wthomas57

50 minutes ago, Moonstar said:

If you've recently bought 6006 wax have you noticed any issues with HT ? Ive read on here and on a few reviews from suppliers that the HT isn't as good ? Id appreciate your thoughts on this .

I buy mine from both Candle Science and Lonestar. I haven't noticed issues with either to this point. 

Sometimes I have a harder time noticing scent, but that is from candle nose more than anything ya know. I am around fragrance so much that you get used to it. So I usually ask someone else or put it in a room I am not around and then go check periodically. Its always better than I think it is.

I will say that I have no issues with 6006 and certain fragrance. Generally if I find a weak fragrance, then its weak in any wax I use.  I really love using 3022, maybe more than 6006... but I find it less forgiving on Fragrances. Ill have more fragrance issues with 3022 than I do 6006.. more so the more I use each. 

23 minutes ago, ScentedPleasurez said:

I do not think that @wthomas57 was being rude to you at all for your comment. I believe they thought it was a surprise that you found 6006 to be messy, and I to wouldn't think 6006 was messy compared to the 4627 which I use. Everyone has their own opinions on what messy is I suppose 4627 takes that title by landslide but I love it😂😂

Correct, I didn't mean anything rude by it at all. I was honestly thinking they may have been confusing it with another wax as 6006 I wouldn't consider messy. Thanks for having my back. :)

Yah, I could care less about the color of candles... but hands down, customers prefer color. Its not even close. Especially around holidays. 

Someone mentioned they dont like the cost of coloring (dont remember who), but there is VERY little cost.... I mean, pennies per candle if that. A few drops of color cost nothing.

I think the most any candle has cost me in color was still under 10 cents and that was to get a true red or black. The worst part about color is having to deal with the color, lol. But you get used to it. Its not that I dont sell any that are non-colored. But colored sells about 20-1 for me now over the long run. Actually its much higher than that. The 20 to 1 ration included scents that make sense to be white or creamy with no color. So, those are non colored anyways. All in all, I will sell 0 blue spruce that are off-white while selling 50 that are colored. 

9 minutes ago, katmeltswax said:

I had no idea the prepaids could lock .Do you mind sharing on how to do this ? This is great !

I use prepaid only for all orders now  & spend out the remaining balance to avoid any hacking kwim.

It would be nice to lock the card after each purchase .

It is frustrating having to pay $4 each time I load the $ to place my orders ,as I am afraid to keep any balance on the card between each use kwim.

I have only had a issue with hacking thru Aztec ,other suppliers have been fine .

I use prepaid with all suppliers now out of fear of getting hacked .

I don't use prepaids so not sure. I use a business credit card for my inventory and material purchases. 

And, by the way.. Aztec was one of the ones I had issue with as well. Which is a bummer because I like them.

9 hours ago, FB157 said:

Just looked at the Clarus website and saw that the 6006 alternative was the 3020 blend. Have you tried this one?

I have a sample of it but haven't tried it. For me I chose 3022 as a more soy based option than 6006. Its hard for me to leave 6006 for something similar that I already

know so well. But would love to hear some feedback on it.

On 3/26/2018 at 9:01 AM, ellajoan said:

This is the 5th time in the last year that our credit card or debit card has been hacked.  We are certain it is happening from one of our Candle Suppliers, as we only used both the Credit and Debit Cards to order candle supplies from our business accounts.  I am beyond frustrated! 

 

I have contacted the company who we believe is the culprit (my guess is they have an unsecure website and don't realize it, OR they have a shady employee).  The first time they told me it was the Equifax leak (which was a LONG time ago), and the second time I got no response at all.  I am extra annoyed b/c I rely on this particular company for our lids--can't find them anywhere else.  Again, not certain it's them, but the process of elimination in our orders gives us a pretty good guess.

 

Has anyone else had a similar experience with their info being hacked?  I am tired of hearing that hundreds or thousands of dollars have been spent on our account.  Any suggestions for how to handle this?  If yes, please PM me and let me know which candle company you used b/f the hack--maybe we can establish a pattern together.  

This happened to me twice... both from 2 of our candle suppliers. So yes, its a real concern. They all need to up their security game. At first I was getting a lot of bogus deflecting and passing the buck. And general customer service has no idea about security so they responses and attempts and trying to explain or mitigate fault was just hilarious. I still use one of them but cautiously with a single card that I watch a lot. I typically keep it locked until I need to use it just to be safe.

PROs:

more intriguing

Better and quick full melt pools (without being overwicked)

crackling.... not consistent though.

Easier to get a good wick size (and less choices. testing is easier)

CONS:

More expensive

I think the wick tabs are a huge pain in the A$$

Inconsistent crackling

Limited suppliers and limited quality

Generally more soot which freaks some people out

On 8/25/2018 at 3:08 PM, ShelleyF said:

I love Nature's Garden but they have instructions to go by flashpoint. Ugh why are they doing that? It had me confused months ago. Also some  people on other forums are saying you have to go by flashpoint. I said no. I was told since I was new and they weren't I had no idea how wrong I was. They weren't mean but very serious about the flashpoint. I was so frustrated. 

Another thing that frustrates me is when people say curing is a myth ugh curing is not a myth. NG slso says joy wax needs no cure. How is that? 

I dont think think that curing is a myth, but I think people have different results. Some environments have different cure times. Different FOs have different cure needs. Also, some noses are more sensitive to smell than others and find their candles plenty strong just 1 day later. I know people who use my wax of choice and say they get different HT and different wicking actually after a couple weeks cure. But, not for me at all. I test every new scent/jar/wax/wick combo 2-3 days cure and then again at 2 or 3 weeks. Its always the same for me. I see WAY more vairance in the wax we receive from our suppliers that have an effect on our finished products much more than cure time does. That is scary. 

Anyway, thats just my experience. 

Parasoy (6006) for most my candles. Cleaner burning than straight parrafin, can tell customers I have candles that are partial soy (which helps believe it or not) and I like the creaminess. But, I also just know this wax the best and its nuances. Years of working with has made me most comfortable with it, although its still not perfect. Depening on the jar and the FO, I use many different ones including HTP, CD, Premier, LX, wood wicks, and zinc.

Next parasoy choice would be Clarus 3022. I prefer everythign about it over 6006 except the HT is weaker than 6006. That is the only reason it hasn't replaced 6006 for me.

Wicks: HTP, CD, Premier, Wood wicks, and Paper

When using just parrafin, I use 4630 for the smoother/creamier look. And I use mottling for my mottled candles. Mottling wax is much tough to work with, but my customers love it.

HTP, Premier, and Paper mostly.

I disagree with cure time. A couple days is usually plenty for 6006 but it doesn't hurt to wait longer if you want.

Your biggest issue is the wick. That wick size is awfully large for your container. Heck, you may be burning off half your scent with that wick.

Back that down several sizes.

Also, that vybar you are adding is trapping your scent. 6006 is pre-blended with vybar already.  You need 0 vybar in 6006.

So get rid of that entirely.

Finally... something else to try. Increase your melt to about 190 and then add your FO at 185. Temp drops as soon as you start adding FO. If you pulling off heat at 180, then starting to add FO. you could easily be around 170 by the time you are really mixing it in. Many FOs dont blend well until they are 180-185. My standard practice is melt to 190-195, pull from heat and add dye if applicable. Add FO at or just below 185. Pour at 170

You also could be getting weak throw because of the FO's you are using. Try some Mac Apple or something very common and use that as your baseline. 

I've never used either scent you are using but perhaps they are just super light.

Hope this helps.

I've used 6006 for years and these extra long cure times of like 2 weeks is just not necessary. Sure... you MAY get a i bit more noticeable HT or CT after they sit longer, or it may be because you spent time away from the candle and not used to it.

My test results have never been different after a couple days vs a couple weeks, especially with wicking.

It is mostly parrafin after all.  Ive reached out to manufactures and distributors before and asked about cure times.. and most laugh at the idea of letting cure for a couple weeks.

Most say 2 days is plenty. Just my two cents. If you notice otherwise, then go with what you think. For me... a couple or few days has always worked fine.

Have you tried 6006? (Its more parrafin).  Its pretty straight forward and not bad to scale. Yes you can still have some "fixing up to do" sometimes from dips or holes, etc. But hard to find a worthwhile wax that doesn't have that. Do you poke relief holes? That helps a lo. If you do that a couple hours into the cure it makes a big difference. Yes it takes some extra time, but it rids you of hidden craters later on that lead to poor candles. 

If you are wanting it to scale and NOT need that extra attention like slowing down cure, poking relief holes, etc... that I am not real sure. Most waxes I have ever used need that to a degree. 

You can try Clarus waxes as well. I like all their soys better than I like 464. 

1 hour ago, xalwayswins said:

Brand new to the board, but not to candle making. I've been making / selling candles for 5 years now. Always used 464. I recently started adding 4630. I have been mixing 444 with 464 too. I just cannot find the right mix of the 4630. I add 10% 4630. No matter what temp I pour at I get MASSIVE craters beneath the surface. Tops look perfect until I burn them. After a few minutes of burning the craters open up and all the melted wax fills the nooks causing the wick to burn down. A few minutes later the candle self extinguishes. Ive poured every 5 degree increment from 180 to 115. I love using 464 but want a better throw. I use this all in 9oz straight sided jars. So I know I'm not gonna get the best throw but would like more than I am getting without having to add too much paraffin. Any suggestions???

Welcome! What you are describing is actually more of a characteristic of using 464... not 4630. 464 is known for that. Also, over the past year soy has suffered major issues. So i would be looking at your 46r being the problem. Not the 4630.

All that being said... slow down your cure but covering them while they cool..pre hest jars if u have to in order to slow it down.  The wax is contracting so much leaving craters and air bubbles probably too which wxplains why they show up after burning as well.

Paraffin coolers down more quickly as well so gind that right pour temp and slow down your cooling after you pour. Good luck

Mix it with 4630 if u have any or even 6006. It will make it manageable until its gone. Or just chuck it with a big smile. I wasted too much time and money on that junk trying to make it work. Lol

I blended mine with the trashcan.

Stuff if just AWFUL!

I also always test with UV 1/2tsp per pound. Never really had a wick difference whether I use it or not. 

And I see anywhere from 1/4tsp to 1/2tsp per pound.

That being said, I rarely see it help much overall. The candles I tend to care the most about changing colors and getting ugly are those with vanillin in them. However, the UV doesnt help that so for me... why bother. Lol

You could also be using way too much ink.  Use standard setting,  not glossy. Try fast print and lower dpi. Don't need all that and lays too much ink anyway

1 minute ago, ChristinaD said:

We tried every setting we had & no luck  a few seemed to dry after weeks of sitting, but the ink came right off when we rubbed our thumbs across it. I didn’t think to try customer service though! I may do that! As he laser ones work but are not nearly as dark or “shiny” like inkjet - so not as pretty (I’ve never had this issue with other labels so I’m not sure) 

Well u have to use certain printer type with certain labels.  It tells you which ones.  Some are inkjet only,  some laser only,  a few do both. I agree inkjet is usually more rich. But mine are dry after minutes.  

2 minutes ago, ChristinaD said:

I got them from onlinelabels.com but I’m not really happy with them yet.. the inkjet ones never dried (weeks later even, my husband helped me to make sure alll the settings were right) and the laser ones are a little see through :/  But I went with the laser ones for now ... will be on the hunt in the future for ones I like better though.. the clear have been a PAIN!

I only use onlinelabels.com..... have for years.  I use ink jet and laser. Never had problems with either. Dry quickly... it has to be your printer settings.  Work with their support.... but i have no issues at all with them.  Highly recommend

Yah, definitely npt improved throw... and extremely picky on FO anyway

yah its terrible stuff...

but as far as the beige or off white... that is going to be pretty much all soy. Won't be pure white

6 minutes ago, Gary in Canada said:

Up here I have C3 available, (very close to me) I can pick up, but I've never tried it.  I've tried thee new Quantum waxes, but I am still trying to get them to work, without a lot of luck...and American Soy Organics, which for me is expensive, and I've tried them without a whole lot of success either.  One of my suppliers up here now has a "Canadian" supplier of a soy wax, and a soy/coconut wax.  I've ordered samples to see how they work out, but I haven't received them yet...not sure where they come from?  The supplier is canwax.com 

 

I really don't have much choice on a soy wax...my supplier only brought in 464 and other GB waxes when NGI discontinued their line...and now that the new Quantum waxes are here..that's sort of my choice..and to be honest...they are difficult to work with.  If I could try 6006, I would...but its not available up here..and to order from the US is too expensive.  So my only choices in soy are Quantum, American Soy Organics, and C3.  

 

I think for now, I will do the best I can, and keep giving my candles to friends, family and my hair stylist, and servers....they are very appreciative of them, and I enjoy making them. To me, they are good, but not perfect..but to them, they do enjoy them...and that to me that's what matters... 

go with C3... not the quantum waxes

1 minute ago, moonshine said:

I started with soy over 10 years ago and switched around until I found what I felt was the perfect soy candle- 415

throw is killer and zero soot seen even though it does, all candles do, and a nice clean burn with no trimming needed  

I then started playing with a parasoy so I could add a colored line - I never could get 415 to color without the dreaded ugly frosting and to me it was so much easier, all the way around other than finding that perfect wick that doesn't show the soot 

throw....back when 415 was 415 and consistent I didn't really think there was much difference, soy threw just as good 

granted I never to this day made an all paraffin candle but I have bought them and  I can for sure say Mccalls blows my soy out of the water in throw 😂

But it puffs black soot and I do not like that at all 

changes in soy have affected the throw I'm getting now which bothers me, I can wick down and it will work but I haven't put any out there for sale like that as of yet....trying to find an alternative and playing with 444 now - it doesn't seem to be affected like 415 but I am only into 1 test 

what type of soy is available to you Gary?

it could be done and I'm convinced it still can be done, just have to work around these changes 

I do not and will not use the new quantum waxes so I can't help you there but golden brands I may be able to help pinpoint some of the problems your having 

 I also am a firm believer in being honest about your product - I wouldn't call a soy candle a soy candle unless it's 100 percent soy 

soy blend is fine because that's what it is if your adding paraffin, palm or bees but the people that call a blend a soy candle  because it has over a Certain percentage of soy are not people I want to buy from 

I agree... DO NOT use the quantum waxes.

And to clarify.. I said the REGULATIONS allow a candle over a certain % of soy to be called soy... it doesn't mean that I do it or advocate it. I make several different kings of candles. But it is allowed. And to be frank.. rules like that exists in all industries in this country and around the world. Examples.... "Caffeine Free" soda, coffee, and tea..... all still have caffeine. Sugar free might have little or no sugar, but they replace it with worse ingredients. So, lets be careful about acting too high and mighty here when talking about soy vs a soy blend.

Not to mention... many candle makers aren't doing that to be "shady", they are simply calling their candle consistent with the rest of the market. A candle maker calling their candle a soy candle when its 90% soy and 10% parrafin or an additive doesn't deserve (in my opinion) to be labeled as "the type of people I wouldn't buy a candle from". Lol, I think that's getting a bit stuck up to be honest. Again, they are labeling within the industry. 

And if we are going to really get serious about calling something soy or not...... we should all stop right now. Because NONE of us make 100% soy candle unless they are unscented, no dye, etc. Every candle has something in it that makes up at least a small % other than the wax, and in this case the soy. Because let's be honest here... the fragrance oils are BY FAR the most unsafe materials we use. If customers or anyone really cared so much about what they are burning in their homes, it would be the oils they asked about first. 

Of course unless you are talking about the new quantum waxes... I dont know what kinda s%^& that stuff if... but dont use it.

Sorry for the ranted response... I just dont think its fair of anyone to judge other people's character because they put soy on their candle instead of soy blend. It could simply be a mistake, ignorance,or just doing what is allowed in the industry. Considering most "soy candlemakers" put soy on their candles and most of the candles are parasoys.... I find it a little crazy to assume all those people are bad people. Lol

1 minute ago, Gary in Canada said:

I didn't even know soy candles existed until we bought this old farmhouse 7 yrs ago...we were in the local gift/craft store and saw soy candles...so I give it the sniff test, (now I know its the cold throw)..and it smelled great.  Bought it...brought it home..lit it...and wow..within no time our whole main floor had the smell of that soy candle.  Since then, I have tried to closely duplicate it, and haven't come close.  So Im just wondering if maybe it isn't a 100% soy candle... Maybe it is...maybe not.

 

I can see where consumers want an all natural candle...paraffin has a bad rap these days. We all want all natural, organic, vegan, non GMO, lactose free..It is 2017, but where does it end!     I just have a greater appreciation of you folks that do it as a living.  Candle consumers don't understand what goes into making the "perfect" candle...how much money is spent on testing.  I now know...lol...  

 

I'm still trying  to get there...and hopefully I will... If only the wax companies would produce a quality, consistent product.. 

Obviously, I dont know about the candle you bought for sure .... but almost all "soy candles" on the market are soy blends.

Soy does have great cold throw (comparable or better than paraffin in my experience. But hot throw isn't the same without using a lot more

FO or without blending.Its one of the reasons so many people use 6006.... even though its tricky to wick.