TxSioux

I don't think it sounds like you're badmouthing them at all. I never had a problem w/ BCN, but BCS was a whole 'nuther can of worms ... just my experience. I crossed them off my supplier list yrs ago. Something was always wrong w/ every order, I was lied to, & their customer service was anything but nice or helpful. I also found out that my account had been tagged: pain in the ***! Seriously!?! I think their fo's are lower end & am happy to have moved on to better suppliers w/ what I consider higher quality products. I would never recommend them. Sorry you had this experience. Susan.

Do you mean you tried to remove a wick from another container - not yours? I use a glue gun & have never had an issue getting a tab out. I know some who use a God awful silicone caulk that is almost impossible to remove. I have an old ceramic tool (used for cleaning greenware) that makes it very easy to pop a tab up. This isn't exactly like mine, but close - the bottom piece is more curved than the image shows. http://www.misterart.com/g8197/Royal--Langnickel-Large-Cleaning-Tool.htm Susan.

Congratulations for taking your testing so seriously & keeping really good notes. I've gone back to my old notes many times & have been so thankful they existed. It sounds like you have the heating - ingredients - cooling - pouring on the mark, just need to work through the wicks. For me, wicks are the biggest frustration. I've dumped a container or made other changes to suit the wicks I prefer. As for the throw, if the wicks aren't the proper size for your container it's possible to get an adequate 1st burn, but they won't be strong enough to burn properly when re-lit. If the wick can't produce enough fuel to accommodate the container, then you won't get a full mp & you'll have a very small source of throw. Just my thoughts ... HTH - Susan.

I've used several Starrville fo's in pure soy, 30/70 & 70/30 blends & all have been super strong. I'd rate every fo I've tried to be among the very best. I don't make or use tarts, but most people say they get a better throw than the average candle, so not sure why you're disappointed w/ these fo's. Susan.

If you're both in Canda & you can't live w/ letting it go, then rock on! It wouldn't play in the States, no matter how right you were. I have a personal friend who is a lawyer & (here) the rule of thumb is: anything under $6,000. is a total waste of time & money. Susan.

WOW -- did everyone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, or just forget to put on their 'big girl panties' before they jumped in here!?! I didn't get the impression Annie was taking shots at any one person, or even being any more 'I feel a need to vent' sarcastic than plenty of other posts that have said the same thing. There's no doubt a large amount of people that pass thru here w/ their get rich quick notions & even a few that stick around who give the craft a bad name, so I'm just guessing Annie got a full dose of people who rubbed her the wrong way. No harm, no foul. Everyone can go back to singing Kumbaya & be sure to stick around for the group hug! Susan.

I was told the Starrville High Maintenance is the same fo used by Tyler Candle - it's a power seller for me & everyone agrees that it smells exactly the same. I don't care for JBN supplies, so couldn't tell you if it smells the same. Susan.

Is House of Fragrance a new supplier? I've never heard of them, but I took last yr off from pouring. When I went to their site my virus check kept popping up saying Malware was found & blocked. Susan.

Personally -- I do everything warmer, not cooler. I always pour while still liquid, not the cool slushy stage. I almost always get a glass smooth finish. Soy is fickle & there are lots of factors. I'm in Tx & definitely notice I have more problems when there's more humidity. I've also heard others say they have to re-work formulas for high altitude. It's amazing how many simple things come into play when pouring a candle! Susan.

I think most of us started w/ the same idea. How hard can it be - right!? ROFL 7 yrs later I'm still testing & dream of hitting the magic formula. I've sold professionally & I do make a damn good candle, but I'm still searching for that elusive perfect blend of everything. I think it boils down to loving the art. For me, it's not a matter of a balance sheet. I love making candles & it's far more rewarding than all the wasted money I spent on big box candles. I spend money on new supplies when I can afford it & dream about new supplies when I can't. FO's are the biggest cost out there, so be picky & try to make the best decisions when you splurge. It's crazy addictive & I still get the biggest thrill in the world when I rip open a new box of fo's!! It's really expensive to get started, but it does balance out. I think you'll really like Candle Science - they're my very fav fo supplier now. I hope you do well & enjoy the craft! Susan.

Now that's what I call a reputable supplier! LOL I guess all the Scentsy slots had been filled in his area ... gotta do something to turn a buck. Why not promise the moon to every yahoo while they munch on Moonpies, watch Maury, & wait for their next Gov't check. I wonder if there's a break if the truck delivers a full load to one trailerpark? Susan

I wish I could tell you there was a secret, but there isn't. We're all doing exactly what you are - buying what sounds good & testing. This is why we recommend buying 1-2oz sample sizes, cause you will go broke buying the larger sizes. Follow the fragrance section to find reviews & especially note the ones using your wax. When you're getting started it's helpful to stick w/ the more popular suppliers, but it's going to come down to what you find appealing & works well w/ all the different variables. I hate Love Spell, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good fo. We all use different wax, wicks & additives, so it takes a lot of reading & testing to find out what works best. It's also great if you can really stock up on sample sizes when a good supplier runs a sale. I hate to take the wind out of your sails, but it really is hit or miss. Susan.

Wow -- very interesting & helpful info! I kinda feel dumb for not thinking of some of these points. I really thought that every wick of the same size met the same specs, no matter where you bought it ... this explains a lot. I guess this should have been more obvious to me, much like fo's w/ the same name will not be the same from different suppliers - DUH!! I feel like I just got a swift kick in my smarty-pants! LOL Susan.

That's really interesting! I started to say there could be 2 different jars being sold, but I thought it was such a longshot that I didn't bother. LOL I'm going to go back to my DT again, but if you've been buying that jar made in the US for some time & we're getting the Greenbrier glass, then I doubt there's any chance I'll find what you have. But, I could use the barcode from yours & get it shipped in. Thanks for the info, cause I just don't buy the China crap. Susan.

I'm not trying to be ugly, was just offering an opinion for people that might think they could go to DT & find the actual status jars. Although, if the label says Greenbrier International Dist. they are not made in the US. You can google all day long & every watchdog group calls them out for their made in China products. I'm sure they're fine & glad they're working well for you! Susan.

I bought a couple of the DT status-type jars, but they concern me. They're not like the square cubes that are actually from Libbey - I buy those like crazy. But, the status-type containers are labeled from Greenbrier Dist. As far as I know, this is the distribution division of DT & made in China. The bottoms are often uneven & the glass is thinner. I'd rather spend a little more to get a better quality glass. LoneStar has the plastic dust cover lids, but you'd need to call to verify the dimensions: http://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/products/candlecontainers_plastic-cover-(round).html Susan.

Good info, Stella - Thanks! I was concerned about the palm pouring temp & the Dixie Cups. I think the highest I've poured in them was about 175 & I was worried they wouldn't hold up. May have to re-think that one! Susan.

Just received an order ... it's Peak. Susan.

Thanks all -- great info & makes me more excited about giving this a shot! Several of you mentioned adding steric or soy -- will this reduce the wax pattern? I only make containers & Dixie Cup votives ... I so hate molds! I definitely want the pretty palm pattern, but I'm really more interested in the throw! Carole - I may give you a call to pick your brain. Susan.

Yes, I would use container wax. And yes, Oregon Trails has a great fo for this use. On the topic of wicking an outdoor candle, there are several schools of thought & I'd suggest doing a little research to determine what you feel most comfortable w/ for your area. I fully appreciate the MANY people who say an outdoor candle doesn't need to smoke to work properly. I've tried regular wicking & agree that it will put out a nice scent on a patio, but it did nothing to create an actual barrier for bugs in an open area. In the Southern States the mosquito is often joked to be the state bird -- they're horrible! Also, wind is a REAL issue here, so regular wicks just won't stay lit. For these reasons, I find it essential to have a wrapped wick that will not only smoke, but will stay lit. Chris is an experienced candle maker & you may be better following her direction. I'm just offering that this is what I've tested for several yrs & found to be what works best for the conditions of Texas. There are MANY posts on this topic, so you may want to pour a drink & do some reading. HTH - Susan.

How would yall rate Palm Wax for throw? Better than soy, but less than paraffin? I've tried just about everything but Palm & don't find too many posts that address the throw. I'm leaning towards Glass Glow, which is described as having an 'exceptional' throw. Does that mean exceptional when compared to all waxes, or exceptional compared to other palms? Also, do most fo's work well in palm, or is it a crapshoot, like soy? Thank for any insight -- Susan.

Is this something you plan to sell, or just make for your own use? Since most Citronella's are made to smoke w/ a torch-like wick, I don't worry too much about the wax - if it's for my own use only. Kinda like firestarters - just toss in whatever you have & let 'er rip. BUT, if you plan to sell them - I'd stick w/ the quality products. Susan.

You can get them in the jewelry section of Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Susan.

I'm sure someone has a better science-type answer, but the heavier oils (which are usually darker in color) need a larger fuel source (wick) to work efficiently. There used to be a list of tested fo's that people have found to need wicking up - I've had trouble w/ Blueberry fo's, but never found Vanilla to be as much of a prob as some. Maybe I'm not maxing out the fo load. Susan.

Isn't it funny how people who know NOTHING about making a candle want to quiz us about how much fo we use, or some other part of the process. Like I would walk into a bakery & demand to know how much sugar they put in a cupcake ... & then go off about how Little Debbie uses more! They really only want to hear whatever 'right' answer the marketing gods told them is real, thank God they can hold all that info in their tiny little brains. Susan.