Jillsthings

I am ALWAYS looking for the "Like" button. Every forum should have one, haha!

I get very little done on the weekends, lol.

I just signed up for my first craft show, which will be in March. I'll have a total of 5 1/2 months of candle making under my belt by the show. I don't plan on having a ton of scents available, maybe 10 at most (we'll see how much testing I can get done by then) and only two different sizes, the 6oz and 16oz tins. I'll also have a bunch of tarts that I've made, so that'll help fill up my table a little more, lol. While I still think it's a bit early, I want the experience. I already have my sales tax ID, registered my business, and I'll be getting my insurance after the holidays, so I'll be all ready by then, or as ready as I can be. I'm excited, scared, nervous, all of those, but you've got to start somewhere! I also have all day, every day to work on it, as I don't work outside the home and my three kids are all in school now, so I have plenty of time! :-)

So I'm burning Sex on the Beach in my living room and Crème Brulee in the kitchen. Both from CS, both at 8% in 464 in 6 oz tins with a CD 8 and a cure time of about 5 days. I usually do a week, but I want to place an order for more tins from CS, but I've been waiting until I tested a few so I don't have to order again in a few days, lol. I just lit them about 10 minutes ago, so no clue on the burn as of yet, but as far as the scent, both doing pretty good. My living room is actually two rooms, both approximately 15x15 each, with a big open archway between. The Sex on the Beach is already giving off a light smell all over these two rooms, and very nice smell at my desk (since it's sitting on top, haha). For a 6 oz tin, I'm quite happy with the HT. My kitchen is a galley style kitchen, 15x8, approximately. Let me go walk back out there quick.....the Crème Brulee candle is sitting on my oven, which is in the middle of the side of the kitchen with all the cabinets, lol. Anyhow, I can't really smell it when I walk out there. I have to walk by the oven in order to smell it, but then when the air moves from me walking by, it smells up more of the kitchen, who knew (sarcastic). Anyhow, not too happy about the HT on that one so far. I'll let it go through this burn and then put the lid back on for a few more days and try again. So what are you testing and how's it working for you?

Thanks for the suggestions! :-) I've got a lot to buy to try, lol.

Pulled this off of the NCA website, under F.A.Q.'s. What kind of label information is required for candles? Federal law requires that consumer commodities like candles be labeled with the manufacturer's name and location, as well as basic product weight and measurement information. In addition, candle industry standards call for cautionary labels on candles or their packaging to inform consumers of the basic rules of fire-safety. All NCA members place cautionary labels on their products, and usually supplement them with additional burning and use instructions. Always read and follow a candle's cautionary label and burning instructions before using a candle.

I"m okay with it not smelling exactly like Gardenia. In fact, I don't know that I know what real Gardenia even smells like! I just know I love the smell from different candles and perfumes that I've smelled in the past. I like the NG Gardenia OOB, but it's just too weak in my wax. I still have the Gardenia Lily from LS to try, but OOB, it's not what I'm looking for, though it is still a nice smell. Once I test burn the Sex on the Beach and Crème Brulee from CS that I poured on Friday, I'll be placing an order with them, so I'll get the Gardenia from them to try. Thanks for all the recommendations!

Yeah, I had already read all the other posts about Gardenia. Was mainly looking for someone else that uses the same wax as me to see if they had any that threw well in it. :-) Thanks! And ChrisR, I'll have to check out Genwax's. Thanks for the suggestion! :-)

Anyone know of a good gardenia fo that throws well in 464? I've only tried NG's White Gardenia so far, at 8%, but the HT is little to none. :-( I love gardenia, so I want to find a really good one for me. :-) I've got Gardnia Lily from LS that I have to test yet. I'll be placing an order in a few days from CS, as I need more tins and I buy from them for the feet, hehe. So if anyone has tried their gardenia, that would be a great help. Anywhere else, just let me know. Thanks!

I've got a few 1 ouncers that I want to test out, so I'll be pouring them this weekend to burn next weekend. :-)

I'm hoping they have great insurance!

Yeah, I know I can get it there, but the kids are home till Tuesday. I ordered on Amazon and will probably have it before then, lol. I hate taking all three kids to the store, lol.

I just ordered the Permatex. I haven't had too many problems with the wick stickers, but they stress me out to no end when the do come up, and they have a couple times. Nothing like pouring a candle and then having the wick come up...then having to quickly pour it back out, clean out the container and try again....grrr. So yeah, I'm switching to save myself that headache. :-)

I've already been thinking about soap, haha! I'm going to wait just a little while longer until I dive into that, though. :-) I just see so many beautiful soaps on here that it's really hard not to start NOW! :-)

My husband came home from work the other day and asked me if using a presto pot would make it easier for me. I told him yes, when I'm doing more than one scent or a bigger batch, a presto pot would definitely make it easier. So he told me to buy the stuff needed and he'll get it set up for me. :-) See, he's good about it. As long as I'm happy, he's happy.

I smell a light fir smell and nutmeg in mine. I just poured some today from LS. I'm not at all good at picking out what scents I smell in an FO, but if I read the descriptions, then I can pick up on them, lol.

Oh no!!! I'm in trouble! Hehe. No, he's actually really good about it. He knows I've spent a lot. About a month ago I was at the $500 mark and I did tell him about that, and he knows I've bought a lot more since then. :-) Isn't that why he works, so that I can shop?

How far into the second burn?

I started almost two months ago and have spent a little over $1,000 so far. Shhhh, don't tell my husband. :-)

Rule of thumb is 1 hr per 1 inch of the diameter of jar. Just from what I know, which isn't much, it sounds like it is over wicked. I know nothing about those wicks to help you, though. Sorry.

Hey, how'd you get my picture for the Santa Baby melts?? :-)

Poor Ziplock. Getting the shaft again. Curses to all who make Ziplock obsolete! :-) Okay. You may continue with your regularly scheduled programming. My silliness is done....for now. Mwahahahaha!!!

Check out the sticky for newbies under the General Candle Making section of this forum. There's a list of abbreviations there, as well as a list of suppliers by state. :-) Lots of helpful info on this forum!

Yeah, I have and use the 2oz portion cups, too. They make great tarts, as well. While I love the look and idea of these tin displays, I'll probably stick with the portion cups. They are easy to make, and no added cost. My husband hates when I keep spending his money on my candle habit. I told him that eventually the candles will pay for themselves. :-)