girlyracer

Isn't that a pre requisite to being a celeb? ie full frontal labotomy? They never seem to be living in the real world.

Ruby

Really nice looking. Love the labels.

KOOOOL!!

Ruby

Hi Inez

Yes I learned some German, it's not that unusual as here in the UK we learn French and German while at Secondary school. I also speak Italian and Spanish and can understand Portuguese although I'm not too good at speaking it.

But like everything if you don't use it, it goes rusty

Ruby

Hi Nat,

I checked out Bass Pro site and found the turkey fryers.

They're like huge deep fat fryers - turkey sized!! Apparantly you can also boil and steam in them.

I've never seen them on sale here though.

Ruby

Hi Inez

I checked out the Kochstar website. They look ideal. It looks like they're for preserves or something (my German is very rusty, enschuldigen Sie) .

This could be a solution for us in the UK. Large capacity, correct voltage, no extra tax ...

I'll have to keep an eye in eBay

Thanks for that.

Ruby

Very nice. Easy to navigate, not fussy which is good. Nice pics.

I think hubby did a grand job:thumbsup:

Ruby

We don't have Candlewealth here in the UK but I take it that they are just sales reps and not actual candlemakers. How can you build a business if you don't have good foundations. In this case a sound knowledge of candlemaking and all the highs and lows that are associated with them.

Best just to ignore them. You're right when you say that the soy vs paraffin debate is like religion and politics. Just smile sweetly and let them show themselves up with their narrow minded comments.

Remember, some people make their businesses big by tearing down everyone elses. Others just ignore them and focus on slowly building up theirs.

Ruby

Wow! I didn't realize that they had such a massive output. I figure that with all the extra costs it's going to cost almost £200 per presto. Pricey

I think I may just stay with my old pots for the mo. VictoriaJ reckons that slow cookers take too long. Mind you I'm thinking about these rice cookers we have here. I wonder whether they would be suitable. I'll have to check next time I'm in Tescos to see what they're like.

I sometimes wish we were as fortunate as our American cousins. They don't seem to have half the battles we have with our crafts.

Ruby

Hiya Sally! You're so right in saying about our suppliers. It's almost like a conspiracy. Don't they realise that if they gave us more choice we would all make more money. I can imagine being up in Scotland that shipping charges are horrendous.

I know that Colourlites are in Nattycat's neck of the woods. She may sign in later and give us her valued opinions.

Ruby

ps How are things after your op? Have you been given the all clear?

Hi guys! I'm looking for good, reliable glass suppliers for tumblers, jars, etc.

I've found one which looks pretty good. They're a company called Colourlites or Coloured Bottles and they are based in Chatham, Kent. They're about a 30-40 min drive, depending on the awful Dartford Crossing, so I could pick them up and save on the shipping costs.

Just wondered if anyone has used them before.

Thanks

Ruby

Great job for a first time . Nice rustic looking. Well done.

Ruby

Just some palms!!! Like it's no big deal. They are so pretty!!

I'd love to work with palm but as a new candlemaker I'm concentrating on soy at the moment, a tad easier. Can't wait to start on the more challenging palm. Hope they turn out as good as yours :smiley2:

Again, well done. They're gorgeous:whoohoo:

Ruby

Thanks Meredith for your comment. I'm glad that an experienced candlemaker such as yourself feels the same way as I, a mere newbie, about soy and its quirks.

My MIL is test burning some soy containers for me and she too noticed the colour change and made a comment. However, when I explained that it's a natural occuring process she was alright about it.

I think you're right. Like everything in our society today too much emphasis is given to the cosmetics when it's the smell that counts. As you say it doesn't affect your sales. You obviously know your own products and have educated your customers to accept this as normal. Good for you :highfive:

Ruby

Hi there. I've also found that too. I bought a container starter kit that came with Soya+ wax. Great to work with, good cold and hot throw but I've found that once the melt pool has cooled and set it is a different colour to the rest of the wax. I didn't colour the candle they were left in their natural colour but you can notice the difference. I just put it down to one of those things about soy. Maybe it's because it's vegetable base as I've never seen this in paraffin.

Personally , it doesn't bother me as the scent isn't affected - it still smells gorgeous. The only thing is would paying customers object to the colour change or do you just embrace it and educate your customers that if they want natural they have to accept all natural occuring phenomena in the candle.

Ruby

You won't get any joy there. I asked them who manufactures it and they emailed back stating that they do not give out that information and what did I want to know about the wax.

All I wanted to know was whether Cargill was involved or not as I personally don't agree with their methods. They said that it's NOT made by Cargill but they were intrigued by what I had to say and asked if I had any proof. Funny, but they never got back to me when I gave them a few links about their involvement re the South American rainforests.

Ruby

Natasha, how much were you charged to import your presto pot?

Also have you seen the transformers on sale at Maplins? Are these similar to the ones you use? If so they're a lot cheaper than 60 quid. Go to www.maplin.co.uk run a search for transformers.

Ruby

Hi Natasha. You can get Soya+ from Full Moons. When I bought my soy starter kits from Trina at Midnightstar Candles it came with Soya+. I found it very easy to work with. The only downside is the price as it is twice the price of Ecosoya. I don't know what Ecosoya is like to work with as yet, saving up my pennies to get some though.

Ruby

Original, fun and fab.

I love your copyright notice and as for your scent descriptions - definitely unique.

It's a great site GrumpyGirl. You should be very proud of yourself.

Ruby

These may not be to the same quality but I found a few UK suppliers.

Don't know how good they are but they may be of interest.

http://www.swiftbox.co.uk/product_page.htm

http://www.good-packaging.co.uk and go to product overview

http://www.midpac.co.uk/categories.php?id=19

Ruby

Hi peeps! This is question is aimed at the few UK candlemakers on this forum. I did do a search but didn't come up with anything.

At the moment I'm using the double boiler method to melt my wax, which at the moment is fine as I'm only working with a pound at a time. However, I am looking to melt larger quantities of wax at a time as I'm going to do some serious candle testing in the very near future.

What have we here in the UK that can handle larger quantities. Natty I know you got hold of a couple of Presto Pots from the States. I know they're great but it's the whole shipping overseas and different electrical current thing that is dissuading me.

Does anyone know whether our slow cookers are any good? I know they don't have a temp dial, but would it be safe using it on the low setting to melt before transferring to the pour pots.

Are there any other ways, without resorting to those huge wax melters. I'm not quite ready for those yet

Ruby

Wow Natasha! You've got such a cool site. I love the colours and the photos are just spot on.

I dunno, great candles, great soaps and bubbles and now a great website.

Is there no end to your talents:grin2:

Ruby

OK - I think I may have just had a 'moment'. I think it's my hormones, I'm getting to that funny age. Least that's what my kids say LOL.

I think she may have meant that once the container candle is nearing the end it doesn't smell so much. If there isn't a lot of wax then it can't achieve a good melt pool.

What do I know, I'm only a newbie who at the moment feels like she's going gaga.

Ruby

Hello Peeps!

I have a bit of a posing question to ask.

I was recently advised that container candles will sometimes not throw off scent when it reaches the end. It was explained that as the container burns, the FO rises to the top into the melt pool to give off its scent. This would explain that as you get towards the end there is very little scent as almost all the FO has been used during previous burn.

My question is, I can see you all nodding, you know what I'm going to ask .

Is there any way that this can be prevented so that a container smells just as good towards the end as it does at the beginning? Or is it just a science thing and there's not much you can do about it.

Sorry, told you it was a poser.

Ruby

Well done Chauntelle. What with you finding new premises, everything is coming up smelling roses, like your candles LOL.

Ruby

No worries. HTH.

Ruby