itsmejeffd

When I first started making candles, not too long ago, I used dye chips because it was easier and less messy than liquid. The only thing I don't like about the chips is that sometimes they leave residue on the bottom of the jars.

Now that I'm becoming more comfortable with the whole process, I'm converting to liquid dye. I'm using dyes from BCS because they're close by.

Until today, I've had great luck with all the colors. Today I tried the Coffee/Caramel and the Honey/Vanilla. Both give a very ugly greenish-brown color nowhere close to resembling their description.

Has anyone had this problem with these dyes? Maybe I just got a bad batch?

BTW, the dye was added to Comfort Blend @ 180* in round mason jars. The color testing was done without FO added.

Try Avery's Design Pro. It blows Word out of the water and it's FREE! Circle, oval, square and rectangle templates. All you have to do is pick the Avery # and go to work. If the label you're working with doesn't have an Avery compatible #, it's very easy to customize your own. AND, you can align it within 1/100 of an inch.

Here's the link:

http://avery.com/us/Main?action=software.AverySoftwareDetail&catalogcode=WEB01&softwarecode=3200

Hope that will help save what's left of your mind.

I really like the artwork and general look but agree that your company name needs to stick out more. Also, I think "Soy Wax Melts" should be more centered under your name. Lastly, it's spelled "Orange Dreamsickle". Not to sound picky but nothing says "unprofessional" to me more than misspelled words.

Oops, caught another one.

Where it says "place in a electric..." should say "place in an electric..."

Can't read the rest of it.

Just trying to help. Please don't think I'm being rough on you. I think it looks great.

Do you really need a laser printer? I use an Epson R800 photo printer for everything and I'd put the quality far above any color laser printer in the same price range. Mine was $400 about a year or so ago.

Don't know for sure but you might be able to deduct it as a business expense on your taxes.

I agree with epheme. The full version of Photoshop is difficult to learn and very expensive. You might want to try Photoshop Elements. I have version 3.0 (not sure if that's the latest version now) and it's much easier to learn. It does everything that I need to edit my photos. I even made my candle labels and edited the pictures of my candles on my web site in Elements. It's pretty affordable also. I've seen it for as little as $30 after rebates in stores like Best Buy and Circuit City.

I've never ordered from Brown Craft Labels. Do they give an Avery compatible template #? If they do, you might want to look into downloading Avery's Design Pro software. It's free and extremely versatile.

http://avery.com/us/Main?action=software.AverySoftwareDetail&catalogcode=WEB01&softwarecode=3200

Even if you don't have an Avery compatible template #, you can customize your own very easily, quickly and accurately.

IMO this program is so much better than MS Word since it's made specifically for labels.

HTH

I'm using comfort blend in 16 oz mason jars. I pour at about 180 and always get a dip. 2nd pour takes care of it and I get a nice flat top. Maybe I should pour cooler like Grumpy Girl. Thanks for the tip - I was just going by the manufacturers recommendation.

Registering is one thing but hosting is another. When you register your domain name, you are merely reserving that name so no one else can take it. When you have a company like yahoo host your domain, they charge a monthly fee and in return, they provide you with the tools and tutorials to get your web page up and running.

I stay away from the perforated ones. They look cheap and they're very thin and bend easy. Avery has a "Clean Edge" business card that comes in ivory. It's thicker like a professional card and it looks much nicer.

These are the ones that I'm using.

http://avery.com/us/Main?action=product.Details&catalogcode=WEB01&node=10211397&productcode=8876

I've found them at Office Max, Office Depot, Staples...

Hope that's what you're looking for.

I know BCS has a Peach liquid dye. I don't have that one yet but most of my liqid dyes are from them and I like them alot.

Thanks everyone. These labels are not finished yet. My wife and I just bought the domain name "loganbearcandles.com" so that will go on the labels too. Thank you for the heads up on state and federal label requirements. I know that's something that I need to look into.

To quietgirl:

That is a wood grain background and the labels will be printed on glossy white paper.

Just wanted to get everyones honest opinions about my new candle labels. I can take criticism - it can only make them better.

FYI: "Logan Bear" is my wife's nickname for our son, Logan.

Becky's Ultimate Vanilla

Vanilla Buttercream Crunch

Hot Cocoa

Caramel Cinnamon Latte

Vanilla of Pearl

Orange Clove

Cinnamon Cranberry

Chestnuts and Brown Sugar

Yes, all at the same time but in different rooms.

Also, just got done pouring Pecan Sandies

Mine was named after my son..his name is Blaze so I named the business Blazing Wicks. Just try not to OVER think it, it will come to you when you least expect it sometimes. Do you have a really neat street name or town? Maybe a nickname someone has called you. You can run some stuff you been thinking by us...we can try to help you come up with something.

I, too, named my business after my son Logan. There were many variations before my wife came up with Logan Bear Candles. Logan Bear is her nickname for him. Actually, we just bought the domain name "loganbearcandles.com" yesterday.

I have to agree with planetlabel.com. I just got a 100 sheet pack of the 2 x 3 1/4 oval high gloss for $45 plus shipping ended up around $52 and their shipping is very fast. Looks like brownkraftlabels.com would be $76 before shipping for the same amount of labels.

I can't vouch for any difference in quality between the two companies because I've only bought from planetlabel but I'm extremely please with what they have.

I'm using the 1.5 oz hex jars.

Looks great. Love the colors and layout. I do have one bit of criticism though. I think the "enter" button should be larger and easier to find on the welcome page. The "home" button links to your store from all other pages except the welcome page. It looks like the link is referring to the page that it's already on.

Did that make sense? It's late and I've had a long week.

Right now, I'm testing Becky's Ultimate Vanilla, Vanilla of Pearl and Vanilla Buttercream Crunch. All are from JS and all have a great throw in Comfort Blend.

It really depends on what kind of vanilla you're after. The Ultimate Vanilla is a very pure vanilla scent. The Vanilla of Pearl is extremely complex and STRONG. I wasn't sure I was even going to burn it after I poured it but the hot throw is fantastic. Lastly, the Vanilla Buttercream Crunch is probably my favorite vanilla so far. It's a very buttery, nutty vanilla.

Not to mention other vanillas like Raspberry Vanilla Creme and Orange Dreamsickle. I get a top note of Raspberry and Orange respectively and a weak bottom note of vanilla.

HTH

Haven't tried any florals yet. I prefer bakery and citrus/fruity fragrances. Effervescent Fizzy Pops from JS smokes like crazy when I add it to the wax (low flash point) but I keep getting orders for it.

Lonestar carries it too....

YAY! Thank you, Sherri.

I picked up a 2oz bottle of this from Starville a while back. Now I have an order for a candle with this fragrance but they've stopped carrying it. I've searched for it on grandscentral.com with no luck. Does anyone know where I can find this FO?

I usually add FO @ 185 to 190 in Comfort Blend and pour @ 175 to 180. With the exception of just a couple of scents, the throw is out of this world. I also get most of my FO from JS.

see, my fiancee thought i should put MORE lines in. i ended up re-melting the whole thing.

I have to agree with your fiancee. I like the line and I think it would look very interesting with more. Instead of keeping the lines parallel though, I think it would look great if they were slanted randomly back and forth.

I have a 1oz sample of this. Haven't poured it yet but it smells great OOB. I'll post when I pour and let you know more. Hopefully, in the next day or two.

I use the 8oz for testing and the 16oz for my finished product. The only difference between them is their height. I have gotten them both at WSP and I pick up some of the 8oz at Starrville any time I am in Tyler, TX (they don't have the 16oz square masons).

http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/Product.aspx?Tab=2&CatalogID=3&GroupID=588&CatalogTitle=0&CategoryID=805&CategoryName=Mason+Jars

http://www.soap-making-supplies.com/handler.php?depid=5&catid=22&typeid=84

I have been using Comfort Blend with CD wicks with these jars. I have found that, most of the time, anywhere from a 10 to a 14 works well with them depending on the FO. Once, I had to go up to a 16 but never down to an 8. I do mostly baked goods and other heavy FO's though.