Jeana

It is horrible to have things stolen. I didn't notice too much until now that I would love to be using the equipment. To make things worse, I'm pretty sure it was a homeless guy I was trying to help too. I got a description from people that saw it happening.The description fits the guy and his friend perfectly 😡 I'm just super glad they didn't actually break into my shop. It could have been way worse then.

@MilosCandles That's a nice studio set up. I went to your website and the pics look really nice. They are very consistent. And the lighting looks good. So, you decided to go with the background sets instead of just the product with the white background. What made you chose that way? I'm still on the fence of which way to go. I had a couple light set ups, but someone broke into my storage cabinet outside my shop and stole all my photography lights I really don't want to buy it all again so i'm trying to improvise lately.

Yes, If you hit the forum button, then go down to the last item on the menu and it will say classified there.

Did you look on Keystone’s website? They have a lot of Peak scents. https://keystonecandlesupplies.com/

Thanks Laura He’s my awesome little buddy.

I used to order from them. They are really close so no shipping. They started out nice but got to be a PITA. When they made my dust covers they would wait until they got an order that there would be extra space between whatever they were cutting to fit my order in. Does that make sense? Instead of just making my order, they would “fit my order in”. The orders started taking longer and longer to get. I stopped using them when they started acting like it was somehow my fault that they were late with my orders. I recently found these guys. They have much better prices, they are super nice and occomodating. http://www.westernpress.net/CandleCoverTwoColor.html They sent me quite a few samples. They have a very big selection of papers and print type options. BTW I have a few dust covers for sale in the classifieds. You should take a look.

I don't remember which manufacturer these came from. I ordered from a couple at the same time. Does it matter who made them? Or are you just wondering in general who makes dust covers?

I don't know the measurements of the status jars. These are a true 3" measurement, so if your opening is at least 3" it will work. It's better if it is a little larger so the top can get in and out easily. Just measure the inside diameter of your jar.

I got these dust covers by mistake in my order. They are 3" diameter, very thick, quality covers. No coatings or print. I have 138 darker brown covers, and 490 lighter (more kraft like). 628 total. $50.00 for all or .08 each. They all easily fit in a med flat rate box to ship.

Thank you! I’ll check them out.

In my area candles don't sell very well with lids. You may be able to increase your sales with a no-lid container to make up for the increased cost of the dust cover. I'm just curious, where do you find jar lids for 13 cents a piece?

Did you ever find your dust cover source? I'm going to use these guys my next order. They have way better prices than Norman's Printery. The single color, uncoated is only $125.50 for 1000 for 100lb paper. I like that they allow you to order lower quantities. If they have the size you use in stock they don't charge your for the cutting dye, which is very nice. The owner sent me some samples. They are very impressive. You can have a coating too if you have a soft wax that sweats. The woman was really nice to talk to. http://www.westernpress.net/CandleCoverFullColor.html http://www.westernpress.net/CandleCover.html They make a few different types. The pressed ones are the prettiest, and you can get them with grommets too.

Thank you, this is a really big help! I may be able to replace the blades on my current one with these. There’s nothing wrong with it other than bad blades. But if these don’t fit, I’ll check out the acrylic one

Can anyone recommend a beveler/planer? I would like to be able to buy replacement blades. I've had the one I have now for years, but I can't change the blades on it. I see some acrylic ones and bladeless ones now. I'm wondering how well they work.

I don’t know about the electricity in storage units really, I’m just throwing out ideas. I was lucky to get a small office space about 9 years ago. When I started I used one side of the shop as a hair salon, and made products on the other side of my shop. When I built up enough accounts I dropped off the hair part. That’s why I say you can get creative and make it work.

Sometimes you have to get really creative to keep moving forward. Can you borrow a corner in a friends garage to pour? Maybe rent an inexpensive storage place to pour in. I don't know where you live but some places have storage places for about $50 month. You could possibly ask some commercial places in business parks if they have 100 sq ft areas to rent. If you look around you never know what you could find. But if you want to sell, and you are bothered by the scents already, you'll have trouble when things ramp up pouring at home. My whole shop is only 325 sq ft. But I have a front and back door, and I can leave. Even if you have a porch or balcony, I would pour out there on a table.

I've been playing with a lot of paraffin lately and I really start having respiratory issues with it. Even at small amount. I've used several types and it gets pretty bad. I don't get this with natural waxes. I was ready to switch completely to paraffin, but couldn't handle it even for testing.

I forgot about loss of HT with Stearic. I used to use it with palm pillars and it wasn't too bad. The max I would use it is 2%. I would prefer to use BW, but it is so expensive I have to keep my options open. The waxes I'm playing with right now are compatible with both BW and stearic. I've seen on other posts that you pour a lot of BW candles. Do you ever see inconsistencies from order to order of it? (Like we see in soys and paraffins) Does it ever burn differently? I don't mind about color differences, but I do mind if it would have varying burn results every order. Who would you say has the best prices for BW?

I've definitely been there. I used to pour in my kitchen at a house I lived in. I really didn't like doing that when I started to make enough to sell. How many are you pouring at one time? And how often are you pouring? Are you selling them?

For those of you who like to firm up your container candle wax (just a little) Which do you prefer stearic or beeswax? And does anyone have any input if both are consistent order to order without seeing changes in the way the candle burns or behaves?

If I stay in the shop I'll continue to wear it until the candles set up. While pouring I have both doors open for ventilation and use the mask. I prefer to shut the doors when the candles cool, so they cool more slowly. That's why i usually just leave after pouring.

Since you're talking respirators, I have to give a shout out to this one. I LOVE it. It is the first one that is small enough and comfortable enough for me to wear for extended times. It is really light and easy to get on and off. I get a really weird feeling if I don't wear it when making a lot of candles. I wear it when I make soaps too. https://www.amazon.com/GVS-SPR449-Elipse-Nuisance-Medium/dp/B016630UJU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1527124248&sr=8-10&keywords=elipse+respirator

Ugh! Now I have to run tests, AGAIN! What wax are you getting from candlewic?

It is very hard. I've had to put very large wholesale orders on hold to run tests on waxes that have changed. I makes you look incompetent to your accounts. They don't understand the dynamics of candle making, and they don't want to. They just want the candles. How many times can they hear the same excuse of why they can't keep their candles in stock? It seems like every couple months all the waxes are changing. And of course, waiting on orders to re-test, is a significant loss of income.

Funny because with the soy we hear it’s because it’s a natural product and they can’t help the variances. And now we hear the paraffin manufacturers can’t help the way it’s refined. Which, by the way, most are from China because the domestic refined patroleum is not affordable for wax manufacturers in the US, so who knows what the quality control is like there. I love how CS makes it sound so easy to adjust your wicking. I spend so much time and money retesting all these wax issues, it almost makes it impossible move forward and have a quality candle business.