Tahlula B.

Um, okay but hand pouring is the only way this machine works. But, sure, you go on and think your way is handpoured and using this set of votive cavities is not.

Exactly what Candle Man said! This is a manual machine. You have all the control. It is basically just a bunch of votive molds together. You use the wheel to crank them out once they are cooled. They are still hand poured.

Lindsay, they are really votive machines. The translation is a bit, um, bad! They call them mini-pillars but they are votives. There is a water cooling system that runs in the top of the machine making it cool faster and able to produce the product quickly. I think it takes about 45 mins in my little votive molds so that would be about right.

has anyone ever seen one of these or better yet, used one?! They look so cool.

http://www.supercandle.com/candle/machine03.htm

I will be the outlier here - I played around with some B&B a few years ago and while I enjoyed it it took away from my focus. I use the motto, do one thing and do it well. I have to keep telling myself this because it is very easy for me to go off on other projects just to get out of a rut. But, for business, I do one thing - candles. It works for me. I think the key is knowing what is best for your business.

My favorite is Lemon Poundcake from Aromatech

Best seller is Peppermint and Eucalyptus from Candle Science

I would recommend spending more money and getting a higher end laser. In the long run you are going to spend less. Granted, you will spend more for the printer and the toner cartridges are more expensive but they are also larger, have a higher resolution and will handle most any paper. I have a HP 3550n. I print constantly and have to refresh toner about once a year. The drum is NOT replaced each time you replace toner in the higher end models. Most any printer below this one - any brand - is a throwaway printer. It will be better than an inkjet for you but not much.

My last HP laser is still in service 13 yrs after purchase. I replaced it only because I wanted 4-color. If I had the money at the time of replacement I would have purchased the 4700 series.

How quickly do y'all get a full melt pool? I guess a better question would be what are your expectations for the full melt pool. I noticed yesterday testing new candles that on the first 4 hr burn it takes almost the full 4 hrs and the next burn it didn't take that long. Anyway, what are your expectations?

Well, not really what I was looking for - but thanks! I wish they had a sample edition online. I won't order something I cannot see before ordering. Especially something that is only 4 xs a year. It looks more like a craft magazine than what I wish to find.

Thanks! Checking it out now.

I didn't see anything worth the money for IGCA. I mean, they have conventions that I would never attend because of place and that seemed to be about it.

I am curious about the other (NCA) because I am trying to find real trade publications. I sure wish someone had some information.

No one?

Does anyone here belong to the NCA? I am wondering what the benefits are? ARe there any other organizations you subscribe to? I wish I could find some trade publications!

I think it is very berry - it is a very nice scent. Tart but sweet enough.

Man, I really wish I had both to comare side by side! I need to just order some CC rosemary. They seem sooooo close but I haven't had any CC in stock in, oh, a year?

Does anyone have an ounce to spare of the CC? I would be willing to trade for something else.

has anyone tried both of these? I am out of CC rosemary but have the Greenleaf in stock - without having both in stock they sure seem to be close to the same, if not the same... what are other's thoughts on this? Have you tried both?

I have mixed the two when I was in a pinch last year. I guess I just have to purchase and see how it stands alone.

But, gosh, can't you just TELL me and assure me it will be perfect?! (whine, whine)

Jessica, are you happy with the results you get with the wax? I swear, the little bit that I have used it seems so close to 1343 - I am thinking of never paying shipping charges again! But, I don't know... I make all pillars.

I think about this more for myself - when choosing more scents I want to look at my existing categories and decide if I really need to add another say, spice or if my fruit category is lean, that sort of thing. I am always seperating them.

Heck, I have a mint categoiry!

You could break them down like this: If there are several which fit a description (e.g. woodsy) you could create a separate category for it. If there is only one, then it might be better to try to place it in an existing category (e.g. men's).

I mean in general, not mine exactly. I want to know what categories other's use. I just wonder how many categories I may be missing, or, um, something.

I keep trying to think of all the categories of fragrance - woodsy, floral, etc...

how do you break down your scents? Are there 5 categories? more? here are some...

woodsy

floral

spicy

food

herbal

green

whatelse?

Yeah, no listings for the properties that I can find. Bummer. I keep thinking I would like to stock up on it but I hate to start all over with testing to get a perfect rustic/mottle. I thought maybe since the MP is the same, it might be the same? Seems Hobby Lobby packages it. I wonder if they repackage it from IGI? hmmmm... that would be nice, huh?

Hmmm, true, so I posed the question poorly - I would like to have the same properties I get from 1343.

ahhh, thanks! I didn't see that before. OOOOPS!

I really, really would like to think this wax is decent. I wonder who makes it?

mizbizzy, will they let you use a coupon for more than one slab? maybe?! gosh, I sure hope so.

kyle, why only for tarts? Did you make pillars with the HL wax and find it unacceptable? The melt point is almost exactly teh same as the 1343 from IGI. Gosh, I really want this to work!