Laura C

Interesting @TallTayl, thanks for explaining.

Good questions @LilFirecracker.

That's understandable and unfortunate that you can't gain more traffic to your own website which is ideal. But you gotta stay in business and keep your customers happy. One thing you've got going for you is that you've been on Etsy a long time and have more experience with it and it's changes so making adjustments is probably easier for you than a new seller.

Sadly that does seem to be the truth.

Hi. It's been awhile since I have made wax melts but I was using mica with them sometimes. It's so pretty in the wax melter as the wax melts, I like it. I don't remember if I ever added it to my wax blend, I just sprinkled some on their tops just as they started to harden so it sticks. Seems like it would sink to the bottom if you applied the mica while it was wet, which is fine. And I don't think it took very much when you sprinkle it on. The 1oz size should allow for you to test it out enough to see if you like it, especially if you buy a few different colors. I think I bought my micas locally at Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Joann's Crafts. Have fun experimenting.

Hi @candlesinflorida, hope things are going well for you. I haven't launched a business yet or started selling my candles so I may have the wrong impression but I believe if you follow the ASTM Standards for Candles and the National Candle Association's warning label requirements then you shouldn't need to consult with a lawyer, IDK. Something to consider for anyone else reading this thread. https://candles.org/industry-standards/ https://candles.org/fire-safety-candles/read-the-label/

Yes, hang tags, I forget about them and they can be a great idea depending on your product.

That's really cute but seems labor intensive. I'd get tired of making all those folds and it would end up looking like junk. LOL

That's a great idea and looks cute.

OMG! Thanks for bringing up Flush packaging, it looks amazing and what I have been looking for. I'm going to order some sample boxes, so excited.

Hi @Linda99. As you know soy waxes are on the softer side and have a lower melt point unless they are blended with additives or a harder wax like palm as Nightlight mentioned. Do some searches on here on the subject and you should find some helpful info, I'm pretty sure I have made posts on this subject. I can tell you this from experience, adding Universal Soy Wax Additive (USWA) to your wax will make it harder and less likely to melt in the heat. I used to live in South Florida where it's summer all year long and had problems with melting candles and it helped with this problem but can create another problem if you aren't careful. Be aware, too much USWA in your wax blend will create wicking problems. The harder your candle gets, the harder it is to properly wick. You have to test, test, test the wax blend and your wicking in order to get the right combination. I just about drove myself crazy 🤪. And on top of that, this was around the time wax manufactures started changing their waxes to meet new regulations, particularly soy wax manufactures. LOL! In the end, I didn't get it perfect but ended up with some blends that worked pretty well. I was using a mix of soy and coconut waxes. There's also the option of trying a little wax melt or pillar candle wax to harden up your soy wax. Those waxes probably have other additives in them that you may or may not need and again could cause wicking issues. It's a guessing game until you put the science into play and start experimenting with the different products and combinations. After all, candle making, well, high quality candle making is a scientific journey. Have fun and label and document everything! 😊

Yes, from a seller's stand point, this info from Etsy doesn't sound so good or reassuring for the seller. Yikes, wonder how this will play out. And yes, @TallTayl, I totally agree with you about some buyers don't bother to read product descriptions, don't understand units of measure, etc., etc. Some buyers make mistakes and then want to blame it on the seller. I can't stand that. Oh, and how about all the thousands of packages that were looted and stolen out in Los Angeles? I don't blame the sellers for that big mess. Wonder how Etsy would address something like that? I can see more of that happening in the future.

Hi @Chubby8. If you haven't done so already, do some searches on here for wicking that particular wax. I bet you will find some helpful or thought provoking info. Here's some to get the ball rolling for you. https://www.craftserver.com/topic/117518-igi-4627-and-feedbacks/#comment-1104721 https://www.craftserver.com/topic/115404-4627-wax-htp-or-lx-for-self-trimming/#comment-1090507 https://www.craftserver.com/topic/115943-4627-sooting-problem/#comment-1093950 https://www.craftserver.com/topic/113098-wick-suggestions-for-igi-4627-blend/#comment-1069766

Hi @Claire2022. Be sure to search on here for fragrance oil blending help if you haven't already, there is lots of info on here. Here's some things you need to consider. 1. Make sure the fragrance oil you are using is made for candle wax and not for just soap, etc. 2. Check the FO info to see if it says it works best with a particular candle wax as well as the recommend blending temp and percentage to use. 3. Are you adding any additional binders or additives to your candle mix? Sometimes those things will prevent proper binding if not used correctly.

Hi @Lynnann81. I agree with what the others have said, at first consideration or at first burn, sounds like it is over wicked. Roughly or ideally a melt pool should grow wider about an inch per hour. So a 4 inch diameter container candle should take about 4 hrs to melt all the way across. At that point the melt pool should be around 1/2 in. deep. And the jar shouldn't be too hot to touch or over 175 degrees F. You have to keep in mind that as a candle melts its way down deeper in the container, more heat gets trapped and the jar temp keeps rising. But, let me back up and ask you a few questions. These are some things to consider. 1. Sounds like it is a new candle you just made and the first burn. Is that correct? 2. How long had the candle cured? With soy I believe you want to wait about 2 weeks before burning. 3. How full was the container? Was the wax right up close to the lip of the container? Or was there some breathing room, 1/4 - 1/2 inch? I've noticed the exact same candle will act differently on the first couple of burns if one was filled fuller, closer to the lip, than the other one. 4. Higher percentages of fragrance oil, such as 12%, can effect the way a candle burns as well. You may also want to test 10% FO. Do some searches on here for wicking help/tips because this has certainly been discussed a lot and is the hardest part of making a great candle. Additional Wicking Info Sources: https://www.theflamingcandle.com/blog/commonly-asked-question-why-is-my-candle-burning-out/ https://www.theflamingcandle.com/troubleshooting/ https://support.candlescience.com/hc/en-us/articles/201389230-What-is-a-melt-pool-

I can see how that could work. That's neat that you experimented with it.

LOL, I agree, looks like a painful process. 😆

Yes, a mold with tiny cavities looks painful, too tedious and time consuming for my taste. But, to each their own. ☺️

Doesn't make sense and sounds like a mix up to me. Someone mistakenly used candle warning language on a wax melt warning label. Yes, I'd make my own warning labels too.

Hi @TallTayl. Yes, I remember that post and I found it along with a few other related ones. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and enjoys a Safe & Happy New Year!

Look at how Yankee Candle or some of the other big players do their scents, that's what I do. And then it also depends on what works best for you or your customers.

That's a shame.

Seems reasonable to me, if I was one of your customers I would understand. Just make sure you word it properly so you don't offend anyone, LOL. Some people can be so sensitive, LOL, to their own needs but not when it comes to others. 😄

Neat, that looks pretty. I've never used palm wax but I have used vybar with other waxes. Since the candle is so hard wonder if it will be difficult to wick? Does it have a wick? I have made some hard container candles in the past and they were hard to wick and melted very slowly. Which, in some cases could be a good thing.

Hi @Alyssa Leasure. Congrats, those tools look great.