daniedb

First, I love the sign, too. I think it's great, but I totally understand you not liking it because it wasn't what you asked for. I went through a similar situation, but it was my MIL instead of my mom, which almost makes it worse, then you REALLY can't say anything. The lesson I learned was that, well...I learned that I couldn't count on her to do what I wanted, and I didn't feel a right to complain, since it was generously given to us as free (although we paid for all the materials, grrr, which were really expensive), and that I will never, ever, ever, ever ask her - or anyone - to do something for me again, and if it's important to me, I won't even accept an offer to do it for free. I need to have the feeling that I have a right to demand what I want, and that will only happen if I pay. So, I say...either flat out tell her you're not happy, but if not, then just stick it on the car, see if you can live with it, and if you just can't, well...then you can pay someone else to do one. And when/if mom notices, you can tell her the truth, if you want do, and if not, you can tell her a truth that doesn't have to include that you aren't happy with the first one. Sorry you're disappointed.

Clear 12 oz PET jars here without lids: http://www.candlesoylutions.com/thumbnail.asp?offset=0&deep=1&cid=11 And I use the lids from MMS, they have 89 fitment black lids there, along with sealing disks, if you need them too.

I do a facial serum with 2 parts olive squalane, 1 part EPO and 1 part borage and a tiny bit of RevA from TDF. I also use it without the RevA now that I'm PG. I also use it in what Henry calls an "owie keem" that's unrefined shea, avocado butter, EPO, borage, wheatgerm and emu.

The most expensive oils I buy are from SC. SW runs a little high, but they're worth it, as are most of SC's, IMO. I guess I don't think of the WYW as expensive, because if you cut the cost in half, because I use half as much, it evens out to the normal cost of ~$15 pp. With SC I still have to use 1 oz pp of most of their oils, so it ends up being a good deal more.

I rename about 75% of mine - but a lot of them are blends I create myself, so I don't have to reach too far to rename it. The 25% that I don't rename are usually things like "Gardenia" or "Lavender", fragrances that are simple, straightforward single notes.

I think the souffle is an emulsified body butter, and a whipped shea-based butter isn't going to be like what you're looking for. I don't think there's anything wrong with trying it as a newbie. When I tackled lotion, I had been making other B&B items for over a year, and it took me about a month to get a product that was an actual lotion that didn't separate, LOL! So, if you're willing to try and fail and try and fail and then finally succeed, go for it! I don't know the texture of the product, but you can certainly try something like: 70% water 15% butters 10% oils 5% ewax(or up to 10%, depending on the formulation) 3% beeswax (or use soy wax if you prefer) 1% OR proper amount of preservative (usually .5-1%) 1% fragrance Then you can whip the heck out of it as it cools, and see what you get! If you'd like more detailed instructions, there are some older posts with pretty good information.

I would also check to see if you can order through a restaurant supplier, like Sysco or Ben E. Keith (I don't know what they have in your area), they're used to huge amounts of food items, they may be able to get you a good deal, and usually there's no shipping charge, they come and drop it off for the price.

That's hilarious! Oh my gosh, we all need time out chairs!

We are an S-corp. I really can't tell you much about the differences, but I believe that we have a little more protection of personal assets vs. an LLC in our state. However, if someone really wanted to get at our stuff through the biz, I've read that it's not hard. So, insurance is the way to go, no matter what kind of biz you decide to have.

I think of the smell of the water, whether lake or ocean and, don't laugh, but the smell of the rubber lures, KWIM?

I know that TDF was carrying them a few months ago, you may check them out. Extasy is right - be very careful when formulating things that have a danger potential, I would check and double check your recipe and perhaps post to get some feedback.

I get nervous thinking about what could happen if I gave her the candles now, and she was responsible for them for over a year. People get WEIRD about weddings. She may put you in a bad spot if something does happen, even if it's not of your doing. However, you can have a contract that states that you delivered the cupcakes in perfect condition, have her sign off on it and explicitly state that you are absolved of any liability from here on out. I like the idea of doing a contract, almost all wedding vendors will do a 50/25/25 contract, with the 50% due upon entering into the contract. Good point about supply costs rising - my candles are priced so that small increases will affect my profit, but not by much - are you cutting it pretty close to the bottom line? If so, then I would build that into the contract. I would put in there that the price quoted is good from now until Sept. 1st, and if she signs and gives you 50% of the price, then I would go ahead and buy as many supplies ahead of time as you can, and just let it sit. That's a weird situation - what an organized bride.

My mom did the same thing as the other poster's mom (sorry, forgot who it was!) - she was using as much as she would lotion. If you can't get your own mom to listen to you.......

:laugh2: :laugh2:

Man, I've wondered if that could happen! Especially if you make it in tiny shapes. I did little bitty hearts for V-Day, and they looked *just* like white chocolate candies. Wouldn't you stop and spit it out once you'd taken a bite? Or did he just chow the whole thing?

I keep wanting to respond, "Yes it does. Wax does cost." Wasn't I helpful?

If you're looking to harden it with a wax, you can always experiment with a touch of b/w or soy wax, that might give you yet another alternative. I don't like the waxes in the whipped shea, though, because it's too hard and it doesn't soak in as well - the wax will leave a film, usually, on the skin - which is helpful in lotions, because it protects the skin from the moisture leaving, but in the shea I would imagine it would impede absorption. But again, what do I know?! LOL!

What a cute idea! Seems like you've got loyalty covered, so let's see - trust and understanding. I googled "color of understanding" and it seems in new age-y type beliefs, yellow or gold represents understanding. In natural health, violet is the color of understanding. The "color of trust" is, in Native American healing, lavender. SO, maybe you could do a blue, lavender and violet candle, so you have some color continuity, and do an ocean, herbal lavender , and a floral (like a carnation or dare I say...violet...scent). Interesting idea, and I'd love to see/hear what you come up with!

Oh, I definitely think you need to factor in your time - if you're not going to spend as much time with one, versus the other, I would give a small discount on the one that's least time-consuming, and then leave the other the same price. If you just offer a simple explanation that due to the overwhelming time involved in Cupcake A, you are unable to offer a discount, they are already priced as low as possible. If you order Cupcake B, then you can get a 10% discount up to 50 of them, and a 15% discount for 50-100, or whatever. Maybe then she'll order the faster one, and more of them (you can mention how unexpected guests always show up).

cattzclawz - what you're describing is a lotion/emulsified body butter. E-wax (emulsifying wax), is exactly that, an emulsifier for water and oils/butters. So, you get a lighter product, because you have (usually) a finished product with 70-90% water, but you don't have whipped shea butter anymore. At least not what most people think of as whipped shea butter. The benefit to a whipped butter with NO water is that it tends to have less troubleshooting problems, like preserving (a huge issue), separation, etc. I hope that helped a little bit.

Def. back down on the b/w, like geek said. I find that in lower humidity climates, I can even get away with 2%, and any more than that will cause cracking. Even a .5 change will make a difference between 2-3%. I also have found that pouring at a hotter temp with 100% soy is helpful for me, at the cloudy, rather than slushy stage, when it's cooler outside. I also recommend experimenting with warming your jars a smidge...just enough to bring them to around 100*. And then, as someone else suggested, insulating them as they cool. So many steps!

Are we talking like it turns green from a purple? Or is it more like an orange from a red? When I was working with dye, the MP would always solidify in a lighter color than it started, but that doesn't sound like what you are talking about.

LOL, that's a great reason! Sort of like the Everest quote - why did you climb Everest? "Because it was there." You know who makes an incredible whipped shea that soaks right in and doesn't feel greasy? Purple_Lilac. I was using it on my just-starting-to-stretch pregnant belly, dry feet and hands last night and I was amazed at how it felt, moisturizing but not oily or greasy. She's a very helpful CT'er, and I bet if you PM her, she can give you a few tips. I'll be interested in how it sets up over the next few days!

Beautiful bars!

That looks amazing! Absolutely beautiful. And thanks a lot, Bunny - I never thought of reading *that* into the name before, but now, it's all I can see!