TheQueen

I use FCO and cyclomethicone, too. Lub lub lub it.

Maybe they're touting Optiphen Plus as "natural" because it doesn't contain formaldehyde? Geez, who knows that goes through folks' minds. And, in my never-to-be-humble opinion, you SHOULD question business practices that you think are suspect. In all likelihood, you'd be right. And you're looking out for all of us when you do that.

Perhaps you should explain to your customers that bacteria, mold, fungus, etc. are also natural but they certainly don't want them growing in their products. Not being catty, either, just practical. There is not a natural preservative that I know of that will do what needs to be done with products that require preservation.

Here's a pretty good source: http://www.chemistrystore.com/cart.cgi?group=72654

I only offer the 4oz size but my customers seem to like it. If anyone requests a larger size I would certainly accommodate them.

A bit of a hijack here. Do you know the rest of the story about Mrs. Liebeck? Probably not. Well, it would seem that McDonald's had been warned repeatedly to reduce the scalding hot temperature of their coffee. Somewhere around 700 claims had been filed for similar incidents, and many were settled by McDonalds. Their own documents showed that McDonald's was aware of the burn hazard when foods are served at temperatures in excess of 140 degrees but failed to warn its customers. So when Mrs. Liebeck was burned by their extremely, and I do mean extremely--as in 185-190 degrees--hot coffee, the court said ENOUGH and the suit went forward, she won, and the rest is history. I do not consider this a laughing matter AT ALL.

Of course with any kind of sugar as soon as water hits the scrub the sugar will begin to disintegrate. That's just the nature of the beast. Perhaps that's why you don't think it's scrubby enough? On the other hand, if you use turbinado sugar it will be a bit scrubbier as the granules are much larger. It's just a matter of personal preference which type of sugar you use. I like the white table sugar because it DOES begin to dissolve right away. There's just enough scrub and they last just long enough to do the job and leave the wonderful oils behind on my skin. HTH.

Oh, yes, indeedy! That was one of the first lessons I learned when I started making candles--never judge an FO OOB. And it kinda took me aback. that there could be such a drastic difference. There has only been one FO that I hated OOB and hated in the wax but I've been pleasantly surprised by many others once they hit the hot wax.

I use plain white table sugar at 100%. That is, whatever the weight of my oils/butters/etc., that is the weight of the sugar. If I'm doing 500g of oils/butters, then I use 500g of sugar. Sometimes just a smidge more.

Ignore Ignore Ignore

I heard back from Audra at BoxBliss.com with a quote for what is basically a custom box. Prices range from $0.66/ea for a lot of 10 to $0.40/ea for a lot of 500. Since it's currently a custom order it will take approximately four weeks for delivery. However, she did say that if this becomes a popular item they will consider stocking this size box. The roll-on bottles are 3.25" high by 5/8" diameter so the box will be sized to accommodate it.

Oh, my, what absolutely gorgeous candles. You people on this forum are AWESOME and inspire me so much.

Do they have to have lids or anything like that? Do they always need to be the same? If not, try the Dollar Tree. I buy most of my candle containers there.

That would be great! Thanks. ************************************************** I have been searching for these as well. I contacted BoxBliss and she said they have a lip balm "boot" that may work- she explained them as a box without the ends, so if it's too long, it will just stick out the ends a bit. But it would still protect the glass, and keep people from opening them at shows, which is what I wanted. She was supposed to send me a sample but I never got them. I should email her again and see if she is going to send them. After my initial contact with boxbliss, she told me if she didn't have them she could probably make them, but after I asked her for a quote I didn't hear back. Guess I'll gently remind her.

Pink Sugar

Lilac.

Thanks, ladies, for the good info. The recipe I have is saturated with coffee grounds so it's VEWY VEWY swubby and dark brown and beautiful. And being a coffee fiend I absolutely love the aroma--no FO added as it's pretty coffee smelling. I think I'll play with it some more and see how "gardener's scrub" or "kitchen scrub" works instead of regular bath-type scrub. Geez, why didn't I think of that?

OK, folks, I know you make and sell coffee scrubs. A little help here, huh?

I found boxbliss.com and emailed her; however, I asked for a quote and haven't heard anything back for several days after that request. I'll give it a bit more time before I write boxbliss off. Thanks for the tip, Crafty1.

Do you sell them? Do your customers like them? Is it worth your trouble to make them? I have a wonderful recipe for coffee scrub but would like to know how well they sell before going too much further.

Funny you should mention the pillow boxes. I had just about decided today that they may be the way to go. They're cute and you can stuff them with pretty shreds, as you mentioned. Welp, I think my quest is over and I'll go with the pillow boxes. Thanks, All, for your suggestions. :highfive:

TCW, thanks for the link; unfortunately, they had nothing for me, either.

You know they HAVE to be out there somewhere cuz they are sold in boxes. It's just a big mystery to me.

Here's another place: www.elementsbathandbody.com/home.php?cat=185

Trying some FO blends, not just for candles, but for perfume oils, too. So far, so good!