GailC

I just use scrapbook paper and a scalloped paper punch. Had to buy a longer than normal hole punch for the wick to reach the middle of the dust cover.

Once again, my pictures are huge!

The images used to be visible.  Don't know what happened.

@jmec, Welcome!  Yes people do sell fragrance oils and more.  There is a Classified Ads forum, the very last one on the main page.  Good luck!

Oh, I don't blame you for not liking NG's Fresh Brewed Coffee.  That stuff was nasty!  

7 hours ago, Karen Ov said:

Vanilla maple pecan sounds good..

I thought so, and it was a scent I don't already have.

Never mind.  I went ahead and ordered since I needed those 10 Inch wicks.

Decided to go with some of their less expensive basic scents for my 2 fundraisers coming up in late summer and fall. The reviews helped.

I got Birthday Cake, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Souffle, Vanilla Maple Pecan, and Christmas Cheer since I used most of my Christmas scents.  

I find myself needing long wicks and Lone Star has 10 inch wicks.  So of course, I have to order some fragrance oil. Not paying $8.92 for a bag of wicks. 

I have ordered from over 20 companies throughout the last almost 11 years, but never Lone Star.  I've read good things about their FO's and I could do a search, but thought I'd do it the easy way and just ask what you all like.  Thanks!

On 1/31/2020 at 11:13 AM, Karen Ov said:

Do you use the uv inhibitor in soy?..I try avoiding fo's with high vanilla.but some sound so good..

Yes I use GW444

Usually only Vanilla candles turn yellow for me.  And for some reason, Spiced Apples & Peaches.  I use UV Inhibitor with any FO's with a high vanilla content.

I can think of lots that I didn't color that didn't turn yellow and didn't add UV inhibitor: Carrot Cake, Cinnamon Bun, Banana Nut Bread, Apple Cider Donut to name a few.  Maybe when it's a spicy bakery scent, they don't turn yellow. (except spiced apples & peaches from FB)

I don't care for floral scents, but some of my customers do.  One only buys Lily of the Valley candles and melts. I get mine from Nature's Garden. That scent also sold fairly well in the store where I have a wholesale account.

A couple of others that sell sometimes are Honeysuckle and Lilac.  

I much prefer the  floral blends. One of my favorites is Cantaloupe & Lily from Aztec.  I also like Aloe & White Lilac and Water Lily & Jasmine, both from Nature's Garden.

12 hours ago, candlesncats said:

Yes, it very much does. I don't use color so it really shows. It seems to have gotten worse about the time they discontinued it. But I just love the scent....

Thanks for letting me know.  I am doubting that green dye would work then.  Might come up with an ugly shade of green.  I have some amber jars, maybe I will use those.

On 1/20/2020 at 12:10 PM, Belinda said:

Where do you get seaside? I'm sure I'll have some wanting ocean type scents soon. I love the spicy ones all year myself although I do enjoy a fruity smell in the spring and summer too. Orange chiffon cake is yummy!

I made my Seaside from 3 different FO's because I was almost out of 2 of them. I used the last of my Sea Witch from FB , along with the last of Seaside from NG and a little Bayside Marina from Aztec. They combined nicely.  I like them all but my favorite is Sea Witch.  Except I don't like the name so I change it.

On 1/20/2020 at 10:20 PM, candlesncats said:

Key Lime Pie from Millcreek has been discontinued. I was heartbroken

I think I got mine when it was on clearance, ready to be discontinued.  It's very dark so I'm wondering if it will tint the wax.

On 1/20/2020 at 11:44 PM, Grani L said:

A quick question also. So with the Bakery Scents, do you find that 6% works with most or do you hang around  in the 8 -10% Range?

I personally like to use around 8% for my candles.

@Belinda, you mentioned Orange Chiffon Cake which made me remember I have that FO from Mill Creek that I haven't even used yet as well as Key Lime Pie from there.  Those would both be good springtime bakery scents.  I should make those this spring.

As soon as Christmas is over, I am ready to make some non-spicy candles.  So far I've made Love Spell, Lemon Verbena, and Seaside. Seaside made the house smell so nice yesterday.

I've not completely done with spice scents though; I made some Cinnamon Buns because customers still want the spicy ones now.

Maybe Lemon Pound Cake?  It's a wonderful bakery scent that isn't spicy.  I get mine from Fragrance Buddy.  Love it!

I've never gotten Blueberry Muffin, but I do love Blueberry Cobbler from Cierra Candles.

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.   

Well, I lasted 17 days.  But my sister caved first.  

In my defense, I just got a large fundraiser.  Yay!  Don't need to have the candles ready until first part of July, but I want to get started early so I have time to make them while still working on candles for customers and wholesale accounts. So I placed a large order for jars and wax and ordered only one bottle of Very Vanilla, because I'm going to need it.

Pumpkin Chai from Candlewic is a best seller for me. 

Fragrance Buddy has Pomegranate.  It's a little sweet for me but I've sold some of it. Aztec has Pomegranate Juice.  Smells similar to FB's but I haven't put it in wax yet.

I love Cantaloupe & Lily from Aztec.  One of my favorite spring/summer fragrances.

@franu61 nope, not selling any right now.  I gave a bunch of bottles of FO to my sister last summer.  Fragrances I just didn't like and knew I would never get around to using.  She just uses the oil in her warmers I think because she doesn't make candles.  Maybe she puts it in Potpourri.  But they were stinky to me so I wouldn't put any of them in anything.   

I briefly thought about trying to blend some of them, but nah, I've got so many that don't need doctoring up.

I do blends every once in a while, but with FO's that smell good on their own.    I just made some Spiced Vanilla using Allspice from AAA and Very Vanilla from CS.  Smells better than Cinnamon Vanilla to me, which is my top seller.

1 hour ago, TallTayl said:

You’re singing my tune, sis. 
 

I have begun treating myself like an employee.  How do I justify purchases? How would I explain a “need” to a “boss” for approval? Would I fire “me” for such choices? Lol.

That is a great way to look at it.  Justifying purchases.  But I do 'reason' with my boss, namely me.    And my 'boss' is very accommodating.  But in 2019 my financial circumstances changed.  No longer am I selling candles just to make enough money to buy more supplies.  Now I really need the supplemental income.  So there is a #1 reason to use what FO's I have on hand instead of always adding to my extensive stash.

That being said, there are some FO's I am going to have to reorder eventually because they are customer favorites and sell so well. Hey, maybe customers will discover some new favorites in all the FO's I have and haven't used yet.

@The Candle Nook. I Like 'Waiting for Snow".  I know snow is coming for us, but I'm not in any hurry for it.

2019 was my best year yet in candles and melts sales.  And the most profitable. I think how much more profitable it would have been if I hadn't bought so many fragrance oils I didn't need.  But oh, it's so fun getting that shipment of new FO's and smelling them over and over.    Even more fun going to the Supplier's store and smelling them there and bringing a bunch home.  

Had lunch with my sister this week.  We were discussing our addictions.  She sells jewelry on ebay and does quite well at it.  But she has a problem buying more jewelry to sort through when she already has tons.

You know my addiction.  I compiled a list and I have 282 different bottles of FO, mostly 16 oz and a few 8 oz.  Doesn't include my 4 boxes of 1 oz samples or the duplicate FO fragrances I have. I also highlighted all the FO's I haven't even used yet, some bought several years ago.

So my sister and I are going to be accountable to each other.  The first one who caves and buys jewelry or fragrance oils has to buy the other one dinner.  It's been 3 days and I'm still standing strong.   

@The Candle Nook, did you make your pinon pine and cedarwood yet? Wondered how it turned out.  You made me remember I have Redwood & Cedar from Flaming Candle.  I should make some of those candles.

I haven't gotten away from the fall/winter scents yet.  Had two requests for Carrot Cake, so those are the first candles I poured after Christmas.  I was low on spiced candles which are always in demand so a couple of days ago, I combined Allspice from AAA and Very Vanilla from CS and called them Spiced Vanilla.  They do smell good!  Even better than Cinnamon Vanilla which is my all time best seller.

Now I want to make something completely non spicy.  I'm thinking Arctic Air from Mill Creek, although our air in Indiana has not been remotely Arctic lately thank goodness.  I'm trying to come up with a different name, maybe even something for year round, not just in cold weather.  It's such a good refreshing scent.  Maybe Morning Mist?

Here is the description:  Brilliant fragrance notes of eucalyptus, spearmint, wild rose and dew fresh ferns leading to snow pines, blue jasmine magnolia and white lilies finishing with a base of white musk, balsam and sandalwood.