Fern-Marie

HI TOP! I have no idea, but just wanted to say HI! I'll do some checking around, if I see it, I'll get back to you. Fern-Marie

:laugh2: ...ditto! What did you use for the design...is it wrapping tissue? What is it? Thanks for posting...nice job. I have to say that while I love the floral looks as well, I appreciate the art better when the TP is covered and not quite so obviously TP. I just might try it. Fern-Marie

Thank you all so much. I do believe that the Archipelago Havana is the name of the dupe that I am looking for. Psyche!!! Can't wait to get it! Phew! I thought I was out of luck - this is the one FO that DH always comments on liking. I can burn this 24/7 without worrying about it overstaying its welcome, ya know what I mean? Thanks again, you guys are great! Fern-Marie

GOOD FOR YOU! KICK BUTT!

Sorry, thought my point was clear. My allergies from candles come strictly from burning....the wickless and tarts do not bother me, smelling the FO's does not bother me either - obviously since I make them and many other fragranced items as well. I've never tried a Mia Bella, but I know that burning Yankee Candles just kills me, however, Home Interiors does not. So, for me, it's not the fragrance, it is the candle burning, and specifically Yankee...which I find too strong anyway. They make me physically sick...due to the strength of the FO and their burning. I use soy, but could be some brand of paraffin or another that bothers me. But it is the burning specifically. What is it about those Yankee Candles? Fern-Marie

I feel for you. Every little detail, every little change no matter how slight makes a big difference. One FO from on company differs just enough that you have to start all over again. Isn't it exasperating? Wish you all the best. Fern-Marie

Well, I played it simple. Got good balm recommended here. Whatever you do, get a pre-sweetened flavor. God knows how I tried to incorporate sweeteners into 'unsweetened' flavors....want the list of sweeteners? You name it, I tried it. Gave up. Except for corn syrup...haven't tried that yet only because the thought of corn syrup sitting in my cupboard, solidifying, doing God knows what, never having another use for it....galls me. I tried to keep my balms natural and corn syrup just didn't fit in there. But then again, nothing else did either. So I just label them as 'flavoring' added. Do research here before you torment yourself. Fern-Marie

...and how wise of you to have found and joined this board. You are known by the company you keep...and you are in the best company. Good luck and Best Wishes, Fern-Marie

I have to say that reed diffusers have never been my favorite item. However, MY opinion changes drastically if CS puts their stamp of approval on it. I have never, ever, been steered wrongly by them. If they said that the sky was orange, I'd be getting some new glasses. I got the e-mail about the diffusers - and oh, gee, on second thought I may have been wrong about diffusers and need to take a second look. I imagine that using their FO's would make all the difference in the world. They are top notch. Their quality and research is immeasurable, IMO. I am expanding with them every step of the way....and have never been disappointed. Fern-Marie

I don't use EO's, but just an educated guess....too much FO will bead on top...I assume the same for EO's. You're supposed to use less EO than FO, aren't you....or am I off here? If the was can't handle the load, it will bead. I have had it happen with weaker scents that I was trying to compromise by using more. Don't know, but try less. Then post the results so others can learn. Fern-Marie

Just what I thought. It sounds to me as though the FO's are 'burning' the plastic beads. Inferior beads? Too strong/too much FO? Something isn't right in the basic composition. Check, check, double check. I have never, ever, had that happen. Many years.

Vicky is absolutely right, as usual. I get horrible headaches from candles ....burning, wicked. Not so with Gel Candles I have burned - oddly enough, nor Soy that I burned or did wickless with. None of my tarts with soy or wickless with soy bother me, and doesn't seem to bother the kids. Admittedly, I am sensitive. Yankee....kills me. All of it, can't handle any of them. I assume that if I have such a bad time. imagine what the furries are experiencing and can't tell me. Scary, isn't it. I have been thinking about this kitty all day. I hope she is ok. Ok, have to send more cuddles. Fern-Marie

EXCELLENT! Poor TP, always gets the "bad" end of the stick. I mean, seriously, you gotta feel bad for it. Imagine if it was born and had thoughts: "I gotta do what!?" Now we're dipping it in hot wax. Poor guy gets no respect. You're too funny. That was a good laugh-out-louder. Fern-Marie

I use GB...never had a problem with straight soy. Just follow the instructions. Use what suits you. Just play with it a bit, you'll be just fine - promise. Fern-Marie

Have you thought about wickless candles? If you have a candle warmer, you can always try it and see if it works better for you when she is healed. F

...this is precisely why I renamed them "Bear Fresheners". I didn't dip mine, though, I just scented them. A moral, and guilt-ridden decision. I joined a little known group, started on this board by Top some years ago...PETSA...People for the Ethical Treatment of Stuffed Animals. lol Top hates 'em!

Stop. If I had, or made, a candle that had that kind of an effect on my kids, I would stop. This is why I make 'flame-free' candles. Because I have my furry kids to consider. The wick and FO burning isn't good for anyone, especially in closed up areas, or persons with allergies. It is bad to breathe. I won't have flame in my house because I'm afraid of the kids getting into it. She's obviously got a sensitivity to whatever you are burning. Remove the problem and let her heal. Be careful that you don't cause her to have a respiratory illness, if she's that sensitive it is a possibility. Betcha you'll see a difference. But stop until she's cleared up. You're going to make it worse if you continue. I use all soy, no dyes anymore either. No reports of any allergies, headaches, eye problems or any reactions from anyone. It's working great for me, DH, and the kids. Good luck with her. Give her a hug for me! Fern-Marie

Hi All, Had a FO from JBN called "Country Club"...they cancelled the FO on me and it's taken off in my line. I have searched the board 'til I am cross-eyed. I remember I ordered this because someone said how great it was. I thought it was a 'dupe' of something...my brain is tired and getting older than me. I cannot remember - hard as I try who steered me toward the FO. The write-up of it was something to do with 'imagine you're on the Titanic, and the men are in their area having brandy and cigars, this scent is reminiscent of that'. I don't think NG's is the same as JBN's was. Can anyone help me with this, please, please! Is there a dupe? Can I replace via another supplier? Anything...throw me a bone here! Thanks for the help. Fern-Marie

Thanks so much to everyone for their input. It is all very helpful. Fern-Marie

Vicky!! I was hoping you would see this, it was you who posted about these before! Thank you! I actually thought of you when I was looking at them. So glad you are there. I do not have a TIN. I tried last week to hook up with OBI, no go. A friend who sells my stuff offered to help with that, but she sent the wrong paper work. She can't seem to provide whatever paper it is they wanted, she's trying but I don't want to bother her. She had her assistant tearing apart the office, she sent the wrong paper. They seem pretty strict at OBI - I was hoping I could slip in with the bad economy. lol In the meantime, I am really needing to get going on this and get selling. Thanks again!

Hi to all, I am in a dilemma. I am trying to freshen up my warmer line with something eye catching. Tough times call for tough measures...looking for an edge. There is a site: http://scented.com that sells beautiful glass warmers. They are a plug in and have heat adjustment dial on the cord, I think. Can I use these for soy tarts? I know there was a thread on this, but I have been looking for an hour and can't find it. Thumbs up or down? Thanks again for your input.

I got all of mine at WALMART! Libby Glass product, strong enough to burn both soy and GEL candles. 4 pack for 4 bucks. I've tested for years, I've never had a crack.

The roses on the sites look exactly like the ones from NG. Last year when everyone was all a-buzz about these and bought them in bulk, many weren't happy. Complaints were that the styrofoam ball in the center, which the petals are attached to, were visable. Ppl thought that they looked much less delicate in person than what the pictures portrayed. A friend here has dozens left over that were so "gaudy" looking, she was embarassed to sell them. I got the ones from NG this past summer to 'experiment' with. They were gorgeous, and I only saw the styrofoam center on one or two. Very delicate looking, very realistic, beautiful coloring, etc. So I put FO on the tips of the petals using an art paintbrush. I set them in a bud vase on the kitchen table to see how they performed. They smelled nice for about two weeks. Every now and again I could get a whiff of rose scent. However, after about a month and a half the petals started falling off. Now I know that they're supposed to act as 'reed diffusers' and the FO would undoubtedly be absorbed into the petal somewhat. I did not use a lot of FO, I honestly just brushed the tips. I was disappointed that the petals fell off - not to mention surprised. Like who makes these and doesn't expect us to use FO - and at varying amounts depending on the crafter's taste, right? So then why the hell aren't they tested to make sure the glue will hold up to FO? This kind of stuff just goes right through me. FOREVER ROSES? How do I justify that to my customers? I'm wondering if anyone else had this happen? I am also thinking that I might do an alcohol/FO mixture and try spraying on the scent to get a more even disbursement of the scent, and a less concentrated form being applied directly to the absorbent petals...anyone try that? I'm willing to have another go at it if only to prove that I am smarter than than glue and wood!

Welcome to you and your Mrs. Tips: stay calm, and if that doesn't scare you away, then read on: pay attention to the % of FOs (fragrance oils) recommended by the supplier and manufacturer. More is not always better...here's where the testing comes in. Use lesser amount, then increase if you need to. Pay attention to the melting temps, and when to add FO and dye - if you plan to use dyes. These are critical factors. Every wax has its own set of 'cooking instructions'...they are not all the same. Just note the instructions and you'll be fine. Peak's is an excellent company, but you have to decide if the shipping is worth the cost at some point - especially if you decide to make candles at a profit. As you are on the East Coast, Candle Science is an excellent company with good products and outstanding customer service. Unfortunately, I don't think they have 'test' kits available. Test, test, and test again. If you produce a bad product and sell it to someone, you could lose your reputation and perhaps any further sales...be very, very sure that you know what you're doing before you sell. You are liable. Try making tarts if you are just doing this for fun. Tarts are a nice way to scent your home, and they are easy to make - also an excellent way to use up leftover wax. You can pour them into muffin tins or cupcake papers. Don't invest in expensive candle jars if you are not going to sell. Common Mason style Jelly Jars are a good way to start out and practice on until you get the hang of it and decide if you want to persue a business. WASH the jars! There is a glaze on them that washes off but will cause your wax to pull away from the glass. Do not put your candles in an enclosed place to 'set up'...oven, microwave, etc. You will get huge holes in them. Let them set up naturally and away from drafts. Not in a cold environment either. They have to have normal air flow. The most important thing...Yankee isn't all it's cracked up to be...the "Y" word...boooo! lol And their fragrances are readily available from other suppliers...or 'dupes' of them anyway - but they are out there and some are pretty darn good. Keep it simple, and have fun. Search this board for answers and help if you need to. Good Luck to you both. I wish you well.

I loved Joy for the way it colored and its ease of use...loved it! HOWEVER: MY only drawback is that it is inconsistent from batch-to-batch. I had to retest, rewick, retest. PITA! If they stabilized it, and made it work with more consistency...I'd be all over it! I don't have the time or money to keep retesting with every order. Now think about having to do that with every fragrance, every new wax order...NOT! Then there was some jibberish about adding Crisco to it to stabilize it. Didn't try it, didn't want to. It's unfortunate because I like them very much and wanted to do more business with them. It's business, not personal. NG has good ppl, good FO's, wouldn't begrudge them their due. They have a nice soy wax as well. Their soaps are very nice as well.