Candle Man

The lower the number the better the plastic. PETE is a #1 plastic and the next best thing to glass. I would suggest to only use anything from 1-5 NOT 6 or 7.

Here is some good info. about Acrylic http://www.acrylic-designs.com/plastic_FAQ's.htm

Maybe Robin knows or can find out since the company is in OR as is she.

I have no problems with the tops setting up smooth after using the heat gun, but my wax is my own blend.

The problem with the tops may be with 100% soy.

Went to hancock fabrics online and couldn't find Doll needles -

could I use knitting needles?

Used a wire hanger yesterday but the holes were so small? Thanks everyone.

Yes I use them and its easy, once you learn how. A problem you will most likely have is tiny surface air bubbles (air bubbles right next to your object). You don't want surface air bubbles because your casting will have pin holes from the air bubbles.

The best way to get rid of the bubbles is to use a vacuum chamber to de-gas the liquid rubber of the air bubbles. That is a very expensive piece of equipment and not worth it unless you are producing hunderdes of molds.

The other way to reduce air bubbles is to get the same product you want to pour only in the thicker brush-on. That way you can brush on the first layer then use the thinner pourable to finish the mold, to the desired thickness.

Their instructional DVS's are great to learn the proper way to make molds & well worth the cost. Mold making is expensive (more so than candle making) and if you mess up you can't re-use the rubber again, like you can re-melt a candle & try again.

HTH - Candle Man

I made some last year for a craft fair, they didn't sell very well there, but my neighbors love them as car freshners. I made the small 4 oz jelly jars, they fit really well into car cup holders and won't topple over like the taller 8 oz ones. jennifer

:undecided Dang, already ordered the crystals. Oh well, at least they're cheap, guess I can always save them to use at my wedding.

Great clean site & great photos.

I did see this...

Try our version of B&BW's popular Love Spell scent.

That is not a B&BW's scent it is VS's Victoria's Secret. http://www2.victoriassecret.com/collection/sort/?cgnbr=&basecgnbr=OSFRGZZZZZZ&bn=VSGARDEN&sbb=true&rfnbr=2671

I HATE the way the tops of my candles look when I use a heat gun:angry2:

:angry2:

:angry2: They are definitely not as smooth and soft looking as when they harden by themselves. Am I doing something wrong? Sometimes they are down right ugly and I refuse to sell them. Never could figure the trick with a heat gun so I try to avoid it as much as possible.

Any hints on this?

1. In a 8oz Jelly Jar add 1/2TSP of table salt. This helps to reduce the growth of mold & works for me.
   
   
2. Next fill the jar about 1/2-3/4 with distilled water.
   
   
3. Use a straw and stir until salt is desolved.
   
   
4. Add food color by the drops to the desired color & stir with the straw. Keep a recipe card for your colors.
   
   
5. Add 1 TBSP of crystals.
   
   
6. Add 1oz of FO.
   
   
7. Keep stiring off & on until jel swells.
   
   
8. You may need to top off with more distilled water. Only fill to ring below the threads.
   
   
9. When finished place a metal canning seal on top then screw on the daisy smelly jelly lid, then label.
   
   
10. TIP - After step 1&2 you can put the jar into the microwave for 30 seconds to warm the water, this will help the jel to swell faster.

I have an old Walter hill acrylic mold that I absolutely love; does anyone know where I can buy more....they seem to be out of business....if not Walter Hill then mold that is as good. Thanks.

BTW - You may want to check and be sure, before you order, that suppliers are not selling Poly molds and calling them Acrylic.

I don't think it's a Trend or a Fad. I think customers either don't like color or want a netural color to match any decor.

Do I poke all the way to the bottom of the container?

What about safflower oil as an oil?Where do I get these ingredients and the bottles & spray tops? Thanks.

Here is what that table from Sam's Club looks like...

Stainless steel table work surface has curved edges for safety

Heavy duty adjustable chrome plated steel shelf

Chrome plated 1.5" diameter poles with leveling feet

Dimensions: 49"L x 24"W x 35"H

It comes with both leveling feet & caster wheels.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=158456

You can also use a pre-formed laminate counter top and either put legs or cabinets underneath for the base. You can get them at any hardware store. They are easy to keep clean, but not good for hot pots.

I make some of my best sellers in both colored and natural/un-colored. Some of my customers don't like the color I make them in, because it wont go with their decor, so they choose the un-colored, so it will match in any room.

I find I am having better sales with the un-colored. I may start offering more scents in un-colored.

Hello and Welcome.

I would say the 8oz is the easiest to start with.

I hear you, this business is hard to make ends meet in the summer time.

You can try car fresheners & room sprays, that also work for car fresheners. They sell better than candles, for me, in the HOT summer.

I don't know of much more that brings in money, during the summer time. You can always get ready for Fall & Christmas during the slow summer time, but it still doesn't bring in any money right now.

I have to disagree with one thing BWC said.

Counter tops that are lower than normal and having to stoop over them to pour candles, will kill your back. I know this because I statred out with banquet tables, 8 years ago, and had to bend over to use them & it killed my back. I'm 6' and like 36" counter tops, just make the counter tops the height that is comfortable for you.

This is for counter tops you stand to work at. They would be a different height if you sit at them with a chair or bar stool, to work at.

Here is that picture, it was hard to find

Also check out Helpful Links For Newbies http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698

Here are 2 sites with lots of techniques...

http://www.onestopcandle.com/candle/cprojectdir.php

http://www.candlehelp.com/ look to the left

There are many places to get business card cutters. Here is just one, I don't know if it's the best price or not. http://www.paperdirect.com/Business+Card+Cutter/item_no=BCC1010/page_no=1/keyword=business+card+cutter/shop.axd/ProductDetails

Here is one at a better price http://www.laminatorwarehouse.com/cardmate.shtml

Just Google business card cutter.

Chemessence has a great Candy Corn called "Trick or Treat" that works great in both Paraffin & Soy.

I have to agree with jakalex, If you transfer slower moving FO's to glass amber bottles & store in a cool dark place (also label with the date you received it) they will last much longer.

BTW - If you have noticed any FO's in plastic bottles that become deformed (sunken in) those oils are evaperating through the plastic. Those FO's need to be transfered as soon as you get them in, so they last longer. I know there is a loss of FO because I had a full un-opened bottle that deformed, I poured it into a measuring cup and it was less than a pound. Also if I receive any oils that bottles are already deformed I get in touch with the supplier. I know that bottle has been sitting, in that plastic bottle, for some time & I don't want old oil. I would hope that most suppliers don't pre-bottle FO's to far in advance, if at all.