aptommo

Belinda, I wonder what effect it would have spraying a small amount of silicone spray on the clamshells before pouring?

I truly don't get all your frosting issues with the PB. I can show you 10+ mold shapes I used recently and none of them came out with frosting, including the actual clamshells I have.  I wish I could help you with that, I really think the PB is the best without mixing in Paraffin.

I have a friend that is dying for me to make her melts to sell at her shop, however she wants to figure out a way to turn her logo into a mold/molds to create the melts with. I am not sure if that's possible or what it would take. Maybe a 3D printer then creating the silicone mold from the model? Does anyone have any thoughts on this? 

1 hour ago, TallTayl said:

Partially true.  HTML code in the email itself can capture vital info. Plus think of how absently mindedly we click links. And accidentally click/tap on mobile devices because our fingers are just in the right spot. I have accidentally hit hidden images on my iPad and phone which took a while to clean up. By then it’s too late. I was an IT person for 20+ years in my last life. If it can happen, it will, and I’ve had to clean the mess. Why play with fire?

You're right on the not playing with fire but I'll just say that I've been in the IT field for as long as you and I've never once had a virus on my machine (knock on wood). 

4 hours ago, TallTayl said:

A pitfall of “playing along” is computer viruses in those emails that record your keystrokes. This gives them passwords and every single one of your online dealings, such as bank account, credit card numbers, social security number, etc. anything that allows them to easily impersonate you and ruin your credit standing. 

 

Why waste the time? It’s their game, not yours. They are in a position to win. You are not. 

 

Why risk your financial security? 

You're not going to get a computer virus by receiving or replying to an email. It's only if you open an attachment or click a link in the email. 

9 hours ago, Laura C said:

 

Awh, so you have the EVO liquid dyes from Candle Wic. Are they odorless or at least easily tolerable to smell?

I see from this pic what you mean about that type of bottle being messy. That's a shame. At least the ones from Aztec do have an easy to use twist open pour spout. Could you pop out that disc that has the hole in it and put a pour spout lid on it?

Oh maybe I could I don't know! Yes they have very little odor if any at all. 

31 minutes ago, Laura C said:

 

If you don't mind me asking, which liquid dyes do you use and do they have a strong terrible odor?

I ordered some liquid dyes from Aztec and made a few melts with them but I can't stand the smell of the dye while I'm using it. It's horrible and like mothballs, it's really strong and repugnant. I did use a mask but I think I will get a better one, LOL.

 

Someone on here said the EVO liquid dyes from Candle Wic are odorless or have very little odor. I hope I'm repeating this correctly. I may order some of those and try them but honestly I make a mess with liquid dyes. 

I have a few from Candle Science, Rustic and white I finally found from AAA but most of the go to ones are from Candlewic. I agree about the smell some of them especially the Rustic are really bad. I got the Candlewic variety pack and I love having all the colors but I wish they used a dropper, they have been quite messy. 

3 minutes ago, Laura C said:

 

Yes, in the one clam shell I used a dye block. I read on here some where that dye blocks should be heated to at least like 185-190 in order to melt properly and I did add dye at 190. But I didn't use any dye in the other clam shell and it's just as gritty. I only notice or see the fine grit when I gently run my fingers across the melts. I had even cleaned the clam shells too. In my next batch I'm going to try only 6% FO, like you, and see what happens.

I'm honestly not thinking it's the difference in the amount of FO. I'm sure I've added a bit more at times on lighter scents and still haven't experienced the grit. I really don't understand what it could be. Maybe someone else will weigh in with some thoughts.

One thought, you're using block dyes? Maybe that's our biggest difference. I use all liquids. 

I haven't gotten any grit but I do things a bit different than you do. I use many different FO suppliers so I'm sure it doesn't matter on that but I melt to 200 then add color at about 190 then the FO at about 185 and I go by recommended 6% - so 1oz for 1lb of wax. I pour at just under 160. I do at times get ever so slight dips in the center but not holes. No frosting unless I pour hotter than that and no grit in clamshells or silicone molds. 

1 hour ago, Sebleo said:

@Belinda yes I live in Texas!  I love their leather. But it’s the only scent that has gone bad over time in my wax. I have some about a year old and it smells sour almost. It’s the only fragrance to do that to me. I just make smaller batches of it now. 

 

Im glad I found the honey Lavender because I can’t stand Lavender at all!  The honey really smoothed our the bitterness of the Lavender. It’s one of my favorite fragrances!

I have Aztec's Leather and it smells amazing. I hope it doesn't go bad, I have a bunch of it waxed up into melts sitting.

7 hours ago, Trappeur said:

I'm up against this all the time....so lets see

Lemon biscotti or lemon pound cake

Some type of apple spice

Pumpkins sell for me all year long so maybe a pumpkin pecan waffle or pumpkin caramel

Hot Apple Pie

Cinnamon Buns or some type cinnamon

Coffee sells wonderful like caramel coffee latte.

 

 

 

 

Yes coffee is a big draw for me too and I just noticed I haven't made any for my craft fair, some with apple pie. Yikes. Oh well. 

Also Coffee Cake and Spice from Bulk Apothecary is really nice.

2 minutes ago, Trappeur said:

Sure, no problem.....just walked right in with my basket presentation of completed candles, speak to the manager, show him my candles and then it's a done deal.

 

Trappeur

Wow. I need to be more bold then! I had no idea it was that easy. I've been avoiding chains. I do wonder how to present the wax melts for display because I wouldn't want people picking stuff out of the tins, I'd want to seal them with shrink so then maybe a tester/sniffer of some sort? I don't suppose that's a big issue with actual candles. 

Okay so I have everything done I think. I don't want to do too much more, if any. I'm under that 2 week window of cure time and some that I wanted to do I had to skip because I didn't have time to test the FO with my wax. Here's what I came up with, what do you guys think? Enough variety??

Berries & Cream 
Black Strap Molasses 
Caribbean Coconut = Caribbean Vacation
Ho Ho Ho = Chocolate Dreams 
Clean Cotton 
Coffee Cake 
Cotton Candy 
Creme Brulee 
Cream Cheese Frosting 
Dragonfruit Poptail 
Grape Soda 
Hansel & Gretel's House 
Lava Flow Poptail 
Lavender Vanilla  
Leather 
Love Spell 
Sex Bomb Lush Type = Lush Bomb 
Maple Pancakes 
Sugar Cookie 
Vanilla Buttercream = Ultimate Vanilla 
Winterberry Wonder & Berrylicious Yankee Type = (Wonderberry) 
Witches Brew 

I like the first one too! 

Also can I ask how you secure selling in a chain type store like ACE and Tractor Supply?

3 minutes ago, Sebleo said:

@aptommo I love peppermint bark but have had zero interest so far. People loved it years ago when I made candles, but I can’t give it away now. 😕

 

I was honestly surprised at my craft fair at how few I sold. I even had it melting and everyone commented on how good it smelled but most bought something else. I took 28 bags and returned with 19. I still love it, it's one of my favorite smells ever and I'll melt it all myself.

I do wonder if it was sold as another name if it would be any better? 

WSP Cream Cheese Frosting
WSP Brown Sugar

VA Candle Peppermint Bark

WSP Ho Ho Ho, which I renamed Chocolate Delight for non holiday times. It's the most scrumptious chocolate I've ever smelled.

Aztec Black Strap Molasses

Mine hasn't shipped still 😒

1 minute ago, Trappeur said:

I make lots of small embeds and those little cups are great.    Like she said you need to learn to move fast as you are pouring the wax is solidifying.  After each pour I have a paper towel held right under the pour lip and I quickly wipe after each pour to stop the wax from running down the little pourer,,,,,,,,,,,it can be done, but has to be done very swiftly.

 

Trappeur

That is exactly what I do. I have been known to pop it in the microwave for a few seconds if I don't move fast enough! 

I also use a ladle and scoop it into my waiting Pyrex measuring cup/bowl. I lose a bit of heat but I find that if I let the wax heat to just over 200 degrees then ladle it into my bowl it's just under about 190 at that point. Then I go ahead and add in any colors I plan to use and when it gets down to 180-185 I add the FO. 

I tend to use these the most especially for smaller molds. They are small and the pour is really accurate. You have to move fast but it saves me so much wasted wax and clean up time!

3 Pcs Silicone Measuring Cup

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DC225TZ

If I'm pouring into very very small molds like embeds, I tend to just use the pipettes for those for the same reasons!

14% off everything using coupon code Valentine

I find it works okay on melts if you don't plan to look at the part that's exposed while cooling. Like my bears and the deep hearts that once you pull from the molds you flip over anyhow. The frosting didn't seem to be on the parts that actually had contact with the mold. I only got a 5lb bag of this so I've only used it a few times but the results were okay. Not any worse than the 494 which frosts quite a bit too!

Yeah I didn't want to go overboard but a few of them sounded like I might regret only getting that 1oz!

I bought from them for their 6oz tins and white liquid dye. In that order I did get the Cinnamon but I haven't tried it out yet. It does smell really good OOB. I just placed another order now for these:

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1	Spiced Mahogany1 oz. bottle	1	$1.00
1	Hawaiian Wind1 oz. Bottle	1	$1.00
1	Fireside1 oz. Bottle	1	$1.00
2	Cookies & Cream1 oz. Bottle	2	$2.00
1	Bayberry1 oz. Bottle	1	$1.00
3	Cinnilla (50% CV 50% C)1 oz. Bottle	3	$3.00
1	Banana Nut Bread1 oz. Bottle	1	$1.00
2	Hazelnut Coffee1 oz. Bottle	2	$2.00
3	Monkey Farts1 oz. Bottle	3	$3.00
1	Hot Apple Pie1 oz. Bottle	1	$1.00
1	Leather and Lace1 oz. Bottle	1	$1.00