TxSioux

I don't make these, but I've read enough posts to *think* this was done by scraping the wax w/ a wire brush. Susan.

I've been thinking about trying these ... can anyone offer pros/cons? I found aroma beads to be a total waste & was hoping this would be better. I say that, cause the scent just didn't hold long enough or throw well enough, IMO. Susan.

Nope. Dixie Cup votives are 3oz & tapered -- metal mold votives are (generally) 2oz & straight sided. The large flower pot or oyster cup holders fit perfectly. I sell the holders & label the votives as too large to fit into a standard straight sided holder. Maybe it's a Texas thing, but everyone says they like the larger size better. I have no problem getting $3. each, so I don't mind making them at all! Susan.

I leave mine natural - no color. Susan.

I haven't checked in for a few days, but wanted to offer that I've always used container wax for my votives. Although, you'll need additives to make the wax hard enough to withstand handling & raise the mp. I sell a ton of votives, but wouldn't make another one, if I had to work w/ metal molds. I use Dixie Cups & pop them out by the dozens. Good luck -- Susan.

Fo's are generally a blend of natural & synthetic oils. Eo's are extracted directly from natural botanicals. As far as being safe & not creating an allergic reaction ... that's a lofty claim. Poison Ivy & Cedar are both 100% natural, but they sure do send me into a tailspin! Susan.

I just tested this & got great results in soy. Everyone's loving this one & I'm ordering a lb this weekend. Very good throw. Can't put my finger on it, but it's very perfume/powdery, yet masculine. Susan.

I've yet to find a banana fo that smells true or throws. I've never tried any of the food banana fo's -- just talking about a fruit banana. I'd love to find a Laffy-Taffy banana. Susan.

Even new, the liability is just too great for my comfort. I'm not a nervous nelly & do plenty of refills, but draw the line at glasswear that isn't made & tested for use w/ candles. Plenty of people make these from new/antique teacups or mugs & I've never heard of a problem doing so, but I've seen too many jaw-dropping things people do w/ candles. If you really have your heart set on trying these, I'd get a few teacups & start testing. I'd also seal the inside of the teacup w/ Mod Podge, to at least prevent any possible wax leakage. Keep in mind, you're ultimately responsible for the safety of any product you put your name on. Susan.

Did your friend happen to see Elvis, too!?! <grin> I guess anything's possible, but this defies laws of science in my mind. Paper burns at 450 degrees, but I don't see how glass could conduct the heat needed to create a spontaneous combustion type situation. It just doesn't seem logical to me. Susan.

Don't get me wrong -- I in NO way advocate 'winging it' w/ temp! I've been working w/ the same wax that long & know where to set my Presto dial to get the temp I need. I know the Presto reading isn't accurate & adjust accordingly. I've come to know the right temp for pouring from the way the wax looks. Just last wk I questioned myself & pulled the thermometer out to verify pouring temp. I was proud to find out I guessed what the thermometer verified. If I was working w/ a new wax I would have a thermometer front & center! Good luck testing -- I hope the Patron Saint of Candles smiles on you! BTW -- is there a Patron Saint of Candles?!?! Susan.

Well, after 6yrs, I don't use a thermometer anymore, but I do pull one out from time-to-time to check things out. I think all of us find our settings are 'off', but you learn to adjust up or down. If you *think* you're running on the low side, why not heat the wax to a thermometer setting of 225 to see what it does for you. Are you adding your fo when your wax is at its hottest setting, or waiting till you cool down? I always add hot, to bind it. Since your fo is sinking & it doesn't happen every time -- I'd guess you may not be stirring well enough, but that's just my guess. Do you stir for a full 3mins when the wax is heated? I stir every time I look at my wax! Again, I don't use this wax, but I've found most people miss a good hot throw by not adding the fo at a higher temp or not stirring well enough. Susan.

I would think a lot of those would be a 'Spa' category. Jack Frost -- Christmas. Susan.

I doubt there's anyone here missing the business aspect of any supplier's pricing, but we all have to consider a bottom-line. It's wonderful to have the resources we have here, but we all need a nudge (sale) to give us a reason to put pencil to paper & justify our own business costs. I've shifted away from the 'cheaper' fo's, but I didn't do it w/o a LOT of recent sales to make testing/buying more reasonable. I definitely want to try several Daystar fo's, but too many other suppliers offer better sales & get my limited dollars. I don't think it's greedy to ask if any 'deals' are floating around. Susan.

I was thinking like Mary, but never considered the evaporation angle ... although, it would still seem logical (at least in my simple mind) that the transformation from water to steam would create an increase in local temp & produce a higher reading. Don't trust me, though, I have the grades to prove I'm not a rocket scientist! Back to the wax -- what would a faulty temp reading have to do w/ fo leaking from wax? If you're weighing all ingredients & using an acceptable amount of fo pp of wax, then a (possible) 23 degree difference in temp shouldn't be a reason for leakage. I don't work w/ this wax, but w/ others I've used, I've heard users citing the temp they add fo varying up to 50 degrees. Even if you add the fo at a temp too low to fully bind it to the wax, proper stirring would incorporate it & prevent the weigh of the fo sinking to the bottom/seeping out. Is the fo seeping from the whole candle, or just at the bottom? If it's seeping from the top, then it's not an issue w/ proper mixing. I know the manufacturer has usage instructions, but all of us work on either side of these instructions w/ results that work. Seepage usually points to using too much fo for the wax to hold. I obviously missed a thread on this, so just questioning the temp theory. Is the issue that the wax is possibly being heated too high & breaking down its ability to remain stable? Susan.

Have you had anyone else test the candle & give you a review? We all have different scent receptors & what you smell as lemon (random example) isn't what everyone smells as lemon. What you actually smell depends on how varied your ability to pick out high, low or mid notes that make up a fo & you can't change that. I've sold several scents that I don't like or just don't smell 'right' to me, but they sell well & other people like them. What scent are you questioning? Susan.

I wish I could make the pic bigger to see more detail, but they look really nice. Are these a hard plastic w/ adhesive sides, or more of a thin, Saran-type cover? Can you smell the candle through them? I'm interested in these. Susan.

I've always been a serious power burner & continue to do it ... in the name of testing! I've burned several containers from top to bottom w/o interruption. I'd have to dig out notes, but I think I've gone as long as 27hrs straight. I put the container in the bathtub when I go to bed. I think it's wonderful to think everyone will read labels & follow the laws of good common sense, but I'd rather test everything (especially containers) beyond suggested limits. In 6yrs the only container I've ever cracked was a very thick globe that had been refilled many times. Susan.

Maybe they thought they would be safe w/ this suggestion, since those freakin' dollar store candles won't ever burn! <grin> I've seen some of the worst suggestions on DIY sites. Susan.

I'm certainly not saying this couldn't be legit. My single largest order was from the Tx Farm Bureau - 300 votives for a seminar. They contacted me cause I'm in the same city & use soy wax ... that good ole 'renewable source from American farmers'! Even though she responded, I still smell a rat. That's a LOT of candles. She didn't offer any info upfront to explain her request & never asked about pricing or discounts for a large order. Wouldn't a business owner be thinking in those lines? Also, people tend to gift things they like & she says she doesn't like candles. So, why would she need a sample to see how it burns, when it's a product she doesn't like? Actually, someone who doesn't 'like' candles would logically say they want to know how the candles smell & not be knowledgeable enough to question the burn. I wouldn't have been rude, but I would have put her butt to the fire for more logical answers ... just in case! <grin> Susan.

I've made my own for certain containers & it does look nice. Unless you hate making your own labels, I can't see where it's too much trouble. Actually, applying them is the biggest pita & that wouldn't change by paying to have them printed. Plus, if you print yourself, you're not stuck w/ anything you don't need & can print as needed. You could use water slide decals (more expensive) or quality paper coated w/ Krylon spray & applied w/ Tacky Glue or Rubber Cement. Susan.

Every contract has an out & it sounds like someone didn't have very good paperwork. You've already burned a bridge by telling this woman you want to do another show, so I'd be willing to bet you're going to get the short end of the stick when you show up. I wonder how she would have responded if you told her any other reason, which I would have! You can either cancel the check (most likely $20.+) or walk away from the $30. fee. It boils down to what your conscience will allow. I sign a lot of contracts & they all address cancellation timeframes. Bottom line, you already have a 'bad' name by asking to back out for another show & it's not financially logical to sue you over $30. Sounds like a touchy situation, especially if this is a small town. Susan.

You're singing to the choir, girlfriend!! This is like going to an AA meeting & asking everyone if they want to go have a drink & talk things over. -LOL- I have 40 samples sitting on my island & just can't pour/test fast enough ... to decide what to order next ... cause I'm looking for a 2nd job ... so I can order more. I'm going to make a drink & think about this, if any of you addicts want to join me! Susan.

Where are you at butter? Maybe there's someone here that happens to be really close & can take you under their wing. Sounds like you've had a reality check on this being a little more complicated than just melting some wax, so I'll skip that lecture! Soy is a funky wax & one of the more difficult beasts to tame. If you want to give gifts by Christmas, you seriously need someone to help you meet that deadline. I'd consider skipping the color & going w/ natural color, cause frosting is going to bring you to tears! Since you're not using any additives, I'd let them cure for 2 wks to see if you have any hot throw. Everyone has different opinions, but I haven't found a lot of Peaks fo's give me the throw I'm looking for. Wonderful scents, just not very reliable in soy. There's a wonderful Victorian poem for Bayberry candles & makes a great Christmas tradition -- I'd walk you through that, if you can't find anyone to help you w/ what you're working on. Good luck. Susan.

I add my fo to the wax at 180, but I don't pull the temp down till I've stirred for a full 3 mins. I think most people miss the hot throw by adding fo at lower temps or not stirring long enough to fully incorporate the fo. Also, I've used UA for yrs to help bind the oil to the wax. Don't be afraid to test additives. I've used various combo's of beeswax, PSA, UA & CO. Keep in mind, you may have an fo that just won't work w/ soy. Susan.