franu61

thanks!  

On 1/25/2024 at 3:25 AM, coffeebean said:

The prices are insane! Then the shipping is terribly slow.  I've been testing oils from other companies. Midwest is a good one, as well as Flaming and Fragrance Buddy.

I noticed Bitter Creek is back running again, but to ship 4 16oz bottles at almost $70.00 is way out of my price range.

Have you noticed Fragrance Buddy's new website?  It looks a lot like the "new" ones that were taken over by WSP.  And their prices went way up.    

Everything I know, I learned from this board!  Well almost everything. I appreciate all of you!

Well, they figured out how to make $$ AND have the customer do all the work.  Great marketing!  why didnt I think of that 

https://siblings.co/collections/shop-all

 I have not heard of any.

Good idea!  I also use the leftover wicks pieces.  Instead of a piece of paper to note the size, I place them in their own sized labeled cardboard tp roll.  Put tape or cellophane on the bottom so they don't fall out.  I have a basket of  tp rolls with different sizes of  wick shorties.  

I was given a massive slat board and hooks.  I had ideas to use it at markets, but it was way too heavy to move.  So hubby cut it up into pieces that  would fit it my work room.  Pictured are my soap/lotion "station" and pour pots.  I also have a small piece hanging on the other side of the work table holding buckets of oils. Put a piece in the garage too. I still ended up giving away the rest of the huge piece of slatboard and a few hooks. 

I recently used up the last of my Mr. Misty blackberry cheesecake.  Had to be at least 10 years old, and still SOOO good.  It is true, they just don't make 'em like that anymore. 

No idea on the wick, but it is really hard to ignore the combustibles 

I get a lot of my staples from Fragrance Buddy. Also Aztec.  So far they haven't caved. 

Thanks Kris10Tackles!  Sounds lovely,  I will try it for sure!

On 8/10/2023 at 6:55 PM, Lightkeeper said:

I was wondering if you ever compared NG Mango Sorbet to WSP?  I have used WSP in soap for years, but like everything else there the prices are getting ridiculous.  Have been trying to replace most fragrances from them with more affordable alternatives.  

I can't answer specifically about mango sorbet, but I LOVE the mango pineapple from Fragrance Buddy.  Does not fade in CP soap.  And a very reasonable price.  I use it in candles and lotion too.

I just made a balm with calendula infused fco.  I like it but kinda greasy feeling.  yours doesnt look greasy at all.  I will have to try some bees wax.

Your criteria is spot on for me TT.  I would like to try 1 oz (or 2)  for testing.  If you had a "set" of all the available scents we end up with, that would be great.  But what ever way you decide to go...count me in!

On 5/10/2023 at 2:40 PM, TallTayl said:

Tempted to do a happy dance, but don’t want to jinx myself. Black raspberry vanilla is B&B safe… Im going to make a soap sample to see if it smells as good in soap as it does in the tester candle. And if it smells better than Crafters Choice version.  Cross your fingers!!!

ooh, sounds like I need this one 

Sounds great!

This is another 25% off sale with free shipping for over $100.
USE PROMO CODE LOVE25

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I am even more old school!  Pencil and those green columned pads.  I TRY to write down stuff as it happens and put receipts into envelopes for each month.  

Won't really change anything.  Still gonna rely on pirate ship!  Remember to try the box in a bag option to see if it saves anything.  When you do box in a bag ( or any bag) it does not take height measurements  into account, so usually saves.  Easy enough to "make" a bag out of a couple grocery bags, heat gunned closed.

18 hours ago, AudraT said:

Are you guys talking about the American Soy Organics Midwest and millennium waxes? Back when I was trying to find a good wax and I didn't know much about candle wax suppliers, I gave American Soy Organics Freedom wax a try. It's what I'm using right now and I do like the wax very much. I am very new to candle making so I don't know if there are better soy waxes out there or if Freedom wax is actually considered not bad / pretty good.

Yup, it is a good wax.  It just used to be so much better 

  I know what you mean !  when I rush around to get something shipped, I come back in craft room later and wonder how/why this and that thing are left sitting out.. different sized boxes and envelopes all over the place, can't find the scissors and tape...Seriously, would love to see pics of your "messy" workshop...maybe before and after?  

Well, mine is not pretty, but I use recycled bubble mailer envelopes. I put the candle in one and then in the bag with my logo and info.  My customers like the fact that they are recycled.  Bonus, I've never had to buy one, my son is constantly ordering stuff that comes in the perfect sized, red, bubble mailer.

1 hour ago, BenderSF said:

 

 

They were my favorite when I first started, but I've stopped buying from them altogether.  They have a very clear vision and they target their audience well...I'm just not that audience.

exactly!

10 hours ago, TallTayl said:

If they just appeared, and now tingle there’s a chance that is what she meant.
 

I’m guessing you have you run your formula through a lye calculator? And that your scale is calibrated?

yes and yes. So I wont be selling any more of these bars... I wish I could find more information about lye bloom.  I had never heard of it.  

1 hour ago, TallTayl said:

Top looks like soda ash.

the bottom one has white specs that look, from here, to be stearic spots on the cut side.  If you lick the spots do they zap at all?

I figured they were stearic spots.  Just licked, got a bit of a tingle on the spot.  These spots did not show up until recently....  Do you think that is what she meant by lye bloom?