BACKWOODS

When I use J50 I always used 1 oz of FO per pound of wax. Whenever I have used more I would experience some bleeding depending on the fragrance oil. As far as Connie's Candles from Ohio, I also have never heard of them, and I live on the PA/Ohio border.

We would be in for the Ohio Convention...keep us posted!!

I use excel....hmmm what kind of spreadsheet program do you use? It may be able to import excel files.

We have around 50 that we are selling at this point, but I have about 80 total in the workshop. I am trying to keep the urge to try new ones down, unlike my Ma, Glo-Worm!!!

Any suggestions to limit the frosting with CB Pure?

In order to get the "free" membership time you need to post your sale$ and the number of transactions that you had at that particular show along with your review. He did this becuase no one was entering any reviews to any of the shows and I believe he was trying to make it a "win win" for everyone by giving away free membership time in exchange for show reviews. if you are going to pay for a site to find craft shows go to festivalnet.com . It is much better than craftlister in my opinion!

I use paint stir sticks from lowes to center wicks! Can't get any cheaper than free!

Good question. We use 1.5 oz hex jars for our wedding favors. We label the outside of the jar with all the information for the wedding, and we put a small round label on the inside of the cap with all of our company info and website. We felt that was a good way to get out name out and not have it look tacky.

Candle Man Unused supplies (raw materials for your product) can not be counted as money spent to show a greater loss because they are an asset and can be used to generate profits in the following year. That is why you need a year end inventory of all these supplies and your finished products to balance your receipts for these purchases. I hope that clears it up some what for ya.

I also have 1 million in liability

I finally got scammed on Ebay about 4 months ago after buying and selling since 1999. I filed a complaint with Paypal and I only got 50% of my money back. I don't know how they came to that resolution, but the case is now listed as "closed" even though I didn't get all my money back or receive the product. It is a shame that a few bad apples have to spoil it for us all!!

That must have been the model that I saw last year. When I first spotted the Turk n Surf then and thought that it might be a great I idea until I discovered that little problem!!! I didn't think much about them anymore until I saw some posts on them about a month ago. I just bought mine last week at Gander Mountain and it does have the spout. It works great!!! You might be able to modify yours, but I would not put it through both layers. You could set it up much like the new model....put a larger hole through the outer layer so that the entire spout goes through and just attach the spout to the innner aluminum liner pot. That way you can take out the aluminum pot if need be and it would be easier to seal just one layer vs. two. Look at the newer model to better understand what I am saying...pictures speak a thousand words!!! Or just relist it on Ebay...that is probably much safer!!!

You need a total dollar amount from your finished products and all of your raw materials used to make them (was, dye, fragrance oil, labels, containers...you get the idea!!) Spreadsheets are great for this year end activity. I just use the same form each year that has all my raw materials listed on there and I update for current pricing. Then I just count everything and type in the amounts on the spread sheet and it calculates the amount for me. It takes awhile to set it up the first time, but it is a piece of cake once you save it and do it again next year!! Finished products are much the same, like someone mentioned before, figure out what it costs you to make one and multiply it out by what you have on hand.

Who is your favorite candle supply biz in the area? Are you willing to travel to save on shipping charges? Who has the best shipping rates (are they willing to ship in flat rates boxes)? I am looking for anything from wax to jars, fragrances, etc....do you prefer one stop shopping (getting all your stuff from one place) or do you look for the best prices on everything and get them from all over. I know that is alot of questions, but I just was wondering how everyone else is going about their purchasing. thanks!

I agree with putting the warning label on the inside of the lid. I seems like the best place to me.

I just got mine at Gander Mountain also....they only had 3 left! $89.99...I'll keep ya'll posted on how it works.

Fire and Ice, What kind of pricing are you getting on your disclaimers from Staples? Right now I am paying 2 cents a piece from my candle supply shop. I just did a quick quote from Lightning Labels (thanks for the post earlier in the thread!) and I am looking at about 30000 to get to 1.4 cents each and that is without shipping. I am probably right around where you are needing 5000 a year. I was just wondering if I already have a good price. It would be quite convenient to just run down to Staples to pick them up! thanks in advance

I saw one of those at GanderMountain and Dunham Sports in my area. I remember thinking they would be great to melt wax, but I believe that it has an inside metal liner that comes out and it would be difficult to drill a hole in it and put a spigot in. I hope I am wrong...keep us all posted and if it works I am sure we will all be getting them!!!

Presto pot with spigot: 1. No Hassle @ all 2. I would rather have the manual spigot. I need an electric spigot explanation as well.

We use the rubbermaid totes and pack our candles in their boxes inside them. We get 5 (1 dozen) boxes in each toteIt works great...and oh yes the dolly we bought from Lowes was the best $35 we ever spent!!!

How about White Zinfandel and Burgundy

I don't seem to have any trouble either. I just glue the tab in, pour and straighten them when they congeal a little just like everyone else has posted. Are you pouring so hot it is melting the pre-waxed wick so it loses its rigidity?

I use lowesthosting.com. I think it is around $70 bucks a year (for webspace and domain name), and I did my own website on Microsoft Publisher and uploaded it. Publisher is not the best but it got me on the web.

I try to look at the big picture when doing good and bad shows. Why was it a bad show (no advertising, bad weather, etc) and learn from it. When they are bad, I talk to as many other vendors as possible to get their feel of the show and find other good shows. That information is more valuable than anything on the web. But the bottom line is we all have to pay bills, and breaking even doesn't do that. I have heard somewhere before that 7 times table was good and we try to keep to that when traveling a distance to do a show. We still do shows in our local area that are not as profitable because we don't have the gas expense and don't have to stay overnight anywhere.

I use the clear ones as well...I sell them in clear plastic tubes of 6 tealights. They sell pretty well.