Carrie

Reading this thread has me confused. I was considering testing coconut 76* in my 415. People have posted that it makes the wax harder and raises the melt point of the wax. How can that be? I can see it making the wax harder but there is no way it can raise the melt point, is there? You add an oil that melts at 76* to an oil that melts at 120*-125* and that lowers the melt point. Can someone explain this to me? I am trying to test 415 in 8oz tins. Right now I'm using 3% beeswax and I'm not satisfied with any of the 12 wicks I've used. I don't want to double wick and they either won't give me a full melt pool or I get a torch with horrible mushrooms. I thought the lower MP oil would help to lower the candle melt point and make it easier to single wick. What am I missing?

I use a really old tupperware container. I think it's some type of pitcher or shaker or something. Anyway, it's a lovely shade of 1970's orange and it still looks brand new. I've been using it for over 3 years now.

I haven't opened mine yet, I'll get to that this weekend and let you know if it's grainy.

I do my salt bars at room temperature in a kelsei mold so I don't have to cut them. I agree, use the powdered charcoal.

I just tried this, I used: .8oz Soy wax (GB 415) .1oz Coconut 76 .2oz Painya Butter. This would make a very nice lip balm with the addition of a little beeswax for hardness. I tried it on my lips and it feels great. I rubbed it on my hands and it felt really greasy but within less than a minute the painya took over and it didn't feel as greasy anymore.

I get the best swirls in a slab mold.

I prefer 4627. It's sticky but I cut it wil a drywall knife, like this. It's fast and easy.

Yay! Lorrie is going to teach a class? WooHoo. Thank you Lorrie!

Have you tried Richards Packaging for containers? They are in Seattle. That's where I get my 8oz square masons.

Guess what. I think I figured it out. I always make my goddess in individual mold and they don't gel. I just made another batch a week or so ago, in a slab mold that gelled and it turned a nasty dark grey/brown color. It looks beautiful with the 24 carat gold (tkb) swirls...Not!

I soaped it and got an ugly reddish brown color, not a true red. It is gorgeous in the bag though.

Who is the closest supplier for Golden Brands. I've been getting it through Peak but wondered if I could find it for less. I've emailed Golden Brands twice but have never recieved an answer.

I called Candlewic a couple years ago and asked for samples of their LX wicks, I think I got 5 of each of the sizes I was asking about.

Yes, soy requires a larger wick than paraffin in the same container.

Google is your friend.

Google is your friend.

You must put the wax weight on the label. Maybe you could find some graphics or something to add interest to the label.

CP soap is making it from scratch, like mixing flour and sugar etc to make a cake. MP is not from scratch. It's like going to the store and buying a box of cake mix. Different strokes for different folks.

Really? Even if you don't make any health claims? Wow, I didn't know that.

Do a search in this section for Bramble Berry. There was a post about them not long ago. I think in January. They were offering a 25lb block for $37 plus flat rate shipping. Less than $50.

Yes, in my lip balm. It goes grainy within a week or two. I make a whipped shea that doesn't go grainy, I don't know why.

Or you can do what I do, feature the grains as "shea beads for extra moisturizing". If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

There was never an implication that people that choose not to wear goggles are bad, the implication was that they were making a bad choice. Huge difference, IMO

Here is a link to a story about a child getting hurt from lye. http://www.thedishforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=30740

TexasBrat, you know better... Anyway, yes, I do wear my goggles. I put them on before I reach up to the top shelf to grab my lye. Then I keep them on until I carry the lye water over to an unused corner of my shop and set it down on the concrete to cool. Only after I remove my gloves (that my have some lye on them) do I remove the goggles. Then I weigh everything, melt the oils etc. When it's time to go pick up the lye, the goggle so on once again. I don't take them off until I have the soap in the mold and all tucked in for the night.