IndyGirl

Ok..........I make up about 4 cups or 32 oz for a 3x6.5 pillar. I like to have a bit extra for topping off after cooling and shrinking. Once I have it done and if I have any left I just melt it and make a tart or votive.

Next time to protect your scale, put it inside of a large ziploc bag and when pouring oils put some paper towel under your cup to soak up spills. I only use my scales to measure fo's and the oils can damage scales! I got my scales at Target for about $20

Actually, there are deep etched rubber stamps on a few websites that may be what is needed. You definately can't use a heat gun on the rubber stamp because it will melt it. But, the hair dryer worked pretty good.

Ok.bought a couple of rubber stamps and the results are that they will stamp the wax but not to the depth that it looks like hers are. First I heated the stamp with a hair dryer and pressed it into my presto pot wax that had cooled.........the wax wax still warm to touch but solid and those came out nicely. Then I did it without heateing the stamp and that was good too......but, because of the wax being warm. thein I had a cup of wax that had hardend and I warmed the stamp and that worked although not with the depth I wanted.........but, I'm still playing with it!

Now you all have me going! I'm heating up some wax and headed to Wlly World to look at items to stamp with! And to think I was going to relax today! Thanks alot!

I've seen candles like this on another site several months ago and wondered how this was done. I have to think that they are heat stamped. If they are a rubber stamp, I wonder if you can heat up the stamp with a hair dryer. I would think that a heat gun would melt the rubber................Oh, I don't know! But I do love it! Off to find hubby and ask him!

No candles this weekend! Actually gonna cook in that kitchen and have a race party on Sunday!

Awwwwww...............All you had to do was warm them up and wipe them out with paper towels. I did that washing thing once and rusted a bunch of them. So now, my equipment never touches water. They should be ok to use though just heat them up and wipe out the residue.

My post was not meant to be "mean" as some would say. It was not through Mary's join date that I surmised she was new. I actually read her posts. I was just shocked to find out, by her own words, that in February of this year she was just starting using stuff from Michael's to do votives and now a full blown website selling containers with other items expected. No matter how much you have read on this board, how much money you throw at candle making, or that you've got insurance makes it feasible to be selling to the general public in such a short time. This is my opinion as a long time candle maker. Mary will do what Mary wants to do regardless of what my opinion is. She asked for website criticism and mine was that she had a website at all. Take it for what you want. Read all of her posts and all of the advice she gives to everyone. She's obviously a very smart young lady so, I suppose she should understand why anyone would question how she is able to start selling in such a short period. As to the comment, "It's not rocket science", it's also not go to the craft store, buy some wax, throw some fo in it and a wick and sell it either.

Oh right! I forgot about the insurance! That makes all of those years of testing really not so important.

My insurance agent has no problem with my making candles or selling them.

Hmmmm.........in February of this year you were just starting out with making votives with items from Michaels. Which means in you have gone from 0-60 in just a short few months with containers and soaps also. I'm not trying to be harsh but, that seems a bit inconcievable to me to be selling product this soon. However, as far as the site goes, it's ok with the exception of the pics and the wording mentioned above.

I'm finding this type of candle very interesting! Question though about fragrance throw...........is there any hot throw? Or do you scent the tealights? Explain please..........they are beautiful and I hate to melt my beautiful pillars!

Suppliers buy from the manufacturers. The suppliers have to mark up the price to make money so it is possible that the same fo at one is the same fo at another with different prices and name changes. Some suppliers mix oils to come up with something new. The fact is and always will be that buying direct from the manufactuer is the least expensive way to purchase fo's. The suppliers won't tell you (as a trade secret) which manufacturer they buy certain oils from so unless you figure it out through sampling you have to pay the price. Also, with the manufacturer you have to buy in bulk........which again saves money but, it is expensive. Take the IFT co-op recently, the flowerbomb which goes as high as $75 per lb..........I think went for $21. You can get samples for free from the big manufacturers just by contacting them and letting them know what you want. They have sales reps for different areas and are really helpful. Cooping is an excellent way to get quantities of fo's and other supplies direct from the manufacturer.

Does anyone order directly from Belle Aire? I have a few oils that I need soon and would be willing to split an order. Banana Nut Bread, Hot Baked Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie Spice. I've been able to match all but the Hot Baked Apple Pie. If you can help let me know and I'll get you the lot #.

Hmmm......never heard of it but it sounds interesting! I use 4627 exclusively and I wonder if it's similar???????

I never have had that problem.......

Nita, you might want to post in the classies for a sample.

Nita........it is a sticky wax not a hard slab. You can't break it, it has to be peeled out of the 25 lb bag it was poured in. I slit the bag all the way around and unwrap the whole thing and put it in my melter all at once. It will get on your hands, table knife and such. I use a paint scraper to scrape my table off and then use hot rags to get the residue. A heat gun or hot hair dryer will melt it off also. Just be sure to cover your surface that you will unwrap on. You will neede a long knife if you are going to just use chunks of it for a smaller melter. Just think of very thick vaseline in a big plastic bag!

Vicki

I test my own products and never allow testing by others. I feel it's my responsibility to test and not rely on someone else's opinion. It's also my liability on the line not someone who has no stake in the products performance.

25 lb bags..50 lbs to a box.........like thick vaseline

Oh yes it's messy but, there is no better wax out there! I use the max fo load and my candles are great! You just have to work around the messiness of it. Figure out how to unwrap it and get it in the melter without too much mess, always scrape your plastic.........really it's great for your hands!!!! I would not use any other container wax!!!!!!

It's all I use!

I always use a hot glue gun and have never had a wick come loose. You have to use about a dime size amount and in seconds you can pour!

I only use my prestos for pillar, tart and votive wax now that I have my super, duper turkey fryer! I would not trade it for the world now and definatley not for a bunch of prestos! My prestos do hold a good temp though with no trouble. The only bad about the turkey fryer is that the digital ones go from 150 to 200 with no in between.

Nature's Garden is the best I've found!