CrystalClear

Well, it's a full-time job come fall craft show season, but not the rest of the year. I consider it a part-time job.

Thanks Vicky...I was looking for your expertise! I got my wicking down now..and yes, I think I was putting way too many embeds in. All my pies are now burning correctly!

Oh, I know people don't like to give out their secrets. I was just confused on which 44's to use, cuz I have 3 of them. So, I bucked up and made em all! haha I know my pies are completely different from others...it's just this one stupid pie crust I'm having a problem with. But, I think I got it. And yes...my workroom/house is full of test candles. The smells combined together is quite nauseating at times!

I have been doing nothing but testing! GAHH Ok..off to try the 44-24-18. And I've noticed that Blueberry Cobbler needs a larger wick too.

For those that listed the wicks they use, I'm really confused! I have this one pie topper that I can't get right for wicking...AHHHHH For those that said they use 3 44z's...umm..which ones? I have 44-32-18, 44-20-18, and 44-24-18. Also, has anyone tried LX 8 wicks? I'm getting very good burn pools with these, but the only problem is some of the crusts I use tends to melt down and the whole pie actually burns away, others don't. Which I like, but some of my customers prefer to have the pie crust left. OMG..these pies are going to be the death of me, I swear! I actually would like to use just one kind of wick for all my pies..but I don't think that's going to happen, considering I use 7 different pie toppers. So, anyone have suggestions?? Thanks!

Thanks so much for everyone's responses! I'm selling half of it to a gal that's local (THANK YOU!) and the other half I'm going to use for tarts/melts and add a votive wax. Guess I will experiment with that! Just goes to show..that I need to research more THOROUGHLY and not take a person's word for it. HMPFH! Stamp "sucker" on my forehead.

Pm'd ya back Jan!

Nope, I don't make container candles. I mainly make gel candles and my critters. No offense to those who use soy or what not, but when I dipped one of my animals in this stuff...it's very sticky like. So, not what I'm used to. The only other wax on hand I have is the Hobby Lobby slab wax. I even tried mixing that with the 70/30 and it's still sticky. Does anyone know if stearic acid would work to harden it up?

Ok..I bought a case of the Greenleaf 70/30 and was misled! (not from their website) I specifically asked if this type of wax could be used for dipping plush animals and was told yes. Umm...NO! This stuff is way to soft and creamy. What can I do to make it harder? Would adding stearic acid work? I feel robbed..and I want to use this for something. What about tarts/melts? Same thing..do I need to add something to make it harder? Thanks!

Umm..I didn't fool with the customer. I flat out told her I didn't know what was in the oils cuz I don't make them and the company I get them from won't disclose what is in them. She hasn't responded since I e-mailed her that..so I'm assuming she's not buying any! haha

Thanks everyone! I e-mailed her back and said that the specific ingredients are not disclosed..trade secret. I also made it very clear that I buy the fragrance oils..I don't make them myself.

So, I had a "customer" (and I use that loosely cuz I think it's a competitor trying to get info and stuff)...ask me what ingredients are in my auto aromas because her grand-daughter has allergies. I responded that the auto aromas have fragrance oils in it. She responded back and wanted to know the exact ingredients. Umm...do we know what's in the fragrance oils? I looked at BCN at their MSDS report and it doesn't specify what's in the oil. Isn't this a "trademarked secret" or whatever? I'm not sure what to tell this "customer". Any thoughts?

Is this a full sized/regular bundt cake? I make miniature ones..like 4" x 2" and wick the center. Perfect burn down leaving a "shell".

You know you have a little one when you read the title and think "they did a Wiggles candle...like the tv show Wiggles?" Good job!

Here's mine! www.crystalsclearcandles.com

Microsoft Publisher for brochures and just plain old Microsoft Word for my labels.

I use Vistaprint for my business cards too! I make my own labels, hang tags, and brochures tho.

This round..only 4. Last round..holy cow..ummm...10 I think?

Thanks Vicky! I forgot about silkytyme! D'oh! I only order from them if I absolutely have to tho..cuz they are sooooo far away from me Anyone else?

I know we have a "generic" list of suppliers for fragrances. But, I was thinking maybe we could start a thread of fragrance suppliers that specifically carry fragrances for gel makers? Anyone game? I can put where I order some of my fragrances. I'm always looking for new suppliers/fragrances! www.aromahaven.com www.creativeilluminations.com www.bittercreek.com That's about all I have. :undecided I'm sure there are tons more out there..right?!

I'm testing my pies, cinnabuns, and sundaes. I made them a couple of years ago, stopped, and started back up. And I lost my darn worksheet on which wicks I used back then! So, I whipped some up about 2 weeks ago and tested them, and I DO NOT like how they are burning. So, I bought a whole bunch of wicks and will be testing! Testing, testing, testing! From now on, I'm putting EVERYTHING on the computer and then saving to a disk. Other than that, making car fresheners too.

That was you who kept outbidding me wasn't it?

Lisa - If you're just looking for bears, I agree with pp's..First and Main. Now, if anyone knows where to get cute and cheap frogs and pigs..lemme know! Cuz I can't find any...anywhere!

Yep..Office Max! That's where I got mine. HTH

I wish I could help! But, I have switched all my candles over to forever candles. I'm trying to remember what wick I used in the large ivy bowls. :undecided It's been so long since I wicked those.