AlwaysWondering

I think 175 is too low to heat the wax. Most FO need to be added to wax that is about 180-185. I do pour my citrus scents at the lower 175, keeps that fuel smell away. Although worth testing! Please post back, I'm curious to the solution for you!

Pam, then I take it that for you it was a throw issue rather than an accuracy issue. I realize I probably deal with many more scents and oils than you do, and that you use wicks and I don't, but I still like to hear everyone's opinion. I'm especially interested in accuracy of scent issues.

PamW, yes they got ruffled. This is a very nice forum and lots of learning and sharing. I didn't see the point of being mean to me or talking down to someone who only makes tarts. We all work hard, we all struggle in this economy, we all put our hearts into our businesses. I found the comment to be very insensitive. So, yes, I found the post inappropriate. I'll live, I'll keep on posting, I'll keep on sharing.

I understand that the difference between making candles and tarts is huge. However it was a simple question. Give this person some credit for knowing there is more to candle making than hot throw. No one should ever be talked down to on this forum. If someone needs to be taught, they will ask. If they want a simple opinion, then either give it or don't respond. Don't lecture.

It's a really great group! Welcome!

Thanks. Did either of you buy the Meditation scents or woods or incense type scents? Did their oils not throw or were the scents not accurate? I really wish this search function would get fixed on this board.

Those are so cute!!! Thank you for sharing ornies! I would love to buy some. Can you PM me your site or how I can order from you?

Beautiful! Weight added would be great. I think burn time is optional. I think if this is a single label to put on a single candle, drop the S on candles. If this is your logo, leave the S on.

I completely disagree with you. I have almost 1000 oils in my inventory, sell about 300 scents. I order from almost 30 suppliers......just so you know my FO history. 100s of regular customers and add new ones every month. To me, 85% of the time and maybe even 90% of the time, the OOB sniff is a very, very good representation as to what will happen in the wax. Have I been surprised, yes, both good and bad. That is very rare. Maybe because I really know my wax, maybe because I only do tarts. As they say, we all have different experiences. I appreciate everyone's reviews, OOB or in wax, and like to share mine when I can.

What's an "ornies?"

I am going to buy sampler packs, make your own, 5 samples per pack. For Paraffin 1 oz of their regular SOS level is 1oz pp $15.65 1/2 oz of their Extreme is 1/2 oz pp $13.38 I should be able to make equal number of tarts but for less money if I order the extreme. Is my math right? Any must have or avoids from SOS? Again, looking for deep darks resins woods patchouli but I'm trying their Apricot and Cotton Candy while I'm at it!

For your process, you really should be getting much more than 3 to 4 hours. Your process is virtually picture perfect. Have you left the house at the five hour point, go visit a friend or whatever for 3 or 4 hours and then walk into your house? That would put you at the 8 or 9 hour point. You might need to leave the house and reenter to really determine how strong your tarts are. I'm making the assumption someone will be home while you're gone, for safety reasons. If you can't do this, have a friend melt one and go visit them at the 8 hour point and ask them not to fry onions at the same time! Finally, there is soy in the 6006 which means they need to cure, I would say at least 48 hours. 72 hours is better. Maybe, big maybe, it is the 4794. I make my own wax blend and every once in a while just have to try making a new blend. I tried the 4794 but I like 4625 better for throw and it makes my tarts a bit harder so easier to get out of the tart warmer. I think pillar waxes, in general, throw better than votive waxes. I melt my wax to about 200 - 210, add my FO to my Pyrex (room temp, I don't heat it), liquid dye, and then pour in the wax. Stir for about a minute, pour into tart molds. I have almost 300 scents and 70% throw about 10 to 12 hours. 15% last for days, 15% about 6 to 8 hours. Rough estimates based on my testers. I don't use any soy in my private blend. I played with making various soy blends, all soy, some soy, a lot of soy, a little soy, about a month or two ago, just don't like it.

I'm very sorry. I think the best bet is to start on etsy and I read their forums. Lots of tips and tricks to getting attention or front page or whatever they call it. Get to know esty, first. Pretend you're a customer. The photography of your product is huge. Check out descriptions, prices. I wonder if you could get a friend or family member to work the craft fairs and farmers markets for you. Kind of out of the goodness of their heart, a few free meals at your house and free soap? Then customers could reorder through your etsy or website? I applaud you for even trying to do the farmers market. It was a big and brave thing to do. I have a family member who could not leave the house and finally is on meds. She's a new person. As they say, what would you grab if your house was on fire? She joyfully answer, MY MEDS! I do remember it took a lot of work with her doctor to find the right meds, as I recall a full year. She said it takes a month or two to determine if a med works. I think she actually takes two different ones. I wish you well. There is a group page on Facebook called What's in your Shower and they allow vendors to post about themselves, their products, sales, etc. It's a free and cheap way to advertise your soap. If you have a personal page on Facebook, you can set up a business page and now FB allows you to open a "store" for free. Maybe start with that instead of etsy. But do set up a FB page, post pictures of your soaps and then potential customers can email you their orders or something. You'll need to open a PayPal account, too.

Darbal, Angle the perfume dupe? I didn't realize it was a deep scent with such a "heavenly" name! Thanks.

That might be true but it in reality, it might not be the Original Poster's actual consideration. It was a simple question seeking a simple answer. We all have to start with testing somewhere as most of us can't order 10 different waxes at the same time. OP may simply need a starting point and for them, hot throw is the starting point.

I've been visiting all the supplier's sites and reading these descriptions and falling in love. Much more interesting than reading the bakery descriptions. Leah, Stonehedge is on my order list - thank you!!!

Many soap makers use lots of essential oils as compared to candle makers. You might want to post on the soap thread and ask for suppliers of essential oils. I think it always dangerous for asking for "the best" as that is very subjective and also can vary by the type of wax or wick you use as opposed to someone else.

Forgot to list the website for this supplier Make Scents http://www.makesscentscandles.com

These are all OOB sniffs Thumbs UP Cotton Candy - as cotton candy goes, this one is good. My eternal search for Cotton Candy continues, though. Will see how it goes in wax but OOB, so far, so good Dream Weaver - have no idea how to describe. Clean and deep at the same time? Unique, that's for sure Buttermilk Pancake - love this one, best of the bunch. No berries, just straight up pancakes. Missing that fried oil note but delicious Frosted Snowdrop - all year scent, very pretty, I think feminine, can't wait to wax this one Devil's Night - very different, deep, complex, wow Thumbs NOT SURE but more UP than DOWN Banana - banana is just impossible, will use this for blending but not as single note Sugar Cookie - bakery scent but not sure it is Sugar Cookie, don't smell the cookie. but seems strong OOB for a Sugar Cookie scent Morning Dew - I pick up a hint of Jolly Rancher Watermelon. This is nice but I'm not falling over. Might be thumbs up after in wax. A fresh scent. Pumpkin Party - don't smell pumpkin, smell cinnamon but not overwhelming, I think this is supposed to be pumpkin and popcorn balls. Maybe I smell popcorn. Not sure. It's a nice scent Cappuccino Brulee - not as sweet as others but good. Not a brulee, more a coffee category Spider Web - not a Halloween type scent, seems easily could be all year. Good scent OOB but might not be my personal type. I think most would like it, though. Thumbs DOWN Mint Lead\f and Chamomile - very true to name as it smells like you just rubbed a leaf of a mint plant. If you like that kind of earthy mint, you might like this. I could not pick up Chamomile OOB Coconut Cream - nope Banana Split - nope, I have no idea what this smells like but it's not good and it most definitely not Banana Split! Malt Balls - gag Mango Tango - picking up a fuel note or something Raisin Bread with Buttercream - gag Marshmallow Peeps - no marshmallow, not even good with a rename. Woodberry - I think most would like this but not me. I get a very sweet, candy note. Almost like that deodorizer cherry scent they use in public restrooms. It's an undernote but I totally can pick it up OOB.

While sniffing new fragrance oils, avoid the bottle touching your lips on the way to your nose. I can still taste Laundromat from Nature's Garden - and I tasted it, I mean sniffed it, a year ago.

I'll probably get bashed for this but I say all they care about is the scent. Let's face it, you're not selling to candle makers! They (retailers buying from this wholesale group) wouldn't know a good melt pool from a hole in the wall. Do some? Yes. Do most? No. they just know what scents they like and their customers will buy. I'm starting on the positive note and assumption that your container candles are great candles. Think like a customer - they pick it up and sniff. Period. They want to know what your Apple Pie smells like, more cinnamon or more apple. Of course you want lots of repeat customers but again, I'm assuming you make great candles so that will take care of repeat customers. Right now, requesting samples, they are judging SCENT. Again, I am an optimist and believe you are a good person selling a good candle. Just send them the best possible representative scent item at the least cost to you. To me, I would think it would be a tart and you could probably make it in your container wax and a little palm to harden for safe travels. I doubt they will melt it, they just want to smell it. If the votive is not a good indicator of your great container candles, don't send it! They will sniff and decide, that simple and quick. Send the best sniffing sample.

Thank you everyone. As always, this board is very giving and I appreciate it! I'm looking for blends within these "deep" scent families ready from the suppliers rather than blending my own. I ordered samples, in this scent family, from Moonworks. Looking for more ideas from other suppliers.

My vote is C-3

These types of scent families are not in my comfort zone. For whatever reason, I've had quite a few requests for these types of scents lately. Is the bakery scent fad finally fading? Could use some ideas. Thanks.

The real key is the existing customer base. How many are repeat customers? Is there a mailing list? Are there wholesale accounts with signed contracts that allow for a new owner or does that void the contract? Do they have a website? If they have google analytics, will they let you see the history of visits, etc? I'd very carefully research the price of the equipment and know the exact value of new products. The main thing, like buying any business, is how long will it take to turn a profit and recoup your investment? Can you wait that long. I'd want to see a recent history of their sales, something reliable, like their paypal or merchants account for the last 12 months as well as their expenses. How much of the customer base is family and friends? chances are they will not stay with you at the same rate or at all once the business is purchased. You know your risk tolerance and how long you can wait to make a profit. Also, there may be some "off the books" sales such as cash transactions at farmer's market, etc. You need to find a way to ask this in a non-combative way.