rhoops

I have read good things about cd wicks and am thinking of switching.  I use the 444 also and I want to provide the best candle I can for my customers.  I have felt like the Eco’s struggle at times to perform well but it looks very good here.

Thank you moonshine!!  Awesome gift you’ve given us.  I’ve been using Eco’s from day one but want to try CD’s so I’m planning on doing this test also.  

Grapefruit and Mangosteen from CS.  It's a great seller and is great in the wax, but the whole house seems to hold that scent captive forever.

Sorry Tall, I got off the phone before I got your message, but in any event, here we go- This is for Zinc, or https://insuranceforartists.com/#close.  You can make your choices for coverage.  For $1 mil liability, 10k property, it's a master policy which runs Oct. 1st through Oct. 1st, with a prorated amount of $370 all due up front today.  It would cover the wine bottle candles I make which was good to know.  Come October 1, the policy needs to be renewed and then the actual full amount would be revealed at that time, somewhere between $400 and $550 as I was told.  Seems to me like it would be more if $370 is prorated in April.  I stopped there.  I need to shop around more if I know I'm going to be bound by this dollar amount.

On 4/6/2018 at 9:56 AM, kandlekrazy said:

My quote from Zinc was $370 a year which is $100 cheaper, I couldn't find anything bad about them in searching so just may give them a try when my policy expires this year.

I have a called scheduled with them today.  I'll get the skinny and pass it along to everyone.

14 hours ago, JoeyG said:

Thank you all so much for the kind welcome!

 

And looks like a couple from Georgia. My son and I lived in Norcross for about 5 years... still miss it.

I live in NW GA now, but lived around Atlanta for several years.  I lived in Norcross right off Jimmy Carter, then Duluth, Snellville, and finally Sewanee.  Loved it most of the time but so glad to be away from the nightmare that is Atlanta traffic!

17 hours ago, Grungedoll said:

 

 

 

Thank you you for the input rhoops! I’m definitely going to give CS FOs a chance very soon! Ive buy my wicks and my 8oz tins from them so I’ve looked over their FOs numerous times now. I just desperately need to find a great pure coffee scent! And after everything I’ve read, no pure EOs for me either.

You're very welcome!  I'm still a newbie myself but I'd like to help where I can.

20 hours ago, Candybee said:

 

I am now. I retired from the corporate world and started doing my soap biz full time. I have markets and craft show venues year round so I work pretty much every week. Starting next month and through to Fall I do 3 markets a week. In the fall I do the big money fall & Christmas craft shows plus a few markets here and there, then after Christmas I do my winter market. So yes, I work full time, all year round.

I think that's just awesome!  That's where my wife and I would like to be eventually.

Candybee, are you full time in soaps/candles?  I mean, for a living?

I don't use EO's so I couldn't advise on those.

I'm testing "Fresh Coffee" from CS.  It's good and strong in the bottle but mellows a little when applied and lit in soy wax.  With regard to measuring FO's, I have used a wax paper cup but the majority of the time I use a small sauce cup/ramekin that one of the kids brought home from a restaurant and I believe it's made from melamine.  They're not all the same though.  I started out with three.  One brown, one white, and one red.  The brown was only used a few times and then seemed to melt from the exposure to the fo.  The white, eh, I can't remember what happened to that thing.  The cat might have eaten it.  But the red?  Still trudging on after 6 months.  I measure and pour and then clean with alcohol.  It's holds a little over an ounce and works great.  

Welcome all!

Joey!  How you doin'?

10 hours ago, Clear Black said:

 

I am not yet rhoops, but plan to initiate the process by the end of April. Let me know if you decide to go with them ya?

I'm not using anyone yet and quite honestly, I'm terrified to not have insurance, especially since I'm creating wine bottle candles.  At the same time, we're so new that we don't yet have enough income to cover such a cost.  Catch 22 I guess.  I'll let you know if I pick them up.  I've emailed them with some questions but haven't heard back yet.

On 12/30/2017 at 8:12 PM, Clear Black said:

Has anyone used Zinc Insurance? It was the first link TT originally placed in this topic. https://insuranceforartists.com/#msie

 

I just used their instant quote feature and it appears it would be less than $500/yr. Which seems pretty good. It also appears they work with you as many times as needed with the CoI's

 

"Some of the shows and exhibitions in which you participate may require proof that you carry liability insurance. We will issue your Certificate of Insurance as evidence of coverage (free of charge) as many times as necessary during the policy term, including listing the show as an Additional Insured if required."

 

Which is what I was looking for in the first place

Are you using these folks Clear?

On 3/29/2018 at 11:13 AM, TallTayl said:

Yes, more than once. The process is easy, but costs a bit for things you can do yourself often for free (like get an EIN).

We are a registered llc with them but it seems as if I'm nickel and dimed to death over things.  I'm considering letting it lapse after this year and going it alone.  We've only been selling since October and there is no great consistent income as of yet, or not enough to pay ourselves and Legalzoom too.  Lots of fees that seem would be more applicable to larger or more profitable companies.  Thoughts? 

Anyone used Legalzoom to form your company?

On 1/6/2018 at 5:55 PM, ChristinaJW said:

Hi! I haven't been on the server for awhile (holidays).

 

When I first started, I checked with my insurance carrier first. Got it approved. Then I continued perfecting the sanding & cutting to make sure there wasn't any cracks or anything else with the edges (there are a lot of companies who don't do a fine inside or outside bevel edge). I also did the heat/temperature differential tests that the Candle Association recommends (thus documenting all of my findings incase there was a future problem). I have only had one candle crack on me (and it was mine), but this was from power burning the candle for about 8-10 hours, and I saw it had a chip at the top. The candle didn't explod, it just had a hairline fracture down from the chip.  

 

So, yes there are a bunch of concerns, yet most of these are mainly general candle making tips. I suggest checking with your insurer, and cover your ass on the warning label. LOL.

 

These type of candle take A LOT of labor..... I am a perfectionist, and thus this leads to way more labor than I actually wanted to spend on a single candle (but I want my quality to be better than what is locally available). I'd suggest asking yourself first on how labor intensive you want the container itself to be.  And then determine if your willing to take the risk.  Good luck.

 

 

oh----double check your wicking for when at the bottom of the vessel. Be sure that the tab doesn't slide of the punt. If it does, that will create a dangerous situation.

I agree 1000%!  Making the bottle candles is labor intensive but I enjoy it so much and I take pride in creating a much better and smoother edge than most others I have seen.  I can't believe what some folks turn out as being a finished product.  You might think they hacked the bottle in two with a machete and then wicked and waxed!  Thank you for your reply!

On 1/6/2018 at 5:55 PM, ChristinaJW said:

Hi! I haven't been on the server for awhile (holidays).

 

When I first started, I checked with my insurance carrier first. Got it approved. Then I continued perfecting the sanding & cutting to make sure there wasn't any cracks or anything else with the edges (there are a lot of companies who don't do a fine inside or outside bevel edge). I also did the heat/temperature differential tests that the Candle Association recommends (thus documenting all of my findings incase there was a future problem). I have only had one candle crack on me (and it was mine), but this was from power burning the candle for about 8-10 hours, and I saw it had a chip at the top. The candle didn't explod, it just had a hairline fracture down from the chip.  

 

So, yes there are a bunch of concerns, yet most of these are mainly general candle making tips. I suggest checking with your insurer, and cover your ass on the warning label. LOL.

 

These type of candle take A LOT of labor..... I am a perfectionist, and thus this leads to way more labor than I actually wanted to spend on a single candle (but I want my quality to be better than what is locally available). I'd suggest asking yourself first on how labor intensive you want the container itself to be.  And then determine if your willing to take the risk.  Good luck.

 

 

oh----double check your wicking for when at the bottom of the vessel. Be sure that the tab doesn't slide of the punt. If it does, that will create a dangerous situation.

Thank you very much!  I too, have put in a lot of time cutting and finishing these for the same reason you do.  I want something of a higher quality and that isn't locally available in great quantities.  It's a lot of work but I enjoy it.

FC has a Balsam Fir that's very nice without the chemical smell.   It has a real "fresh cut" scent to it.

On 5/26/2017 at 7:07 PM, ChristinaJW said:

Hi everyone!

 

My name is Christina Whippo and I am a fragrance addict!  Seriously though...  I think I am one!

 

I have a small home fragrance business that started back in 2014, and I finally just signed my first commercial lease and moved out of my house and into a large production studio!  I primarily make candles, including wine bottle candles. Actually wine bottle candles is what started this whole business... we use to own a winery, sold our share of that business, and invested more time and energy working with other wineries to make a better product than what is on the market now. We have grown slowly over time and I really couldn't be happier with how things are going. 

 

So...after years of stalking this board I decided to finally sign up, stop hiding, and reveal myself. Thanks again for sharing all of this information and  for letting me join.

 

If anyone is in California, hit me up! lateharvestcandleco@gmail.com  I'd love to chat about suppliers, etc. because shipping and doing business in California is SO MUCH FUN! not!!! (can anyone say not business friendly or taxed to death?)

 

That's it for now!

 

-Christina

Hey Christina, I'm curious about your candles in wine bottles.  I've started cutting my own bottles, pouring, and am test burning now but I see there are some who feel that wine bottles are an unsafe venture, that the bottles aren't made for this and could crack.  What say you?  Are you pouring them or using votives?  Any safety issues or concerns?

Anyone making these?  Suggestions for soy wax to use?  I'm interested in making these and currently use GW 444 but wasn't sure this could be used.  Any help is appreciated.

I have been diligently searching for information regarding the necessity of curing soy melts.  Is it necessary to cure these as long as the candles or can they be used with success within 24 hours?

On 10/24/2017 at 9:52 AM, moonshine said:

Not all soy candles are created equal, there are so many variables involved and different types of soy wax not to mention many claim all soy but could be adding a small percentage of paraffin or other veggie waxes

I purchase many other people's candles year after year to compare and throw varies from non existent to pretty darn good - in general soy does need to cure for optimal results but fragrance oils play a huge role as well- I have some that will throw immediately and others that need to sit for a week 

once you learn your wax and get your system down you will know when they are ready for sale for the best results possible 

Mine used to only take 3-5 days cure and were perfecto and over time as they sit longer they are even better 

 

Do soy melts and tarts need to cure as well?  It seems that they would be ready to go as soon as they harden since a flame is not required to release the fragrance.

Being new to candle making, I am always searching and asking questions.  One thing I have learned is that cure time is a must for soy candles.  Having said that, I went to a craft fair this past weekend and stopped in on two candles booths.  The first was a lady who has been making all soy candles for several years and does five or six shows a year.  She was kind enough to talk to me about her business and was shocked when I mentioned when I learned that I had to cure my candles.  She actually laughed and said she had never heard of such a thing and has never done anything like that.  The second booth were some pleasant folks who were very familiar with curing and even offered to help me if I needed it.  My point is, how could someone have any degree of success over a period of several years without curing her products?