SatinDucky

You're using 1343... with or without additives? A LX 18 seems awful huge for a flower pot votive. Standard votives I use a 12, with my 4625 pillar blend. I would try maybe a 14 since it's slightly larger than a standard votive. I use the 18 in a 3" pillar, I just can't imagine using an 18 or 20 in something so small. How much FO & color are you adding and how long did you test burn?

That's going to depend greatly on what size the flower pots are... I'm guessing you don't mean the votive size...

I wouldn't go any lower on the mp of the wax. Or if you do, just very slightly. I've had more trouble with the lower mp than higher. Mostly the problem is bulging and sides that tried to sag. I know additives would help that but it was just a pain. I use 4625, pillar blend. Much easier to me

Oh, duh me! Here ya go :embarasse http://www.associatedcontent.com/video/481/make_a_potpourri_lamp.html?cat=6

You can try it and see. If you do, make the shell large, at least 5" across and use only a tealight inside. I've not tried that wax so I can't say for sure, but if you keep the heat to a minimum and have a large cavity for good air flow, maybe it wont melt.

Maybe it's just me, but I can't see the need for keeping the amount of FO a secret. Unless you have some super duper secret ingredients, it'll be much more trouble than it's worth. The amount of it you CAN add is a small range and that can be found anywhere online. The exact amount you use personally is not necessarily the same as what will work best for others. Especially if they use a different wax... even the same wax from different batches can act differently. That's why we test so much and tell everyone to test for themselves. I could give you my EXACT formula and you may not be satisfied with the way it turns out because it probably wouldn't come out the same. The contract is probably the best way to go if you think it's really necessary. Your exact methods, timing, temps, etc are as important as the formula. JMO

How big is the too big flame? Most of the time if I find the wick that makes the melt pool right, the flame is right. Frequently I don't trim the wick before relighting (yeah, yeah, shame on me... but I KNOW many customers wont either so I wanna know what'll happen) If the wick is trimmer properly, the flame is just right. Untrimmed it gets a little big, not torch like, but just a bit larger. As long as it doesn't cause a blow out or start smoking, it's fine with me Priming wax shouldn't matter much. I do unprimed occasionally. Mostly it's primed in my pillar wax. I've tried in straight paraffin and high temp wax as well. Saw no difference in burn.

Looks very groovy

That one that you say is burning lopsided.... the flame looks kinda lopsided too. Is it possible that it's in a very slight draft?

Those are just amazing!

Very pretty. It's like a delicate lacy look

Beautiful!

I've never seen them in a mason jar, but my mom has one a friend of hers made. It's basically what you describe but it's in a large floral vase. Then it has a colored doily tied on top to keep the potpourri in and let the scent out. I picked up a mini set of lights a couple Christmases ago to try it, but never got around to it. I found this video showing how to make a similar one. It's very poor quality for a video but you'll still get the idea. I don't know if there's supposed to be sound or not....LOL

That sounds cool. I don't remember ever hearing of it being done with chunks. Post some pics if you try it, I'd love to see it!

Makes you wonder about having permission to sell stuff made with "Name Brand" packaging....

Congrats! As wonderful as your candles look I'm sure many more orders will follow :highfive:

Thanks for sending me the felt Birdie! Now I get to play again! Paul, Your molds are so cool and that log cutter is to die for! Maybe someday it'll be in my budget And thanks for bringing the lye. I'm all stocked up for a while now and no shipping charge Birdie... you didn't get a goodie bag for yourself?? My, oh, my, you deserved one the most! Now I can't even remember what all was in there...lol

I'm not sure what you mean by tie-dye. Some people call these rainbow pillars that... http://www.candletech.com/techniques-and-ideas/rainbow-pillars/ Most of the crackled info is spread through this thread... http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33137&page=2&highlight=crackled

They should. Have you noticed something odd?

I had been working on this for a while but went at it backwards. I tried under wicking a pillar first to see if I could make it burn with a decent flame but leave a complete shell. I never did get it to work. The shell always melted in eventually somewhere around the sides and that worried me about embeds catching fire. I was going to work on it again eventually making a smaller inside with a lower mp wax and the outside from hurricane wax to see if that would work. So far it's still on the "to do" list. :rolleyes2 Depending on what you want to embed, some use wax chunks to hold it in place. I've never seen inserts made for pillars, but there may be some. OK, this was a big no help....lol

We started with the kit from Hobby Lobby (and coupon of course). It has everything you need to get started

Trying to read though websites or go by secondhand info was very difficult here (Alabama). The easiest way was to talk to the Dept of Revenue directly. They know what's required and can explain it best.

Umm... I think I worded the post wrong...lol. I did find them after you said they were there. I just didn't see them before that :embarasse

Thanks Scented! I swear I had looked there and didn't see them. I don't remember where I did find them but they were waaay too expensive.

Since I'm no where near an expert on the aroma beads, it very well may be true. But it just doesn't jive in my logic process. Of course, that assumes I'm processing facts not assumptions. At least for me, in the wintertime when it's cold out, the beads put out a softer throw, but it lasts much longer. In the hot summer, it'll knock you off your feet when you open the car door, but then it dies out completely in 3 - 4 weeks. I'm thinking along the same line as candles. Cold throw isn't near as strong as the hot throw and a votive with a small melt pool doesn't throw as much as a larger jar with a wider melt pool. Then again, with wax it may be that it needs to be melted (or at least softened)in order to release from the wax. Since I don't quite understand the chemical reactions I can't really say for sure. But, if there's a chance that heating it up is going to make the scent die faster on the customer, I'd rather take the time to make it as good as I can