YAMS

I am a newbie and do not sell candles.   So far I have only sampled FOs from CS and Northstar.   So far everything I have ordered from CS is amazing.  I ordered 3 FOs from Northstar and will never order again.  At the highest % the HT was horrible.  I just received some samples sizes from Lonestar (because I love their ) but when I opened them, the scent is very very weak.  If you use Lonestar do you find that after poured the scent level changes?  Just wondering.  

16 hours ago, Pamaroma said:

I don't use the wax you use but recently tried Natures Gardens blueberry muffin fo in their joy wax they carry which is a soy/par blend and it was an awesome blueberry scent.

Panorama I ended up double wicking a Dollar Tree Square with the 60-44-18.  I am on my third burn and its performing perfectly.  I am using Mcintosh Apple from CS at 10%.  Needless to say I had never tried that FO before because I am not crazy about scents that imitate foods or fruits but I have to say it is amazing and  the wicking is awesome.   I also wicked a 6 oz jelly jar with one of the same wicks and it is too much, burning way too fast.   Thanks for the information.  Oh and to answer your question, I have never tried Cinnamon or Blueberry.  I am not a fan of food or fruit scents but I know that some of my friends and family really like them, so I am giving them a try soon.  I actually have a Cranberry Mermelade from CS to try.   Is there anything I should know about those types before I wick them?   Now that I think about it I also tried Very Vanilla and I love it   So many I do like SOME edible type scents and didn't even know it.  Lol.  Again, thanks 

7 hours ago, TallTayl said:

What I have seen commercially for double wicks, and what has worked for my waxes is "thirds". The wicks divide the diameter into thirds. Works for my 4" cast iron really well. In my case, 4" divided by 3= About 1.33 inches between wicks, the same distance from the container edges. 

TallTayl that makes a lot of sense but what size wicks?  

On September 14, 2016 at 5:47 PM, bfroberts said:

 

I wish I could get them.  I was at DT yesterday, and I looked at what they had on the shelves.  The ones that had labels on the bottom are the other brand...I don't recall the name, but they are made In Colombia.  They also had some that did not have labels on the bottom, so I don't know what they are.  The cube jars are still Libbey, and they had another style Libbey jar that I'm not familiar with.  I'm not afraid to use the non-Libbey jar for me or for testing, but I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to sell it.  I need to try to find out more about them.

 

 

BFRoberts so the square ones are still Libby's?   How can I tell which ones are?   I guess I need to order a sample from the online candle suppliers to compare because the DT ones look perfect to me.  Perhaps I haven't tried the real good ones and that's why these look so good to me. Lol.  Or perhaps the ones sold in my local Dollar Tree are the the original Libby's?  

1 hour ago, Kshaler said:

Who has this sale ?

 I am following this too.  Would like to know who he that sale.  ?

On September 13, 2016 at 0:36 PM, wthomas57 said:

I did last night and bought about 10 solely for testing purposes.

Wont use them other than testing, not to mention cant rely on them to carry enough in stock consistenty.

Plus no lids. 

WThomas57 I am glad you bought them at least for testing.  Now that you have them do you find them to be different quality from the ones you get from suppliers ?  Mine look so good that I am not sure I am buying the ones that some say to be poor quality from the dollar tree.  They look very good to me.  Perhaps they sell different types at Dollar Tree?  I should probably just order a sample from any of the candle suppliers I get my FOs from like CS, Peak, Lone Star to compare.  I have never ordered anything from Filmore.     Also you mentioned tumblers?  Which ones are you referring to?  And when you say thicker but not visually appearing which ones are you referring to?  Thanks

I would like to learn more about double wicking your candles.  What are the guidelines ? Recommendations ?  When should you double wick a candle? How do you place them? Basically, centered, how far apart, etc? I am currently using 4627 with Zinc wicks.  Normally 10 to 11% FO.  Thanks guys.   FYI , new at this as a hobby and for gifting so I don't make a large amount of candles.  

On 9/13/2016 at 11:57 AM, Chariste said:

62-52-18 is the largest I've seen. Just ordered some myself from Peak to test in a 10 oz Victorian with 4627 because the 60-44-18 doesn't perform as well as I'd like.

I will order them from Peak also.  Thank you.   I am looking to use it in a 12 oz.  

On September 15, 2016 at 10:35 PM, KrazeKelly said:

 

I use Avery Design Pro to make all my labels. I make square labels and round labels so it's either scissors or the extra large Fiskars hole punch that I use to cut with. I really really REALLY want one of those cricut machines but I don't want to spend 250.00 and not like it. Does any one here use those?? 

 

Kelly

Kelly I've been wanting to get one myself but they are so expensive.  I mean I do a lot of arts and crafts for which it would be put to good use but too expensive.  I use a craft paper cutter and it works great. They are about $20 and does  a great job Try it is much better than cutting by hand or even the hole punch from Fiskas.  

1 hour ago, wthomas57 said:

Ive considered full sheet labels  few times... would definitely help with any alignment issues when printing.

But have never done much research into where to get label cutters

wthomas57, I was thinking that a regular craft paper cutter would do.  I have one and I use it frequently for Scrap-booking and such.   I guess I would have to try with the labels.   

So guys I went to labels by the sheet and I ordered about 6 different type of labels from the white gloss in different shapes to the Kraft Light Brown for a more rustic look. I made sure to order the round ones also for my small sized tins.  I ordered different ones to test to see which ones I like more but  I am sure I will be narrowing down to just a couple.  I don't sell my labels so I really do not need that many different labels or containers.   So difficult to decide what type of label I want to stay with.   They are so different in appearance (the white gloss or the Kraft).  I guess that's part of the fun of this.  Thanks everyone.  You are the best.  I am glad I found this group.    

On 9/13/2016 at 5:31 PM, Candybee said:

I buy my labels at Labels by the Sheet http://www.labelsbythesheet.com/items/white-high-gloss-laser-labels/white-high-gloss-rectangle-laser-labels/list.htm

 

They have kraft labels, water proof, colored, white, gold, etc. I like to use the photo gloss labels because they are partly water resistant and take color very well. But then I use lots of color pictures in my labels so I need labels that will take the color nicely. I also buy them for ink jet printers. You can get them for ink jet or lazer depending on the type of printer you have.

 

Lots of people go with the kraft labels for jar candles. They have that nice country and primitive look that works for areas where customers want 'country' or 'primitive' type candles.

I love the look of the Kraft labels but I soooooo torn.   I have created several different labels with beautiful colorful images which would look nice in shiny white paper however; I love the look of the Kraft Light Brown paper for a more simple look.   Decisions, decisions!!! Lol  

On 9/13/2016 at 6:24 PM, KrazeKelly said:

I use full sheet labels from Online Labels. I get matte, glossy and weatherproof. 

 

Kelly

Kelly,

I was thinking of getting the full sheets also that way I can manipulate the size a little better to include images.   Do you use a specific image manilupating program? How do you create yours using the full page sheets?  Thanks 

I will check out their website.  Thanks a bunch

What kind of paper do you all recommend for making my own labels.  So far I have been using stick on Avery label sheets that I create from scratch.  I have seen some photos here where the label paper is of a shiny material.   What do you suggest to use other than Avery shipping, or mailing labels?  

Thanks 

I just noticed on the Lone Star website that the largest size of zinc core wicks is 60-44-18 6".  Is that because it is the largest size of zinc or just the largest they carry?  Thanks guys  

Perfect.  I am glad you mentioned it.   I will definitely allow it to burn all the way.   Thank you soooooo very much.  I thought i had once again the wrong wick.   

So I finally got around to testing my 4627 with Zinc wicks.   My status jar (8 ounce, 3 1/4 diameter) worked amazing with one  60-44-18 6" Zinc Core  wick I ordered from Lone Star.  My square 8 ounce Libbey jar (3 1/2 diameter) didn't fare that well.   The melt pool is not great, it doesn't reach the sides fully after a 2nd burn test.   How would you guys up wick this one?   I only have the 60-44-18 6" zinc core wicks.  I haven't ordered any other zinc sizes.  Would you double wick it with this specific wick or wait and order larger wicks to do a single wick test?   Thanks guys.   

Honestly they look the same to me.  The ones I buy look the same as the picture I posted on top.   Being $1 and no shipping cost is great but they don't not sell the lids (or at least I haven't seen them).   Sometimes if I only need a few (which is all the time because I don't sell candles) it's good to have the option of picking up just 5 or 6 of them.  Perhaps if I ordered them from a supplier I would notice a difference but these are the only status jars I have ever purchased.   I received the lid from LoneStar for the sample Lid.  I ordered a sample lid from LoneStar following Candle Guy's suggestion.   I actually ordered 3 different types and I am very satisfied.  The glass on the lid matches perfectly the Dollar Tree jar.   Again, I am a newbie so perhaps to some of you the quality is substandard.  I would like to know what everyone thinks about the Dollar Tree jars.   Thanks guys.

On 9/8/2016 at 0:53 PM, wthomas57 said:

Out of curiosity, how much are the dollar tree jars?

 

....kidding.  

 

 

In all seriousness, how do the Dollar Tree ones compare to those from candle suppliers? Anyone?

that was funny.  I almost responded.  Haha

On 9/5/2016 at 11:02 PM, YAMS said:

Thank you Debratant.  I've been wondering how to make the wick testing process easier.  I think you just answered my question.  Now, does the wick have to go all the way down in the candle for testing. And would the hole made with the skewer be the right size for the wick to slide down but not dangle?   Thanks a million for responding 

 

13 hours ago, debratant said:

Yes, you will want to push the wick all the way down.  If you are using 4627 you should find it easy enough. My skewer is a tad larger than the wick sometimes...but I just heat gun the top and it fills in the hole. You could use a blow dryer on low if you don't have a heat gun.  

Wow, you have given me such good information.   This should make my life so much easier being that I am just starting out I have a lot of testing to do.  Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.   

Thank you Debratant.  I've been wondering how to make the wick testing process easier.  I think you just answered my question.  Now, does the wick have to go all the way down in the candle for testing. And would the hole made with the skewer be the right size for the wick to slide down but not dangle?   Thanks a million for responding 

5 hours ago, debratant said:

 You will likely need to melt these down in the oven...low heat...I use 170 keep an eye on them....then pour into your pour pot to use to repour into new containers. In future, I would pour test candles without wicks to test.  When your wax hardens, simply poke a hole in the center with a skewer...and cut off the wick tab and just put your wick in that hole.  This is for melt pool and HT testing only. If the wick isn't burning right, you just yank it out and put in a new wick until you are happy with your outcome.

 

Also....to attach your wicks in the future, I would use hot glue at the very least, not wax

Three hours of burn text to realize that I under wicked two candles.  How do you guys save the candle? Do you tenet and remove the wick and replace with a larger wick?  What is the best way to do this? My wicks are attached to the bottom of the jar with wax itself. Basically I want to use the same candle with a larger wick instead of having to pour a new identical candle  Thanks

4 hours ago, bfroberts said:

You'll need the "Large" to fit the Dollar Tree jar. 

Thank you.  I will be ordering some.  ?

I recently read a post where someone suggested buying the lids for these jars from Lonestar or Fillmore containers.  I am referring to the Status Jars they sell in the Dollar Tree.  I buy them there and would like to buy the lids for it.   I am attaching the picture here so you can see which jar I am referring to.   How do I know what size lid to purchase?  Lonestar doesn't describe the measurement.  Thanks guys