AlwaysWondering

While researching whether Vybar raises melt point (it does not) of paraffin wax, I discovered an article which defines single scented, double scented and triple scented candle definitions. Yes, it is a real term and not just used by newbies. Not saying this article is Gospel truth but I can now see and understand how the use of this term developed. Industry standard for fragrance oil in candles is 3%, adding 6% makes it double scented, adding 9% makes it triple scented. http://makingcandleseasy.com/candle-scent.html

I only ship on Mondays and Tuesday or if it is extremely hot where I am, then I might hold off on Monday and ship all on Tuesday. I make sure my customers know my summer shipping policy so I think I'm covered on that.

Thanks everyone. I use paraffin. I think the "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" advice is good. I do also sell lidded tarts in cups (like Candles by Victoria) and in my monthly newsletter I advise those who live in extreme summer climates consider ordering the tarts in lidded cups or clamshells.

Speaking strictly as a consumer, I have tried gel candles but it was years ago. Tried many from retailers as well as crafts shows and market. Each and every one had a kerosene or the sterno burners under chafing dishes. Has gel wax evolved?

Thanks, angielyn. That is very fast considering the 4th was a holiday. I Like That!

Buck Lure? I'm going to give them a call on Monday to ask about some scent descriptions, including Buck Lure. Although I might not want to hear the answer! I just saw a post about their Patchouli in the patch thread and looked them up. HUGE scent list, most are self-explanatory, but not all. I especially wish the Christmas scents had descriptions. Do you have any scent rants or raves about Candlechem? Thoughts about their overall quality? Thanks.

Hoping candlemakers can answer this for me. 90% of the time, my tarts (most are in various shapes, mini donuts, bundt cakes, ice scream scoops, cookies, scallops, etc.) travels just fine via mail in extremely hot weather. I read that Vybar hardens wax. Does hardening wax also mean it raises the melt point? I can't seem to find that answer on line and thought the use of Vybar might be more prevalent among candlemakers vs the Wickless board. If Vybar raises melt point, might help with hot weather shipping for my tarts. Thanks!

Never mind, just realized this was an old post that came up in my search. Grrrrr.

Have you used any of the below in a you won tart blend along with a pillar blend for hardeing? Thoughts? 4627 Comfort Blend Melt point is 125, holds up to 12% FO, says excellent hot and cold throw, very soft comes in a bag $79.99/50 lb (equivalent to $95.98/60 pounds) 4630 Harmony Blend Melt point is 119, holds up to 10% FO, offers much of the exceptional hot and cold throw of 4627 but comes in slab form $89.99/60 lbs 4786 Classic Blend Melt point is 124, holds up to 10% FO, has great fragrance throw, requires a repour $84.99/60 lb case

I hope you do really well! You've invested a lot of money into this, a closed trailer with your company name plus I can't imagine how much the cost of making all that inventory will be as well as time, booth fees, etc. Do you think the show organizers would share last year's list with you and maybe you could contact someone who sold at last year's? Like this forum, I think most crafters and sellers are very nice about sharing.

I love the look of those candles.

I have them picked up from my home. I use the regional boxes 95% of the time and we send out 10 to 20 boxes a day. When I schedule the pick up on line, I simply check the "Priority" box.

Wonderful review. You're really good with notes!

Georgia, Love my ornies! Thanks!

I have only ordered from them for personal use, maybe half a dozen times, so no idea how the bulk orders are. My orders arrive promptly, carefully packaged and labeled and correct and no billing issues. All told, I've probably ordered about 20 different items. Where did you read the reviews? I'm always interested in review sites. Or was it on here?

Very pretty. Do you own kanak or are you a designer for them?

Thank you! When the board search was functioning, I had done several searches and came up with lots of reviews of Wellington being weak. Then again, I had read that same thing about Just Scents but went ahead and ordered and for me Just Scents throws very strong in my tarts. Glad to read that Wellington's scent accuracy, for the most part, sounds excellent!

I know they are not the same but they both share so many scents with unique names that I find it very odd. And they are the only companies with those unique scent names, such as Belle of India. Lots more unique, shared scent names.

I know all suppliers are hit and miss. Would you say The Candlemakers Store is more hits or misses or 50/50? Wish they had scent descriptions! Some are easy but others, they could be anything. How does the A and B grade come into play? Have you tried both? B grade is very inexpensive which is worrisome. 1 oz samples only come in A grade. I like the endless fragrance list at The Candlemaker's Store but it reminds me of Brighter Scents/Midwest Candles and to me, the overall quality of Brighter Scent is runs weak and the scents are always just a little off in one way or another. I have a handful of great oils from Brighter Scents but they are rare. For instance, Belle of India is an unusual oil name and both Brighter Scents/Midwest Candle and The Candlemaker's Store seem to be the only ones who carry that scent name. Maybe Brighter Scents is the B grade of The Candlemakers Store????? A few other unique shared scent names between the two of them...Lisa's Sugar Cookie, Hidden Lake, Rocky Mountain Breeze. Sorry for rambling. Thanks!

Does anyone know more about her? Am I correct she owned Flickers which is now carried at Elements? I can't stop sniffing these samples. Merlins Forest, Ancient Incense, Celtic Mist, Patchouli Raspberry, Guinevere's Attraction, Witches Brew. I also tried the Sugar Cookie, need to get this in wax to compare to my other Sugar Cookies.

I always wonder why a supplier would close and then reopen shortly thereafter under another company name, carrying the same items.

Yes, but that includes shipping. Oh my.

There are two blends that are very good, not sure if shipping will be better or not. Kentucky Candle makes a great Para Soy Tart Votive blend but she is often out of stock. If you find out you like it and it is affordable order a lot at a time and start checking her site way before you need to reorder. The other preblend is from The Candle Source. It's called Container/Pre Blended Wax for containers, tarts and votives. I have read great reviews on both for strong tarts. I have used both, like both. If I had to choose, I think I liked KY more, maybe because it is granulated. Did you like 141? It's a high melt point. Did you ever have feedback that it did not fully melt in electric melters? Sounds like your thought the throw was great, yes?

Cut and curl candles are amazing and my hats off to all you who make them. Good luck to you!

I have a similar system to Ravens but don't use numbers, I use words including "too strong" which has happened. Also, I have testers by scent family. I have my florals tested by testers who know/love florals and can critique a good honeysuckle from a bad one, etc. Get to know your testers, don't panic at first. Some will be very opinionated and some will stick to the score sheet. Don't over-react to any single tester, especially in the early days. In time, you might value their comments as gospel truth but in the beginning, remember you are testing your testers!