Gravity

Oh, I think you know exactly what you're doing! That's good to hear about the raspberry... I'll be sure to give that one a try when I finally get the guts to step into that Daystar bottomless pit!

You're evil.... that's all I needed was someone to back up my desire for the waffle scent. Next paycheck, Daystar samples, I think. I'm not a big fan of raspberry... is the rasp. jam butter cookies REALLY strong on the raspberry note? I know it'll probably sound odd, but I have severe acid reflux.. and the smell/taste of raspberry reminds me of heartburn for some reason... <gag>

Everytime I see you guys go back and forth makes me want to order a bunch of samples from Daystar more and more.... I've gone and drooled over the scent descriptions (The cinnamon apple waffles one sounds like it's right up my alley) many times.. but haven't had the guts to go ahead and order them yet. Don't ask me why! I think I'm afraid to fall into this bottomless Daystar Trap you're all in!

I followed NG's directions for their soy wax to the tee, and after reading some notes on here (regarding oils blending better at a slightly higher temp) I've refined my style. The suggest to heat to 175, which seemed to ALWAYS happen right as the last few clumps of flakes were dissolved. So, now I pretty much just watch for that... Then, they suggested to drop the temp to 150 for FO, but after hearing so many people adding FO higher, I ended up just melting, coloring, and then add FO in that order, as soon as it comes off the double boiler. Everything's been working fine, and to be honest, the last few batches I've made haven't been touched by a thermometer.. and they've all turned out great! I bet that'll all change as this wacky winter weather really kicks in, though

Being so close to Nature's Garden, I get a LOT of my stuff from them... if I order during the day, I'll have it at my place usually by the next morning! I use their 100% soy wax, and a lot of their fragrances. I'm trying to branch out and try others, but with them being so close.. it's really difficult to justify going anywhere else.

There's also a helpful sticky at the top of this forum that has the abbreviations commonly used around here, and all the links, right in one post.

You could always do a crackle-paint finish on them... and wear-n-tear chipping would look intentional!

I've never burned one, myself... but after hearing multiple reviews on here (after this same exact "I'm looking for wood wicks!" topic pops up every week around here ) they sound like they're completely not worth it.

You can also find great starter kits from a number of online suppliers. Find a supplier that's close to you with a soy starter kit. They'll generally include everything you need to get started, and most make anywhere from 4-12 candles. It's a good way to dig in without investing too much money. It's an expensive hobby, as I'm sure you've gathered... but it's well worth it. I find it incredibly relaxing.. even through the frustrating times. Once you get something you're proud of, it's very rewarding.

I have a name that's already got a very Irish feel... Chinese New Year is kind of intriguing, though. Anyone else wanna toss this ball around?

My personal favorite Holiday scent right now is NG's Santa's Whiskers... I plugged it before when someone was looking for new holiday scents somewhere on the board... I love it! Pine and vanilla sugar cookie... mmm.

So, I'm looking for ideas to rename this bad boy... and I'm drawing a complete blank... so, I'm coming to you all for some creative input. I'm thinking of coloring it a bright yellow-green color due to it's citrus/greenery... I dunno, it sounds right in my head.. but I'm open to color suggestions as well! I don't want to go for the whole political thing, so that's the desire for rename/recolor. " This unique fragrance has a very fresh greenery base of clover, ivy and aloe, combined with exciting notes of grapefuit, orange, tangerine, and persimmon. "

Odd.... never recieved anything broken from them.. and their customer service has been top notch for us. They know us by name and are always extremely helpful and friendly.

Sorry to dredge this one up... but I'm dying to know where you got the 2-cavity clamshells from! They're adorable.

Try SKS, www.sks-bottle.com They've got several styles... fast shipping. Never had any problems with them!

The strawberry shortcakes look excellent, as does the pie... the whipped cream just needs some work...

You'd probably want to add FO before slushy. I heat mine to around 170, and add color... then I add FO around 150.

Might be your additives... mind telling us how much of each you're adding? I'd try it with just the wax, FO, and color.. you might be surprised. I use 100% soy, and only additive (besides FO and Color) I use is a UV inhibitor.

I don't use mason jars, so I wouldn't be able to effectively give you wick info... but I would try the HTP1212 to start and go from there. But, you should be good with your FO to wax ratio!

Generally, you don't want candles that'll be used at the table to be scented... it interferes with the smells of the food, and generally in a negative way. That's why you usually find tapers that are unscented. They're that way for a reason!

I've fallen in love with NG's ( www.naturesgardencandles.com ) Santa's Whiskers.... It's pine and vanilla sugar cookie... they suggest no color for it, but I completely disagree. I renamed it Old Saint Nick, dyed it "santa red" and my friends & family are going nuts over it.

I use 1 oz FO to 13 oz of 100% soy... and it gives terrific cold & hot throws.

I get a great chocolate brown using brown and black liquid dyes... almost equal amounts, just a drop or two less black than brown.

I thought I read somewhere that using ceramics w/out glazed insides can be dangerous... absorbs FO and can basically become a fire hazard, the ceramic itself turns into a wick filled with FO... I know I read it regarding terra-cotta... but I dunno. I'll admit I'm completely ignorant to the ins and outs of ceramics.

I like the website, but you might want to have a link from your candles page to the scent descriptions page.. took me some clicking to find it!