Wessex

This is how I get in trouble. Now I want to try it, LOL! But the only taper molds I have are silicone (for beeswax), and they can't really be heated. And without the heated mold, the pattern won't form. OK, now I have to go buy some metal taper molds for no real reason! Thanks alot, LOL! Cheers, Steve BTW, I would probably start with CSN 5 wicking. That is the only appropriate spooled wicking I have (although I do have some square braid for beeswax, but probably too big).

I hope you can do it, but I don't think Feather or Starburst Palm would hold up as a taper. Too brittle, and the crystal formation would probably crack through. Tortoise might work, but I'm still thinking too brittle. I think wicking would be a problem, as far as the nature of how palm burns. Of course I have never tried it, this is just an opinion. Cheers, Steve

BCN doesn't carry Glass Glow palm. Cheers, Steve

They are sold at Colonial Tin Works for about half that price (for insert,"botanicals" and mason jar). You need a sales and use tax number to open a wholesale account. Cheers, Steve

I have only used the NG's Butt Naked, but it has always been a good seller, even during Christmas. Did my first show a couple weekends ago and it sold out (as well as CS's Honeysuckle and Med Fig). Cheers, Steve

There are no haters here! I just don't want the liability issues with reusing containers, especially in todays litigious society. I reuse the heck out of my tester jars. Cheers, Steve

When IGI had the issues with their palm wax, Aztec was very good at fixing the problem for me. They informed me that they had the new Britz wax coming in and would replace all the bad cases with the new wax on their dime. CS was very good. The only problem I have with Aztec is they include a box/handling charge on smaller than pallet orders. This really irritates me, but it is still the cheapest option for me. Palm wax does not come in slab form (that I am aware of), so if you get a "slab" of something, it is not palm, LOL! Cheers, Steve

One word - liability. Judge: Is the container made for use as a candle container? Me: No. Judge: Is the container a new, uncompromised container? Me: It looked OK. Judge: Judgement for the plaintiff! That's what I would not want to deal with. Cheers, Steve

I've been getting mine at Aztec (Knoxville, TN I believe). It is the new Britz Wax that IGI has started using after the debacle with the quality control issues with the old supplier. It is pretty much exactly the same as the old wax, haven't had to adjust the wicking that much. And looks pretty much the same. http://www.candlemaking.com/store/Glassglow-Container-Palm-Wax---Case-R2322-P2326C42.aspx Cheers, Steve

Comparing the two, I think there are some similiarities, but they are different scents. Of course I am comparing MLM in wax and Moonlight Path OOB, so that may make a bit of difference. I suck at verbalizing scent descriptions, but I would say that the MLM is a much more subtle "musk" scent, whereas the MP is more like a "cologne" type smell. Told you I suck at scent descriptions! But they might be closer if the MP was in wax. But I would say the MLM is more pleasing to me (thus it is in wax and the MP is not, LOL). Hope this is a bit helpful, sorry I can't explain it better. Cheers, Steve

If you're looking for a salty scent, Ocean Mist from NG is good. As far as the scents you received, White Tea & Berries and Plumberry both did well this past Xmas, and threw very well in GG Palm. Cheers, Steve

wick down, maybe. Steve

I don't sell soy candles, but here is my take as a consumer: A colorless candle I would associate with an upscale ("spa" type maybe) candle that would be overly expensive. I would expect that from a niche company that has "earned" the customer base to get away with it. And by "earned" I do not mean it is an exceptional candle, just overly hyped. I think the average consumer wants and expects a colored candle. It can be a decor decision as much as the scent decision. On a side note, I have begun making my soy tarts without color. I think people do not care about the color as long as the scent is good. Also, a big display of hanging packaged white tarts just looks cool to me. Cheers, Steve

Search feature in Fragrance Discussion usual works. Just put the FO in quotation marks. Go to search, then to advanced search, them highlight Fragrance Discussion section. Usually works well for me. Lots of going through old posts. Cheers, Steve

On one of my "throw away" yahoo accounts (that I use for misc. web stuff) I get alternating UPS and FEDEX "notifications" every other day! It's getting kinda funny now. Cheers, Steve

I think you are making too many generalizations. There are many different types of soy and paraffin, and their characteristics overlap a great deal. Think you are overthinking things a bit. Just my opinion. If you like to do alot of research (I know I do), then have at it! Cheers, Steve

Which large metal silver lid? There are a few different ones out there. Steve

No, but sometimes small occasional mushrooms can be lived with. Mushrooming is a sign of incomplete combustion, just like soot. It could be because of wicking issues, too much FO, dye issues, or a miriad of other causes (as well as combinations of causes). Cheers, Steve

Way to many to list, but you have to get the Butt Naked. It sold great through Xmas and continues to do well in my GG palm candles. Cheers, Steve

I use a custom 100% soy blend. Cheers, Steve

As far as I am concerned, once they get out of my hands, they can be any price the retailer wants. It is their product at that point. Especially private label. NO retailer will ever tell me what to charge for my retail price, EVER! Not their concern. I have one private label account that marks up my wholesale price 200% and gets it. I would not sell for that price, but the customer is paying for the label. A wholesale account has no say in what I do. My product, my price. Cheers, Steve

Is it possible they are resellers of the European ones? Cheers, Steve

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it is a finishing step over a hardened candle. Looks like a mass production (not all mass produced candles are bad, LOL) technique that probably takes specialized finishing equipment. Just a guess, but I bet if you see a picture after a long burn it would show the finish as being applied over the candle. Like an overdip, but not. Cheers, Steve

I've only been offering tarts and clamshells for a few months, but here is what I have noticed (I only sell in stores, never done a show). At first, customers were buying alot of the 5 for $5 tart specials (I sell single tarts for $1.29). Then as return customers decided what they liked they started buying the clamshells. This is in retail settings. As far as wholesale (which I have limited experience with tarts/clamshells), the tarts seem to be more in demand. As far as the customer looking for the best deal, the tarts and clamshells are about the same price per ounce (the tarts are a slightly better deal). So this may have a slight impact on choice, but I have not noticed it. Again, let me say that this is in a retail/wholesale environment. Cheers, Steve

I put the Car. Teakwood in tarts 2 days ago, waiting for them to cure. Smells pretty good in wax, just a tad light (at 8%), but that may change after it cures. I've been using the Med Fig for many months now and it is fairly popular in GG palm containers. Throws well. Oh, finally broke down and got their Fresh Coffee, very true scent, and VERY strong at 8% in soy tarts. Definately have to back the percentage down next time. Had a closed clamshell in my car for about 10 minutes this morning and it filled the car, even closed, LOL. Cheers, Steve