Candybee

I've got a blend of old Flicker's Sahara, which is a citrus breeze type scent with a dry down of what I am not sure. But it is light and breezy. I blended it with Sea Island Grapefruit and lemongrass EO. So now its a grapefruit citrus lemongrass blend. I held it up to my nose with my SGS Lavender and together they smell very nice. The herbacious notes of the lavender seem to compliment the breezy citrus blend. Don't know if that helps you much. Not sure which direction you want to go with your lavender. I would think that another floral would pull together a citrus, lavender blend. But from what I could smell, grapefruit and lemongrass would work. With my tangerine EO and lavender FO the lavender drowned it the tangerine. Didn't try the orange, can't find it. Think I used it up..

Ohh! That's pretty! Wish I could smell it.

Sounds lovely. Sounds fruitilishous!

I'm not familiar with this scent. Is it a red rose type? I am interested in how it holds out after the cure.

I love Ecosoya PB but gave up on making pillars with it. It does make awesome votives thou. Are you sure you have it correctly wicked? That would be my first guess if you are getting cracks with wax spilling out. This is a tough wax to wick and needs to tunnel in a bit before the rest of the candle 'catches up' and burns down fully consuming the candle. You may have to find the right blend of part tunnel followed by full wax consumption. I could get one or the other but never a perfect burn.

What does the Paris Amore smell like? I am intrigued. The sugared vanilla shortbread and pumpkin ginger streusal sound really good! Always looking for an interesting take of vanilla and I love ginger blends.

I've got to start checking out Candlewic more often. That salted caramel sounds good! thanks Belinda!

Another CS F&M fan here. It throws really well in every wax I have tried it in. I also like CS Macintosh Apple. Its super strong so its great alone or as a mixer. I use it as a mixer a lot. CS use to have a great chocolate chip cookie-- will have to check them out and see if they still have it. I also second Peak's Clove. I think I am going to mix this one with a good orange for fall. Don't know a good apple cider can't help with that one. Just checked out CS and they don't have either the chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies. Pity. I'm not really into cookie FOs much but I do like Peaks gingerbread cookies. Its spot on.

I was talking about herbals like chamomile, sage, etc. The lavender apple blend sounds nice. One blend I found I don't like is lavender and lemon. Ick!

How much tallow are you talking about if you don't mind sharing? I use tallow but never more that 20-30%. It makes great soap but too much can be too cleansing. I don't even use more than 25% in my shave soap recipe.

If they won't take it back you may be able to still use it by mixing it with a good batch. Thats what I did once with a bad batch of palm. I added 10% of the bad wax mixed in with the good. Candles came out just fine. It's worth a try if it works.

Sometimes I wish I had your kahunas! That was funny! I would have loved to see her face. LOL

I put other but forgot to add my comment: does that candle tunnel all the way to China??!!

Another resource is your state agriculture department. Find their website and peruse it for a listing of state farmer's markets. If you don't see one contact them and ask if they have one or can direct you to a source that does. Also check out your state's tourism website. Some states have event calenders or can send you a free publication listing the events in your state. Even if you don't find a listing in your city there is bound to be events in your county or neighboring counties that may be worthwhile to check out.

Don't have anything to add. I don't buy FOs from Candlewic but I should. They are close to me and I sometimes pick my wax up at their showroom/factory. Any FOs you know make great CP soap feel free to add that info.

I love lavender mixes but my favorites are herbal blends like chamomile, sage, etc.

I just remembered that some of the shows I got into by invitation. As you start doing craft shows and markets some promoters attend them too looking for people like you. If they like your product they may give you a flyer or invite you to their next show. If they don't have a flyer make sure you give them your business card and ask them to put your name on their mailing list. Once you have the information about the event you can decide if its one you want to attend. I have found several craft fairs and farmer's markets this way. Also, have a business card ready for merchants you may meet at the event who are interested in your products. I have found wholesale, consignment, weddings, fundraisers, this way for extra income. If you are approached about any of these selling venues like wholesale and fundraisers, make sure you are already ready to do this. If you are not I would advise not until you are.

Ready to sell your products at craft shows and markets but not sure how to find them? I get asked often how I find the shows and markets I do. Its not that hard, really! Many Farmer's markets run from early spring until fall-- usually from May to October. The hours are anywhere from 8 or 9 am to 12 or 1pm Saturday mornings. But not all markets have the same hours. Some run all year, others are seasonal, while some have daily markets and others are Saturday only. You can usually find several in your area. I first start checking out my town's local website along with the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism websites. Find the calender or event button and check out the month you are interested in. If they have a craft show or farmer's market it will be listed on the calender or event page. Click on the event and usually if its a craft show you can find the button to click on for the application form or rules and regulations forms. If not you can usually find an email address or name and phone number to contact. So for your local town/city/county check out the websites for: Chamber of Commerce, Tourism, and Town, City, or County website. Your city may have also have a local merchants group. These groups meet regularly and are a good source for news about local events and and also meeting merchants that may be interested in your products (consignment, wholesale). Next, try googling your state's website. Find out if they have a listing for farmer's markets and craft shows. These lists vary but often have at least a contact name, website, or email/phone number. There are also many sites that 'sell' memberships that include information on their websites or publications that have market and show listings. I have tried a couple but learned that I can find most shows and markets on my own and don't need to pay someone to do this. An example of a membership craft listing site is Craft Listers. Once you get your feet wet and do your first craft show or market be sure to talk to the other crafters. You can usually find some of your best tips on upcoming events from them. The majority of events I have attended came from tips I got from my fellow vendors. Remember they also know details you can't get from websites. Like how well attended the event was, was there entertainment, good sales, what was the target audience, how your products may or may not fit in, how well was the event managed, the fees, parking, etc. Once you start doing events make sure you get on their mailing list for next year. Talk to the event promoter or managers. If you are on the mailing list you won't have to worry about the next year as the application and flyer will be mailed or emailed to you and you can sign up early enough and even in many cases get a better or more suitable booth. Another thing you will want to keep in mind for the future is to continue to look for new events. Populations change, incomes change, shows that were once popular may loose attendees, another event in town could pop up and effect your shows attendance, management might start charging fees to attendees, etc. Many things can make or break a show or market. So to keep ahead keep asking around about new events. If you find one and it works for a year or two or six thats great. If the next year its dead you'll want to find another event. If I think of any more tips I'll post them. If you have any you want to share please post them. Thank you.

I wouldn't be surprized if its the wax itself. Sounds like you have a bad batch. It happens. Call the supplier and explain the problem. A good supplier will offer to exchange it.

I don't do tarts so I'll pass on that.

C&S has my favorite Bayberry Apple Spice. It has that warm bay leave scent mixed with cinnamon and apple notes. I just love it and get it every year. So far it has thrown well for me in soy, paraffin, and palm. BTW-- C&S also has a very nice Christmas Splendor that throws well. After the holidays I call it country store. The cinnamon apple I mix myself. I use CS red hot cinnamon and cinnamon stick mixed 50/50 the add macintosh apple. Just enough for an apple note as Macintosh apple is strong and gets stronger as it cures. So use more if you want more apple and less for a hint of apple. I use CS pumpkin pie and pumpkin souffle and just blend them 50/50. Although I must admit my alltime favorite pumpkin is pumpkin pie spice from NG... or is it JBN? Its been so long since I bought it I forgot who carries it but I know the word 'nature' is in the title.

You got me thinking about cinnamon GailC. I'm thinking a good mix might be cinnamon and creme brulee for Cinnamon Brulee. Or even buttercream frosting and cinnamon... well maybe that would be more of a cinnamon bun type but still sounds good. CS also has a lovely cinnamon buns that throws well. I mixed CS red hot cinnamon with their cinnamon stick and a bit of cinnamon bun. I threw what I had leftover of the CB. I made some palm container candles last week with this mix. OMG they smell so good-- not too sweet but just right and very cinnamony. You can make your own red hot cinnamon by adding a bit of peppermint. I love using Peaks Pure Peppermint as a mixer.

LOL I'm ashamed to admit it is a bit of fun. Almost.... tehehe!!

BTW-- anyone tried Bonfire Bliss in CP soap? I am looking for a campfire scent to replace MW's Autumn Embers. So if you know one that rocks in CP please share!!

I saw the Autumn Walk on their site the other day and wondered about that one. If you ever get around to testing it would you tell us your opinion? I love the description. It sounds lovely like a fall leaves scent I am looking for.