1 minute ago, Belinda said:

It drives me crazy! 4625 alone doesn't smudge but it flakes and I can't stand that either LOL! It seems like it depends on the scents too because I have some shapes that never flake or smudge and then others in the same wax that will do one or the other at least a little bit. 4786 doesn't smudge much either. I don't know why it bothers me but it does.

It bothers you because it looks nasty!! Imagine a Little Debbie snack cake in a store and someone smashed half of it down with their fingers and it smears all over the package. THAT is what it reminds me of!

EEEeeeekkk!!!! My samples from PFO came in today instead of Monday!!!! I'm so in love with most of them!!! 😍😍😍 If they last as long as they smell good, then I finally have something to look forward to - making some headway! 

26 minutes ago, pcbrook said:

I make my own labels because of that 1/2 inch wording.  I just don't believe it unless I am missing something!   

Yeah makes me wonder what I'm missing because like I said... A lot of people will melt 1 or 2 cubes out of a standard clamshell and in a larger warmer, that'll barely cover the bottom of the dish. You don't wanna continue to add to it because you're diluting the scent each time. Ehhh....my paws are up in the air on that one. I don't think anyone pays attention to it anyway to tell you the truth. 

2 hours ago, TallTayl said:

Oh man.  I’ve seen way too many people take a bite out of wax melts and soap. 
some wax melts (and candles and soap)  look too much like food. 
 

at the ren Faire I had a shop at, one soap shop handed out little bits of soap from a wicker basket to people passing by. The shop is located where people are eating, like a kind of food court. They would laugh and keep score of all the “soap eaters” - people who would instinctively toss the piece of soap that looked like fudge - in their mouths.  I thought it was incredibly cruel, and dangerous given so many allergies we know of. Who the heck likes to be made a spectacle of in a crowded place (or any place).  Head scratcher why their sales continually drop, isn’t it? 

Oh that is so mean!! It's such a shame that adults can be just as bad as kids when it comes to bullying, if not worse! There are some that look so amazingly yummy though. I just can't imagine putting all that work into it and selling at a price that people will actually pay. There's some crazy-talented peeps on Etsy. That's just too much work for me. 

2 hours ago, Karen Ov said:

I didn't know if it was just me lol, I was like what am I doing wrong. 😒

No girl, it's definitely not just you! My experience is when they're on the soft but firm side, they smudge. When they're on the hard side, they leave a more powdery film on the bag. @Belindais another one who hates the smudges on bags lol. I think she had less problems with straight 4786. I never tried bagging that one straight. I figured eventually it'll get ugly too. 

2 hours ago, TallTayl said:

 

How would you describe coconut bay?

I'd like to know also. It does seem hard to find a good true coconut. 

On 1/17/2022 at 9:28 AM, JaniceG said:

Yeah. That always makes me question what is in the wax melts.  There isn't a flame, so what issue are they preventing with this?

I make my own labels and I modify that to 1/4 inch, but the melters are made of heat resistant material, usually ceramic or glass, so they should be able to handle the heat even empty. 

Thanks Janice! I feel better now because I was thinking of just using the space for something a little more important like "This is not a Tide pod. Do not eat!" 🤣😂🤣

On 1/18/2022 at 6:26 AM, ShelleyF said:

Sweet Cakes has good fragrances. Mad always has good fragrances and so does muddy soap. The chemistry store does have great fragrances. Those are Leubermuth fragrances and they are top quality. A lot of people like candle cocoon but I don't find them very strong and impressive. I think it's a company you either love or hate. There's a smell in her fragrances that I do not like. You can usually tell where a fragrance is from after a while because they all have a certain undertone to them from different suppliers.

There's a handful of like to try from Candle Cocoon, one being the elusive Vanilla Voodoo! I had never heard of CC or Vanilla Voodoo before I came to this forum. When I was thinking about scent names, being from Louisiana and New Orleans is famous for voodoo, that was going to be my vanilla name. That is - until I saw there was already that popular one out there. So I'll only get to use it if I decide to use that particular oil. I can live with that! 

1 hour ago, moonshine said:

Your welcome

I will be shocked if you don’t end up with at least 10 out of all those that are keepers 

what wax do you use?  All the ones I mentioned did excellent in 415 soy and I’ve tried some of them in coconut with success 

Well, I didn't wanna push my luck...but yeah I'm hoping for at least 10, if not more. Once I had a taste of some really good quality oil, my standards rose dramatically. I use a blend of 4786 and 4633. I'm also testing with feather palm so I can offer an alternative to paraffin for those who don't care for it. I'm way too impatient for soy, and I just love the look of palm and it's so easy to work with. A part of me wants to go with just palm, but I'd miss the creaminess of my paraffin. Can't decide so I'll more than likely do both and see how the palm sells. 

29 minutes ago, moonshine said:

I used Moonworks a lot….the sugar cookie is amazing and that speaks volumes for someone that hates foody scents 😂

sea witch is one of my all time favorites 

witches brew is excellent- I love love this one- it’s a must have 

lavender sage is hands down the best herbal scent I ever used 

pops pipe is wonderful and makes an excellent mixer 

I didn’t care for earthen oak but didn’t really give it a fair chance - I bet it would make an amazing blend also 

Guinevere’s attraction was potent but not in my lane 

patchouli passion was nice and there was another fragrance that is exactly like this one I can’t remember offhand which one but I made note of it in here somewhere many years ago- 

another excellent one is pinion pine - it’s like cs mistletoe - I am still on the fence ordering 10 lbs because they are not offering it right now 

and gypsy rose if they have that one or ever bring it back ….amazing 

Wow....thanks moonshine!! You've given me even more hope that I'll end up with maybe a few keepers! I can't wait! It shipped out today and shows I should get it Monday. Since this package is coming from CA, I don't have to worry about it actually taking a detour to CA like my last package did... 🙄

13 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

I have Celtic mist I am going to Destash. A lb I think

Sending you a message.... 

6 hours ago, bfroberts said:

I agree about Witches Brew. It’s very good.

I have it on my wish list - along with lots of others. But I'll be checking back regularly for it and Patchouli Passion! Celtic Myst was another interesting one I put to the side for my next order. I had to trim my order back a little this round. 

21 hours ago, barbaranj said:

Vanilla Cream did  very well in my 4 oz candle.  Great cold and hot throw .  I have yet to use it in melts,

 

i LOVED Witches Brew!  It was powerful in my wax melts and I highly recommend you buy it when it is in stock.  

Definitely!! I've heard lots of great things about it! 

5 minutes ago, PINKT said:

LilFirecracker, the MP-117 is most like the 4630 or Problend 400

Thanks! Kinda sounded like it probably would be. 

I am so excited!! For once since my first FO order tanked, I feel confident that I will find at least 4 or 5 useable oils out of this order. Hopefully more! I'm being very picky with how long my melts last, and for good reason. Here's what I have coming:

• Vanilla Noel

• Sugar Cookie 

• Satin Sheets 

• Sea Witch 

• Sandalwood 

• Pop's Pipe 

• Nag Champa 

• Lavender Sage 

• Earthen Oak 

• Dragon's Blood 

• Classic Lavender 

• Black Vetiver Cafe 

• Black Raspberry Vanilla 

• Vanilla Cream 

• Sensual Vanilla 

• Frosted Pink Cupcake 

• Chocolate Chip Brownie 

• Tom Ford Oud Wood 

• Guinevere's Attraction

I really wanted Patchouli Passion and Witches Brew, but both have been OOS for about 2-3 weeks now.... If anyone can give me their opinions on any of these oils, I'd appreciate it!! 😃

I notice that all of the ready-made caution labels for melts have "Discontinue use is less than 1/2" of wax remains." There are many, many people who melt so little at one time that it doesn't even cover the bottom of the dish. Even putting 1 cube from a clamshell will barely cover the bottom, much less 1/2" so what do you tell someone who questions this? I have a warmer that has a dish at least 4" in diameter and I can put 2oz of wax in there and it still comes in just under 1/2". I was thinking of printing my own anyway, so I'm actually thinking about leaving this part out. Is there a good reason I should be keeping it since it doesn't really make sense regarding normal use anyway?

On 1/15/2022 at 11:50 AM, Karen Ov said:

When you use bags does the wax rub against it and make the bag look cloudy?

I did try the bags and after a while they do start looking cruddy. I'm now looking at different containers with lids for them. A little more expense than the bags, but to me it's worth it to have a product that looks nice. 

14 hours ago, NightLight said:

I like the idea of the larger from production point of view. The little ones aren’t worth making. Pretty stupid waste o time.

I noticed one was selling theirs in 2oz bags. I compared my 2oz bag to theirs and because you couldn't tell what size the bag actually was, it looked like there was way more in theirs than mine. That's when I realized and went back to Amazon and saw the smaller molds. Here's mine with a dime for comparison, and also with the mold I use. This mold has 221 cavities. The other mold (same overall size) has 468 cavities. 

3 hours ago, PINKT said:

I've been testing the MP-117 at 80/20 blending with a coconut wax. I think the wax is FANTASTIC!!  I'm using 6% fragrance and the hot throw and burn is phenomenal! I don't find it any softer than Problend 400, 4630, 4636, 4627, or 4633. It's a bright white color too which is really pretty.

I spent a while testing a blend with both 4630 and 4633. I found that 4630 was a little on the sticky side compared to 4633. Would you say the MP-117 has that sticky consistency? Out of those 2 I mentioned, which one is it more similar to?

I just realized after looking thru a few Etsy listings that have these for sale. I checked out about 4 or 5 different sellers and they're all REALLY small. Probably close to half the size of mine. I don't think I'd put in the time for those that are THAT small. Mine are suppose to be 1/2" in diameter, but when I measure I get 5/8”. If anyone wants to see the ones I saw, do a search for wax dots. That's what most of them acre calling these. 

I'll label it with the weight just to be safe. Not like I'll have to go way out of my way to do it. It'll be part of my lineup as a "single-serve" sort of trial size like you said. I just need to relax. I'm starting to ask some really stupid questions that I already know the answers to. I guess once in a while I just need reassurance that I'm on the right path. I'm just making myself crazy lol. 🤪

18 hours ago, Forrest said:

I just went to the CS website and they have a new paraffin container wax, MP-117. I don’t know who manufactures it, but  I’m willing to try anything at this point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting.... I have never seen a container paraffin with such a low MP before. They also have a new pillar/votive/tart wax that sounds intriguing too - MP 137. I just got my formula down, I do NOT need to be tempted. Esp since it's something only they carry. Ok I'm gonna go hide in the corner FAR away from temptation......

2 hours ago, TallTayl said:

I just write something like, “sample, not labeled for sale”.

 

marie Gale (the expert on labeling for cosmetics) probably has something to say about it. I’ll look if I stumble over her book in my shop. 

I keep seeing her mentioned in a lot of old posts. I'm gonna have to search online and find some things to read up on. 

About the samples....although I'll be throwing samples in with orders, they will also be for sale. That's why I was asking about putting a weight on the label. I'm assuming I need to since it will be an item for sale also. I just wanted to see if it's a necessity. 

21 hours ago, RichardLOZ said:

TJR - just wow! I have no words. As Nightlight said, you come on here and bark at people with your first post!  Not cool at all!

You may have years of candle making experience that we are not aware of, but right now we don't know that.  Please have a bit or respect for the long term and prolific posters here who actually have a pretty good damn idea of what they are doing, and take or leave their advice at your own discretion.

Just play nicely!

Ditto these words! I had typed a response to this yesterday, but I backed out from posting it. My head was still spinning from wondering where all that came from! It looked to me like a straight-up, no frills kind of review to me! 

On 1/8/2022 at 8:03 PM, kepoore said:

Hello, all! I do not have a business selling candles yet, but it’s in the works and I’ve been doing a lot of planning and research. I’m currently thinking about containers. I see a lot of shops carrying 2 or 3 types of containers in a verity of sizes, but I am leaning toward starting off with one 8oz jar, but I’m not sure if that will hurt me or help me. Hurt me because I won’t have much of a selection to offer; help me because I’m doing all of my testing with only one jar. Plus, less materials = a little easier on my wallet.

 

Being a brand new business, I do not expect to even break even in the beginning, so that is why my brain is saying “let’s start very small and slowly build up inventory”, but another part of me thinks a lot of people won’t even look my way with only about 5 scents in one single 8oz jar. 

 

 

I know exactly how you feel. I'm not doing candles right now, just melts. You'll find that the more you dig and research, the more you'll want to change things up. Originally I was just going to offer the 1oz portion cup (holds .8oz) for plug-in and smaller warmers, the 2oz cup for larger warmers, and the little half-round mini-melts in bags. Then I started searching Etsy to see what was out there since that's one place I'm going to start. I realized that I'm going to have to offer more than just that if I wanna even try to compete. There it seems like the more different things you have to offer, the better your chances are of getting sales. Now, in person it could be different. In your case I would concentrate on that one jar and perfect it. Then work on your scent collection. Decide how many scents you would like to start out offering, then test each one you order until you get what you need. You might have to try oils from different suppliers to make your perfect candle. Once you get that and get into the routine and get to know how your wax burns, you can move on to testing one more jar with the same scents you've already tested in your first jar. Use the wicking notes you take from your first jar that way you'll have an idea of what scents you might have to wick up or wick down. Just take your time, get it right, get your first line of jars going. Then you can have those for sale while working on your next jar. 

Good luck with everything! It can get frustrating, but when you get something right it makes it all worth while! 😃