Pamaroma

It upsets me as well. As a new candle maker, they were my first go to site and supplier and I printed their supposedly famous candle making manual. Now it makes me wonder if every thing in it is misleading and has caused me problems. Don't get me wrong, I just love their fragrances and fast shipping. But have been wanting to try other places, but scared to when the first one works. Been thinking of trying candle science, peak, candlewic, flaming candle. I did order wicks from flamimg candle and was impressed at how neatly they were packaged. They were all perfectly straight!. Initially ordered from lonestar when I was experiementing with paraffin wax and their service was good. But I've spent piles of money with Natures Garden. Sorry I got off topic! Lol

12 hours ago, thelittleflame said:

I agree that 185 to add is bogus, I agree that adding vanilla extract is hogwash and I think the whole flashpoint thing is misinformed. Flashpoint is noted on the bottles only for shipping safety purposes. I disregard all advice on temperature and flashpoint. Stir 2 minutes and max out the FO to the wax and never buy a scent in more than a one ounce size until you have tested it. 

 

 

Plus I would be scared the vanilla extract could ruin the whole batch of wax. Never heard of using it, have y'all?

38 minutes ago, bfroberts said:

What the what???  Reads like hogwash to me.  There will never come a day when I add vanilla extract to wax.  Good vanilla is more expensive than FO.

That is funny....your remark, but seems on point!!!!!

8 minutes ago, bfroberts said:

What the what???  Reads like hogwash to me.  There will never come a day when I add vanilla extract to wax.  Good vanilla is more expensive than FO.

That is funny....your remark, but seems on point!!!!!

I don't want to start a new post since this in under vegetable waxes forum, but since its on older post I would like for candle makers to PLEASE read to copy and paste along with the link I got it from and please express your opinions. They may remain the same as you've already posted under that link. Thanks, Pam 

And I wonder how much vanilla extract?

I hope its ok to copy and paste this from Natures Garden. Would love your comments please.

http://m.naturesgardencandles.com/candlemaking-soap-supplies/item/soyclass/-how-to-make-soy-wax-candles.html

Please Note:  For many years, it has been reported that you must add fragrance oil to melted soy wax at a temperature of 185F in order for the fragrance oils to bind with the wax.  Our testing has shown that this is simply not the case. Low flash point fragrance oils can be added to melted soy wax as low as 130F (as we will discuss next);  Just be sure to agitate the wax with a full 2 minute stir (after the addition of the scent) and you will have no oil seepage in your finished candle. 

Now, for the lower end of the flash point spectrum:   Although there are not many fragrance oils with low flash points, there are a few.  Generally, they are your lighter fragrances like citruses.  Blood Orange Fragrance Oil, for example, has a flash point of 115 degrees Fahrenheit.  Typically, any fragrance oil that has a flash point lower than 130 degrees Fahrenheit; will be added at 130 degrees.  So, you would add Blood Orange scent to your melted wax at 130 degrees Fahrenheit.  You would then stir for a full 2 minutes to encourage the binding of the scent to the wax.  Now it should be mentioned that adding the scent at this temperature will reduce the amount of burn off, but it does completely prevent burn off from occurring.  This is where anchoring the fragrance comes into play.  

Anchoring a fragrance oil quite simply is blending the fragrance oil (with the lower flash point) with another fragrance oil (with a higher flash point).  This addition of the second fragrance oil therefore increases the overall fragrance flash point, making for a more stable scent.  

As an example:  In order to secure and stabilize Blood Orange (flash point of 115 degrees) in soy wax, we want to raise the flash point temperature to at least 130 degrees or higher.   This can be done by adding Vanilla Extract for example (which has a flash point of 330 degrees Fahrenheit).   This addition will both anchor the fragrance oil in the soy wax, as well as eliminate the fuel scent (a common issue with citrus scents in soy due to burn off); simply by increasing the overall fragrance flash point.  

To break down fragrance addition to simpler terms:
IF a fragrance oil is 185 degrees or higher, add it to the soy wax at 185 degrees.
IF a fragrance oil is below 185 degrees, but is higher than 130 degrees, add it to the soy wax at its own flash point- with a full 2 minute stir.
IF the fragrance oil is below 130 degrees, add it to the soy wax at 130 degrees- with a full 2 minute stir.  

*But remember, anchoring a lighter fragrance oil (one that has a flash point below 130 degrees) is also another option to help prevent burn off.  
 

How many ounces are their cube square jars and their libby type jars?

I'm new at candle making and have not started selling any yet. I started off coloring mine when I was practicing with paraffin wax, but now that I am using soy I am going to quit. I just love the appearance of the natural color of other candle makers that do not use dye and I want to go that route. I especially love the look of the mason and jelly jars with either black or rustic lids. I am fixing for the first time going to experiment with tins and buckets thanks to Moonshine!

9 hours ago, wthomas57 said:

I use papermart all the time for my packaging materials, etc.

 

I recently ordered some tins similar to what you are talking about (just not oval).

Ill be testing the next few days. Haven't had leaking issues though. Pretty sure they are seamless, but now Ill have to doublecheck.

 

My main concern is going to be rusting. I didnt see anywhere that they were coated like many candle suppliers show to prevent rust.

 

Guess we will find out

Great, let me know! I think some of their tins are advertised as being rust proof but not all of them.

1 hour ago, Faerywren said:

I really like papermart! I've ordered from them for years. I haven't tried their tins, though.

 

Glad to hear that because I viewed a lot of items of I liked on their site. I might have to place an order soon now

I agree with you both. I found these on a site called http://www.papermart.com/HOME I've never ordered anything from there so I have no idea about the quality of their products.

Has anyone tried making candles in oval shaped containers? I bet figuring out the wicking gets complicated but this black with gold trim is gorgeous. Wish they has them in round tins. They have black with silver trim in round but not gold darn it.

1 hour ago, puma52 said:

 

Thanks guys! My sister's second opinion is this Thursday. She will be seeing a scoliosis and spine specialist at the hospital I work for, so hoping for the best. You know when people are willing to share, a person REALLY realizes that they are truly not alone. You both have been so sweet to share. Blessings to you both!

God bless

45 minutes ago, cindym said:

Hi Pam, welcome to the forum so nice to have you here.

Thank you

1 hour ago, puma52 said:

Hi Pam!!

 

I print my own labels also. You can save lots of money doing them yourself. A person can make such beautiful labels on their own and it is such fun...especially when you see the end result. I use onlinelabels.com also. You can also buy single sheets from them....I just love their Maestro label designer...you can do itty bitty labels or you can create your own designs for craft show signs that are 8x11 and larger (which is really nice) .   If you get on their primary page go to the bottom and you can see customer creations that can give you inspiration under the miscellaneous heading and other great tips, videos etc. (I copied and pasted so you could see what you would look for) When you purchase labels from them, they give you free use of the Maestro Designer...the more labels you buy, the more time you are given to use the Maestro Designer. Have fun!

 

Miscellaneous

• Customer Creations
• Video Center
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Wow, I've been on here browsing a while and still not through. Spent a lot of time looking at customer creations and still going to look at more of those, but I've also been been reading about labels and the different types since I have never made a single one before. Thank you for all the informative info!!

40 minutes ago, Trappeur said:

 

Exactly what I was thinking!! A top off!  That is what I would do.

 

And that would be easy peasy to do....just have to experiment with the temperature.  I would start at the outside of the jar and begin pourig round and round and when you got to the wick just over pour onto the wick and it would end there.

 

Trappeur

That sounds right on!!! If my back is better tomorrow I might play around with it. I might have to wait till after my spinal injection Tuesday. I have been practically bedridden the past few days. The pics I posted really do not do it any justice. The pour they do is amazing and so eye catching. I think the appearance along with amazing scent would certainly draw sales. I didn't burn mine for a while because I hated to mess up its beauty.

I am shopping for a printer. I have been out of college and work for many years now and simply do not know what's out there. What are ya'lls recommendations. I want something that doesn't eat up ink every time I turn around. I want something to print round lid labels and clam shell labels. I plan to also type a standard size sheet of paper with business name and candle use directions on it along with explanation of expectations and benefits of soy wax, and probably and extra warning of safety precautions. As my 7 yr old nephew grows up hopefully he can type research papers, etc on it.  I figured some of you may know of a good one to recommend. It doesn't really matter if it's costly. I just got approved for my disability and Christmas is coming up. So I can get my family and myself to put money on it if its a really expensive one.The pictures below is one a facebook friend recommended which sounds good, but it only prints black, which is ok unless I decide in later years to fancy my labels up a little bit and use a jar that I would want to label on the actual glass. Thanks, Pam

1 hour ago, Siren12 said:

I use GB 444 soy and usually pour around 170 to 175 and its still very clear and liquid. I agree with chefmom that they must be pouring it very cool in order to get the swirl, maybe 100- 120 deg? Ive never gone that cool before.  

I guess try it out?  

Fyi the scent in their candles is really good, my husband gor me one when we were still dating and it was one of the reasons i decided to make my own.

You could get similar buckets in aluminium and spray paint them, i also think that Michaels carries black buckets that are similar so there are probably wholesale distributors online.

The one candle I won in a silent auction for,$6.00 by them is what inspired me to switch to soy wax and my interest in candle making to grow.

I wonder if they do a top off pour and do the top off pour very cool, but the rest at a normal temp. But I guess a very cool wouldnt affect the scent. Only thing it would affect is the appearance if you didn't get it just right.

I recently won one of these soy candles and fell in love with it. This candle influenced me to change from paraffin to soy. I love the tin bucket with the lid and can't find empty ones anywhere. They told me their manufacturer quit making them. Wish I would have asked who their manufacturer was.....but understandably I probably would not have received an answer. What I am so DESPERATELY WANTING TO KNOW is how did they get the pretty rich creamy look with the beautiful twirl on top???? Does anyone possibly know if this is a result from the likes of a factory poured (machine poured) candled? Regardless it was so beautiful in mine and I hated to lite it and mess up the appearance. But it was awesome. Also, the wick was HEAVILY COATED in the same scented wax in the container adding more attraction to the container. Very heavily coated. My scent was called Bisquits and Honey but smelled like pancakes with maple syrup and honey.  Very lovely scent. Made me hungry. IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO POUR WITH THE TWIRLS, please, please, please educate this sister!!! lol....if any typos, oh well, I'm pretty sedated on my pain meds because its been a hell of a day with my back!! (can I say hell on here) If not, Im sincerely sorry and will try to remember not to do it again. Think I'll try to s)eep off the pain and meds for a little while now. Hope everyone's weekend has been awesome!!  They have a wonderful website called 1809 Candles that displays jar and red bucket candles too. I want those pretty swirls and twirls.  lol  

U

15 minutes ago, Chefmom said:

Oh my gosh!!  I caught my daughter doing this...I had to have an intervention with her about proper candle care!!  If I want to know how customers abuse candles all I need to do is give one to my daughter.  She breaks all the "rules".

 

I bought these cool little bamboo sticks called cuticle sticks at Sally Beauty Supply and I use those to push the wick over, they have flat ends and are perfect for wick pushing, even in a deeper jar.   I've given them to her...I'm not sure if she is still using them or not. 

I am ashamed to say this, but I never read the directions on candle jars and abused them in every single way until I developed an interest in making them. I never allowed a full melt pool and blamed tunneling on the manufacturer (didn't even know tunneling was the proper word for this). Never trimmed wicks or any other rules. I was horrible. I bet there's a pile of other candle users that do the same. When I start selling, I'm going to make sure to educate EVERYONE on the proper use of candles. I'm already educating family and friends. My mom and sister didn't know the "rules" either, and I'm ashamed to say, but we are fairly educated people, hell....I have a master's degree. lol And we all have always loved candles.

27 minutes ago, moonshine said:

?? I'm guilty!

I do this a lot .... Easier finding the lid than something to dip the wick in the melt pool and I always lose snuffers amd I need to stop this because it makes a mess with the soot on the glass and causes more smoke ?

Lol, I'm more guilty of blowing the candle out.....all the time. Hahaha