deb426

Is there such a thing as large tealight cups? I would like to find something a little bigger than the standard tealight cup, may two and one-half inches round or even square. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Deb

Well, unfortunately, I'm not sure they are that experienced with this type of thing. Their team has not been together that long. I think they want to do it like a sub sale. Take orders, collect money and then put their orders in to me. I think they want to do it throughout the fall and put in orders on a monthly basis. I would like to help them and I plan to do it. I just hope that everything goes well. I am trying to pin them down on scents and such but to them, it is months away. To me, it seems just around the corner. Fall is very busy for me anyway, so if I could work ahead on anything, I would like to do so. Oh well, I'm sure it will be a learning experience. Thanks for your advice, Deb

I just check my crystal ball. Seriously, no matter what I take, it ends up that I took too much of what I didn't sell and not enough of what I did. So I just try to find a happy medium and go from there. Candles are just too darn heavy during show season, dontcha think?! Deb

Jokerjen.. if you decide you just love LX 20's, I got a gazillion. I switched to ecos AFTER I stocked up. Deb

OMG...how cute!

I agree. Name it what you think would sell. If you want to come up with a catchy name, go ahead! Or if you want to downplay something, you can. For instance, I live in a pretty conservative area and I would hesitate to take a "Sex on the Beach" candle to some of my shows. But I could rename it and it would smell just the same. The popular scent "Monkey Farts" is another example. This works in some areas and not in others. Deb

I have double wicked a 10 oz apothecary using C3 with lx 14. It was a heavier scent though if I remember. Haven't done it for a while. Deb

I remember reading something one time about candle making history that said that people used to stick a wick in a dead penguin. Makes you feel a little silly agonizing over a little soot on the rim of a jar, huh? Deb

Ditto on Candlescience Black Cherry.

Krafty Kandles is correct about oob scents. I remember getting my first sample of Very Vanilla from CandleScience and being so disappointed. I still don't like the scent oob but is has become my favorite candle scent. On the flip side, I recently got a sample of choc chip cookie from CS which was heavenly oob. Unfortunately, in my wax it smells just like chocolate milk. Not bad but not for me. Deb

Once in a while, it just doesn't work. Sometimes the wick will break instead. But its usually worth a try because you already made the candle. Another trick for a shallow container (less than three inches) is to use an apple corer. You can sometimes remove the wick and the tab and replace it. Refill the hole with the same wax and you're good to go. However, this type of test is only good for narrowing down your wick size. You still have to do a "full test" from top to bottom using a properly wicked container. Don't you just love testing wicks?:rolleyes2 Deb

Hi, I have been making and selling candles for years but I was recently approached by a friend who is active in Relay for Life about a fundraiser. She is thinking of selling my 4 oz. tins and I was wondering how you guys who do fundraisers usually handle this? I would like to work with her but I don't want to do anything that is out of the ordinary. For those of you who do fundraisers, do you usually provide samples for free? Do you ask for them back at the end? Do you make up your own forms? I want them to make as much money as possible but I want to cover my costs and time as well. I plan to cut my price as much as possible so I don't have much room for error. I plan to offer only three scents (a bakery, a spice and a fruit/flower) to keep it simple. I have given them a list to choose one from each category. Do you include a business card with each candle sold for future orders? Any tips, warnings or advice would be greatly appreciated. Deb

Sometimes you can still get the wick itself out with pliers and leave the tab glued to the bottom under the wax. If so, it allows you to put a new wick in for an initial test. You just have to pull really hard. I have done it many times if my first wick is too small and peters out right away. Deb

If Fillmore used to have what you want, you might want to ask them if they can get them again. They are local for me and Keith told me that even if they discontinue something, they can sometimes get it anyway. It just means they don't have a gazillion of them in their warehouse. Worth a try, anyway. Deb

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm leaning towards BCN Wick Your Wax Cinnamon Stick for my next order. Also perhaps TCS. I have found that with most cinnamons, I have to wick up quite a bit. However, I always thought that that the amount of dye I put in clogged the wick a little because I try to get that dark burgundy color (without the fuscia tint that cinnamon oil sometimes brings out). Deb

See if you can pull the wick out of the candle with pliers. Then you can put a new wick in the hole. You will still need to do a full test with a new candle but you might be able to use the candle you already made to narrow down the wick size. HTH Deb

Where did you get your blueberry cobbler? I have Blueberry Cobbler from Candle Science and I just smell blueberries. It is one of my most popular scents and very strong. Deb

For those of you who do this for a new container or new wax: After you have done your first test and found a wick that will work with no additives, what do you do after you add scent and dye? Do you use the same wick or automatically go up one? Just wondering since I am about to test a new container but with my usual wax (C-3). Deb

I did get that one, Starr, but I wasn't real happy oob. I will try it in wax since you have suggested it. Do your customers like it? For some reason, cinnamon is my biggest seller year round. I'm not a big spice person but I go with what sells. Right now I am using Lebermuth at 2 ounces pp. Yep, that's what I said. I have to do that just to get any scent. Cold throw is not too bad but HT is mediocre. Has anyone ever gone higher that 2 oz pp on a scent? I would think it would just sweat right out. (Not to mention the cost) Deb

I am always giving my candles to someone trying to drum up business. I have found that by giving a sample, they are more likely to order from you in the future as paying customers! Also, let everyone know that you are selling your candles. It may take a year or longer but one customer often leads to another and another... You can also post flyers around town with your website and business card. If you know someone who is involved in a charity, suggest a fundraiser with your candles. Lastly, you can run a little ad in your local weekly. HTH Deb

Does anyone have any recommendations for a killer cinnamon? I am looking for a very strong cinnamon that doesn't smell like red hot candies and doesn't have a food scent mixed in (like cinnamon buns). I have tried CS, NG, Lebermuth, Candlesandsupplies.com, and Peaks. I'm going broke:( ! Any ideas? Thanks, Deb

I use CS sage and pomegranate and I like it. I think it smells very "herbally" if you know what I mean. Deb

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum but have been making candles and wax items for 12 years. I recently switched to soy early last year. I have been reading all of the very helpful tips on your forum and I thank you for some great advice. (My favorite is the turkey fryer...I just got one and I love it! ) Before reading some of these threads, I didn't even know I was doing some things the hard way! Anyway, when I first started years ago, I used to order from a place called Ohio Candles and Supplies. I think I even bought something there early last year. But they seem to have disappeared! Does anyone know if they are still around? I loved their cinnamon and I haven't been able to find another one that I like just as much. Many of the cinnamons I have ordered have been too "red hot" and not a true cinnamon. I have spent a small fortune trying to find a replacement. My latest is from Lebermuth but although the scent is nice, it is not very strong. Any info anyone has would be appreciated. If they have gone out of business, does anyone know who they got their oils from? Thanks, Deb