Hillary

Does anyone know of a website or something that can help me to learn more about the characteristics of different types of wicks? Of course I read the suppliers recommendations, but I'm trying to get a better understanding about how hot they burn, and any thing else that will help me match the wax to the right wick. At least just for the starting points. I test everything, but when I try a new wax I'd like to actually understand why a certain wick would be a good choice. I've seen the chart at www.wicksunimited.com . But still not quite what I need. Appriciate any help here. Thanks. :smiley2:

I was hoping to get some recommendations for fo's from Make Scents. I don't see their name come up very often, but they have a TON of scents listed on thier website. I'm really close to them so I need to start testing from there. Anybody have anything at all they can share about this supplier?

TIA! :smiley2:

I wasn't here last year so anything I've done has been a great accomplishment for me! But I'll give it a go this year.

1. Test a new wax blend and wick to stay with.

2. Get in on as many local shows as I can handle.(I haven't done any yet!)

3. Get website done-it's on hold, but started.

4. Get new scent line tested and underway. (6-10 I want to add)

I'm pretty motivated. Thanks to people like you Robin, sounds corny but it's really inspiring when a newbie sees someone else making it all work.

Who's next?

Ok I hate to point this out but did no one check the date of that article? August 2002

I am tempted to drive up to that shop and see if they look as bad in person as they do online.

Sami

Yeah, someone noted the date in a previous post. Still, a ridiculously slanted article.

That whole 'article' reads more like an advertisement. I bet money the business owners that are named in this 'article' got together, maybe with a writer, and submitted this as actual news. They probably made a pretty penny off it too!

www.earth911.org may help get rid of them, they have a great reuse/recycle directory. Type in zip code, 'Reuse & Recycling Services', scroll down to the plastic box, then, 'Plastic Peanut Reuse'.

Perfect! I don't have a website yet, so I'm not shipping out. I have to hide them from my kids. They get everywhere! My Hubby said the kids could paint them and string them up on the Christmas tree. I don't think so. Out they go.......

Oh, thank God. I was dreading the next few deliveries just because I'd have more peanuts to stash. There's a Post office just down the street. I'll give that a try. Thank you guys so much. I knew you'd all know what to do with these things.

Okay, what do you all do with all these packing peanuts? I think they actually multiply!!! I mean I re-use what I can, but still....How do you get rid of them?

Wrong place...

I don't know exactly what causes the problems, but there have been threads here about health issues related to breathing the FO fumes. I think candlenose is just saying that the fumes might cause her to be more susceptible to a chest cold, not that she caught it from the fumes.

That's insane! You are seriously an inspiration. You must feel so great knowing that your hard work paid off. Congratulations!

Thanks for the replies. I might have to think about a respirator. I think for now though I'll just crank the fan and then get some kind of exhaust fan installed in the near future. I 'm just so glad to have the space I'll find a way to make it work!

I'm so excited, I'm finally moving to the basement. I'll be able to leave my stuff out and get to work with out unpacking 12 boxes of stuff. Here's my dilema... my DH tells me it's necessary, in his opinion, to get an exhaust fan or some kind of ventilation first. There is no window to open so a plain fan won't do. Anyone else worked this out with out spending a fortune? I'll have a door but no sceen door, and I can't leave it open when I'm working (way to cold). I'm open to any suggestions. I just want to get pouring down there. Thanks

I still consider myself a newbie~disclaimer~, but I also have trouble narrowing down my choices. Sometimes I look at the supplier sites to see what their best sellers are. If I see a recurring theme, dupes, florals or whatever, I'll give those a try. Sometimes I don't trust my own nose to determine what others will like. And as Scented mentioned, I stick with about 5 in each catatgory.

Hi Kelly,

My personal opinion is that the 'triple scenting' thing is just a marketing ploy. A consumer has no idea what % fo is being used, but when you call it triple scenting it sure sounds strong. Like Eugenia said - I think the factors to consider are what type of wax and how much fo it will hold, and how strong the fo is to begin with . A very subtle or light scent might require a higher %.

But if someone out there uses 2% fo then I guess I triple scent!

What is the % of soy in 6006? Do you guys happen to know, or is that another one of those proprietary blends where they won't tell? I haven't seen a supplier list the %'s for 6006.

I use concentrated liquid dyes. I found if I use a few drops per lb of the brown (not sure off hand how many drops), then a touch of yellow, it seems to give it a nice rich tone. HTH

Of course when I make a candle I'm shooting for 'knock you down strong'. But IMO if you can smell it when you walk into the room and it's very subtle I would call that adequit. ~not great, but could suffice depending on the scent.

If it's noticable and really adds to the ambiance I'd say that's a good throw.

As far as sq ft, I have no idea. But I figure it would take a couple hours to get a good melt pool going so that's how long I would expect it to take to get a good stink going, lol.

But what do I know. JMO

I keep a couple paper cups ready when I pour. I always manage to calculate the wax+FO+color incorrectly and make a few ounces too much. I pour the excess in the paper cups to save for the next time I pour that scent, so I can just add it to the batch. Use a sharpie to lable the cup. I hate to waste the FO.

And as mentioned~never leave wicks out unmarked! Still can't seem to get that one down.

Yeah, amber is kind of golden brownish. Google amber and you'll get pic.s to see the color of it. (I've also gotten into the kids crayons a few times to look for good color ideas. The names are on 'em!)

Do you use dye in that FO? I'm wondering if I use an ivory dye for the Fresh Linen if it might at least hide the grey color a little. Or maybe that fo from a different supplier wouldn't have this issue? I really love this one but it's ugly enough that I need to fix it. Can't sell it this way.

Bear Labs - www.incenseoils.com

Wow, that's interesting. I'm still a newbie but this is the only one so far that's giving me trouble ~with color that is...lol.

I'd appriciate any thoughts on this. I've noticed that when I use Fresh Linen from NG (in parasoy) with no color, that as it burns, the wax takes on this dirty gray color about 1/4 down. I suppose it's soot or something, but this is the only FO tht I've had this problem with. I can't wick down any more, and I love this scent. Others that I leave uncolored don't do this. I use 6% Fo, I could try lower it to see if that helps. Any thoughts?

Oh that would be cool! We could have a little FO shopping trip. We'll have to work that out sometime.