Ah the elusive 'all natural soy'. Where is it coming from and is it pure?

I always rant and rave about how awesome, pure and American my main ingredient in candle making is..And I have not been intentionally keeping you in the dark! I think it's important to know exactly where these so-called 'natural' ingredients come from. 

All of the Soy used in my candles comes from a company called ecosoya and you can find all this information on their site: http://www.ngiwax.com/

EcoSoya® / Purity of EcoSoya®

We submitted all EcoSoya® soy waxes to be analyzed and scrutinized for the presence of pesticides, and herbicides by experienced third party Accredited Laboratories. All results have proven that EcoSoya® CB-135, CB-Advanced Soy and PB contain NONE of these substances.

We use good, old-fashioned, earth grown soybeans to create all our environmentally friendly EcoSoya® soy waxes. EcoSoya® CB-135, CB-Advanced Soy and PB are further enhanced with the finest carefully selected botanical oils, adding to their performance characteristics. All EcoSoya® soy waxes are guaranteed to contain NO petroleum, paraffin or beeswax products and all EcoSoya® soy waxes are 100% vegetable.

Every ingredient has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and Kosher Certification criteria. Every pound of our wax is analyzed in a state of the art laboratory to assure its quality. EcoSoya® soy wax only leaves the plant after receiving a Certificate of Analysis, guaranteeing our high standards are met.

EcoSoya® soy waxes perform so consistent with easily reproducible results, there is no need to add paraffin. 

All EcoSoya® soy waxes:

• Are made in the USA with DOMESTICALLY grown crops.
• Are 100% vegetable, made with Pure Soybean oil, GUARANTEED!
• Are all NATURAL and biodegradable.
• Are manufactured meeting FDA standards.
• Are Kosher Certified.
• Are NOT tested on animals.
• Are FREE of palm wax.
• Are FREE of petroleum, paraffin or beeswax products.
• Are FREE of pesticides and herbicides.
• Are FREE of toxic materials.
• Are FREE of Genetically Modified Material.

the 17 most important foods to buy organic and why

17 Most Important Foods to Eat Organic

Not everything FBC has to talk about is candle related, although there is a sweet little section here about soy beans :P

1. Baby Food. The very young are extraordinarily susceptible to pesticides. Here are some organic baby food brands, Earth's Best, Tender Harvest, and Healthy Times, which are available for your baby's safety and health. Or better yet, make your own baby food by cooking and pureeing organic produce. See "Make Your Own Baby Food".

2. Strawberries. Enjoy them while they are in season from local organic farms or buy frozen organic strawberries from your local whole market.

3. Rice. Domestic rice has mega-doses of pesticides, and now, the chemicals companies are producing "pharm" rice a crop used to produce and store pharmaceuticals. Buy organic rice where you can find it! Store it in an airtight container. It stores very well.

4. Green and Red Bell Peppers. Super sources of Vitamin C, but wrought with pesticides if grown "conventionally". Buy organic, or, better yet, grow your own. Seeds of Change has a plethora of organic seeds, and pepper plants prove to be a hardy bunch!

5. Got Milk? We hope not, at least, not from conventionally raised cows. Today's commercial brands are loaded with antibiotics and growth hormones. Make sure your milk and other dairy is from organically-fed cows without the extra rBST, rBGH and antibiotics.

If you are feeding your child goat milk, and/or goat products, be aware that our science community has now genetically-mutated a goat to spin silk (yes, clothing silk) in her milk. Go here for more details http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/889951.stm

6. Corn. Corn is typically not a scale tipper when it comes to pesticide residues. But, take into account that 75- 90% of all domestic corn has been genetically-modified, that the average American eats 11 pounds of it, that most cooking oils include corn oil, and that most everything is sweetened with corn syrup, and suddenly, buying organic corn and corn products, makes more than a little sense. Eat local organic corn in season and freeze some for later, or, leave some kernels to dry, and plant them in the spring.

WHAT IS A GMO (Genetic Modified Organisms)? Genetic modification is when you take a beneficial gene, a bit of DNA, from one species and add it to the DNA sequence of another species. The genetically modified subject will use the gene and benefit from it, for example to grow better fruit or be resistant to disease, or to produce insulin. Another example: Taking DNA from a flounder that helps it live in cold water and splicing it to the DNA of tomatoes so they can THRIVE and produce a high yield in the cold weather. 

7. Bananas. This tropical favorite has a short window of ripeness and a very long distance to market (quick, how many local banana farms does your town have?). All of which adds up to a lot of heavy chemical dousing along the way.

8. Green Beans. Over 60 different pesticides are used on green beans. Even beans used in baby food have been found to be contaminated.

9. Peaches. Nothing beats a peach. Until you realize that they often have the highest rates of illegally-applied pesticides. Isn't that just peachy . . .

10. Apples. A decade after the dangers of Alar were exposed, apples are still soaked in pesticides. Put only organic apples in your pie.

11. Cherries. Cherries, so expensive, so rich, so fabulous, . . . so heavily doused in poison. Make sure that the cherries in your Cherries Jubilee or Bing Cherry Ice Creams are as clean and wonderful as they were meant to be.

12. Celery. Why would anyone think of spraying the heck out of that innocuous little stem vegetable?! But they do. Stay organic, the taste of organic celery will amaze you and make you a celery-nibbler once again.

13. Apricots and Grapes. Apricots, Peaches and Grapes, what would summer be without them? Less toxic! Keep conventionally grown fruits and veggies, and their pesticide residuals, out of your system or minimize them with a vegetable rinse, such as the one by Healthy Harvest.

14. Soybeans. If you are not yet a label-reader, it is time to start. Everything you buy, from bread to cookies to crackers to margarine to dry mixes, has some sort of soy product in it. Most soybean in the USA is genetically-modified. So, why the fuss over modified soy? Monsanto, in an effort to increase the use (and profit potential) of Round-Up Ready, spliced the herbicide into soybean plant DNA. Two problems with this action. 

1) No matter what you or I do, we can never wash RoundUp Ready herbicide off the soybean-ever. It is "permanently imbedded". 2) It appears that soy increases production of estrogen. High estrogen levels facilitate the potential for contracting various cancers and for hastening puberty in young children.The jury is still out on whether soy consumption, in general, is beneficial, or whether only fermented soy should be consumed, Never, we mean NEVER, consume foods laced with poisons.

15. Potatoes. Mashed potatoes are delicious and worth the calories, unless they're laden with pesticides or have been genetically-modified. When genetically modified, potatoes impair the immune system and shrink the brain, liver and heart.So, mash a clean, real, organic potato and forgo the new-fangled monstrosity. Got soft, green-sprouting organic potatoes? Don't throw away those sprouting, wrinkly potatoes,bury them! They will grow wonderful potato plants! To get more of a yield, quarter the "old" potatoes before you plant them and you will get FOUR new potato plants! :)!

16. Raisins.Concentrated little grapes, concentrated levels of pesticides.

17. Cucumbers. Ever wonder why this delicious crisp vegetable was loosing its appeal on your palate? Yep! The answer is, once again, pesticides. The answer to pesticides, is, once again, go organic, or grow your own. 

Modified from: The Green Guide, a newsletter published by Mothers and Others, 40 W. 20th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, phone:888-ECO-INFO, e-mail:greenguide@mothers.org and/or log onto their website at www.mothers and others for a liveable planet.org

Why Do I LOVE Soy Candles??

Why Do I Love Soy Candles?

S-upports American farmers 

O-nly contains natural ingredients

Y-ou'll find soy candles burn longer than paraffin candles

C-rude oil dependency decreased

A-renewable and sustainable resource

N-ot derived from oil refining

D-oes not give me a headache

L-ittle to no soot

E-asy soap and water cleanup 

 Thanks for reading, happy Spring to all 

Ciao Friends,FBC

Update on the wine, liquor, and beer candles!

So far it has been a success. I have tested my 100% soy wax on two bottles. One being a thinner beer bottle from the beer company Rogue and the other being a vodka bottle with a  thicker layer of glass from the company Absolut!

The test burns have gone wonderfully and you can expect to see some for sale in the next few weeks.

Here are a few images to illustrate what a beer and liquor candle will look like :)

 Before:

During:

 

After the first 3 hour burn:

Hanging out with my candles, enjoying the nice ambiance 

Stay tuned for our next entry!

Paraffin VS Soy. Who should win?

WHY PARAFFIN? 

We all know what our candles are made of…wax. Duh. BUT do you reaaaaally know what is in your sweetly scented jars of joy?

PARRAFIN WAX !!!- it is the number one used wax in the candle industry. And aside from being a fun word to say it’s not such a fun ingredient and I FBCandles am here to tell you why.

Here is a breakdown [of which I could go on forever trust me!] of what Paraffin wax is and why you want to stay far far away…

Dun dun dun….

1. Paraffin wax is CHEAP, that is pretty self explanatory. Buuuut why is it cheap?

2. It’s cheap because it’s basically sludge aka final byproduct in the petroleum refining chain [even after asphalt is extracted]. And we all know Petroleum is a fossil fuel right? Mmhhmmm. Love the idea of breathing that in.

3. But why should you care???? Aside from breathing in fossil fuels? WELP you are creating indoor air pollution [in case you were wondering]. The soot from the burning of paraffin candles is the same as that given off by burning diesel fuel. [you know that icky black stuff that collects on your walls after burning a candle in the same spot for awhile?] Yea..

4. Some of the air contaminants in paraffin fumes include toluene, benzene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and naphthalene—substances found in paint, lacquer and varnish removers. EVEN THE EPA SAYS ITS BAD-go look for yourself.

5. While burning paraffin wax candles the sot releases carcinogens [see above].

WHY SOY?

1. Soy is non-toxic. 

2. Soy wax burns 25-50% longer than paraffin wax.

3. It burns cooler and cleaner. [for all you clean freaks out there!]

4. Its wax can be washed with hot water and soap. [psh take that fossil fuels]

5. Soy wax is a biodegradable renewable resource. [just like water, awww]

I will let you be the judge of which you prefer. Coming from a business perspective, the idea of cheap ingredients is nice because you can make a much larger profit. However at FBCandles I believe in spending more money to invest in something much more sustainable and much cleaner! To me, the choice is simple. Even if you decide to purchase candles from Walmart or Target or a cute lil locally owned shop like Fawn Berry Candles be sure to get a candle that is GUARANTEED all soy, not soy infused, or partially soy.  100%. 

Beer Candles, Wine Candles, Liquor Candles...OH MY!

That's right. Over here at candle land (aka Amanda's apt) we are currently experimenting with beer, wine, and liquor bottles-reusing them with our 100% soy candles!  Still in the early stages of the process and haven't quit determined if these bad boys are sell-able and safe, after a bunch more testing and applications, there will be an announcement on FBC's site (and we hope it is good news!!).

Now I know you are wondering what the heck is going on...why are you making candles in a alcoholic bottle and how??

FBC, many years ago pondered on the idea of putting a candle in a beer can by cutting the top off with a box cutter (not a good idea) and from there I have always wondered how I could perhaps make candles inside of glass bottles. Specifically reusing bottles-because we LOVE our eARTh ;)

And vuole la laa FBC found a company that sold glass bottle cutters. Special thanks to Mike for being the faceless model ;)

This is the process BEFORE the candle is made:

• These are the bottles we  used with our glass cutter.

• Next, we took our glass cutter which puts a score on the glass bottle in a perfect circle, similar to a compass. 

• Now we take boiled water and pour it very  s l o w l y over the score in hopes that it will crack along the line.

• Once the bottle is (hopefully) cracked we need to take the bottle and separate the top and lid from the body. The next step is pouring very cold water on the score and it should break (sometimes if you place the bottle in a bowl of cold water it will crack at a slower, and therefore more even line.

• And it broke off!

• Here is an example of a even break and an uneven break. The last step before we can make candles in these bottles is wet sand the edges that were broken off to ensure no sharp edges and boo-boo's :)

Stay tuned in to see the results of making candles in the bottles, burn them and see what happens.

New New New !

Hello blogger world....many exciting things have-been/are happening and I must give a few shout outs.

• FBCandles is super excited to almost have a personalized logo designed by the very awesome Nicholas Emmanuel Mariakis, I HIGHLY recommend him to anyone, anyone that is interested in having someone (super awesome) create logos and graphic design :) See below for an example of something he has been working on for FBC

• Also my very talented friend, Emily, has taken all the photos you see currently on my site! (image below is one example) She has very reasonable rates, is always very flexible, and has a wonderful eye for photography (both product,landscape,and portrait). Check her out at http://emilymorganphotography.com/. 
• Last but not least..FBCandles is planning on working with the amazing duo that is Werth Photography! As soon as the new logo comes out, FBC's website will be uploaded with some updated photos from this creative couple. Below is one of their images from a recent photo shoot. Please check them out at http://www.werthphotography.com/ or on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/werthphotography
  

That's all for now, keep a look out for the next post where you can see how FBCandles makes candles out of liquor, wine, & beer bottles!

2012 & Fawn Berry Candles..what were doing and whats to come!

Hello world!

I am so appreciative of all the support and kindness I received the past few years that I have been making, creating and building Fawn Berry Candles. I originally started out making candles with no intention of taking it any further then friends and family. However I have received such an overwhelming response to my product and stores who would sell my product I realized I must expand and spread my love of the environment to everyone starting with my soy candles (maybe after I graduate college ;)). Making candles is something I love to do, it really has never been a priority to make money and making candles doesn't get your rich fast believe me! I want my business to be about helping educate others in a non aggressive way about the environment and why they should care. I also want to promote the Schuylkill Wildlife Clinic that I have been volunteering with for the past two years, in doing so I have decided since May of 2011 to donate 5% of your total purchase to the clinic, I will donate in the form of a visa giftcard, this allows the clinic to purchase any foods and materials they may need in order to continue to protect and heal injured wildlife in PA.

I am really excited about the new endeavors FBC has to come, I hope you will continue to support me and my cause. 

Check out my blog again for the new projects FBC's is working on