Doneen

Since you live in a Mountain area, what about something like Mountain Home Eclectics, or Eclectic Mountain Home? That could be general enough to encompass all types of home decor and gift items. You could use a tag line underneath the company name to describe what you sell: Eclectic Mountain Home Candles, Gifts & Home Decor

To do a national trademark search go to www.uspto.gov and click on Trademarks in the menu on the left, and there is a search feature. It's also a good idea to do searches on Google and other popular search engines to see if any other companies on the web are using that name. They can still be using it and just not have trademarked it. HTH

There is also a product called Preserve Your Memories II that is a waterproofing spray and it has UV protection in it. It says it can be used on labels, photos, and lots of other items. I've never tried it myself yet, but a friend just told me she tried it and it works great on her shower gel labels. You might find it at your local craft store, or some craft places online sell it. HTH

IGI recently changed the size of their wax cases, so you are probably seeing some of the old that is still in stock from a previous batch, and some new recent batches with the new case size. HTH

Thanks for the warning, lol! I never used it in large enough amounts to have any problem, I just tried it for coffee. It probably wouldn't be enough in tooth soap to have that side effect either I'd guess. But now I know what to expect if I ever try baking with it I like Stevia too, but I like it better when I mix it with other natural sweeteners like Xylitol, Erythritol, Whey Low, and I use Agave Nectar too (very similar to honey but it comes from a plant). I love experimenting with different kinds.

LOL Kelly! It's funny, before I got into candlemaking I never used the word "molecule" lol. I'm not generally the scientificy type

I forgot to mention... Xylitol is the all natural sweetener that's actually good for your teeth. I've done lots of research on the various natural sweeteners on the market, just in my own quest for something better for my coffee habit. It's the only sweetenter that claims to be clinically proven to fight cavities and plaque. Even Trident is putting it in their sugar free gum now. Here's a link with some info on it: http://xylitolnow.com/ Hope it helps with the tooth soap! I actually got curious and tried brushing my teeth with peppermint CP soap once. Right now I use Tom's of Maine natural toothpaste and I really like it.

I wouldn't have thought those would work in lip balm because they are water based, and lip balms are oil based. Did you have a trick to getting them to blend? Have you tried them in coffee? I'm a huge flavored coffee addict, so I might hafta get me some of those to try

IGI 1343 is one of the most popular or commonly used bear dippin waxes, but many people also use soy wax to dip their bears. It's just a matter of personal preference I guess. Try a bear in both and see which seems easiest to work with and which ends up looking and smelling best to you. HTH

I haven't ever tested that theory so I can't say for sure if it would need to re-cure. If I had to guess I'd say maybe it should, just because by melting it back down it's disturbing the molecules and setting them back in motion, so it makes sense that they'd need time to fully settle back down again after it is poured and hardens. HTH!

I do wear gloves sometimes, the ladies gardening gloves with the rubber grippy nubs on the palms. They protect my hands from getting burned when I'm wiping out a hot pouring pot or presto pot (I'm a wuss, lol) and the rubber grips stop the handle from slipping out of my hands too (good if you tend to be clutzy like me sometimes). For fingerprints, baby wipes or alcohol wipes are handy. HTH!

I love your color combos Misty I like the odd shaped pillars too, they end up looking so unique!

I just saw this post and wanted to clear up any misconceptions. We have not given Hershey any customer info, and have no desire to do so. Our current computer system doesn't even have the ability to pull up a list of who a certain item has been sold to. We received a letter shortly before you did, and have been discussing the situation with our lawyers. We immediately changed the name on our site and on our labels, and we're issuing a notice in our monthly newsletter to let our customers know to change the name also. We originally purchased the fragrance oil under that name from the manufacturer, we did not name that fragrance ourselves. We had no knowledge of any infringement as our product is a fragrance oil and does not fall under the class of product they have any trademarks on. But we have respectfully complied with the request to cease using the name, and we're advising our customers to comply as well. I'm not sure how many other suppliers were also selling a fragrance by that name, or if they've received the letter or given any customer info, but I can assure you we have not. Large companies like that have many resources, so it's hard telling how they go about finding possible infringers, but I know they use the web as one resource. I know some of the big companies search message boards as well, I've had one of the largest candle manufacturers admit this to me before. Hopefully by spreading the warning we can help others to avoid any problems. If anyone has questions for us on this issue you're welcome to email me. Thanks

I agree with Fredron... if you use too much or leave excess spray in the mold it can affect the finish on your pillar. Sometimes it can cause tiny little pits. So wiping the excess out with a paper towel is good. Mold release powder works really great too (that's the kind you add right into the wax like an additive). HTH!

Hi, Do you still have the case from the last one? If it had that item# on the IGI case it should be correct. If you can email me the batch or lot numbers off of the two cases we can check into it for you. You can email me at Doneen@candlesupply.com

Our mftr raised our cost on that oil after we initially brought it back at $17.95 a pound. So we were just going to discontinue it, but we took a vote on our msg board and people still wanted it even tho it was going to cost so much more, so we brought it back again. We made the announcement about the price increase in our September newsletter here. Hope this helps explain the sticker shock

Basically you just need to choose a wax to start with, and decide what container you want to use. Based on that wax and the diameter of the jar, choose a wick size (most suppliers have some kind of wick size suggestion chart on their site to help you). Remember the charts are just a starting point, but those suggestions will vary depending on the type of wax. Most scents will burn pretty similar with the same wick... but there will be certain scents you'll have to adjust wick size on. Like patchouli for example, that's one that usually needs a bigger wick. Keep a notebook to write down your wax, jar, wick and scent. Also write down the proportions, such as how much fragrance oil you added to each pound of wax. Dyes can affect the burn in some cases too, so note those also. Once you get the candle made, let it cure before test burning it. With paraffin most people only cure for a couple days or so. But with soy most people wait at least a week, many wait 2 weeks. The basic rule of thumb is to burn 1 hour for each inch of diameter, so if your jar is 2.5" then you want to burn it for 2.5 hours. It should achieve a full side to side melt pool in that time and be giving off a good scent throw for a reasonably sized room. If it isn't getting a good melt pool and is leaving wax around the edges, chances are you need a bigger wick. That's when the fun begins... time to start over and try again with another wick! Don't forget to document your testing, write down how long you burned it for, what size room you burned it in, how well the scent throws, etc. I have a testing worksheet here that might help. Once you get it burning and throwing good, give a few to friends to test for you and get their feedback too. The best way to learn is just to try it once and then come back with questions. Get your feet wet and then you'll have a better idea where to go from there. HTH!

Have you tried rustic cold poured pillars, or maybe layers or chunks? I also like doing overdipped pillars with the cookie cutter cut out shapes so they glow thru. Carving designs on pillars and staining them with shoe polish or brown liquid dye is fun too. How about hand dipped tapers? Or marbelized pillars, where you float a few colors of acrylic paint on the surface of the water bath and dip the pillar in and swirl it around so the paint does a marbelized effect on the candle. Might be a few fun ideas to try

You can also use a wick rod if you don't want to put a hole in the mold. I tried some that didn't have a hole and I just pushed a metal rod down in there and made a little indent for the rod to sit in (made sure it was centered) and then use something to hold the rod across the top like a wick centering tool or even some masking tape (just make a criss cross with the tape and poke the rod thru it). Worked pretty good. I also think there are some suppliers that sell silicone molds that already come with a wick pin in them, but I don't know who right off hand. I'm sure someone else here would know. HTH

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. Our bears are approx 7.5" sitting. I'll add a note on our site to clarify that. Thanks

I know exactly what you mean... I had that happen once many years ago. It's a good thing I had turned away from the pot for a few minutes to wick some jars or I might have had green freckles, lol. My walls weren't so lucky tho For your safety, be sure no water is trapped in any pockets in the wax, and wear safety glasses when you melt it just to be extra safe;)

You also need to put the volume of contents on the label too (like this), your company contact info (since you are the "manufacturer") and any instructions for use and cautions. If it is a room spray only and is not safe for skin contact, then make sure to mention that on your label. Depending on what type of ingredients you use, you may need to put "shake well before each use" on the bottle too. And be sure to test it on some old linens to make sure it does not stain. HTH!

Hi Inez, The witch hazel we use in the U.S. is labeled as an astringent and sold in drugstores. Here's a link to a common brand of it here, this is the type people use in sprays http://www.witchhazel.com/firstaid_natural.htm Maybe that will help give you something to compare to in your stores. HTH!

It's hard to tell from a photo, but they look like they are adhering evenly so far. You'll know "wet" spots when you see them. If you go to any store that sells jar candles I'm sure you will find plenty of examples I see many more wet spots with paraffin than I do with soy waxes though. You can tell when a wax pulls completely away from the glass as you'll see a small space between the wax and glass at the top of the jar, and if it's a wax that shrinks a lot then sometimes they will even rattle in the jar or release completely. When it pulls totally away, the color will look a tiny bit less vivid then when it completely adheres. HTH!

Cindy since you addressed me here, I feel I should respond here. I'm really sorry you feel that way about suppliers posting. The people who run this board invited suppliers to come and post in this community and participate, they encourage it. I'm not sure why you'd feel it's unprofessional. I only post to try and help with the given situation because I care enough to. Many other people seem to think highly of it and feel it's a good thing. What matters to me most is that I make a customer happy or satisfied in the end. Suppliers are just people, and we're crafters too just like you guys. None of us are perfect, just like you we all make mistakes, but I personally don't see anything wrong with responding to a concern when it addresses your company and trying to help the customer. I guess we always run the risk of catching a little flack, but if I can fix a situation and help a customer out or keep them happy, then it's worth it. I post when I have time and try to help on other threads too, not just threads that involve my company. But naturally helping a customer takes priority. I think it's only smart business for suppliers to read the forums, and believe me they all read them . It helps us keep up on what's going on in our industry, and enables us to better help our customers because of this knowledge. Boards help us get a better feel for what customers are looking for, what's popular, what types of problems they have, etc. Reading reviews on our products helps too, as we can see which ones people like and which ones might need tweaking. I think a supplier would be silly not to read the forums. I guess some people like it and respect me for it, and others don't. You can never please everyone I suppose, but I try. I appreciate your opinion, and I hope you can appreciate mine too Scmoopie I don't know what you're implying, but I have no idea who Ky guy is if that's what you're thinking. In fact I was curious myself as he said he's in the supply biz. It's not often a supplier would stand up for another, lol. But defense is not necessary... this was a simple matter that was resolved, end of story. Everyone has their opinions, some agree, some don't. That is life. We will all live. Happy Holidays All