TxSioux

Yep, Dollar Tree. I've been getting them for about 2 yrs now. These are Libbey 12oz cubes. I think I have about 200 on hand, I just buy them up every time they get a shipment, but as Marcus said, you can order them online in case quantities. You need to ask the mgr at your local store for an order form, so the online site has all the info needed for proper shipment. You will be asked for the sku # & upc code, so let us know if you can't find them in stock & need that info. I think you can even fill out a tax id form, but I don't want to bother w/ the time factor ... I doubt you could buy these for $1.08 anywhere, even w/ free shipping. Susan.

Starrville is the only one I know of. I was told their High Maintenance is the exact same fo used by Tyler & it certainly smells the same -- this is one of my very best sellers. Last time I checked their website was lacking in fo descriptions ... long story about original owners reclaiming the business & putting it back on track. I'd suggest calling them. They're very helpful on the phone. I'd rate every fo I've tried from them to be very high quality & they ship in amber bottles. Susan.

Are there any suppliers carrying dupes for Root Candles? I'm not familiar w/ the line, but have someone asking for Woodland. I searched all the fo finder sites, but it's one of those random names & I can't find any supplier descriptions naming a Root Dupe. Or, is anyone familiar enough w/ this scent to suggest something close? Susan.

I do all my own 1st run testing w/ votives in a regular size bathroom (8' ceiling) & larger candles in either our MB or the LR. If I'm happy w/ the results I start passing a few around to trusted testers w/ larger rooms & higher ceilings. My Mom & I paint professionally, so I also drag candles around & test in the houses where we're painting. I know it's a real keeper when we can smell candle instead of paint! Susan.

I'm not a chemistry genius, but logic leads me to believe this guy is a typical salesman spouting off partial truths that perpetuate confusion. The flash point of the fo is a tested temp based solely on the fo by itself & a heat source. Once you add the fo to wax, you have altered the chemical properties of the two ingredients & create a more stable environment for the fo to withstand a heat source. If you follow the 'idea' of the salesman, he's basically saying the fo can't withstand a temp higher than the flashpoint & any higher temp will burn off the scent. The exact temp of a burning candle has too many variables (size, wick, wax, container), but I can guarantee you it's far hotter than any fo flashpoint. According to The Candle Cauldron, "On average, the maximum flame temperature will be about 2550 deg F." Based on what the salesman is saying, it wouldn't matter what temp we add the fo, cause the burning of the candle would destroy all scent. All I know for sure is: I add all my fo's at 180 & they work perfectly w/ my wax. I've never been satisfied w/ the results of incorporating fo at lower temps. Susan.

Actually, the 'theory' is that heat releases the scent. I always notice stronger scent during the hot months & hardly get anything during the cold months, unless I park in the sun. I gave up on aroma beads & had little luck w/ corn cob. I'm currently testing wood balls. I came up w/ a great presentation, but not getting the scent I want ... yet. From what I've read, fo's w/ high alcohol don't stand a chance, since alcohol evaporates quickly. There has to be something that helps prolong the structure of the fo when exposed to air, but I haven't found it ... yet! Susan.

I'd highly suggest a trip to Green Leaf, although Just By Nature is 'in town' & they share a lot of items - the two are owned by family members. Taylored Concepts is in a fairly popular area & has a nice showroom w/ every fo on display for sniffing, but I'm not a big fan of their fo's. AAA Candle is about a block away from TC, but they're more of an, ummm, 'old school' type of supplier. You could always overload your shopping senses at the Trade Center 'Market', the big glass suppliers have storefronts on the 1st floor & have excellent pricing, but you should check the website to make sure you can get in w/ your tax id info. BTW, be sure to sniff High Maintenance when you're at Starrville. It's the same fo Taylor Candle uses & a MAJOR seller for me. Happy shopping! Susan.

Yeah -- I'm waiting for a response, just thought someone might have given this a go. But don't think lack of information is going to keep me waiting! LOL I just can't stand it when I get an idea & want to run w/ it, so I picked up a couple paints today. The paint has to set for 24hrs before baking, so I'll probably have an answer before Libbey ever contacts me. Not to mention, one idea tends to lead to another, & I'm also tracking down a gel medium to transfer copies (like my logo) directly to glass. Susan.

Either I'm using the wrong search words, or the info I'm looking for isn't available. Does anyone know how to find the maximum temp Libbey glassware can be heated. I'm interested in using Pebeo glass paint. It requires being baked in the oven at 325 for 40 mins. to set the paint permanently & make it dishwasher safe. The site shows candleholders in their demo & I feel like this will work, but just looking for some stats. Susan.

I've never been to Cat Spring, but I'm familiar w/ the area. My husband's a drummer & I occasionally book bands, so we've seen the inside of a LOT of Tx dancehalls! I really love the dying tradition of small towns & dancehalls, so the themed concept really draws me in. If I were you, I'd market to some of the famous dancehalls, or shops nearby. Gruene, Luckenbach & Floore's are dancehall meccas. People drop ridiculous money for anything they sell. You've hit a unique niche that could generate a nice income! Good luck! Susan.

I really like the new logo. I think it needs a little tweaking to make candles more legible, but plays well into the direction you want take things. The old logo is too generic & looks like stock clip-art. Cat Spring is a wonderful part of Tx, rich in the German culture & loaded w/ all those historic dancehalls. Your website & products will really stand out & look super professional w/ the new marketing theme. You should have a scent called Texas Dancehall! I sell lots of Yellow Rose of Texas & Texas Blue Bonnets. Susan.

Seems like they would confirm, if that's what you're looking for to place an order. I hate all the tiptoe politics on supplier owned boards, but sounds like you've opened something they don't want to make an issue of. I usually get mine at Michael's. They send email coupons & run newspaper coupons for 50% of entire orders. They stock Libbey & I either stock up on sale or use the coupons. I do know Hobby Lobby & JoAnn's sell the thinner Mexico glass. Susan.

I also have this one from GL, but I haven't put it in wax yet. It's a lovely scent, but oob I have a hard time believing this will have super strong throw, but you just can't judge oob. It's soft & powdery w/ full notes, the kind of scent you just keep breathing deeper to try & get more. I've been working on a new wax/wick combo, so didn't want to waste any of my new fo's till I get things worked out. GL lists this as a BBW dupe. Susan.

I agree w/ you, Chris -- the 'true' scents are distinctive. I was trying to say that most of these florals are not represented very well by most suppliers & it takes a lot of sampling to find the ones that have the intoxicating notes that make a scent stand out. I've smelled many wonderful Jasmine candles, but I've yet to find one that sets my world on fire. Susan.

It's a great idea, but copyright law was my 1st thought, too. I have a friend that owns a huge liquor store & I'm always drawn to the beautiful & clever labels ... especially in the Wine room. It takes a little practice to get the hang of cutting glass, but you can get a good bottle cutter for under $40. -- so maybe you can REALLY combine your fav things & make a few of these on your own for Christmas. Susan.

Obviously, everyone has different opinions, since this topic comes up fairly frequently. I think the point was that you need to consider how another person may feel about giving up that information. It never hurts to ask. I know people that refuse to tell anyone their food recipes or where they buy clothes ... kinda wiggy to me, but hey, that's their deal. I'm happy to share all kinds of info here, but less receptive when it's a question from direct competition in my backyard. Another thing to consider, you asked a question that no regular customer would usually ask. So, you may have come off as being deceptive to that person. I would have introduced myself as a fellow candlemaker, talked shop to break the ice & then politely asked if they would be willing to share the supplier w/ me. If they say no, then so be it, but at least it doesn't seem like you're trying to be sneaky. This is why a lot of people rename their scents. I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong, just offering the flip side. Susan.

There are some Jasmine's that have a unique, lovely note, but for the most part, I've found Jasmine to be an almost generic floral. I've had Hyacinth, Gardenia & Blue Bonnet that could easily pass. Don't get me wrong -- they're all nice fo's, but unlabeled, I seriously doubt too many people could identify which is which. Susan.

Save on Scents carries it http://www.saveonscents.com/product_...oducts_id/1030

I like Appleberry Oak. I always prefer to use or change a name based on how it works w/ my packaging, concept & target buyer. Hillbilly Homebrew wouldn't make the cut for me, but I bet it's a great seller for the country craft crowd. I've never passed on a candle based on the name (cause I usually remove the label), but I will pass on a candle based on the container. I know that's pretty stupid, but I just can't handle a mason jar, no matter how great the candle is. Just goes to show you can't please everybody, so you better please yourself! Susan.

I absolutely love your name, logo & fonts. There's 'something' about the whole presentation that looks a little plain, but I just can't put my finger on it. The only thing I keep thinking of is maybe adding a box frame to keep the logo from just floating around. Maybe that's how you want it to look, but I find it a bit distracting from a graphic layout perspective. It's just such an excellent logo that seems like it should be upscale, but the presentation seems more small town crafty. OK, I'll shut up before you hate me! Susan.

Save on Scents in NY always seems to have the most dupes, so I checked for ya. I almost missed it, cause they have it listed as Narcisse Chloe. Here's the link: http://www.saveonscents.com/product_info.php/products_id/2460 I haven't bought from them in a few yrs, so let us know how it compares. Susan. ETA -- just saw that you already found it! DOH

I don't know of 7-up fo's, but have an opinion on TC. I've been to the storefront & sniffed bottles till I literally had a headache! In all fairness, sniffing oob isn't an accurate comparison to putting fo in wax, but too many of their fo's had a very similar chemical like smell. I've heard others say the same thing -- it's like most of them have the same off note that just makes the scent wrong. One of my all time favs comes from them (Peppermint Creme) & I've found several I really like, so it's just hit or miss w/ what you find appealing. They will price match suppliers in the Dallas area, so you might try getting some sample sizes at a price better than what their site shows. Susan.

It would take a WHOLE lot of self-control, but I would hit delete asap. Everything in me would want to address this idiot & call them out, but I think that's called 'taking the bait.' Although, if I were to respond: Dear Phantom Burner -- Nothing in your correspondence indicates we have ever met, nor that you have ever purchased one of my candles. This begs me to question: Why on earth are you writing to me? What problem am I expected to solve? What is a refrig cooler ... & how does it lead to a garbage can fire? Actually, what the hell is a garbage can fire? Why are you cleaning up outside? How do you know my candles smell great, yet you don't know how I contain them? What is your motive? What is the name of your Insurance Agent? And, oh yeah ... who the hell are you? In America we don't buy the extra vowels, so I can't really help with your love of odours. I've never sent any of my candles across the pond, so I know your issue isn't with me. You say you'll never light another candle ... so, again, I find myself quite confused by our conversation. You ask me to share my secrets for a candle that's "ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT QUESTION, SAFE." Let's face it, Granny, as long as there is one single person on this earth who shares your DNA, this probably isn't possible. Since you possess the minimal skills of effective communication, I have to make the sweeping assumption that you also have little ability to comprehend the written word. Please note, that would include our intriguing correspondence AND the instructions for proper burning techniques included with all reputable candles priced over one dollar. If you don't have enough common sense to burn a candle properly or take responsibility for your own actions, then you really need 24-hour supervision to prevent you from lighting the pretty flame. I hate to be the harsh bearer of reality, but since you sought me out ... you're an idiot. Unfortunately, there's nothing anyone can do to make the world a safer place when people like you exist without the basic skills of functional intelligence. P.S. -- Good luck with that new insurance policy.

Ginger -- you can use Polysorbate 80 or 20 to get the water & oil to blend. It's been a couple yrs since I did this, but I think the general suggested use is equal amounts of Polysorbate & fo. It's an emulsifier & works like a dream -- no more separated oils in your spray. I'm lazy, so I prefer to use cyclomethicone as a base for all my sprays. BTW, we're having a bigger problem this yr w/ those huge, biting flies. Is there a blend to keep those bad boys at bay? Susan.

I've never made a spray, but for candles I mix an equal ratio of Citronella, Lavender & Lemongrass. Everyone thinks it smells great. Susan.