Jillsthings

The Chamomile Lavender is super strong in my wax (464) at 8% (what I start with), so I'm downing it to 6% to see how that works. The Blue Kiwi (wick up) is also really good, not as strong as the Chamomile Lavender, but still really good. Um, still haven't burned the Chocolate Mint...I have a votive here, maybe I should. What else have I actually put into wax so far....oh, the Dragon's Blood had a GREAT CT, but not much HT, so I'm on the search for a better one, as I really loved that scent OOB. I have a bunch that I need to test yet, but I'll try to remember to update when I do. :-)

I've always thought it was funny that they have to put directions on Poptarts, that you have to take them out of the wrapper before placing in your toaster. To me, it's common sense, but you know somewhere, somebody put it in the toaster WITH the wrapper. That's what scares me about people....the need for warnings on things that I would think are just common sense. Maybe it's just because people are so sue happy that when they do something stupid, they'd rather sue than just admit they were being silly and move on. When I splatter hot wax on myself, I don't moan and complain that there should be a warning label that the wax gets hot when you melt it....

Well, I'm just starting out, so my comment doesn't matter much, but I PLAN to only carry maybe 15-20 year round scents, and then maybe 5-10 seasonal scents. I guess it all depends on what works well for me, but that's my idea as of now. :-)

Honestly, I think you coming here and giving this "warning" is actually going to help their business. I am sure there are a few on here that have never heard of them and will probably check them out now, thanks to you.

I'm using the CS tins, myself. I love the little feet on them, so I won't get them from any where else. And CS is fast and friendly. Love them!

I've ordered from them at least a half a dozen times in the past few months. I've had no problems with them. In fact, the one time I ordered, I turned around and changed my mind on quantity and scents I wanted, so I emailed them and they were great about changing my order, no problems what so ever. Their fragrances are hit or miss, as they are with most FO suppliers, but I've found a few from them that I really like and work well in my wax, like Blue Kiwi! Yum!

They actually have a website, www.venuscandles.com. I'm not sure where they get their FO, but like I said, I've had a few of them that worked in my wax, and some that were duds...same as any supplier for soy.

I'm thinking dipped stuff would be great for those FO's that have a great cold throw, but no HT in your wax. :-)

You send them a message of what scents you want and/or what sizes. I just ordered the 4oz, two 2oz bottles, so in my message to them, I just said I wanted Caramel Apple and Chamomile Lavender.

Yes, you can get different scents. That's one of the reasons I like using them, since shipping is included, I can get a few smaller bottles of different fragrances to try and not have to worry about adding more and more just to make the shipping cost worthwhile, lol.

What's the diameter of the jar? Also, 48 hours cure isn't really enough for soy. I use 464, and I cure for at least a week. Sometimes I get anxious and will do the first test burn after 5 days, but if it isn't good, then I'll put the lid back on and sit it on my shelf for a little longer. Some scents take even more than a week to cure. I've had ones that I tested after a week and wasn't too happy with, but then went back after another week or so and it was defintely much stronger after a longer cure. It's up to you if you want to wait that long or not. I've heard plenty say that there are scents that don't seem to take as long, but you'll have to do your own testing to see if you can find any that work for you. :-) Good luck, and I love that jar. Very nice! ETA: Did you remember to trim your wick before you lit it? The unlit picture, it definitely needs trimmed before being lit. THat could be why your flame is so high. Just a thought. :-)

I agree! I love CS Pumpkin Soufflé! I poured it the other day and it's one of those scents that you can smell for days after pouring. That and Snickerdoodle from Candlewic. When I pour either of those scents, when I go somewhere later in the day, I keep getting wiffs of it. Makes me hungry, lol!

Testing, testing and more testing. I have a bunch of FO's sitting around that I need to get into wax. I haven't decided what to pour yet this weekend. Also going to make more of the ones I have tested, just have to figure out what I don't already have or don't have many of, lol. :-) I think I've already poured a few of everything I've tested already, but we'll have another look through. :-)

I've used a few of their FO's. The Chamomile Lavender is super strong, CT and HT. The Dragon's Blood was dissapointing, though I loved the CT. The Blue Kiwi has great CT and decent HT. Those are the only ones I put in wicked candles so far. The Chocolate Mint has great cold throw and worked well in tarts. I did make a votive out of it for my kids, but haven't lit it yet, lol. I guess I should do that some time soon.

Finally got around to doing my second test burn of these two, though I already placed my order for more. :-) Sex on the Beach, I'll definitely need to wick up on that one, but I'm happy with the burn of the Crème Brulee. These pictures are right before I blew them out on their first burn, at about 2 hours and 45 minutes. I prefer a little bit of a hang up, as it always catches up further in. The Sex on the Beach (orange) as you can see has too much hang up. :-)

Has anyone tried both of these, and how do they compare? I've ordered the Bayberry from LS and love it, but I'm out and someone wants me to make a couple candles with Bayberry. I need to place an order from CS, so wondered how comparable their's was to LS so I don't have to place two different orders. Thanks!

Like Button!! :-)

Yeah, so I bought some toilet paper today specifically so I can try this, haha! Haven't done it yet, but plan to do it before Christmas, as I think it will make the perfect gift for my mom. :-)

Very pretty! I love when the candles come out like that! Just wonderful!

I've gotten a few sink holes here and there, but a quick shot with the heat gun takes care of it, so I'm not too worried. I prefer the candles to be perfect right off the bat, saves time, but it's not a big deal at this stage in the game. :-) As long as the finished product smells great and burns great, I'm a happy camper!

Congratulations to you! That is wonderful news! I'm keeping my fingers crossed to have even half of your success within the next couple of years. :-) Having my candles in a store is on my five year plan, haha! :-)

You would need 8 ounces of wax WITH FO, or including the FO, so a total of 8 ounces of scented wax. Does that make more sense? When figuring out what percentage of FO you are using (I have no idea about EO's) you will need to know how to calculate it like I've explained. So your total scented wax is your wax PLUS your FO. If you just used 8 ounces of wax and then added .48 ounce of FO, then you'll end up with 8.48 ounces of scented wax, which is fine if you have a use for the extra wax. Otherwise, you are wasting that .48 ounces of scented wax.

How many ounces, total, are your tarts? Use water to fill them up and weigh how much water is used. Say it's 8 ounces. So you'll want 8 ounces of total wax with FO. What percent of FO are you planning to use? Say you want to stay at 6%, so take 8 - 6% (or x .06 if your calculator doesn't have a percent key) and you'll get .48, so that's how many ounces of FO you'll want to use. Now subtract the .48 ounces of FO from your 8 total ounces, and you get 7.52, which is how much wax you'll want to use to make a total of 8 ounces to fill up your tarts, container or whatever else you're doing. HTH. :-)

Yes, the Pomegranate from CS is a really nice smell. I only made it in tarts, so not sure how well it does in candles, but it is definitely a lovely scent! I'm going to have to buy more and make a candle or two with it, lol.

It is supportive, but also, like in everything else, opinions vary. If you have questions, you can bet they'll be answered, and you'll probably learn even more than you ever thought! It's really a great forum. :-)