Catlover

I've been using a little Darice heat tool from a craft store, but I also don't like the way it displaces the wax; it tends to create little air bubbles, even if I try to hold it far away or at an angle. Of the ones mentioned so far, which don't blow air?

I'm getting requests for holiday gift sets, which is great, but I don't have any containers yet (which isn't great). I'd like to use either a simple wooden box or metal basket, about 12" long...my candles are cube jars in cardboard wraps, so something that would hold 3 or 4...or double that if the box is square instead of rectangular.... A simple basket might work too, if it's sturdy enough. I'm just going to fill the container with some type of natural fiber or finely shredded paper, and I won't be wrapping anything in plastic. I'm googling all over the place and am going to check out the cheapie stores tomorrow, but does anyone have any ideas where to find something like this?

I had a persistent one named Lorraine Carmouche who "liked" my FB page, then proceeded to ask for samples. When I told her I didn't mail samples, blah blah blah, she sent a reply that said, "OK. Something like Strawberry would be good." Clueless much?? I looked at her FB page and she is a member of some group that spends hours a day trying to get free stuff from everywhere. She tried to get me to accept an invite on LinkedIn too for some reason...I ignored it. Glad the notorious Christie's name is well-known to everyone here! I'm so insulted I haven't heard from her yet.

Do you think there will be a problem with buyers who are comfortable with the PayPal brand, but don't know about this one?

I don't know how it should work with three wicks...I use jars that are almost 3 1/2" in diameter with just one wick. Seems like you may have wick overkill? Someone who double or triple wicks can give you better advice, but seems to me that it's gonna burn down pretty fast at this rate, and may be super hot at the end. What shape is your container and how deep is it? See how it goes as it burns down.

A-ha! I just tried 1 tsp. pp...maybe I should try a little more. I don't worry about the smooth tops--that works itself out or I just pop it with a heat gun. I thought it was so strange that I had more sinkholes when I used it. Again, it could be the weather...going from a/c to open windows (even though I kept the window closed where I was working)? I'm not giving up on it just yet--in fact, it was a couple of your posts (Luminous) that convinced me to try it!

Candlenutz, I see you're doing the same thing I am--referring to the actual amount of "fill" in your jars. I use jars that are referred to as much larger than what they can actually contain; so in my product description I use the oz. that are truly in there, not what the jar can hold. Probably makes it look like I'm overpriced, but at least I'm trying to be honest I guess. I've also agonized over pricing and have finally wound up in an OK middle-of-the-road place where I'm not giving stuff away, but not expecting people to pay for a new, unproven name (being my company). Headache-inducing stuff.

I agree with Luminous about the less is more thing...and I'm in TN, where the "country" look rules. :smiley2: Personally, I have a harder time focusing on products when there is a lot of clutter. But, to each his/her own. I have about 34 fragrances (including seasonal/holiday scents) offered in just two simple candle sizes, and I still have people who claim to be overwhelmed with the choices. :undecided I'm always tempted to try a new fo, and I will, but I'm going to stick to the same rule about clothes: if you get something new, throw something out!

Moonshine, I add my fo at about 180*, then stir for two minutes solid--just the same as Tall Tayl. I always (knock wood) get really good throw. Whether it's the weather or the addition of c.o., lately I've had more sinkholes and funky tops than normal, so I'm going to try pouring a little hotter and also going back to doing some without the coconut oil....I think this wax is pretty awesome on its own and maybe it's just messing with a good thing. :smiley2: BTW, there are some good charts to help you decide where to start with your wicks. You can just google it and you'll find plenty.

It hasn't done much for me with 464; in fact, I've had more problems with weird tops and sinkholes when using it (which it helps with a lot of people). I'm going back to not using it for my current batch of candles....we'll see.

I get great throw with most all fo's in 464 by using a 9% load--I've gone a bit higher with the really light scents, but generally that's plenty. More is just a waste. I DO let my candles cure for at least a week before burning--5 days minimum, 7 days preferable. This makes a huge difference for me. I know it's hard to wait, but it's worth it IMHO! CD wicks performed by far the best in my testing--they're great self-trimmers and I don't get many 'shrooms except in the heavy fo's with a power burn. I use 1 tsp/pp of coconut oil also, but the jury's still out as to whether it's made much of a difference; the CT and HT were already great. I've been pouring around 150-155, but I may try the hotter temp today as I'm still seeing a few annoying sinkholes.

Lynn, I am also a breast cancer survivor...and a vegetarian, so my diet still includes some soy. I take a natural alternative to Tamoxifen and my onc has told me that, within reason, soy is not going to be harmful. But, as stated already, that means as consumed in the diet. I haven't heard a thing negative about working with soy wax. I totally understand your aversion to breathing chemicals, etc. I've been vigilant about that too since my diagnosis 2 years ago. However, if you are using phthalate-free fragrance oils, you shouldn't have any hormonal disruptions from them. Did you have to go through chemo? That can certainly mess with your sense of smell! It's very scary, after having dealt with cancer, to not be afraid of everything that goes into your body, through eating, breathing, drinking.... All we can do is try the best we can to eliminate unnecessary "evils" while still living a normal and relatively worry-free life. Cancer does NOT rule.

Ditto. :smiley2: Like they say, if you want a W-Mart candle, go to effin' W-Mart. If you want quality, well. Apples to oranges--I don't worry about it anymore.

Everyone in my world loves Mistletoe! I use the normal amount of fo because I love the fantastic throw (GB464 w/9% fo). The Holly Berry is also yummy, and the "richer, deeper scent" appeals well to the masculine element. Sales-wise, Mistletoe works better for me so far. CS gives a free sample with every order, so you can order one and sample another if you're not sure.

Old thread, but have to say CS Dragon's Blood is getting fantastic feedback for me. At a recent craft fair, I had several people come up, smell it and say, "It smells like the '70's!". Yes, then they bought it. :smiley2: Their Moon Lake Musk also evokes afternoons spent in Port-O-Call buying records and incense...haven't used that one in a candle yet though.

I like the way it says, "use size suited to container" for the wicks. Uh, OK. That doesn't involve any testing, right? And we worry about OUR liability?

Ha! Just an example of the many food celebration festivals around the country! I'll bet there's one somewhere. I don't think I'd want to experience a turnip FO!!

Sigh. Sounds wonderful. Your candles look awesome, by the way!

I also use CD wicks with 464--after testing LX, Eco and I don't even remember how many others, they are the gold standard! Haven't had one drown yet and I power burn all the time (knocking on wood as I type that).

Me too. I have one super-delicious fresh apple, an apple jack & peel type, and that's it. I did get a sample for a new one from CS, "Apple Harvest" that smells really good--I may replace the apple jack & peel one with this one. But still, I'll only have two apple scents. I suppose it depends on where you live too. Apple festivals, pumpkin festivals, turnip festivals, whatever!

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like we all pretty much agree that less is more. I try to always look at what I'm doing from the perspective of being the buyer, and I also hate a bunch of complicated and cutesy stuff to wade through. Seems like putting scents into categories immediately limits them. Maybe the people who are complaining that they're "overwhelmed" just need to take a vacation or something. :smiley2: Personally I get overwhelmed with busy, fussy sites that don't just cut to the chase! I know maybe the descriptions are too detailed, but I thought that was the simplest way to get it across.

Help! I'm going crazy trying to categorize my 34 fragrances. I have them listed alphabetically--with descriptions--on my website, which is the way I prefer it, but several people have told me it's overwhelming to try to choose from the list. SO...I know many of you have been through this, but if I go this route I'm going to have to put some fragrances into more than one category. This seems to me like it would make it seem MORE overwhelming because instead of a simple list of 34, it will look like even more to choose from, plus my idea of "spicy" or whatever may be different from someone else's. I considered making a legend at the top of the list with letters or colors designating categories, and just putting however many apply beside each fragrance name. However, if people can't seem to focus on a simple list, this would probably really blow their minds! I'd welcome anyone's opinions if you want to take a quick look at my site--maybe I'm missing something. Just click on the "Our Stuff" page at http://greenglowcandles.com. (Any critique is welcome.) Also, I'd like to keep the number of categories manageable and not get too specific: It's just really impossible. So far I have: Fruity, Green/Floral, Clean, Spa, Spice, and Bakery. Of course you know lots of fragrances are a combo of any of these, and I could easily think of about six more! If anyone has a good group of categories that works, I'd love to hear it!

That's great....she was meant for you! Well, a little extra organic texture from the hair never hurt anybody.

This raises a question I've been pondering (well, a couple of questions): How do you deal with wholesaling if you are selling your stuff at low retail (3x cost) online and at fairs--is it just "don't ask, don't tell"? I understand if there's shipping involved, but I offer free local delivery, so.... I don't have my website info on the packaging, so I guess in theory the people who may buy in shops will just assume that's where they should go to get them. 'Course I'd rather make the retail profit my own little self.... Opinions? Also, my prices are a little skewed due to the crazy prices of the jars I use (the smaller one actually costs more than the larger one). This leaves me with a smaller gap between wholesale and what I'm charging for retail on the smaller size. I suppose I'll just split the difference and make less of a profit on that one....and hope the larger one sells better. My first festival (at a pumpkin patch) is next weekend, so I'm poring diligently over all the posts related to that and trying not to bother anyone with redundant questions, but.....it does happen. :rolleyes2 Terri

I feel your pain. Thank God for understanding and supportive families who don't give a flip that candles are all over the place! At least we're not working on greasy car parts or something (been there, first marriage, not going back). :smiley2: That is a very sweet baby in your avatar pic, by the way.