birdcharm

Would rubbing alcohol work on this at all?

I've found that certain scents will "take over" most blends if used in equal portions, sometimes this can be a good thing though, depending on what you're wanting to do. I rarely use regular Vanilla scent, but I do like to use French Vanilla or Buttercream, for instance. When I have mixed vanilla, it has gone nicely with herbal scents or lavender, cinnamon, sandalwood, orange. If I've mixed a scent that has become overpowered, I put a small amount of it in a bottle(s) and using other small amounts, add other scents that I feel will balance it. In this way, you're only working with very small amounts and if you don't like it at all, mix something in there that you like that will overpower and use it in some way, forgetting about whatever you thought you were shooting for. It's all experimental after all. For your strong vanilla, I would try adding it to something you wish to mix it with, but start with using about 10% or so. Just take notes while you are mixing as to what you've added, then you can do the math later for your recipe, some blends during the creative process can become rather complex, so there's no way to remember what you did unless you write it down as you go along. @Sunday ... Ramr posted about having issues with getting supplies in this thread. It would seem that there are some U.S. suppliers willing to work with Canadian residents in providing a shipping method that works out okay.

Here's the other problem with that type of false advertising in regard to soy candles that the unknowing public can get confused about. A while back, someone who found out I make candles asked me if I had a particular scent and if I did, would like a soy candle made with it. I had the scent she wanted and she said that the candles she had before were soy, but I think they were probably a blend with smooth, shiny tops, lots of throw. My candles have nice throw and tops on the dull side like soy candles can be. Other people who know what a 100% soy candle is like have no issue with that -- but people who think they bought a "soy candle" previously that was really a blend can be disappointed at the change if they were expecting something else.

This topic just reminded me of something ... when I was a teen, I often took care of my younger brother after school. One day, he got home before me and when I walked in, the kitchen/dining room flooring was extremely shiny. I knew better than to step on it and could tell something wasn't quite right, so I asked him what was going on with the floor and discovered that he thought he was "helping" -- used a paneling polish called "Liquid Gold" on it. He really didn't help much!

I think those labels look great on that jar!

If I were to buy a sewing machine, it would be a Singer. The machine I use is in a wooden cabinet and I love it so much, I can't even part with it enough to take it out of the cabinet to go get it fixed, lol. The zigzag quick working ... it was my grandmother's and she bought it circa 1965! I know I will need to replace it one day, but as long as it keeps going, I'll keep using it, plus I like having the cabinet to work on. I'm not sure how I can get a newer machine and still use the cabinet, I'll have to think of that one day too. Singer Machines

I've never really gotten into votives for some reason, but I did manage to pick up molds & wicks last year thinking that I'd start making some this year. I think the burn time is going to be dependent upon the wax and wick, but I think 15 hours might be about right.

I only got the single unit, but now that I know what these are like, I may start a mini collection of them and get a double sometime!

Maybe it's your heating method that you should take a look at ... a double boiler typically has a lower pot w/ water with the upper pot fitting snuggly upon. It sounds as though what you have going is permitting for too much steam. Perhaps you could get a Presto Pot or a hot plate for your melting pot instead. Regarding the wax build up inside your melting pot, it should simply melt down -- if it doesn't do this when you heat your pot, you can also use a heat gun and go along the outside of the pot and it should melt into the pot. Anyway, I personally don't think it's your wax or any additive, I think it has to do with your melting pot/large pot system.

On your zinc-core wicking, I think you need to go down a size from the 36-24 ... to a 34 as the first number ... definitely not a 44-24 ... that will be too big.

Funny ... well, I guess you could say it's really "throwing" its scent anyway!

Another thing in regard to candles that could be built into marketing is lower pricing per ounce as the size of the container goes up. This is probably a fairly common practice due to the fact that a larger candle doesn't take much more effort to make than a smaller one -- the only thing that really increases are the raw materials. We see this quite often in scent pricing, as the rebottle/packaging/packing of a small bottle costs almost as much as a larger one, so there's a price break for more quantity.

Hi Gail, Thanks for the information about the maple! I only use Twigs & Berries as a mixer ... that scent seems to be a little odd by itself, regardless of the supplier! I may try the Nutmeg and Spiced Plum. Also thanks for your description of Harvest Spice and Hillbilly Homebrew. I've got to get into my scent closet and do some sniffing before I can order anything from any place, but I'm trying to get some of my thoughts in order, so you're reply has helped!

My burner has arrived ... nice! I'm surprised at the cord length ... more generous that I thought it would be! I only tested it out a little this evening, the low setting is pretty warm. I think it's a nice little unit.

I was looking around for a maple scent and found myself at Mill Creek. They have a few scents that would help round out my selection this year. I read some reviews of a few of their scents ("High Cotton" was given good reviews as well as some others, but not ones I'm looking for) ... I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with some of the following ... Spiced Cranberry 033 Cranberry, orange, and pomegranate combined with cinnamon, clove and vanilla blended together to create this top selling favorite. Spiced Plum 119 Rich, plump, purple plums are accented with sun ripped blackberries and juicy grapes enveloped in spicy undertones containing cinnamon bark, ground clove and vanilla spice. Body Safe, FP212 Warm Vanilla Oak 197 Warm, rich, wood fragrance combines bottom notes of sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, and raspberry with mid notes of violet, eucalyptus, spicy cinnamon and clove, with light top notes of orange and bergamot. Great scent! Body Safe. FP165 White Pine 050 Holiday tradition of finding the perfect Christmas tree. Incredible deep Northwood evergreen scent that guys love. Body Safe. FP200 Grated Nutmeg 074 Warm spice blend with nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Popular home scent year-round. FP200 Twigs & Berries 134 Mountain berries, raspberries, peaches, plums, tangerines and ripe figs. The heart blends fresh lilacs, blue violets, hyacinth, sweet pine and woody cedar. The base is oak moss, musk, vanilla, woody vetiver. Body Safe. FP194 Vermont Maple Sugar 063 Creamy sweet vanilla is blended with rich maple and warm toasted pecans that makes you want to say 'bring on the pancakes! Body Safe. FP147 Cinnamon Sticks 011 Full bodied, hot cinnamon aroma that is an excellent housewarming scent. FP200 Mineral Springs 196 Spa inspired of ozone notes blended with fresh ginger, notes of jasmine, leafy greens, musk, sandalwood finishing with a splash of zesty lemon. Body Safe, FP 180 Balsam & Spice 004 Delightful spicy pine with a top note of sweet orange, cinnamon and clove. The heart is warm pine with lavender, pimento berry, eucalyptus and cedar. The base is a fir balsam musk. Commonly renamed Christmas Past for the holidays. Body Safe. FP169 Mint Candy Cane 026 A blast of true peppermint, sure to awaken the senses. Excellent scent for your holiday line and your bath and body products. Body Safe. FP200 Thanks in advance for any pointers! (scent page)

It was very interesting to me to see their page about this topic, I also applaud them for doing what they feel is right by their beliefs in what they choose to support or not support. I've read stories about the RSPO program not being capable of making sure there aren't labor abuses or environmental concerns. So the certification doesn't necessarily mean everything is okay. I saw a story about how the women on the plantations are working, esp. in terms of hand-spraying chemicals. These kinds of things, for whatever reasons, have usually always swayed my decisions about things, and being a candle maker with choices to make about the waxes to use is no different. It's difficult because all waxes have their "pros and cons" as you say, I guess we just have to weigh them out. Here's are a couple of excerpts from an article I read, I thought it was interesting, so I'm going to post it. "To offset the toxic effects of pesticide exposure, Musim Mas, the company that owned the plantation where Sari worked, gave employees who handled chemicals milk or pudding. “They told us that it was to help us detoxify,” Sari said. There’s no evidence that milk could mitigate the effects of exposure to toxic pesticides." At least the RSPO is trying to address the issues ... "When she started on the plantation in the ’90s, she did not get masks or gloves to protect her as she handled the chemicals. Now, however, her employer is a RSPO member and has started providing workers with protective equipment." Article "Indonesian Women Risk Health to Supply Palm Oil to the West" - April 19, 2017

No, I'm sorry, I don't ... your bottle is out there somewhere, just keep looking!

Well, I thought I was going to maybe help ... I bought six (?) (I think) bottles that look pretty similar to this that I have sitting in the back of a closet somewhere. I was trying to think of where I got them. I think they are similar anyway (they might be slightly tapered), it's been a long time since I looked at them. I remembered the name of the place I got them from ... Sunburst Bottle ... did a search and I see that there is no longer a Sunburst Bottle, it's been sold and the new place, which was already an existing supplier, does not look anything like the old Sunburst Bottle.

It does sort of look as though it "radiated" (maybe not the right word) out from the wick sticker. It seems to have spread or splatter more than settle, which makes me think the hot wax on the metal tab might have pushed some adhesive outward in streaks ...?

Does it need to have that split look on the cap? Is it a frosted glass, or clear?

That's true ... because sometimes you can end up doing more harm than good! If you try to use a heat gun on it, it might make the wet spot go away, but the air bubble can rise to the top and now your surface is messed up. That's not a problem if you haven't done a second pour yet, but it's too much hassle if you try to do it otherwise.

Yet, if American crafters are purchasing soy grown in the U.S., it is not the same as supporting palm grown elsewhere. I agree that both have their issues and I agree that soy wax is not "natural" due to the chemicals that are used on the majority of the crops -- definitely an issue. It's another reason to look to blends with coconut wax or beeswax for those who wish to somewhat diminish the use of soy. There are quite a number of people purposely looking for foods, soaps, cosmetics, etc. that do not have palm oil, so it's evident that people understand, at least to some degree, what the demand for this particular oil is causing. If the demand for soy increases enough to bring more awareness, then probably there will be many who try to avoid it or lessen its usage. When there is public awareness about an issue, even the smallest bit of support in the direction of making buying decisions makes a difference because if enough people do the same thing, it does make a difference. A small piece of litter, for instance, doesn't appear to be much, but when everyone litters, just look at what happens to our oceans ... if everyone stopped littering, the problem would diminish ... in other words, every little thing does matter in the grand scale of things since it's all connected. The images people have in their minds isn't from the 1980's ... it is happening today, we just need to pay more attention to it, and care about it.

I think that the wax blend you're using is probably best, but a test for any differences would probably be good to do. You can dip the wicking into the wax and then lay it on a waxed paper or something similar and allow it to harden. Depending on the metal wick tabs you're using, you will find it easier one way or the other to prime before or after threading through the tab.

Akosoy (Golden Brands) soy is sold to the consumer saying that it is soy that is grown in the U.S., not South America. Which brands of soy wax that we commonly purchase are not grown in the U.S.? Of course, I'm not saying our (U.S.) environment is not important or that soy is a "natural" product, as it's certainly not and it has its issues. But, as far as I know, the soy wax we buy is not being grown where there was once rain forest. This doesn't make all soy any less damaging, but for crafters in the U.S., I believe the soy products are grown here. Most likely, as has been stated here before, paraffin might be less damaging since it's a by-product of something already being produced. The comment I'm addressing, "sharing real facts that discredit the negative publicity that surround the palm oil industry" isn't to say that other forms of wax are not guilty of anything, but that palm is certainly not innocent and that the "negative publicity" is not made up stories, but actual conditions that some of us may have concern about and shouldn't be disregarded.

Most likely, all of your stuff is still good to use! If fragrance oils have lost their potency completely, there are recycling centers that would probably take those, although if in nice glass bottles, you might save those. These chemicals would go with your household chemicals and not go down the drain. If they are just a little weaker than how they started off, you can often times find a strong scent that works with that scent, blend the two (with the stronger one the higher %) and come away with a nice scent. I have some oils that are older than five years old, kept in amber glass and they are just as strong as when I purchased them. I have some soy wax that is a couple of years old, it doesn't smell odd or anything and my guess is if I use it, it'll make a candle. 😊