coconut

Lace crochet would be a good one. This is basically crochet for things that look like doilies, but you can crochet anything. After the item is finished, it can be starched to make a three dimensional object such as an angel, christmas tree, snowflakes, or what have you. I think it would be good for bedrest because the objects are small, lightweight, and very challenging with the variety of patterns and stiches. Special tiny crochet hooks and crochet cotton string are required, as well as a good pattern book. You should be able to find these at a good craft store or eBay. Good luck!

No, tried LX 8 and LX 10, C-30 and 60, RRD29, Eco 1, and several sizes in Cotton. Either I get a great melt but tiny tiny flame, or a great melt and a huge flame. This is with Peak's Black Raspberry Vanilla, 4630 wax, and a 4 oz. jelly jar. The cottons just don't give enough flame and I didn't consider going up even higher because I already have a great melt. I may give on this scent in this wax in this jar. I have others that do great with LX8 or 10 so maybe that is where I stay. Thank you for your input.

Ditto that. Peak's rocks me right out of the house.

Thanks, everyone!

Our family had a retail store that was in the same location for over 60 years. Still there, in fact. Not a candle store, more like a meat/convenience store. January was always so slow we would close for a week and take vacation. September was our other slow month. Christmas was huge and carried us through. Hang in there-things will pick up. Just budget for the slow times and you will be ok. Good luck in '08!

I'm taking a road trip from Florida to Ohio later in the year. Can anyone recommend either of these along the way, not too far off the highway (20-30 miles max)? 1. Suppliers of 4630 and 4794 wax or 4 oz. jelly jars 2. Great Antique malls. Thanks for all ideas.

Would you be so kind as to share what you use to stir the pots after you add your FO? Do you use a stick or mixer? Don't want to steal your secrets but I am still struggling to get my stuff to mix well, in batches over a pound. I'm still very much small potatoes. Thanks!

Fabulous! Congratulations! Be sure you link back to that on your web site!

Hi SatinDucky! I agree with you too! I guess that is why we buy insurance. We can never control what people are going to do. I do powerburn my candles. Surprisingly, they are pretty well behaved-good flame, good melt, jar not too hot, mushroom not too big. If not, I just don't offer them. The candles that I do offer, generally burn right down to where they are supposed to and then go out. Of course, I can't say I have too many successes at this point, but I keep trying! As always, thanks for your input!

I am assuming that you are a tax-paying business by your description. If all else fails, perhaps you can donate the inventory to a local charity and take a tax write-off against your other income. Not the best solution but it may be an option. It is a question for your accountant. I'm sorry you had to go through this but happy you got the inventory back. Good luck.

Ocean and Clean Cotton. Best sellers and I can't stand them.

Hi Jan, I agree with you that it is too much firepower. Zinc wicks are not self trimming, are they? Please correct me if I am mistaken. That is my problem. I must use self trimming wicks because I know my customers won't trim the wicks-they have told me as much. I do include warning labels to trim wicks but people will do what they want. Thank you all for your input and taking the time to answer me.

The wax we love to use but hate to wick.... I have tried so many different wicks! Using 4 oz. jelly jars, FO at 6%. HTP, LX, cottons, RRD, ECO. I have a few scents that I get great melt pools and throw, but the flame is so tiny a slight breeze will put it out. If I use an RRD or ECO, I don't have this problem BUT the flame is just a little too large. I am already using the smallest size available for these wicks. Does anyone know of wicks designed for vegetable wax that come in smaller sizes? BTW, I know 4630 is paraffin wax but the veggie wax type wicks seem to allow these heavy FO's to flow better. My worst FO's so far are Black Raspberry Vanilla and Amish Harvest (both Peak's). All input is appreciated. Thanks and Happy New Year to everyone!

What kind of trouble are you having? Just curious. My most frustrating problem is scents that give me a good melt pool and throw but a tiny flame prone to blowing out. AHHHH! I understand that CD wicks are similar to HTP wicks. I do use HTP for some scents, but for other scents, either I can't get a good melt pool, or the flame gets too large at the bottom of the jar. I use a tapered jelly jar. For instance, with Cinnamon, I was up to an HTP 93 and could not get a proper melt but went to an LX 10 which is a much smaller wick, relatively speaking, and got a good melt. It is a difficult wax to wick but has great throw and it is easy to work with so I stick with it. Looks pretty in a glass jar too.

I won't claim to be an expert but I have been working with 4630 for about a year now. Certain scents are very hard to wick and you did not say which scents are causing the problem. Try using LX or Peak's cotton wicks-these work best for me on the widest variety of scents. I always start with the smallest wicks-LX8 and C-30 and go up from there. A couple scents are good with HTP, and I think ECO is going to work on some of the ones which have given me fits. Good Luck.

I read on this board to take a Bic pen, pull out the guts, and use the tube slid down over the wick to press the tab down to the bottom of the container. Works great. BTW, I use sticky gray mold sealer to secure my wicks and it works great. Stays stuck, but comes off when I want it to.

Lilac, from Peak's. One of my best sellers, to displaced Northerners living in Florida where we cannot grow them.

So far I have used Peak's Macintosh Apple, Apple Jack 'n Peel, and Warm Apple Pie. Warm Apple Pie is hands down the winner.

An Afghan or rug is a good way to practice.

Warm Apple Pie and Spruce Christmas Tree, both from Peak's.

I put mine in polypro bags, individually or together, no problems. I would skip the Saran Wrap. Just my opinion. Good luck.

Try the online chat. For me, that has been the best support-quicker than the telephone, even. Also, you might try CandleScience in the Carolinas. Shipping is most reasonable from them.

I buy "removable" labels and put them on the side of the container.

Peak's Cranberry Citrus is yummy!

I noticed it too but thought it was because I do a lot of my testing outside in my lanai (I'm in Florida). My temps range from high 60's to low 90's. I know a lot of customers will use the candles in air-conditioned homes but again, temps range from 60's to 80, depending on the person. I'm thinking of testing for Summer but selling the same combo for Winter and offering toppers for my jars to compensate for the cooler temps. What do y'all think of this?