inherowndominion

I think I might try zinc, I just remember way back when I tried them before, they sooted WAY too much for me...

Hi guys. I'm testing out 6006, which is a parasoy. I'm using 8 oz jj's and a CD8 & the flame looks HUGE on these! But I noticed that's what most people use when they use this wax, wick type & jar. Anyone ever try another wick with this or a CD6? I don't get why the flame is just so freakin' HIGH!

This is completely selfish, but just scent used to have a fragrance called Almond Marzipan and I LOVED it! Of course, they don't have it any more. Any one know of a good place to get something similar?

I used these for years. The only thing I would suggest is to spray them with Cyclo. I was having a horrible problem with them sticking REAL bad. I know they are supposed to "season" after awhile, but mine never really did. I just got used to spraying cyclo every time, but that seemed to work pretty well

Hey there Stella, thanks for answering!!! I've only done 2 burns, so it's really hard to judge the ROC accurately, however what I did notice was that the second burn didn't get a FMP like the 1st burn. The 2nd burn was MUCH more typical of what I'd expect and want out of my first few burns, so I'd say then (wagering a guess really) that the ROC went down but it's not like it slowed to a halt. Funny enough, I made a 16oz version of this same candle in a standard diameter mason type jelly jar (not wide mouth, different wick obviously) and the EXACT SAME THING happened as far as it getting a way too big MP on the first burn, then a more proper on the second but the throw didn't change, it was still super strong. I poured these candles out of the exact same batch. I thought I might have a kind of wind tunnel effect with the 16oz more than the 8oz simply because the opening on the 16oz is tapered smaller at the top than the jelly jar, which is the same diameter all the way through (this is in proportion of course, the diameter is still bigger in inches in the 16oz that the 8oz). It DOES seem to be happening to a lot of my candles no matter what wicks I try, no matter what scents I use. When I test throw, I generally put it in my living room (which can be a little drafty but nothing extreme). I only burn 1 candle at a time by the way. Would putting the candle in a box or something to keep drafts completely away help? Once I determine the throw in the living room I usually move it to a bedroom with the door closed. I then periodically go into the room & see how it's throwing. It's a smaller room, so I expect it to knock my socks off. I know this isn't the most acurrate way to do it but I can't seem to find another way because I start getting serious candle nose and I spend most of my time in the living room/kitchen area of the house (they are connected) so I can no longer really tell if it's throwing. The way my house is set up, its real hard to test throw simply because everything is kind of "connected" so generally moving it to another room and leaving the door open doesn't help the candle nose thing much. I'm VERY bad with my nose getting used to scents, it seems to happen so fast. Something I think has NO throw after 2 or 3 burns (over days of course) someone else will tell me is incredibly strong (thank goodness for testers!!!). I didn't think "candle nose" would last that long for someone, but it sure does for me! That's why when it came to this particular problem, I made sure that hubby & friends were giving me input just to make sure it wasn't just me. How much does room temperature affect the ROC (which would then affect the throw)? The reason I ask is perhaps the room I'm putting it in is colder than say my living room. I don't know that it would affect it, but maybe? Perhaps that would also explain why I got that full MP on the first burn on both candles, but then a better MP on the second burn when I put it in a different room? That part was just crazy to me. A huge FMP on the first burn, but a perfect one on the second. That still just makes me wanna pull my hair out LOL Thanks for your help again. I'm bound and determined to figure this out!!!

Hey guys, I'm using EZ Soy and I'm a fruit fragrance in an 8oz jelly jar. I'm testing an HTP 93 wick. I've tried CD's because I know everyone loves them but I simply didn't get much luck with them so I use the HTP's. I'm getting funky results with this one, wondering if anybody can give me any input... 1st burn: It got a FMP, which usually means that it's gonna get too hot 1/2 way down. I was sure the wick was gonna be too big, the throw was AMAZING even after 48 hours though, but I was real nervous about the wick. The depth was about 1/2" at the end of a 3 hour burn. The container, oddly enough, was not very hot to the touch though. 2nd burn: 3 hour and much better. I got some hang up, about 1/2" on one side, which is more typical for me, I find it usually catches up half way down (thank you Stella for that tip, you were so right!). Great burn, 1/2" depth. It did mushroom, but I notice sometimes with these wicks it'll mushroom the first or second burn and then never again, so I wasn't too terribly worried about that (though I'm still gonna test other wicks...) BUT (isn't there always a but...) The throw wasn't as strong?!? I actually put it in an enclosed room half way through burning just to make sure and nope, didn't knock my socks off like the 1st burn. Anyone know why?!?! I pour my soy very cool (100 degrees or less) and I mix before pouring. I also add my FO at about 160, and stir 2 full minutes, and stir periodically while it's cooling. For this FO, I found I needed a full 1.5 oz pp to get this throw but it's SO worth it. I love the scent. So anyone got any ideas on WHY it would throw so well the first burn and not the second? There was no oil on top, no separating, barely any frosting even. So I just don't get it? I noticed this with another soy candle I did too, a floral scent, which seemed to have the perfect wick & perfect burns. I didn't even add color, so I know that's not it. I thought I just had candle nose but asked the hubby too, and he confirmed. I gave a friend of mine one to test and he said the same thing, halfway down they seem to just stop throwing as well. Am I just doin' something wrong?

Every time I've made shampoo bars, I go heavy on the coconut oil. It's got a nice suds to it and doesn't weight the hair down...IMHO olive oil actually weighed my hair down quite a bit. The best bar of shampoo I ever made was corn, coconut, and peanut actually, but I know a lot of people are allergic to peanut so not a good idea if you want to sell it. Hope this helps!

I don't know that the internet petition will be totally unacceptable. This is through Care2, which is a pretty big site when it comes to political and social activism, charities and so on, so I've got some faith. If nothing else, it shows a growing opposition to this bill. Moreover, if people are worried it's not going to be accepted via the internet, I think a lot of people will simply toss it to the side and that's REALLY what we DON'T need right now. I think we are on the right track, in general it's getting a lot of interest. I've had people in the last few hours post on facebook and gotten a flood of support via email so that's good. It's definitely on the right track. I live in IL, where one of the reps is from, and I've been emailing, calling, etc. Right now I think it's all about gathering support and keeping our voices loud!

Me too, I think we all are! It's getting a lot of signers, right now the goal is 2000. But someone had mentioned, I think this is worth a shot...posting it on facebook. I myself (yes I'm old! LOL) don't have a FB account and would have no idea about going about it, but my mother in law had mentioned that someone had posted another petition on FB and got something like 35000 signers in one day. So does anyone have any idea how to post this to facebook? I know several people who do have accounts I could forward the info too....

I'm completely against this bill as well....I've been telling everyone to sign the petition because it will put most of us out of business. I won't rehash all my opinions because it looks like most of you are in agreement. I'll just say I'm steaming mad, because this bill does little about anything to actually protect the consumer and more is just pushing us little guys out the door... I was wondering though, someone made mention of being careful what you ship to CA? Anyone have more info on this or a link or something that outlines it clearly. I ship to CA all the time, and also I notice that CA is generally the "leader" in things to come in this country, when something passes there, it generally gets passed nationwide at some point...

Hi guys! You all have already probably heard of this bill that in essence will shut down every single one of our little business that produce bath & body and even soap products. I know it's not about candles, but I figured so many of us are affected by this, I'd post it. I hope that's ok with the mods. I realize the name of the bill is REALLY deceptive, it would do VERY little to ensure the "safety" of cosmetics anyway, and I won't go on and on because many of you probably know about it, and if you don't, I've included a link below where you can read about it. Seems funny to me that all the sudden this bill is a big deal since people started buying organic, natural and small company products are becoming more popular, the timing seems a little off to me. If they really are concerned with "safety" why didn't they do this 20 years ago? I know many people that were affected by the NAIS who were small farmers, and this seems to be the b&b community's NAIS. UGH! It makes no exception for small companies like most of ours, treating us in the same ranks as companies like Revlon and Burt's Bees (which is owned by Clorox by the way). Please sign the petition to STOP this bill here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/oppose-hr-5786-safe-cosmetics-act-of-2010/ If you aren't familiar with the bill, the soap guild has good info about it here http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2010/07/from-the-president-safe-cosmetics-act-of-2010/ Thanks guys!!! Pass it on, they are looking for at least 1000 signatures!

If I test 4 hour burns, do I need to then change the directions on the candle? Mine say to burn an hour for every diameter, which would be about 3 hours? I did wick down on some of them already, and tested for three hours only, but there was like NO throw whatsoever. The soot was a little better, but not much, but the throw was awful. I tested all the way down to the equivalent of HTP 83 on all the wicks, and some were just plain WAY too small, and the ones that burned more evenly, didn't throw. At the wick I'm at now, there is some serious hang up on the jar until it's almost burned all the way down, it starts catching up around there. More than half way down, but more than 1/4 left. Seems from what I've tested this is the smallest I can do and get a throw and no tunneling or drowning. I'm ready to put these jars in my car and back over them! LOL

Hey guys...I've been testing for quite awhile now, different waxes in a 16 oz jj, straight sided. Aside from 100% soy, I've always got soot when it starts to get towards the end of the candle. Otherwise, I've got very little soot (but still some), mind you I'm only, so far, doing 3 hour burns. I figured I wouldn't test power burns or even 4 hour burns until I get it right. I've tried *takes a deep breath in* LX, CDs, ECO's, HTPs, Zincs in various sizes. I'm using a parasoy blend and I like the throw, I've tried adjusting the amounts of each wax, I've tried adjusting the percentage of FO, I've tried using different FO's completely, still...the same problem no matter what I do. Some wicks more than others, but nonetheless, still SOOT as it approaches the last quarter of the candle. I've been told it's probably the jar, because it creates kind of a wind tunnel. But I know there are people here that are having soot problems even with wide mouth jars. My question is: Is it time to ditch the jj's and try something else? I bought sooo many of them, I hate to do that, but I figured maybe I can use them for 100% soy candles, which don't tend to have the black soot (I know they soot white) and so I'm fine with those. I'm so....freaking...frustrated LOL

Was wondering if anyone experiences the same thing I do with a lot of his oils? I ordered from MM and had a bad experience, but I'm not trying to bash the supplier here, but I was wondering how many of you use his oils in soap? I've tried them in wax and a lot of them are wonderful....but in soap....strange things. I tried the watermelon fo, that came out just fine. I tried a vanilla scent of his which discolored, no surprise. I tried a raspberry of his, and THAT discolored too? Never had a straight up raspberry do that. Tulip...same thing. I've NEVER had a floral discolor on me like that, turned a serious dark brown. I know it's not my recipe, it's GOTTA be the FO. I'm about to try his peony scent, and I'm hoping that doesn't do it. Anyone ever had this happen?

If you are starting, I'd go with bamboo because it's not as slick as the metal ones so the work won't slip off as easy, but that's my personal preference. I personally am not a fan of using circulars for anything other than knitting blankets or something with a lot of stitches, if I am knitting in the round, I use double points. It takes awhile to get your tension right and all that, it took me about a month when I first started (5 years ago now, or maybe it was 6?) to make a "perfect" scarf. I would start off with 17 stitches and end up with 23 or 16 LOL But eventually, I got it down, now I'm a knittin' fool! LOL

This is just me, but I generally stay away from too much olive oil in shampoo bars. I use a lot of coconut and castor, maybe a little bit of olive oil and lower the super fat just a bit so it doesn't leave a film. My hair is thick like a wolf though, so it's picky about shampoo bars!

Those are really beautiful! Elegant and fun!

Also, do you guys use dropper bottles to package them? I posted an ISO in the classified for amber bottles and someone was nice enough to reply with an SKS link, I love those bottles but wondering if they'll leak when shipped...

Now I'm wondering: If someone is using a light bulb ring or one of those warmers that plugs into the wall, isn't it NOT a good idea to tell them to add water???

I got it through etsy as well, I wonder if there is a way to inform the people at etsy that these people are doing this?

it was trimmed to 1/4", but when I actually lit the candle for the first time, the flame height was about 1", i'm wondering if that's too high?

I just lit one of my soy candles. I'm using a 16 oz jar with a 1212 wick and my flame (this is my first light, 3 hr burn) is about an 1" high. It looks high to me, is that normal with soy??? Is that too high?? Thanks!!!! I'm kind of a soy newbie.

Thanks!!!! I'm happy to hear that really isn't that much hang, but yeah, the soot...sooooooooo annoying, but there's absolutely nothing I can do. I'm still burning the parasoy, so we'll see, it hasn't quite caught up yet....here's to hoping! I really, really, really, really don't wanna wick up. Really. LOL My soy flame is always so darn BIG and I can't figure out why. I'm gonna take Stella's suggestion and try CDN's because the 1212 is TORCHING. I'll have to post a pic of it when I burn one. But when I wick down, WAY too much hang and no throw. I'm so never using these jars again. Speaking of which, does anyone know where I can get smooth sided wide mouth 16 oz jars? I love the look of them, but really am not happy with the shoulders. I don't wanna use the regular mason jars cause I'm not a big fan of having to do hang tags or lid labels

Thanks again guys! I've been burning, and it's pretty much the same, but we will see! I'm going to try to off center the wick again and see if that helps any. At the same time I'm gonna wick up in another test candle, just in case. It's a pain because they are parasoy, so I cure them. 2 weeks. Ugh. Top, I understand this takes a whole lot of patience, and this is certainly NOT my first tester. I've been doing this for quite some time (it's gotta be a year now), and I believe I'm on my second 50 pound box of this wax and my 4th 50 pound box of soy wax (this doesn't count the waxes I've tried and didn't like) just used for testing. I'm very meticulous and try to be scientific about the whole thing, which why I've probably blown so much money on testing! I do reuse the jars though. I've tried, so far, all appropriate sizes of zinc (I didn't like zinc, it seemed to soot more for me?), HTP, and LX so far. I'm gonna try the CD & CDNs next. It IS fun, and exhausting. I can't wait til I have that glowing moment where I finally, FINALLY, get one (just one!) that works the way I want it to!!!

Glad I'm not the only one, I thought of Moulin Rouge too....something kind of new orleans-y or maybe like a libation scent, gin, amaretto, cosmopolitan, something like that?