KMommy

Yes, I did read the post mentioned on the previous pages and that is the amount I used when I tested this several months ago. I was just checking to make sure since I have seen both amounts mentioned on other post.

Sorry, that should have been nose.:embarasse

Is it 1/2 teaspoon or 1/2 tablespoon? I've seen both amounts used in testing. I just wanted to reiterate what Jami stated. If you use more than the suggested amount your wick sizes from previous testing will change. I also had that sour or spoiled smell with some FO's, not all. Glad to hear it wasn't just me that noticed it. In regards to something with a lower melt point making the wax harder, I'm just guessing here but the coconut oil alone gets pretty hard in the container unless it is in a warm room. So my guess would be that adding it to the wax is adding firmer ingredient when solid which would make the wax harder and therefore require a larger or hotter wick to get it to melt. Not sure if that was explained correctly but it's just a guess. I tested to see if there was a difference for me in scent throw. For my testing the scent throw was not any different. My testers that weren't told about any additional additive that may or may not improve scent throw and didn't note any difference between the two candles. There was something mentioned on another board that stated binding the oil to the wax too much actually decreased the scent throw because FO didn't release and disperse effectively. Who knows, each noise is different:cheesy2:

Thanks, that's what I was thinking might be the problem. When I use the same FO and wax in a wider container it is rare that I have any soot. Of course I have a large stock of these narrow ones.

I have switched to a glass tumbler that is more narrow than the previous tumber I had been using. I am using a soy/paraffin wax and I have noticed that I now have soot on my containers . This usually only happens once the candle burns down past the middle. This is also the point where my wick will begin a bouncing flame. I know that the bouncing flame is due to the air flow in the container but could this also be what is causing the soot issue?

Thanks for the reply. I was reading some reviews for both and it seems most people liked the older versions of these programs better than the newer.

If you had to decide between the two programs which one would you pick and why? Is one more user friendly than the other?

Anyone?

What type of instructions do you include with your Forever Palm Pillars? Are the label requirements different than regular Pillar candles?

Very creative!!!

Very pretty! Looks like you've got good weed:laugh2:

I was told by the supplier to add the stearic. Once when I forgot to add it the wax wouldn't come out of the mold.

It isn't that I don't like it but Sweetcakes Brown Sugar and Fig was a CP disaster for me. Here is a link from an old post and the photo that is used is exactly what happened to my batch. http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15128&highlight=Brown+sugar+Fig+fiasco Also KY FO haven't worked well for me at all. To their credit they have a message that they are not CP tested. I just tried a few on my own in hopes that it would work. http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27157&highlight=brown+sugar+fig

I made a few Palm Pillars several months ago and stored them in boxes. I took them out today and they all have this white dusty film sorta like frosting with soy wax. I tried gently polishing it but it didn't come off. The only additive I used was stearic. What is this stuff and how do I get rid of and prevent it in the future?

I am just curious...on one of the pages here there is a banner at the top of the page for starting a business with Mia Bella. I remember many of the conversations we had concerning them on the old board:undecided . Since most of us produce our own candles it seemed odd to see an ad here for their business.

I also started making candles because I thought I would save money making them instead of buying them. Boy was I wrong! One of the main companies I use to buy from was Yankee. Looking back I now know that I didn't always get what I paid for, many did tunnel. In all honesty I never had a probem with scent throw from any of the ones I purchased and I really did like their tarts. It has been several years since I purchased one of their container candles so maybe things have changed. I do believe that some people purchase from them and other candle companies because they like the idea of the name brand. I've heard people make the comment about handcrafted products "If it were so good why isn't it sold in a store?" Hard to get people like that to understand individual attention and handpoured quality over machine made. Just like buying designer clothes. But to be fair not all of these companies produce bad candles. I have also purchased some poor quality candles that were handcrafted. One of the differences is that most of the time if your nice about it and point out a problem to someone that makes candles they are usually willing to make corrections with their product for your approval. Trying doing that with one of the big guys!

The clamshells didn't go over well in my area either. Most people commented that they like the way Yankee sells their tarts - individually. They also liked being able to mix different tart scents instead of having to buy 3.00 worth of the same scent. I sure was hoping they would go over better because the clamshells are so much easier to make. It just depends on your area, your customers may love them!

I have contacted them and they stated that their policy was changed and they do require the 50.00 min. amount order. In the past they didn't have a min. order or would waive it for a new customer but they change some time last year.

Yes, some are great and some are a waste. Just like with any supplier if you are using the FO's in wax. It all depends on they type of wax and all the other variables that go along with candle making. What I didn't like was that there is a 50.00 min. order. I really didn't want to spend 50.00 just to get some samples.

I like their company name but I can just see me making a mistake and saying something else that rhymes with Pluckers. Now that would certainly be a unique name!

That is a good suggestion but I think it really depends on your customer base,the area that you sell, and what prices are the products for your main competion. I for one could not sell a candle or any other type of product where the FO cost me 60.00 for 8oz. I live in a small city and I have to keep in mind that most customers aren't going to spend a fortune for a candle. If they normally shop at Macy's, Nordstroms... they aren't usually the type of customer that shops the handcrafted product market, at least not where I live. I agree with PH, there are 1-2 of the Daystar fragrance oils that I really like for myself and would hate to do without but with a price increase I am just going to order enough for myself and cross off the other fragrances from my line.

Oh, well that makes sense if the order needs to be in a very large box. I still think for small orders like what I mentioned above US Priority would be a good idea. I use Bittercreek and other suppliers because they offer this method of shipping. I've ordered items from WSP and was charged 12.00 plus for shipping and got the exact same merchandise from BC and paid US priority of 4.00.

Maybe I am missing something here. If I purchase items, no matter what they are and they can fit into a flat rate shipping box how is that costing WSP money? I have never liked their shipping charges which I felt were over inflated. I am one of those people that normally have small orders. If I just need a few packs of wicks or dyes or even a few test size FO's I look for the suppliers that offer US Postal shipping. Those are the suppliers I usually continue to give my business to. Not that WSP cares about my small potatoes.

Very nice!

I've wondered this same thing about another one of the other "big guys" that sells a soy candle. After looking at the candle it didn't appear to be 100% soy. It is indeed all in the wording! Here is an example. DH brought home a skin cream that was being sold for $4.00 1/2oz. It is labeled as Emu Cream but here is what is written on the label "Contains over 40 ingredients that have overlapping qualities to help stop pain, including Emu oil." The label list only 6 ingredients and the listing starts off with "includes...." So some place in the mix is a tiny bit of Emu Oil and the product suddenly becomes Emu Cream. There was another candle manufactor that had a "soy" candle and from my experience with soy and palm that wax may have contained a bit of soy but it was mainly palm. Nothing wrong with palm but I thought it was dishonest to label it as soy and lead the customer to believe that it was a soy candle when it was indeed palm. It's all in the wording and marketing! Thanks for pointing that out Geek!