The Candle Nook

Also, the “old” cranberry marmalade was excellent HT at 6% in soy wax— the new has weak cold throw...not encouraging. 

@Hotpinkao I haven’t burned the new cranberry marmalade but it is definitely different. I am getting apple - which I didn’t before (and I can’t find flavor notes online of the old FO). My current problem is I don’t have time before fall’s huge market for this to research/test a bunch of new cranberry’s looking for a cranberry marmalade dupe. (Which the old CS FO, in MHO, was one of the best FO around). I am pouring this new one and passing to a repeat customer who buys this all the time and getting her thoughts. I have 2 pounds of the old oil and will pour those for my friends/family/church — then try new stuff 😢 (and let me state, for once and for all, I DON’T GIVE A HOOT ABOUT PHTHALATES!! STOP CHANGING FO OILS!)

Ok...here’s my dilemma, I need to test a bunch of new FO with different size wicks and in different fragrance loads. (Normal candle work) The pain-in-the-a$$ part is cleaning out my pouring pitcher between FO. I’m thinking About pouring my testers without wicks, poke a hole and add wicks so it will easier to switch out when I need to test different wick sizes....what will I screw up if I mix my melted wax and FO directly in my glass candle container — bypassing the pouring pitcher?  (I can mix easily without a wick in place...) Obviously, I will need to retest, with a complete burn when i *think* I have the right wick identified (and won’t object to using my pouring pitcher because most of the time I’ll go on and make 3-6 candles)...I’m just wondering how to streamline my first testing without pouring candles with wrong wicks that will sit around wasted....or using a pouring pitcher that will have to be cleaned SO WELL (and take LOTS of cleaning time) between dIfferent FO...

Have any of you done that before?  Am I nuts? Missing some basic principle because It’s late and I’ve had a few glasses of wine???  Thoughts please...

Those are very cute!

Thanks so much everyone for the suggestions.  I knew I was in the right place for enablers to help! 😘. CW is the first company I’ve bought from that doesn’t have any reviews on FO — and very little in scent description. It’s making it more difficult for me to decide what to order — and why I depend on THIS GROUP so much!! Trying to get some CS “reformulated” FO in wax today and am making notes on what I’m ordering from CW later this week. (Would definitely have tried the smoked ginger @Sarah S  so thanks from steering me away from that in my first order— I have plenty to buy that everyone seems to agree on!) My dear husband is modifying a presto pot for me today (with a spigot) so I can turn my son’s old bedroom into candle central and keep wax and supplies out for awhile — bring on the fall/holiday scents!!

After the pumpkin thread...decided I couldn’t stand it and am working on an order from CW...seriously, I need a 12- step program for candle obsessions. So, how about some input on other FO for me to try from CW. Extra thanks if you’ve tried them in 464 🙃

Received CS order today and OOB — TOTALLY agree with @RedRoomGraduate “autumnal volcano” for the peppercorn pomander...LOVE the peppermint mocha, and find the white currant interesting and think it will be successful. Also re-designed Fresh coffee smells same and cranberry marmalade is now cranberry apple marmalade....it’s different and will know how much different once it’s in wax...stay tuned. Everything will have to cure!

How is the wick testing going?  I have recently switched from ECO to CD and use 464 wax....am personally liking the CD wick more 

Also agree with @NightLight — you may have used too much FO

On 8/7/2019 at 11:16 AM, Darbla said:

I know you might not can pick one scent that pleases everyone anyway, but I have one friend who absolutely abhors vanilla as a room scent.  I (and she) would go for something kind of fresh outdoorsy.  Cracklin' Birch from NG comes to mind as a non-too-masculine version of an outdoorsy scent.

I am not a vanilla fan either and only pour for those who like it...altho I love the vanilla champagne — you have intrigued me with Cracklin Birch. Will definitely put that on my “list to try” (why oh why do I keep buying new FO 😂)

By “dry” do you mean set up?  I’ve never made a candle that didn’t set up overnight and I use soy. Soy always feels creamy to me - is that what you are feeling?

Thanks @RedRoomGraduate  I ordered the peppercorn pomander, white currant, and peppermint mocha. Can’t wait to try them!! ❤️

On 7/18/2019 at 12:10 PM, Forrest said:

I would never rely solely on my own nose, my wife said she couldn't smell it and she was about 6 feet away. Maybe I'll make several at 7% and one at 8% just to see. 

That’s exactly what I would do — then burn 1 of each yourself and give others to close friends who aren’t surrounded by FO all the time to test. Just handed off a candle to friend yesterday to test for me...I can test burn and flame but HT is difficult. 

I’ve been searching on the forum for an hour and still not sure where to go — have a request for dupe for BBW fireside marshmallow. Am considering the following but don’t really want to order from everyone — so OPINIONS PLEASE!

RE - Campfire Marshmallow

JS - Marshmallow Fireside

SOS - Campfire & Marshmallow

I use 464 — any info/advice/direction greatly appreciated!  

On 4/6/2019 at 1:55 PM, Laura C said:

 

Oh that sounds like so much fun, making wedding favors. After reading comments and thinking about it, I believe a wedding cake/vanilla cake type scent would be a good and safe choice. Aren't cake or vanilla scents popular with lots of people? Some people may not like chocolate scents nor florals as Trappeur suggested. Does the bride not have a preference for the scent?

I was so proud of Manda -- she told my daughter they were NOT doing wedding party favors because she doesn't agree with a party favor after she has already paid for a reception where they fed everyone!  After taking everyone's advice tho, I had decided no on the floral (daffodil) and was debating between cake and vanilla champagne...so, the next wedding my daughter is in (October) i may make the offer again.  And am definitely making the offer to her bestie who I think will be engaged within the year.

Since I'm ordering old favorites (that CS has chosen to change😢 so now I have to retest) I was wondering if anyone has tried (or heard anything about) their new scents:

Peppercorn Pomander: Peppercorn Pomander is a peppery twist on a traditional holiday fruit fragrance. Fresh cracked peppercorn blends with orange peel and mandarin for a spiced citrus treat. Tonka bean and vanilla in the base smooth out the zesty orange notes. Black pepper, clove leaf, and orange essential oils enhance the juicy citrus and piquant spice of this realistic scent.

Tonka and Oud: Tonka and Oud is a complex, modern fragrance with high-end appeal. This woody scent begins with top notes of amaretto and powder as it gives way to a heart of tonka and balsam. Notes of rum, musk, and sweet, resinous oud make up the base of this intriguing fragrance.

Rosemary and Sage: Indulge in some aromatherapy and surround yourself in the herbal mélange of Rosemary Sage. Cooling eucalyptus and pine notes uplift fresh green florals and rosemary, while earthy sage and cedar lend this fragrance an enticing woodsy base. An infusion of fir needle, eucalyptus, and cedar leaf essential oils reinforce the botanical beauty of this scent.

Peppermint Mocha: Our Peppermint Mocha fragrance is a chocolatey delight for your senses. This signature drink fragrance blends decadent chocolate and peppermint into an irresistible treat. Notes of peppermint and a hint of coconut milk blend with rich chocolate and creamy vanilla.

White Currant: White Currant is a versatile fragrance with wide appeal, thanks to the alluring balance of tart and sweet. Red currant and zesty lemon peel combine with airy ozone before giving way to a botanical heart of juniper and geranium. Black currant and just a hint of peppermint in the base reinforce the tart freshness of this year-round scent.

Dulce de Leche: Dulce de Leche transforms any space into an artisanal confectionery shop filled with the warm aroma of buttery caramel. This sweet, decadent fragrance tempts your senses with notes of rich butter before giving way to a heart of luscious caramel and cream. Vanilla and tonka bean in the base reinforce the sweetness and warmth that makes Dulce de Leche such an appealing scent.

Only saving grace is she didn’t talk about adding ESSENTIAL OILS to fragrance the damn thing!! 😂🙄

(I thought I was clever one time...) I tried some coffee grounds...and a coffee bean...and even coffee around the top of the container “for effect” — then I stopped. Just makes a mess and screws with the burn. I’ve got enough trouble making sure my candles are burning correctly and have a nice CT/HT without adding another variable into the mix. 

I use this scent as a “volcano” type...for people who love that Capri scent -this is a winner. And I have to use 10% in soy

I try to always pour grasses, herbs, and a final ocean scent and promote it as “end of summer”. In Texas it’s hot thru Christmas (sometimes) but pumpkins and spices will start selling in sept. I’ll be pouring those next week!) and, of course, leather, because....leather...

Glad you bumped this thread...I was asked for an “old books” candle and have been thinking what to start with. I would never have thought of vanilla. I know you need a touch of leather - but those can be so overpowering. Wondering about a vanilla bourbon — and a touch of havana added to it...(not sure it reads “old book”. Maybe it’s just a blend I want to try 😂) 

I’m switching lavenders (I think) I have used AAA- it’s been ok but I’m not wowed....have just poured Lavender Sage from PFO....but I need a straight lavender too. Not sure if I want one leaning toward floral or not.... I use 464 wax and normally need about a 10% FO load for a lavender scent — which is fine....but I need to get some options in and start testing. Any thoughts from my esteemed friends?

I think it boils down to personal preference. I am not a fan of pumpkin soufflé but my candle making partner LOVES it so she makes it and she can sell it — I make different pumpkins and sell more of what I like...

I agree with all advice so far. And I worry about giving them (newbies) too much advice (of course, maybe then they would invest in the running shoes! LOL)....I might add choose a FO from a reputable company and start with one or 2 of their best sellers. HT is likely to be good with top sellers. Mistake I made was having too many FO at the beginning. (I still have too many FO 😂😂😂) 

@Pam W  i do exactly the same thing (pour all leftover fragranced wax together and burn for personal use). Takes us back to the age old “never leave a candle burning unattended” phrase!!!  — I have found some FO blends I like doing this technique tho 😂😂