Lioness

And for added fun, change the color of the candles!!! I tripped my sis-in-law up with two of the same colored pink candle....one was a yank dup of fresh cut roses, the other was mimosa and mandarin (neither were labeled). To her, they both smelled like roses! Funny how our minds associate color, names, etc. to what we expect them to be. Thought about going colorless with my line, but after that, realized color (as well as creative naming) play a BIG part in what sells! I'm convinced if I made an orange colored bayberry candle, people would smell it and say "Wow...This smells just like fresh peeled oranges"!!! LOL....Know what I mean???

Interesting post, Trudi! It sounds like you're doing a great job offering enough basic information in your classes to inform your students of some of the science behind candle making without divulging everything you've worked so hard to learn. I like your approach! Do you limit your class size to a certain number of students? How do you have them heat their wax? And how do you deal with 2nd pours on the candles, or does the 415 wax not require them?

Excellent post, FarmerJill!!! Your second paragraph is brilliant and right on the money, girl!!! Thanks for your input!

Thanks so much for all the posts...you've all given me some very valid points to consider. The class that she (the owner of the gift shop) wants me to teach would be a hands on class for adults, however, now that I've read some of these posts, I'm actually thinking I would feel more comfortable teaching a hands on class for children! That's a cool idea, and one that hadn't even crossed my mind! Kids are SOOOO much easier to work with, and I could let down my guard knowing that they aren't there to steal my secrets and set up shop across the street from me, haha!!! Well, my wheels are spinning here...I'm off to do some brainstorming!!!

Hello All! Just wanted to get your opinion on something... I've been making candles for about 7 years now and have recently placed some of them in a local gift shop on consignment. The owner of the shop asked if I would be interested in teaching a class on candle making at her location. I just wondered if any of you have taught classes, and if so, how did you go about the process without giving away all of your hard earned knowledge and trade secrets? As with any of you who have been making candles for any length of time, it has taken me countless hours of research and testing, not to mention the small fortune I have tied up in different types of wax, wicks, jars and F.O.'s trying to perfect my goods!!! I wouldn't mind making a few extra bucks teaching a class, but am not sure exactly how to go about it. Any thoughts or advice???

I'll be curious to hear what your results are on the test burn of the Spiced Cranberry... Thanks!

I purchased the bad batches of Spiced Cranberry and Pumpkin Pie Spice In Nov/Dec 2010, IslandGirl. The previous batches of these same two fragrances burned great...they were purchased in Nov/Dec 2009. When did you purchase the Orange Clove you are having trouble with? That's another one I purchased in 2009 and loved, but I'm afraid to re-order it incase I have the same problem as I'm having with the other two. I should add that I have ordered maybe 15 different fragrances from NG and have never had this problem before.

Hello! I have not personally tried NG Chai Tea F.O., so I can't answer any questions on whether it would burn or not. I CAN, however, tell you that I had the same problem with two of NG's other fragrance oils; Spiced Cranberry and Pumpkin Pie Spice. I use IGI6006 Wax and CD wicks. In both fragrances, I wicked up to a ridiculous sized wick trying to get a burn, but no luck. I also tried eliminating any color dye thinking that may have been the problem. Again no luck. Wierd thing is, I used these F.O. last year from NG and had no problem at all with the burn. I contacted them and they were not able to help me out with any suggestions. I would be curious to know if anyone else has had any problem with any of NG F.O.'s... After having this problem and not being offered any solution, I am leery about ordering from them any more.