VickiB in CA

Thanks for the link! What a great site. I already work with EOs and have many in my shop. Like you, I mainly add them to enhance my FOs. I don't mind spending a bit to test with the EOs because I see such a market for the soy/EO candles out there and will just have to adjust the price to make it worth my while. I'm learning that customers will pay higher prices for a quality product if it is packaged nicely. I've noticed with the couple of florals I've worked with so far - one I can think of for sure right now - ylang ylang, it just takes drops per candle to get a really good sense of it and then you can mix it with other not-quite-so-pricey EOs like patchouli. I have a lavender/peppermint one burning next to me right now and it's just beautiful. I believe I added .2 lavender and .1 peppermint to 6 ozs of a soy/veg blend. And with pure EOs there are awesome aromatherapy benefits too. I can't wait to get started "playing" with the blends on the link you posted. That's going to save me lots of moolah!

Thank you! I was needing some direction there. I really didn't see much difference with the UA in my testing. Will try to beeswax. Did you notice having to wick up after adding it? If so, I'll just wait until I get my beeswax or I'll have to start testing all over again. Thanks again -

I'm creating a new line of soy with essential oils only and was wondering if 1 oz per lb is the usual amount to begin testing with. Yikes - these are going to be much more expensive to make (and to test!) Also - Do you have to cut back on the florals as with fragrance oils. I know with FOs it takes much less. I working on a headache one right now and using 2 parts lavender eo to 1 part peppermint eo and I like that blend. Does anyone else have favorite EO blends or know where I might find some good ones. Thanks!

I've read that either 3% BW or 1 TBS Universal Additive pr lb will make the tops smoother in soy candles. Is it necessary with Soy/Veg blends too? And does one work better than the other? Or is it best to use both? One more: Does using them cause you to have to wick up. I'm messing myself up because I'm testing a new wax, new wicks and playing with the additives all at the same time! I just have customers waiting for my new soy candles and I'd like to at least get 2 or 3 of my Christmas ones on the shelf before too long. Thanks for any help -

I'm testing a 3" diameter straight sided jar right now with .8 ozs of Essential Oils only and using their largest to begin. Will post results if that's helpful for jelly jar users. Their largest is WI-798. It's unfortunate that Aztec only carries certain sizes because no doubt I'll be needing one that they don't carry! :undecided I'm testing double wicked apothecaries right now and it'll be somewhere around WI-770. Hadn't seen the response as to whether or you have to wick up when adding 3% BW or 1 Tbs of Universal Additive. Anyone know??

I noticed on the Aztec site that they don't recommend them for soy waxes, but this is the information from the manufacturer: Premier 700 Series Wicks Premier 700 series Cotton braided wicks for all candle types Our newly developed Premier 700 Series of candle wicks offer many of the ideal burn characteristics that you are looking for in a proper burning candle. The premier series ability to bend while burning contributes to a cleaner burning candle The premier Series have been found to work very well in Natural and Soy candles The premier series are coated with our High Melt Point Wick Wax for added stability in poured candles

Was happy to hear this and know a few others had wanted to try these but were held back because of Wick-It's 1000 minimum wick requirement. So I emailed them and got this response. Woo Hoo! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Dear Vicki We have a distributor that carries both our Zinc wicks and the PREMIER 700. Go to or call Aztec Enterprises www.candlesupplies.com Or call them @ 1.800.369.5357. PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS THAT THEY CAN ORDER AS LITTLE AS 100 PIECES FROM THEM. Best Regards, "Your Friends in the Candle Industry" WICK IT Joe Blythe On the web at: WWW.WICKIT.NET Toll Free Tel: 866-3WICKIT (866-394-2548) Toll Free Fax: 866-4WICKIT (866-494-2548) Tel: 973-249-2970 Fax: 973-249-7490

Here - how's this: Wick-It Premier 700 Series Wicks WI-700 - 710 = Tealights 710 - 730 = Votives 710 - 720 = 1-2" Pillar 710 - 735 = 1-2" Container 725 - 767 = 2-3" Pillar 735 - 767 = 2-3" Container 750 - 767 = 3" Pillar 755 - 795 = 3-4" Pillar 755 - 798 = 3-4" Container 780 - 798 = 4" Pillar 780 - 798 = 4"+ Container

Could you tell me if you're looking for results for pillars or containers and what inches across they are? Thanks -

I'm using the Calsoy CB3 (100% soy/veg). I don't need to cool down with this one? That would be great. Thanks for the help!

If you want to get really creative and go for an even quicker cool down - maybe keep a supply of the flakes in the fridge and then you won't have to add as much to cool it down?? :undecided Just a thought.

Not sure if I can help you. I use the 16 oz apothecary jars and I'm double wicking. Somewhere around the 770 seems to be working for me. I believe at my shop I have the page that lists the burn variables of each of the wicks. Will try to locate it and post what I find.

This an older thread - hope you don't mind me "dredging" it up. For anyone planning for the future or who might hope to open a little store. I have recently got insurance and will share my experience and what I pay - hope it helps someone. I have a little shop - the back is all work space with a 150 lb melter in the back with a handmade divider wall and retail sales in the front. I sell candles, body care and loose leaf teas. It was a bit of a pain to get the insurance and may not have been able to if it weren't for our awesome insurance man - woo hoo Gary Campbell! To get the insurance, they needed to see copies of all the labels I put on my products including the decorative front and the candle burning warning on bottom. A complete list of every ingredient in every product and a handwritten statement declaring that I don't make any claims on my teas regarding healing or curing diseases, illnesses blah blah blah. Estimating that I hope to sell around $50,000 this year, I pay $173 monthly. It's a lot but necessary. And since my rent is so cheap, it's affordable. ps - if you do decide to step out and open a store, your landlord will require you to carry insurance so you'll be needing to check into it if you go in the direction. I didn't have any while pouring at home, but probably should have - now that I see the catastrophes that can occur. Some people just don't have a lick of common sense! And it could end up being at your expense Another thing to consider - I pay 16% Workmen's Comp for anyone employed in my shop even if they just run the cash register?? In fact when I had a kiosk at a nearby Mall, I paid 16% for my girls sitting on the stool and selling candles - simply because they would swing by the shop on the way to the Mall and pick up a few boxes of candles. But because their feet touched the floor of the place where the candles are manufactured, all of their time was considered hazardous!! Explain that one?? Doesn't make sense when my husband pays 13% for his employees who handle high voltage electricity?? Sorry to ramble on - but these are all things to consider as your company begins to grow. Hope it helps someone.

For anyone interested, these tin sample sets have suddenly been marked down 50% - 80%. Just a few days back they were on backorder?? Must have got a big shipment in. http://www.creativexpress.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=cx&Category_Code=organizer-embellish

I like the way the black metal lids look on the apothecary jars. Do they just rest on the top or do they actually fit snugly? Or are there different types? Thanks!

I'm new to the whole soy wax "thang" and have been loving it. It's just like me to try to do a big "switcheroo" right before the busy season! (I've used J223 for 3 years). This is what I've been trying - may have already been tried by some of you and would like your results if possible. I reserve about 2 ozs of the shaved wax while melting the other 6 ozs of a 1/2 lb test candle in the microwave and get it up to 190 - 200. I add the color and FO and then add the 2 ozs of room temp wax quickly to cool it down. Seems to kinda be working but then I'm new to this and what I think looks ok may be a really ugly candle?! :undecided Has anyone tried doing anything like this? Thanks for any responses -

Lisa - where did you get that cute blinking "I Love Candles" graphic? I love that

Hi Jessie! I'm new too and loving it. Only been hanging around for a couple weeks but Wow! am I glad I found this place From one "mad scientist" to another, WELCOME!

Oops! You're right - Those are Premiers :embarasse Not sure on the minimum order on those. I do know this - When I get completely switched over to soy, I'm going to have about 10,000 wicks from Wicks Unlimited to unload! They are so awesome in the J223 and also very rigid. But there is a 10,000 minimum with them. Thanks for the correction -

Thanks for the response and suggestions. I've been testing both the Performa 700s and the Ultra Core wicks and have fallen in love with the Performas. I had to use a huge (almost the largest) UC to do the job so there was a bigger flame. I'm using much smaller sized Performas and they are even burning a bit hotter than I'd like and will have to wick down. AND the best part, they are so rigid I can just hand-set them after I pour the wax in the jar and tah-dah! ps - the Ultra Cores may be just the ones you are looking for though - don't want to discourage anyone from trying them. They are an awesome company and great customer service and their wicks are also very rigid, just not what I was needing for my wax blend. Thanks!

I'm testing the Calsoy CB3 and falling in love with this wax! But I'm noticing (as has mentioned on here many times I'm sure) that the wax kinda separates and crackles some around the wicks and the surface isn't as smooth as I'd like. I've been reading about the universal additive and seeing that anywhere from 1/2 tsp to a full TBS per lb is required and does make the top smoother. Does it also make the wax harder so that I'd have to wick up? Also I read that it can make the candle appear grainy. Is that a big problem with using this? One more thing - what is the main benefit of adding 3% beeswax? Thanks for the help!

Been trying to talk to someone at Calwax for 2 days and can't seem to get an answer - errrr . . . I just need to know how much FO my Calsoy CB3 (100% Soy/Veg Wax) will hold. The J223 held 10% max. Is it the same with the soys? Thanks for any help -

I butted in on another conversation about using dyes in soy. I'm new to the soy "thang" so wasn't aware of the problems you can have with soy. I put my BCN liquid dyes in a lavender last night and the color is fine so far. When does the problem usually arise - after it sits for a while? Also - what is FROSTING? Sorry - I should know this by now :rolleyes2 ps - I'm working with the Calwax Calsoy CB3. Thanks! VickiB in CA

You mean soy candles don't take color??!! I'm in the process of testing wicks for a 100% soy/veg blend from Calwax. Haven't gotten to the color part yet but wasn't expecting any problems there. Should I be?? I currently use Bittercreeks liquid dyes for my J223 and was just planning on using them in the soy too. Any suggestion would be so appreciated - Thanks! VickiB in CA

I've recently been testing the Calsoy CB3 - switching from the J223 and discovered something neat today. The CB3 is available in bead form. I love that since the blocks can be a bit difficult to load into my melter, especially since the CB3 tends to be bit crumbly when handling. I just wanted to share this because I wasn't aware of this before and found out today when I contacted Swan's Candles to get 20lbs for testing. There is a minimum order required at Calwax and I haven't committed to this wax yet - but getting pretty close Blessings - VickiB in CA