smart tart

I never knew what wet spots were until I began making candles....I wouldn't bring it to their attention. Now, the frosting may be a 'natural occurence' of soy so mentioning that is no big deal - just explains it..... Like has been said above, bringing attention to the wet spots just isn't necessary - I wouldn't do it but that is just mo.....

Many suppliers have the pre-made bases - for the m&p soap things, we bought our first supplies from WSP (I am almost positive)....For the lip balms and lotions, we bought pre-made bases from BCN, body safe glitter from AH/RE. I would look for supplies from the supplier you frequent the most - to save on shipping, etc. Directions/recipes are available on most sites that sell the supplies and also the 11 year old can do some 'research' just by googling - my granddaughter has come up with some awesome (and not so awesome lol) ideas just by searching around on the computer. And there have been some great ideas here on CT - She has her own supplies (I do not share well!) - her own shelf with all her stuff on it. When she begins to run low, we talk about costs and what she thinks she needs and how much.....And she always has her eyes open for things she can use at the dollar store, goodwill, etc..... Have fun!

OK so I just had to do a little shopping - you know that hair serum stuff is the bomb on that mass of curls for Ashley! She absolutely loves it and the feet soap peppermint is so good!!! Anyhow, thanks for finally getting it up so we can stop running out of stuff! Debbie

Just a thought, but my now 13 yo granddaughter has been doing stuff with me for 3 or so years now.... She has done the melt and pour soaps with the ducks and fish, etc and they are quite easy for young kids to do. The lava lip gloss was a project she did for Christmas for all her friends. Also the glitter gel, lip balm, rose petals, lotion (made with a pre-made base) Gift baskets/bags for her teachers and friends....hmmmm I am sure I am forgetting something but the ideas are there....lol She has a wonderful time making those things and it doesn't require hot wax or fire! I'm not saying she shouldn't do the pies cause they are cool....just offering up some thoughts for other projects! I am always looking for stuff my granddaughter can make! Have fun!

I don't find cyclo oily at all - I think the wording - dry oil - is very appropriate. I like the cyclo for the base except the cost.... It may 'appear' oily but is absorbed into the skin quickly and, imo, does not leave an oily residue.

Teri, Welcome......Have you read any of the back posts yet? Or learned how to use the search feature? That may be the biggest help for you...You will find lots of opinions and information about the 'lotion candles' You may find it easier (and cheaper!) just to buy several of the candles you like. But if you are really determined, pull up a chair, and plan to stay for a while. You will first have to learn to make a candle, decide on the type of wax, wicks, fragrances, etc. So be prepared... It is an interesting process - learning to make candles - but I believe you will find not many folks here like the idea of using a candle for lotion! Good luck and again, Welcome.

It Rocks! Your site is very nice!! Thought perhaps it was getting a bit crowded in your store tho, there were 13 other people shopping and some lady tried to take my peppamint soap from me....lol Anyhow, it is very nice I am intensly jealous.....I absolutely love your colors and your graphics are so cool! Couldn't even find any typos!

you can still use those names....

How many places did you post this question? Is this like the 'find the secret picture' contest? lmao - 12/9/06 is the next available time slot!

Not even a month - how bout just a couple of weeks....lmao! Damn you can sure tell who does searches or reads the back posts! Oh Lawd Crowded, I just read the post of 10/9! I thought you were just talking about the question being asked so frequently! ....Dug your memory must be very elusive! So dug, here is the scoop - when you are looking for something in particular, i.e. wooden wicks, if you just type that in the search function you will find many responses....perhaps save you time waiting. Or maybe you should just keep asking and one month you may get a different answer! Edited because I had a brain fart....and didn't read!

10% is rather high - if you are using a good fo, that much is usually not necessary - and there are waxes that will not hold 10%.... With that being said, everything should be measured using a scale...... Debbie

If it goes for up to $12 for 4 oz in your area, then I would definitely go for the $12......if you find it isn't selling well, reduce your price, have a sale, or do a 2 for 1...or buy a candle and get room spray for 1/2 price. I love those little 'gimmicks' and they seem to work well in my area. People love to get 'bargains'! And you are getting them to try something they might not have tried without the 'incentive' - potential return customers. All that being said, I charge $6 for 4 oz or 2 for $10.....or buy one bar of soap and get 1 for half price....lol (told ya, I like the gimmicks) And I think alot of the pricing depends upon the container you are using - I am currently using very plain clear spray containers - I have seen some very nice packaging and know that they are more spendy than the ones I use. Just don't think my market could bear more $$.

I have been testing gl 70/30 forever now - I have never ever been able to single wick the apothecary jar......not with a 60 or a 62 zinc and get a good mp and throw! I am totally impressed that you are able to do so. For most fragrances I can dw with 44z's in the apothecary but occasionally I have to wick up on spicy or heavy fo's. Wish I had your success! Double wicking is not bad, but a pita and on some of the heavier fo's I am getting black soot - course that might be due to some 'marathon' burning! I also have been trying (without any success I might add) to wick the 1/2 pint wide mouths - 60 or 62's frequently just fizzle out.....Tried eco's but I don't like them much. I am seriously wondering why I ever changed waxes - I thought I liked this 70/30 but am seriously questioning my choice to change!

Once again, clamshells are sold in many different places.....you may want to either google or do a search here for the most inexpensive or supplier closest to you.... You will find if you do a search (either here or google) before you ask 'where can I get, who has the best, who has the cheapest, etc you will probably find the answer. And it will give you the opportunity to do lots of reading, finding lots of good information and give you lots more questions to ask! :smiley2: If you can't find the information, then by all means ask, but doing a search 1st will help you more. Some of the information that you will get just by asking, may not be 'good or complete' information - reading/researching will give you more information/opinions to choose from.

lmao

Have you thought about zinc wicks?

Defnition of Floaties (in JS Calming Waters FO) from the supplier: calming is very heavy and almost 100% pure. there are over 8 essential oils in this product. what you are seeing is natural raw materials. the sediment will not disappear as it is the natural raw materials you see floating. I have a bottle I use for my own personal use that the bottom is solid brown/black. sometimes it is very green. Now if you would like to see this up close and personal, VE would be more than happy (LOL) to make that happen - huh VE?!!! :tiptoe:

Usually when you use only container wax for tarts it is a bit soft....if it is for your use only, that might be ok. But if you are thinking about selling or giving away, you might want to add a bit of pillar wax. If you are using clamshells, you don't have to worry about packaging but if you are going to package yourself, once again, the joy wax is just a bit soft. Most people use a combination of wax - 60-75% pillar wax to 25-40% container wax. There have been many threads regarding tarts - you may want to do a search to see what some of the other people who make them have to say.

Did you try doing a search for the west coast supplier Georgia mentioned? It would really make your life so easy - you could see what products they have, how much they cost, what the shipping is, what their policies are...... Edited because I have to apologize for what I am thinking!

Did you find the thread Georgia had mentioned? Cause the name of the west coast supplier was in that thread I had thought......Then you can go to the site and see if they have what you are wanting.....

Once again - the excuse from the supplier seems very strange! That was the same story for the 'floaties' - so much eo in the fo?? I guess the other question to ask is how much fo to wax are you using? If warming the fo just a bit doesn't help it blend into the wax, I would think that you may ask for a refund? As far as FO not throwing in your wax and you not getting a good melt pool - perhaps you need to change wicks? That is just the nature of the fo's - some stuff throws good and some doesn't.....

I use food coloring all the time and have no problem with the color blending in - I use a pastry blender to mix my colors - Colors are not vivid or bright but nice nonetheless......When do you add your color? The timing might be part of your problem.

Well now I am real curious - 100% lard soap? Do tell.....I have not heard about this.....and you use it for laundry soap or just the 'stain stick' type idea? If you put it in a push up tube, does it go thru gel? If it gels, doesn't it get too hot? Melt the push up tube? Interesting.......

My opinion - it is crap - save your money and find a reputable supplier on-line (just some reading here should give you some ideas) - the wax may be ok (but expensive) but as far as the rest of their supplies, I would spend my money elsewhere.

I use 75% pillar wax and 25% container wax - use as much fo as you choose - depending upon fragrance. Do a search for tarts and you will find lots of information. Or just read back 5 pages and you will find lots of information. Welcome