jbradshaw

He actually suggested it - he works for himself so his schedule is relatively flexible (especially compared to mine). He's my biggest supporter. 

It just took me so long to feel confident and feel like I 'knew' my wax - how long to stir, what it looked like at different stages, etc. But he does have a manufacturing background so I think you're right that he could learn. 

I've been a mess lately with the move - so I haven't put in my order yet. Need to relocate the sniffies in my office, I could do it this year or next, whatever makes the most sense given the BASF news and holidays. 

I wanted to circle back and follow up on this topic since I'm halfway through both shows.

So far - so good! I'm actually almost sold out at both shows (which is down to me underestimating the traffic and people wanting my candles). None of the product has been damaged, which is awesome. I was so hesitant about these because I couldn't be with my product, but I'm really happy with how they have gone. 

Some feedback I did get from a customer was to have signs stating what the notes were in each candle, and I can definitely incorporate that should I try this again. All in all - I'd definitely do this again next year. Since I work full time it was great to be able to be selling candles without standing in a booth, and it's also how the majority of craft shows are run in my area. 

Anyway - just wanted to let you guys know how it turned out

My husband and I are thinking of having another baby, and we're trying to figure out how it will effect my business. After a year of testing and learning, I launched in August and have been slowly but steadily growing this business into something I'm proud of. I haven't run into the 464 issues others have (I think this is because I changed containers in January and so I was already testing and identifying wicks in the 'new' wax), and I would hate to put candlemaking on hold for 9 months. 

So...is it crazy to think I could teach my husband to do the FO parts of the process? I could wick and label all the jars, even start the wax melting, but he'd have to measure the FO and actually pour the candles. We do have a respirator (my husband worked in pharmaceuticals so he made sure it was an appropriate kind for airborne fragrance), and we have windows and could in theory put in an exhaust fan - but I just don't know if I'm comfortable using FO whilst pregnant. Maybe I'm being overly cautious?

Anyway - I'm rambling. Just looking for tips, or experiences in teaching someone else your craft. 

Oh wow - just seeing this! So anything that ships now is effected? Or anything that the fragrance companies receive after Dec 1? 

I only do dye-free. When I was learning to make candles (well, obviously still am learning) it seemed like one other thing to worry about so I didn't bother. I buy dyed and dye-less candles, but prefer dye-less as I just like the look better. 

Just got my sniffies - wow! Even with this head cold they are really nice. I saw a couple pages back some references to Vetyver cafe doing well in wax - what about the others? I'm specifically interested in Tonic, Sweet Amber, Provence, and Egyptian Dragon

Thanks, Belinda! Now I have soooo many to check out. 

Below is what I ended up trying from FB - I don't do a lot of sweet/bakery scents (I'm not a big fan and they haven't sold that well for me), and I wanted to try some of the Moonworks dupes since I've heard such good things.

Cinnamon Broom

English Ivy

Frankincense & Myrhh

Lemon Pound Cake

Peace

VBN

Stress Relief

November Rain

Tea and Cakes

Forest Nymph

Witches Brew

Black Cedarwood and Juniper

Sun and Earth

Beeswax and Propolis

Bergamot Tobacco

Goddess

Enchanted

Merlin's Forest

Exonerated

City Life

Persimmon

Flowering Dogwood

21 minutes ago, GailC said:

@jbradshaw I was going to tell you my favorites from FB, but I see I'm too late.    I will say I like most everything I've gotten from there.

 

My best sellers/favorites are Cinnamon Broom and Lemon Pound Cake.

 

More good ones:

 

Spiced Apples & Peaches

Caribbean Escape

Jamaica Me Crazy

Sea Witch

Pumpkin Cupcake

 

I need to reorder a few, plus I'm getting a few new ones.  Trying to make my final selections.  

I was able to find your list and Belinda's on another thread so I did end up getting your recs

Well...I couldn't resist trying out Fragrance Buddy with that sale. Eek! 22 fragrances later...

I use Chestnuts and Brown Sugar, Vanilla Bean Marshmallow (mix it with WSP crackling firewood I think it's called), and Avocado Sea Salt. I think I have another marshmallow or vanilla bean from her but I can't remember if I've put it in anything.  What else do you use from her? I've been really happy with the quality but not many people on here order from her so I never bother trying others. 

What do you love from FB? I've got a few I'm going to try from NG but I don't even know where to start on FB.

I'm skipping JS - I have a few I love from there, and some I'd try but I don't want a full pound to try them out.

I've never ordered from NG - I'll search on the forum but anyone have a few favorites? Same with FB...

Aztec I needed to get some stuff anyway, including Volcano, so I'll end up ordering. 

Aztec's Volcano is spot on...I used to work at Anthropologie and they burn Volcano as their signature scent in every store. I can't tell you how many of those I've gone through, I just love it. If only I could find a dupe for Capri Blue's Coconut Milk Mango I'd be in heaven. 

Funny enough, I had a lot of people tell me that CS's Grapefruit Mangosteen is just like Volcano. To me, it's a bit sweeter than the original, but that could just be my nose. 

Other winners from Aztec: cinnamon peppermint creme, sweet potato brown sugar, citron cedarwood, leaves

OK - my SIL pulled out this lotion from BBW last night and it was the most amazing smell. I ended up taking a picture of the tube so I could try to find a dupe for it. It was unbelievable - I don't know why I liked it so much, but it was just so fresh and not too fruity and really great. 

Has anyone tried Fresh Sparkling Snow from either JustScent or TheCandleMaker's Store? 

I've never ordered from TCS, and I rarely order from Justscent so I can't really just add it on my next order. 

Not sure if you're at the mins yet, but I'd be in for a pound each of

Tonic

Inlet Lakegrass

Sweet Amber

Provence 

Vetyver Cafe

Does anyone ever add salt? I was looking at a Martha Stewart DIY for pine cone firestarters and they are dipped in different salts to change the flame color. Seemed like it could be cool but not sure if it would work or not.

I am thinking of collecting pine cones, dipping them, and selling them in sets of maybe 5-6 to use up leftover wax and just add some variety to my holiday market booths. 

I am so sorry to hear of all of these struggles. I feel like something is wrong with me - or the way I'm making candles, because I haven't had to change wicks. But then again I've just been making candles for 16 months so maybe I've just always had this wax that is an adjustment for others. 

https://shop.wtcinc.org/collections/catalog - great option for basic tiered shelving. I asked my husband to make one, but he said between time and materials the cost would be the same as what this place was charging. It's super sturdy, I'll probably be ordering a few more. 

6 minutes ago, moonshine said:

Seriously??  Lol- that's a big seller for me and I personally love it 

Same!

Someone also mentioned Fig Tree and that's also a big seller for me - too funny how different tastes are. 

14 minutes ago, birdcharm said:

I think the max. f/o for GW464 is 9% ... it's the GW444 that is 11% as far as I'm aware. 

 

Now, that's amazing though ... the 464 will actually hold 12% without seeping?  The thing that concerns me the most with using more f/o than recommended is fire hazard.

 

As for stirring, it's a critical step.  Also, I'm of the belief that you should use a spoon to stir with, going around the pot several times, then some figure eights, just to make sure it's all getting mixed well.  I've seen some youtube videos in which they splash the scent in the pot and give it a few brief whisks with a slender stick ... makes me shudder!! 

 

I think Cat is seeing seepage at that %

I use cocktail stirring spoons (I think they have a real name but I can't remember it) - they are long with a spoon at the end, but I may grab some of my silicone spatulas, that's a great idea TallTayl. 

@CatCatCandles I pour between 135 and 150, usually around 145. Once I start burning the candle I sometimes get smooth tops, but mostly get imperfect tops, but that's to be expected with soy. 

I think the issue is your fragrance load - 2oz per pound of FO is over 12% - and the max FO for 464 is 12%. I have never gone that high, I know most people here that use 464 do 6%, I usually do 7%. Try lowering your fragrance load and seeing what happens.

@CatCatCandles Yes, my tops dry that smooth from one pour, i've actually never used a heat gun. What temp do you pour at? 

I've been stirring way longer than I used to, and that has stopped the oil separation. I'm not sure if it was a weird thing where I was just getting lazy or what - but I haven't had it happen. 

30 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

Thanks for the kind words. 🤗

 

The topic will lead lead into a discussion I'd like to have with the forum members in the near future: Branding.

 

this social club the ornaments were made for relies on over 250 families in the area to remain viable. Without remaining in the minds of the "customers" and stakeholders it will dissappear forever. We are always thing of ways to keep a personal touch, which was a foundation stone of the club at its inception 54 years ago.

 

our own businesses need the same attention or we become lost in a sea of competitors. I read a statistic once that a person needs to see your brand logo at least 7 times before they remember it. How do you remain in the front of their minds, let alone committed to memory?

For me - I try to stay connected via social media. I just barely launched my business, so I'm using those platforms, which are free, for the majority of my marketing/branding. I think if you let people get to know you, and what your brand stands for - beyond just the product you make, they start to love you and not just the products. Then if you need to pivot or expand in the future, your customer base is loyal because they know you and feel connected to you. 

At least - that's what I'm trying   

I definitely appreciate the collected comments! it's so hard to keep track of everything. 

I will say that Fig Tree is actually a best seller for me (it does not smell like fig, though, IMO), but I've heard others prefer Mediterranean Fig. 

Gorgeous!! And what a cool idea.