Ash2234

Are you talking about the shopping bags you give to customers? I have some plastic handled bags that I bought from Storesupply.com and then I just bought the Cub size handled kraft shopping bags at papermart.com for a big show I have coming up this weekend. I'm going to do like what Karen said and label the bags with my company name. I just need to remember to do it. lol.

Yes shopping bags!

For melts I use heavy hardware kraft bags from uline. I label them with a label that has my company name on.

Thanks Karen. I'll look those up!

Hi!

I have a craft market in a few days and I'm wondering what type of packaging to use.

Do you put the candles in a bag wrapped in tissue paper or a even box? Or just out it in a bag? Melts would be easier since they don't have breakable glass. I'm thinking of just using brown lunch bags for those.

Thanks!

Oh Google voice is a great idea!

Are you asking what fragrance to add?

This is what I was told so please correct me if I'm wrong.:smiley2:

Vybar is an additive used to help harden the wax and to increase the fragrance load.

Vybar enhances fragrances & color quality, increases hardness and surface gloss, and also helps reduce air bubbles and mottling. Recommended usage is 1/4 - 1/2 tsp per pound of wax.

I got my email address set up and added that. Thanks!

I have email, phone, and Facebook. I don't have a direct shop or etsy yet.

Ok I think I am going to create an email address. Is yours related to your shop name?

I have been using KY Para Soy blend with 1 tsp vybar per pound. I love it and it does come out looking very creamy and pops out of the clamshell very easy.

http://rusticescentuals.com/Ky-Para-Soy-Tart-and-Votive-Blend.html

Wow what a selfish thing to say about their product. It is definitely a greed/money thing!

Hi!

I am in the process of creating business cards. I do not have an email address for my business and usually get messages from either Etsy, Facebook or texts/calls from people who already know me about my products.

Should I create a business email and include it on my cards? I don't want to put my own personal email. Also should I put my cell number? I am feeling cautious about my cell on the cards.

The design now has my Business name, my name, location only (no actual address), Etsy address and facebook address. Is this ok in you opinion?

Thanks!

I'll definitely try out some 6006 and Ecosoya PB. Those are my next testers. I love the KY parasoy but was also looking for an all soy wax also for someone who requested all soy.....

I was worrying about sending out a bunch of samples then not getting much feedback..... I was thinking of sending one whole clamshell then two other fragrances with just two cubes. That way they can still see the packaging but its not as much product to lose. I have a list go folks to send them to.

I suggest asking your testers to use the same variables for each new fragrance. Same amount of time, same amount of scented wax, same room, etc. If they put one in a large room, one in a small room, one near a fan, one in a room with little air circulating, you will get inconsistent results.

That's a great idea too!

Thanks Karen! I will put something together to send to the testers. I do think getting feedback on packaging and CT would be good as well.

I am putting together 3 test batches of melts to give to friends to review for me. I am making these with KY Para-Soy and 8% FO. I have a few questions.....

1. Do you give a whole (6 squares) clam shell to each tester or only a few? Or do you give tarts?

2. Do you ask specific questions for feedback? Like how do they look, how long did they smell, how many times did you burn each? How big was the room they burned it in?

3. Do you give specific instructions with the melts?

Thanks so much!

I am just starting out with making wax melts. I have been using KY para-soy in my testing. So far I've typically used 8% fragrance while testing CS Pumpkin Soufle, Apple Harvest and Clean Cotton. They seem pretty good but I'm not sure if they are really good. The Pumpkin is awesome, Cotton is good but Apple is so so. I really can't tell since I make them. Has anyone had good results with this wax? Do you use different FO percentages with different fragrances? Thanks!

I have not heard to curl the wick... That sounds great though!

I just started making melts and I have been slowly upping the percentage. I started with 6% but they didn't seem to do well so I tried 8% then 10%. I definitely like 10% more. I am using a para-soy wax though so maybe with the soy you need more.....

I have tried it. I love popcorn so I bought a sample. It smells great and I plan to buy a larger amount to make.

I love this look! I am also using wine & beer bottles as jars some. I bought a candle from Unwined to try out not Rewined just to be clear. I got it for $8 on sale. It is presented very nicely but does not burn well and has no hot throw at all. The wick is way too small and although the scent I bought is great you can only smell it when you hold your nose by the candle.....

My hubby cuts my jars with a wet saw and it's not that bad to do. We have to sand the tops some which kind of sucks. I use between 10 and 20 ounces of wax. I first saw it on Pinterest.

Very pretty!

I am using 8 oz mason jars with metal lids from CS that cost about $1 each with shipping and I just started using recycled wine bottles. I can add between 10 and 20-ish ounces of wax. Hubby cuts them for me and we sand down the edges. I also use 11 oz libbey vibe jars I get from Hobby Lobby that are about $3 each. Those are mostly for special orders though for folks who really like those jars. I sometimes use 8 oz jelly jars also from CS for about .80 cents each also but I don't like the look of those as much though.

I also use 464 and have had success CS Christmas Hearth. I add the FO at 185-190 degrees and only allow the wax to cool to about 175 degrees when I pour. I very rarely have any wet spots and have never had frosting. Every now and then the tops will have indentions.

I have had great success with 464. I add my FO at around 185-190 degrees to ensure good adhesion. I also pour fairly hot. Around 175 and htey turn out great.