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On March 20, 2016 at 1:22 PM, moonshine said:

there is a market for all types of candles - I have more people around my area wanting soy because of the things they have read that it's healthier to burn etc- I started with soy and have stuck with soy because I too believed all this in my research years ago and soy fit my brand at that time that I was trying to achieve - rustic, no color candles 

I now inform all my customers that parasoy and paraffin are just as good and not any more harmful and that I am in the works of launching a parasoy line with colors - and it's like a light bulb turning on with them and they are now patiently waiting for me to get these done to try them  -it's been taking me forever with my other job and testing and keeping up with making the soy but I will get there - eventually 

 

try the USA in your soy - I use it and I don't think it does much for the throw but it really helps with making the candle a little harder and getting a better burn and try out those CD's- I love them and in 464 I had good luck with HTPS as well and 

in between play with parasoy see how you like it and IMO it is easier to deal with making them than soy - I love it and it does throw better but the issues I have because I have always worked with soy is the sooting but all testing takes tremendous time and trial and error 

resesrch your area and who you want to market to - some people are dead set on soy and others don't care so long as it smells good

 

Thanks for answering. I'm very happy to know that your customers are willing to try parasoy after being soy devotees. Very encouraging! Glad also to know you like the CDs. Since I can't afford  parasoy until the first of the month I'll go ahead and try the CDs with the soy wax and any other suggestions anyone else has because I have about 25 pounds left and not a lot to lose!

On March 20, 2016 at 1:50 PM, OldGlory said:

Maybe the problem isn't with the wax.

I know that might be possible, but  then I'm at a real loss. Unless maybe there is something about where I live. Too awful to think about!

17 hours ago, chuck_35550 said:

Clarus 3022 parasoy 70% soy and 30% paraffin. Connie's Candles offers slabs or you can contact Clarus.

Thanks for the info! I'll check them out right away. It would be great not to have to make my own blend.

On March 20, 2016 at 11:45 AM, kandlekrazy said:

What I'd suggest next instead of testing blends right away is to add Universal Soy Additive to your wax.  Of course this is only if you really would like to stick to soy.  I really am having a hard time with none of your fo having a good ht.  I use straight C3 with the Univ Soy Additive and have no problems with most scents in both candles & melts. 

 

Another thought is to be sure the fo you purchase have been tested and rated in soy wax.  Sometimes the supplier provides this info and sometimes you need to read the reviews. 

I know it can be frustrating but the initial testing takes time and a whole lot of patience with any wax, especially with candles because you need to factor that wick and flame into the equation.  I literally tested for 6 months before I found a combo I was happy with in a candle, melts were quite a bit easier and I did both at once so at least got some

satisfaction while in the testing phase.  Each new fo we all go through the same testing, just most stick to same wicks and jars so it doesn't take as long to weed out duds.

I could try the soy additive with the C3, but I tried it with 444 & it didn't help with that. I am always careful to get soy based FO. It's been frustrating  because I feel like I've tried just about everything. I've been really focused on learning all I can about hot throw and I've been trying to leave no stone unturned.  One thing I've started to wonder about though...  I ALWAYS melt the wax in the microwave and I'm thinking maybe it messes with the molecular structure of the wax? I always figured melting is melting, but now I wonder.

On March 20, 2016 at 9:45 AM, Faerywren said:

I know lot of folks use plain soy and have great results. I, however, did not. I tested and tested and never got a hot throw I was happy with. I was using soy because I believed the hype about it's eco friendliness and buyer appeal. I switched to parasoy and haven't looked back. I get results I'm happy with and my customers are, too. Ultimately, when customers buy a candle or a tart, it's supposed to smell nice. Good quality is paramount. If the candle is a dud they won't care that it was soy, just that it didn't blow the doors off with fragrance. Don't pander to what you think customers will like. Make a product that you are happy with and that you feel is the best it can be. 

 

Thank you for answering. I feel lees weird knowing that I'm not the only one that threw my heart and soul into soy and still couldn't get that hot throw.Fantastic to know you're happy with the change! Do you mix your own parasoy? 

12 minutes ago, Jcandleattic said:

I work with only paraffin, and I either sell out or close to sell out every show I go to, so it's really all in how you market and make your product more so than what it is.

Really great to know the market is there! I know that Yankee isn't soy, but I thought maybe smaller craftspeople would need to cater to soy wax lovers. I love the incredible ease of working with soy and the feel of the wax, but that paraffin hot throw is very enticing! Good to know I have options! Thank you!?

1 hour ago, kandlekrazy said:

If people didn't buy parasoy, there wouldn't be so many using it here.  I'd search and see what most are using, seems many are blending their own.

 

Also, forgot to ask if you are curing those melts before using them.  C3 takes a good week to cure, sometimes longer to get a good ht.

Whoops, I replied below without quoting you, so it's a random reply.  Sorry for any confusion. I need caffeine! ?  Sometimes I get impatient and only cure the candles for a couple of days, but I have tried to go at least a week as a rule. I have many that have cured for several weeks now. I haven't started doing melts yet, but that's my next project once I get the hot throw down. I'm glad to see you say that there are a lot of parasoy users here. That means there must be a market. Interesting to know that many blend their own. It would be nice to be able to use up this nice C3 in a blend. Oh boy, new stuff to learn! That's OK though.  I just keep telling myself that I only lose if I give up! Thanks for the info! ?

Sometimes I get impatient and only cure the candles for a couple of days, but I have tried to go at least a week as a rule. I have many that have cured for several weeks now. I haven't started doing melts yet, but that's my next project once I get the hot throw down. I'm glad to see you say that there are a lot of parasoy users here. That means there must be a market. Interesting to know that many blend their own. It would be nice to be able to use up this nice C3 in a blend. Oh boy, new stuff to learn! That's OK though.  I just keep telling myself that I only lose if I give up! Thanks for the info! ?

I'm still having big problems getting a decent hot throw with soy wax and I'm seriously considering switching to parasoy but I'm wondering if customers are OK with not pure soy in any big way? I mean, I realize a lot of people want pure soy, but are sales also healthy for parasoy? I have some new wicks coming (CDs) and maybe they will make the difference in hot throw but I'm beginning to think it's the atmosphere here in the CA high desert that's messing with the soy hot throw because I've been following advice from here that is working great for others and I can't still can't smell it in a med. bedroom until I'm about 2 feet away (burning for 1 hour). Other family members can't either. It's making me crazy! Would you recommend selling parasoy candles? Thanks! ?

Very interesting. I think it is possible that I need to get more testers outside the home. Actually, maybe I need some that are not related since we all have sinus problems! Thank you for giving me an idea of how you judge hot throw. It seems clear I have some kinks I have to work out! ?

 

On March 15, 2016 at 6:23 AM, TallTayl said:

You can definitely smell soy tin candles when burning. Some fragrances, like florals (lilac, plumeria, rose, lemon verbena), citrus/fruit blends (blood orange patchouli, cranberry, Macintosh Apple), cologny-type (oak moss Amber,) I can smell all over the house. Some are too strong to keep lit for long, actually.

 

Your testers, make sure they don't have the house fans running, like forced air heat. Your scent will get sucked out of the house through the cold air returns. 

 

One way I check a fragrance to make sure it will throw is to put a few drops in an oil or wax warmer with salt. If I get throw with half a dozen drops in the warmer, but not the candle I know the problem is not my fragrance. 

I like the idea of the warmer to test. Fantastic idea. Thank you!

On March 15, 2016 at 8:19 AM, kandlekrazy said:

If I told you where I test typically it's not like what most do.  I test all my melts  in our 9000 sq ft store.  The store is 3 stories so the scent tends to stay on the first and 2nd floor, although a few have traveled to the 3rd as my display is near the base of the first floor stairs.  If I customer comes in the front door and says wow it smells great in here, I've got a strong thrower as the display is just inside our side annex and has to travel quite far to hit the front door.  I always be sure to come in from outside and see what I think as well as my workers.  Many customers tell me they smell it on the 3rd or ask if the person in the apt on the 3rd is baking cookies (he doesn't bake or cook, lol) so I know it's the melt I'm burning.

 

I have tested at home in my bedroom which is approx 250 sq ft, my great room which is approx 600 sq ft  and if they fill the room so you really smell it when you walk in I consider them strong.  If it smells light or takes a few seconds after entering then I consider them good but a lighter fragrance (sweet pea is a good example, it's light but sells like crazy because it's a scent people like).  Now, I do test all candles at home because I don't want a burning candle to get forgotten on my display at night.  If I need to get on top of it or really close to it to even smell it then it's a dud IMO.

 

Wow, that's REALLY great hot throw! So it's really possible. Then I am absolutely doing some wrong stuff. OK, I was very tempted to switch to parasoy last night, but  I see it's worth working harder with soy if the hot throw can be that good. Now I just have to figure out what to try next. I think I'll try your technique of adding FO at 175-185 & poring slushy. Another brand of wick also. I feel like a scientist! Thank you so much for answering! ?

Hi,

 

   I'm trying to get perspective about how to judge a good hot throw in soy wax candles. I'm hoping for a little poll of opinions because I think others might be curious too.           In general, would a good hot throw be very noticeable upon walking into an average sized den where it had been burning for an hour?  Is it a good hot throw even if you don't start really smelling it until you are maybe a yard from the candle? 

17 hours ago, kandlekrazy said:

As long as it's a fo that I've tested I get a good or great HT every time.  I do carry some lighter scents that are less powerful with HT because I have

customers that don't want a strong HT but you still can smell them.

 

17 hours ago, kandlekrazy said:

As long as it's a fo that I've tested I get a good or great HT every time.  I do carry some lighter scents that are less powerful with HT because I have

customers that don't want a strong HT but you still can smell them.

What would you consider a reasonable hot throw for soy wax? Should it be noticeable upon entering a room where it's been burning for awhile?  I'm wondering if I'm expecting more than is reasonable. I think maybe I should ask everyone this question and get a sort of poll going.

17 hours ago, TallTayl said:

Specifically what scents? Not all play well with soy. And what size Eco? Size matters.

 

i get great throw with many fragrances, but it takes time and testing to find the best.

 

Soot can be an indicator of too much FO, wrong wick size, too much color, burning in drafts, etc.

I keep trying different size wicks. I've been testing 6,8 and 10. I briefly tried 14 but it was huge. As far as the Fragrances go, I've been using quite a few, but what has me the most surprised is that the Banana Cream Pie by Northstar, which has an intense cold throw and which I let cure for at least two weeks is mild when lit and the Mackintosh Apple by Candle Science which also has super cold throw is lacking in hot throw. Spruce, by CS is burning very weak, Orange chili too. I've got about 25 scents that are not cutting it. I actually thought the hot throw was maybe OK until I had my brother take some to his house to test and he noticed                                                                                                                                                                                                                             away that the old tin candles were far better. I'm glad he was honest because I want future customers to be happy, but now I feel like my weeks of work have not been very effective.  Many scents that other people say are strong in the reviews are not coming through, so it must be me. One thing I've been wondering about is what is considered a good hot throw with soy wax? Should it strongly scent an inclosed average sized den? Small bathroom? 

16 hours ago, kandlekrazy said:

I add fo between 175-185 degrees to C3.  I pour when slushy.  The only thing I can tell you about tins vs glass is tins will

burn hotter so may put off more scent.  I always underwicked tins because they scared me so my scent throw was pretty equal.

I think I'll try your technique. Do you get  consistently good hot throw?

20 hours ago, TallTayl said:

I add FO to C3 while the wax is still very clear, not slushy. 

 

What FO are you using? 

What wicks?

what size tins?

 

At this point I'm using Candle Science and Northstar FO and even though I keep being tempted to change to another brand because they are kind of sooty, I'm still using ECO wicks . I was using eight oz tins and am now using eight oz jelly jars. Do you get a good hot throw?

By the way, sorry if C3 is clickable in my post. My keyboard is having problems and the numbers won't work so I copied and pasted C3. It appears to have come through as an unintended link. Sorry for any confusion ?

Hi, 

                                           I was getting a better hot throw when I was  experimenting with 464 in tins than I'm getting with  C3 in jelly jars with eco wicks and I want to understand why the difference. I switched to C3 weeks ago because  I'll be selling online and need wax that will ship reasonably well in hot weather.  Does it make a difference to hot throw if you use tin instead of glass? C3 is super easy to work with and the cold throw is very good, but after two weeks cure the hot throw is too weak. I've been pouring the FO at a very cool temp, just before slush stage because the cold throw was better that way and I figured the hot throw would be also. Am I wrong to pour FO at such a low temp if higher temp lessens the cold throw? Is it possible to have a weak cold throw and a strong hot throw? What temp works best for you to add FO?  Sorry to ask so many questions. I really thought things were going swimmingly but if I have weak hot throw after two weeks... well I have to recognize I have not got things worked out yet. I'd be grateful for any advice . Thank you to all ?                                                                                                                    

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I'm using C3 with ECO wicks also and having trouble with the hot throw so I'm hoping somebody answers this. The wax is lovely to work with and the cold throw is great. I really want to make it work?

Thank you to all who answered. I didn't realize I could realign the margins or that I could align the labels on the template. I sure like the idea pf the Avery DesignPro with that alignment feature. Looks Like I have some studying (or purchasing)! Thank you for the good advice!

Hi,

 

  I sure hope somebody can help me figure out why my 2"x 2" square glossy jelly jar candle labels are printing just a bit off course. I've been trying to find the answer on Google but I'm not getting anywhere. They are printing too low and a bit to the left so they are running into each other. I've been using a free Word template (20 per sheet). Has anyone else had this happen? How did you solve the problem? It's time to take photos of our candles to sell online and they need labels. THANK YOU!!!!!

On March 4, 2016 at 9:22 AM, Candybee said:

Here are a few off the top of my head on the west coast:

 

Pure Fragrance Oils (CA)

Bramble Berry (WA)

MMS (Mountain Magestic Sage) (UT)

Essentials by Catalina (CA)

GenWax (CA)

Oregon Trails (OR)

Rain Shadow Labs (OR)

Oh! Well now, I'm checking those out! Thank you! ?

3 hours ago, Candybee said:

Don't know if you are going to find a true hot ginger. I have foun                                 d blends but not that fresh cut raw peppery ginger scent in any of them. The price of ginger EO is so frickin expensive right now                                  ]]

434

So manufacturers of ginger FOs have to settle for small amounts of ginger EO or use scent dupes for ginger notes. Always happens when the EO price goes sky high. Same thing with mysore sandalwood. It's about $300 an oz.  Can't find a really true sandalwood.

 

I have ginger passion from Peaks and it smells nice but sort of fruity with hints of floral in it. Haven't put it in anything yet. Bought it to try out in CP as I couldn't afford ginger EO.

 

I did finally buy some ginger EO I found at a reasonable price and its good but not quite true ginger. Close enough thou... has a nice peppery note and I can smell ginger root. Got it at Camden-Grey. going to try it in CP and blend it with lime for ginger lime. (Dont care for the ginger lime FOs so wanted to make my own!) Same thing--- the ginger in the FO wasn't up to par for me.

Oh, so that's why it's hard to find! And I'm glad you mentioned the sandalwood problem because I've had the worst time trying to find FO and none of them are even close to true sandalwood. Now I get why. I wonder if homemade ginger EO could work with soy wax? I've been tempted to try my hand at making EOs. Hmmm... now I wonder if my difficulty trying to find Black Walnut FO is due to expense                                                                                                       ,                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26 minutes ago, Becky said:

From what I remember I think I used HTP93 with that wax and jar,  but that was years ago...never had luck with those ECO's....

Thank you! I'm getting an order together and I'm grateful you answered in time for me to add wicks!