firegirl

I've used the Stephenson bases before and they lather really well. Also, their clear base is one of the best on the market.

Thank you for the reply! I will certainly give them a try. I LOVE the foaming bath butter & was hoping that their M & P was good as well. I must admit I am very excited to give their rebatch soap a try!

I am sorry.. not sure why that is.. I use goat milk base & add extra oils to my soap.

I am thinking soap was just too cold? Perhaps it would not have crumbled if it warmed up a little and was not so "brittle"?

Hello.. I was just curious if anyone has used mysoapbase.com yet? They are located in Irvine,Ca.. Which does not really matter because shipping is FREE! This is Stephensons soap base & they also sell the foaming bath butter as well.. & yes.. Shipping is free for that as well.. They will be selling re-batch soap in 5 weeks or so. I have only purchased the foaming bath butter so far.. For me on West Coast shipping has always been a killer.. They are also starting to sell coconut oil & others as well.. Free shipping! Please share your results with their M & P bases.. I have always been a die hard SFIC fan but I will give them a try.. Teri

WOW.. that is very good information! Thanks for all the advice! Will keep it all in mind. Teri

Cibaria.. thanks so much.. You live in Riverside.. I am in Hemet.. THis shea smells definitely old.. Will have to figure something out..

8 Gran Ones.. yes.. I know exactly where you are located. If I decide to change waxes, I would be happy to get some of my wax to you.. Teri

North or South? My boyfriend lives in Modesto. I will be up there next Monday.. how funny!

The West Coast is in need of suppliers..

I started using GB415..and then could not find it close to me.

But so far I have found different ones that were selling or getting rid of it..so I am still holding on..lol

but there will probably come a day, when I have to start all over testing new waxes..

Good luck..with your testing..

Here Here!! Where in warm Ca are you? I am just east of Riverside.. If I find a new wax that works, I would give you my last few cases of GB415. Teri

Okay.. the comparable waxes are on the page I pasted. Here it is in their words "We have 2 paraffin based soft container blends that are comparable to the Astorlite J223. They are called Accu-Par #22 & Accu-Par J60. They are both very soft, creamy & opaque & have very good hot & cold scent throw."

I at least have somewhere to start. All these years.. if one of these works.. I will be ecstatic and hopefully will help support Swans so they get more customers and stay in business. We west coasters are really hurting for good wax suppliers.. to say the least. Teri

Well I live in WA and I have the same issue. I don't know which one of their waxes they are comparing to that one, but I did order the Acu para 30, which is a parasoy container blend. More para than soy. I am still waiting on my sample wick packs so I can start testing this one. The wax looks nice and creamy. It's in a soft slab form, was able to just slice it easily with a knife. So I will let ya know. If you are that close I would just go in. I am on the east side of WA, so I still had it shipped, but it was a lot cheaper still because it's closer. And they shipped super fast. Good luck.

Thanks so much! I would love to hear your results as well. I think my link showed which container blends they were comparing to the "J223". So overwhelming trying to get back into the swing of things. Now, I keep reading about weak oils to boot.. sigh.. oh the joys of testing..lol.. I will post when I get a chance to test some of their waxes so that those interested can possibly save themselves some headaches and unnecessary costs. Teri

Thanks! I did do a search and found most info on the soy or soy blends. I was hoping to find more information on their "J223 type" waxes. I am looking to replace my J223. Any input would be great. I probably just need to head to La and check them out in person..

This may sound pretty lame.. I have MANY pounds of shea butter that has been stored covered and sealed in my living room for over a year.. This is the ultra refined shea. It now has a slight "old" smell. I will never be able to use it in lotions but was wondering before I toss over 20#'s in the trash, could this still be used for soap? Not to sell but for someone to practice with or???? I spent a LOT of money on this and hate to completely waste it.. I know.. should have sold it.. went through a divorce and EVERYTHING came to a screetching halt.. If you could only see the Hundreds of FO's I have from all the best suppliers... I am overwhelmed.. any advice appreciated.. not looking to make money.. just hate to toss it. Teri

You have not been on here long enought to do a coop. Not a biggie. You will get there soon enough. Basically several people go in on a product to cut costs. If IFT has a minimum purchase of 20#'s several people could go in on it and each buy a few pounds a piece so you reach your minimum. I have not tried the version from SOS. I thought they would send me a pound since I supplied the sample, but no such luck . I had purchased my fragrance oil from a gal who had IFT duplicate her candle. She was looking to sell some of her oil off so I bought it and it is to die for. I never imagined that SOS would charge $28 per pound for the Ultra Concentrate. That is way too much for an oil put in a candle. I just have no idea how IFT works anymore. I thought that they had changed their name. Henry Bendel Vanilla Bean is such an amazing scent. When you get more candles poured and decide if you want this scent bad enough.. you could send your own sample in to a perfume manufacturer and have it duplicated. I have done it and it is worth the effort. HTH

Teri

Hello,

I have recently returned to candle making after a hiatus.. sans husband! lol I have been using a parasoy blend for years. I have enjoyed the benefits of the two. My problem is this. I am not able to get J223 locally anymore and it is not cost effective to continue using it anymore in my blend. I wanted to know if any other chanldlers on the west coast are using any of the container blends from Swans? They are comparing them to J223. I was hoping for some input. I am able to pick up locally so this would be a huge cost savings to me. Here is the link in case anyone else on west coast is looking as well. Thanks!

http://swans-candle-supplies.com/store/candlewax.html

Teri

I wanted to share my personal experience with this particular scent because it is hands down one of my absolute favorites. I currently have about 8 pounds of it on hand (sorry... won't part with any of it). I was the person that supplied SOS with the sample to duplicate it. My sample came from IFT. I have poured HUNDREDS of it in my 75/25 parasoy blend ( 75 J223 and 25 GB415) I use 1.5 ounce / pound and could easily use much less. The throw is off the charts. I hope this helps someone in their quest to find such a fabulous scent. If I remember correctly, it was about $15 per pound with the 10 pound minimum. I am not sure how they work anymore but it would be worth a co-op if you have to have this scent. Theirs is fantastic. In fact I am burning it now and my house smells fantastic. HTH... Teri

Alabasters Mulled Cider = exact dupe of Gold Canyon Candles. Best I have ever smelled.

How about NG? Great price and great reviews

I just got a couple of pounds of Just Scents dupe of Glades Glistening Snow.. this is a very different scent.. kind of a Christmas Wreath type, but MUCH better.. It is very different.. it is Knock your socks off strong, but can't comment on throw as of yet.. I would suggest getting a sample.. or go to wally world and see if they have the plug ins to get a whiff.. I typically don't care for these kinds of scents, but this one is awesome! Kind of a clean type mixed with pine.. not pine sol though. HTH..

Teri

I have been making these really pretty hair clips. I went to Michaels and bought a variety of silk flowers in various colors. You will need felt (white) as well and a glue gun. I bought the little clips hair dressers use. You can get them at a Sallys beauty supply or someplace similar.. probably even Walmart. You cut the flower off at the base. Put a little circle of felt between the clip, flower. Glue it in place. You can make some of the most beautiful flower hair clips in all kinds of colors. Young girls love to make them so they can have one of every color to match all of their clothes. The hibiscus and orchids are gorgeous. HTH

Great lookin soap!

No doubt about it:

Mulled Cider- number 1 seller 4 years in a row

Peach Magnolia Raspberry - awesome in candles and soap

Maybe some foaming bath butter? Just a thought..

KY makes one called Snuggle Baby. I use it for all my baby shower favors. It's one of the nicest I've ever smelled.

Ditto on KY's.. I have bought several and this is the nicest by far!

Thanks for this! Great instructions!