smart tart

Well Bunny's supplier for lye got wipped out during the hurricane and I have been unable to find a supplier for lye. I read here that Lowes is now carrying something called Roebic Crystal Drain Cleaner....so I went to Lowes to look for it....right in the plumbing section at the end of the isle!!

It was a bit pricey....$7 for 2 pounds but until we can find a good supplier this will have to do.

BTW I heard Wall Mart was also supposed to be carrying it but I tried 2 wall marts in our area and I could not find it. I asked but no one seemed to know what it was

Anyhow - thanks to all of you who mentioned the Roebic.....

Debbie

I use oyster cups (wall mart just had them on clearance for 10 cents) - have a bunch - just wipe them out with paper towel...

As to using the plastic disposable cups, be careful - the fo might just eat it up if you don't use it quickly enough! My very 1st attempt at making candles I used a dixie cup to weigh the fo....left it sitting too long on the scale, the fo ate the cup and my scale It was a disgusting mess...

Ahhhh - live and learn....lol:)

making soap sounds alot scarier than it actually is.....must be safe and of course use some protective gear but once I made my 1st batch I was hooked. It is truly amazing some of the creative things you can do with soap. Robins tutorial on cp soap is wonderful.....

M&P soap can also be amazing - you can add so much to it and it is pretty....but you cannot be as creative with mp as you can with the cp (imo) For example, see Buny's avocado, cucumber and sour cream soaps... Amazing!

Try it.....

Debbie

For soaps and B&B I really like Oregon Trails - they have an awesome Chai Tea, Red Currents, Mardi Gras.....uh oh I could go on and on - I love every one of them!!

Have been soaping a bunch of Day Star's fo and have been very pleased with them also.....

Peaks is another one to check out!

Just wondering if anyone has bought fo's with sedement 'floating' or sitting at the bottom or the bottle? I have a bottle of fo (in a clear bottle) that has dark brown/almost black sedement settled in the bottom of the bottle. When I shake the bottle, the sedement just floats throughout the bottle. This bottle ** was purchased in May 05, been stored in a dark cabinet, etc.

I contacted the vendor and was told that this was ok, that it was just a heavy oil, lots of eo's, and not to worry about it. That just seemed strange to me. If this were the case, wouldn't/shouldn't the vendor note this on their site?

Other than having a few fo's crystalize, has anyone ever experienced this type of 'floating stuff' in their fo?

Thanks,

Debbie

**Edited because the fo was purchased in May 05 - so it is closer to a year old than the 6 months I originally stated.

I have heard a rumor (??) that there may be some folks out there interested in purchasing BNL - I wouldn't give up on that hope.....

Debbie

I put my scale in a freezer baggie....has worked great for a couple of years. My 1st scale got eaten up with fo the 1st time I used it.... I've spilled fo, lye, and everything else on it and the baggie works great!

Pour your fo very slowly....if you go over a little bit I wouldn't worry too very much....Eventually you will get the feel for how fast or slow to pour to get the amount you want. I agree that a pour spout/flip top is the best and easiest way but you are still gonna get some drips.... not sure if there is a way to prevent that!

Debbie

Oregon Trails - Awesome The Chai Tea is absolutely the best!!

I have been trying to get Bunny interested in going as it isn't far from us.... Everything I have read about it says it is a great conference and lots of fun...and if it isn't fun, I'm sure the 'hotel room' workshops (that Bunny is famous for) will be!

Debbie

I've also used this wax for a long...(maybe too long) time......

I ordered Honeywell J223 from Candles and Supplies a few months ago....worked well, except I did not have the candle wicked up enough so I had "hang-up" on the jars. I did get wet spots AFTER the second pour.

I never do a 2nd pour....sometimes have to zap the top (not very often) to flatten/smooth out.....(223 is a single pour wax)

Now I have Astorlite J223 from Peaks (which, if I understand correctly...and I probably don't, they should be the same thing). Did my test candles last night and the wetspots are horrendous!

Learn to embrace your wetspots??!! We notice them much more than others...

When I read the recommendations on Candles and Supplies re this wax, they said pour at 185-190....when I received the wax from Peaks, I looked it up and they (the Honeywell site) said pour temp is 145-150......

185-190 is much too hot to pour.....I heat to 180, add color, fo at ~150 then pour....(into heated jars)

What am I misunderstanding here????

I was happy with the first J223....IF I only did a one pour....wet spots were not a problem. Do I have to poke holes and do a second pour on these for safety reasons?

I did a search for J223 - cannot find anything re the differences between the two waxes.

Thanks for any insight you can give me.......

I have been (mostly) happy with this wax - however, I have not had to order any for the past year so if there is a change in the formulation I am unaware/unaffected. But, I am also waiting for the sample of 70/30 from Greenleaf as I have heard/read so many great comments on this.

Good Luck!

Debbie

I have many of her oils and love most of them! Her names are creative - like them! Her stuff is strong and some times (imho) her blends are a bit different - but good! Love her cranberry banana jam - just soaped it a couple of weeks ago and it is awesome! Her creme de la creme is fantastic (so good I actually bought it twice...lol:p ). I am a 'fo ho' and have shopped alot of places and bought lots of fo's.....I put hers up there at the top of those suppliers that I continue to buy from.

Try them, I think you would be pleased.

Debbie

start ripping girlfriend....can't believe you didn't the minute you got it.... Can't tell what it is like till you try it!

Debbie

http://www.bathaccessories.com/

Saw these in the classifieds......Debbie

Bunny - you silly girl....you know you could have had anything I have in my utility/candle/soap room! PM me with your shopping list and I will stop by on Friday!

But I ain't sharing my cucumbers and avocado's!!

Debbie

I have never used them nor have I ever heard of them....It kind of scares me that their claim to fame is they have products in Joanne's....And they might just be a good co....

In order to produce a quality product, one must use quality supplies....a good fragrance oil is important in the way your candle smells, both lit and unlit.

I would buy only small sample sizes to test their fragrance....

All that being said, $8.50 per pound for fragrance oil is VERY cheap....Hopefully someone else will have experience with this company.

Debbie

Black Raspberry & Vanilla or any Vanilla.....Cranberry anything (mostly spicy), Strawberry anything (Kiwi, Creme, etc)

Debbie

1. Most of what I have read says that I should remove the wax from the melting pot and put it into a mixing/pouring container, then add the additives and FO. Is this necessary? Can't I just mix in the melting pot and fill the candles (container) from the spigot?

You can do it either way you choose.....I only pour a couple pounds (sometimes less) at a time so I use a pyrex measuring cup to pour in my wax then color and fo...Lots of folks pour more at a time and find it easier to just measure and mix right in their melting pot...It is just a personal preference.

2. How to mix? What do you use to mix? How much do you mix? Should I break out a blender (probably a bad idea) or do I use a whisk? Do I have to concern myself with air bubbles at this stage from mixing?

I use a wooden spoon to mix - after I add the fo, I usually try to mix for at least a minute - some fo's don't mix as easily as others and if you don't stir completely, the fo will sink to the bottom of your pouring pot/melting pot.

3. Measurements, when talking about the wax, it is measured by the pound so that is weight. But, when talking about additives (liquid) they refer to ounces per pound. Are the ounces volume or weight?

I weigh everything.....except wax and I do that by volume....but someone else may do differently...

I hope these don't seem to dumb, but I am still learning.

no questions are dumb! After you do it the 1st time it won't seem quite so scary....even when things don't turn out the way you thought they should, it will be a learning experience and hopefully fun for you. Wait till you decide you need to do b&b

Have fun tomorrow!

Debbie

I dont like testing so Im calling on you'll for advice, then I will test.

I think you may have chosen the wrong field if you don't like to test...

Debbie

:rolleyes2 lol

Yep found it at Carolina Candle Supply - and I got a phone call this morning telling me they only had 2# But the good news was she was expecting more the end of the week !! Honestly, this fo is unbelievably awesome! Like some others (yea Trish I am talking bout you since I believe my addiction was started by you ), I am a fo addict.....and I don't think I have smelled a tangerine anything that was as nice as this one.....I poured it in 223 in a half pint canning jar, and the throw was unbelievable! Both cold and hot throw are amazing ! And 2 ozs was just not enough for me.....although Bunny was nice to share, she only fed my addiction! (and she knew it!!) I am thinking she must get a cut off all this fo I buy......

Debbie

Hijacking this thread but.............

What the hell you talking bout girlfriend?? No way can you move that far away from me!!! :cry2: As it is, you live only an hour away and I only see you every 6 months or so.....Conroe????????????? No Way!!!

Debbie

Whoever had the good memory - you da bomb! Bunny is correct - that tangerine dream is the best fo I am the one she shared with and I, like her, couldn't live without having more of that stuff! So found it, ordered enough to make sure we don't run out anytime soon....lol

Thanks for all the help.....Bunny you gonna need to come visit sooner this time.....your dreams should be here by the end of the week!

Debbie

In no particular order.......

Peaks

Oregon Trails (for B&

Brambleberry

Just Scents

Day Star

Debbie

It would be nice if they would update their site with this year's information. Hopefully Bunny and I will be attending.....Cheryl - which hotel are you staying at?

Debbie

how about Peaks??