ARTFULLY AVOIDING THE LANDFILL (& driving my husband crazy) ONE PIECE OF JUNK AT A TIME

2/15/11

Chandlers In the Family

Chan-dler:
A person who makes or sells candles


 Chandler:
A cute little kid


With any luck at all we will soon have TWO Chandlers in the family : )

I've been busy with research and development - desperately trying to make my candles behave so they will fill your homes with the most exquisite aromas possible:



Let me tell you, it's no easy task!

Now who would think Monkey Farts would smell a lot better than Grandma's Buns?  It's true - Monkey Farts are a hit around here but Grandma's Buns just didn't make the cut.  And, believe it or not, I DID NOT come up with the name for "Monkey Farts" - that's exactly how the fragrance supplier has it listed!

The main reason this is taking so long is because I have made the decision to make my candles with soy wax - ALL NATURAL SOY WAX - not a "soy blend" - and all natural soy wax candles are pretty darn tricky to perfect.



When adding color to soy wax, it does funky things when you burn the candles - like "jump lines" - that's what the experts call it.  It creates a stripe of colorless wax and makes them look ugly.  Yuck. 


Without adding color to the wax, they are a bit blah looking, but as you can see, soy burns clean - no soot; melts evenly across the top - no wasted wax clinging to the sides of the jar; soy burns longer than paraffin; and soy wax is water soluble  - meaning you can clean up accidental spills with water!  
 
If all of that isn't enough reason to go soy,

I live in IOWA for crying out loud.


What kind of Baffoon would settle for paraffin wax when they live in the heart of soy country?
 
So, I'm learning to tweak.


A little creative labeling hides the hideousness of the jump lines in colored candles.

 
  Offering personalized labels is a great distraction too : )


 
Using re-usable containers allows for using no dye and is another advantage soy wax has over paraffin.  Since soy wax is water soluble, all it takes is a little soap and water to clean out the container (like this cute little sherbet dish I got at my favorite store in the whole world - Streck Sales [Hi Jolene!]).  


So, I've got the detailing down to a manageable level, now it's a matter of perfecting the top secret recipes.


Different fragrance oils call for different fragrance loads and wick sizes. 


So, I'll be monkeying around for awhile : )

10 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, I love the Monkey Farts candles. How fun. I'll bet they'd be a big hit at craft sales. I love the way you package the candles and embellish them. I wish you all the luck with your sales. Are you going to sell them on etsy?

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  2. Great job Coleen... love the monkey farts, that was too funny.

    I have always bought soy candles and don't recall them ever making a line when burnt and the scent just lasted forever.

    I am sure you will get them perfected soon... good luck with your sales... they look fabulous. You did an awesome job on the labels.

    Have a great day...

    Hugs, Deb

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  3. ...And you want to help ME *sniff* out a solution to my stinky rug?
    I don't know whether to laugh or cry!!

    Hmmm...industrial ICK or Monkey Farts...that is a tricky one there. I'll have to get back to you on that one.
    Sounds like your having a fun time with your new job. Something you hardly ever here:
    'Is there a Chandler in the house?'

    Pat

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  4. Love the name Monkey Farts but you know, when I saw Grandma's Buns, I was expecting to see Grandma's behind somewhere on the label! hee-hee :)
    I used you cinnamon and nutmeg idea for a project and it looks so cool...not as good as yours, but I like it :)

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  5. Wow... it sounds like alot of work goes into the candles but I love that you are making it so consumer friendly!! That's awesome!! Monkey Farts... really?? LOL!

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  6. Alright already...send me some dang candles, I'm dying here! Mardi told me you were making one called Monkey Farts and I about fell off my chair. "Only Coleen", I thought! I love that you're having so much fun with this and I think the candles are going to be a huge hit! Can't wait to buy one!

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  7. Coleen- thank you for bringing your candles to work so that I get the pleasure of smelling them. Love the looks of them! Can't wait to smell the monkey farts!

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  8. I am all for soy candles especially the ones that are made with essential oils instead of fragrance oils. Your candles look great.Sounds like you take a lot of pride in making them. Thats' always who I want to buy from!Great blog. Glad I found it!!

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  9. That little Chandler is a doll face...Monkey Farts, sounds like a mad scientist at work deep in the Amazon jungle...or your kitchen, lol. Love your labeling and that sherbet dish! Best of luck, Lezlee

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  10. Wow, I'm impressed with all you're doing Coleen! I really like the ideas you come up with to solve the problems, too!

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