What is your favorite place to buy fragrance from?

[DelphicScorpion]

And if you know off the top of your head, how much wax will it last for? (One ounce will last for five pounds, etc.)

Also, fragrance oil vs. essential oil? (And, um, which is cheaper? Haha...)

[ChrisR]

And if you know off the top of your head, how much wax will it last for? (One ounce will last for five pounds, etc.) Also, fragrance oil vs. essential oil? (And, um, which is cheaper? Haha...)

I don't understand what you mean by that statement (bold)! One oz. of FO is normally used for 1 pound of wax. For 5 lbs. of wax, that would require 5 oz. of FO.

There are a lot of essential oils that won't work in candles........most mint EO's smell like fuel when burned and there are many EO's that fade very quickly. There are expensive FO's and VERY expensive EO's, just depends on what you are willing to spend. You'll just have to test in your own candles to see what works!

[topofmurrayhill]

I think the question is about who has the strongest FOs (or those you can use the least of to get a good throw).

Some places may be better to buy from than others, but the biggest differences in throw are from one fragrance to the next rather than one supplier to the next. All suppliers have very strong and also much weaker fragrances. You have to assess each FO individually regardless of where it came from.

I don't use essential oils in candles, but I can point out that fragrance oils are designed for the purpose and essential oils are not, so it's easier to get good results with fragrance oils. Essential oils can pose some difficulties and it takes more experience to know what will work and what will be non-toxic to people and critters.

Edited April 19, 2010 by topofmurrayhill

[Ravens]

I make tarts. Favorite FO suppliers: (1) Peak's; (2) Candle Science; (3) Daystar; (4) The Candlesource; (5) Bert's. Usually use 1oz per pound. :smiley2:

[DelphicScorpion]

I don't understand what you mean by that statement (bold)! One oz. of FO is normally used for 1 pound of wax. For 5 lbs. of wax, that would require 5 oz. of FO.

There are a lot of essential oils that won't work in candles........most mint EO's smell like fuel when burned and there are many EO's that fade very quickly. There are expensive FO's and VERY expensive EO's, just depends on what you are willing to spend. You'll just have to test in your own candles to see what works!

Sorry, I just meant for a good FO, what should the ratio be, (which you pretty much answered; thanks!) Hopefully that clears it a bit...

The fragrances at the store say to use 5-6%... What does that mean? 5oz per pound (hopefully not)?

Also, thank you topofmurrayhill and Raven!

[jtrip01]

6% means 1 ounce per pound i understand your sarcass and humor in your coment

[DelphicScorpion]

Okay, thanks. Little bottles don't last long then.

[Candlebuddy]

No, little bottles don't last long ... bigger bottles last longer ... biggest bottles last the longest. :pSorry, I couldn't help myself, I'm only kidding ... lol. On a more serious note ... a one or two ounce bottle is only a sample size, but you probably know that, I'm just stating the obvious.

Edited April 20, 2010 by Candlebuddy

[all4mymarine]

I buy my scents from Candle Science for now only during their 1oz sales. I have been making candles and tarts just for myself and also testing for 2 years now (I keep a notebook) for when I get nerve enough to start selling at craft fairs...which is what I eventually want to do.

I recommend the small sample sizes for testing until you know what you like and what works....but thats JMO.

Oh, and you need to know how to work out percentages!!! 1lb=16oz

16x.06 (6%)= .96 (close enough to 1oz) So you would have a 6% fragrance load if you used 1oz of FO in 1lb of wax.

[topofmurrayhill]

1 oz per lb is a useful approximation of 6% concentration, for those instances when you want to translate between the two systems (and assuming you are only using wax and fragrance).

However, percentage refers to percentage of the total weight, so 6% is actually 1.02 oz per lb.

.96 oz per lb is only 5.66%.

1 oz per lb is 5.88%, so it is actually a better approximation than 16 x .06.

[Meridith]

Sorry, I just meant for a good FO, what should the ratio be, (which you pretty much answered; thanks!) Hopefully that clears it a bit...

The fragrances at the store say to use 5-6%... What does that mean? 5oz per pound (hopefully not)?

Also, thank you topofmurrayhill and Raven!

It really depends on the FO, wax and preference. You'll find that our results can differ greatly from person to person. I might like a certain FO at a certain percentage with my wax while you might like the same FO at a different percentage. Another reason why we test.

[DelphicScorpion]

Thanks for the percentage help, everyone! That's actually what I was going to ask next, but now I don't have to.

Edited April 21, 2010 by DelphicScorpion

[JonB]

now that u have the 1oz. of fragrance per pound of wax rule.... it's really testing in your wax. for paraffin, I would start testing 1oz. of fragrance/per pound of wax...if u cant get a room full of aroma, mark that oil off ur list.....if u use pure soy wax, more than 1oz. of fragrance may be required for kick butt hot throw. for pure soy/natural wax-try 1.5 oz. of oil, per pound of wax. (most) natural waxes requires more fragrance oil . There r many wonderful suppliers who carry fab., kick butt scents. take ur time n test n ur wax. give ur candles away 2 friends...let them test.. get feedback. good luck!

[DelphicScorpion]

While we're on the subject I'll just ask here instead of posting a new thread:

How far does a pound generally go? I saw what looked like a votive container and it said a pound of wax... That seemed like a lot less than what I would have thought.

[JacquiO]

While we're on the subject I'll just ask here instead of posting a new thread:

How far does a pound generally go? I saw what looked like a votive container and it said a pound of wax... That seemed like a lot less than what I would have thought.

It may have been a status jar or tumbler - you can't tell how large in a photo. A pound of wax will make about a 3X3 inch pillar.

If you haven't got one yet purchase a good digital scale. I like the Escali Primo scales. It's affordable, has a tare function (must have) and has no delay in the display.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Escali-P115SP-Primo-Digital-Kitchen-Scale-Pink-NEW-/360249321637?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item53e08868a5

[DelphicScorpion]

Okay good, that's a relief.

And thanks for the scale link. I'm looking into supplies and scales are a must have I hear. Molds are expensive at the store though, and I'm looking more and more at CandleScience's website... Which is disappointing just because I didn't want to have to wait on shipping. It's a big drop from 15 dollars down to 4 or 5 though, so it's probably worth it.

[JacquiO]

I purchase about 95% of all my candle making supplies online. Ebay and the classies here on craft server are great too because you can get great deals. Ebay is also great for the pricier equipment - I've gotten great deals there on scales, heat guns, shrink wrap sealers I even got a point and click laser thermometer gun for $23 on eBay auto. The candle suppliers were charging $60 or more.

The key to ordering from a supplier online is finding those closest to you. I have my main suppliers in NY, NJ and PA so I usually have my supplies in 2-3 days.

There's a supplier by state link in this forum category at the top but it's not that complete. If you tell me your city and state I may be able to refer you to some suppliers closer to you.

[DelphicScorpion]

I'm in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It listed one in Muskogee, but their website shop was very poorly organized (in my opinion). I think they're only about a town away, I could probably even drive there, but from what I could gather on the website their prices weren't anything great.

[JacquiO]

http://www.aaacandlesupply.com/

http://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/

http://www.bittercreeksouth.com/

http://www.houstoncandlesupply.com/

http://www.peakcandle.com/

http://www.justbynature.com/

http://wickscandlesupplies.com/

[DelphicScorpion]

Wow, thanks so much!