Jcandleattic

I'm gonna try with no extra help at first and pour pretty thin to see what happens. If I find I need reinforcements, I'll use some tape. I have electric, duct, packing, masking, you name it, tape so I should be able to find something. LOL Anyway, I have started really super spring (aka winter here since it's SNOWING!!!) cleaning my soap room. I swear it's a bigger mess now than when I started. LOL

well, I could, but then trying to get the soap out might be difficult because this stuff is pretty stiff and doesn't have a lot of 'give' to it. I want to be able to take it apart if need be to get the soap out. I actually don't think it'll leak and if it does, not bad. it's pretty tightly secure, and even though I don't mix past emulsification, by the time I have all my goodies in my batter, it's at a decent light to medium trace, so I think it should be fine. It was so much fun to make and only took me about 15-20 minutes from start to finish. Took me longer to find the square and my utility knife than it did to actually make the darn thing! HA

HAHA It's the little things in life. I've been wanting a TSM (tall skinny mold) for a long time now, but refuse to pay the prices these suppliers charge for them... Sooo, short story long, I've been on the hunt for the Coroplast(sp?) without having to buy it. (I'm so cheap!! LOL) Well, I went to my friend's house and she had some sitting in her garage and she had no use for it, so she gave me a giant sheet of it. (what are friends for if not begging craft supplies from?? LOL) I've had it for about a month or so, and decided since it's rainy/snowy out today, now is the time. I got my husband's square out of the garage, measured, marked and cut and viola! a TSM!! It is really skinny though. The dimensions are 2.5"W x 4"T x 12"L I might make another one at 2.75" instead of the 2.5" which I think the 2.75" is actually what was recommended to me and I forgot. *shrugs* Anyway, the corners were vexing me. I tried several ways (in my head) to work it out, but nothing concrete was coming to mind. I thought I was going to have to cut the squares off the corners and just really tape it up. Well when making the score lines to fold it into place an idea (LIGHTBULB as Gru would say) came to me and I decided to score one side, and cut the other, fold it over and then use wick-stickums to adhere the corners to the side. (I know, can't explain right, but look at the pic, you'll know what I mean! LOL) So, without further ado, here it is: TADA!!! Now the trick will be actually using it, and hoping those wick stickum stuck corners don't leak.

ChrisR is right, as long as you don't make claims, you can sell it. Just because it works for being a bug off, doesn't mean it's marketed that way.

There is a photography class for my canon dSLR in June that I'm thinking of taking. I have got to do something or I will never learn how to use that camera. Everyone says, just play around with it. And that's all fine and good, if I KNEW what I was playing around with... LOL I need to know WHY I'm doing what I'm doing or else it's not going to make any sense to me and I will never learn. Anyway, I brought that up in this thread because I also bought a(nother) light box, and I'll be taking some test product shots in it this weekend. It's supposed to do wonders for product photos just using a camera phone, but I'll use my iPad and see how that works out.

I hear ya on the rainy pattern. It's been gloomy here for 2 weeks and they are now calling for snow on Sunday. *sigh* I hate weather!!

Like everyone has said, the short answer is no, wax doesn't go bad, however it can become unusable due to other circumstances such as environmental factors (like others said, mice, bugs, etc.). I still have some sample pounds of wax I got back in early 2001 that I just never got around to pouring and it's all still good.

I think I'm actually going to make it into the soap/candle studio this weekend. Wouldn't that be nice? I have a few plans, such as masterbatching some oils (yes, i know - this has been on my list FOR-EVER!!), a challenge soap, bottling up some lotions, wick some jars to make some container candles, and then possibly make some palm pillars for some more wick testing. I just cannot for the life of me get the wicking down on my palms. Grrr... LOL What is everyone else up too?

Absolutely stunning. So beautiful...

No markets for me, but I'm so glad you are doing well at yours. Sounds like you had a great day.

This! For me, it's more the preparation and clean up, that I get tired of, not the actual making. If I had someone to make my masterbatch when needed, or do up my dishes after every soaping session, I'd probably make a LOT more soap... LOL

I haven't noticed this either.

When I'm making and feel I HAVE to make for shows, or restocks, or whatever, that's when I am not very inspired to do it and have a hard time focusing. So yeah, know what you mean. The weather here the last 2 weeks or so have been fabulous! True springtime weather that we really haven't seen for more than a few days here and there for about 10 years, so I've really been enjoying it. Love it.

What if you don't have the scent the customer wants? If they want that scent then they are going to have to wait the 4-6 weeks. If you approach it right I'm sure they will be understanding and willing to wait the time it takes to have the best possible product they can have. I've only done wholesale a couple of times, and never had a problem having the client wait for their order. I know a lot of soaper's that wholesale and don't have this problem either.

One of the reasons I've started backing up my files at least once a week.

TKB? They used too, not sure if they still do. I have one that I got a while ago and it's lasting me forever.

Gorgeous as usual!! Yes, to get a nice true "Christmas" red, I always add a touch of red oxide to a neon red or pink and get a great red each time.

I agree with everything that's been said, but would like to reiterate what OG touched on. When testing (whether it be FO throw, wicks and burn, etc.,) there are no shortcuts. you just have to test to find out what works for you.

hmm, I've never had them do that to my container candles...

Most of the molds I actually use produce roughly the same size bars (maybe like 1/8th inch off on some) I'm just a sucker for a good mold. Like I said it's ridiculous really. The way most people are with FO's I'm like that with molds and colorants.

Okay, I think I am going to make it 2.5" x 4" x 12". As for cost, free is good. I think if I actually bought another mold my hub would have a hissy fit. LMAO (At last count - NOT including my embed molds - I have I think 25 loaf and slab molds of all different dimensions!! LOL it really is a sickness - but I don't want the cure!~! LOL)

I actually never thought of that because I use such small amounts and heat it in the microwave in a small pyrex measuring cup. (it's a 2C size) I only heat it until it's melted (sometimes there are still little chunks that will melt when I stir) because if I over heat it, it turns rubbery. That's not a bad idea though, I'll have to figure out the logistics. I have a griddle I can use, and a small aluminum pour pot I use for small batches of candles...

Maybe as Candybee said it is mostly a soy problem? In all the years I've done shows and had candles there this has never been a problem for me. Or at least (as she said) the tops are harder and more smudge resistant so I don't notice. I do like the hatchet idea. LOL It would be a conversation starter if nothing else.

This is great information. Thank you!

Yes, she should be!! I need to put up another video - it's been awhile...