NancyJo

This is the first time I got "creative" making candles. Not as artistic as others of the board but this is from one of the most uncreative people LOL!

Check your PM's

Give me your e-mail, I have one that might help you

I use a glass measuring cup and ladle it in. One pound of wax is equal to 20 oz in the measuring cup. I find it easier for me to use the glass measuring cup when I pour and not worrying about using a scale

I have taken candles from NY to CA no problem...Just put them in the suitcase stuffed in the clothes in checked in baggage...arrived safely, no backage so tins should be okay. The tarts should also be okay in checked in baggage, I have taken votives that I want to test and they arrived okay with no damage. I feel the less I have to carry with me on the flight the better!

I really think that is the problem. For the past 3 years this business has been the center of my life. The business has ran me. If someone ask for a scent then I have to find it instead of politely saying no. My business grew so fast that I was not prepared for it. I'm a stay at home mom, but don't feel like I have the stay at home mom life because honestly my business has always came first. That sounds bad, but it is true. I carry around 40 scents in 2 jar sizes, votive , and melts. I full line of accessories, doing craft shows, farmer markets, fund raisers, web, and call-in orders, plus candle parties. I'm just really burnt out. Besides the fact that I feel like this business has really overtaken my home. There is not a closet or room that doesn't have a candle related item in it. I quess it is all catching up with me, maybe a good nights sleep and it will all look better in the morning.

My advice is not candle related but here is my take...My father started his own business when I was 7 years old and put is 10-12 hour days. I never really saw my father except for meal time. Being that young, I never really understood what it took to start a business and we never really got along. More due to our personalities, we are both quick tempered. We never really got along until I moved out of the house, but I digress.

What I am trying to say is to set some time aside for your kids, just them and no business. It sounds like you are being pulled in too many directions and you feel your kids are suffering for it. I know you are very proud of how your business has grown because you are agonizing over it, but it is better to cut back on your business than your kids.

Please don't take what I am trying to say the wrong way, it is just my personal observation, but your business you can always build up again. Just my 2 cents

My stuff has been melting too lately. Just to be safe, I moved it to the fridge. And to think my family thought that when I moved into my own room, they'd hae the kitchen back.

That is too funny because I am in the middle of cleaning out my back room to try to get out of the kitchen!! I have recruited my Mom to help, cleared everything out, washing and painting walls, putting up shelves, etc. I figure I only have 9 days home so take advatage of everyone I can!!

I will put my oils in the fridge, was only to be in CA for 3 weeks but it ended up being 2 months and never thought about the oils. My Mom checked on the candles and never thought about telling her to put the oils in the fridge!

Well....back to work, enough of a break for now

Thank you Robin, that was what I was hoping to hear!

I have the solid kind of coconut oil, is it ok if it melted in the container? I got home today, opened the container and it was melted. It was in my house without airconditioning. It doesn't smell rancid, is it still ok to use?

I would have 1 picture of each soap as the main catagory, describing things such as ingredients, benefits, etc then a drop down for each scent available. Personally I can't stand bouncing back and forth from page to page to either find what I want or to compare one product to another

You are one smart cookie for thinking of that...lol..

darn I sooo wish I could go to this.

I really can't take credit for it, my father used to do this when he travelled. His travel agent told him that trick!

Trish--maybe you could try finding a cheap flight to a different city that has a layover in Chicago and just not get on the connecting flight. An airline might have a special going to a city further away, but a lot of airlines have connections thru Chicago...just a thought

Raspberry is my popular scent right now