B@BlissStreet

Candybee, I thought you well~seasoned candle makers could top that, but it is real. I still worry. I don't care if someone lights themself on fire after NOT following the directions, but do we now have to write directions for people that are not intelligent enough to realize a lit candle+moving car+accelerant+gas in tank=burning nightmare? I feel stupid when I put a warning on tarts for warmers; feel I am insulting their intelligence. I couldn't believe it myself if Sean hadn't come here and tried to suggest a new product line he would market...CAR CANDLES. I shutter to think about how many charlatans would eat up this idea...my blood pressure was way high today after the stress of even discussing this evil practice. It takes all kinds, I guess...

Yes, really. Had three witnesses when this Rhodes Scholar arrived with his burning "car candle". We were all stunned. He is still doing this, and has actually sold a few candles for me (big verbal disclaimer to his referrals!). Now, I know my a$$ is big, but just how far(insurance) do I have to try to cover it???

Don't some customers just make you wonder? I'm still in awe over one of my customers who burns container candles in his moving car! He came over a couple weeks ago to tell me how great his car smelled when he burns his 16 oz. apothecary jar candes inside (car is a compact coupe; maybe a Cavalier or a Sunfire?) and I stood here dumbfounded, jaw on the floor, then headed to the fridge to pour a glass of grenache to help me wrap my head around what he was doing. I sat down and had him explain what he was doing (double-wicked 16 oz jar on the dash below the rear view mirror). I went off on my spiel about candle safety and inteded usage, and showed him the warning label, which he read, and I guess he thought he was making me feel better when he told me he doesn't leave the lit "car candle" unattended; he makes sure to extinguish it when he is done driving. Crikey! This joker then proceeds to encourage me to design a candle product specifically for car use; I threw a sachet at him and said "Have at it; this is a safe way to scent your vehicle, but thanks for the suggestion!" Never dreamed my warning labels should advise against using in a moving vehicle...

I haven't had a chance to check stuff lately; but if a co op happens, I believe there was a butterly warmer I wanted to nab. I have several of the tall white warmers in stock if anyone is looking...

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am very on the fence about them; just spoke with my regular supplier about duping their scents that are big sellers. I am always worried about the consistency of the product, and do major testing, but a four hour burn on a tealight is crazy short at that FO load. I usually run about 9% on their oils, and if that doesn't work, I move to the next. I do have to throw another two cents out there; at $12.00 per pound (current prices~Easter sale) they are decent to do testing with for a beginner. I bought a ton of stuff from them when I first started in soy, and still use several of the winners. It provided a good hands-on experience with the different reactions of different oil/dye combos. When I found a few scents that I knew worked, I stocked up to do my "mad scientist" stuff, and this saved a bundle. just sayin'. Thanks again; I'll be retesting any stock I have from them. One tester reported an issue with the Amber Romance, so I have pulled it until further examination.

Trudi, I got your post, but others may not. ComfortScents did NOT post the quote about purchasing non-conventional candles. Please, board users, don't slam her again...this was my post that the board didn't forward justly. I love when crafters are willing to make a deciscion, try a product. Testing may be key, but innovation is what keeps business in business. If Ann Marie's successes make others uncomfortable, so be it. She is confident, extremely talented, and adequately insured! Back off to the haters. Given any product, I could find a flaw, where many would find multiple flaws. Are you looking for a quality product, or looking for a product that meets your pre-existing standards? That's not innovation, that's duplication. Give credit where credit is due.

I use several of Gelluminations/Creative Illuminations/Brighter Scents/Midwest Candle Supply's oils. I definitely don't consider them a "reliable" supplier such as Lorrie or NG, where you know the day you place your order, it is actually worked on. We call shopping with them "the Crap Shoot". But when I can buy the oils I know work in our soy at $12.00 per lb, it is often worth the wait. I am always careful to make sure that their scents are not choices on fundraisers or time sensitive orders. I had a 1 oz. sample that took 6 weeks to arrive one time last year, but I had about 39 other onesies to play with, so I wasn't worried. The day I inquired, the package arrived, natch. Many of their oils have been great OOB, but had poor hot throw even after a lengthy cure. I am having great success with their Orange Danish this year, and still use their Strawberry Jam, as well as the Country Berry Hotcakes. If you have time, wait for their sales. They email weekly, and the special runs frequently. Shipping to me has always been reasonable. HTH

Same issue here with the bulging and leaking of the droppers. I transitioned to larger bottles that come with a standard lid and the dropper on the side. I save the droppers, but use pipettes to do all dye transfer; I have far more control with the pips than with the droppers. HTH Oh... Enchanted Lites dyes are what I use in the EL soy; stunning, bright colors!

Agree. My mentor taught me to use these to wipe out pour pots to remove many residual scents. I buy baby wipes all the time; excellent makeup removers.:smiley2:

Oh, Rachel...could you be the co-op link we need that will enable us to pay shipping only once??? Are you the m&p soap angel? I hope so! I LOVE the sfic goats milk base, and get good results with the white. I haven't tried their clear yet. But I want to. As well as EBC. I am brand new to m&p (about a year) and am wanting to test different types, but my local cost for SFIC is insane. PLEASE let me know when you do a direct pick up! :tiptoe: P.S. I have some SFIC in stock, if you want to sample their stuff! pm me

Your creations are adorable. Thanks for sharing!

Those are cute. I might have to give them a call for a sample!

Sorry, yes, like on cookies or ice cream...the candy type.

We use 5 oz. soap clamshells. They stand up nicely on trays. They also have a hang hook. This is a photo of one that didn't make the weight requirement, but you get the idea. HTH

Jimmies are those little sprinkles.

Ditto that. I got all crazy once and poured 20 dozen in one day...the "tennis elbow" was a mess the next day. Mind you I haven't played a real game of tennis, ever. They are hard on the body to pour, but I have learned that the higher the elevation, the easier it seems to be on my back and arm. I pour them on my stove (level) with a large cutting board or cookie sheet underneath. Good lighting from the stove hood, the exhaust fan, and the only level area in my kitchen as we are under construction (still:().

Congratulations on your new "first". Sharing pictures is the scariest thing, isn't it? I think you did an amazing job and I would love to see pics of these burning! Please keep sharing your results; I am so scared of everything but containers and tarts. I tried votives in the clamshells and gave that up quick...now I have votive wax I'll never be brave enough to use.

I have an issue with this burner from OBI...it doesn't give a full melt pool with my wax(soy), and I think it is because of the "night light" cut outs. It is SUPER pretty though, and throws an awesome light pattern in the room. I get decent scent throw, but not like I do with the one below, or the bowl style ( my FAVORITE). http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=121345507887178&aid=38020#!/photo.php?fbid=175877675767294&set=a.175877619100633.38020.121345507887178&theater This warmer, however, has small vent/light holes, and throws my wax like crazy! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=121345507887178&aid=38020#!/photo.php?fbid=175877689100626&set=a.175877619100633.38020.121345507887178&theater Both have same bulb set up, but the white one has much more venting and is a smidge taller.

I had the same hang up issue with the Americana with my wax. Good customer service at OBI, and they will let you order samples without meeting the minimum. Ask for Ian.

I pour my wax into a 2 cup plastic measuring cup with a pointy pour spout. Does that make sense? My pyrex cups have rounded spouts, and the lightweight plastic cup makes it much easier to pour the little buggers.

I see tons of posts with jimmies/candies pictured. Is there a residual effect from these additives? I would love to do that, but want to make sure it is SAFE!

http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698 http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5492

I want that for you also, but most importantly, I want you to make a SAFE candle! Everyone here is interested in amazing hot and cold throw, but we all value safety above all else. Just utilize safe practices, and we will guide you if you would like! Good luck; 1 oz pp is a safe bet with most oils. Use the search, and I will dig up the good archive posts and put them out there.

It depends upon how much FO per pound you use. If you are using a 1 oz. per pound formula, you would use the 1 oz. FO and 1 pound of your wax. Expect to get about 20 ounces of melted wax. So anticipate pouring for more than a single candle; I always keep extra tart tubs or a mold around to pour extras in. HTH.