Gel Candle Convention

1st Gel Candle Convention 2001

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Special Issue:Gel Candle News© ISSN: 1534-0899
1st Annual Gel Candle Convention
March 2001
Vegas Strip aglow at Night

The 1st Annual Gel Candle Convention
March 2001
Las Vegas

Vegas Strip aglow at Night
Stratosphere View
Comments & Observations by Jeannie

The First Gel Candlemakers Convention was held in Las Vegas, NV on March 12, 13, & 14 2001
The number of gellers attending were 140 and we all had a great time, except maybe the ones that came down with the flu (bummer). With 11 Vendors and 4 speakers a lot of information was given out.

The Speakers:

Penreco (gel wax producer) had a booth and David Morrison talked about "Polarity Test" the miscibility of fragrance oils in mineral oil" and about the gel wax, flash points testing fragrance oils for being gel safe and mixing the fragrance oils into the gel, using grafts on a overhead projector MIXING FO INTO GEL: mix FO into the gel when it is melted and stir thoroughly for 4 to 5 minutes, then let sit, so the bubbles will raise to the top, bring temp to 220*F, then slowly pour.

Roy Demaret from SCORE talked about "Starting a business/Marketing your business/Insurance for your business". He said you should go to a insurance company that handles business insurance instead of a company that covers our homes and cars. He answered questions on these subjects.

Jill Bullwinkle from Wick N Clip gave us a "Wicks 101". She talked about the start up of her company and how they had started small and now have 11 employees. Jill described how they make their wicks. Then she answered question on wicks asked by the attendees.

Clariant's (a dye company) Mark Self talked about "Color Chemistry & Coloration of Candles" with pictures on the overhead projector. Sorry I was not able to hear the talk.

The Vendors:

Penreco (gel company), Barbara Montgomery & Tom Daly, Jr. from Belle Aire Fragrance Company (producers of FO), Lynn & Tom Thomas from How To Make & Market Your Gel Candles with her new book, Jill Bullwinkle and Tom McGuire from Wick N Clip (Wick producer), Dee and Reed Buckley from Silky Tyme (Online Store), Critter from Critterlights (geller T-shirts), Pylam Products (candle dyes), Jeanie (me) from Purrfect Scents (sand castles, lighthouses & more), Wicks Unlimited (wicks ), Bill & Dave Binder from Candlewic (wicks & wax embeds), and Clariant (candle dyes).

Most of the booths give out samples and loads of information. There were others like Doreen from Wick Your Wax, and Karla from Creations of Illumination who also give out samples. I want to thank Lyn Lewis (Queen Carmelita) who went through all the trouble and expenses to make us all the cute Gel Candlemakers Convention Buttons.

The dinner of Chicken Picatta was very good and the company delightful. Centerpieces were provided by me Jeanie/Purrfect Scents.

Through the generosity of many companies and my begging we had 75 door prizes to give away and only about 60 people (due to the flu) to get them. Door Prizes included: gift certificates ranging from $10.00 to $100.00; glass and wax embeds;Gel Candle ebooks; luggage, and even shirts (Penreco).

A good time was had by all. I want to also thank everyone for sharing their experience in gel candlemaking and answering questions for a lot of beginners.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR IN SAN DIEGO, CA or check my website for conventions in your part of the country.www.conventions.bigstep.com

Jeanie/Purrfect Scents

Comments From Lynn

Thank you, Jeanie.

I hope Jeanie's report and my pictures give you a taste of the convention... the information... the ideas... the fun.

We all had a wonderful time... and it was such a great opportunity to put faces with the voices and emails.
The following is a sampling of the fun... hope you enjoy... and more importantly...
Hope to see you Next Year!


Happy Candling,

Lynn Thomas
Editor
Gel Candle News©

  Greetings & Welcome to the Convention:

Welcome to the 1st Annual Gel Candle Convention ~ March 12-15, 2001 ~ Imperial Palace Hotel ~ Las Vegas, Nevada..

Upon entering the Showroom, you will have been greeted by Karen Giordano... who was Jeanie's helper as she handed out Goodie Bags stuffed with information and free "goodies'. Karen makes paraffin candles as "Two Angel Candles" ~ Thanks, Karen!

Vendor Booths. It was great meeting all the Vendors. There was:
Belle-Aire Fragrances

Belle-Aire Fragrances~Illinois
http://www.belle-aire.com
Thomas W. Daly, Jr. (Texas) & Barbara Montgomery
Very friendly... and informative.

Candlewic
Candlewic Candle Supply~Pennsylvania
http://www.candlewic.com
"Wax, Wick, Color, Scent"
Bill & Dave Binder
Gave away really cool wax embeds and wicks... Thanks!

Clariant
Clariant
http://www.clariant.com
Mark F. Self, Ph.D., Technical Manager
Talked about "Color Chemistry & Coloration of Candles".
Critter's Aprons & T's

Be sure to get your Gel Candle apron and T-shirts before you leave the Convention. Thanks to Critter McDonell Critterlights Gel Candles

http://critterlights.homestead.com/critterlights.html

CONVENTION T'S ARE HERE! http://critterlights.homestead.com/convention.html

If you mention you got the link from here, you can have a 30% discount on your order.

 

HowToMakeGelCandles.com
Lynn & Tom Thomas
Lynn launched her new book and autographed copies...
and met many enthusiastic gel candlers...
Patti from Biomax visited the HowToMakeGelCandles.com booth... and offered free embeds and a gift certificate for each book purchased during the show... Special Thanks, Patti!
http://www.biomax1.com

Karla Miller (left) from Creations of Illuminations
http://www.gellycandle.com
visited Lynn Thomas (right) from HowToMakeGelCandles.com
As you can see... Karla is a lot of fun!

 

Penreco

Penreco
http://www.penreco.com
was represented by:

  • David Morrison, Ph.D., (pictured at left in picture) New Product Development Manager
  • Ed Potter, Market Manager (pictured at right in picture)
  • David Guth (sorry, not in picture) Sales Representative.

David Morrison spoke on "Polarity Testing".

Pylam Products Co Inc.
http://www.pylamdyes.com
Pylam Dyes
William Row, Sales Representative

 

SilkyTyme
SilkyTyme.com
http://www.silkytyme.com
Dee Buckley's table was impressively arranged with gel candles and supplies... and look at those hand painted candle holders! Thanks, Dee!
Wick Your Wax
http://www.wickyourwax.com
Doreen Colmer came all the way from British Columbia!
She is standing at a table displaying candles that were brought to the convention by gel candle makers.
Wick n' Clip Inc.
http://www.wicknclip.com
Jill Bullwinkle, President
Jill described how they make their wicks and answered wick questions.
Wicks Unlimited
http://www.wicksunlimited.com
Thomas Rubino (Marketing Manager) and Chip Rau (Technical and Sales Rep)
  Seminars & Attendees
Penreco Seminar - David Morrison's talk.
http://www.penreco.com
Linda Williams from Amazing Gel Embeds stayed for a little while, though she was feeling under the weather. Hope you're feeling better, Linda!
http://www.gelembeds.com
  The Banquet Dinner -- Tuesday Evening
Banquet Dinner
Banquet Dinner -- Imperial Palace -- Tuesday evening.
Centerpiece
Jeanie made the ~coolest~ gel candle centerpieces!
This one looks like a real goldfish bowl!! She also made seaswept images, and others... wish I had photographed them all!
Update 4/6/01
Karla Miller took additional pics of the centerpieces (made by Jeanie!) and has graciously offered them to the newsletter! Thanks, Karla
!

"Shhh... quiet everyone... Jeanie's announcing the door prizes... How many prizes did Dee win???"

Congratulations to Sandie Brauns of Bubbles&Wicks who won the doorprize (a box of embeds!) from the HowToMakeGelCandles.com booth that was donated by Patti at http://www.biomax1.com
Dinner

Banquet Dinner networking...

Front: l-r Ed Potter (Penreco), David Guth (Penreco), Dee Buckley (SilkyTyme), David Morrison (Penreco)... Standing in background -- Karla Miller (Creative Illuminations)

 

and...

Patti Smith (Biomax) and Jean Dillard (Just4U Candles) and Wendy animatedly discuss gel issues.
By the way, Wendy has terrific design ideas... and has promised us an article for the newsletter!
  It wasn't all business... there were plenty of laughs too...
Karla Miller (right) with her mom, Judith Lake of
Creations of Illuminations
Lynn & Tom Thomas of
HowToMakeGelCandles.com
  Thanks to all who attended... and a special thanks to Jeannie:
3 Cheers to Jeannie!!!

 


Editor's Note: This information is designed to provide competent and reliable information regarding the subject matter covered at the time it was published. However, updates to the topic and its industry is ongoing and it is up to you to educate yourself about current procedures regarding this topic. It is up to YOU the candle maker to TEST TEST TEST each design or procedure prior to distribution as sales or gifts. It is up to you to contact your Supplier and ask questions about updated procedures, design tips and products.

This information is provided with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, financial, or other professional advice. Laws and practices often vary from state to state and if legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any liability that is incurred from the use or application of the contents of this publication / website.

Gel candles may resemble a beverage or food product. All pictures and references are "non-edible" items made of nonfood (wax, glass, etc.) components. Be certain that you understand the steps and precautions in making any gel candle design and in using the gel candles. Failure to follow instructions could result in fire, injury or smoke damage. If you have any questions contact your Supplier.

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