Lighten Up

I don't use your wax, but welcome back! I'm glad you found a doctor to identify and manage your pain. My husband is in chronic pain and it took many years to get someone to listen to him.

Beautiful candles and I love all your helpers(supervisors?).

I think you are being very smart. I am in the process of trying to scale back from 100 fragrances and at least a dozen different jars. I had started with about 12 'anchor' fragrances and 6 seasonal, but I turned into a FO ho. Now, I am going for efficiency and profit margin... as I'm testing more samples, just in case.

I would be more concerned with how they burned than the frosting. Frosting is a well known characteristic of soy, and it can happen any time.

Oh geez, where to start... I only have the one fragrance(so far) that I have had to wick up(so extremely) drastically. I only threw that one out there in this post to make the point. All others so far are wicking same, or down- say from a cd10 to a cd7 or cd 8. My hot throw could seriously gag you on some fragrances. The bubbles are showing up just about at pouring temp, I have to rewarm and stir until the bubbles are gone, then avoid over-stirring before I pour. I work with 4lb batches, so it's been manageable. I also had quite a bit of condensation in some of my boxes, per AAK, I let them air out ahead of time and has not been a problem. I use no additives, just the straight 415. Thankfully, buying by the pallet gives me some consistency. The sample I received and the pallet were dated for 8/17/17, which I believe is what they use in place of lot number? I will have to track down my notes from my contact with AAK. When I was talking/corresponding with him, I was not yet into my testing(thus the sample), just wanted some info before getting the pallet- thanks to this board, I had the heads up on that!! I would love to talk to him again at length now that I'm well into it, but who has the time?

I'm not sure I believe that the formula hasn't changed - I have a fragrance that burns nicely with a cd10 in 2016 wax and drowns out a cd16 in the 2017 wax.

I feel your pain. I have been using 415 since 2007 with no notable changes until the 2017 product. The wax is soooo different- fussy and bubbly, and the wicking is all changed. But, I love it now, it's creamier and I'm getting a terrific throw. Would have liked to have started with it all those years ago. It did almost cost me my season(and my mental health), I had to scale back and focus on my fundraisers only(limited fragrances/one jar). Had I not already bought my stock for the year, I may have quit. Thankfully, because of the lovely people on this board, I was able to be prepared. I spent a little time on the phone/email with the gentleman at the AAK wax lab, who was very helpful and I got a sample before I ordered my pallet. As a side note: Most of my customers love the frosting. They think it's cool and I sell it as characteristic of 100% soy.

I was looking at an item on their site today and one size of the specific oil said 'ships from Nevada' under it. So, maybe that is a new and helpful option?

I kind of stumbled into this whole candle making thing in 2007, with no plan at all. My original jar is still my biggest seller and I don't believe I've ever changed the label on that. It might sound weird, but I was going for a non- descript, generic looking product. I wanted my candle to stand on its own and fit any décor. I am in a very agricultural/rural area, and I was fighting the whole mason jar movement that everyone else was doing. Now I have probably 12 different jars- I have everything from canning jars to more contemporary tumblers. So, I would say, do the jar you like, and add the embellishments later if you decide to. Everything will definitely evolve. Maybe look into some of the more rustic looking lids for the masons? They do add some character.

Mine are: Indiana Candle Supply Candle Science Natures Garden

I've loved Candlescience for a long time and still do! I did have a recent issue, but it worked out in the end. I pretty much just buy oils from them, occasional jars, but no wax or wicks. I must be in the right area to get my order in 2 days from NC with reasonably priced shipping. I'm waiting on my first order from the NV location, which will be 6 days, but over the long weekend, that was pricier shipping, for sure. The split shipping thing does bother me, I have almost fallen for it a few times. I can play with my cart until I find the offending product(s) and decide if I can live without. After the terrible time I had last fall with my wax, I have had to look long and hard this year to decide what I can do with my candle business. I really can't quit, but I am going to try to streamline a little bit, and at the same time, add an oil supplier or two(since I'm re-testing everything anyway). Between what happened with Peak, the fire in Germany, and other iffy vibes, I feel it's prudent to spread the risk. I would rather pay a little more shipping to use several different suppliers, than be dependent on one or two for survival.

A little honesty goes a long way. Just be straight with what we're dealing with, so we can figure out what we need to do. Too much to ask?

First let me say how much I love CS, love, love, love!! That being said, I had my own recent encounter with their customer service, the woman was super nice, but not terribly helpful. We went round and round for a while, and I ended up going around her and solved my own problem. Thankfully, I kept at it or I would be s*** of luck. Makes me wonder how really how much that person knows or is willing to actually find out. I actually gave her info she didn't have. I'm not saying it was her fault, maybe just poor communication all around. So, if you want info, be persistent. I also would like to say that any suppliers out there(do they watch the boards?), could lose all credibility over this reformulation issue, I don't want to believe that they'd risk it. I do not keep 'all my eggs in one basket'. Yes, it would hurt to eliminate a favorite, long-term supplier, but I will have no problem washing my hands of them. As the saying goes - screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me.

Thanks for that info, I was just thinking I would contact them about it. Really didn't want to put my winter/spring fundraisers on hold.

That is a good idea, but, I have to say, that almost every time(not necessarily CS), I have had to address an issue with a supplier, I have been shot down and the other elements of my candles were questioned and/or blamed. So, I guess I'm not very hopeful. The last CS Lilac I bought was Sept. '17, it wicks lovely in the old wax. Are you saying that if it has been reformulated, it may work for me now?

Agreed!! I would not have been aware of it if not for this board. Thank you all!!!

When I first heard about these changes, I emailed my wax supplier, they said they were not aware of any changes or problems(really?). Thanks to Goldie, I was able to contact AAK and spoke to the wax lab about what was going on. Even though we are a secondary market, I do think they recognize us. Interesting to hear that it could still be changing - that could go on for a long time. I think the dates on the packing is used as the batch number, so there may be a way to find some consistency there. Thankfully, I buy by the pallet, but to think I could be going through this chaos every year is not pleasing at all.

I believe all soy waxes have been affected by the FDA removing the trans fats, therefore, it's like working with a totally new wax. I have been using 415 for 11 years, and I am now retesting everything. The consistency is totally different, much creamier and fussier to pour, thankfully, I'm still getting terrific throw.

Anyone have an opinion on Nature's Garden Lilac in soy? Sadly, I'm looking to replace mine(that I love) from CS, as I cannot get it to burn in this new 415.

I found myself burned out on candles this fall after having the year from hell. The new soy wax pushed me over the edge. Fortunately(or unfortunately) I had bought my supplies for the year an had huge orders to fill. Thankfully, I had a couple friends that got me through it (testing, labeling, and kicking me in the butt). I seriously would have quit if I could have. I had to prioritize to get through the season and as soon as the orders were out, I took a good break. I did almost no holiday candles, except for some layered with the old wax). Today is the first day I poured- mainly testers - in over 3 weeks. I did come to the realization that I could get by quite well with just my 16 fundraiser fragrances if I was too overwhelmed with all the rest.

It just smells like black coffee to me. I use it at 7% in 415 and it's one of my best sellers. I've easily sold 1500 of them over the last 11 years. I don't think it smells like burned popcorn, but I will see if I can notice that note next time I pour it. I do happen to like my popcorn a little burned... so there is that.

I use Coffee Bean from Indiana Candle Supply in 415, terrific throw and also a great mixer.

That's exactly why I am asking here. Thanks to you all(esp Goldie), I was able to salvage my fundraiser season with the new 415. I will be asking my oil suppliers flat out before making any orders. I don't think they'd lie?

Thanks for posting this. Nice that they got out in front of it, I am interested to see how other suppliers are handling this, as well.

Are there any updates on this? Anyone encountering problems yet?