CandleFreak

My personal favs are

Green Tea

Green Clover & Aloe

Blackberry Sage

Jade

I saw them dimensions on there and knew they weren't the same....not to mention they had a lid.....I was/still am hoping that they will be a much larger box...(I kinda doubt it....but still hoping) I just hate using cello wrap on those suckers.....but they need some kind of protection.....any ideas???

I was wondering the dimensions of this box....as to whether or not the hearts from Wal-mart will fit into these....they sell hearts on the site but are different from Wal-Marts......I'd call but I doubt anyone will be in 'til after Christmas....I was thinking about using these for V-day......any info on these would be greatly appreciated!!!

edited to add link....duh! a pic is worth a 1,000 words

http://www.earlyamericancandlesupplies.com/detail.asp?product_id=HBOX-ACC-1

If I am thinkin correctly that was Spellkast....she forgot to put her screenname on the company label......I could be wrong though......

I am luv luv luvin those purple rustics!!!!!

Just tried these suckers...and wow am I impressed with the skin conditioning qualities but they are kinda boring....miss my bubbles:undecided

used shea in place of the cocoa (its the only butter I have until Santa Claus delivers his packages) also tried the clamshell packaging...made a 1oz block (that was filled to the top) felt good in the bathtub...no ring...NOT too oily...and I hate feeling oily! Super easy to pour...easy to pop out and into the tub (i prescored the top) I got 5 clamshells out of this recipe.....so I will be one silky smooth bather for a long while....

Bunny your recipe rocks girl! Wondering if you could tell me if there is much of a difference in the shea and cocoa...does the cocoa make harder melts - and does that make them take longer to melt?

I am kinda impatient....I ended up squishing it before it all melted...will see if I can resist the temptation next time...hahahahaha

Might just start googling for packaging lol! Be prepared to see a lot of stuff.

and be prepared to go broke...as if FOs aren't addicting enough...

and be prepared to change at least 10 times.....the whole "craft" is addicting and expensive from start to finish!!!!!

I am taking turns burning two right now...loving these scents...so many that I don't currently carry...definitely some tempting scents...like I really needed that:p ...more FOs to purchase in the future!

I am definitely in on the V-day swap...this one is sooo great!!!!! I am so happy I decided to join....can't wait for some reviews so I can better my product!

according to what I received the autumn harvest would be candlesprite7

hth

Crystal

UH-OH That might be mine. I made peppermint. Sorry....:embarasse

Not bad at all...I loved the smell it was just all that I could smell as I opened the box and was digging thru all the goodies

edited to add more---> I am gonna go sniffing again and see where to start... so tough because everyone did such a great job.....looks as though there were even several different types of waxes...which I am definitely interested in investigating! A large variety of scents...which is great! I noticed some people put wax and scent infoon their votives...I didn't so if anyone is interested I had

Cinnabuns - Mixture of Cinnamon Buns and Vanilla Icing from Tristate

Apple Spcie Cake - Mixture of Peaks Hot Apple Pie and TriState's Vanilla Icing

Wax used was a combo of 75% OK6228 - 25% J223

LX wicking

and I am doing the happy dance....can't wait to burn some of these babies!!! I am having a tough time deciding which one to start with....I'm letting a few air out as the peppermint overpowered everything in the box!!!

Some cute packaging too!

gorgeous soap...I love the concept!!!

I'd love to find a way to organize a gazillion sample sized bottles of FO. I tried the plastic roller carts with drawers, but it doesn't work that well for me. I also tried the shoe organizer, and didn't like the results. (Works great for wicks though) What works for you guys?

send them to me and I'll organize 'em j/k I don't know...I try not to keep to many around....

why don't you divide them into 3 groups....Love but need to test......ok...gotta think about it some more...and hate it...then sell the "hate its" here in the classifieds or join one of the FO sample swaps.....

so you'd still be left with a ton most likely.....??????? maybe some one else will have an idea

biggest issue with cleaning a cluttered space is that people get overwhelmed just looking at the mess...some tips from me....

start small....like a 2x2 section.....or a countertop...or 1 drawer get that cleared off and into your "piles" (keep, throw away, sell, fix, etc) once you get that accomplished move on to another area...you will feel better about yourself knowing that you can at least see some of the counter....

set aside time to "clean" sure you may schedule yourself for working on products but you also need to allow time to clean, organize and inventory

clean as you go this will help keep clutter at bay once you get organized or at least keep it from getting worse....ok so you made the pumpkin spice votives and are getting ready to make cranberry votives...put away the pumpkin FO, orange dye, etc then set up for your next task...

always "pick up" before leaving your workspace this will keep you from being so aggravated the next time you enter your workspace and see the 52 votive cups scattered across the counter and wicks scattered on the floor...you get the picture

make to do list & have a dry erase board or cork board to easily see tasks you need to complete.....like that order of samples you need to send to the ***** shop in order to get a wholesale account

label your shelves i know it sounds anal but trust me at 3am in the morning when your finishing off the last of your order and can't find something because it isn't where you "normally" put it THEN you will really appreciate it

inventory your goods this will help you when you need to place an order...and keep you from making a bazillion small orders which really hurt on shipping

Peaks frosted carrot cake makes me drool uncontrolably...and I don't even like to eat carrot cake!!!

thanks ladies for the wonderful advice!!! I will be trying out some of the dry Flo and the IPM....off to reread that post about "complimentary" scents.....

Michi...I so agree with you on the "LoveSpell" I don't know what I was thinking.....other than my sis-n-law likes the super sweet scents like that....maybe I should just give it all to her for a Christmas present bbaaaawwwwhhhaaaaahahhahahaha....it could be a gag gift! literally!

Carrie thanks for the info on the IPM.....will definitely be looking into that....

I think I will try some of bunny bath melts......anything I should NOT do with these????? Maybe I should start a column of what NOT to do before I start experimenting! but then what would I learn......

thanks for the replies...I think I will definitely be trying some in the next batch....I invested too much into the shea to give up now!!!! especially since everyone raves about how great shea butter is for their skin!

I whipped up a batch of shea yesterday and am completely disappointed in the results. I felt like a greased pig. I mean after rubbing this stuff on my skin I looked like the old school sunbathers all oiled and glistening...not at all what I had in mind. Today my skin feels really nice...but last night I was tempted to shower...it just felt gross.

Here is the recipe I used:

16 oz Unrefined Shea - from Abanga

2 oz Sweet Almond Oil

2 Oz Apricot Kernal Oil

1 oz LoveSpell FO (Peaks) - blewk hate this smell

2 tsp cornstarch - but eventually added a ton more but made no difference i greasiness

So I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions for me....have you used DryFlo in the shea...is it better than cornstarch?

Would refined Shea make it less greasy?

Or is it just me?

And the smell of this stuff is disgusting IMO....LoveSpell isn't my favorite scent but mixed with the "natural" shea smell it's revolting to me.

So some things I learned....

don't make such a large test batch

only use scent you LOVE in a test batch (cause i'll be the only one using this)

HELP - sorry so long...

TIA Crystal

I'm not completely understanding you....you want to make a candle that doubles as massage oil?

Massage oil is liquid......candles are solid unless burning....burning candles, hot flames, and children DON"T mix well!!!!

Why not just make a lotion, massage oil, or some other type of cream....please don't add a open flame to it....it is only asking for problems!!!!!

looks like a mottle to me too! I'd keep it...it goes with the container well.....looks as though the beverage has a shot of "bubbly" in it.....I'm ready to drink that cocktail up!!!!!

I only use 1 firestarter at a time don't really need multiples if the wood is seasoned...i do have a metal grate in the fireplace but i usually put a small square of cardboard under my firestarter - usually a cut up pizza box or cereal box

for my firestarters I use paper muffin cups in pan, wax, and large wood shavings

gorgeous candles...when i cook dinner and make candles at the same time.....EVERYTHING smokes!!!! wish i had an ounce or two of your talent!!!! you make me really want to try pillars!!!

definitely would try your massage oil at that price....most online are double that!!! You could up your price and still be competitive online.....locally depends on your clientele....how familiar they are with exotice stores/dirty b's and the pricing structure there (expensive)

when testing votives I usually make votives in multiples of 6

I test 3 votives at a time in identical snug fitting holders with 3 different size wicks (I use LXs) I light them at the same time and place in similar areas (room size, draft patterns etc - so they are on an even playing field so to speak) I can then determine which burns better, has best scent throw, etc

I test the next set of 3 in the same manner but with a loose votive holder......

I then choose the wick that performs the best in BOTH settings

I work out at a place similar to curves...peak hours are 9am-1pm Monday thru Saturday (SAHMs) and 4-8pm Monday thru Thursday (working gals) not sure what days are particularly the busiest...depends on the locale...call and ask...may be beneficial for you to do 2 days (one week day and a Saturday)

hth

Crystal