JanetsCandles

I just came across something on Etsy, and now I'm curious. Wouldn't having glitter used for eyeshadow (doesn't look like there is anything but glitter there) cause a potential problem?

They can be ok, but some cats are extremely sensitive to fragrance oils. My kitty is ok if they are diluted some (melts, etc) but if the fragrance is too strong, he ends up sneezing his head off. Also, you should be careful to put it up where the cat won't run into it. I've had one broken because a cat in the past didn't realize it was there while trying to jump up.

The ladies above have answered it pretty well, I think. I have been working soaps now for nearly a year. M&P soaps a bit longer. I use cold process methods. I use my own bars myself well before I allow anyone else to even try them. I do not get burning sensations in mine, unless I get suds in my eyes. But that happens no matter what kind of soap I use, so it's no different than normal. A properly made bar of soap will clean your skin, no matter which process is used. There is a learning curve for both kinds, just like there is for a candle maker using paraffin and then switching to soy. Both may be good candles, they have different basic properties, but a lot of work is involved to make it a good candle. *shrug* Same idea, just different building blocks.

Cornucopia from Peak Bayberry from Peak Victorian Christmas from Wellington Fragrance Orange Clove (my own blend)

I also use shea butter in replacement of the cocoa butter on occasion. They work just as well, just crumble easier. But as long as your packaging is decent and you aren't planning to hold up an end of a display table with them, there isn't a problem. I imagine any of the butters will work the same way. There may be a couple that make it too loose, though. I don't know for sure.

I use a very similar to Kelly's that she just posted up there. (Got it from her in the first place). Ratios are the same, but I will occasionally sub clay for the corn starch and a different kind of salt for the epsom salt. Depends on what I'm doing with it. I use a powder colorant for the bombs, usually micas. Depending on the type of FO and how strong it is, I use between 0.5 Tbsp (1.5 tsp) and 1 Tbsp (3 tsp). The butter works fine for hardening it all. Also the SLSA works to help disperse the oils in the tub.

Wow. I usually don't use the liquid oils, and my FO amount is much lower than yours is. I use Cocoa Butter in mine, about 3 oz. But I measure all of my stuff by weight, and not by volume. Also, I don't end up using water, or witch hazel. Don't need to. I'm wondering if your water is too much and making the oil not bind with it. The warty appearance can be from the water reacting to the citric acid as well.

New packaging experiment with existing recipes. They are bath bombs with a surrounding soap, made into a flower. I made the molds for the soap and it's a typical bath bomb. I'm selling them as "sample" sizes because of how small they are. I think they're kinda cute, though.

I thought we were, too! LOL

Looks good enough to eat! Great job, Kelly.

I emailed them at Atkins & Pierce last night after reading all of this. Asked where I could get extra info and purchase samples. Just got an email back this morning saying they would be getting info from me on Monday, and that they would be able to send me samples.

Oh, now that's interesting! I can use the 9" length for sure in some of my containers. Oi, my hubby is gonna kill me. He's just getting used to the system with HTP wicks and RRDs LOL

Doesn't seem to have a problem. Not sure why, but who am I to complain?

So I got a call yesterday. You guys probably remember my layered palm wax containers. Well, back in January/February I went to see a potential customer locally that deals in home decor type things (furniture, carpet, wallpaper, the works). I never heard back, so kinda wiped her off my list, even though she'd sounded extremely excited at the time. So guess who called? She sprung a meeting on me for this afternoon, and I was to bring some of my candles. So I brought over some newly finished (like I'm able to launch them this week, wick testing was brutal) autumn themed candles in that style. I just got an order for 4 cases at retail price... Photos of the new jewels! And now I was also asked to work up a new set in other colors, with a desire to order another 4 cases when I get it finished. I think I just got overwhelmed here. Guess they're going over well, huh?

This is my first day off in about 2 weeks. Since I got back from Denver, anyway. What did I do with my "day off?" Packaged candles for shipping and started working on some new technique candles... *facepalm* Guess it maybe wasn't a day off after all.

I'd like to see what you guys think of this one. I'm playing around with a new concept/technique. This is the very first mountain candle I've done. I do see some areas I need to work on with it. No, it is not paint, either.

I think I'd be interested in some of it, TallTayl.

Preventing gel. CP soap doesn't need to be refrigerated for the finished soap. I still have to refrigerate it to make sure it doesn't overheat with certain additives. I'd suggest it for a first timer using GM for sure.

I've successfully made soaps without palm. I usually use a recipe that has Olive oil, Castor Oil, Lard, Shea butter, and Sunflower oil. I make it specifically for a friend who is allergic to both palm and coconut oil. It is a fairly soft soap, but very conditioning. As for simple, though, olive oil is going to be your best bet. You'll probably have to refrigerate your soap, too. Just an advance warning.

Holy crap that's expensive! LOL I'll be holding off on that one for a bit, unless I can get more people to ask for it. Did I mention you do awesome work?

Are those dipped or molded? They are gorgeous! And seconding the question of where on earth you'd get a decent amount of the bayberry wax in the first place. I've got a couple people that have been begging me for bayberry pillars, but it's not something I've found a decent amount of.

Ok, so if you get a chance to visit Peak, do it! They have fragrances put into 4627 Comfort Blend, in larger tins. They are labeled with fragrance and how to make the color as well. They also include a sticker showing if it's candles only, if it isn't useable in B&B. I picked up Amish Harvest, and decided that Cinnaberries so completely is a Christmas fragrance and is on my list to get next month. I also discovered that I don't care for their Mulberry, and their Spiced Cranberry FO really reminds me more of the red Hawaiian Punch smell. All very useful information.

And I seriously wonder how quickly the nice cardboard "can" works as a mega torch...

What's your name? Janet How old are you? I'll be 30 on Thursday Where do you live? Albuquerque, NM How long have you been making candles/soap/whatever? I've been making candles for 7 years, soaps since late last year, and lotions since somewhere in the middle (don't remember exactly when) Are you married? Any kids? I am married and have two children from a previous marriage. How did you get started making candles/soap/whatever? I used to live in SW Louisiana, and we had a lovely shop there that supplied specialty candles for certain religious groups. Then a hurricane hit, the shop didn't have enough insurance, and folded. No one else carried those candles. So I started making my own. I moved a few years after that and decided to make it into a full business. If candle making isn't your primary job, what do you do? I make candles and soaps and other various crafts to sell at shops. Anything else we should know? I love learning and reading. I often feel like a mad scientist with doing the work I do. I also love making things with my hands, but strangely never thought I had the talent for any of it. Then my husband came along and pushed me into the right direction. I have a special kitty named Weasel, and am very much a cat person, although I love all sorts of animals. And I'm the proud owner of a rats nest type of brain. I absorb the weirdest bits of knowledge. Although this makes me good at trivia, it doesn't seem to help with much else.

On new stuff, I actually pour 2 candles. I take and burn one for wick testing, and if it comes out OK (most do by now, because I have a pretty decent guess on where to start with it, depending on my FO/wax combo), I either burn the second one myself or have a very close local friend burn it to test for scent throw. She's a lot more picky on how strong it should be than I am, but I find myself overwhelmed at times with a "too strong" candle, too. I would be sure to write down what wick you used, what % of FO, the color formula you used, all at the top of your testing sheet. Color is important if you are using something that has a strange shade, or a "light pink" or "dark pink" so you remember how much color you used per pound or ounce. As for cooking, I melt the wax, add additives if I use them, then FO when it gets up to the correct temp for it, then I color after I'm sure the FO has been incorporated entirely. Also, during your testing, if you are testing more than one, leave plenty of space between them. If you have them crowded very close, they can burn differently, and you risk excess heat in that area. As for how I record it, I have a composition book that is strictly for testing notes. Hit the office supply stores or walmart right about now to get some cheaply. I have colored sticky notes that I cut up to use as bookmarks for certain candle types, or certain fragrance oils that have given me trouble in the past, especially if they need something very specific. For example, one of my vanilla fragrance oils, I have to use a different wick series than is normal in certain jars, and I have to use more vybar in certain waxes to use it, and so the wick had to compensate for that, too. Sorry if I overloaded you with info!