Kris10Tackles

8 hours ago, TallTayl said:

It all pretty much fell apart when the decided to sell stock. Appeasing investors versus pleasing sellers was no contest for them. Allowing resellers was a big nail in the coffin too. Such a shame for everyone.

💯💯💯 I completely agree.

The exposure that Etsy used to provide was wonderful as a new seller. Now it’s more like, “what exactly am I paying for?”

Don’t even get me started with Etsy. I don’t have a shop for candles (candles are for fun for me) but I do have had a shop for about 5-6 years. Each year they “implemented” new tools, I’ve lost sales. To the point where my views have continued to plummet and I’ve had no sales this year. All of the hidden fees are so incredibly frustrating. Thank god it’s not my day job!

6 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

the problems I have been seeing with coconut waxes are that the better ones are nearly always out of stock and the batches still vary from shipment to shipment. I used easybeads as an additive and as a base for additives for a couple of seasons. It is not available any more. Some say it is the same as coco83, but my cartons in the shop are very different 🤷🏻‍♀️. Accublend is having production issues with coco83 so it is nearly always OOS, and prices are jacked up by the people who started businesses reselling it. 

It’s also interesting and complex... like a puzzle that doesn’t stop moving. I always appreciate your insight and try to tuck away little nuggets to remember for when I might need them.

I feel like I’m just as new as you are and recently just started working with/trying out coconut wax, specifically EC-26 from NorthWood. I’ve had some “relearning” to do in regards to wicking but I’m getting great HT but I feel like it’s so much easier to work with... in my opinion. The advice that was given to me was keep experimenting and testing.
 

Candle making is hobby for me but I want to understand as much as can about what I’m using.

I hear what you’re saying. I’m not necessarily going for “gangbusters” throw but was focused more on the size of the flame. I used 10% FO because that’s what I have been using and that’s what was recommended from NorthWood. I knew I was changing the container and bumping up to 3 wicks, I didn’t want to change absolutely everything. I also knew from reading other posts that I would probably and eventually try a lower percentage of FO. However, I love the size of flame, I love the hot throw, I love the cold throw, I love how gorgeous the wax looks. All in all for what I was going for, I’ll take the win and pat myself on the back thank you very much. 😉 I may have a very different experience when I do cut back on the FO, but I’ll fight that battle on a different day. Today I’m doing a happy dance.

Also, luckily I’m only doing this for fun and so shipping in the summer to random people isn‘t exactly on my radar. 
 

Just an FYI referring to someone as “that lady” sounds incredibly condescending and judge-y. She is the owner of the company and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about my interactions with her and her customer service. You might not agree with what she recommends but you don’t have to come off sounding... well the way you did.

I started playing with coconut wax about a month ago but was having a terrible time wicking. From reading different threads on this forum I knew my wicking was way off. I kept reading and kept trying. From this forum I discovered the company 16/17 and fell in love with their containers. I read their wick suggestions for EC-26 and ceda-serica. I purchased a few sizes of their wick samples and it worked! The wicks are actually self trimming, I have a lovely steady flame, and no soot. It feels so good to finally have a beautiful candle. Now I can’t wait experiment with some other containers.

Some details...

Container holds 13oz 
Wax: 11.7oz EC-26

Wick: triple wicked CDN 3

FO @ 10% (1.3oz)

Some other notes - I’m making this as a house warming gift for my brother and SIL. For their new home (very open and airy floor plan)I think the amount of fragrance will be perfect. For my own use, will probably try out 6%. 

34 minutes ago, Marisa11 said:

My main problem is I think it will burn through the wax too quickly. I’ll try adding some stearic acid.

Will that create more of a delayed fireworks show? Pop pop pop.... grand finale! 💥💥💥🔥🔥🔥

Agreed!!! My brother said he smelled burning and then was confronted with flames. 
 

After reading through the thread I was also pleased my common sense is sound with my reactions to seeing “stuff” on the surface of candles. My natural reaction is that looks nice in a photo but no just no. And I have almost zero experience!!!!

Funny that this topic got started. My sister-in-law told me over the weekend that she got one of the those bread bowl candles. My brother then chimed in and said, “yea and she almost caught the house on fire.” 

I’m very new to candle making but common sense just tells me fire and wood don’t mix. Also just for curiosity standpoint are my assumptions correct that putting the wick that close to the edge of the container is just another bad idea?

Goals

@TallTayl🤦‍♀️I promise I can read. You just moved your ceramics studio. 

@TallTaylThat is gorgeous. Do you throw ceramics also?

8 hours ago, BusyBee said:

There is a company called Perfumer's Apprentice in Scotts Valley CA which is very close to you

Yes, that is very close  to me!

What's your name? Kristen

Where do you live? Santa Cruz

How long have you been making candles? I started venturing into candle making a little over a year-ish ago.

How did you get started making candles/soap/whatever? I start experimenting because I always loved the idea of glow and warm scents of having a candle burn but so often I would end up with the worst headache. I wanted to see if I could make something that I could actually use and enjoy. Due to Covid, and SIP I had more time on my hands to research and experiment more. I'm really enjoying the process of seeing and experiencing the process of different variations. 

So far I've had really good luck with Candle Science scents not causing me any problems. I tried one or two from Northwood but within 15 minutes I started getting a headache. I'm not sure why but it happened. Does anyone happen to have any recommendations or other companies I should try?

If candle/Soap making isn't your primary job, what do you do? In the before times I was a figure skating coach. Correction, I still am a coach but figure skating is not an essential business. However, I do look forward to returning to the ice and working with my students once I can do so safely.

Anything else we should know? I used to own a jam company. It's funny, some of the posts I've read have talked about various safety protocols or taking care of accounts. It is all too familiar, the only difference is on the hazard side - trying not to poison people  vs catching things on fire. I had a friend smell one of the candles I made (I blended the FO myself) and she said, "This smells amazing are you going to start a candle business." Without even thinking said, "that would be a hard no... the first things that went through my head was OMG insurance, licenses, hustling for accounts, and the biggest part I don't know nearly enough present something to complete strangers."

I found CraftServer about a week ago started reading through some of the posts and was completely blown away the thoughtful comments to other peoples question. Instead of continuing to be a stalker I figured I should sign up. So here I am. Thanks for having me.