blt212

I use coffee beans and put them in a grated cheese jar so customers can smell but the beans won't spill out...

Latest update....repoured with 9% FO load and there was a big difference in hot throw, as in I could barely smell them. Just in case candle nose hit, I had my husband do the sniff test and he concurred they were alot lighter than at 12%. I also poured a CS Macintosh Apple since that's a strong thrower in C3 and also found it to be light. So right now, I'm pleased with the smooth tops, less sinkholes and no frosting but the HT seems to be a negative since I was getting seepage at 12%...will continue testing but I'm not jumping the C3 ship just yet....

Thanks everyone for all the nice compliments and additional ideas...I have begun pouring in my new shop and find being organized saves alot of time, go figure :smiley2:

Sure, a play date sounds like fun....seriously can you imagine a bunch of us in one workshop heating and pouring at all different temps with different wax types and different FO's....now that could give you some serious candle nose

I think it's good to formulate ideas before working on your ideal space. For example, now I can wash jars and air dry them in the workshop instead of in my kitchen. The cooling shelves are located over the heater which helps the candles cool slower. The 50# wax boxes are on a dolly which I can manever. The oils are stored in the dark cabinet to prolong their shelf life....there's an area for packing and shipping where I can easily find the boxes and packing material. I should have taken a picture of my previous candleroom(s)...supplies were really scattered everywhere. Also anyone looking for the plastic shoeboxes...I found them at the containerstore.com and they're only $1 something each and they stack to gain added space and you can easily see what's inside...

Just an update on testing....I finished testing the 5 scents with the CD20's and found I started getting alot of mushrooming about halfway down the jar. Right around the same time the MP was getting good. I think this is due to the amount of FO so before changing wicks, I've made the same testers with 9% and will test again with the CD's. Stay tuned.

Thank you everyone for the nice feedback.....I know what you mean about getting to work in there and messing it up. I made some testers the other day (still working on wicking with Xcel) and it definitely seemed like everything was taking longer as I reached for stuff that was no longer there and wiped up some fo that spilled As for the shelf tags....they have the scent name on them....so I know what I need to make. I got them at a place online called daydots.com They are a subsid of ECOLAB. The item number is 11206-01-00 and you can also buy the perforated cards to type up the names on your printer and slide it into the tag......

Those are great ideas....I especially like the linoleum.....need to mention that to hubby.... Thx again, Brenda

Hi Deb... Thank you! The countertops are aluminum.....I figured it would be easy cleanup...just melt the wax off with my heatgun. My last counter was plywood and it got pretty messy but smelled awesome

Wanted to share some pic's of my new workshop It's been a long time coming but I finally have a new workshop and I'm loving the additional space and the ability to organize all the stuff...need to still pickup some floor mats to protect the carpet. It was already in the room so we figured we'd leave it for added warmth....

I've completed my first burn, just over 3 hrs and I have to say I'm impressed. They candles cured for 48 hours. Not one mushroom using CD20 and the burn was nice and even. I was going to start with a CD18 but based on my experience with this jar with C3 I decided to go to CD20 and back down if necessary. The HT was very good. I think better than C3 at least for these 5 scents. However, in all fairness, the FO Load is the max of 12% and with C3 I always did the max of 6%. Overnight I did get some more wet spots but as they warmed up to room temp the spots were gone and you'd never know they were there. I did see a bit of FO sweating though which is why I'm going to back down the FO load to 9-10% after I finish testing these and see if the HT is as good. The Asian Amber is the one with the most hangup but I would expect that with such a heavy scent. The rest all have about 1/4" hang evenly around although it's hard to see that in the photo. As far as the slight circular crack that was apparent in the first pic's, I'm happy to report, there weren't any sinkholes nor any bubbles in the melt pool...I think if I lowered the pour temp to 120-125, that circular crack might go away. I know I have alot more testing to do but at least I'm not discouraged right off the bat....

I'm not really sure if that was one poured first....I know one of the jars had already been used as a tester and just come out of the dishwasher. I was assuming it was that one that got the wax spot. The jars are all different scents so I poured each separately. The jars are the 11oz Libbey tumbler, 3.125"...I was going to start with a CD18 and see how it goes from there. They suggest a CD20 on NGI's site. I was using a CD22 with C3 and those jars and barely getting a full MP and too large of a flame, so if I can wick down and still get a full MP I would be happy. How high do you heat your Xcel? It was saying on the NGI site you only need to heat to 155F but must add the FO before the temp goes under 135F. I noticed that the FO mixed in really nicely, I was surprised at 12% it would incorporate so well and so quickly with just a dozen gentle stirs. As for the temp in my candle room, definitely not 70-75...I do have a gas heater in there but it's tough to keep it consistent. The good news is my husband is almost done with my new candle workshop :yay:and I think the temp in there will be much better for pouring and cooling as well as be much bigger. It's amazing how much you accumulate when you can see it all in one spot.... Please keep me in the loop on your testing. My local supplier switched from C3 so I'm testing Xcel to save on shipping....and if I can also get a better looking and smelling candle, that would be awesome as well.

I poured these last night...heated Xcel to 170F, added FO, poured at 135F. They all have a slight circular crack but it doesn't appear to have a crater under it....will know more when I insert wicks. Adhesion and frosting was good except in 1 jar that I had used previously. That one had pulled away and frosted. The rest were taken out of the Libbey box and poured into the jars which were cold to the touch. They were cooled on a wire shelf in a room that was about 65F. I used the max FO, 12% and CT is awesome. I would expect it to be at that percentage. You can definitely tell which one is Asian Amber. Plan on burning tomorrow. Will test others with CS Dye Chips in the next day or so and report back on burning.

I get mine at Candles and Supplies....I'm with you on pouring and burning asap....often I have to pour to order and want to know that they're going to throw....I should have my Xcel tomorrow and will begin testing....really want to get rid of that sink hole...repouring and heating with the heatgun is so time consuming plus add to the chances of frost.

Thanks Keri for the confirmation....do you mind me asking what wick size you're starting with? I usually use an ECO8 or 10 in that jar in C3 soy but based on what the NGI site says Xcel will be more like an ECO6 which is probably close because I just begin testing CBA in that jar using an ECO10 and it had a full MP in an hour using Pumpkin Souffle FO....big difference from C3...

Is that the 16oz smooth sided mason....if so that's the jar I use and that sinkhole looks familiar ....I also ordered some Xcel to test and would love to resolve that ...I think it will be more difficult with a taller jar like this

Yes, I agree....it does sound promising based on the thread. I will keep an eye on the test results....Bittercreek has a raving review on their website. I just ordered a 10lb bag from Candles and Supplies to start testing, since the Jar Store only offers 50# boxes as of right now. Thanks for the words of encouragement....it's been a long week, first one of the jars I use got discontinued and now the news about the wax. I'm all for keeping current but I wish it wouldn't have come all at once along with a large new wholesale order :tiptoe: My husband is so laid back, his comment was "well it's not like the C3 isn't made anymore" .....we'll just drive to PA pick it up and combine it with a long weekend getaway" I guess that's how you get when you're family company was established in 1963...you don't sweat the small stuff....me I'm all about sweating; business, hot flashes, night sweats, etc:yay:

Looks like I have some testing in my future....the Jar Store, my C3 supplier has decided to carry the EcoSoya line and drop the C3.....I'm thinking I will need to switch at some point to save on shipping...so to all you Ecosoya experts....what version of their container blend should I start testing? The XCel since it's the latest and greatest?? Thank god I have some C3 stocked up .... I dread retesting my whole candle line Brenda

Thanks Stella.....maybe I'll order some CDN's to test......where do you order yours? Do you think the CD numbers and CDN numbers are exactly comparable or does the coating on the CDN's make a difference in sizing? Thx Brenda

If anyone has some insight on wicking this tumbler using C3 wax, I would love your experiences. Specifics: Diameter: 3.125" Height: 3.5" Wax: C3 No Dye or Additives 6% FO Load (Tested Juniper Breeze, Asian Amber and Sage & Pomegranate all from CS) I need to replace the current 10 oz tumbler I'm using with this one because it's being discontinued. I was using CD18 and 20's in the 10 oz but they're not working in the Libbey. I've been trying a bunch of different wicks hoping they would catch up but even after 3 burns I'm not cleaning the jar. This jar isn't that much bigger than the one I was using but much thinner so the actual opening is larger and it is cooling quicker. So far I've tried: HTP126, 1212 ECO14, 16 LX28, LX30 RRD50, RRD55 CD18, CD20, CD22 I called Candlewic and after telling them what I tried, they suggested a Square Braid #2 or #3 or Double-wicking. I'm just beginning testing with the #3 now I really don't want to double-wick this jar because I don't think it will look right..... Any help would be very appreciated!! Brenda

I actually found it on ebay used you just have to make sure that your computer has the right drivers to be able to use it. I'm not actually printing out of Propay but from Imonggo where I ring the sale... HTH

I use Propay as well....also purchased the reader for markets. With my laptop and a wireless card, I am able to authorize cards in real time. I also purchased a receipt printer. I print two receipts, have the customer sign one for my records and give them the other. There's a free POS program I loaded on my laptop call Imonggo which allows you to setup a simple store interface for what you're selling. You can then ring up the sale, print the receipt and then go to the Propay site to do the authorize. HTH

Thanks everyone, appreciate the feedback on the logo....If you want to get in touch with Christine, you can pm her, she's a craft forum member "Jadewicks" Brenda

I just wanted to say how awesome it was working with Christine (Jadewicks) on my new logo. She was very professional, stepped me through different ideas until we found the perfect one and I just love the result. If you're looking for a designer who is really good and also affordable, contact her...you won't be sorry. I will post some product photos once I have everything updated in the meantime, here's a prototype of the logo...

Anyone have any experience with this company. I got an email from them regarding their fragrances. They are also a member of IGCA. Their prices look good, samples are reasonable and they pretty close to me for shipping, so I'm looking for feedback... Thanks Brenda http://secondnaturearomatics.com/