doglover

I keep a product called Basic H around all of the time, especially when pouring gel or working with oils. I have had success with this product taking the burn "out" of my skin, so to speak. It also emulsifies the oil and makes it a very easy clean up. That is what I use to clean all of my products coming in contact with oil, too. HTH.

I have a question about these....I was looking on google and every site I found says you use essentail oils on these. Do you have to use EOs or can you use regular FOs?

Hi Patty.

Yes, you can use F/O on the terracotta stones. I sell them exactly for that purpose. However, because adding the f/o will make the terracotta oily, you will need to hang the stones in an area away from any surfaces onto which it may leave an oil mark. You only add a few drops...and then must allow the oil to diffuse off/out of the stone, or you will get drips....the hotter the area, the better the diffusing. HTH

Does anyone have any good ideas on what to do with large pinecones? A friend just gave me 3 garbage bags full and they are huge. Some are even as large as a football. I know the typical christmas tree stuff but I'm looking for something different. Any and all ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Nancy

I used to tie a string around them, cover them in peanut butter and roll in birdseed. Then hang outside for bird feeders. The kids loved this activity.

I have also seen the large ones dipped in purple wax, fragranced with grape or vineyard. The top either colored in green or add greenery to it to make it look like a cluster of grapes. They were pretty cool and smelled good, too!

Actually the f/o does repell bugs. I have mixed citronella with sandalwood and have sold quite a few of these candles. I was at an outdoor show and was bothered by flying insects. I just put a couple of the votive candles around our food and no more bugs.

You can mix it with other scents. Yes, it is pretty strong, so don't use as much.

Sounds like you are dealing with a true psycho! I would go all of the way...maybe even get a restraining order....but definitely file a harassment charge (or whatever you can get.) Lots of horror movies start this way!!!!

My experience has been...if you can smell them, the scent is evaporating. I store mine in glass, air tight containers and they remain just fine, some for well over a year or two! (The only one that has lost some fragrance is the one I used an EO to fragrance.) When I have stored them in plastic ziplock bags, they have lost their scent, or it has significantly weakened. They will last a little longer in polypro bags. HOwever, if you want to keep them the longest, I would go with glass and store in cool, dry place out of sunlight. ....And yes, I have dealt with the beads for years, too. HTH

I also am a member of the IGCA and have attended not the Ozarks convention with Cricket, but the "big" one. And scrubzz is right, you do come away with a ton of knowledge, resources and friends. It is VERY much worth it, as you will meet many candle makers from all parts of the country, with various degrees of experience in a variety of types/mediums. This is a great group with awesome resources for the serious candlemakers who want to expand their knowledge base, resources and network....oh yeah, and to have FUN!!

I will DEFINITELY be there this July!

Just received mine also. The box is plain, solid white and would be easy to label. The cutters are nice.

Just an FYI, though....

Shipping charge is high (more than what it actually costs.) I paid Priority shipping cost and box was shipped Parcel Post.

Also, if you pay via Paypal (despite cc or direct transfer), you will be charged an additional fee

IMHO, the product is nice. However he needs to work on adjusting his shipping cost and service.

but I was wondering if it is "harder" to make then wax candles? And also, where do most of you buy your gel at?

As with other "wax" mediums, you have to do your research. Every medium (i.e., palm, soy, gel, paraffin) has its own properties which responsible candle makers should be aware of. It just requires knowlege and lots of testing.

I make both paraffin and gel and not one is any harder than the other, IMO.

ETA: As far as buying gel wax, I would make sure you use a patented formula. That way you know what you are getting each time (i.e., LD, MD, HD). When I first started I bought unpatented gel from a smaller candle supply source and in three days my entire 5 gallons of gel had clouded beyond use. Just an FYI.

Ditto on the craft/home/etc. shows. You have to let the people know...and keep reminding them...that you are there...IN ADDITION to the web submissions, linking, etc. etc.

Put your contact info (including your website) on ALL printed material.

Not everyone shops on the web. I have people that enjoy going to the shows...it is their annual "girls' day" or whatever. They usually wait to buy from me at shows. I have sales also on the website. I also have phone call sales. And occasionally I have mail (snail mail) orders which come in. So be diverse.

Remember you have to advertise smart!

Just an FYI, I do not wholesale, as I have found it to be more of a PITA than anything else. But JMHO.

HTH.

Good luck!

My BFF is a powerburner, as am I but she flat refuses to trim the wicks. Her new DH has breathing problems and now she can't burn candles at all because the soot bothers him == well, duh!!! Trim the damn wick and there won't be any soot -- how hard is that to understand

Firends can be the worst customers.

So can family members! My SIL burned one of my votives on a plate and then commented on how short the burn time was!?!?!

Wow, those are AWESOME! Who knew tp could look so good!!

Great job!

Just an FYI, mine changes color, too, and I use UV Inhib.--a lot of it! Coming in contact with light sources increases the coloring. If your candles sit on a shelf or are covered, then they won't be as exposed as if you would take them to outside shows, into shops under fluorescent lighting, etc.

ETA: The candles I keep on my shelf and/or covered do not change color. The ones which get a lot of exposure to light do.

Re: How do you stay organized?

Organized?!? What's that!

I started in my kitchen and was booted out when a pillar mold filled with RED wax leaked (due to my poor sealing abilities) from the counter onto the floor!

Ten years later, the "dungeon" is much larger and packed with more "stuff." However, I have never been able to locate the "organized" part! Sound like a good New Year's Resolution!

You can also check here: http://www.eventlister.com

There are also many online sources to check. As always, you need to verify for accuracy.

Also when you do get to a show, you can talk with other vendors to see what shows they do. If you find a few (similar) vendors with very impressive, professional setups, you can ask them their best show(s)...that would give you a starting list.

And remember at shows, what sells/works for one vendor may not always work/sell for another.

HTH. Good luck!

I don't see why they wouldn't work. If they are cheap enough, get one and try it. My concern would be if the ink runs. As with any other cardboard/paper air freshener, you don't want to let it touch any surfaces when covered with oil.

Great idea!

I'm going through my inventory, and cleaning out scents i'm not going to carry anymore and i'm wondering where do you donate candles too? They are mainly votives.

To get back on topic, I usually gather all of mine up with some other "goodies" and ship them to a person serving our country overseas (addy provided by a family member.)

The issue is your wax probably came from a different IGI plant. You will always see significant differences between the Texas, IL, Pa and Canada plants. The recipe is "supposed" to be the exact same but it is not. They all get their raw materials from different parts of the country therefore the end product will be slightly different. If you call them about it I guarantee that they will tell you to send a sample for them to test and it will come back with the result that it's with-in specs, which I might add you could drive a truck through.LOL HTH

That's what DPS/Morris told me, too!

I print up my own copy and enclose it in the box/packaging. You can do a search online and get many "cautions" which you can apply to yours. And a lot of them are common sense--and printed on the votive, pillar, gel, etc caution labels.

Your pic does not come up. But if it is the standard ivy bowl, try Wally world or someplace like that. You usually will save bunches on shipping that way.

There have also been reported problems or differences with J50 and IGI4794. The suppliers report there cannot be a difference, as the waxes all have to be made to specs. However, we as candlemakers are noticing differences...sometimes huge ones, with color, texture, melt point, etc.

I don't think it is your fragrance supplier, as I use fragrances from MANY suppliers. It is the wax.

Anyone here make the candle bouquets who can shed light on how to affix the votives to the "stems"? When I try to stick the wire (aka stem) into the votive, it hits the wick tab. Ideas?

TIA.

It is really not a silly question. I wondered about this method the first time I heard it also. So I just tried it...

I seal the wrap around the tart with approx. 1/2 inch or so excess. Then with my heat gun on LOW, I quickly shrink it around the tart, then take up excess on bottom and top. If you don't work quickly, wrap too tighly or hold the heat gun too close, you will most likely get a hole. It just takes practice, but becomes very easy once you get the hang of it!

HTH!

Woot! It looks like the storm has past.

Life is good for the B&B diva's. Let's dance.

http://wholesalesuppliesplus.blogspot.com/2008/12/must-read-good-news-for-us-fda.html

:soap baby dance:

Great news! Thanks for posting!

make firestarters!

Ditto!

Or have some discontinued or "stray" containers to pour the remelted scented wax into (layers) and sell as "candleshop" candles. Using of the two methods above (or both) you will not have any left over ("wasted") wax.

I use both and they work/sell great!

HTH