katinka

Thank you for the lovely compliments everyone! It is Cape Chamomile scented and has calendula in it. I got both Calendula and Chamomile from Camden Grey, but the calendula was soooo much nicer.

I do 1lbs batches for testing purposes only - testing new FO or recipe. I figure if it is going to be soap on a stick, rather 1 lbs of it than more. I have a scale going down to 1g so I can measure pretty accurately. Also, in the case of lye I round down, i.e. if it works out to be 64.6g of lye, I work it down to 64g. For water and oils I round up. As long as you stick to about 4 oils/butters in total it shouldn't be too hard. Just make sure you ran the smaller batch through a lye calc, don't just decrease the big recipe as you are working in small measurements.

HTH

They are charming rustic soaps. I've never done a rebatch looks that pretty.

Ahhh, thank you so much - that was just what I needed. I want to donate them for the next CT fundraiser but I wasn't sure if anyone would want them!

yup - also banned from the kitchen here... in fact banned from the house entirely... don't ask, its a painful subject and I am starting to hate my garage...

There is a thread on here somewhere on temp variance between different brands of candle warmers. Apparently some can get too hot and this is probably when it could happen. Maybe soy would be more prone to "explosions" because it is basically a solidified oil being heated? Don't know - sometimes people exaggerate - could just be weak glass...

Maybe it is just a general disclaimer the company is using to safe guard against being sued? Doesn't really make sense otherwise.

When I test I don't used a tabbed wick. That way I can easily remove a wick and wick up or down depending on the type of burn I get. I obviously monitor them closely wanting to see how they burn so safety isn' really an issue - besides, the wick mostly falls over by the time it is about 3/4 inch long and extinguishes itself in the wax at the end of the burn.

HTH

I have found with certain FO's if I stir too much just before pouring I get tiny bubbles like these. Also try tapping your mold a bit after pouring to release trapped air and don't pour too cool - I find the cooler I pour the worse it gets.

HTH

Thanks everyone for the comments. I don't sell yet either - but even to give away I won't tolerate creases and that's that. I have tried freezer paper over garbage bags and that seems to work better but my ultimate is still to order a mold for the USA, like a Misty Creek or a Kelsei or something...

Thanks!

Those really look lovely - really "handmade" and thats a compliment!!!

Thanks for the inspiration - off to go and investigate CPHP!

Have a look in the recipe sections for Bunny's Bath Melts - I am reasonably sure you can sub some of the cocoa butter for mango and they are dead easy to make and really lovely!

HTH

Wow, those REALLY don't look like they have been rebatched - congrats, you have a new admirer!!!

I am too perfectionistic and could not bear the sight of them so I rebatched them anyway (pic in the gallery) and now they look much better - kinda like a rustic soap, GWIM? And no, the calendula petals did not turn black (yet) - don't think they will either...

Hope this is useful to someone else!

Okay, so the Cape Chamomile soaps for the Candletech fundraiser swop was a total flop so I rebatched them - and now kinda like them better this way (but maybe that's just me). So whatcha think - would you want them?

Thanks, not in a hurry lol theyre just hanging around ok ya my jokes are dry lol.

Dry or not, it made me smile:rolleyes2 . Here you go - did a close-up of the beaded thingie for you too - I think I mentioned she puts a drop or two FO or EO on it to make it smell nice.

HTH, Katinka

Okay, so I made about four batches yesterday with an EO that accelerated trace so it was already setting when I scooped it into my log molds. So now they have folds on the side and I am thinking rebatching.

Only question - they had calendula petals on the top. Would my petals turn black when I rebatch and would the folds/ creases bother you as it does me?

TIA

Katinka

Read up a bit on wetspots - there are lots of threads on them. I am not familiar with your wax but make sure you follow manufacturers instructions on pouring temps, because too high pouring temps could be the cause. Also heat your containers before pouring and allow them to cool very slowly, either by putting them in a oven that has been turned off and is still cooling or by putting a cardboard box over them.

HTH, Katinka

Sorry - haven't been on here for a couple of days and have to shoot of again in 15min. Will take you a pic tomorrow morning and pm you, okay?

and, how did it turn out?

I was only echoing the point of everyone else here...or most... that just because it costs so much doesn't mean it is worth it... or very great or even good at all. Not saying it ISN'T... please understand....only that the price alone doesn't tell you anything and that when someone raves about something they should know WHY it's so great. That's all I meant to say. Because if people knew what makes a candle great all you sellers of home crafted candles would be a lot richer.

Point taken - and it is a good one. I am just saying we are quick to think that these companies don't make the quality candles we do (and I am just as guilty of that) but that just simply might not be the case - and (at least in my case) smacks of a bit of professional jealousy.

They might be candlemakers just like you or me who simply had the guts to contact Opera. I often have those ideas, but following through on it takes a lot of guts. So I say "good for them"!

My apologies - so used to working in inches on here I have stopped working in centimeters a long time ago. The LX 28 and 30 would definitely to big for 6 cm. My gut says for my wax, 22 or 24, but in your place I would try the 21. The 12 would definitely be too small, it is tiny.

HTH

Katinka

Also have a look at www.entrepreneur.com. Lots and lots of useful business info on their, including sales and marketing advice.

Thats IT!!! I have had it - I am packing my bags and crossing the pond too!

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Okay, not that I got all the jealousy out of my system - wishfull thinking:cry2:

At what temp did you pour? I find to get nice frost I have to wait until the wax is so cool it turns milky - works like a charm everytime!

I don't think there is anything to reverse the effect of stearic as such. I would add 50% paraffin to it and make votives or 30% and make uncolored wax melts so at least it isn't a total waste. But use for containers, don't think so... sorry, it is miserable when things like that happen!