snowman

Check out www.clearbags.com. Lots of products and good prices. J.Snow

I want to begin handling a line of Essential Oils. Would appreciate any reccomendations for a wholesale distributor of Top Quality Oils. Jerry Snow

Janet - Tried to send you a private message re your owl candle. Can't tell if it went or not, J.Snow

One additional matter to consider when making your own molds; it is not always the most economical to make your own. You have to consider how many candles you anticipate making with a mold. Chances are you can buy a mold cheaper than you can make it. There are molds being sold that boggles my mind as to how the seller is receiving compensation for their time and effort. Unless they have found a supply source much less expensive then mine. Save your mold supply expense and creative time by making molds of items that are unique to your area. If there is a special frog, fruit, vegetable, animal, whatever - you can make a mold of it. And you probably can't buy such a mold. Another is candles that you want to make several of at the same time. As I stated in a previous reply, mold making is addictive (fun). You have to do some serious ciphering or you wind up like me with a bunch of neat molds that made less than 6 candles. Anytime you got a question, just ask. May take a day or 3 before I answer, but I'll get back to ya. Best - J.Snow

Smooth-On has a product called Mold Star, I use Mold Star 15. It's easy to mix half & half and no air bubbles without using a decompressor. Use PVC pipe for as many mold containers as possible. You can buy an 8' stick at plumbing supplies and cut it with a hack saw. Save the PVC container to store the mold, helps keep it's shape. Also, allows for thin wall molds. The object you are making the mold of (positive), be sure to clean it good to remove greese, oil, etc. Spray the object with a couple of coats of Rust-Oleum or Krylon clear. Spray with mold release before pouring your mold. Smooth-On has mold release in pint or quart cans, use a spray bottle rather than aresol. Less expensive. Use Plexa-Glass from Lowe's or Home Depot to make mold boxes. You can make an adjustable box using internet plans. So much to learn, the only way you are going to get is to do it. Another biggie is knowing where to cut your mold to remove your candle. Two (2) piece molds is something you will soon figure out to make. Smooth-On has some great classes if you are close to a distributor. Martha Stewart has a good video on making molds. Good luck, you will enjoy, silicone is expensive - look at Urethane for less detailed molds. I am just rambling as thoughts come to me, Best - J.Snow

Would it be possible or feasible to purchase 10 to 15 base fragrances that you could use to mix a significant number of additional fragrances? If so, which 10 to 15 (or whatever the number might be) would you prefer? Many thanks - J.Snow

Many thanks - I had looked through the NG list and didn't find rootbeer, but there it is. Think I might have a computer bug or virus.... JS

Anyone have a formula to mix a "Rootbeer" fragrance? I have a candle mold for a Sioux City Rootbeer Bottle and need a rootbeer fragrance. Thanks for your help. J.Snow

Go to their web site and copy the address. Do a Google search on the address, some interesting info. Number one question, unless they are so big they have to have a seperate office - how many candle companies are you aware of that operate out of a suite????

If you will follow brezy's suggestion - using the mallet and heavy putty knife or old wood chisel works great. Take a cardboard box a little larger than your wax slabs with about 8 inch sides. Slip it inside a garbage bag and lay a board the size of the box in the bottom. The board can be a used piece of plywood or OSB (outside board). Drop your slab on the board and chisel or chip your chunks away. The small pieces don't go everywhere and you don't damage cabnet or table tops busting up the slab. Plus, afterwards you can dump the small pieces and chunks from the garbage bag into your melter. Don't waste those small pieces, they will add up to a big chunk. J.Snow

Anyone know where I can find resin bees? For those who don't know, a resin bee is a very small honey or other bee made from resin that you can place or stick on candles. Thanks - J.Snow

Thanks Debbie...

I like to figure out how things are made, or how something works. I think I have the ribbon wick process identified, just have to purchase some wick material and test it. Still trying to find where I saw the + wood wicks...

GBH - It would appear no one knows or someone knows and just is not going to answer. I have seen these wicks and would also like to find a source. However, I now can't find the candle maker that was using these cross candles. If you have or remember the candle maker's name, please share. Should I find the source, I will let you know...

https://www.nevercoldcall.com/system/our-system.php Here's an interesting link you might want to check out...

Chandler - You protect or validate that you are the originator of an idea by placing a description, notes, diagrams, emails, dated photos, etc., in an envelope sealed with the tape that you have to cut to open and mailing it to your self. When you mail it, you have the postal clerk date stamp the seal. When you receive the envelope, don't open it, put in a safe or lock box for use should your ownership of the idea ever be questioned. Funkymonkey - I'm concerned that you are taking my comments as a personal attack on you. Please be assured that my comments are not directed at or questioning anything you have done to protect your business. You have done what you deemed necessary for you and your situation. Win, loose or draw - that's all anyone can do. The original poster of this thread asked for comments regarding Trademarks. All I was simply trying to accomplish was to point out there is another side of Trademark filing to explore before making a decision to do so. And "hot glue" won't work...

Some I have permission from and some I don't. Those that I do not, I have tried. The company that the original bottle pertains to doesn't exist as a business structure or the trademark is no longer used or valid. Some will not respond, does that mean they don't care or just waiting to make a trademark claim. If I get a C&D notice, I'll determine the validity of the notice. Just because you get a C&D notice from an attorney doesn't mean it's valid or legitimate. I'm sure you are aware that a trademark has to be renewed periodically and if not, it's fair game. Otherwise, if the C&D and trademark is legit - I'll stop immediately. If you will note, I have inroduced a magnetic candle holder is this section of the forum. I think it's unique and cannot find that another company has anything similar. I have made no attempt to copyright, trademark or acquire any form of protection. I could spend a few thousand dollars obtaining that protection and a foreign company could have it copied and selling at a cost that I can't compete with tomorrow. I would rather let my friends on this forum use the idea at no cost. I am not trying to imply your action is wrong - just that there is another side to consider.

Big misunderstanding, no way would I even insinuate it's ok to steal in any amount. Spent too many years pursuing those that steal. Trademarks and patients are total necessary for the protection of your interest in the products you produce. But only to the point it is economical feasible. Trademark infringement is not a criminal matter and you can only go to jail and or be fined for the commission of a crime. Unless the infringement of that trademark includes counterfeiting, such as popular clothing and purse manufacturers, which is a crime. You can spend a boat load of money for a trademark or patient and it be copied by a foreign company, which you can't do diddley squat about unless you got a unlimited bank account. Doesn't make it right, but it's reality. The person who has infringed on your copyright probably has done it before, basing my opinion on their ignoring your C&D notice. They know to hide their proceeds well and are probably judgment proof and if not, bankruptcy tosses your claim out the window. Unless you got the funds to hire investigators to find their stash. Don't mean to disagree with you, just pointing out the reality of such matters.

Here's a negative opinion. Trademarks are a must to have if you have a product with nationwide sales potential. However, if your trademark is copied or partially copied, you got to prove it was done with intent to deprive you of sales and income. Frequently hard to do. But here is the reality check, you got to sue the copier for your damages - which is also hard to prove. How many sales did the copier deprive you of? Do you have a sales organization that would have sold to copier's customers if not for their infringement. A lot of attorneys will take any case if you got the dollars. You can usually determine the value of your claim if the attorney will take it on a contingency basis. So you get a judgment against the copier, now you have to collect your judgment. If the copier does not have a large bank account or real property you can attach, you are SOL. My opinion, trademarks are of little value unless you have the potential for sales to generate the dollars to enforce it.

Turning the candle upside down was for illustration purposes only to show how difficult it would be to knock the candle off the holder. I would hope someone wouldn't turn a burning candle upside down, but people will be people. If it can be done, they will try it. When I make a pillar, I seat the wick tab in the base with hot tool that I have made. I also melt a little wax around the wick at the top. I go overboard on appearance, which is not good for production. As I pointed out in another post, my spouse is going to have to wait on the Lottery for her new Ford Explorer. Don't think I'm going to accumulate sufficient excess funds in the candle business.

Thanks Chris. The reality bulb is burning bright. I have sharpened my pencil and hopefully have come up with a realistic price of $78.00. The new (new to me) Mold Star silicone is a bit more expensive, but I believe the quality of the product will justify the difference. I can make a little at this price, if I don't get side tracked and waste or loose a big mix of silicone. My spouse is going to have to wait on the Lottery for her new Ford Explorer, don't believe the mold business is going to make it...

You are 100% right on. It's just finding a wood wick that's worth a hoot. The wood wick looks good in the rose, it's unique, creates interest and questions. I'm trying your suggestions, like dipping the wicks in extra hot beeswax (just a bit over 200 degs). Then I'll test one standing up alone. I have some that I got from Candlewic, if those suckers will burn after a beeswax dip - that will be an award winning formula.

Additional candles holders photo....

This is another of my ideas or developments. I struggle with calling them inventions. This is a line of candle holders that I have designed, which holds the candle by a magnet rather than a stick pin. These are very strong magnets and locks the candle on to the holder very tight. You can hold the holder and candle at a 90 degree angle or upside down and it won't release. Determined by the size and weight of the candle. My roses display on these perfectly. Opinions and concerns will be most appreciated.

I have used a #5 cotton wick, beeswax primed and it's good - not perfect. But I don't think the usual results of a same size pillar candle is possible due to the neck-body size difference. I will take some photos of various burn stages and post for your evaluation. Thanks for your response and thoughts. J.Snow