Lana

8 minutes ago, Mcgee said:

The CandleMaker Store carries feather and glass glow palm wax. I do not know about shipping cost, I always pick up from there. I have always wanted to try palm wax, maybe someday soon.

Good to know! I have to start testing with it for my melts. I use coconut wax for my candles and a parasoy for my melts. But, I'm hoping to move away from the paraffin and I don't care for 100% soy.

I like using a harder pillar wax for melts and people seem to have good feedback on melts made with palm. So that will be the next thing I try. 

On January 2, 2017 at 10:51 AM, birdcharm said:

Lana, it is true that all waxes have pros and cons -- we can't get away from that, it's just a part of the substances.  If our soy wax was known to not be GMO, it would be considered to be more earth-friendly.  However, beeswax, coconut wax, are both pretty friendly to the planet and I'd personally like to start doing more of both of those.  As for an "agenda" -- the topic came up and I answered with my opinion, which some may not like, but the question was asked as to why some companies are no longer offering palm wax, and the clear-cutting of rain forests happens to be an issue for many people who would prefer to not support those activities.  Most likely, some candle supply companies feel a similar way and have decided to take part in a global movement to discourage the use of palm oil.

Ok. But what about child labor to get the coconuts and the declining bee populations? There is no "perfect" wax. I'm not even saying I disagree with you, I'm just saying there are problems that can be found with any wax. (Or really raw material...it just depends on how much you want to dig for information and what your agenda is)

Caribbean Teakwood from CS is pretty masculine to me. It's strong in parasoy, which I use for my melts. I also think Tobacco Caramel (FC) is more on the unisex or masculine side and one of my most requested / complimented scents. Mahogany Coconut (FC) is also a good one for me. 

On December 31, 2016 at 9:53 AM, frankfrank said:

I'm looking for sources of reasonably priced EO blends that are similar in fragrance to Young Living EO blends.  I've tried Googling this, but came up empty.  Can anyone give me the names of some companies that have EO blends that they've tried to make similar to some Young Living blends?

 

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

Frank

I'm not overly familiar with EO's, but I use them here and there. I've seen some Aura Cacia blends that looked interesting but I have no clue how similar they are to anything Young Living carries. I haven't bought them but they're on my list for some future projects.

On December 31, 2016 at 10:54 AM, birdcharm said:

I have to say that the "bad press" regarding palm oil should not be taken as any type of slander against it -- palm plantations are destroying much of the planet with the monocultures and although there is "sustainable" these are still areas which have destroyed rain forests, left baby orangutans orphaned, wiping out orchids and other botanicals, destroying bird & insect habitats, caused horrendous peat fires, bringing many species of plants and animals to extinction -- so how "natural" is the use of palm oil?  I've got to say, I do not agree, not at all.

 

 I think any of us can find valid arguments against any and all wax sources, if that was our agenda. However, that's not my agenda and I'm not going to argue for or against any of them.

The fact of the matter is, every single wax comes with its own pros and cons as it relates to the farming, extraction, and/or manufacturing process to get it to a wax state for use in candles. There is no perfect wax that comes with zero arguments against it. 

I've seen it at NG and Aztec. It's definitely concerning that the suppliers a dwindling. It's like I *need* to order it in order to save it. Lol. 

That's interesting. I was just going to start testing with a palm pillar wax for tarts. I currently use NG Pillar of Bliss, and I was thinking of trying palm to move to something a little more natural. I know I've read about the issues with sustainability and deforestation, but I've also read a lot of good things about making the switch to palm. I wonder what their reasoning was to discontinue. 

30 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

What do you do for the black caps? About 75% of my bottle caps are black.

That's why I use the metallic sharpies specifically - they show on any color cap. 

I do this too, but with metallic sharpie pens. I just write the fragrance directly on the cap.  It's a huge time saver, especially with all the 1oz samples I tend to collect every time a sampler sale comes around. 

7 hours ago, Shar said:

Maybe I need to melt another of the tobacco caramel. Sometimes I get "candle nose" I normally use 10 % load when making melts unless it's a strong fo. 

 

 

 

 

I don't fully understand the "why" but I found that I had a lot of hot throw issues when I was working with 10%. Somehow, most of my FO's I thought seemed weak at 10% are great at 7%. There are some fragrances that blow the doors off my house at 7% so I've cut back on those a bit.

Having been making melts and the occasional candle only since Jan, I'm by no means an expert, but this has been my experience.  I'd definitely melt some more of that Tobacco Caramel though, because it's so delicious!!! 

2 minutes ago, Moonstar said:

Thanks Lana  So you use the Pillar of Bliss to make wax melts ? Ive never tried that wax. Awhile back ago I ordered the KY tart/votive wax from RE and I 

did not care for it. To me, it had an odd odor while I was melting it  

It's the only thing I've really tried for melts...I get good throw on almost every fragrance from multiple suppliers and smooth tops (except when I make melts in a slightly drafty area of my kitchen). I like using the pillar wax so I can easily pop used wax out of the warmer and there is little to no residue to clean. 

I have a Wilton ice cube mold (or maybe a brownie tray? I can't remember) that I fill 1/4 of the way so that I can make thin square sample sets. (Easier for me to mail that way). I will admit, it's a little hard to judge the pour for a uniform height each and every time, but it's close enough for me. They're a little bigger than a starburst, but there's different sizes on Amazon. 

Just wanted to chime in on Tobacco Caramel. I also find it similar to CS Coriander & Tonka but not a total match. I use NG Pillar of Bliss (a parasoy) and 7% fragrance load and get really good hot throw with Flaming's Tobacco Caramel. Everyone that smells it loves it. I really only sell to family and friends, but they have bought that one...in fact, my mom just asked me if she could buy my whole stash of this. 

I made 464 melts once and was disappointed in the look. They get finger prints and indentations too easily (I made paw print molds). I also did not like how I had to scrape it out of my melter. I switched to a parasoy pillar blend and never looked back. 

I use pillar wax for my tarts but they still leave a little bit of smears so what I do is wrap the melts with a small piece of tissue paper and I then slide it into the poly baggie and gently pull the tissue paper out and seal the baggie. There are sometimes little smears during storage and transport, but it's much better with this system. 

17 hours ago, Natasha2106 said:

Please, please please can someone give me some advice.  I feel like its 1 step forward and then 10 backwards. 

I currently blend 80/20 4630 & GW464.  I'm using a straight edged jar with a width of 3.5 inches and depth of 4.5 inches.  I am double wicking.  

 

So my frustration at the moment is with the wicks.  I originally started using CDN wicks and then read that HTP are the best wicks to use with the IGI wax.  So I then started testing with HTP, I love the way the HTP burn, no mushrooming, or sooting, but the fragrance throw is virtually non existant.  Where as when I put a CDN wick in the throw is amazing, but then as they burn down the jars do get hot and I find they soot much more the further down the candle they burn and they also mushroom.  

I can tell people to trim the wicks, but if they don't the jars become messy and sooted, which isn't a good look.  

 

Is there anyway I can get the HTP to throw better, is it that they don't burn hot enough??

 

I'm so frustrated, I've spent thousands of $$$$ on testing over the last 12 months, and I'm working full time as I am not making any money from the candles yet - sorry I lied, I have sold a couple to the girls at work and a couple of packs of melts at a market stall, but I haven't even covered my stall cost yet and have others booked in.  I just feel that I'm throwing money after money after money into this and don't seem to be getting anywhere.  The couple of markets I've tried were no good so lost more money there, and I need to pay for the website to help with online presence, but just don't have any more money anywhere.  My credit card is almost maxed and so need to start selling to be able to get this off the ground and put back into other areas that need completing. 

 

I'm just going around and around in circles.  Is it I'm just trying to achieve the perfect burn and scent throw and this just doesn't happen??  I have tested hundreds of fragrances and not used them as I don't get the hot throw as I'm looking for.  We now have 7 fragrances that throw well, but wicks are hit and miss.  Do some of you use HTP and CDN in your candles and just switch between the two kinds depending on how they work, or do you tend to stick to one type?

 

Also, when I try to get a throw using the medium sized jars I cannot get any throw using the HTP wicks - Arrrrggghhhh.  

 

Sorry to rant on to you all, but I feel like I am losing an endless battle, but have come this far into it, I cannot and will not give up.  But I just don't know how to move on with no funds left!!!!

THank you all for listening (or reading) - but please any advice would be amazing!!!!

x

Ive been there - still am, really. Like you, I've been testing and testing and testing for about a year and haven't gotten candles I'm proud to sell yet. Melts have been better/easier for me and I've gotten those down, but candles are a whole different monster. I use a 464/6006 blend and tested several wicks in my travel tins, but HTP was the steadiest flame with the best throw for me. They do mushroom a bit in my tins regardless of being under or over wicked, but I don't notice soot, even when I use the lid to extinguish the flame. 

I don't have advice about your specific jar, but just wanted to say good luck. I think we're our own worst critics. I get frustrated w my lack of progress, but then I remember what my first candles were like and I realize I've made a TON of progress. I'm sure it's the same for you. 

23 minutes ago, PhoenixFyre said:

Don't second guess yourself. I've had the same thing happen with the HTP 83 and 93. I use paraffin, and with some scents the 93 burns hotter than the 83, and then with others the 83 has burned hotter. Just goes to show why we test, lol.

Thanks! I've been sitting here trying to retrace my steps from the day I poured it...was I distracted? Did I label them wrong? Etc. etc...driving myself crazy!! They're both burning almost exactly the same, with the 83 being a slightly better melt pool. We'll see how the 2nd and 3rd burns go tomorrow. 

I feel better knowing that I'm not completely crazy and it is possible to have this result. ??

I'm testing HTP wicks in a 6oz tin, roughly 2.75" across. I'm using a 464/6006 blend with CS pumpkin soufflé at 8%. I have an HTP 83 and an HTP 93 but after 2.5 hours, the HTP 83 is having a slightly bigger melt pool. (Wider, not deeper, that I can tell). 

I'm 99.999% confident that I labeled these correctly, but I'm second guessing myself because this isn't making sense to me. 

Is this a thing that happens sometimes? A smaller wick makes a wider melt pool, closer to the edge? They're lit in the same area with minimal drafts, if that matters. 

I prefer wax with no dye. To me, it looks higher end. I buy Nest and Diptyque fairly often and most of their candles aren't colored. Nest colors some seasonal scents and Diptyque colors a few candles but in ways that makes you think it was natural (like their smoky Feu de Bois is a pale smoky grey). I really hate brightly colored candles, but that's just me. 

I really only make things for family and friends and have only just now started the process of getting a business name & insurance to sell, but I have no plans to color. 

8 hours ago, Siren12 said:

If it smells like cologne you could do a "man" scent  and rename it Lumberjack or Outdoorsman?  

Now why didn't I think of that?!? Thank you, I can probably work with that and at least not let it go to waste. Everyone's is different, so even if I'm not blown away by it, maybe others will be. Something like Outdoorsman could work. Thanks a lot! 

46 minutes ago, Moonstar said:

not really good at coming up with names but the description says woodland hikes - so how bout something like that or just Woodland 

Thanks! I have a Woodland Spice and a Woodland Foliage. I also have a Fallen Leaves type I really like and several forestry types and pine types I love. Maybe this is a sign that I have enough outdoorsy Fall scents! Also, maybe there's a reason this has no reviews or anything. 

UGH. My FO addiction is real. 

47 minutes ago, Moonstar said:

do the balsam notes come out much or is it mostly earthy ? If you didn't know what FO it is, what comes to mind first when you smell the candle ?

It kind of smells like men's cologne to me. Comforting in a way (?) but a definite cologne scent. I couldn't get an answer from my boyfriend about what he smelled when he walked in either. I just can't put my finger on what I'm smelling. 

Edited to add: I wouldn't call it earthy though. Maybe somewhere in there, but not to my nose. No patch jumping out at me and I'd say no specific balsam either. 

I just googled and saw a lot of suppliers using that name but cierra candles appears to have a similar description. They don't seem to mention vanilla though and the Salt City version calls vanilla out. 

I'm not familiar with this scent at all though, but I hope this helps. 

http://www.cierracandles.com/Victorian-Christmas-Fragrance-Oil.html

I need to pick your brains please. I poured RE Red Maple Leaf a while ago and while it's not earth shatteringly awesome, I do like it and my testers have given positive feedback. I already have a few different "fall foliage" and "fallen leaves" type scents/names, so I really need a rename for this. Besides, I'm not even sure I'd describe it as a crunchy maple leaf scent, anyways. I'm struggling to come up with something on this though. 

Here is is the description from the website:

2 hours ago, sandra1180 said:

where can i find a good deal price wise on silicone molds?

 

I find good deals on Amazon or eBay.