Ian H

I've just received shipping information on my NG order...................There could be a problem. They appear to be routing it to West Yorkshire, CA not West Yorkshire, UK. Oo-err!! I've sent them an email to clarify. BTW I suspect there isn't a West Yorkshire in Canada. I'll keep you posted. Ian

The Luscious Vanilla oil is without doubt growing on me. I have decided that the aroma is like a freshly opened packet of butterkist sweetened popcorn, if you know what I mean. It is very strong, without doubt the strongest UK bought FO I've tried. I've had to put the 6" pillar I made with it into a polythene bag as it is making me feel hungry. I've burnt one of the votives that I made and although it is a little early there is certainly a goodly amount of fragrance from it. On the r&d side, if the manufacturer is starting from scratch I feel that your estimate of 2 to 3 weeks to produce a core range could be a little optimistic. In fairness I know nothing of the manufacture of FO's but if I was setting this up I would not accept less than the best as this would compromise your range and create potential customer dissatisfaction. Ian

I don't mind at all patience. Considering we are a relatively small island the Brits have an amazing range of accents and dialects, many areas use words or phrases specific to that region. I moved from Leicestershire to Yorkshire in the late 70's and had to learn a lot of new words. Getting back on topic, I've done about 20 tabs today without one failure. That'll do me. Ian

I only received my delivery of your oils Today Keith. I have already used some of them in a selection of votives, container and pillar candles. As I used a 70%/30% mix of soy and paraffin they need to rest a little before I can test the hot throw. The Luscious Vanilla oil appears to be the strongest, already it is giving a strong cold throw. A slightly surprising strong note of sweet butter dominates the vanilla a bit but not unpleasant. Overall I can confirm that I am happy with your service, delivery and products. The oils were at least as good as any I have used from the UK to date, they mixed very well into the wax also. If my understanding is correct these oils are not from your UK producer. As I've stated before I feel that the UK market is ready for more complex layered scents similar to those on offer in the USA. As they are complex I don't think it too realistic for you to try to clone the US FO's, for one there are far too many of them. I think you need to develop a range, possibly being involved with the r&d side with the manufacturer. You need a range that covers the key scent groups such as floral, bakery, fruits etc. Marketed ideally with a relevant description for each scent. BTW sorry all for the length of this post. Ian

I recently ordered 5kg of blended paraffin wax and 5kg of soy+ wax from http://www.4candles.co.uk/ . I am pleased with the quality of both. I ordered a few other small items also. Delivery charges were £8.99 which to me is OK. Delivered within 2 days, just like all of the other orders that I've placed with them. Ian

I've sorted it out now. Gutted the tool cabinet and found that some old wire stripping pliers I have do the job nicely. Wick is well gripped and no distortion of the bottom disk. I'm a happy boy now.:grin2: Ian

Yes I am interested Inez. Email me with your list if possible plus some idea on cost ex shipping. Ian

Just rushing out to my toolbox in the garage. I think I have one of those electrical crimper tools somewhere. BTW there are no Home depot, Lowes or Walmart stores this side of the pond. Asda is one of our main supermarket chains and is owned by Walmart but carries quite different lines. Boy, I wish they did a 220 volt version of the Presto pot. Ian

Although I've never used liquid dyes I have read that if you go too strong on the colour they can impart a fuel type smell. Ian

Donita, what a wonderful range of top quality candles. Inspirational. How can you bare to part with any of them? Ian

Hi Sugar. I can't help you with your main question, although I will follow the responses with interest. For me a double hit of the return key gives the paragraph spacing. Ian

I'm having problems attaching wick sustainer widgets to my wicks. Currently I am using small Mole grips to close the nipple? (sorry if that offends but it was the only word I could match ). When I apply pressure the round plate distorts horribly. Sometimes when I straighten it the wick loses it's grip. The commercially made ones I have appear to have a circular pressure mark just on one side. I'm seriously thinking of making a special tool. That is unless someone can guide me on this, or at least reduce my failure rate below 20%. Ian

I think that Natures Garden website is excellent, I too have drooled. If you like their product it would be worth an email. They are not fully set-up for international trade as their COO options are just USA and Canada. I had to put down my COO as Canada with a note that I was in the UK. This had a delaying effect on me completing the order as I made 2 payments, one for the goods and one for the shipment. Both payments were through Paypal which made it more workable for me. Of the five US companies that I emailed only 2 have replied to date. I won't bother to resend as I have got what I need for the time being. I will certainly post my findings on these oils in 4 to 10 days..............Just got confirmation that they've shipped. Ian

OK I've failed to get the image on. Please help. I think the problem may be I MAY NOT POST ATTACHMENTS. Can I change this? Ian

I have a number of these jam jars brought I back from France. BTW the jam was superb. Can I use them as a container? I'm a bit worried about the curve of the sides. If they are usable how high should I fill them? If the image doesn't show I will work on it. Ian

I understand, it isn't without potential problems i agree. I would be delighted if someone like Keith at Candlelights offered a viable alternative. The reality as I see it, is the product range and quality just isn't in place in the UK ATM. That is what this thread is about.............Finding an alternative option. Ian

I've now completed my transaction with NG for my 10 X 1oz samples of their scents. I opted for Airmail letter post at $11.60 (6.08 UK pounds). Will take 4-10 days to reach me. Incidentally the postal cost is not much more than I would expect if I bought in the UK. The other option they offered was Economy letter post at $5.50 ........ I didn't want to wait 4-6 weeks for the saving. In conclusion the total cost to me is 16.54 UK pounds. £1.65 per oz delivered. This is less cost than the equivalent UK offer for 30 grams without delivery. I am hoping that these will be a superior product than I am currently able to obtain locally. In which case I will be in a win,win,win situation.:grin2: . :highfive: Ian

Make it localised Katinka. Sveld Tahitian. Ian

I think a rename is the way to go. You could have a ball with the names. How about. Fat cat : Cougar comforter : Lion eyes : leopard stripes etc. etc. Ian

I suspect that the usage has increased since this graph was published. If not in the 2 weeks I've been doing this I've produced enough candles to supply the UK market for a year. Ian

My, and my better? halves preference of fragrances is rich floral types. Not got into fruits or bakery types yet, but who knows. As I typed earlier I will keep a close watch on the progress of your FO offer. I wouldn't expect your offer to match the US range but there is surely a niche for a quality product at a reasonable price. I don't know how big the potential market is, you are able to assess that better, but it strikes me that Europe and beyond are in need of it. I quoted a throw rating because to my mind FO is potentially the most expensive element in candle making. There is no point in putting it in if the results are below par. The simplest way to identify this is to just use numbers...........Say 1 to 5, 1 being poor 5 being totally 'in your face', open the window PLEASE. I've seen a scent rating on a site in the form of a mint leaf icon, it only went up to 3 leaves though. The general problem, as I see it, is the various types and characteristics of wax. Realistically you could only base it on the waxes that you sell. I'm sure that you do look at the US FO sites. I've looked at a lot of them myself. In general their descriptions are almost mouth watering. In the main the UK ones are one liners that in no way expand the senses. It's a buyers market that is driven by marketing. You could be offering the best product in the world but if you don't tempt people they won't buy. Saying that it's the best doesn't work. If you need any help on the R&D side I'm more than happy to help. Ian

I sincerely thank you and the other contributers to this thread. I have found the feed-back a tremendous help. I am totally new to the wax melting thing, with a lot of things to learn. I am pleased with my progress to date but there is still a long way to go. Despite my advancing years I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I am a hobby oriented person in all of which I strive to achieve the highest possible standards. With the help of the kind people subscribing to this board I assure you that I will achieve this. Goodness that is too much like a CV.:embarasse Ian

I suspect it may take a little longer than 3 days to get to me Pat. I think I will have to wait until Monday before they can email my delivery options. I of course will be opting for the fastest option that will not cost silly money. Ian

Thanks for that Pat. I can't wait to try them all.............But I s'pose I will have to be a little patient. Ian

It's years since I last ate a pomegranate. Too many seeds. I'm desperately trying to remember the aroma. Ian