Jeana

I'm very happy I invested in one of these. Digitals kept breaking on me and I don't have the patience for candy thermometers. I got mine from a place called Harbor Freight for about $39 on sale. They are meant for reading the internal temps of radiators and other car fluids so they are accurate for internal use. They are so fast. I use it for candles, soap, and basically anything that needs a temp reading.

Ok I got my beans. I got a lot of them. I've never smelled one before so I don't know if they are high quality or not. What do you look for? I've read a few tutorials how to infuse the beans in oil, the shortest time I've seen is 1-2 wks. Some people suggest 6 months. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions about time frames and ways to make the infused oil really strong. Can you make a vanilla oil strong enough to fragrance soap on it's own?

Oh crap you're right, what was I thinking Here we go http://www.theposter.com/vanilla2.html Sorry about that. I ordered some. The owner was super friendly.

Do these look like good prices for vanilla beans? They have a large selection. I've seen the beans run as much as $5.00 a piece before. So I thought this place had some good pricing. How many does it take to get a strong oil infusion? Anyone use them for perfuming?

If you don't have a tent it is worth it to invest in one. You don't have to think about them melting as much. We've been in the 90's here a lot lately. Since I have a tent i don't have to worry bout the candles, they don't melt or even get sweaty. If your show isn't big enough for a canopy, then get an garden umbrella. The kind they have outside cafe's.

Ok how about: Warm baked bread - an off white (natural if using soy) Mulled cider - either dark burgandy or a bright golden yellow Banana nut bread - med brown Autumn sage - If it is more sage try a dark army green, a green with some brown in it. If it smells more fallish with spices try a burnt orange, orange with brown in it. hth :smiley2:

That would be perfect for me. I have to go to Ace Hardware. I store and transport my soaps in individual boxes so the scents don't blend. They fall over if I try to use a cart without sides. How much was it?

That does look like them. I'm a little confused though cuz in their description they talk about their 16 oz size, but the picture is showing a 12oz jar. It is the same size diameter. Not the same height. I'm not as concerned about the height. It is the 12 oz they are selling here right, not the 16oz? Thank you so much though. If it is the 12 oz I think this will be great. My shipping won't be as good as yours though, that's ok, at least they are priced much better. Thank you, I'm going to call them tomorrow.

http://www.thecandlemakersstore.com/product/JJ10A/10_oz_Straight_Sided_Jelly_Jar_wGold_70G450_Lid.html Fillmore used to sell these but now they say they have discontinued them. These guys only sell them with the lids. I have a ton of the lids, so I don't need them. Plus .99 per jar is really steep for this jar. Anyway does anyone know another place to get these? Or even a different type of jar with the same measurements. I really need the straightsided with no taper. I have the jellies that taper but there is an inch difference from the top and bottom of the jar. This throws off the wicking, what works for the top doesn't work for the bottom.

At that point, when you think you have the right wick, you need to pour another tester, this time glue the wick to the bottom so you can see the burn from the top all the way down.

That's what I was thinking, just do a partial name. Where did you check this out?

I did a while ago, they didn't have anyone at that time. I could contact him again though.

Do we need to inform people we want to use their comments about our products on our websites or other promotional avenues? I know not to use full names. I'm just wondering if we can just quote the customers or need get permission.

Does it effect your wicking? And does it make it frost less or more? I have regular coconut oil for making soap. (76 degree) is that the kind to use? And have you done comparison tests with and without or is this something you have always done? Does that make sense - haha

I've been looking for one for a couple of years now. I haven't found one. We don't get to have anything over here:sad2: I went with peaks. My last order was only few months ago and I only paid $36 for shipping for a case to san diego. Where are you in ca?

Liquid dyes are far more concentrated. I'm not sure if Pryme colors are still available, but they make a nice intense red. I use EVO colors also, I haven't tried their red yet, cuz I still have Pryme red. But EVO colors are very dark and they don't smell bad. You can get them from candlewic

How about Santas Pipe (WSP) and Hansel and Gretle's House (CS) I do an eo blend of Fir Needle and Lavender that sells well in the fall/winter. almost forgot Mistletoe (CS)

I was thinking the same thing that these sizes seem so large. I don't know how large the flame is that you are getting, but I've noticed sometimes I can get a fuller melt pool, and a better throw, with a smaller flame. Not talking about a tiny flame, but I don't like mine to get higher than 3/4" or 1" tall. Most 16 or 26 oz apothecary jars are 4" diameter so you most likely need to double wick at least the scents you are struggling with.

I ran your numbers through soap calc, and this is a really soft recipe. Have you tried to take a bit of it to see if it lathers? If it lathers then you'll probably be fine, but it will take a really long time to cure it. I've never had an fo or eo make my soap not become soap, so it shouldn't be the scent making it soft. Is it oily at all?

That's exactly why I didn't want to do the cost x2 formula. I'm not a plant in China mass producing my products. I have to make a living too. I'm focused on the money too, or I wouldn't be doing it. :smiley2: I only just recently started figuring water, electric, paper towels, .... in to my cost. But the whole point of the people who contacted me about this is that my products are local and made by hand, and have the look they are looking for. I gave them my numbers, only for my bath and body products, but I haven't heard back yet. They are opening a shop by the beach, so they could charge more than I am. I didn't think my numbers were scary at all.

That's what I was thinking, but it seems like it would be much more glue than I normally use to fill in the dip. Do you use the same wine glass? I see other ones I like better but they have shapes that may be harder to wick. These are almost straight up and down.

I was thinking they could charge more, because they have the overhead of a store and other expenses i don't have. But I didn't know if we are automatically expected to cut our prices in half because they expect to match our retail prices. I was thinking people would save on shipping going to the wholeseller rather than me. And they have the convenience of shopping regular store hours too. Thanks you guys.

I've been working with some Libbey claret glasses. Those of you who make these, how do you fastened the wick tab to these? There is a deep dip at the bottom of the glass, where the wick tab is to be fastened so it isn't level.

When selling wholesale, do any of you make your suggested retail price you give the buyers higher than your prices on your websites and your other retail avenues? I'm just having a hard time swallowing cutting my prices in half to sell wholesale.

What if you were to soften the wax a little. Some people add coconut oil and have good results. How cold is it in the garage when they are setting up? Last winter, our house was in the low 60s when mine were setting up and I didn't have any issues. I pour hot, I don't have much trouble with frosting when I pour hot. I get a lot of frosting when I pour slushy, even in warm weather.