Aileene

This is perfect everyone, just what I needed I might sell, first I have to convince myself that I can actually make the product though so I am going into it with the view of 'hobby/self' while covering bases, etc for possible future selling. If that makes sense....its just that seeing as how I've never made lotion, scrubs, etc (with or w/o bases) I'm not going to jump into the 'selling' mode. I may try and make a few B&B items and discover that I am really bad at it, or I don't like making them.... Going in as a hobby gives me some wiggle room should I decide to shelve the whole thing (mentally/self-esteem wise) so I don't/won't feel like I 'failed' at something. This is a pretty jumbled post, but I hope I got my point across. Right now hobby, w/ a soft focus view on possible sales if it works out. I'll be recording everything I do, every step I make and listing the steps needed should I go for selling. I've read quite a bit about testing and the new laws/restrictions being passed (or written up, etc) so I am watching and studying what I need should I sell (or give as gifts even...but I'm a paranoid type lol) Thanks again all...these lists are perfect for helping me set up my workspace area. I know sanitation is huge for B&B do you all use gloves? If so where do you pick up ones that don't bag or irritate your hands? Do you use masks to keep your breath away from contaminating? I like using the clorox wipes, is that enough for cleaning purposes of the counter/workspace or would you suggest more stringent means? Thanks again and again, --Aileene

Thanks so much And yes I do plan on starting B&B the same way I do candles, one item/jar/wax at a time (lotion or scrub, votive or 10 oz jar, etc) Trying to do more than one would definitely drive me nuts and the idea of this is to have fun with it, for now at least I'm not sure whether it will be lotion or scrubs that I start with, I am thinking lotion as we're heading into spring/summer during the time I'll be doing my testing and I don't want to deal with some of the melting issues I've heard/read about sugar scrubs. Its just getting a basic 'hardware' list to cover set up that's been spinning me in circles lol. Thanks again, --Aileene

I have found all sorts of wonderful information on recipes and starting points here with the many MANY searches, so I'm not looking for any info on that at this point. My biggest problem is coming up with a starter list of items/utensils and hardware needed. I have tried to find a list of what I need to start with. For example when I started with candles I knew to have a presto pot (the idea/reality of it worked better than a double boiler, as I have my own work space) Pour pots, stirring utensils, small/med/large cups for measuring, jars, molds, wicks etc etc. some depending on what I was going to make (leaving out 'recipe' ingredients such as wax, FO, dye) So I want to venture into playing with B&B, specifically body butter/lotions, sugar scrubs (whipped/mixed type, not cubed right now) and bath add ins, such as crushed bath bombs bags, bubbly milk bath (salts?) etc. depending on the recipes I start with. I just haven't found any sort of list of hardware needed to start out with this stuff. Could someone/anyone give me a basic list of must haves and 'would be nice to have' etc? Thanks to anyone who can give me a hand with this, I'm overwhelming myself with all this. I have my own workspace, so I want to keep my B&B items totally separate from my kitchen and/or candle supplies (barring certain FOs and/or dyes). I am also avoiding 'bar soap' for now (M&P, CP, HP, etc). Thanks again, --Aileene

Thanks everyone I didn't even consider a dryer sheet, since it seems like the 'stick' is a static cling thing, this should work perfectly, along with a rinse. I was really dreading having to 'melt' if off, as stated, it would have just been another mess lol. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. --Aileene

I am starting to branch out and am testing waxes for votives now. Anyway, I ordered some of NG's Bliss wax and it arrived today w/ some other items (votive molds, wick sets, etc) and the bag the wax arrived in apparently got some small tears/slices/holes in it somewhere before delivery. Now I have the granules stuck to everything that came in the box with them, about 1/2 inch deep layer on the bottom of the box (maybe only 1/4 inch deep, its a big box). And granules that managed to leak out of the bottom of the box when I brought it into the house and to my craft room/area before I realized anything was wrong. I managed to transfer what was left of the 10 lb bag into another box (plastic lined) w/o additional mess, but I already have a huge one as it is. Any suggestions on how to get this cleaned up the easiest way possible? The granules are 'stuck' to everything they've come in contact with (like static electricity stuck). I figured I should be able to safely vacuum the floor, but I had some glass jars, lids and other items...some I could probably throw in a warm oven to melt off the wax, but others are plastic and not 'oven'/'heat' safe plastic either. Also anyone know how NG handles things like this? I shot off an email about it a bit ago, but this is the first time I've had trouble with any shipments from them since I've been ordering...also first time I've ordered wax from them too. Please help? --Aileene

Thanks again everyone for the ideas. Sorry for not checking her for a few days...I've been hit by the lovely flu this season. I really do appreciate the scent ideas and even the renaming ideas. Although Scented I'm not sure how well 'yellow snow' would go over...but I just might do it for the humour angle...I bet no one else will be doing anything similar LOL --Aileene

These are all great ideas, thanks so much I just totally hit a wall trying to come up with something to match this theme after so many months doing these boxes and getting my fall/winter line together and out lol. Jack Frost is one of my top 3 choices for the 'mint' fragrance, but I've got NG Ice Capades on the list as well...they're a little close so I'm dithering lol. --Aileene

I'm doing a sampler box in January that has a theme of 'Blizzard White Out' I usually do two fragrances for the boxes I'm in. I've already narrowed down a 'mint'/'ice type fragrance, but I am running into a wall for a bakery/foodie type of fragrance that would fit the theme. I always try to put scents in that have the greatest common denominator for customers, which means that bakery/foodie seems to be a must. Any suggestions? I want to do something a 'little' different to stand out some, but not be sooo different that no one likes it as the purpose of doing this is to bring people into my shop/site. Thanks in advance, --Aileene I make melts & votives w/ KY parasoy right now if that helps narrow down choices. Still testing container waxes w/ my jar choice.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've been pouring the molds in the various colors I use, and while the spiders may never be my favorite there really aren't that many and they aren't very big, so they actually make a good 'trail mix' of mini melts with the other mold shapes. Mini-melts and oval cups seem to be popular in our area...I'm throwing some clamshells out there to see if they stick, but not counting on it at the moment, so catching the eye with the 'themed' melts is important at the moment and from what I've seen, they do fairly well here, well enough to try it. --Aileene

I ordered a couple silicon Halloween themed molds from Van Yulay (and they look lovely) I got a mold for mini melts of ghosts, which I am sure will go well and a general mold of the hearts to try out for my regular line mini-melts. Then I got a 'mixed' mold with ghosts, pumpkins & spiders (I mainly got it for the jacks and the ghosts) Question: I am wondering if the spider melts will creep too many people out or am I over thinking it because I HATE spiders? Thanks for any replies, I don't want to put something up that is going to turn too many people away. (opening planned for 9-1-2010) I have a reasonable amount of my 'normal' melts/fragrances tested out and these are just my themed type I plan to add on for my sampler submissions and holiday. --Aileene p.s. does anyone else feel strange testing fall/winter fragrance types during the heat of summer? I've found that the candy cane, jack frost, minty types are actually quite cooling lol.

I see a tart mold there 2.25" Floater/Tart Mold is this the one you were talking about. I can't tell how much wax it will hold right off. I need to pull my mathematics out I think. Thanks for the links though --Aileene

Oh thank you so much, that is exactly what I was looking for, I swear I looked at papermart...hmm, so many little details to get right I probably forgot to check for those bags as I was looking at something else lol. Thanks so much, --Aileene

Thanks so much, that gives me my first decent lead since I started this hunt It's so frustrating when I KNOW something exists, but can't find it lol, makes me feel a little insane. Thanks again, --Aileene

I've been searching all over (this site, google and every other place I can think of). I've been to nearly every candle supply company from the BIG to the smaller outfits. I am searching for two things: 1. a scallop tart mold that holds just about to just under 2 oz wax (bigger than the ones I am finding everywhere, from hobby shops to wholesale candle suppliers) and 2. a cello or poly bag to fit this tart and then fold over top to 'stick' not the zip lock style ones. In my searches I've come across a few who are selling this size (very few actually) and only one seller/retailer that is selling this size tart in that specific bag, but no suppliers are showing up for either. So either my search words aren't specific (or general) enough or I just don't know, but I've been searching for these since around April and finally have to ask if anyone knows where they might be found online. The stores in the area here (large though it is) seem to cater more to hobbyists over those who want to sell. I have one product ready for my opening in September and I'm currently filling word of mouth orders around my area with my tested wax & the FO's that made the cut, but would like to have another 'product' style just for variety, if that makes sense. (the 1 oz oval cups are what I currently make, so that is why the larger scallops are what I am looking for w/ the nice simple packaging...simple if I can ever find it lol) Sorry for letting this get so long, just frustrated I guess. I bolded the questions for those that don't want to read my mini rant/explanations lol, Thanks in advance, --Aileene

Thanks Scented...yeah, I saw the price of that book and marked it off the list for now lol. I'll look up the ones you've recommended later this evening after the kids have gone to bed. I appreciate the help very much, --Aileene