Georgia

(Did anyone warn you yet about soap?)

oh, nice, Stella! Like the man hasn't got enough on his plate already. Stay away from the dark side, Steve. It will consume you just like the candles will! (I'm just dabbling in the dark arts, candles are my passion.)

Welcome, enjoy, good luck!

I think it looks darn good! What happens when it burns since it is so near overflowing? Is it scented Root Beer, byw?

Those are cute! Do you have a mold for coal lumps? Hope they sell well for you!

It's a bluff. Annie Oakley has "wild west" trademarked as perfume, body lotion and bath salts. The closest you come is a Wild, Wild West linen spray. Giddy up, Cowboy sounds a bit hokey to me. Wildly Western?

I got an invitation to a Spring show today. It is the first craft show this school is hosting. I noticed that their application and terms are copied almost word for word from a major high school show (different school) around here with the exception that the established show is juried and this new show will allow vendors - Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, etc.

Well, I was curious and asked if they were planning on charging admission to the show. The response was, "Yes. But only $2. Cooper HS charged $3 this past weekend and had people lined up to get in" But Cooper is a well established, juried, Fall show... I told her that in my experience first year shows that charged admission didn't do well. Hell, the Flea Market only charges a dollar to park and you can buy anything from produce to headstones!

What is your opinion on charging admission at a first year show?

When people buy pillars from me at a craft show I do give them a note about hugging their pillars. I actually very seldom need to hug a pillar - usually when you only burn a short time and end up with an almost tunnel. Then it might need a hug to get going in the right direction again. Burning at a minimum of 3 hours no hugs are required (but always welcome!)

Funny....someone asked me today how I got into making candles.

My daughter went off to college and I was advised to get a hobby to fill the hours I used to spend with her. My oldest daughter suggested floral arranging. meh. Ceramics? No, you just have to dust them. Candles! They never need dusting! Yes, I make candles because you don't have to dust them.

It was a hobby for 2 years before I turned it into a business. I was treading water for about 4 years when the company that I had worked for for 21 years shut the door. The candle biz was barely supporting itself and couldn't support me so I closed the biz and accepted unemployment for 6 months. Candles are in my blood now though, so I am still a hobbyist and do a couple of craft shows each year.

It was really hard to get a good picture, but I made these for a couple of shows I did this weekend. Everybody loved them and I actually sold a couple! I had lizards and dinosaurs and I put them in bunny washcloths.

echo...the color did wonders and I like the free kisses. Without changing who you are you made your products seem so much more accessible. Great job! And I'm glad you did well. Success feels good.

I sincerely doubt it. Are you priming them in the same wax you use for your pillars?

I would have said nothing as I have 2 shows this weekend, but I sold out of my cute little loaf pan candles in Warm Apple Pie and Frosted Carrot Cake. So, I came home after a great show and had to pour some more for tomorrow's show!

Yowza! Beautiful!!!

I would try a different wick type before giving up on the jars.

you could try googling 'tray molds' or you could just go to your local hobby store. I just got a 4 bar mold from Hobby Lobby for @2.47. It won't last forever, but you are looking for personal use - they will be fine.

oh, it's a toss up between supplier and heat. The little thingy you need is a jewelry bead crimper from your local hobby store with a 40% off coupon.

I've done it a few times too. (But, I also think heating your jars is a waste of time and energy...)

Since the search is not working well I am only getting responses from years ago.

I am not looking to make shaving soap, I am looking to buy some. If you make it (I need the brush and mug, too) please respond here or in a PM with details.

Thanks!

Well, this will teach you to ask opinions...LOL

I found that when I worked with soy it tended to burn down, then out. A little tunnel that evened itself out. J50, however, should burn straight across. You won't get a full melt pool the first burn but it should be close. I thought HTP smoked too much, but did like LX.

What jar, wick and FO are you using?

Another option is an embossing gun from Hobby Lobby or Michael's (with 40% off coupon, of course.) I've had mine for 10 years and it's still going strong. It is not variable temp, but comments I have seen is that most people don't use the upper temps anyway. It's compact and light weight. I also shrink wrap with mine.

Wow! looks really nice! How did you do? I like the variety of products, colors, heights...very nice.

My only suggestion would be on the white table, instead of centering the cloth, make it hang more in the front to block the boxes and tubs. Minor in the grand scheme of things.

[quote name=HorsescentS;931340....I can just use either the calculator' date=' or Georgia's formula, but they are not the same, since the calculator is a proportional formula and Georgia's is a percentage formula, right? To recap: Georgia says that if you want to use 6% FO, you want a candle that is 94% wax and 6% FO for a total of 100%, so she's using a Percentage Formula instead of the Proportional Formula. I guess I should just pick one. LOL

But, thanks to you, Stella, I now know the difference between the Proportional Formula and the Percentage Formula. At least I now have a working vocabulary for further debate! ...

Now, all I need to know is which one of those formulas is the best way to do it and why?

I don't know why you think they are not the same. In the calculator put in "what is 6% of 12" and you will get .72. Multiply .06 X 12 and you will get .72

no, I didn't cool on a heating pad. I did snestle them all together so they had the warmth of each other. It didn't matter if they were in the middle of the pack or the outside - it was just their day to get a sink hole.

Thank you! I never knew the reason why some stop where the jar begins to curve over towards the neck. Is that true of all jars, and with both paraffin and soy? Many go ahead and fill into the neck.

I don't know about all jars, but I would imagine. When I used this jar I was using J50 paraffin and I poured oodles for a fundraiser. They didn't all get sink holes (and the heat gun does fix it) but enough did. I went to straight sided jars and eliminated that problem?

This is the same box I've had forever. Yes, I pour cool - 140° to 150° and last year got frost....this year I get mottle. Funny thing is I tried mottles before and it was always hit or miss. Now, it's just hit. Oh well.

Stop before the sides curve in. If you fill it to the neck on this jar it will cool uneven and you will get sink holes.

.06 x 12 = .72 oz

.94 x 12 = 11.28 oz

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100 ........ 12.00 oz

If you want 6% FO you want 94% wax. You total equals 100%