coconut

Peak's French Vanilla is also very good. Seemed to be buttery to me.

I would need to do more research on the additives and FO, but university studies have proven that paraffin wax is fully compostable. BTW, I have been an organic gardener for 30 years, so it is not like I advocate putting junk in my soil. But this thread asked for an alternative to throwing the wax in the trash, where it goes to a landfill. Composting is an alternative. The compost could be used as a mulch around flowers and ornamentals if you didn't want to put it in the garden. http://igiwax.com/uploads/packagingarticles/Composting%20statement.pdf (see below) THE INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC. (IGI), a world leader in refining and marketing of wax based products, is committed to preserving the environment. We continue to initiate new products and programs designed to minimize our impact on the environment. Composting represents an important strategy in diverting waste streams from landfills and returning organic content to soils. This process is a crucial component of the recycling strategy designed to reduce North America's reliance upon landfills for solid-waste disposal. What is not widely known is that properly formulated paraffin waxed packaging can be used to produce high quality compost. Published studies conducted by McGill University (1) and the University of Guelph (2) confirmed that paraffin wax-based coatings are inherently biodegradable and readily decompose under normal outdoor exposure conditions, as well as in a composting process. These studies covered the use of paraffin waxes in the high volume applications of food service wrappers and treated corrugated boxes. These studies supported previous work done by TNO laboratories (3) showing paraffin waxes and paraffin-based coatings are inherently biodegradable according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development Guidelines. These studies showed greater than 60% degradation after 28 days and near complete degradation after the 84 day test. Paraffin waxes are unique as coating materials because they provide excellent moisture barrier properties. Since they are not polymers they are biodegradable by nature. From corrugated boxes through treated waxed food wraps, paraffin waxes remain an economical, efficient, and environmentally viable barrier material. (1)February 1993 TAPPI Journal (2) May 1995 TAPPI Journal (3) Hanstviet, A. O., TNO Division of Technology for Society Report No. R90/243a, Delfh, 1990, pp. 17-33

I definitely go for wicking for the second half of the jar, even though I do paraffin and not soy. The preblends I use seem to burn very much like soy from what I read except you use larger wicks for soy. I even use wicks made for soy sometimes. The soft preblends will also catch up. And yes, temperature makes a big difference, especially in small jars. I too burn outside sometimes and stink up the neighborhood! I also pour candles outside, hoowee! I have learned that if it is very warm out, over 85, candles burn too hot. Under 70, not much burn unless I use a capper or put it inside a glass enclosure. I wick for the way people live here, in the air conditioning, 70-84 degrees. And I try to use the smallest wick to get an ideal burn. Consider this: my tester knocked over one of my burning candles onto herself. She was thrilled, because the melted wax did not burn her and did not leave a big red welt like when she knocks over a Yank** candle. I guess she knocks over a lot of lit candles! She also remarked that she could pick up one of my burning candle containers and carry it around and it was not too hot to touch. I always assume the customer will abuse the product and make it safe under as many conditions as possible. I assume they won't trim the wick, ever, that they will powerburn it, they will forget to put it out, and that they will carry it around. Of course, it takes a long time to test each scent and get it this perfect, so I have a limited selection. I would rather have a candle that does not melt all the wax when it is cold out, than one that has too large a flame in the heat, just in case someone does burn one outside when it is warm. Like I said, in the cold you can use a topper and get a good burn. Best of luck with your testing.

Jonsie, I'm in Florida, and I have to say I feel your pain. There is very little manufacturing here and everything must be shipped in, ususually from at least two states away. I handle it by always ordering more of what I need a pretty good while in advance. The other thing is, I picked jelly jars because I can get them locally although I may have to order them and have them delivered to a local store. If you don't have room to store a volume of the large jars, I would drop them. I have read many threads that say large jars are not selling well any more in the US, but your economy may be different. Now if you can find room to store them, I would wait for your local supplier to get them and get a bunch. I would contact them and give them a heads up on how many you want so they can accomodate you. I am a big believer in going with your "feelings". Good luck to you!

Hi Oceangazer, welcome to Fla! Try Candlescience. They have the cheapest shipping to Florida and they do have some soy wax options.

As far as leftover wax, I know paraffin wax is biodegradable and I would think soy wax would be too. It can be composted.

I settle the problem of lower temperatures by using a candle topper. It keeps the heat in and gets a melt pool at lower temps.

I have to agree. After lots of testing, I stick with 6% or even go down to 4.5%. I don't use 4627 but do use 4630 and find that one wax is not always right for all FO's. Therefore I also use J50, especially for my heavy FO's. 4630 (and probably 4627) tends to be a smoker due to the high oil content. (I was told this on this board). I have had really good luck using Premier wicks. Less smoking and less mushrooming, even though this wick is designed for soy, it works great in paraffin. Your mixing temp does seem a bit high as well. One thing to try: make a candle without a wick and put it on a warmer (don't do this with large or tall candles). See how the throw is. You may have the bad luck of buying lots of FOs with light throw! Most of Peak's oils have good throw and Candlescience has a throw rating on their oils. Be sure you have good strong oils. HTH

I second Peak's Grandma's Swingin' Eggnog. Yummy!

I placed an order on Friday at 6:00pm Eastern time and my order showed up on Monday. Can't beat that and the samples smell awesome OOB. I'll make a better report later!

Mike, don't even try to have wicked candles ready for Christmas. That is truly playing with fire. You wouldn't want to burn down homes of customers, friends or family with an unsafe candle, would you? Or ruin your fledging reputation with lousy candles? I think 55 is awfully ambitious, but when I want to test the scent just to see if it is a keeper or a krapper, I make a wickless candle or tart. For a wickless candle, get a small container wider than tall, like a tin or 4 oz jelly jar, mix the container wax and FO as you would for a candle, and heat it on the candle warmer. For a tart, you can make those in a mold but you will use wax designed for a votive or pillar. Also melt in a container on a warmer. Be sure you use the right types of wax and containers as I have heard of explosions of glass containers when the wrong wax is used. If you FO's you like, and your wickless tests don't explode or anything terrible, you might give away or sell some wickless or tarts. But not wicked candles. JMO

That's very kind of you. I just ordered 8 oz of Orange Blossom from Cierra so I think that will hold me for now. I might be up for a sniffie later when/if I have money again!

It looks like Gemlite has a lot of other FOs that I might like. I might be in trouble again! So many FOs, so little time.

Thank you everyone!

Not a very popular scent, I guess?

I bought wicks from them and was very pleased with the product and service. They don't smash the wicks down inside the bags.

I was checking out the fragrance oil finder and it is quite a bit out of date. A number of the companies listed are out of business now....

I know it has been discussed here before, and the old favorite was Snowtop. But it looks like Indiana Candle Supply (who bought Snowtop) has dropped Orange Blossom from its catalog. Any others out there that you like? I have one from Peak but it smells very soapy to me. TIA.

Just got an email, through the end of July Cierra is having a sale. 5 off 50, 10 of 100, 15 off 150. Coupon code JULY11.

Peaks has an awesome Rose Bouquet.

I'm sorry to hear that, I know a lot of you buy wax and FO from them.

This is pretty typical when the A/C is on. I'm sorry but I don't have an answer for it, wish I did. I test in the bathroom with the door shut, that helps for me.

Ravens, you are so right. None of these politicians gives a rat's a$$ about any of us. At the start of the recession, pbs interviewed recent college graduates about job prospects. One said he couldn't find a job so he was going into politics. But with all this said, we still have the best system in the world. Thank God our forefathers were such intelligent men, to set up a system of checks and balances.

Their White Tea & Ginger is delicious. I have a jar in the cupholder of my car right now. The heat warms it just enough so I get scent in the car.

28 drops per pound of wax? I have noticed burn problems when I use a lot of color but always thought it was just the heavy FO. I'll have to retest some of those FOs with less color. I do use Peak's dyes and really like them.