Jeana

I do use color. I didn't have any issues with that. Are you using it straight or mixing it? I use EVO colors from candlewic, what colors are you using?

Yes, I noticed this with the box I just got last week. It seems to be the same other than being harder. I had some from my old box left and there was a significant difference in texture. I blend it with soy, and my finished candle isn't harder than normal. This happened a couple years ago too.

Good to know, thank you, this is what I was afraid of. I just tried my first batch from another recipe but they are way too soft. So I was tempted to buy this recipe. But when I saw her ingredients they are exactly what I just used. Do you make bubble bars?

Have any of you tried this recipe? https://twowildhares.com/listing/227766741/diy-bubbly-bath-bar-solid-bubble-bath I'm just wondering if it is as "fool proof" as claimed. The ingredients she lists doesn't seem any different than other recipes I've seen so I'm guessing the amounts are the key? It's only $20 but I still don't want to spend it if it's not going to work.

I saw a few suppliers who have a Caribbean Teakwood but I don't know if they are the same, and if its the exact same, I wonder if I would have the same throw issues. I was hoping someone has used one of the other ones and could help me compare. I don't order from any of the suppliers I found, or I would have ordered some testers. I think I'm going to try going up to 7% to see if it helps.

It looks really pretty. I like all the blended color variations. And I am a big fan of the rustic look.

I will but its going to be like next month when I can sit down and work on my website. When I stated my sales were better it has been in my consignment stores, not on my website.

What do you mix it with? I was even trying to think of that. Something to pep it up without taking over. The original CT was not body safe, but now it is, so there has obviously been some type of alterations to it. Funny thing is, it is super strong in CP soap.

This is cute. I like the blurred background. And the color of your candle is so pretty.

That's so nice of you to say, thank you! The reason I've been considering the white backgrounds more now is because since I changed my soap packaging from colorful to plain, my soap sales have tripled. I feel like you can see the personality of the soaps now instead of the personality of the labels. I was wondering if the same concept holds true for websites.

I've use it in a soy, para/soy, paraffin straight, para/coco, and a para/veggie. None of them fill a room like it used to. I test in different places too. The best I can get is waves here and there of scent, not a full room of scent.

I am only scenting it at 6%. I could try going higher, but I never had to before Plus, it gets really expensive to add more FO. If I go for 7 instead of 6% it can add almost $20 to each order I fill with it. Oh well, I guess no one else carries this scent or one similar to it.

I’ve used this scent from CS for years but for a while now I’ve noticed the throw barely exists. I looked at the reviews and I see others feel the same. I thought it was a wax issue, but I’ve tested it recently in many different waxes. I get the same results, very little throw. Does any one else carry this scent that gives a stronger throw?

I just check out your website. It looks great. It’s pretty much what I have in mind for my redo. It really does look so much more serious. Did you take your own photos? i think I can take some nice shots, then use a clipping service like you suggested. But I don’t see how you can make every selection look exactly the same. Even if I crop my photos to the same size there will be obvious differences, mostly the distance from the camera, or the angle. How is this done?

I've always done the slate, stones, iron, or barn looking wood for my product pics, (See below) but I'm trying decide whether to stay with this, or just use those types of shots for feature photos/banner photos on the site. Then go with the no background for the products. Here is a good example of the no background look https://soaptopia.com/collections/all-soaps The thing that kind of bugs me about this website is that the pics seem so "in your face". And if you have light colored soaps, it can look a little washed out. But I think it is a more modern look for commerce sites these days.

I'm redoing my website soon and I'm torn with whether to just have the product with a white background or have something interesting and pretty in the pics with the products. The bigger sellers like Soaptopia, Sephora, Lush, Origins ...... all have just the product with the white background. And most handcrafted soap makers have a more artistic approach and include their soaps or candles in a setting for their pics. I'm torn, so I thought I would get some opinions.

That was a very naughty kitty! I didnt know about the IGI paracoco wax. Who carries it? Like I need more choices, lol. You are using much stronger wicks than I am. Although, I used to have an Aveda dupe that needed to be wicked up, so maybe it’s the FO? I’ve been testing Candlesciences Sweet Pea in my 100% SC21 and used a zinc 44/24/18 and I had a full melt pool about 1” deep in a 4 hour burn. The jar is a bit over 3”. I think that was on the second burn. The flame was only around 3/4” tall. I could try smaller but since I didn’t get any throw I decided to mix waxes. I’m not too concerned about wet spots either, but the adhesion of this wax is truely impressive, even mixed with 4630, it is still 100% wet spot free. And after burning a few times, not one wet spot. I need to try some LXs. I’m not a fan of the zinc shrooms, but I can’t stand the HTP, CD, or Eco curls either. I used to get shrooms with LXs in soy, but always got a nice throw.

I was wondering if you tried this wax. If you hadn't I was going to recommend that you do. I got my sample and I think it is so beautiful. It is very creamy looking, with zero frost and total adhesion. It seems pretty easy to wick. I'm having a couple issues with it at 100% though. I find it has some throw issues, and I find it a little too soft so the melt pool gets too deep too fast, even with a normal size flame. I found mixing it with 4630 substantially helps the throw and slows the burn. I don't like to depend on curing for throw. I'm still testing 4630/cb9 too. I've been getting consistent results with both blends so far. I'm glad I will have a backup blend to go with if something happens with one of these waxes. (CB9 & SC21) They use the same wick sizes so far. Both mixes are far superior to the 464/4630 blend I was doing as far as appearance, performance and throw. I do a lot of layered candles and these are true single pour waxes. That will be a big time saver. The CB9/4630 has the best throw and appearance, so I should just go with that one, but it is harder to keep the pouring temps consistent, and that worries me. It sets up so fast. I've been testing with zincs and HTPs so far. I've heard LX wicks could be good too, but I haven't tried them yet. What wicks are you testing it with? How long did you let your testers cure?

Hmmm, anything custom blended for a distributor makes me nervous since Peak closed down. I used to buy their cotton wicks that were made for them. And of course after they closed I had to retest all the scents that used those wicks. That could be a strike against that wax.

Thanks! I asked them already how much was in there and he wouldn't answer. It is a veggie/soy/para blend. I thought if I get a case the manufacturer info should be on the box. Maybe I can get more info that way.

I think SC21 is the other sample I have coming from them this week. What did you think of it? I found CB#9 to have a very odd background smell on its own. And it seemed a little hard. I'm looking for soft and creamy. I don't mind wet spots but the sample I poured of 100% pulled away from the glass and had some frosting. It reminded me too much of plain soy. I have used 4630 to mix with 464 for many years. It has been very consistent all these years. I tried this on its own and I didn't care for it 100% either. I can't remember what I didn't like about it though. It seems, so far, the two are a good fit together. My big concern with this blend or other paraffins is how to keep the pouring temps up high enough when pouring a lot of candles. Soy takes a lot longer to cool so you have more control over pour temps without it setting up quickly.

Is this place near you for the coconut? https://uscandlesupply.com/product-category/case/coconut-case/ I just posted a pic of a candle blend of CB#9 and 4630. I'm really liking this mix so far. The throw is outstanding. And no soot while burning.

This is 80% 4630 and 20% CB#9. CA candle supply doesn't say what CB#9 is other than a veggie blend wax. He told me it had paraffin in it to but wouldn't say how much. Annoying! I like the looks much better than 464 already. I poured at 195. I didn't heat the jar, just wiped it out with alcohol and a micro cloth before pouring. Even this morning it still has total adhesion, no need for a second pour, and zero frost. I have another tester I did of the same wax blend scented with Lavender from CS. I'm getting an impressive med/high throw, even without curing. When I used this scent in 464 I could only get a low throw at best. I'm using zinc wicks for now. They seem to be working so far. No soot, or smoke while burning. Over all I'm enjoying the positive sides of a paraffin blend. I'm really starting to regret not looking at paraffins sooner.

My Coconut sample should be here today or tomorrow. Are you in CA? Right now I have been testing Their CB#9. I don't like it on its own, but I was testing it with the 464. Now that I want to dump 464 I've been doing about 20% in 4630 and I'm getting some good results so far.

I understand that the upper layer cools faster anyway. But I was also talking about the cracks in the lower part of the candle. Everyone has been saying it's caused by room temps being too cool. I'm just pointing out it's not really cool, its normal. So outside influence isn't the problem. Another reason I mentioned ambient temps was because you stated in your comment your layered top cracking was related to your shop being cold.