Aria007

AHH...yes....the forever problem of getting the bead off the mandrel. Well, I can tell you this, even the most seasoned pros can have a problem with this. So, this is not a newbie thing! with that said, here are some suggestions: 1) soak the mandrel with the bead in a cup of cold water for a little while. Then take a pair of pliers hold the mandrel close to the bead, then take your "greenie" or one of those rubber jar opener things and twist the bead off. 2) If that doesn't work, then do the same thing except place a fabric softener sheet in the soaking water to help softner the bead release. 3) Soak the mandrel with the bead in rubbing alcohol. 4)If that doesn't work, rub the tip of the mandrel on the sidewalk (this will make the mandrel vibrate) and that will usually do the trick. 5)If that doesn't work, put about 1/4 cup vinegar in a gallon sized freezer bag with the mandrel and let soak for a couple of hours. 6) Put the mandrel in the freezer for awhile. 7) Spray the bead with WD40 and twist off. 8) If none of the above works.....Use the mandrel, bead and all as a decroative plant marker. 9) If you don't want to do that, then break the bead off.

Bruce, you are right! The insurance is KILLER!! Plus, the malls have to strict fire codes. My ex and I had to leave many of our sites that we had for years because of the codes. It is a dying trade!! The money was GREAT though. Even with all of our over head and travel, we still came up on top. I'll put it to you this way, everyone loves a "show" and are willing to pay for it. People would place custom orders just to see us work. Because of the novelty, we'd only work 6 months a year and made enough money to live the other 6 months without worries. (Let's just say that I spent money as I pleased) Once the fire codes got more strict, the insurance went up and the money became less and less. Needless to say, I don't do shows anymore. I am now a stay at home mother who does cutom orders for cake toppers once in a while.

I have four lamps. I got them for $9.00 each at Tuesday Mornings! I saw them at Hobby Lobby one day and put them on my "wish List" for Christmas because they were so expensive. Then, the next day while I was Christmas shopping for friends and famly, I found them at Tuesday Mornings. Needless to say, friends and family got them and I picked up a few for myself. I wish I would've known that I could make my own fuel. I have a lot of FO's from soap making here and I would have done it instead of paying $10 each for the fuel for everyone. I love my lamps, but sometimes they are way too strong!! Or, they make the house smell like alcohol. I wouls love to hear what others use for scents. Is there a scent that smells good, not to strong and doesn't make my house smell like alcohol? I picked up my fuel at Tuesday Morning in Vanilla and then I also went back to Hobby Lobby and picked up fuel in Hemmingway and Apple Cinn.

Yes, I can weld too. I'm a jack of all trades! There' s nothing to be afraid of! As long as you know fire safety (All you candles makers out there) you'll be fine! Of course resist the urge to touch the glass with you hands too! Believe it or not, that's the hardest part!! Use the torch in a well ventilated room and don't be pointing it at you curtains. Ohhh...and WEAR YOUR EYE PROTECTION!! I'm here if you have any questions!! I love to help others learn the craft!

Flameworking is alot of fun! I personally LOVE flameworking! I feel that you can do more. It's never the same old projects. Everything is new and interesting. I have to tell you...it's a very interesting hobby! My favorite thing to make is cake toppers for weddings!! I love that a little bit of me helps to make someone's big day special! It feels good!!

My ex-husband and myself used to own a business glass blowing and flameworking. It's a lot of fun and I still do it as a hobby! Yes, you do really need to own a kiln. You need it to anneal. Now, is he interested in "glass blowing" where you actually blow into a tube to create a hollow sculpture or, is he referring to flameworking, where you use glass rods and stringers to create the soild sculpture? People tend to confuse the two. If he's interested in glass blowing, do a google search for glass blowing lessons in your area. This is not a hobby that I would recommend as a "teach yourself" thing. Flameworking is a different story. He can easily teach himself to flamework or do lampwork. In fact, you can pick up a basic kit from Hobby Lobby for $100. It is actually a "glass bead making kit" but, it has all the same materials in it that would be needed for other projects. Personally, I would have him start with that kit. It will teach him that nature of the medium and basic technique. I would also have him make a few beads. Beads are basic and he will feel instant gratification from it. Plus, you won't need a kiln right away. He can anneal the bead in the flame. The kit uses MAPP gas, which can be bought at any hardware store. You will also need to buy a pair of UV goggles for eye protection. Well, that's really all I can think of off hand. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

O.K...I'm a newbie to this whole candle making thing. Needless to say, I have been reading like crazy, trying to gather info and just came across something how stearin is used for shrinking and microcrystalline helps to keep wax from shrinking. So, would that be a possible additive for you to use in a tart? I could be way off base, I'm trying to learn.:undecided

I wonder if that's what her customer is requesting, an advent candle? I know that there is one that is used in church, to countdown the church year too. That's why there's three wicks to it. It's a big, fat pillar with three wicks and numbers on it. I was trying to search for that one too, but I couldn't find it. SatinDucky, you found a much better example then mine. I tried to find an Advent countdown but all I kept coming up with is the wreaths and tapers.

I know what you are talking about. I have seen them many, many times. I just wish I could remember what they are called!! (I had it on the tip of my tongue!) I have found a couple of sites that have something kind of like it. Here they are: http://waxwizard.freeservers.com/pop-birthday.html http://www.mailordershoppe.com/candles_07.htm http://www.dollardays.com/i91806-wholesale-set-of-2-christmas-countdown-candles.html http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item73010.aspx I hope this give you at least an idea of what she's looking for. I'm sorry I couldn't be more of a help.