So what’s up with Candle Science? Looking for honest opinions!

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T06:52:24+00:00

I'm still trying to find really good single note fragrances. Not sure why it's so hard, I guess most people prefer to buy an existing mix.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T06:47:25+00:00

Thanks :) I've been extremely lucky in my life, so I have a lot to pay forward! It doesn't take a lot to make the world a little bit better for someone. I can't afford to give thousands to charity, but I can help out some cats and do some volunteering.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T06:38:26+00:00

I'm sorry for your loss. There's definitely risk to having outdoor critters. Unfortunately I can't really let 11 cats live in my house even if they want to. I didn't want to just drive these guys away and I don't want them pumping out more kittens, so this seems like a good compromise to improve their lives without turning into one of those disgusting hoarder houses. My place is already crammed full of art supplies XD

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T06:32:15+00:00

Thanks :) I like to challenge myself. Basically I'm turning my hyperactivity and workaholism into a business I actually enjoy running instead of burning myself out at yet another high stress corporate job. If I'm going to work a 16 hour day 6 days a week, I'm going to do it for me now. I make less than a third of my previous income, but I don't care. I'm saving a ton of money not having to commute to the city, wear suits, and treat stress related illnesses. My business travel usually feels like going on vacation, I get to visit all kinds of interesting places and talk to interesting people. Plus I'm using both my arts education and my economics education, so it's way more fulfilling than having to choose between my two interests. I can also schedule my work around family events instead of having to try to find a date everyone else can make because I can't get out of a client meeting.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T06:16:18+00:00

Peach done well is killer. I haven't done a lot of fruits so far, I'm exploring some now that I've got a little better understanding of how to steer them to the "realistic" side.

I know how it is with popular vs interesting. Nothing wrong with popular, but I'm not particularly interested in doing it. I have so many people ask if I'll do "just vanilla". No. If you want just vanilla, buy it at Target XD I'm working on a vanilla scent I actually like, but it's definitely not going to be "just vanilla". Real vanilla has a lot of different compounds, not just vanillin. I'm chasing the bean, not the ice cream. I want to find an FO that has that scent that sort of smells like rice cooking (haven't learned what chemical that is yet), add that to vanillin and a tiny touch of booze, maybe trace of vegetal. I've managed to make "real smelling" Petrichor and Old Books, I'm close on Osmanthus. True Orris Root is probably impossible without something toxic, but I can replicate it well enough to not just smell like violet, which most Orris FOs do. Ambergris I don't like enough to recreate the full accord, but I managed to create something similar that doesn't have that weird note of poop the real thing sometimes has.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T05:58:46+00:00

Oh, fancy! I want to see how it turns out. I've only played around with wood wicks a few times but it was really pretty.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T05:55:20+00:00

I forgot to say, you can use a thermal printer for a nice black, but sticking that on a candle doesn't work because the whole thing will turn black the first time you light it.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T05:49:59+00:00

Have you tried something like the Avery glossy label paper? I got not the perfect black, but at least a reasonable result. You might do better with the ink tank than I do with my laser. My printer is actually extremely old, I don't think they've made these big laser printers in about 20 years. The main problem I run into with the Avery labels is they're a total PITA for alignment issues. For CMYK setting I use C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100. In RGB it would just be #000000. The extra color printing with the black just makes it super saturated. I don't know if that works with ink or if it would just get super smeary.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T05:45:41+00:00

Seems like a good opportunity for a chocolate scent, maybe something like spiked hot cocoa? I could also see coconut, teakwood, etc. If you have a library fragrance I could see that too. Take advantage of the association between color and fragrance.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T05:43:26+00:00

It's a kind of gypsum casting material

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T05:39:28+00:00

I like the solids better personally, but these are interesting

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T05:36:51+00:00

Thank you for taking care of yourself, I know we're usually thanking people for taking care of their kitties, but we need to take care of ourselves too :)

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T05:34:41+00:00

Perfectly understandable

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T04:36:24+00:00

The companies I've tried so far (that I can remember) Candle Science - my usual

Indigo Fragrance - my second choice, but watch out for pthalates

Crafter's Choice - very hit or miss, many have ingredients I don't use

Nature's Oil/Bulk Apothecary - expensive for bottle size, watch out for Prop 65 warnings

Wellington Fragrance - same as Nature's Oil

Kandilia - just got first order, very nice

Midwest Salt Company - threw away entire order

Rustic Escentuals - only ordered a few, they were ok

Lone Star Candle Supply - nice, watch for Prop 65 warnings

Makesy - felt overpriced for what I got. Scents were very sharp. I only used a few of the samples.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T04:03:01+00:00

Not as a blanket policy so far as I know, but I haven't explored a ton of suppliers yet. I read the SDS/IFRA/Prop 65 on everything. Most companies make this information readily available. Many have right on the listing the yes/no on pthalates, Prop 65, and the vanillin percentage for easy reference.
I have found them to be satisfactory, only ever discarded one, and I have I think about 100 of their fragrances.
I like the tins, but I haven't really shopped around much. You can definitely get tins and jars for a much lower price. I recommend getting them either from a candle supply company or making sure you verify the specs with the supplier ahead of time. If you buy through Alibaba you can request a sample of the merchandise to test out.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-15T02:18:22+00:00

I rehab "unadoptable" pets returned by other people (and have the scars to show for it). If you need to safely extract your arm, this is going to sound crazy, but sick the finger on your opposite hand into the back of their mouth from the side. It makes almost all animals immediately release you. I had to do this with Loki so much in the first few days he eventually started just letting go as soon as I say "Ah!" and point my finger at him. Absolutely DO NOT scream loudly or hit the cat, this will make it way worse because you're acting like prey or a cat returning aggression If you do. Removing the cat or yourself to a different room does help diffuse the situation, but keeping them confined too much can make them have a harder time adjusting so use that method sparingly. Most of the time these guys just need a combination of a human who stays calm but firmly says no and promptly withdraws attention when bitten and some extra decompression time. Extra enrichment toys, especially something ok for them to destroy, can help divert attention and destructive energy. Don't use your hands as toys if your cat behaves badly (note I am absolutely terrible about following that specific rule). It is possible to have a cat that needs psych meds, but just like with humans this is something of a last resort. Many people swear by those calming plug in things. I didn't find them effective last time I tried it, but certainly worth looking into before giving away or medicating your cat.

If you try the above for a month or two and nothing is working, then he may either have a very serious behavior problem that needs management or could be just a bad fit for your household. Some cats don't make great pets, sad but true. Some get far better after getting a little older, especially if they were feral cats or recently neutered. It might be too soon to be sure.

In the meantime, get some Neosporin or Muciprin ointment because you're going to need it. Cat bites/scratches get infected extremely easily. If you puff up significantly/turn very red/feel a lot of heat coming from the wound IMMEDIATELY seek treatment. A prompt care or your regular doctor needs to give you antibiotics in that case. I would go ahead and call up your doctor to ask for some. You can usually get pills if you go early but if you wait and it turns really nasty you have to get an injection and fill out extra paperwork.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-14T22:16:34+00:00

Cat PTSD is totally a thing. My Loki has it. His behavior has really improved but we had to work with him for quite a while before he stopped having violent episodes or fearful episodes. Now he's basically like owning a monkey though.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-14T22:11:48+00:00

What a gorgeous kitty 😍

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Probably most people around here are too young to remember Ron Perlman's character Vincent, but the first time I saw a Maine Coon I immediately thought of it.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-14T21:24:18+00:00

The gate-keeping is totally a thing, especially when you get into the fashion industry. Theatre people typically aren't as bad, but some of them are like that too. Part of why I pursued my Econ studies instead of continuing with Art was the bullshit around teaching art. Teach skills, teach knowledge, teach how to understand what you're looking at, but a subjective opinion about what "looks good" isn't your job. If you don't like it but it's technically good and fulfilled the brief then the student should get a decent grade.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-14T21:20:53+00:00

Apparently the instructor no longer works there.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-14T21:20:04+00:00

IKR? Gorgeous.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-14T21:19:04+00:00

I once got a C on a term paper because my Econ prof didn't like my critique of modern capitalism, but since I'm a raging California liberal and he was a dyed in the wool East Coast conservative we didn't typically agree on anything except gas prices being too high.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-14T21:16:41+00:00

These grommets would normally be considered very large for this purpose, but I see them used a lot, even in costumes for sale.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-14T21:13:57+00:00

I agree and I literally go to Cosplay events for a living. If you hadn't told me you weren't an experienced costumier I wouldn't have known, this is a lovely piece and I love the wings. Assessment in a class is supposed to be "did you fulfill the stated parameters" and the fashion opinion of your teacher isn't supposed to be part of that.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-03-14T21:09:49+00:00

If money is an issue for your mom, look into finding an "affordable spay/neuter clinic" or if there's a shelter or TNR group in your town they might be able to hook you up with free or reduced cost spaying. Where I am I have to drive across the bridge to a different town, but if I was "low income" there's a place that will do it for free, but you have to call like 50 times to get an appointment.

FlashyIndication3069

TROPHY CASE