Hi, I just started making candles again after many years. My daughter satrted me at it because she buys her candles from a well known company that does the fund raisers at our local schools, and their candles are all just plain nasty with soot! They are expensive, and made from paraffine. I don't have a problem with this wax as I don't have soot from the ones I create - plus this is the very wax our grand parents, and even some today use on the tops of their jelly and jams. I never got sick from that either! I can't stand the candles from this huge company though - I sneeze and the soot is so bad I cannot tolerate it! So I took all of their candles and just reworked them by adding more plain parafine, additives, and my own fragrance. Now, they burn longer and no more soot. Go figure! I have just started to experiment with Soy, Palm and Beeswax and am enjoying the fun of it all! They all have a place in the candle artisan's studio, and I plan on keeping it that way no matter what some people claim! We all know it is only an opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.. LOL The only way to address the issue is to let everyone and anyone know, (put it into writing - flyers website and labels) that a truly dedicated candle artisan would not misrepresent their products, nor do they find fault with others artisans or companies publically (to yourself and nameless is just fine). It is a matter of one's personal preferrence. As an artisan; you, we or me use the finest ingredients. create a product of the finest quality we can present/offer. We work hard to create a pleasing product by usng our knowledge, love, and a strong sence of integrity. The words do not need to be in that exact phraseology but what comes from your heart - that is what I feel most people want to read and hear when they have a choice to make. Almost everyone knows it when someone is using bull pucky to convince us to buy their candles. I just tell people if they can buy a better product - go for it - I am not going to stop them or nor do I care to. Most customers have a huge respect for that! It is all about the honesty and integrity! IMOHO:smiley2: I have now jumped of of the Soap box too - but still liked standing on it for a little while! <smiles> A new member - my first post - thanks for listening! Cheers AnnaK
