Godiva

I've read that the wax burns completely away - but have not tried one yet.

I guess I was having a brain drain. First I wasn't sure if potpourri would burn completely, as I've never burned it, and second, didn't know if it would pop too much and cause a major fire hazard. Thanks for all responses!

Sounds great Sally. Thanks!

I could see why you wouldn't want to make a candle with potpourri, but since a fire starter is supposed to (I believe) catch fire, I'm assuming it would do ok and wouldn't be much different than using wood shaving. Would you agree?

Is making fire staters with potpourri safe to burn?? I've seen instructions using wood shavings, pet bedding, dryer lint (ugly to me) - but wondered about potpourri.

I could care less if they put a "made with real" tag on it. It's reeses and I am going to eat it. I also don't think that manufacturers believe we are stupid, I believe they are catering to both crowds...the ones that could care less what the package says and buys it cause it is reeses and the ones that do care and will only buy it because it has the "made with real" tag on it. The best of both worlds. When I am shopping I don't have any time to sit and look at packages to see what special tag is on them now. I shop with an 11 yo, 9 yo and 17 month and sometimes a badgering husband who can not keep quiet. I buy it, try it and if I like it I go back and buy more, it certainly has nothing to do with how the item is being toted. And to be quite honest, as a consumer of candles, I would have no clue and would not even think to ask "hmm, what's this candle made of" simply because I could care less what many have posted about soy, about paraffin and all that nonsense. I see a candle that smells good I buy it. If it burns good with a great throw then you can rest assured I am going to buy it again, regardless of what many many post about the different waxes. And I am sure many many consumers are the same way. I dare to say that those asking what type of wax is in this is not the majority (coming from someone who used to sell PartyLite and the consumers could care less what was in it as long as it burned good and smelled good, out of all the parties I held not one single person ever asked what type of wax was in the candle). I think the ones that do ask are the ones that have had some experience with candlemaking, are wanting your formula or have read some hype about one type of wax and is following what they read. Angi I agree with you Angi - I have a number of friends that I have given test candles to - not one of them cared or asked what kind of wax it was - they just cared whether it smelled good and fragranced their home.

Wonderful!

Those are gorgeous - I especially like the square one!

Very Nice!

I have a presto pot and like it for melting the wax, too. However I am concerned with how hot the outside gets. I have grandchildren that pop in from time to time, sometimes without notice. Hasn't happened yet, but I'm worried that if they come over and I'm in the middle of making candles, and they somehow touch the pot, it will burn them. I've been looking at Richete's melting pots - direct heat. Does anyone else use these and, if so, does the outside get as hot as the presto pot?

I remember reading somewhere that triple scented referred to being 3 times as much as department store candles. I can see that, as most off brand candles that I have purchased in department stores barely had any hot throw.

Here's another site that boasts triple scented - http://www.candle-licious.com/index.html - they even claim the following: BUT....no one does what we do. No one has our wax blend. We mix our blend, from scratch. Our proprietary wax blend allows us to add WELL OVER TWO OUNCES of pure undiluted fragrance oil (almost 13%) to every pound of wax. This is unheard of and even criticized because they say “that’s just not possible.” Who is “they” you ask? We figure it’s the other candle makers and the “big guys” that don’t have our recipe AND our know-how. I'm not sure if these folks are aware, but IGI 4627 holds 12.5% (same as their almost 13%). And what do they mean by mix from scratch? They buy the crude oil and start from there? I know they don't mean that, I suspect they mean they buy straight paraffin and add their own additives. I personally feel their claims are over the top, but probably helps them sell tons of candles. Personally I don't want a lot of hype. If/when I start my selling candles, I would like to let my products speak for themselves. But that's just me.

You're right Top - I checked the Wenesco site, and it's the same pic and all. I've read the threads on others experiences with Wenesco melters - won't be going that route.

The water jacketed ones.

where you looking? any web page?

Here you go. http://www.natural-craft-supply.com/shop/page/category/Category/f487974928d7846d4031929da718c8c4.html

Has anyone used these, and if yes, what is your opinion of them? Are they worth the money?

I thought the same thing. I wouldn't be miffed. I've seen the "oh my" numerous times on many items.

Checked out the BBB - Pourette apparently is not responding to them, either, on complaints of no delivery. Their business license expires at the end of September.

I've tried the J223 with pretty good results. Would like to try some others - like a 70/30 soy majority mix - soy used was LP402. Thanks bunches.

I've priced a few combos of paraffin and soy waxes, and my costs would be within 7 cents per pound of the ready made blends by GL and TN. Is your blend much cheaper than that? And if so, what waxes do you use?

Very nice indeed! Love the color and mottled look.

Your side of the world must be totally different than my side Stella, because I properly clean my containers too and still get wet spots. However, wet spots don't bother me. Just about every single candle I see on store shelves has wet spots. What does bother me are the other side effects working with soy can cause. I will say, I read on this site about "tempering" - tried it - liked it. Now I just let the wax sit for a couple of hours, then re-heat till it looks good, and pour into my clean containers. I cover with a box insulated with additional cardboard and cover with a thick towel. Tops come out flat and pretty. Still get wet spots, but no matter. Of course, that all changes once it's burned. I've had one test candle change colors on me similiar to the ones you had littlebrownbug. But mine was a 70% LP415 and 30% J223 mix, in a 4" diameter jar, double wicked with CDN 8's, scented with butter cream and dyed a pale yellow. Great melt pool, no sooting on jar or from wicks when burning. But when the melt pool set up, the wax was grey. It was the first time I had tested a CDN - wondered if it could have been the coating. But haven't tried making another candle with that combo again, so really couldn't say. The meltpool sets up grey with every burn. However, I have used CDN's single wicked in smaller jars, same wax, dye, FO, and no change in color like those. I'll probably need to try the same candle and see if it does it again. And if yes, try different FO's and colors. :rolleyes2

I use to think not, but after reading the sites that Beth provided, sounds like Net Wt is required.

Thanks Beth - very helpful info.