SEP

Thank you for answering Chris. I was speaking in generalities about the soy wax. I understand all you said because I have been wrestling soy for about 8 years now, and for the most part I usually win. I probably didn't state my question correctly. I was just wondering if anybody used beeswax to help offset any differences in batches of soy. The question still doesn't sound right. Let me try again. No matter if you use GB 415, 435 or 402 would beeswax help with the small variances in the different batches or is it basically just for smoother tops and frosting issues? Again thanks for answering me Chris. Sandi

Please help. Anybody?

I quit using color about a year agao, and am so much happier. As far as changing color, my Sandalwood melt pool does change to a grayish color after setting back up. I don't use additives either at this point, but am thinking about using beeswax on a regular basis. See my post about beeswax/soy blend where I'm asking for opinions. Sandi

I have used beeswax/soy blend several times, and I do like the steady flame it gives, and am happy with the throw and smooth tops too. I do have a question though for those of your that use beeswax as an additive on a regular basis. Do you think that beeswax helps overcome the inconsistencies with soy wax? I am really, really tired of the differences from batch of the GF soys, and am trying to make up my poor, tired mind as to what to do. I don't want to use paraffin, and would like to use beeswax all the time (not just to play) if that would overcome the problems with different batches of the soy. I hope the rambling above makes some sense. Any help or input really would be appreciated. Sandi

Maybe I'll get to pour if I'm lucky. We just spent a week taking everything out of my shop and redoing the whole place, and now I'm trying fit everything back in that was there before. I am reorganizing as I reload and truly don't know how I had all that stuff in there before, but it sure does look better and will be more functional if I ever get through. Sandi

I had just had a customer ask for a fo dupe for the Melaleuca Oatmeal Raisin. Does anyone know where I can find this fo. It looks like it has been discontinued by Melaleuca, but I would really like to find it if anyone can help. Sandi

Gb 415

Cowgirl, pm'd ya back. And thanks.

Thank you Chauna. I saw that chart, but was kind of hoping someone had used the Premier that would know a little closer where to start. I'm used to the charts that give burn rates, flame height and melt pool diam. I guess I'm just set in my ways where wicks are concerned. Again, thank you for responding to my post. Sandi

Yep, it was Wal-Mart. I remember them too.

Hello fellow Tennessean. Glad to have you aboard. You will find a boatload of helpful people on this board, and they are hoot sometimes. The advise about Vic's (Ky) fo is right on. Every one of hers I use throws like crazy. Just keep on testing and it will all come in time. I've been at it for eight years now, and still need help now and then, especially with wicks I haven't used before. Sandi

I have started using the 7.5 ounce tumblers, and have had fairly good results with 51 & 60 cotton wicks, but I'm not completely satisfied with the burn. I have some samples of the Premier Wicks, but don't even know where to start with them since there isn't any type of wick chart, that I have found, to try to get a starting point. The tumblers are 2.5" wide and I use 415 soy. Any help on a starting point with the Premier would very much appreciated. Sandi

Aztec also carries that jar (the cheapest I have seen so far.) www.buywax.com Edited to add that Starrville IS cheaper.

Yes, I was using the number 16 because there are 16 oz in a pound. Since ALL candle measurements are in weight (not volume) all percentages should be in weighed ounces. Where fragrance is concerned all suppliers sell by weight not volume, and some bottles of fragrance have less volume in them making it look like you are not getting what you paid for, when in fact they weigh a pound. Vanilla fo comes to mind. A one pound bottle of vanilla will have less volume in it than say a one pound bottle of say Cuc Melon. Your calculations are mixed. You are confusing liquid volume with weight. One pound of water weighs exactly the same as one pound of wax. When you melt one pound (16 oz) of soy you get 18 liquid ounces, but the wax still weighs a pound. I hope your problem comes out okay for you. I know things like this can be a real pain.

It is a shame you are having such problems, and I don't want to make them worse, but 2 oz pp isn't 10%. It is 12.5%. 16x12.5%=2. I would hate to see you overload on the fo and have it seep out on you. If your wax holds 10%, the most fo you use is 1.6 oz pp.

Check out this link. I have used the home thingy for years and you can make your fo and DPG work with these. HTH Sandi http://www.gardenbotanika.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=405 They also carry something similar at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and you can get the refill cards there too.

How about those really thin pieces of cork? I've seen them with adhesive on the back, where you just pull off the paper and apply it to whatever. You could cut it in thin strips that would fit up inside the lid, and stick it down.

I used dye in my soy for years, because I thought that is what people wanted. I quit using it about a year ago, and got a real surprise when people began saying they liked them better without dye. I have never looked back, and now I never use dye. It also solved a lot of problems for me, such as burn issues caused by the dye, and of course frosting.

Whoa! Where did that thing come from? By law it is supposed to have a warning label at least. Do you think it has a leaad wick too?

Here is another list that seems to have many more suppliers listed. I hope it helps you all some. Sandi http://www.candleandsoapstuff.com/Suppliers_by_State.html

A friend of mine sent me some from Royal, and it throws great in soy. As a matter of fact I can use less than 1.5 oz pp it is so strong.

For me, one pound makes 8-2 oz votives, so I use 1 1/2 pounds to make a dozen. Has worked for years with different waxes.

Candlewick has a silicone button mold that is a bit larger than "dots", but the same principle. I have one of the molds and it makes really neat little buttons you could mix and make your own individual blends. I have only sold them in bags of one scent, but you could sell them by the pound, and customers could mix their own.

I would pour around 100* also, and since you only have HTP wicks start with the HTP 104 or HTP 105 in that jar, depending on the fo.

I trim them too. It shows the customer what the wick length should be when lighting.