:

RE Citrus Cilantro, smells like body odor.  They have it on the discontinued section and still can't get rid of it.

RE Lemon Meringue Pie, was discontinued.  So gross I had to throw out the candle I made with it and brought the rest of the 16 oz bottle I stupidly bought without smelling first to the dump.

CS Pumpkin Souffle, I know it 's popular, I hate it

CS Fruit Slices

CS Grapefruit Mangosteen

CS Mango & Tangerine, all i smell is rotten fruit

Peak Lemon Pound Cake, has a weird tone to it, like dirty socks

Natures Garden Cucumber & Aloe

Nature's Garden Coconut Lime Verbena

Nature's Garden Fresh Coffee

I know I have come across plenty more "stinkers", but these are what came to mind.

On 9/23/2017 at 7:48 PM, katmeltswax said:

Beaches ,You said you made wax melts with 464 right ? Do these pop out of the burner ok? I always thought it may be to soft without a pillar wax added ,never tried this . I ordered some of the  new version soy 220 & 230  & will be doing a mix half & half to see how melts turn out. I use all paraffin to make my wax melts .I want to add some soy products as well. I have some bakery scents & I hear bakery scents do very well in soy wax. I think I will try some Lone Star oils   Do you have any favorites from Lone Star? I love Aztecs ,Maple Street ,Candlesource , Candlescience & just now received some of Natures Gardens scents. I loved Peak also ,looking forward to buying their oils from the co. that bought them out . I did receive my Peak dupes from  Maple Street  today . To my nose these all smell exactly the same as Peaks. I ordered Cranberry Oak, Old town bake shop, Ginger Peach, Autumn Walk & Holiday Festival. I will get these in the wax in the next few days & test  . My favorite Peak oils are Cranberry Oak &  Autumn Walk . I know how you feel with the pain that goes along with this adventure . I have some major neck & spine problems myself. I admire your multi pouring .I have never tried my hand at soap ,doubt I could handle the task along with the wax melts . I would like to try making bath bombs for Christmas gifts. My grand daughters love BB! I am heading to Lone Star now ,you have me curious

 

 

Yes, I do use 464 often for melts, because if I have a bit left from candle pouring, I make melts from it.  i usually do not concern myself with anything about them because i don't sell. But to Answer  your question, I put cotton balls in the melter and turn it off.  I then scoop the wax balls out and stuff them in paper towel holders for fire starters..  I never bought much from Peak.

I don't think they have done one the last couple years.  In the past they would put all the new releases in a What's new sample pack, at a good discount, and the bottles were 2 ounces.  They stopped doing it.  It was really good too, since the sample sale is always before most of the new scents come out in the fall.  I won't pay the retail price for one ounce bottles, so it sucks waiting till next year to try the new ones, unless I get a couple free with orders.   Rant over.  I just miss this deal.

Just now, Moonstar said:

Thanks so much. I appreciate it  I remember you were making favors for your daughters wedding, I hope everything went well. I just love weddings ! 

I did do those.  Just finished a few days ago, and was able to make some candles!  I'm so sick of doing melt and pour now, and my hand is slightly sprained from dealing with pushing the soaps out of the molds she wanted.  It was the Victorian Heart mold from Milky way, and each mold only makes 3 bars.  I only have 3 of them, so had to do pretty much a batch a day until I had enough.  The wedding is still a few weeks out, but I think they turned out nice.

1 hour ago, Moonstar said:

Wow ! This is good to know  So the melts you just use 464 ? interesting. I was thinking of playing around with some 1+2 oz bottles I'll have to do a apple/cinnamon

blend. I have CS Macintosh + Harvest apple + CS Cinnamon Stix. I also have CS Cinnamon Vanilla but to my nose it doesn't smell as strong as the plain cinnamon styx

Now Im itching to get Fall Festival lol ! While Im there anything else that was good from the sale. Im getting some of their liquid anyhow. Im curious to hear if the candle

has the same results as the melt. Sometimes I find wicks change the FO especially in chocolates or brownie  

Yes, I just usually make melts out of any leftover wax I am pouring at the time.  This one was 464, my go to for containers.  I do them in ecosoya pillar blend (I still have a stash of it), and both container and pillar palm too.  I like Lonestar's Amaretto, Ginger & Lime, Sugared Cronut, Vanilla Cardamon, and probably a few others I can't think of right now.  I also like the Lemongrass Sage, but it's not phthalate free, so I won't get that one again.  I want to try Fall Festival with RE Baked Apple HI.  Maybe I will just burn the candles together and see how that does.  Now I"m wanting to pull them out for tomorrow, but will force myself to wait.

I had 2  one ounce bottles of Fall Festival from the last Lone Star ounce sale.  I was on the fence about them, because their reviews of it are great, but oob I smelled a faint rotten apple scent and not much else.  I went ahead and used them, and added a half ounce of cinnamon to it.  I used 2 lbs of 464 and made 3 little 6 ounce candles and the rest in melts. This was 4 days ago.  As I poured them, I still was not very impressed.  Yesterday I sniffed one of the melts, and it did smell pretty good.  i never do this, but I put it in the melter.  Normally I cure my stuff for months.  That melt had a powerful throw, and it smelled great!  What a surprise, this never happens for me.  I generally know if I don't care for something in the bottle, it's a waste of wax to try to use it.  Not this time.  Now I can't wait to burn the candles, but I think I will give them another week or so.  The scent reminds me of walking in a store that is selling fall candles.  I will have to get more of this one.

On 7/4/2012 at 12:22 PM, justajesuschick said:

I am new to all of this and only make for myself but I would choose Baked Apple (Home Interiors type) from RE/AH.

If you had to choose just one (your favorite or best selling) which would you choose?

Me too!  Or Santa's Whiskers, or Lemon Curd.  Hard to pick just one.

I like Candle Science's Gingerbread.  To me it's spot on.  My daughter hates it, and says it smells like dirty socks.  I don't get that at all, and love it.   This one will sound weird, but I sometimes mix it with Re's Lemon Curd.  My mom used to make gingerbread and serve it with a lemon sauce.  That combo smells just like it.  

I have tried several sniffies from there, and ordered a few larger bottles.  I use the sniffies in either a melt or an 8 oz  bottle of lotion or shower gel.  I keep a jug of base from WSP on hand for this purpose. I love that you can order sniffies and not pay for shipping.  Last time I ordered them it was 5 for $4.50, and you can order as many as you want. 

  I have ordered these in either 4 or 8 oz bottles:

Linden, I got it in ultra strength, throws great in 464.  I liked it at first, but now find it a bit cloying and am sick of it.  I'll keep it though, and use it again eventually.  Strong throw in 464.  Used some in melt and pour soaps, worked fine, but  I'm over this scent for now.

Magnolia, a bit similar to the Linden.  I really liked this at first.  Have not burned the candles I made from this, but I think it will be similar to the Linden.  I'm not getting rid of it just yet. May try mixing with something else.

Philosophy dupe of Field of Flowers in extreme strength, throws well, smells good

Philosophy dupe of Pure Grace in extreme.  Does not throw in 464, have not tried in other wax.  Is good for lotion, shower gel, melt and pour.   Not very strong at all, smells good.  Side note on this one, Bulk Apothecary has a version of Pure Grace, and it throws much better in 464.  It does not smell as true to the original as SOS, but at least you can smell it in candles.  I would say it is still on the lighter side.

Asian Paper Whites, does not smell like the flower. This is more like a scent you would smell in a hippie store or head shop from the 70s, but not a patchouli type.  OOB smells like it would be very strong in candles.   Makes a good candle, but lighter on throw than expected in 464.  I let mine cure a long time, usually months because I always have so many others to burn.  This one had at least an 8 month cure before I got around to burning one.  I got it in ultra strength

Ivy, nice, strong throw in 464.  Smells like something green, I don't think it smells much like actual Ivy.  Bought in ultra.

Aquamarine, good throw in 464, bought in ultra.  Sort of a perfume floral watery scent.  I like it, but not in large doses.   Made bath bombs with it, liked those.

Bob's Flower shop.  This was on sale, so I got the 16 oz.  It's nice and makes decent candles in 464.  I will use it up eventually.  I have standard strength.

Some of the sniffies I liked a lot were Apothecary Cucumber, Lemon Verbena.  I might order some of the cucumber, but I like RE's Lemon Verbena better.  I also liked some of the Eternal line, I think Lilies and also Violets.

I tried the Philosophy sampler pack, they are half ounce bottles in extreme.  I liked about half of those.  I have tried many other sniffies not listed here, but can't remember them all right now.  I have a little stash of them. Maybe at some point I will come back in here and add to this.

My husband got me an end cutter tool.  It works great for all wicks, including wood.  I have tested a few wood wicks and I like the ones from Lone Star best.  I do not sell, so I don't have to worry about reliability.   I have found that no matter what, some wood wicks do not perform.  I have made several of the exact same candles, wood wick, wax, scents, jar.  Most of the time I get good results, but probably at least one of every 7 or so is a dud.  I don't give them as gifts for this reason.     

CandleWic has a scent called something like Black Tea with Orange and Almond.  To me it smells just like Lipton Tea.

50 minutes ago, Moonstar said:

Thank you  I wasn't sure that the SC lavender + herbs would have a good HT because it says it's heavy on the EO's. The Original Clairol Herbal Essence

sounds great too but not sure about the HT in that one. CS does have a good lavender, never tried the one from NG but heard that WSP Lavender Sage is 

good. Ive also read so many good things about MMS The Sage but they are so darn expensive. I really wanna try the Blackberry Ice Tea though  

The Original Herbal Essence is really good.  It does have a great hot throw, I love it. I do candles, melt and pour soap, shower gel, lotion, sugar scrub and any thing else I try in it.   I still have never found anything else that can compare.  I will try the WSP lavender next order with them..  I just placed an order so I can do melt and pour soaps for my daughter's wedding, so it will be a few months.  Who is MMS?