erinmfritz

http://www.suppliersbystate.com/state-listings.php Try this, there's alot listed for MI

Millcreek: Spiced Cranberry, Harvest Spice, Grandma's Kitchen, Spiced Eggnog, Christmas Splendor Just by Nature: Gingerbread Applesauce, Cinnamon Sticks

I really like the ICS base. I have their base, the round jar (holds about 6-7 oz, I didn't fill it all the way), and their reeds. So far, I am testing BCN Heavenly honeydew (awesome) , pink sugar which I added a drop of pink/red candle dye (so far so good), ICS lilac (so far so good), MC High cotton (very strong throw, don't personally like this scent but many people do, go figure). I made the honeydew friday, and it is going strong, the rest I made last night. For those who do make these, how do you know if the reeds clog? My thinking is if the ends feel dry when flipping them but I'm not sure. Also, what is the best way to test these and how long does it take to make sure you have a winning scent? I just used tall baby food jars with about 2-3 oz of liquid and reeds that I cut in half (opened up the ends again by squeezing the opposite way), is that good? As far as the "heavy" oils, how do you tell if they are already open (not new?)

Good luck and welcome to your new addiction. Check out the kit at Just By Nature http://justbynature.com/candle_making_kits.html That's what I started with. You get about everything you need to start. I don't know if I would get a presto pot until you decide whether you enjoy candlemaking. Double boiler method works good to start. You may be able to use an old crock pot (check the temp that it goes up to though) to melt larger amounts. I also agree with getting samples of FO's to start (they do come in the kit and all that I ordered worked great!) Liquid dyes are easier to mix in, be careful about frosting though. I like the liquid from Just by nature best of all I have tried, but I am also working with some dye blocks. As far as a heat gun goes, you can use a blow dryer at first til you are sure. Again, good luck!

Thanks for your input. Great starting point, I even have several already. I have read that heavy oils don't work, how do you know if an oil is heavy? Is it the color?

Try the ornies: http://www.candlesupply.com/how2aromaornies.html They are easy and unique, scent lasts pretty good if you don't over bake them.

I am just starting to test reed diffusers and need some ideas on which scents have been used successfully with them. And which are the best sellers in you area. My main suppliers are MC, ICS, & BCN. I have the base from ICS. Thanks for your help.

I've had great luck with MC Harvest Spice. Works well for me in soy, great HT & CT!

Here is a question for anyone who uses this jar, is it possible to single wick this? I have tested numerous scents with it and can't get a full MP in 3-4 hours like you should. I double wick and it burns too fast. I use GB444, 9.5% FO, ECO wicks. I've tried ECO12, ECO14 single wick, and ECO 6 & ECO4 double wick. I really want to stay with the ECO's but just would like some insight on what works for others. I'm gettin' close to giving up this jar but I don't really want to, I love it! http://www.riekesglass.com/omaha/product/view.asp?id=96 Thanks for any input. Erin

Could you zap 'em with a heat gun to get rid of the bubbles? Should help.

I tried the OO and it did help.

Simply adorable! Good job.

I use Publisher also, have done all of my catalogs (printing can be confusing), business cards, fliers, candle cards, hang tags for ornies, etc. with it. For the Catalog, open a new publication, go down to catalogs, click on an example of a style you like. Use that as a guide to get you started. Once you start, you'll make changes as you go to personalize it, but it's how I got started with it. PM me if you need a little more help. I am by no means an expert on it, but have used it for alot of my packaging and such. It's a great program

Levines has some nice ones: http://www.levinegifts.com/

OBI's are beautiful! I have used the oil burners with the smelly jellies and wax melts and they work great. They won't melt the wax completely if you have it set on low, but it is a great night light.

I bought my kit from http://justbynature.com/candle_making_kits.html Included in my kit was GB444 wax and everything else listed, since then, they have changed waxes but it is a great kit to start with. The best advice I can give you is to look for suppliers nearest to you to save on shipping. Good luck, it's an addictive and frustrating hobby!!!!!

Use a nail with a good size head to make your hole as you bake it. (place in the beads where you want the hole, standing on its head.) I haven't tried a plastic cutter because of the fear it will melt. Just goes to show you how everyone has their different techniques!

Jane, you have to try the ornies. If you have some aroma beads scented & colored already, it just takes a metal cookie cutter, a nail, an old cookie sheet, your oven and about 4-5 minutes. You'll LOVE them! I do make the bags, but mostly in the leather scent for men, my DH loves it, he just puts it under his seat.

I tried the "Herbal Serenity show of hands instant manicure" last weekend. WOW, it is great, kinda like an oily scrub. Just wondering if I could make something similar for my own use. The description is: "...Exfoliate dead skin cells with dead sea salts, and condition and moisturize hands and cuticles with natural oils such as macadamia, avacado, safflower, orange and tea tree." I don't care for the smell, but it felt great! Any suggestions on a recipe to try?

Thank you so much!

I went to great lengths trying to rust veggie cans, tried the vinegar & salt, peroxide & salt, vinegar and bleach soak (worked best), spray paint, etc. but never got the look I wanted until I did the modgepodge and instant coffee. I found that if you grind the coffee smaller it looks better. Now I have to actually put wax into the can to test the durability. Good luck!

I agree, it was a nice time. Can't wait to try my hand at making the mineral makeup, my kit is calling my name. I bought a couple Pillar molds from the garage sale items, can't wait to experiment with that too, I might try the star one, very cool! And the potpourri demo, wow, I hadn't even thought making that, it was beautiful. I even liked the "pink" grubby jar candle, very creative although I would like to see the actual dark colors that she uses. :laugh2: Glo, can't wait to use the Backwoods Blue (Blue Sugar for those of you who are curious), smells great. Can I use your name on my products, keep it Backwoods Blue? I think that is more fitting than Blue Sugar for the scent. I just want to thank everyone that was involved for doing this. It was nice to talk to people who are doing the same craft that I am, you all have inspired me! If it were any further, I probably wouldn't have been able to attend. Can't wait til next year.

It's this Sunday, just thought I'd see who else may be going..... :bump::bump::bump::bump::bump:

I haven't used the preserve it, but I do use what you bought and it has worked for me so far. I use it on crystal clear labels and on the gloss white and it is holding the color very well. Good luck.

I have used them for the white gloss and like that (I ordered some clear circle labels but haven't used them yet). For the clear, I have gotten them from the classies (from onlinelabels.com) Don't know if that helps you or not, but just thought I would give you my