TxSioux

If you want the true miracle worker use Coke. I had some rust on our porcelain tub that I tried every product (including straight bleach) & Coke took it right off. You can make a paste out of baking soda & Coke for a scrub. I've also used it on metal & it works like a charm Kinda scary, huh!?! Susan.

There are no *rules* for soy! LOL Everything, right down to the current weather, will alter your results. You have to take what you read as a jumping point & get in touch w/ your inner chemist to tame the beast. Good for you that you don't just throw it together & sell it to anyone who will buy!! It's hard work, but very rewarding when you can make a 'simple' candle. After 6 yrs of selling, I hated pouring for profit, cause it was more work than fun. I put everything away for over a yr & didn't even read this board. I slowly pulled everything back out & enjoy testing when I have time. I want to sell again, but not ready yet. Don't be too hard on yourself & enjoy the battle. Lots of great info here -- good luck! Susan.

Actually, Waco's pretty humid ... not Houston humid, but gets very muggy. When I was pouring soy I finally figured out that the weather was killing me. I didn't pour if it was raining, or heavy cloud cover w/ high humidity. It wouldn't ruin the candles as far as burning or throw, but an absolute guarantee for frosting, cauliflower tops, or a bizarre ugly appearance. Soy's just its own beast, cause a previously great candle would go whack when the weather/temperature changed. I tried every trick in the book & even made up a few of my own - LOL - but it just did what it wanted to. I finally gave up on pure soy, then worked on additives, then worked w/ soy blends ... now I'm trying to conquer palm. Best of luck. Susan.

Paper Mart has the kraft tissue. Susan.

I found that humidity was a HUGE factor when pouring soy. I believe & respect the people who swear by pouring cool, but it NEVER worked for me. I always poured soy hot & got a nice smooth surface. Susan.

Keep going w/ the Status ... they usually fizzle out around the halfway burn. Tricky jar to master. Susan.

I *think* it sounds like a jump line - the chalky evidence between of 2nd pour. Soy is terrible for showing this, but you have better results if you make sure the 2nd pour is hotter than the 1st. I've found you're more likely to see this if the top-off is a very thin layer. Just the fickle nature of soy. Try not to let that 1st pour set to a hard cure before you top off. Susan.

I've never found another fo that smells like High Maintenance. Everything I've ordered from Starrville has been top notch & HM is a huge hit. Some people want it cause they've bought a Tyler candle & others smell it for the 1st time & fall in love. I'm getting tired of it, but it's a unique scent that everyone seems to want & this is exact to Tyler. I've poured it in soy & will soon test in palm. HTH - Susan.

I just ordered a sample pack from WSP - this will be my 1st time w/ the CD. Susan.

There have been several posts on these jars - apparently DT sells 2 different 'status' jars. My DT sells the thinner jar you describe, but someone else posted a pic w/ the label & it's not the same. I've never heard of any breakage during burning, so it all comes down to deciding what you want to take responsibility for selling. This container can be a challenge to wick. I have a few I play around w/ for testing, but decided not to use them for sale. If you're determined to reuse the wax w/ broken glass (I hope it's only for testing), you can toss the wax into a pyrex measuring cup & melt down in the oven on a low setting. Then strain through a coffee filter. Susan.

Very hit or miss - especially in soy. I didn't find any of their fo's to be standouts, except for Jade. It's a dead on Pier 1 dupe that I haven't found anywhere else. Susan.

I was going to try the CDN's, just to say I did, but they're just too hard to find. I've never been a fan of JBN for this exact reason. I was going to order the CDN's from them, but there are just too many good suppliers to aggravate myself w/ this same-o-same-o! Time to give CD's a try. Susan.

I would have switched gears & told the queen b that if she didn't want to switch out her mistake that would mean your order was short the fo you actually ordered & paid for. I wouldn't leave till she gave me the fo I ordered ... & then keep the screw up fo ... it must be a bonus sample, since you didn't order it! I hate crap like this! Susan.

I've not worked w/ this wick yet, but I *think* this is one that people recommend twisting, so the wick will change directions & even out the burn. Does that make sense?? Susan.

It's been a few yrs, but they were great. They're more geared toward soap, so I didn't get many items, but the order was always fast when shipped & ready when I went to pick up. The family has been in the business many yrs & all are very knowledgeable. I've also heard great things about their classes. Susan.

I'd love to try the CDN's, but I've worn myself out trying to find them! JBN is out of every size, which doesn't really surprise me. I found a couple other suppliers that do carry them, but a very narrow selection of sizes. I might have time this weekend to devote more time to the search ... any suggestions for suppliers & the best sizes to start with? I've been sticking to a 3oz DC votive, a 4oz Flower Pot container, & a 14oz Libbey cube for testing. Susan.

I've used that cube for yrs & every time I try a new wax I always attempt a single wick - LOL. It must be my personal version of tilting at windmills. CD's are next on my list. I've been re-reading old posts & tracking Tops testing w/ the other palms. I keep thinking if I wait long enough he'll get this wax tested ... I'm not anti-double-wicking - just seems to be something I can't let go of w/ this container. If I ever figure it out Libbey will probably discontinue it! Thanks for the help. Susan.

Yeah, weighed in at 3.6oz of hangup - that's a lot! Guess it's time to settle in for a long round of the dreaded wick elimination testing. <grrrr> Susan.

Finished burning these & don't think I'm happy w/ the CSN's I have to work with. All burned quite hot, the flames never calmed down, & didn't get a satisfactory final burntime. The cube had a lot of hangup left, but I'll keep trying. Here's a couple pics of how it ended.

I always poured soy the same all yr long - about 155, still liquid, not too cool/slushy. For me, humidity was the big weather variable that caused problems. Didn't affect how the candle performed, but pouring in high humidity would frost those puppies like crazy when they set up. Susan.

Wish I could help, but I just started playing w/ this wax & am getting the same thing on the bottoms of mine. I didn't heat the jars, but guess I'll give that a try. Is that a 10oz Libbey cube in the 1st pic? If so, what did you wick it with - I've tried a CSN 16 & had 3.6oz of hangup wax. Susan.

Dang - I have a sample of that. I'll let you know when I pour it up, maybe this weekend. Susan.

It never hurts to ask, so maybe she doesn't realize that many people find this kind of contact offensive. I doubt she would write to Red Lobster & expect them to send the recipe for those yummy biscuits, but you're a regular person & she probably doesn't 'get' that it's really the same thing. I wouldn't be too hard on her - I'd tell her how much time & money goes into the proper formulation of these products & thank her for thinking so highly of your hard work ... or hit delete! <grin> Susan.

I'm thinking you might seriously regret storing them outside. I'm familiar w/ that area of NC & you're right on the water, so humidity is a big deal. I ordered zinc wicks from Cajun Candle a couple months after Hurricane Katrina & couldn't get any of them to burn correctly. When I called they said they had elevated or moved their stock & didn't sell anything that had water damage, but I have to think the humidity is what did a number on the wicks. The tabs weren't rusted at all, but they wouldn't burn. I'm just guessing, but I wouldn't want to risk it. If you absolutely have to put them out, you might just turn the containers upside down so they won't get dusty & can still have air ... or would that be worse!?! Now I'm over thinking it. Susan.

I thought they already had one. I've visited their storefront at Market & was told if I bought large quantities I would have to go to the dist site to pick up. Are they opening a regular store, or just making the dist site public? Going to Market is an all day event, so a regular location would be great. Susan.