Fern-Marie

Why are you under the impression that it is not safe? Just curious. As long as you don't heat too high, and keep temp within safe range, what would be the problem with it? Heat to 180 is heat to 180...does it make a difference how it is achieved? I hope not!!

I know Ang, but they got Carmelized stuff!!!

Ooooo, these look yummy! I can't wait. So glad I didn't put an order in earlier.

Luci, you don't know how close behind you I am! Someone from CS told me that the FO temps would be just fine. Perhaps I misunderstood. So, let's try the higher temp thing to be fair to our own sense of sanity, and if that doesn't work, I will be done with it. I'm tired of stuff not working too! This year has been disastrous, every new thing I have tried has been a mess. I'm tired and discouraged. So, good luck to both of us, and let's check back in a week and compare our results, ok? Fern-Marie

I think daniedb uses that wax, or has in the past and if you PM her, she may be able to help. I used to use it, but recently when I went back to it, I found that the formula changed dramatically from 7 months ago. Leaving me to have to start all over again, or leave it all together....so far, I've not reordered. I know that the tea light wick is TL 25...beautiful, and long burn. I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but if I find anything out, I'll let you know.

I say do it...it's important and your getting into the show may hinge on the effort, like sockmonkey's. You've nothing to lose.

Thanks all! I am going to batch some tomorrow and try in the 4 oz jelly jars. I am going to try HTP 104s, and ADD FO AT 180*!! Anyone have any disagreements with that combo? Pleas speak up! lol I'm at wicks end here. I have noticed that all of the wicks are kind of bouncy...none of them are steady and smooth like with other waxes I have used. It's a very odd, and unfamiliar behavior that I can't seem to conquer. The whole time, I'm thinking that there is something wrong with the wicks, but jeese-louise...twelve of them!! I really wish that I had asked sooner. All this time that I have been pulling my hair out with this wax was so unnecessary. What an odyssey this has been. One more thing, do you know what size tea light wicks this takes?? TL 28, 25, 18, and 15, not giving long enough burns. I truly appreciate the help, and I most definitely will keep you informed of the progress...because there will be progress or I'll die trying! Thanks, Fern-Marie

Guess what, you might be right about the FO temp. Another gal from the forum wrote to CS and asked them and they said 180! If I find out that I have been struggling with this and the answer is the FO temp, I'll croak! lol I pray that this is the problem. I'll give it a whirl. I am also very concerned that this wax's cure time is said to be 3-4 weeks. I dont' want a wax that takes that long to cure. That's just too much. Thank you. Fern-Marie

Hi Henry, Nice to see your work. I was wondering something: In all the time I've 'known' you, you have tested or switched to a lot of waxes.....why? Do you sell your product? Or is this a hobby for you? I am having serious scent throw issues with the CB 135, I can't seem to get a handle on it, and you never seem to have troubles in this area. Is the JOY wax predominantly Soy? I read that it was over 90%, have you the blend/balance info? Sorry for all of the questions, but you sure do make me wonder, and I sure would love to have your success rate. Thanks, and take care, Fern-Marie

Welcome to the board, I hope that your experience is rewarding. I use mini muffin tins to make them, they are economical and work great. I store in plastic baggies until I am ready to show, then I place them in plastic old-fashioned style candy jars (?) I don't know if you will understand that. But they have a nice sealable lid, like butter lids. Easy to travel with, and great for storage as well. Best wishes. Fern-Marie

I have nearly all of CS's, with the exception of the mostly newer fragrances. I thought that the MacApple would be a good tester since it is a stronger scent...I'm barely getting a throw. NG's, I have about 50 of them, and am about to do a pour of Jasmine. I've tried Lemon, Lemongrass, Lemongrass with Sage, Citronella, Lavender, and a couple of others. I heat to 175, add dye, and FO's at about 150-130...per CS's instructions when they talked me into switching to this wax 'cause it was sooo much easier to work with. Yeah, when? I have tried every single LX wick and the suggested HTP 104 and 105. ??? I could scream!

Friends, Please help me. I cannot get a throw from this wax. Even the candles I have had made that have sat around for weeks...little throw. Absolutely not acceptable. For testing, I'm not being difficult here...4 and 8 oz jelly jars, 1.5 oz FO pp mostly Candle Science's and NG's....very light pastel dyes. LX wicks: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21..... HTP: 104, 105 Someone please give me a starting point and share your knowledge of how to make this sucker work!! Exactly what is your cure time on this? Should I consider adding Bees Wax...will it help with throw...OR shorten cure time? THROW ME A BONE!!! I'LL TAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS! What the heck am I doing wrong! Why can't I do this one! arrrrrggghhhhh!!!!!!!!! Thanks in advance for any help. Fern-Marie

http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=47 I think this is what you are looking for.

My apologies. I'm half asleep and didn't even see that you were looking for Metros. OOPS! :embarasse

You'd have probably done fine with the heat gun alone, just heat until the top looks smooth. Don't be afraid of it, use caution not to heat the glass too much. You'll get the hang of it in no time. Your problem came from letting it set in the microwave oven. Not a good idea...this I know from experience. In order to cool properly, candles must have proper, even, and adequate ventilation. You will not get that with a microwave or an oven because they cut off too much air flow. It has to be even and steady. Just cool them away from open windows or drafts and the a/c. I know it's tough to do this time of year, but if you can find a place where there is a steady temp and no drafts...that'll do. I find that doing my candles earlier in the day, before it gets too hot, helps.

Try www.instawares.com they have tons of Libby and Anchor Hocking.

I swear I can smell it from here! Ooooo, what a nice summer-time treat.

Kat, if I can suggest one more thing. Rather than potentially lose customers, why don't you try a few ideas and ship them to yourself. That way you can see what works. I would be interested in hearing what works for you.

I wonder if you would have to use a larger zinc size to compensate for the lower burn temp, or would it not matter because most soy has a lower melt point anyway?? Now ya got me wondering! I feel another project coming on. Cas, did you have to compensate one way or the other?

I'm going to jump in here again. I did a ton of research on the lip balms and flavor oils. This is what I found out: They aren't "Flavor Oils", per se, they are actually scents. Now, before you freak on me, hear me out. Have you ever purchased a really 'highly flavored' lip balm...like one of those dupes of Cinnabon, Reese's Cup, etc.? What is the first thing you notice when you open the cap.....the smell. It's one of those brain tricks. You smell it and therefore you think you taste it - more than you actually do. Now, don't get me wrong, there is a slight taste on the flavor oils....but the most successful ones are the sweeter ones. Your brain is picking up a high scent, with a slight taste, and (often times) a lot of sweetness. Why do you think some of the sellers of flavors already add some sweetener. Try one of those dupes, you'll see what I mean. Once I put two and two together, I gathered up all of the 'Christmas stocking' ones that I had and put them all to the test....smell and sweet. Hence, my desire for a better sweetener. One of them actually had stevia in it.

I used them for Gel candles. I do not use them with my soy.

Candlebean, are you using liquid stevia? Corn Syrup, now there's one I hadn't thought of. If the Stevia doesn't work, that'll be my next venture. Think out loud is how I make it through the day! Kind of like learning a new dance step and your lips are moving as you count?

I still haven't tried the cool down ties...I gotta do that! I don't know what the deal is. Maybe I was just lucky enough to have purchased crappy covers....my luck. Everytime I tried to use them they melted, and I mean to the point of goopy mess all over the smelly jelly. I don't know. How odd. I'd like to use them. May I ask where you purchased your?

Candlebean, How much FO were you putting in? I don't want to repeat the mistake and end up wasting product. LovelyLathers, thanks for the heads up on the Stevia. I have powder. My cousin did a test with it and it melted fully...I will give it a whirl next week. I hope that I can make this work well.

It makes Air Freshener, "Smelly Jelly". You can also use it in Potpourri Pots. You can continuously replenis it with Distilled Water, they last forever, I think. But gardeners, and farmers use them to keep plants moist.