birdcharm

Some people like that soy wax burns longer than paraffin. I haven't tested side by side how much longer a 100% soy candle burns compared to a parasoy; maybe someone will have some input in regard to burn durations. I use GW444, which has a higher scent load than 464, but the throw does fluctuate from scent to scent. It's probably a personal preference as to what type of wax you prefer to purchase or burn. I make a lot of novelty candles, so I am usually mixing waxes anyway; yet, for repours in containers, I've been using straight soy. Maybe I should consider a parasoy on some of my containers, might help scent throw for me on certain scents!

Very unique and very pretty. Those would make a delightful gift! Can those boxes be recycled? I'm guessing so, but just curious, as some of your customers may be.

I'm currently doing some repours for a neighbor and she specifically told me "no color" -- so, they are not getting any color to them. These are soy candles and they look fine. The thing about using white dye block is that it can clog your wicks. I only use it in very small amounts, for instance, on a dessert candle that has some "icing" -- besides that, I don't use it as I've heard this from many experienced crafters.

I spotted an oval mold on sale recently ... yes, the first thing that came to my mind was how to wick ... I think that's a case where two smaller wicks would work better. I agree that if you were to try out the container, to just get one to check it out.

Hi Amy, I'm new here too, as are some others -- there are many professional crafters here, I think you'll enjoy it here!

Wonderful presentation! I'm not real big on Halloween, but I agree that your candles and photography are really inspiring! (P.S. I think you should perhaps watermark your photos.)

I think they are phasing out Teflon altogether, I forget when it won't be manufactured/sold anymore, but it seems that I read that they are no longer going to make it. From what I understand, if you heat the Teflon pan without anything in it, there is a chemical that is released that affects birds. I never read anything about pet birds and fragrance oils. However, something I did recently read had to do with cinnamon essential oil in a reed diffuser that someone's cat knocked over, spilling the e/o and walking into it, having burns on its paws and had to be taken to the vet with a long recovery afterward, losing all hair on legs, with blisters where the e/o got on it. A good reason to always have a warning on anything like that saying keep out of reach of children and pets.

One thing I'd like to mention is that ink jet printers give a crisp look and the lettering would stand out on a regular kraft label ... not sure how inkjet does on them, the ink might sink in a bit and show less contrast -- maybe that's one thing about the light kraft -- could possibly work better with an inkjet. I don't know for sure, it's just a guess.

As you said -- not sure if they are hand-poured or not. But, if I were to try to copy that, it might be with a whipped wax and an extra-large decorator tip (the plain kind, not a star tip, etc.) -- I think Chefmom is on to it! Then, most likely, after it's been piped into the container, it is probably hit with some heat to melt it a bit ... hmmm? Do you think so?? I should try!

I buy my labels and print them myself -- if you have some creative talent on the lettering, it's much cheaper to do it yourself. Plus, you can make any changes, just print a few labels, have various shapes and sizes, etc.!! Here's what I think you may be looking for: http://www.labelsbythesheet.com/items/brown-kraft-labels/light-brown-kraft-labels/list.htm As for a printer, mine is a very non-fancy (lol) inkjet, Canon Pixma.

I was using GW415 and have switched over to GW444 ... before doing so, I went out and gathered some info on the Golden Blends' waxes. As for additives,, they probably are not really necessary. I may try Vybar-260 sometime to see if it benefits coloring or surface flaws, but my colors/surfaces haven't looked too bad, so I haven't looked into it. Anyway, the fragrance load for GW464 is 7-9% -- so your maximum recommended usage will be just under a half-ounce per pound (1.44 oz. pp). I think I've seen a couple of suppliers list the fragrance loads differently, but this info (7-9%) is from the manufacturer; hopefully I've done the math correctly! (One reason I switched to GW444 had to do with a higher fragrance load.)

Adding stearic acid hardens your wax and makes it more opaque, so a meltpool would take a little longer to form. I haven't read here long enough to see what everyone uses as their candle usage/safety tags or labels, but one of the lines I put in mine is to periodically trim the wick so it is about at 1/4" -- I wonder if maybe they didn't trim the wick and it caused it to tunnel ...? I know that with some wicks/candles, they need a little trim after about their first hour. May I ask? ...what length is your wick to start with? I see many candles with long wicks, but it's my preference to start them at 1/4" -- I could be doing it all wrong, but it works for me.

I was also wondering about the wide mouth as a possible substitute for some of the tart candles I've made. Those are about 4+" across and they can hold "whipped cream" or fruit slices, or "holiday cookies" or other embellishments -- BUT, it's not a very stable container, being that it's aluminum and looks like a small pie, so I'm limited in design concepts. For instance, wax shells wouldn't look very good in a pie! I'm simply looking for some other ideas for my novelties, most of the time I throw many of those ideas away, but I do keep some from time to time!

Thanks for the tips -- okay, I will stick with taller profile jars, I just wondered if that wide diameter might be good for scent throw, plus I like the low profile look -- hmmm, 16 oz. is a big candle! I've poured some for others (16 oz.), but never myself!

I'm guessing you probably used a gazebo or some kind of covering. I'm not familiar with those waxes, so I can't answer that part. I wonder if it would help to display the candles on top of large, oblong plastic containers that are perhaps filled with blue ice packs ...? Although the cool air would sink, I think the containers would stay cooler, and that, combined with shade, might make a difference. Just thinking, don't mind me.

I like the look of these jars, but I'm curious if anyone here has used a similar type of jar before. The "quilted" 4-oz jars appeal to me, and the shipping from this place isn't bad, plus they have canning supplies, so I'm curious, as I may try ordering and get some of these. TIA Wide Mouth Ball Jars

The last time I was in Dollar Tree, I spotted the square glasses and vowed to return on a day that was not so hot to pick some up. It might be easier for me to have them delivered, I'll have to see ... carting around glass is such a hassle. I bought some little tumblers years ago at Big Lots (was Pic'n'Save), they were made in Turkey, they are wonderful little glasses. It's the thin glassware you have to careful with, as it's not suitable for candles, as most already know. Anyway, Libbey is not the only quality glassware out there, imo. https://www.dollartree.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=32572

I think birds are very interesting little critters! Bats are too, I agree! And, it's fun to figure out what you're looking at -- can be frustrating at times though!!

Hi hallhaus3, You're going to enjoy this hobby, don't worry! What is the diameter of your jar?

Oh gee! Those are magpies! https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-billed_Magpie/lifehistory

LOL ... I use a small can of just about any sort --- I either push in one side of it and then crunch it to make a sharp spout, or step on it. You can still pry open part of the can so you can work with your wax.

Okay -- the longer "memory burn" is not quite as necessary for containers! I like that! I've just always used the similar method as with pillars and never tried not doing it!

I like the hang tag concept, as some folks will tuck that card away somewhere to look up later. I personally don't like labels on jar candles, I like to see the candle, but that's me. The idea of folding the tag is a good one (with two hole punches with the cord strung through) -- combined with tip about scent name more prominent, like on the front of the hang tag, with logo on inside flap, contact on other side, and maybe other info on the back ...? Really enjoyed seeing that grocery sack label! So creative. Anyway, I like the jute, that looks nice, I usually use a ribbon of some sort and have learned that if I tie the bow standing over the jar with it faced away from me that it comes out better than if I tie it while facing it -- I don't know exactly how that works, but it seems to make a difference in how the bow looks. One thing I'd like to add for pics is that it seems nice to me when there is a sample candle burning and the pic taken in natural light (no flash) -- somehow the personality of the candle seems to shine through and it gives the feeling of what the candle really does ... burn!

I'm new here too, and everyone has made me feel very welcome! I've been pouring GW444 -- similar to the GW464, with a couple of differences. I've never poured GW464, but jumped from GW415 to GW444. (From what I understand, the GW444 has a higher fragrance load than the GW464.) I've been repouring candles for some nearby neighbors in my small town, and next week, I plan to post a little notice at the Post Office bulletin board to offer my services. Welcome!

Watching birds is a lot of fun, looking for the different kinds is fun too -- learning all the different kinds -- well, that's a lot of work!! I've learned a pretty good share of North American birds though, and, for resident birds, I can tell some of them by call, although it took a long time for that!! Candybee -- the fall migration events in the east are real treats!! You were lucky to see that! TallTayl -- I think birds are really a challenge to photograph! I used to have a beloved Budgie -- one of the things he said was "wanna go birding?" (or, + "baby?") I think you may have had Steller's Jays in Colorado, Scented ... check out the pics here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Jay/id They are very pretty!! I think actual Blue Jays are only in the east, but I don't know where the boundary is off-hand.