PamR

testing never ever ends! Just when you have all your fos & wicks figured out, the wax you've been using forever suddenly changes! Makes me want to totally give up at times.

PamR:confused:

thanks guys, I'll try a few of these. This isn't one of my favs either, but it sells well.

PamR

Yikes, tn is out of lovespell, any other suppliers that have a close match? Thanks

PamR

I have had this happen with the latest batch of c3--I used only 7% fo, heated to 180, stirred like crazy, let cool, stirred again, then poured. The sweat only occurs when my candles get cold, go figure. It also doesn't always happen quickly, sometimes overnight, other times it takes a few days. But it is totally unacceptable to me & I'm now testing other soys.

PamR

Not sure about the salt soak, but my MIL kept tapers in the freezer, & when we took them out to burn during a blackout, they fell apart, lol. As we all know when wax freezes, it cracks. So don't put your candles in the freezer, & save the salt for french fries!

PamR

I use dye flakes. I like a toned down deep red for my cranberry. Adding black or brown helps, but using green will tone the red down since it is the complimentary color of red. Don't over do it tho, or you will get a yucko brown. Also, red added to green will tone down or deepen the green color.

PamR

Around 13 years for me. I was & still am a decorative artist wanting to paint on candles. Store bought ones were so expensive, so I thought I'd learn to make them. At the beginning I loved it so much I put my paint brushes down, lol. Now, if I could find new candlemakers for my wholesale accounts, I'd throw in the towel. Prices & shipping are just getting way too high!

PamR

Due to a HD crash, I lost all my bookmarks! Could someone post the urls of flexmolds & other silicone mold makers? I would be forever grateful!! Thanks so much

PamR

It's clear across the country from you, but General Wax sells a pastilled paraffin.

PamR

thanks, everyone, I was hoping no scent wasn't the norm. I will check out some other soapmaker's wares. This soap lathers great, leaves hands so soft, it just plain stinks, lol.

PamR

I don't make soap, just buy it for myself. Is it normal for the cp to just smell like--soap? I've tried several different makers & all I smell is the 'lye soap' smell. My grandmother used to make unscented lye soap & these smell like that. There is absolutely no fragrance to them. I love the cp but would like one that had a little fragrance to it. Thanks

PamR

I've been using the craft sticks for the last 7 years, lol. I use a little alligator clip to hold the wick tight. I use this method for both containers & pillars. Old habits are just hard to break.

PamR

Thanks, guys, I will contact the supplier. I checked all the other jars I still have & some that I used last year. They all have a 'seam' around the neck of the jar, looks like part of the molding process. I also think there is a flaw in the jars. Thanks again.

PamR

I'm trying to figure out some weird breakage I am having lately. I ship 8 oz mason containers from Texas to New Jersey. Have had no problems til now. The last 2 shipments 1 & only 1 jar had snapped off at the neck. I'm wondering if there might be a flaw in the glass to cause this. It's really weird, the boxes are not banged up, & the packing is good, just wondering why only 1 would break & the others will be fine. In both shipments the breakage is at the same place, the neck. Any ideas?

Thanks

PamR

Forgot all about the class, but have been reading the posts. Those are bee-utifulllllll pillars! I'm gonna give them a try when I get this order out the door. Thanks for doing the class. I'm anxious to see everyone's creations & I'll post mine when I've done one.

PamR:D

Anyone know anything about soy & scent candle supply in Oklahoma? Thought I might try the millenium soy & they are the closest to me. Just wondering

PamR

Maybe I am wrong but I am just stating what I see happening on the farm. Prices will filter down the channels which makes me think soy wax prices will increase as well. How long it will last is anyones guess, the soybean market could bottom out and end tomorrow and then again it may stay this way for awhile or even keep climbing in prices. This is however just my opinion and correct me if I am wrong.

I also believe the soy prices will go up. Farmers will be planting more corn for the fuel market & have fewer soybean crops, resulting in higher prices for the soy. I like soy, but lately have had issues with several brands, so may have to offer both soy & paraffin.

PamR

This isn't going to help, just wanted you to know that the c-3 isn't the only wax with this problem. I bought 4 cases of a widely loved wax from Ky & it just will not burn. I had used this wax for 4 years with no problems. I can use it by adding paraffin, but for customers that want the soy, I am trying other waxes, the c-3 is one I tested & was about to order more. I might not order a bunch of it since others are having issues with it. Seems like every new case of wax I get, whether it is soy or paraffin is different than the ones before. Makes me wonder why the heck am I making candles.

PamR

I haven't figured that out. I have checked shipping on identical items at 3 suppliers that are in the same locale, one of them is $2 a case higher than the other 2. But the cost of the same wax is a couple dollars higher per case at one of the other 2, so it all equals out, lol.

PamR

I haven't tried all of hers, yet, but I do love the patchouli honey, birthday cake, cranberry fig, & the balsam & citrus. Her sample deal is great. 8 1 oz bottles for 12.00.

PamR

I guess I'm not doing too bad, then. I pay around $16 shipping on a 60#case. I'm in NE Texas & wish I could pick mine up, but with gas prices, it just doesn't make sense to drive a long way to do so. Right now my wax is in the vacinity of $1.35 a pound.

PamR

The way it was explained to me years ago was that the industry stardard was 3%, so yes it is possible to triple scent at 9%. Yes it is a great marketing ploy, but not a lie, lol.

PamR

This has been floating around since soy became available. I made both, soy & paraffin. I agree that soy burns cleaner, but there are certain types of candles that I cannot make with soy. The 'all natural' has always bugged me, though, how natural are the insecticides used in the soybean fields? Are there any residuals in our wax? And unless you use EOs(which I'm sure in the massage field you would), then the wax is no longer 'natural'. Just a gripe I have when I hear all the paraffin bashing. There is a place for both!

PamR

I've read that the wax burns completely away - but have not tried one yet.

The firestarters burn up completely, there might be a slight oily spot, but the ashes soon soak that up. We only use one firestarter to start a fire & usually keep the fire going all season. So we are not burning alot of firestarters.

PamR

New(unused rofl) tampons work great also. Dh couldn't start a fire without them. Dip a couple times in wax and you already have a nice long wick to burn.

now that's a neat idea. I never would have thought of that one.

PamR:cheesy2: