Candybee

Yup! I put mine in a low heat oven for 10-20 minutes and then just wipe 'em off with a paper towel.

Very cool candle!

Vvery pretty! I especially love that blue color.

Hi Linda! This place has a lot of great info. Its a good place for you to start.

Heat gun! Can't live without it! I use it everytime I make candles. It sure helps a lot with cleanup to melt off wax from pouring pots, molds, cookie sheets, the list goes on and on.

I also use a ton of paper towels. I also like to use those handy disenfectant wipes that clorox and lysol makes. I clean off my pots and molds and stirrers and thermometer-- everything that touches wax, especially scented wax-- the wipes get the FO off my equipment so I never worry about scents and dyes mixing from pour to pour.

Starting out with and finding a supplier nearest to you is a great piece of advice. Those shipping costs can really add up!

Another good way to start out is to purchase a starter kit. It will have the wax, mold, fragrance, and wicks, etc. You can save a lot of money with a starter kit and it can help you make a better decision when you want to buy more supplies.

HTH:)

Love the metallic look. But... do they really burn well?

I bought a scented candle and when I burned it found out it had been dipped. It was white on the inside. I was really peeved! Do ppl know these metallic candles are dipped I wonder?

Just leave them for a bit before removing from the mold.

I did that. But thinking back-- I probably didn't leave them in long enough.:rolleyes2

Littleox

Did you say you are adding 1 oz of FO to 1/2 pound of wax? Did I read your original post right? If so, isn't that 20% FO in your wax? I only put in 1 oz per 1 pound of wax.

I tried that technique of leveling pillars while still in the mold. It sounded like a good idea. Then I tried it and my candles stuck in the molds and I couldn't get them out.

I like the idea of leveling them that way but how do you get them out of the molds after you melted the bottom?

I am having a hard time with the safety issue here. I too would never want to sell anything to a customer that would give them a false sense of security. Pardon me but you are playing with fire.

I do hope you are successful Lisa. I really do. But I have to be thoroughly convinced-- and I do mean thoroughly before I would even consider such a wick system.

I do what Rachel does. I take my wax out of its shipping box and put it into a large plastic container. Sometimes I have noticed the boxes are all torn and the dang wax is hanging out of the box! Thats when I decided to always take it out of its box right away and put it in a clean container. I always check for grit, dirt, dust, etc.

Yes. Inquiring minds want to know!

I use liquid dyes from Lonestar. I like them because a little bit goes a long way and the colors are great! I tried color blocks but you have to use a lot to get the same color as the liquid dyes and they aren't as true to the color you want.

I agree. Definitely call the supplier. You don't know how they are gonna handle fixing it unless you do call. And if the phone call to them just creates more grief than solution-- then drop the supplier! At least you will know either way.

Beautiful job! I'm sure it will be a big hit at the shower!

Very pretty pillars! I like them both. Nice job!

I got one of those label maker programs at Staples for about $29. The formats come in Avery templates and so far I haven't had any problems with my labels. Knock on wood!

Wishing you lots of good vibes and good luck. A business plan is always a smart idea. Even if you don't use it now keep it for next years strategic planning.

I finally put together a marketing plan but don't seem to have time for the biz plan. I just got a small startup loan and also didn't need one but I still wish I had one.

Yep-- meta tags, bread crumbs help too.

Office Max has some nice ones that aren't that expensive. They also have sign holders and business card holders in the same section. I bought a few and my brochures and signs look great in 'em.

I also like the business card holders that have 4 or 8 sections in them to hold lots of your business cards.

Here are some floating candles I made from a tart mold. I used a votive wick. They burn about 4-5 hours. You do have to be careful putting them in water and not making the water ripple, etc.

Good luck Sarah! Hope the show goes well and you sell everything!!

It is hard to pour them without dripping. I spent more time on cleanup than in making them. Might give the ole dixie cup a try.

I made 500 tea lights weekend before last and averaged about 26-28 per pound. I used a parrafin blend poured into aluminum molds which hold 1/2 oz of wax. HTH