erinmfritz

Brown is hard to come up with, thanks for sharing. I'll have to give that a try.

That's very interesting, thanks for sharing. Do you think that when using a presto that any leftover wax in it when you turn it off and then on again after the wax hardens is being tempered? (hope that made sense) I have often wondered that. I have noticed that my wax is more behaved after I started using the presto than the double boiler.

Very nice, I love the snowman one, glad the plastic comes off. I was at the Dollar Tree yesterday and didn't see the snowman ones. Guess I have to go back soon. I got the ones that are snowman and santa shaped to test, going to pour today. Gotta love that store!

That's a great idea barncat, I hope it brings you alot of business. I like Judy's ideas too. Does anyone else have any unique ways to promote their businesses?

Thanks for your responses, I have never ran into someone like this lady. I'm going to try the turning the tables thing and see what she says. I know she made parafin and dabbled in soy candles. I believe she did gel also. And she was into lotion & soap bases I believe. She keeps asking where I buy my lotion base. (probably so she can sell it too) The unfortunate part is I will run into her every other Monday night at the business that is allowing me to come in to sell my candles to their customers. (Kinda like a craft show table set up) She has helped re-build this business after a fire so I know she'll be there.

I don't know, I think it is different sharing information on this board than to someone face to face in your own town. I don't even think I would share everything with my best friends and I trust them, my DH doesn't even know everything. This lady must think I am an idiot!!!!!!

I saw that too and am curious. I may play with it for my use & see how I like it. Great, just what I need, something else to do! LOL

I met this lady at a local business while I was there selling my candles. She started with telling me about how bad her allergies are and asking where I purchase my FO's. She said she has to send the MSDS sheets to her allergist for him to make sure they are safe for her to burn. Then she started asking questions like what type of wicks, do I use the same size for all of my candles, what size do I use, and kept talking about her allergies. Before she left, she gave me a company name locally that sells FO saying that her husbands business uses them.

Well, I asked a couple mutual friends if she used to make candles, one didn't know and the other said yes, years ago.

The second time I ran into her, she confessed that she did used to make candles (after she found out that I was told) and is offering to give me advice and possibly sell me some of her supplies. She bought a candle from me that night and called me today offering advice on the burn and asking what size wick I used for the container. She said she didn't get a full mp after burning it 2 times for 2 hours each and thought I should wick up. I told her that I did test the candle combo before I sold it and want a safe burning candle, when I tested the larger wicks it worked fine for the top of the candle but the bottom half got too hot. I also told her that because it is a tapered square jar, I have to wick it for the bottom of the candle and the hang up catches up after a few burns.

At this point, what do you think I should tell her, I can't tell if she is just trying to help or if she is trying to dig for "secrets", after all, she wasn't honest with me from the time I met her.

Sorry so long, just had to vent!!

I have to agree, can't imagine buying that one. I did recently make two batches of candles that made me think of Thanksgiving dinner, Pumpkin pie filling and spiced cranberry. That was a great combo!

There was a recent poll. Here is the link:

http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58815

I use CDNs.

Thanks for finding that Stella, I thought there was one but couldn't find it! Good luck CareBear with whatever combo you choose, one suggestion though.......keep shipping in mind for your wax choice.

Maybe this would be a good poll, there was just one with the containers but this may be useful too. Just a thought.

I like the ECO wicks best from what I've tried.

I couldn't find lids for the 5 oz cubes but my Libby distributor (www.riekesglass.com) carries all of the Libby products including the 7.5, 12, and 20 oz cubes with lids. HTH for future purchases.

This is where I get my glassware also. They also have black metal lids for the square jars you find at wal-mart. Very pretty.

Hey Sydnee, your name is spelled just like my daughters. Something you don't see much.

Thank you Blazerina. Your advice at least gives me a place to start. Now, which FO do I want to test first?

I am currently using Lebermuth's base and reeds that are also sold at ICS and LOVE them. From my searching for the best price, I found ICS to be the least expensive and I have had nothing but good results with it. Just my

I prefer the vermicullite actually... but it's been increasingly difficult to find. Although, I do have to say- I haven't been on a hard search for it since a few of my local dept stores didn't carry it in the garden area and I decided to test the litter. I'm pretty sure I could get the vermicullite from a local place that is a national catalogue house for seeds and plants (territorial Seed Co.) - just haven't been serious enough to go ask for it yet. I did however ask my local feed and grain store and was told yes they carry it but they buy it in bulk and sell it in #50 bags at at time. Um, i'll pass, lol.

As a room freshener- I can't say how great it is or isn't. I made vacuume cleaner bags out of it. It's light weight and vac's up easily, holds scent great. As it remains in the vac bag the air circulates and makes the room smell great. My very first one I made just to test lasted about 6 vac sessions before it weakened. I'm sure it would be great for closets or drawers too. It's just not pretty enough to put in organza so I did mine in the canvas draw string bags as vac bag freshner. But it would probably be a great additive to any other kind of base material.

So can you share how you made the vacuum cleaner bags. This is exactly what I have been thinking about lately.

I have searched and searched the threads here and can't find the answer I am looking for, I'm probably typing in the wrong words. Anyway.......

I currently have the Millcreek soy linen & body spray. I don't want to get into body sprays, just room & linen sprays. My problem is finding the right percentage of FO to use and getting it to mix with the spray completely. When you spray it, how long should you expect the scent to last in the room? And finally, can you color it? TIA for your input.

http://www.obiwholesale.com/catalogsample/oil-warmers-c-800.html

These have a light bulb, the picture doesn't do them justice! I have several different colors like the top two.

http://www.levinegifts.com/moelbun.html

These are beautiful also. I have the red and yellow. Again, the picture doesn't do them justice.

I have used both styles myself and they are great for melting the tarts if you have the lights on high. If you turn the light down (on the top ones) they don't melt the wax completely. Hope this helps you.

My very favorite candle for burning now is a 3x5.5" palm pillar burning in a glass cylinder about 6" tall. I just let it form a container candle and the design as it spills over is beautiful. It will burn all the way down and is so clean, the sides of the glass do not get soot. I may not have to learn to pour palm containers. I let the pillar do it for me.

Carole

That sounds pretty, can you post us a picture?

Very well said Stella. Getting a perfect mp seems to be priority over safety of the candle at the end of the burn, you know, the bottom third of the candle that is talked about in the other thread. I think that you wise people are hopefully opening the eyes of some other candle makers. Keep it up.

Very nice. I like your stamp.

I remember reading something about vermaculite. Does anyone use that for the sachets? For those of you making the paper envelope ones, where do you find them?

If that doesn't work, try putting them in the freezer for a short period. Maybe next time, don't bake as long. That's how I stopped having that problem.

Very pretty, I wish I could paint like that. Hope they sell well for you..

http://www.lebermuth.com/accessories.php

Here's where I got mine. Seemed reasonable and love the product!

I use the Metro jars, 12 oz & 8 oz size jars. Love the clean look of these jars. I use GW444 wax.

I also use ECO and sometimes HTP.