Wessex

I like the folding bookcases, would make cool displays for shows. So not only do I have to worry about FO enablers, now I have to worry about furniture enablers, LOL. Thanks for the headsup. Cheers, Steve

Did not even notice that, LOL. The bid is now up to 9 bucks, was a penny. And some poor bastard is probably going to try to resell these on Etsy, LOL Cheers, Steve

I do 50/50 and have great results with 95% of everything I have tested. Some (like Merlin's Forest from MW) is exceptionally good at 50/50 and could probably be cut (which I won't do). Another personal favorite is Sun, Moon & Stars from NG. Most of the oils throw great for 3-5 days of constant use in the electric oil warmers (I use 1/10th of an ounce at a time). I also find that the oils never evaporate off, just darken and thicken over time (no water added). They do "smoke" (think it is more steam than smoke) a bit at the higher heat settings, which I usually don't use as the light is too bright. Overall, oils throw great, and the profit margin is good. The damn bottles add half the cost! Of course, I only order 100 at a time until I decide the feasability of the oils. If I ordered large quantities to price would go down considerably. Wow, hijacked my own thread, LOL. Cheers, Steve

I was just catching up on my "Breaking Bad" (show on AMC, don't know if you know it or not), discovered it a few months ago and became addicted. Now I have to see all the old ones (that run from like midnight til 2 or 3 am). But of course got an email from a shop that I just put some new types of soy melts in today and they sold all but one pack and want more. So, of course, I have to get them poured ASAP so they can start curing. And of course they wanted more oil, and I am on the last of my DPG (thankfully I have a NG order showing up tomorrow), so mixing what I have. And of course I am out of Monkey Farts and did not order more and that's one of the ones they wanted....Ah, love it when I have nothing all week and then all this crap at once. But money is money. Cheers, Steve

No, just bored. Waiting for some soy wax to cool a bit to pour into some clamshells. Steve

No wonder why I don't want to sell on ebay! The clams look like crap, only half filled, and probably have no fragrance. But still...gotta love it http://cgi.ebay.com/Huge-lot-soy-tarts-42-clamshell-tarts-/140539274380?pt=Candles&hash=item20b8cb248c Cheers, Steve

I wanted to get mine into PX's and such, but was told I can't since I am still in the military (by the official PX folks in Texas or wherever the home office is located). I was bummed. Steve

I have one of the tall white warmers and I don't offer it for sale. It doesn't do a bang up job of melting my tarts (soy), leaves alot around rim solid. It melts them and then when the wax spreads out to the edges, it solidifies again. And don't even ask about palm tarts, LOL. Cheers, Steve

I recently posted an add on Craigslist for an experienced rep who wanted to add another line (many reps sell multiple lines of products from many different suppliers). I had no luck, had a few nutjobs, a few people who replied like they were typing a text message, and a few that had no idea what a sales rep did (did I not say EXPERIENCED???). So no luck there. I just do not have the time to visit stores and pour and test and develop new lines (and do the military thing) at the moment. But I do know some people with businesses that are passing me names of the reps who visit them. Hopefully that might pan out. I am not in a position to have a full time rep just selling my products...they would starve, LOL. I know, no help here, sorry. Cheers, Steve

The CSN and CDN series of wicks are specially treated to stand up to the acidic nature of palm waxes. There are a few other wicks that have the appropriate treatments (the NST2 treatment works), but I have found that the CSN's work best for me. The CDN's are supposedly excellent for palm, but I have never tried them and I do not know where to find them in smaller quantities since JBN went out of business. So I would say the CSN's are your best bet, especially since CandleScience has so many good FO's to add to your order! Yep, I'm an enabler... Cheers, Steve

It is my understanding that the coke bottle shape itself is a "copyright". I can't remember where I saw that, but it sounds right to me. N.B. I am not a copyright lawyer, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Steve

The insurance company will probably still try to collect from the candle maker because the safety label does not specifically say not to use in a closet unattended, LOL. People amaze me... Steve

You learn they way we all have, by searching this site (and the whole Web) for information, taking that information and deciding what type of wax, fragrances, wicks, etc. would be a good fit for you and ordering them from a site (don't use stuff bought from craft stores, it is mostly overpriced and of lesser quality). Then start making and testing candles. It will be lots of trial and error, and some money you spent will be wasted, we all go through this. But it is the only way to learn correct procedures. Trust me when I say that there is no way around lots of failures and lots of changing the way you do things. That is the unfortunate reality of producing good quality products. Here is a link to suppliers by state: http://www.suppliersbystate.com/state-listings.php It is a good place to start. Go to alot of the sites and read what they recommend. A good place to start would be ordering a candle making kit from a supplier and jump right in. You will probably end up deciding there are things in the kit you do and don't like, and it is a good learning process. Believe me when I say it is not easy, and not cheap. But in the long run, you will learn how to make great candles that people (hopefully) will be lining up to buy. Cheers, Steve

I applaude your can do attitude, but I am going to burst your bubble here. I am not trying to be mean, just realistic. I think you need to give yourself a long time and a decent amount of money to research and test your products. It is apparent that you really do not know the basics of candle making and you need to do alot of research to fix that problem. Also, to sell candles, you need insurance, business licenses and many other "paperwork" type things before you sell. It takes alot of time, work and money to produce decent and safe candles for sale. Please do yourself and possible customers a favor and do some research and alot of testing. Most chandlers here have spent ALOT of money in testing and research, and while we are all more than happy to give advice, no one is going to give away their hard-earned "trade secrets". Again, not being mean here, just realistic. Cheers, Steve

I've looked at blujay.com before and it reminds me a craigslist type place. Just seems a bit "trailer park" to me. Just my opinion. Cheers, Steve

Is their feathering palm the true Feather Palm from IGI? If so, I have never had this problem, the IGI wax shrinks away nicely. If it is a custom blend I would say they got something wrong. I would call them and ask. Cheers, Steve

Don't want to beat a dead horse here, but... Anyone who is making candles for sale should not only be aware of the relevant standards, they should apply them as if the are not voluntary! It is just common sense to make a safe product, both to limit liability and so no customer burns their house down (or worse). It really burns me up (pun? LOL) when so called "chandlers" are either too ignorant or too cheap to do such things as add a warning label that costs pennies. I am not talking about re-purposing containers here, I am talking about basic safety standards for labeling and just plain common sense! And don't get me started about "chandlers" who don't know how to label a candle with proper weights and such! I know I don't fully apply labeling standards, because I do not add the metric weight of my candles. But come on, if you don't know what the hell you are doing, don't sell a product that could cause property or bodily damage!!!! And I am not calling out anyone specifically, I believe most people on this board are responsible people, so do not take this as an attack on anyone. Just had to vent. Been seeing alot of crap for sale on the 'net and elsewhere, lately. Seems to be getting worse... Cheers, Steve

Look good. Now what about a Combat Infantry Badge, Airborne and Pathfinder candle? LOL. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Steve

I called them to see if they would adjust the prices and they said they were already adjusting invoices for the last 24 hours and issuing credits. Not too shabby. Cheers, Steve

The fee structure is pretty generous, I count myself lucky when I find a 30% cut. The only thing I would definately not go for is their "amount due" payment thing. I would insist on actual amounts due at the end of each month. Anything else and it could lead to bad things. If they don't want to pay you on a set schedule, I would think long and hard about it. And the 50% of theft and breakage sounds like a way for them to get half off your products. I would watch that, if they say they are getting theft and breakage on a regular basis, you are getting ripped off. Also might want to talk to others who have their products in the store. Other than that it sounds good. Cheers, Steve

Once the oil is put in the wax, the FP no longer matters (as a safety concern). The oil binds with the wax and the FP is negated. FP only applies to the straight oil. Cheers, Steve

Just a heads up, OBI has lowered the prices on most of their candle and oil warmers, effective immediately. Of course, I ordered last night, before the prices went down, LOL! Cheers, Steve

First two are from JKL. www.jklintl.com Cheers, Steve

If I had made 7.48 million tealights and had a report of ONE problem, I would tell the CPSC to kiss my ass. Unless the manufacturer of the cups said there was a problem with their cups. Cheers, Steve

I was wondering about that foaming thing, too!!! Rather strange. I'm thinking I would never try those. But at least with no dye it releases less carcinogens and doesn't dilute the FO. WTF? Lies and/or ignorance. Bring it on... Cheers, Steve