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Hi,

   I've been using Eco wicks (tried ECO 6, 10 & 14) for my 8oz jelly jar candles (C3 wax) but I really don't like the smell of the burned wick and in some cases the wick seems to have altered the candle scent once burned (CS Blueberry changed from nice to nasty after the first burn and I think it's the wick). I've considered making a change before  but hesitated since maybe it's going to be a big deal, but I think it's timeI give another brand a try. I would very much appreciate any recommendations for a good size and brand wick for 8 oz jelly jar  soy candle. Thanks!!!!!!!!! ?

Hi,

     Has anyone here found a good hot ginger FO? Bitter Creek crushed ginger and CS ginger saffron are way too mild. I'm looking for the scent of candied ginger or fresh cut ginger root (not a gingerbread scent). Thanks for any info!  ?

1 hour ago, Just2BHappy said:

I know there's GenWax in North Hollywood. I'm a newbie, but I'm also in California and bemoan the lack of suppliers in our area just like you do! I've never ordered from GenWax, but I've heard good things on this forum about two of their FOs, that I can remember: Watermelon and Juicy Bits of Orange. I don't know if they have the ones you're looking for, or if they're any good if they do. (They have 2 websites, GenWax sells actually candles, but there's a link on GenWax that leads to their supplies site.)

 

There's another supplier in Glendora, I think, Cal Candle. I haven't ordered from them either; neither supplier has the waxes that I want to use.

 

I've done google search after google search trying to find some "hidden" or "secret" supplier of wax or FO in SoCal, with no luck. Candlescience has the best shipping I've found, so far. I hope someone here can help us Cali folks!

Actually I have ordered from GenWax and bless them, they have C3 wax that has low shipping & is on the doorstep incredibly quickly! I've only tried one of their scents (Jade Lotus which I really am not fond of) because most of their's don't come in actual sample size ($4-$7 is cheapest) & only 23 soy friendly scents. I think I'll check out the place in Glendora tho. My brother lives in Covina so he could walk in and buy what I need. Thanks for the info!

Hi,

   Is there a reasonably up to date list of candle FO suppliers on the west coast of the US anywhere? I've only found very incomplete/older seeming references. What I'm after is finding  the lowest shipping to California. I buy  a lot from CS and love the low shipping, & I buy from a few other suppliers that are out of the area but they charge a bundle for shipping even sample sizes. I need a nice green tea & a strong ginger without paying $10-$16 shipping for 2 sample sizes just to find out if I like them! Thanks much for  any info! ?

8 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

You can do it. It takes time to find your voice, but it can be done. 

 

I love my online shops. 

Really? Oh, THANK YOU! It doesn't take a lot to encourage me but some days it makes ALL the difference! Is it OK to ask to see some of them? Not to copy anything! If not, I absolutely understand! ❤️

Hi,

  I see that there is a discussion about selling online from late January, but it was kind of discouraging since it was either going slow for those in discussion or being a major hassle to get a customer base.  My question: is anyone having a good experience selling candles online?  Making a profit? I have to sell online due to weird health (narcolepsy- I have a history of falling hopelessly asleep while manning show booths and can only drive locally). I really need some encouragement if anyone has any to give! Thanks! ??

I sure hope this doesn't have a negative impact! It really does seem they have little evidence. I'm incredibly sensitive to pollutants, perfumes and nearly all cleaners and smoke too, but candle fragrance oils (and our burning soy candles) don't bother me at all . I have to think that means something. 

On February 25, 2016 at 0:01 PM, dandytea88 said:

Ones that came to my mind is Aztec's Gummy Bears and Bitter Creek's Gummy Bears. They aren't my favorites, only because they're (to me) big the sweet citrus note so they would probably work great for lime or orange jello If you want something IMHO that's more fresh and citrus(y) with less sweetness I'd go with the scent Fruit Slices.

Yes, it makes so much sense to go with gummy bears. I really should have thought of it. Fresh fruit slices is another good possibility. Thanks! I can hardly wait to get some orders off at the first of the month 

On February 25, 2016 at 8:36 AM, Becky said:

NG Gummy Bears comes to mind...

Hey now! That sounds like a good try! Makes sense! Thanks for the idea!

On February 25, 2016 at 7:50 AM, Siren12 said:

She was referring to if we want out final products to be vegan ( which didn't ask about jus the cruelty aspect) vegans wont eat or use any animal products/ anthing made by animals. paraffin is made out of/has animal fat in it I believe, and bees wax is taken from the bees and vegans don't want any animal by products. 

Edited: Looked up paraffin wax and Wikipedia says that paraffin is a oil based/ petroleum product which basically comes back to animals because oil is from fossils/ animal/ plant decay.

And if the vegan really wants to take it that far they may as well not buy any candles or drive cars because transportation is run buy oil and gas...

I'm vegan and I wouldn't go that far back! Yikes, couldn't live on Earth!  I really think it's a health question. You know... vegans being thought of as health conscious. But then there are junk food vegans like me! 

On February 25, 2016 at 7:32 AM, chuck_35550 said:

Why would you want to avoid paraffin, beeswax and dyes? Dyes have a paraffin base? Does Shelley mean avoid these products because they've been tested on animals? There was some kind of cruelty involved in the taking of wax? So they put a rat in a room with a lit paraffin candle and fed them beeswax and candle dye? I'm confused.

I think they were anticipating other questions that might be asked by people who are concerned about animal testing, since many of us are vegan ( no beeswax) and may be health conscious ( some folks think paraffin is toxic). At this point I really don't know if paraffin is still considered toxic. It isn't, it it?

On February 25, 2016 at 7:13 AM, Siren12 said:

I asked candle science because I was curious, they responded right away. Here is their response:

 

CandleScience Support (CandleScience Support) Feb 25, 9:25 AM Good morning, Brigit: Thank you for sending along your question! All of our soy waxes and fragrances are considered vegan-friendly, and none of our products have been tested on animals. If you're looking at some of the other products we carry, you may want to avoid paraffin, beeswax, and dyes (many of which have a paraffin base). I hope this information helps! Let us know if you have additional questions. All the best, Shelley CandleScience Support

Wow, Massive relief! Thank you for contacting them! CS is where I get a lot of my stuff because the jelly jars, FOs  & postage to California are very low cost and I was having a hard time getting up my nerve to contact them (if they did test on animals weeks of testing with CS products would be wasted). You and CS have made my day brighter! Thanks! 

On February 25, 2016 at 7:13 AM, Siren12 said:

I asked candle science because I was curious, they responded right away. Here is their response:

 

CandleScience Support (CandleScience Support) Feb 25, 9:25 AM Good morning, Brigit: Thank you for sending along your question! All of our soy waxes and fragrances are considered vegan-friendly, and none of our products have been tested on animals. If you're looking at some of the other products we carry, you may want to avoid paraffin, beeswax, and dyes (many of which have a paraffin base). I hope this information helps! Let us know if you have additional questions. All the best, Shelley CandleScience Support

and

Hi,

   Has anyone here run across a FO that smells just like Jello? Any of the classic Jello flavors like lime, orange or cherry are OK, I just need one flavor scent for a project. Thanks to all! 

4 hours ago, AL83 said:

I know Nature's Gardens, Elements Bath & Body, Lonestar, BrambleBerry, and SaveOnScents do not test on animals. They all state so on their respective websites. 

Thank you,that's wonderful to know! 

15 hours ago, moonshine said:

Plastic or paper cups will leak- the FO Will start to eat thru it - maybe not if you work real fast but I recommend you weigh your FO in the pour pot your using and then add the wax when it's at the right temperature- 1 pot - 1 mess and paper towel gets the pot clean enough the little bit of odor will not transfer on to the next scent 

I used to use little glass measure cups like a shot glass but realized why the need....just use the pour pot your wax is going into unless for some reason your adding FO at a really low temp but I always just heat my wax to 185 and by the time it pours into the pour pot with FO the temp is more like 170.....it's worked great for me 

I just realized you said paper leaks too.Ugh!  I do add the FO at a low temp so I think I'll look into little shot glasses. Thanks!

14 hours ago, moonshine said:

Plastic or paper cups will leak- the FO Will start to eat thru it - maybe not if you work real fast but I recommend you weigh your FO in the pour pot your using and then add the wax when it's at the right temperature- 1 pot - 1 mess and paper towel gets the pot clean enough the little bit of odor will not transfer on to the next scent 

I used to use little glass measure cups like a shot glass but realized why the need....just use the pour pot your wax is going into unless for some reason your adding FO at a really low temp but I always just heat my wax to 185 and by the time it pours into the pour pot with FO the temp is more like 170.....it's worked great for me 

Yep, I found out how the FO eats thru the plastic cup! I used one and picked it up a few minutes later but the bottom of the cup had come off & stayed on the desk. I just got a thing of tiny Dixie cups to try instead. 

Hi,

    I noticed that Rustic Escentuals lists all the FOs I looked at there as being cruelty free. This brings up a new thought for me. I never buy makeup unless it's cruelty free but somehow I presumed candle fos would not be tested on animals. Does anyone here know if they ever are? Thanks!

 There are lots I like, but so far my biggest faves are:

                 Coriander Tonka from CS

                 Carmel Corn from CS

                 Buttered Rum  from CS

                 Banana Cream Pie  from Northstar

                 Nag Champa from Northstar

      Least liked: 

                     Leather from CS

                     Whisky from CS

                     Marshmallow from Bittercreek

                     Sandalwood from Bittercreek 

1 hour ago, TallTayl said:

Heat gun or embossing gun. The hair dryer goes not get as hot and throws way more air which, IME, moves the wax around an awful lot. 

Oh, OK. Then if the wax gets moved around that settles it. I'll go for  the heat gun. Thank you!

On February 22, 2016 at 5:40 PM, kandlekrazy said:

If you're using them just to mix your own blends why not switch to the disposable pipettes?  They work great, have the measurements on them,

are made of a plastic that you could possibly reuse and write the fo name right on the bulb.  I always threw them away after blending my eo's.

Cheap at science supply stores online.

I guess that might be a good idea for the testing phase. Thanks!

On February 22, 2016 at 7:17 AM, Candybee said:

Two things, first, use paper towels. You don't need to rewash and rewash the spoon everytime you use a new FO. Paper towels will work just fine. Then you end up only having to wash the spoon once, when you are finished.

 

Having said that, the second thing is you really should be using a scale to weigh out your FO. FOs need to be used by weight and not volume. Volume measuring is not accurate and will get worse exponentially with the more candles you make.

So, just wiping them dry with the paper towels gets rid of the old scent enough? I imagined it would cling. That would make it much easier for the testing phase where I'm only doing a couple of candles. Boy, so I have to weigh when I produce to sell...  Erg... What do you use for containers to weigh in? Any reason not to use plastic cups? 

On February 22, 2016 at 5:37 PM, PalmettoWaxWorks said:

You should be using a scale and measuring by weight not volume.  Different fragrance oils have different densities, so 1 tablespoon of Vanilla is going to weigh more than 1 tablespoon of a citrus. 

Really? I had no idea! Very interesting info Thanks!

Hi,

    It's obvious that I need to get something to melt off the wax drips from the rims of my jelly jar container candles before I can sell them. I've read that some people use blow dryers, but most seem to use heat guns. Is there a big difference? 

Weird question here... I was looking for Black Walnut FO at Northstar & found a description for Black Walnut but it was called "Basil". It's clear there is a mixup on the site, but I took a chance & ordered the sample bottle hoping it would really be black walnut. Now that I have it I can't tell if it's really Basil as it says on the label or Black Walnut. If it's Black walnut then it's more the hull and tree scent than the nut, but it's equally possible it's Basil. I never dreamed I'd have a hard time figuring this out! Has anyone else bought "Basil" from them? What do you think the scent really is?

15 minutes ago, AL83 said:

Horticulturalists LOVE this candle. I have many friends that love gardening and they always request this candle from me. 

Glad to know it's popular. I have to try it!