Laura C

On 1/5/2022 at 7:06 AM, ShelleyF said:

I bought some silicone mats to try it out. It was actually pretty easy. You just take the scraper and move real fast to get all the holes filled. It was very fast and I laughed at how easy it actually is.

Hey, I just came across this video where she does the same thing you are talking about, using a scraper, and it does look quick and easy. I thought of this post so I thought I'd share it. ☺️

Interesting @TallTayl, thanks for explaining. 

Good questions @LilFirecracker.

20 hours ago, TallTayl said:

Yeah, it gets frustrating sometimes.  
 

the biggest challenge to gave to myself was to improve descriptions and photos. If something does not match a description it leaves us open to challenges. All of it is necessary continuous improvement.  
 

as frustrating as some Etsy customers can be, 99% of them are wonderful. So many are most comfortable staying on Etsy as a platform, versus coming over to the independent website for me to leave Etsy.  I gotta suck it up and learn their new rules. 

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. 

21 hours ago, NightLight said:

Etsy doesn’t follow their own rules. Handmade hahahaha. There are so many resellers. Report a shop? If they make money they don’t go.

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.

On 5/21/2019 at 5:06 PM, candlesinflorida said:

As for the warnings, you’d have to consult a lawyer on what he/she thinks absolutely must be on your label. Not sure if any of us here are legal experts or just going with our legal assumptions?

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/

On 5/9/2019 at 11:57 AM, Candybee said:

You could have a removable hang tag around the container. This could have your fragrance name and your messages to the customer as well. Then you could include a box or not depending on how much you want to spend on packaging. The hang tag is an affordable alternative that could add just the right look to your product.

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

On 11/30/2021 at 7:29 PM, TallTayl said:

Oooooooo I just saw this on Pinterest.

https://pin.it/6zPVJIi

 

 

 

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

On 12/1/2021 at 10:09 AM, TallTayl said:

A number of makers in my circle have used coffee filters and cupcake liners to wrap round items like tins. A sticker on top is pretty. 

That's a great idea and looks cute.

On 11/30/2021 at 4:13 PM, TallTayl said:

Flush packaging approached me through Etsy a few months ago and sent a sample package.  I need to open and review the contents, but it seems like a nice option - especially for shipping securely.
 https://flushpackaging.com

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.

On 1/29/2022 at 5:19 PM, Chubby8 said:

So I'm experimenting with Paraffin wax, IGI 4627 Comfort Blend in 9oz. straight sided jars, diameter 2.88. I used an LX14 wick and tested 2 candles, one with 6% fragrance oil and one with 10% fragrance oil. The one with the 6% fragrance oil has a better melt pool after 3 hours burn time. Do you think that the 10% may be clogging the wick making the melt pool smaller? I originally thought that the 10% fragrance would make the larger melt pool but I guess I was wrong? Any thoughts on this? thanks for any help!

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

On 1/30/2022 at 11:53 AM, Claire2022 said:

Please help- I'm fairly new to candle making,had good success with lavender and ho wood fragrance oil,nice surface,good scent throw etc. I'm now trying Sae Spray oil,it's a nightmare,really bad surface no matter how many times I use the heat gun. The oil seems really thick when I pour it in and doesn't mix easily, I wonder if I'm pouring too hot???

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.

16 hours ago, Lynnann81 said:

After cooling for the day I lit this candle again, it still smelled good so figured Id burn it even though thanks to the replies I know to definitely wick down on my next trys. This time the MP was only a few mm deep and my wicks struggled to stay lit. One burned out completely but once relit stayed lit until I finally put it out. This confuses me, any idea why that happened, complete opposite from the first burn. I just ordered CD4,6,&7s, any suggestions on what wick I should try on the next burn test? Will still be using 464, 12% FO same 4inch glass vessel. Im very new to candle making so any help would be appreciated!

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-

On 1/5/2022 at 7:06 AM, ShelleyF said:

I bought some silicone mats to try it out. It was actually pretty easy. You just take the scraper and move real fast to get all the holes filled. It was very fast and I laughed at how easy it actually is.

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

On 1/1/2022 at 3:28 PM, RichardLOZ said:

Lots of people in Australia seem to be making these as well. Personally I think if I had to work with cavities that small, I would kill someone. What a painful experience to put yourself through, for I expect very little gain. The additional effort over standard melts (or mini melts in our case - 13 gram fluted) would decimate any potential profits, just to look cute!

 

 

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

On 12/31/2021 at 1:16 PM, TallTayl said:

Those look like a profit killing production nightmare. The temperatures will always be just slightly off with most waxes. 
 

I used to add tiny molded colored cubes of wax to my beeswax pillar candles so I could tell them apart while at the summer long Ren Faire. Took waaaay too long. And made waaaay too much waste. 

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.

On 12/28/2021 at 5:09 PM, TallTayl said:

@Laura C a while back we talked about the customer not always being right.  Do you remember that thread?

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.

On 12/12/2021 at 11:16 AM, Rich said:

It is wicked, with a thick MP20 flat braid. Unfortunately, it burns like a horses ass. Wick destroyed and drowned out in half hour. Did not drip though.

That's a shame.

On 12/10/2021 at 9:56 AM, LilFirecracker said:

Would it be rude to put up a sign asking (begging) the customers to please use the testers to sniff and if they're ready to purchase after that, I'll let them sniff their own before they leave? 🤣

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.