sycamoreboutique

For the most part I have been perfectly satisfied with the products and service. I know she is a one person operation and went through a divorce and a restructure over a year ago and things went smoothly after that. Now I am back to wondering what is going on - my orders were shipping within days (says 1-3 days processing time on site) but 10 days are going by with no contact. She did answer me last month when I asked to cancel the order that was still pending - probably because I asked if she was ok. Said that everyone had bad colds. Now same problem again, no reply to emails and the phone isn't being answered / no voicemail. I really like her products and things were going along great, I could rely on her for things I needed to get quickly - she is literally a few hours from me in IL. I guess I will have to go elsewhere now. Sigh.

TraciS The violet I carry is one of my favorites, and one of my best sellers. You have to try a sample - Vibrant Violets from Kangaroo Blue (here in ILL). Contrary to rumor, they are not going out of biz , but did downsize out of their warehouse location. I just emailed them recently to be sure. www.kangarooblue.com ps - let them know you came from this board

I do get some FO's from them that I feel are worth it - but haven't gotten much since they instituted the shipping included business. I really dislike it too - some things aren't so bad, like bulk products but when you just want a few small things the rates seem very inflated. Some of their FO's do really well in B&B as well as candles, and because customers return demanding more - I keep them on hand. Beach - A fresh water scent - but with some sweet floral in there too - but no coconut. A Bobbi Brown dupe. One of my personal favorites - customers rave about it. Bamboo & Teak - Lovely teakwood scent but with some soft, sweet notes. Nice spa scent Burmese Wood - Really nice rich wood scent - I really like this scent on a man - I make my husband wear it Moroccan Sand - Rich amber, vanilla, sandalwood blend - sexy unisex scent (another personal favorite) I know I have others but these are the standouts that I keep if only to have on hand for body products.

Had to try the NG Beer and Bacon just for grins. Figured it would make a fun novelty item or a "game day" candle for when a "foo foo" Glade scent would just not do. I did sell some of them - not a lot, but the people that bought them got a big kick out of it. The bacon was very smokey, but it definitely smelled like BACON ! The beer was beer-like, but I mainly smelled the yeasty notes.

What is the Black Ice fragrance like ? Sounds interesting.

Re: Fracas I had to go look, after that description. This is strange - the link the came up from a Google search was just one size - the 1oz =========== Available Options: 1oz - $6.50 $4.88 ============ But when I go to the alphabetical listing I get these prices. 1oz - $15.00 2oz - $27.00 4oz - $50.00 ----------- I wonder why there is such a discrepancy ? Might order the 1oz while it is still on sale ...

I can't access the swap section yet - how long does that take again ? Is it time or time + posts ?

Hmm, definintely some leather - or maybe something "plastic" smelling. Not sure who has a "plastic" FO though.

Yes - I originally got some from WSP and had a very bad experience with them used with perfume oil (which was what the are designed for) as they are made with the wrong kind of plastic (PET doesn't hold up to Fragrance Oils). They turned to mush on the bottom and the perfume started to leak after a few weeks. I have since tried some from Elements - looks to be the same plastic material - and the ones I did a trial run on had the same result, FO's ate through the plastic. So - if you are planning to use them for perfume oil, don't. Other uses would probably be fine. I have put serums in them with good results.

That is a LOT of apple scents, do they all sell ? I too am in apple country (northern ILL) but I keep it to 3 or 4 as they only appeal at certain times of the year. Macintosh, Apple Pie, Apples and Oak and Apple-Cinnamon ( I mix my own - Macintosh and Cinnamon stick). Seems to fill the bill.

I have both SSoaper's Sandalwood and Symphony Scents and I prefer Symphony Scents Sandalwood. The SSoapers one does have some note that makes it a tad "sweet" smelling - not as woody in nature. Seriously - get a small one to try - you will like it. PS - Do we do "sniffie" swaps on here ?

My favorite Sandalwood is from Symphony Scents (formerly The Scent Shack), nice and rich a bit powdery but I like it that way. Seems more "woody" than some others I have tried.

MillCreek - definitely !

Tradewinds - Didn't they carry Melekalikimaka ? I have been making my own blend these last few years ( it is coconut - pineapple - pine all things native to Hawaii) because I couldn't find it anymore.

Best Lily of the Valley I have ever found is from Symphony Scents http://www.symphonyscents.com/catalog/ I compare it to the real thing every year when my plants come up - the FO is actually a tad better than real life flowers (same with the Lilac)

I am wondering if those who already know how great these scents are would have interest in a bulk buy - apparently they are going to continue selling FO's in the bulk sizes ( 25 and 35 lb drums) by special order (would take some time - not in stock). I have been buying FO's for 7 years now and have never come across these two fragrances before, that is why I am considering doing a co-op just to keep them on hand. I did buy 1lb sizes on them before they were gone - but now I am being stingy and don't want to offer these scents in products for customers because I like these two so much. LOL.

I have never ordered an FO from them but have obtained very interesting and scarce B&B ingredients and they have good product information on the site. Shipping was quick and I was quite satisfied.

Anyone take note of their most recent message where it says in the future they will only be taking orders for drums. Apparently the FO's will still be available, but will have to be bought in bulk - or do a Co-op buy. I have a couple of absolute favs from them that I would hate to lose - namely Black Orchid (omg what a standout floral with depth) and Big Sur (the first time I have ever found an actual Redwood fragrance - LoVe it ). Very many people here use their FO's ?

Usually the fuel smell is a problem with citrus based scents in a burning candle. I have never heard of it being experienced with lotion but apparently that scent molecule is only noticeable to part of the population, others don't seem to detect it. I am one who does smell it and it is quite unpleasant. I don't do too many citrus scents for this reason, but the fix was supposed to be to add a touch of vanilla. Odd that your vanilla is doing this - but some vanillas do have that icky commercial scent to them, not natural vanilla at all. Maybe you perceive it as "fuel like" and some of us just get "ick".

Thanks. It looks like they may be the only one left. I have sent them a message asking if this will be an ongoing item or if they too may discontinue it at some point. Seems odd that so many places carry the 4 and 8 and even some 16oz but that they would eliminate one size out of a grouping.

Thanks Ravens I will check them out

I apparently am searching in vain for any supplier that still carries the 2oz square tin with the window top. Does anybody know of a source that still has them in stock ? Of course I find this out right after revamping my whole line from round to the square window tins. I guess I can just continue with the 4 and 8oz - need a decent supplier for the 16oz (saw it somewhere at retail) - but DARNED if those 2oz guys weren't cute and a great little gift item. Elements had them on sale (should have realized it was a clearance sale - they didn't word it that way) and I got all they had left but now most places list them as "temporarily" out of stock. My searching tells me it is probably permanent - as EVERY supplier I checked with is out, and one told me it was discontinued from the manufacturer and they don't know why. I wish all these places didn't order from the same main source, as it appears they certainly do. Links anyone ?? Angela

Yep. Got my Draft Beer and Bacon candles out for sale ... only sold one of each so far but you never know. LOL PS - I hate football, it ruins my Sunday shop sales !

Ravens Could you post a link for Candlewarmers ? I am guessing L&V is Levins ? OBI is great, just wish they hadn't dropped most of their night light plug in warmers.

This is an old thread- but that last comment is erroneous and needs addressing. Multi-base does have enough preservative to cover a 4-1 dilution - but you have to be particularly hygenic in the preparation (as with any water based product) sterilizing your utensils, the containers and use only distilled water. I have been using multi-base for 5 years now with NO issues - only once - years ago - did I ever see mold and it was because I mistakenly used a wooden spatula and forgot and left it in the jar - then forgot where I put the jar. It sat there for probably 2 months before being discovered. Under those conditions - the spatula developed mold - but the cream surrounding it did not (but I discarded the entire thing, of course). That is pretty good evidence that the cream was preserved enough to maintain it's integrity in the face of an attack. Lesson learned - NEVER use porous, wood spatulas - they retain bacteria - and NEVER leave a foreign object in your jar. One last note. I always provide my customers with a plastic spatula and direct them to try not introduce wet fingers into the jar as tap water is quite contaminated. I am sure they still do at times ( as I do myself with a small container that I refill) so I encourage them to purchase the squeeze tube most of the time. Keeping the rim and lid of your jar wiped down with alcohol adds some extra insurance against contamination.