kat88

I don't know if Hamilton, OH would be too far for you. But, there is The Candlemaker's Store there. You can sign up for there weekly specials which get emailed on Wed. nights and they have great customer service! http://www.thecandlemakersstore.com/ Kathy F

Miss Mary, that's an idea!

Your post caught my attention and I decided to take a look at this site to for my own curiosity. I, too, couldn't find ANYTHING stating why they are "green" and noticed that they state the following: "Simpli Nature is a "green" soy candle company. " "No added chemical dyes" yet their candles thought not "dyed" are fragranced and I didn't see anything about them using EO's to fragrance the candles, which even then doesn't make them "green". This made me wonder what do they think a fragrance oil is other than a man made "chemical". They also stated they wanted "the best clean burning soy candle on the market. We developed our own soy wax recipe that burns straight across and down." Isn't this typical of soy candles in general????? Maybe the FO's are affecting my brain and I'm missing something here. Kathy F.

Tootie, I'm glad you posted this question, and, no, I just dug them back out after seeing your post. My family has had so much going on that just this week, I finally started back w/my candles. I'm going to try to start testing them today and will post info as soon as I can.

Do you temper your wax? I've been playing with tempering lately, although I use a different wax. But recently w/adjustments to my various temps, I've found a good bit of difference vs. when I don't temper. I have achieved better glass adhesion and best of all BEAUTIFUL CREAMY SMOOTH TOPS! Just a thought. AND if you're using a presto pot, it's so effortless to add this step. When I was using a double boiler, it was entirely too time consuming. Best of luck to ya! Kathy F.

Nope, straight out of the bag. The 474 is so easy to work with. Although the price has went up (like all), so I'm working on blending it with pure soy wax to see if I can keep costs down. I'm not thrilled about that because this such a great wax but I'm afraid could end up being too expensive for votives.:undecided

Check out this store, they have biodegradable pla bags. http://greenearthofficesupply.stores.yahoo.net/celbagligwei.html Kathy F.

I have not used Ecosoya PB but have used GW 474. I love the 474 it makes beautiful creamy smooth votives and release w/litterally no effort! I've had great success w/both CT & HT:cool2:

I hear ya! My supplier recently had a really good sales offer for wax but I didn't have the money at the time. Then, when I did, wow! the price had went up. I think it's went up 2x this year already! OUCH! Fortunately, they just had another sale on one of my waxes so it about made up for the price difference. I'm not going to give up though. I think later this year, things will turn around. I sure hope! Good luck to all of us!:smiley2: Kathy F

They are great, aren't they?! I emailed them recently for recommendations and they said they'd send 3-4 samples. I got 20 of each too! I was SOOO surprised and delighted! Kathy F

I don't know if you could use them for wax or if they have the size you want but, you might check nashvillewraps.com. They have alot of things in the candy line of packaging. Just a thought.

I found this site to be extremely helpful reference tool for wick types & sizes. http://www.wickit.net/recommendations.html#p700 Kathy F.

Bruce, I use Golden Brands soy wax but have also had some difficulty with the CSN wicks leaving hang up in my jars, just an FYI. I am thinking of switching wicks. Good luck! Kathy F.

Thank you for the spreadsheet! It looks great and I can definitely use it! ALSO, does anyone know where to find a candle cost calculator that you plug in the numbers and it estimates retail/wholesale cost? I used a soapmaking one and converted it for candles but was curious if there is one out there for just candles. Kathy F.

Anna, That sounds like a great deal especially w/shipping included, that's only 4 cents each. I like your idea of using them as business cards. Kathy F.

Great minds think alike! My boyfriend and I were just discussing the matchbook idea a few days ago. Thanks for the thread and website! Kathy F.

CONGRATS TO YOU!!! That's quite funny when most of us complain about paying taxes that there actually comes a time when you're thrilled to pay them!

I have tried it will GW444 and stearic acid and actually have 2 different batched ones burning right now. One is doing fairly well but would definitely not be one I would sell. The other, actually, is doing very well and looks quite nice. But, even so, knowing that some people do not follow directions, would only sell one made from "pillar blend". For personal use, this one has been very enjoyable.

Ronnie, thank you for your help! I blended Golden Brands 416 & 474, no fo's, colors, dyes and CSN 7 & 9. The 7 was too small and the 9 burned about right. But I just remembered that I have a batch of straight 474 votives that I haven't tested yet! Maybe I will get better burn times from them. I do small batches at a time for my testing and then ususally let them cure for a week or more. Well, sometimes I just can't wait that long:cheesy2: . Thank you again! Kathy

I tried the 416 mixed w/474 last night for votives as I do not like 416's cold pour at all! And I did it again! I only used 3/4 tsp of CSN's Love Spell and you would not believe the CT I've got this morning! It fills my kitchen and living room. Plus, they look great w/silky smooth tops, can't wait to burn these!!! Maybe I've finally found a way to use this 416 after all. If I can continue to get a great throw like this (we'll see how the HT turns out), I could save a boatload on FO's:cheesy2: . The last batch I did w/474, I used 3/4 tsp of CSN's Moon Lake Musk and achieved great CT & HT!

Ronnie, thank you! However, mine are the 3 oz dixie cup votives. So, I feel I should be able to get more burn time, any suggestions?

My votives burn approx. 15 hours. Does anyone get longer burn time and if so, could you share how you get a longer burn time? Thank you!

Ronnie, I just reviewed your website and had to tell you that your products, packaging & pictures are absolutely beautiful! Very simple, yet very classy & elegant! Great job!