moonshine

Downy Fresh is the best ever- Winter Wonderland is so strong and clean smelling- I wouldnt classify it as just a Christmas scent and the Paris Twilight is very strong- this one I was not sure about at first but I have come to really like it- everytime you smell it you pick up on the different notes-its very different

and lemon pound cake is incredible and I hate food smells! and the peppermint is the best peppermint I have found so far- I am beginning to really like this company

Anyone try their spiced pear? I am glad to of read this thread so I know what samples to order next!

I am thinking a candle warmer would be much safer! LOL

I have done this to rewick and it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to liquify and pull out the wick and insert the new when it starts to set back up

Thank goodness you didnt have to use that extinguisher:cheesy2:

Thanks everyone- The search has been my new best friend!!

you are very welcome and good luck with it- I really think if you already have a large customer base and you advertise on your site that they will get something great for spending so many dollars your sales will increase and switch it up every month to keep them coming back for more!

I'd love to offer some type of rewards program for our internet orders, but our website doesn't have an integrated program to do that.

Does anyone else do this, and if so, what "non-pull-you-hair-out-and-keep-your-sanity-methods" have you come up with?

I'm hoping to come up with an idea that customers can't argue with (i.e., "I should have more points than that!") -- I'm afraid entering something manually on a spreadsheet will just cause those types of problems...something I'm trying to avoid.

So, please share your methods or any ideas you may have!

Thanks so much!!

well- me and my husband own and run 5 different business's and I would suggest keep it very simple- If you are wanting to reward internet people do something like for every X amount of dollars you spend you get X (it could be a certain type of product you want to reduce in your inventory) keep it the same and simple- then you will know every internet order you fill you throw X in if it met the amount. People love any kind of bargain they can get. On our septic cleaning business we have a 15.00 dollar off coupon on a tank cleaning on our website and you wouldnt believe the amount of business we got from that alone.

I would think a rewards program (card punches or coupons for next orders) would be way to overwhelming to keep track of without a specific program on your website to do the work for you. As a customer myself I would much rather receive and extra GOOD goodie with my order than try to keep track of rewards points,coupons etc. and it will lead to more sales if they love what they got and come back for more

good luck:cheesy2:

Hey everyone-

I want to thank everyone that has replied and helped me with my questions regarding candle making and I am sure I will still have many more- I DO still have many more but I will admit that I am a little afraid to ask now after reading some of the threads about newbies....but that is a whole other thread....

I just wanted to give back a little and maybe alot of you already know this (could be the best kept secret around) but in trying to figure out how to get rust out of my molds I came across and tried Easy Off Cold Oven No Fume oven cleaner. I sprayed them and let them sit for an hour and took a fibercloth to wipe them out and they look brand new!! Now to make sure I didnt have a film on them I dipped them in hot soapy water and immediately threw them in a warm oven to evaporate any water and moisture. I then melted my scap wax and filled them and cannot believe not one speck of rust or dye came off on the wax- and they were still smooth.

A few months back I got alot of molds from a guy on craigslist and alot of them so rusty and dye stained- I do not use dye and when I tried making melts they turned out aweful- I had searched a couple threads on this and WD40 seemed to be the answer but it did not work for me and I didnt want to mess with actual rust cleaners- they are so harsh.

I know its little and doesnt pertain to actual candle making but if any of you have rusty molds give it a try- it rocks!!

Thanks again for everyones help and encouragement- I am getting closer to perfecting the PITA square mason jars!!

Hi KLynn!

I too have had this happen a year ago when I first started testing candles in jars- I used 464 straight with the Eco 12 and 14 wicks in a 8 oz. square mason jar. I also could not find the answer as to why and I repoured and repoured and repoured using several different FO's. I got fed up and switched to CB 135 but was not impressed with the HT so I then went back to the 464 ordering a new case and it has never happened since- I know this is not much help at all but it could simply be the batch you got because I have done everything the same this time around and I do not have that grease look at all but now I am having a very ugly frost after the first burn- It looked like I was burning crisco-butter flavored at that and I would get black swirling around in the meltpool from the wick- I do not use dye.

Post a picture if you can- I am real curious as to why this happens!

Seda Type French Tulip Fragrance Oil

Seda Type French Tulip fragrance oil. Once listed on "Oprah's Favorites" this beautiful floral blend includes jasmine, rose, lemon, clove, sage and rosewood. Complex, soft, a really lovely fragrance. For use in candles, soap and potpourri.

I Saw this on Cierra Candle- have been thinking about trying a few samples of theirs to see how they are....if you do try it let us know how it is!

Good Luck:cheesy2:

Violet Blossom Fragrance Oil

New!!! Blending floral and sweet, this fragrance is sensual and yummy! Top notes combine floral, leafy greens and sweet melon; mid hearty tones of Violet, Iris, Jasmine and Rose all layered upon a base note of woody Musk.

Synthetic Carrier, (Skin Safe to 4%)

2 oz = $4.75 2 lb = $33.00

1/4 lb = 8.00 5 lb = 80.00

1/2 lb = 11.50 7 lb = 111.00

1 lb = 17.00 25 lb = 376.00

This is from Candlysoylutions: I think most of their oils are soy based?? I tried them a year ago and like anything else it was hit and miss but may be worth a sample

Good Luck!!

I ordered alot of samples of JS- probably 20 and 2 of them made the cut- Blueberry Cheesecake is strong in soy (135 & pb) and their Wild Currant Sandlewood is amazing!! Super strong wonderful scent- the rest....well they flushed well! LOL

I do love NG but am finding alot of my samples are coming out weak (mainly the florals)- I think for all FO comapanies it will be hit and miss for everyone-to many variables in types of wax, etc..

but I do recommend the Wild Currant Sandlewood from JS and my hands down favorite from NG so far is Cracklin Birch!

Good Luck!

Before I spend tons on samples at Peak- anyone have suggestions on what is good and strong or opinions on that company in general?

Thanks

So how about if you decide to wear the uniform you advertise that a certain % of the sales will be donated to disabled vets?

You can use the show to get yourself out there and recognized more so- giving back a percentage will cut into your total profit but who knows what it could lead to down the road...... I would not be turned off buying candles from a man in uniform if it was advertised that a portion of the proceeds would go back to the military in form or another.

Good Luck and thank you for serving our Country!!

I had never heard of pikaki until a friend of mine requested it- I found one from Natures Garden and it is wonderful

Plumeria from Natures Garden is weak but bittercreek is really good

I have not tried a Tiare...

Good luck:cheesy2:

Hi Steve,

I make no claims in knowing what I am doing in candles (I think you responded to my posts before) but I do know alot about essential oils. I have been studying online for awhile now and make essential oil products for horses. It is so amazing to me that there are no regulations regarding the making and selling of "aromatherapy" products with use of essential oils. Here in Michigan you only have to be licensed if you are applying or administering the oils. If you do not know what your doing and the correct amounts to use -essential oils can be very dangerous and even deadly. In candle making consumers will be breathing in the product rather than absorbing the oil into their skin but the particles of the oil from breathing it in will still enter the blood stream and that is when you need to know what all the risks are. When I started this aromatherapy adventure I thought using a natural product was the way to go and how could something so natural and pure be bad...until I almost seriously hurt myself- I was breathing in way to much eucalyptus and lavander oil and it caused my blood sugar to start dropping out of nowhere (I never had this problem before) I went to the doctor and they had me do a 5 hour glucose test which I failed in the first phase so bad they thought I was a walking time bomb for passing out. Not knowing where this could of came from (I am not diabetic and all other tests were normal) I stopped using the oil and have had no issues since. Being that there are no regualtions I would still advise you to label your candles with the appropriate cautions- pregnant people should avoid peppermint (can cause premature labor) and epileptic people should also avoid (it can cause seizures).

ALSO

Wormood, pennyroyal, onion, camphor, horseradish, wintergreen, rue, bitter almond and sassafras are some of the essential oils that should only be used by qualified aromatherapy practitioners, if ever at all.

The amount people will be actually getting into their bloodstream is very minute coming from a candle and I have not tried them in a candle yet (I have yet to properly wick a plain jar) but I have made them in melts very successfully using CB135 at 6%- they do not last as long as fragrance oils but they are supposed to be used therapuetically anyway not as a "all day" scent.

As far as bug repellent- In my fly spray for horses I use a variety mixed with CO and neem but in a candle you would only need the EO not the carriers.

-Lemongrass, peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, citronella, geranium, spearmint, patchouli, cypress are wonderful for repelling all flying bugs

-peppermint and spearmint together is wonderful for repelling spiders

-Essential wholesale has wonderful quality Eo's

Good luck and I love your containers!!!

Hi Candle_Man

in the 8 ounce mason jars- are they the square ones by chance and what size eco did you use for that- the 14? I started with eco in that jar but got way to deep of a melt pool and alot of black from the wick swirling around in the wax- I use straight 464 as well. I went to the cd but hot throw is not that amazing and then bought the htp that I need to test still but I have ALOT of Eco's left and would love to try it again after hearing of your success!! I have been doing 1.6 oz/ per pound which could be the difference- I am told I use to much. Have any mushrooming problems at all?

I am very happy for your success!!

Thanks for any feedback you can give me

Hi Judy

So I am not the only one.... thought I was having another newbie meltdown!!

I pretty much use the same blend but with more 135 and same thing- my melts totally liquify in round warmers but I bought a square type at Meijer with the 25 watt bulb and not only do I get solid wax left in the corners- I find the scent does not throw as strong! I think its simply not hot enough- I am going to replace the bulb with a 40 watt and see if it makes a difference- I have another type of warmer as well that is light bulb but more of like a small vanity type and same thing- I switched the wattage to 40 in that and it now throws better (I didnt have the wax issues with that one though as it is round also)

I think with soy the hot plate melters work best and I will be staying home all day to test the higher wattage so I dont blow my house up! LOL

Maybe I'm confused or causing confusion. I've always been lead to believe that fragrance oils are volatile substances, meaning they have a tendency to vaporize. This is why over time candles (and soap) will lose their fragrance. The fo doesn't want to stay trapped in the wax, instead, it wants to vaporize (turn to fumes) and escape. I'm thinking that temperature can either slow down or speed up the process. Would you store your candles at 120 degrees? Where do you store and how is it recommended you store your fragrance oils?

So, if fragrance oils are volatile and exposing them to heat causes volatility to speed up, then wouldn't adding fragrance to your wax at a high temperature burn off some of the fragrance?

Please remember that I'm coming at this from a soap making point of view. Lye is very caustic and does effect fragrances in a much different way than wax. However, one of the tricks we soap makers use to hopefully decrease the loss of fragrance is to soap cool. I'm thinking that adding fragrance to wax at a cooler temperature may have the same result. That is why I was surprised when Chuck said that fragrance oil is not going to burn off at a higher temp and why I'm thinking that adding fragrance to wax and pouring at a cooler temp may save the strength of the fragrance (throw.)

Thoughts?

Hi MissMori

I am new to candle making as well and know not nearly enough to suggest anything to anybody but I will tell you what a chemist friend told me regarding wax and fragrance:

In conversation about candle making and all the frosting issues I have been having he questioned why I would heat wax so high with such a low melt point (I use soy) and add fragrance at such a high temp(recommend heat temp at 185 and then add fragrance)- his thoughts were the overpowering fumes that come off the wax when mixing at hot temps confirms that most is permeating into the air and being burned off and losing strength. He teaches college chemistry so I figured he knew more than I and tried his suggestion of heating my wax to 175 for tarts and adding fragrance at 150 then take down to my pour temp. I do have to say the cold and hot throw is much better doing this and I have lost the white frost lines on the tops of my tarts.

I am testing this now with jars. I am absorbing everything everyone says and suggests myself and read the posts daily for sometimes hours at a time! So much to learn and so many great people on this forum willing to help and share ideas but it does all come down to what works for you and there are alot of variables!

Hi IwantITgreen!

It was the candle shape and you are right- I miss counted it has 8 cavities not 9- I guess when I looked at the bottom row I assumed they were all 3 across- so that brings it up a little per ounce per cavity! whooops

Here is another pat on the back. You will be a great candle maker.

Thanks soy!!! I sure hope so

Sorry, not trying to turn this into a scentsy thread but just wanted to point out that the stated weight on their containers is 3.2 fluid oz and 2.6 oz net. Then on their FAQ page it says the bar minimum weight is 2.4 oz. That labeling is a little flaky IMO.

Flaky alright- I did put them on the scale and according to mine they weigh 2.7 out of package but leave them in and they weigh 3.2! my package says nothing about net weight hmmm....and my catalog only states "new larger package" crazy:rolleyes:

I don't know how anyone makes any money at $1.00-1.25 each. They are work, even though some say they aren't. Mine sell for $1.65 with 2 free when you buy 10. Some of mine are decorated, some aren't. I pour into the foil cups and they weigh between 1.2-1.6 oz. Depending on topping or how stretched the foil is. They are a pain but they're my bread and butter.

Try Jackel for the warming tray type. You have to have a tax id

http://www.jackelus.com/

1888-452-2535

Description: Heavenly Night Electric Wax Burner

754795--Size 5.25"h x 4.75"w--min. 2 $9.95 each plus shipping

This warmer is beautiful! Excactly what I have been looking for- Thank you, I just sent them an email to get a account:cheesy2:

I do not sell my tarts yet but my thoughts are ditto to yours- why shoot yourself in the foot selling them cheap- Yankee is 1.99 and scentsy is 5.00 for 2.7 ounces and no matter what state you live in it will be the same except for the occasional yankee sale tarts and votives for a buck

But anyways yankee is .8 ounces for 1.99- I make mine with the fluted molds and they weigh 1 ounce on the scale - I wouldnt sell them for less than 1.50 each (absolute lowest) and do a price break for 10 like you do- If people are paying the scentsy and yankee prices they will pay for hand poured homeade quality for sure!

Before I started making them I would always go to craft shows and buy peoples products- if its good quality people will pay for it and all of you that are selling yours are putting so much time and effort into what you do- dont sell yourself cheap, just go a little under the competition to rope them in!

I also was a Yankee addict before I decided to give it a try making them myself last winter. Their regular price for tarts and votives went up to 1.99 each about a year ago- standard pretty much everywhere now but they are more and more doing a 1.00 tart/votive sale which used to be very few and far between.

I would go thru about 2 or sometimes 3 a day- 4 to 6 bucks a day and finally said I am going to figure this out myself and save all that money (which isnt working out so far with all this testing and 1000's of FOs to try! LOL) but I have never seen them offer packages of tarts or votives and we have a yankee store close by- they only sell individually and they do only last about 8 hours- alot of them are very strong but fade quickly- so far with my soy tarts I am noticing they are lasting longer:yay:

I have a scentsy catalog in front of me- a friend I havent seen in a long time came to a party we had and brought me a hostess gift- a scentsy plug in and 3 scentsy bars of fragrance (she didnt know I was making them myself)

They sell their bars (3.2) ounces in a clamshell type container with 9 bricks for 5.00 or you can by a one pound brick for 20.00

Their warmers are 15.00 for plug in style, mid-size are 25.00 and full size are from 30.00 to 35.00 and they offer a design your own with the warmer being 30.00 and decals to chose from for decorating for 10.00

I tried the honey pear cider and it was okay but nothing to write home about- and I never put in the blueberry cheesecake because it smells very "cheap" and way to sweet for my taste

I cant figure out what type of wax they use though- its kinda goey like taffy and their warmers are so cute but they all use a 20 watt bulb and I personally like the hot plate electric ones like yankee but I have not been able to find any place remotely similar to either one with a huge variey of cool designs to buy wholesale (sigh:()

So I guess I got away with myself here but yes I think single tarts are a must- I want to try them out before I buy quantity and I too change up my smells probably way to much! I think its good to offer a single tart price and a package offering a price break so if the customer really likes that scent they feel they are getting a deal.

I'm always amazed at some of the junk that sells because of branding or clever marketing. I also think that once a handmade product takes off and the company has to then start manufacturing it-- it always loses that quality you get only from handcrafting.

Hi Candybee, thanks for listening

Excactly- my husband bought it because it looked so "environmentally friendly and true green" - it caught his eye and it was junk in my opinion but it was also very cheap for the size candle you got! How do you compete with that? Maybe display the crap candles up against our own hand made to really see the difference- then get sued- LOL:laugh2:

Thanks again for the reply

I think that most candlemakers (and soapers, too) can be their own worst critics! We want perfection and a quality product and sometimes won't even settle for second-best.

It does get truly frustrating when a third rate product gets out into the mainstream market just because they have a strong marketing team who sometimes (maybe most times) have actually no basis for some of the claims they make.

Side-by-side testing is the proof you needed. I'm so happy that you experienced it yourself. Good job!

Thank you for listening Judy!

It is very frustrating to see all this stuff at meijer/walmart- everywhere and for so stinking cheap but yes testing the one up against my beginner candle made me feel like a million- theirs stinks! LOL

Thank you for the pat on the back!!

Congratulations. Hard work and testing does indeed pay off by delivering results that you are looking for.

Here is Australia there is a large manufacturer of "100% natural Soy Candles", so as you do I also bought one just to see how it would be. Pretty much the exact same experience as you got, black soot, some throw and the claims of being 100% natural, which considering they us FO is untrue in any case.

Just do what you believe in, keep experimenting and testing and you will over time develop a great product. Its really just a matter of doing things correctly and having belief in yourself and your product.

We see it all the time here. I did a market on Saturday where there is another lady who makes Soy melts and a few jars. Her melts are unpackaged, displayed in take out plastic containers, complete with chips, cracks, mis-shapen etc. Her jars have no labels as such, just a small postage stamp label with the scent. On top of this her tarts are $2.50 each vs our at $1.60. Now ours are all shrink-wrapped, labeled with both scent, logo, business name, short buring instructions and then boxed, 12 to a box, by scent. It is so frustrating. She may have a great product, but when people see our stall and then hers, who do thay buy from

Believe in your product, be proud of your product and you will do well. I think my wife and I have spent as much time on the packaging and display of our line as we have developing it.

Keep up the good work

Thank you RichardLOZ- It is so nice to hear encouragement and others experiences! I to have been spending alot of time figuring out my packaging and display and I am not even anywhere near to sell- but I want to be ready and have it all perfect for when I am- perfect by own standards that is:cheesy2:

Thank you again

Thank you so much Luminous! I am going to try it out- and I do have some peaks cotton wicks I bought but never tried. The cold counter top is exactly what I have been doing only in the basement where its even cooler- My jars have not turned out that bad so far compared to my tarts but the few sinkholes and dips I do get I hope this will help! Thanks again