amieelynne

I think it happens because you have a larger surface area cooling faster than the lower part of the enamalware. I've had this happen too when I pour into something other than a glass jar. the glass provides a surface that cools at the same rate as the tops, but in the enamalware-the sides are too thick, so the tops cool off before the rest and it pushes up--forming the brains..lol make sense? I could be wrong, but that's my thought on it--I haven't found a way around it that isn't a pain in the arse

be aware that bayou is not carrying the EVO's anymore--he switched to a different brand. haven't tried the new ones, but I went to buy some EVO from him the other day (I agree--prices were great and those dyes work excellent in soy) and after seeing that the name EVO was gone I asked...I think he might have some colors still avail in EVO, but not all. email first before buying. I know there are other places that carry it under their name--run a search on here for EVO DYE and you should come up with a supplier--I asked this question myself a few months ago, but I don't rememeber off the top of my head

I've used SW & just scent's pink sugar in milcreek's soy lotion base with a few drops of pink color and haven't had them dicolor--the bottle I'm using right now has to be about 2 months old, it was the first one I made

I just had to share this, in light of the recent threads floating around CT about CS or the lack there of it in business today. I just hosted my very first co-op, here through CT, and let me just say it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be..lol wheew, you were right tallbabydoll. anyway--it was an FO co-op for peaks. there were 90+ FO's ordered, I had to relay that order to peaks and then make the payment. not such a small endevour...I placed the order this morning and then had to leave for work. came home from work to a nice email from nichelle at peaks asking me to review the order to amke sure everything is right. I've been going back and forth with her for the last 2 hours sorting out and making sure the order was right, and then setting up payment--so that I could pay for everyone else's stuff from paypal and use my CC for my things, a bit more complicated on their part--and yes, I did appologize for the inconvience may or may not sound exceptional at this point--unless you notice that it is 12am EST (here) and 10pm there where they are! peaks closed at 5pm, yet here they were 5 hours after closing time working with me to insure they could ship out tomorrow! this is exceptional customer service..and I have to say that they have won me over as a customer--I have never ordered from them before, but I am sure I will be ordering again and again after this experience...can you tell I'm happy with their CS? lol ok, off my soapbox now

hey hey hey...I'm in mass and I'm usually the one teasin people about their accents--all ya'll out near woosta talk funny..lol lately people are asking more about the fact that it took us almost 20 years to build a tunnel that leaks BTW--what are platinum ball jars? are those the jelly jars or something else I just can't picture? I have been looking at so many different candle jars lately that my head is spinning..lol

the only thing I can think of is if you're not taring your scale both times that you are weighing. I've done that a few times...my scale tares itself if you put something on it within 20secs of turning it on--so a few times I have gotten "off" readings because I was in the middle of adding something to be weighed when it tared...make sense?

I'm curious too...maybe this is a PA thing? I'm in mass and was told all I had to do was register my business and get a fed number--and that's what I did. hope there isn't more to it--though it did sound a bit too simple

I've tried this..poured into a 16oz mason with ezsoy and wicked up 2x without being able to get a good burn(eco wicks) or throw...and honestly, I'm kinda glad..lol I really didn't care for this FO at all. I got a sample because so many on the BC board raved about it, but to me it was an awful smell....too busy. I couldn't really put my nose on the scent I didn't care for in it because there were too many mixed together. JMO though, there really are tons of people who swear by it

have you found the smell to be present in the finished candles?? I've been looking at their dyes, but it does mention the smell in the description. I have been using EVO and love it, but my supplier doesn't carry them anymore

oh how I dream of having my own room--not having to gather and schlep all the stuff I need into the kitchen everytime I need to pour!! lol I think for a room like that to work you have to take into consideration what it is that you are doing the most. for example...I do soy containers the most--so a sink is a must for me, double sink would be better. tons and tons of counter space for cooling, the under storage for keeping supplies. maybe a built-in bookcase style shelving unit for storing finished product. electrical outlets out the wazoo for all the presto pots/melters and heatguns. maybe an area dedicated to labeling/decorating--with some shelves above the counter for new label sheets/ribbon etc. a closet would be a nice addition to be sectioned off...so you could store your FO's out of the sunlight--so of course you need tons of shelves in it I would think you could get away with just tying into the existing water heater--but if there isn't one you shouldn't need a large one, you're only using it for cleanup, no? hmm...now I'm having dreams about being able to do that myself someday:drool: congrats to you for having such an awesome hubby!! :yay:

I know this isn't going to help, but I use pure soy with no additives. I very rarely get frosting, usually it is after burning from cooling down to fast (solved by covering candle once it's out). haven't seen cracks or need to repour (I wait til it is slushy to pour)...maybe if you like the other qualities of soy you could try a different brand? I think experiences with soy are 80% technique and 20% brand characteristics...there are some good alternatives out there, and you can always order a 1lb sample to try. many people have raved about the new golden 464--that it doesn't frost as much and you can pour at a higher temp--there is a whole thread dedicated to test results for it..just search the veg board. I personally use EZSoy from BCN, I've gotten a bit pissed at times with it over the last year...but usually found it was caused by something I was or wasn't doing and after a little tweaking I could fix the issues. sorry I can't help with your parasoy question, I've never used them or parrafin. there are many people on here who do and I'm sure they'll chime in with some suggestions

just thinking out loud...but wouldn't this be expensive too? I seem to recall getting charged an "overweight" fee for my luggage when I took the family to disney a few years ago and all we had extra were some suveniers (ok, more than a few..lol) one of the suitcases was over 70lbs and they bi^&*ed about checking it..suggested that we ship it ahead of us. should really call ahead and ask about limits etc. I know it sounds like shipping to the UK is a pain, wish I had some other suggestions for you

I just started working B&B into my business..using a premade based lotion only for now. my pricing was based on the cost x 3/4...using the bottles I have now I have my 2oz prices at $4, 4oz at $6 and 8oz at $12. I am still trying to find bottles and jars I like though, so as that changes my prices will probably too. make sure you include shipping into your cost for the product--that makes a difference--ex. in my case 1 gal of lotion costs me close to $30 inc shipping, because I am ordering smaller amounts now. 1 gal gives you 128oz...at comes out to about $.25 an ounce, then you add in cost of dye if you use it, cost of FO and cost of bottles.

I agree with carrie, there are just too many risks if you sell anything without insurance. it's a big leap of faith to go ahead and set your self up as a legit business, with a license (or whatever is required where you live) and insurance, but the piece of mind and protection is priceless. it isn't just about stupidity...even experienced business people here can attest that things can go wrong. insurance is there to protect you AND your customer. that said, ther eare people here who sell without insurance but it has to be a risk that you take with your eyes open...whether you sell 10 candles/B&B products a year or 1000--there is always a chance that someone could sue you if something goes wrong or they think you are at fault. even if you *think that you have nothing someone could sue you for, you are not judgement proof---they can attach your wages, have a lien put on your future earnings or even your home and car (depending on state laws)--do you really want to take that kind of risk to save a few hundred dollars a year? unfortunately candlemaking and personal care product production are not quick and easy ways to make a buck. they require extensive testing, a good deal of investment on your part to make a quality product. in this realm of handmade wares--the best business strategy is catering to repeat customers, and if you don't make an excellent product that brings your customers back you won't be in business for long explore your options, make some calls to inquire about insurance...it's really not that expensive when you think about the alternative possibilities. at least have all the facts before you decide to continue without it. more and more shows now are requiring proof of insurance, and if you ever hope to do wholesaling be prepared for your accounts to inqire about insurance too. I just got a 2m policy for $905 a year that includes my candles and B&B--my agent said it was a lot easier to find an underwriter for the B&B than it was for the candles due to the risk assessment...so even if you decide not to add B&B I would suggest looking into insurance--but that's just my opinion

why can't the stores around here carry cool jars? lol oh, well...it's time for a trip to xmas tree shop anyway--maybe they'll have something cool to pour in this week