TxSioux

I've spent many yrs trying to accurately explain the logic of 'less is more' ... & I wish I had a dime for every blank stare or condescending smile I've received! Here's the closest thing I've come to an 'ah-ha moment' ... after a short explanation about fragrance load <insert blank stare here>, I ask if they like salt. Yes, salt is good! We agree that salt is an amazing flavor boost. What would McDonald's fries be without that perfect blend of salt? <insert warm-fuzzy smile here> I then tell them that fragrance is like salt ... the recipe has already been perfected, but what would those fries taste like if someone decided to double the salt! Everything has a limit, & once you exceed the limit, you ruin it. So, either a candle has been ruined by someone who tries to exceed one part of the recipe ... or they're lying about the ingredients. You can't double (or triple - LOL) one part without upsetting the final result. If they still don't get it ... suggest they call their Insurance Agent to discuss doubling their fire coverage, cause more is better! Susan.

I was thinking of a hippie-type patchouli or sandalwood scent for John & Yoko. And, Lady & The Tramp made me think of a grass & dirt blend. Not sure where you're going w/ this, but it's fun playing! Susan.

How about: Sonny & Cher Lady & The Tramp Raggedy Ann & Andy Mickey & Minnie Mouse Roy Rogers & Dale Evans George Burns & Gracie Allen Lucy & Ricky Rob & Laura Lil Abner & Daisy Mae Katherine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy Annette Funicello & Frankie Avelon Blondie & Dagwood Sam & Diane Luke & Laura Samson & Delilah John & Yoko Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Jack & Jill Mork & Mindy Tarzan & Jane I'm tapped, but sure I'll think of one more as soon as I hit 'submit'. Susan.

The Jar Store has a permanent storefront at Dallas Market & a warehouse for local pickup - you might want to look into that. Susan.

So sorry to hear this, Carole. I didn't pour a single candle last yr, but ready to test some new waxes & get back at it. The economy is so scary. Are you still doing a lot of fundraisers? My prayers are w/ you. Susan.

You may have to snake the line. You can hire someone, or go to a rental place & do it yourself. After a few yrs of candle making I discovered that: soy wax may be water soluble in theory, but even a small amount here & there REALLY builds up & it's better to toss eggshells in the trash than send them through the garbage disposal! My husband still hasn't recovered from our snaking experience - LOL. It's a wonder any of our neighbors still speak to us, cause he was inventing new combinations of cuss words while he was on the roof. He finally produced a nasty glob of (mostly) wax & eggshells. God, I hope we never have to do that again! Good luck - Susan.

I checked w/ Clarus 2 wks ago when I heard their wax was what GL had been selling. I was told it wasn't. They had (at one time) sold GL some wax used to create the GL blend. The Clarus 70/30 is not the GL wax, but would be a comparable replacement. I got a call from Brad Ford, but haven't yet called him back. I have a direct number for him, if that would help. Susan.

Usually, the *idea* of a citronella candle is to create smoke to put out as much scent as possible & create a larger barrier from bugs. The easiest way to create smoke is to twist several wicks together to create a large flame & smoke. Keep in mind that large flame will also generate a lot more heat on the container. I took a look at your frog & it's a large container - 16oz, I think. I'd be willing to give it a try for my own use, but keep in mind you run the risk of cracking the container, especially when you're near the end of the burn. Ceramic is generally not a stable choice for containers ... just too many variables. If you're just really attached to that container, then I'd suggest you wick it as normal & not expect it to do more than be decorative. As far as selling it as a citronella ... I wouldn't. There's a reason you usually see citronella's poured in metal or terra cotta type containers. Even with warnings, people would expect a lot more durability in an outdoor candle. Also consider what might happen if water came in contact w/ that hot container -- that bad-boy is going to break! Food for thought -- Susan.

Are you looking for a certain theme? That might help you get some better answers. Burning Love Light My Fire Happy Camper Campfire Memories Year Round Fire I think these scents are highly underrated - I especially love the scent of pinion & campfire. We don't get to New Mexico like we used to & I so love the scent of the native NM pinion wood burning. I've heard others say the same about different native wood scents mixed w/ a campfire fo. You could also come up w/ catchy names that relate to particular States - think about your local park or lake destinations - anything sentimental to your area that relates to camping out or romantic getaway. HTH - Susan.

I have some fo's that are at least 5 yrs old & are still perfect, so having one turn like that would really make me mad. Then, add crappy customer service to the list & it's game on! I'd send them a final email to let them know I had no option but warn other customers of their inexcusable business standards & will also be filing a complaint w/ the BBB. It may push them to do what they should have done a long time ago, but either way, I'd never order from them again. Susan.

I was also going to suggest vinegar, it's the best neutralizer I know of & I can't see how it would compromise the silicone in any way. Also, it's a nice thought to think asking about smoke/pet free sellers would get you an honest answer. If someone really wants to move something, I doubt they're going to let that question kill a sale - especially after reading all the recent bad deals from the classifieds. It's really sad to hear that people can't even wipe something down before they send it off - God forbid they actually clean it! <sigh> Susan.

I very seldom like florals, but Plumeria is my fav scent, so I always keep it. Pear is another fav of mine, but isn't a great seller unless it's mixed w/ something. Straw/Kiwi always seems to sell steady. Juniper Breeze seems to go in spurts, but it's a great scent. You're right though, it's always a roll of the dice figuring out what will sell. That's why I very rarely go out on a limb w/ a scent that doesn't appeal to me, or hasn't been requested. Susan.

Here ya go: http://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/candlecontainers/lidsandcovers/plasticcovers.html

I forgot how pretty that wax is - you did a great job. How is that wax to work with? Susan.

Actually, you could rename this one anything in the world & it would be more accurate than the marketing ploy of the name & pic of the tropical Bird of Paradise flower. In reality, the tropical BOP flower does NOT have any scent. So, I especially love seeing a scent description that says: smells just like the flower. ROFL! Uh, so your candle has no scent?? What about just calling it Paradise? Or ... to amuse yourself, how about Private Paradise? Susan.

I agree w/ Top - every label I've seen is usually worded to recommend a burntime of no more than 3-4 hrs. We can't control what people do, but it's certainly best to cya & have the proper warnings. Susan.

Is the whole piece sticky, or just the piece that wraps the container? I *think* LoneStar also sells a plastic formed lid to fit that cube container. It's listed under container lids. Susan.

I test all my candles both ways - power burn & intervals. The time always works out pretty close on both type burns. In the real world, I'm more concerned about the person that burns for short periods of time, doesn't get a full mp & screws up the 'memory' of the wax. Once you create a tunnel it's going against the odds that the wick will catch-up & use all the hang-up wax. On the other hand, power burns can create scary hot containers, wild mushrooms, & wicks that fall over in a deep mp. I use zinc wicks, so they always stand up, but can mushroom badly. I guess what we're all saying is ... every action has an equal & opposite reaction. You have to test completely to reach a happy medium, cause we sure can't control the overwhelming amount of stupid in the world! HTH -- Susan.

<sigh> Got my sample packs from Peak & they threw in a freebie ... anyone want to guess what it is!?! LOL What are the odds? They sell something like 150 scents & I get the ONE fo that I really hate ... Love Spell. I'll be passing this one on to a fellow candle maker. Susan.

Count me in ... I'm not going to send an email or call to get a description, I'm going to another site. Sure, we all know what Vanilla smells like, but what about those catchy names that don't tell us anything, or all the blends. Very irritating. Susan.

Unless I missed something ... Ashley never called anyone by name, but thanks for clearing up the mystery! I thought she was very polite in her description, but you sure rolled in w/ guns blazing. Hmmm. Susan.

I know that too much dye or really old, thickened dye can clog a wick. I've had bad fo's that just wouldn't burn, I later found out a supplier (closed now) was diluting their oils. I've had a bad batch of wicks that I suspect were exposed to water or at least enough humidity to make them useless. I ordered from Cajun right after Katrina & none of those wicks would burn correctly. So, there's quite a list of what could be wrong, but I haven't ever had additives ruin a burn. I've used psa, ua, coconut oil & beeswax in various combos w/o problem. Do you have more details about what you're experiencing? Susan.

Could be Jackel http://www.jackelus.com/ Susan.

It's just so sickening sweet - I hate it. I have a very small amount left, so I'm going to pour it up & put it on the NEVER AGAIN list! There are 3 scents that I totally hate, but will pour because they're so popular, but this isn't one of them! It has to be a real power-seller to make me keep pouring something I hate this much! Susan.

How tacky. Doesn't that just make you want to clap-off the lights & curl up in your snuggie! I'd never buy it. Susan.