emilyspoppy

Footnote! The day that IGI no longer sells 4630, is the day I quit making candles as a business.

Uh oh !!! Controversy time! (And to think my probationary period should be over tomorrow!) I'm surprised that IGI is able to continue marketing 4786 with 4627, 4630 and 6006 on their palete. Except for being a more "traditional" AKA "Old-Fashioned" wax; 4786 offers no benefits to the others that I've mentioned. I also don't feel (Here's the real controversy!) that we (mostly I) have the talent to make a better product than a major manufacturer of candle wax. I do blend (mix) 4627 & 4630 sometimes and I have added a bit of a pillar blend (very little) to my 6006 for improved release properties in clamshell melts, but that's about it. I stock quite a few fragrance offerings and CONSTANT testing because I can't stop fooling around with wax blends isn't something I'm much into. I'm always impressed when I read posts where some of the very talented chandlers on this board appear to be master blenders of wax, but I'm just too lazy to get interested in doing it myself. I'm a "one-pour" kinda guy! JMO Dave

Sound advice, IMO. I think that votive making is a great place for a new chandler to start. I make them now only for our own use, because they are a pain to make in production quanities and they are not profitable for the time spent making them. Make SURE you burn them in proper container(s) though. Votives are container candles which are not poured directly into the container (usually). There are a number of suppliers who offer tutorials on making votives. I believe Peak may, but I know Candlescience does. There are probably many more tutorials you will find in a web search. I wish I could do the PM thing. I could send you some metal votive molds and wick pins. I would avoid the polycarbonate molds myself. I found they did not perform well for us. Many candle suppliers are often selling metal votive molds in their sales. Expect to pay about $1.00 per wick pin. I've seen the metal molds on sale for about half the price many times. You will need both to make a good votive IMO. In closing; Avoid using too much FO and or Vybar when starting. It's the biggest mistake many new fragrant candle makers (Including me, years ago.) make when starting out. More is not always better. JMO/HTH Happy candle making! Dave

The only problem I have found using 6006 is when we pour 1 1/2 ounce hex jars. We do use these frequently as samplers for our more "promising" customers. They are a beast to pour with 6006. Because they cool so quickly and are odd shaped, they almost always have major sink holes and need repouring and often a final heat gun treatment. (I use a scrapbooking embossing heat gun. Good heat, but less air flow which means less wax splattering.) This condition, I found also present with other waxes such as 4627 and 4630, but 6006 was the worst for us. The wax has to be poured about 160F or a bit less and allowed to cool quite slowly. I hate warming jars, but I do use a heat lamp set up that I built for our pouring station several years ago. It has helped us quite a bit. I have bought the round 1 1/2 ounce jars from Filmores, but they too required "repair". JMO/HTH Dave

I forgot to mention the clamshells. We use it for them too. Check with a supplier about the wicks you have on hand. Some of them may work. I used to use a 51Z with an 8 oz. jelly jar before we found our propietary wick. They did OK for us. A small bunch of wicks shouldn't be much of an expense. I've bought a Peak wick sampler. I would be glad to send you some raw wicking and possibly some assemblies, but I'm still on probation and not able to do a PM. Sorry! JMO/HTH

I'm almost ashamed to admit that my last employer was a fairly large, but regional fuel company. They operated; heating oil distribution, gasoline stations/convenience grocery stores and fast food shops, an HVAC Division, commercial lubricants and fuel supplies and have recently started into propane sales and equipment installation and service. The company has a good reputation and has been in business for over 75 years, but they too are concerned with their financial forecasts. My wife works there. She's only years away from retirement. We keep our fingers crossed even though she has spent a quarter century on the payroll. I think the single most important cause of the economy problem in the world today is the monoply on fossil fuels by OPEC and the large refiners. PERIOD! Everything! I do mean EVERYTHING we are dependent on or consume requires fossil fuel in some manner; either in the manufacturing process or the distribution of it. The sad thing is the smaller oil companies like the one I worked for are those that are most exposed to the wrath of the public and take the heat for it, but they are the ones that have their worst profit years when oil prices are on a steady price rise. This may be difficult to believe, but most smaller oil companies, (NOT the MAJOR REFINERS or OPEC) make their most substantial profits when the price of oil is on the decline. It's all about perception and the ability to compete in a fiercly competative market when daily price increases having shoppers constantly comparing the players. We had several stations that averaged well over 250,000 gallons of gasoline per month. Even a penny or two per gallon added to the bottom line when you extend it out over more than a dozen stations is a pretty impressive number at the end of the year. The same applies to kerosene, propane and the "golden goose laid egg", heating oil and diesel fuel. I feel we're back to a period almost similar when it was necessary to enact the Sherman Act and bust up the big monopolies like the Getty empire, et' al'. I'm not a socialist, but this is getting rediculous! And if the issue with oil hasn't hit us bad enough from the front side, look around your house and see just how many items state; "Made in .....", which are attacking us from the rear. Yes, I feel very sorry for Michigan and many of the manufacturing states. Food and transportation that's too expensive to afford and no job providing income to pay for it anyway. Who the H*ll needs a fragrant candle when there's no milk for the kids! Where I live, it's known as the most recession proof area of the country. We are the bedroom community for DC and we have an ever-expanding U.S. Naval base about 2 miles from my home, Pax River Naval Air Station. If my sales are in the hopper, I feel so sorry for those who live in areas most affected by this economy. I've said enough! I'm depressing myself again! Tax refunds are coming! Tax refunds are coming! Tax . . . . .

Actually SHE is much cuter. We were both running fevers when my dear SIL said; "Look here!" I, on the other hand, have a bit more grey in the top knot! I had just finished teaching Emily had to play Patty Cake. I'm proud to admit that I was the only one able to get her to stop crying. I've never seen her cry in my presence except the first single lung-clearing squall when she was born. We are tight! The last time I saw her (Thanksgiving) she whispered to me; "I know I'm always going to be your favorite! You are mine too! I love you so much, Poppy!" Hey; I've got five grandchildren, but how can you be objective when someone treats you like that! Stella's coming on strong, though! Look out big sister! Stella's no dummy! As we were preparing to head home after Thanksgiving, she threw a serious "hissy fit" screaming; "POPPY! PLEASE POPPY, PLESASE DON'T GO!" She ran at me so hard she nearly knocked us both down! Everyone including Emily was shocked, and I cried. I swear I saw Stella throw a smirk in Emily's direction, though, as I was climbing into our van.

I can't discuss wicking with you, I'm sure there are many on this board who will, but IGI-6006 is my second most used wax. It has a great C/H throw. It can be a single-pour wax if poured under optimal conditions. I usually get mine from Candlescience. Peak may be a good option too. With CS you can see the total cost of shipping before committing to purchase. They also have a 200 lb. ground shipping rate through UPS. It's quite a savings for us, but were located on the East Coast. My suggestion to you would be to buy a sample package or two from Peak and try it first. They are the only seller that I know who offers samples instead of 10 pound slabs or 50 pound cases. JMO/HTH Dave

Actually the picture, one of my favorites, is a bit dated. Emily will be 11 next week. She still calls me Poppy though. Her little sisiter, Stella, will be Five a day earlier. Thanks! Dave

Updated as mentioned.

No. I boosted it. I may change to an avatar of her and me together. I see that not a lot of members post actual images of themselves, though. I'll have to think about it. Right now I'm having some health issues. Maybe after (if) I feel better I will update the avatar.

Thanks!

I know what you mean about a funk! Last year was one of the worst in my life. I don't think I could endure another one like it. I'm in no condition to close up shop. I would have to pay someone to steal my stock and fixtures. Yikes! Pray for tax refunds! GOOD LUCK! Back to wicking jars! Dave

Whenever my DW breaks down and gives me some. (CHOCOLATE) I find that my favorite hiding place is in my mouth. Whenever I go to search for it, I find that for some reason, it's always missing!

My cousin, Marilyn Bookman, was married to a long-term former Mayor of Kutztown, of many years past. "Bookie" Bookman was, as I recall, a very nice man. I lost touch with Marilyn and her family eons ago. They had three kids. A little boy and a baby daughter passed away from "CF". The eldest son, Glenn, who is close to my age, if still alive, inherited the recessive "CF" gene. It was a tragic situation for their family. I still think of them often. I've been to Kutztown many times and to Renninger's several times, but never set up there to sell. I remember both it and the Grenn Dragon seemed like busy markets, but it's been decades since I've been to either. My father sold at both from time to time. He told me he always did well at them as an outside vender. He died in 1991 near Chadds Ford, PA. I wish you the very best for your business. Dave

Today, I posted in this forum, that all was not well with our Farmer's Market shop. (Refer to "Flea Market Rant") After I had finished my reply to the thread's originator, I did some research of our records and made an observation I thought I should mention in a new thread. We have some special circumstances that most of you will not have to contend with other than the general state of the economy and the amount of discretionary funds potential buyers may or may not have available to them. I noticed from doing research in my records that even though February was a "short" month and still problematic for us weather wise, sales actually made a marked improvement by the second week of the month. I felt this was solely due to the timely arrival of Valentine's Day. I'm sure that this is a factor, however, it doesn't account for the fact that since we have been at our location the END of the month continues to be stronger in sales, too. March looks encouraging also. It puzzled me. My detailed records showed less than good weather for an outdoor/indoor market during this period. I was sitting at my computer, sipping coffee, and pondering this when my wife announced to me that she; "Had our taxes done yesterday! We will be getting a nice refund of . . . " Time to start wicking jars again! I don't want the parade to pass by and not be a part of it. I think this is something you might want to consider if your sales are stagnant right now and you're reluctant to make new product. JMO/HTH Dave

I've been selling in Flea and or Farmer's markets since 1997 on a full time basis. My dad was a part-time dealer and I traveled with him as far back as my first recollections of life. I'm now 63, so I guess I've been involved with this venue for over 55 years. We now have one of the larger shops in our county's Farmer's Market. We have been in a permanant shop for over 10 years. We have been selling at this market for close to 15 years. At first we set up in an outside pavillion. Our best sales were "outside". $1000 in sales per Saturday was average. Rent was $35 per space when we began and is now $40 per space. We had two spaces. For quite a while we were also open on Wednesdays. The rent covered both days. We always recovered the rent along with other fixed and variable expenses on Wednesday's. I have done as much as $2000 in sales on a Saturday in February! It was an unusually pleasant "spring like" day. We did not sell candles at out outside location. We were in clover! Virtually every conceivable thing you could think of will impact a venders sales in a Flea/Farmer's market. Location within the market is a most critical factor. I've spent a lot of time noticing how one part of a market can get very little customer "traffic" while other parts appear to be located on a golden highway. Many times customers who are willing to shop outside, simply will not enter an enclosed shop. Our sales were reduced by 60% the very first week when we moved inside. If you do not believe me, I understand! I still have a hard time believeing it myself. Our old outdoor spot of five years is within a stones throw of our present shop. I see it everytime I look out of one of our two glass doors. Our shop is heated in the winter and we have A/C in the summer. We have a free coffee/punch and cookie bar and a rest area for the hubbies and others who do not share their significant other's penchant for what we sell. We still have a shopper or two regularly claim they remember us from "outside" but thought we had gone out of business. They then ask us how long we have been in our inside shop. It is really unbelievable! Despite a very large lighted sign and a number of colorful banners, we still remain unnoticed by many old and loyal customers. I'm offerring this as the best advice I can. REALLY get to know the whole market as well as you can. Ask as many questions as you are comfortable with asking of venders who seem to be established there. Not all will be willing to divulge information or be truthful with you, but you should be intuative enough to know when to disregard what they are telling you if anything seems evasive or "fishy". Remember too, that many of the people selling in this venue may not have that much business savvy. Proceed slowly and with great caution, unless you are willing to lose some serious money. I have quite a lot of moola tied up in fixtures, displays, neon lights, wall covering (slatwall) and many other items that I will never recover my costs on, if I find I can no longer operate in the financial environment we now find ourselves in. Just last week a vender of 12 years, a shop away from us, turned over her keys to the manager of the market. I regret the day that I decided to go indoors on a permanant basis. Each year our sales continue to plummet. I keep accurate records. I note the weather and temperature, sales by category and anything I find important on the day we are open. Our rent is similar to what you were quoted. We pay $200 per month per shop. We have two shops. We are losing money now. We watch our savings evaporate as we continue to shell out more than we take in. We sell items other than candles, but I'm ashamed to admit that we sold only $25 in candles in our shop during the month of January. We were closed one day due to snow and poor weather did affect the other days we were open, but I find our situation to be unbelieveable. It's not just us, either! My wife reported to me yesterday, that over half of the market is now free of venders. It took me a year of waiting to get a permanant outdoor site. It was four years from the time I requested one until I got a permanent shop. Under the table money was involved. I moved into a shop when the previous owner told me that they were going to have to move out due to her husband finding out he was terminally ill. She told me, before she told the manager. We went to the office together. That's how it's often done. It stinks, but it works. I feel there are many factors involved in what has for us reached a crisis state, but it would take too long to elaborate. It may be a blessing that you were not able to rent the space at your market. I'm assuming it might be near "Green Dragon" or some other PA. market. I'd really try and do some serious on site research, before I committed myself to open a shop again. Each market is unique, but I have not found even one that didn't have several levels of "politics" and favoritism to have to deal with. I have honestly sold at over a dozen different markets. The market we are now in was the best of them while we were outside. If it were not for our wholesale accounts and some excellent customers who call in their orders, we would be having a major candle supplies "yard sale" instead of selling fragrant candles. What I have posted is my opinion based on our circumatances. Your situation may be much different. JMO/HTH I wish you the very best of luck! Dave

Oh my! Freezing causes the cocoa butter to seperate from the blended chocolate. The term is known as "blooming". Ouch! Hide them in another place if you want the best taste possible. I know more about eating chocolate than making candles. I've only been making candles for a little over 30 years. Eating chocolate on the other hand. . . . . . (lol) MMMM! Now if I can only find my DW's stash! She does all of the shopping now! "Chocolateless in Maryland" Dave

Hello Flicker! Thanks for taking the time to talk with me on the telephone today. I much prefer talking than typing! Have a nice weekend. Dave

Hello, Rich! I sent you two emails. Please call. Thanks!

Thanks, Jennifer! I got through to Madonna. She said she will need to contact Rich regarding my problem and call back by noon your time. Dave

Can someone tell me how to circumvent BCN's answering system, so that I can speak to someone there regarding a serious problem I am having. I don't want to have to leave another message in a voice mailbox or talk to Flicker. TIA

Just remember . . . "WWJD" ? "Maid Minnie" my . . . . We call them; "Kitty Tootsie Rolls" at this ranch. I don't know how stupid your MM is, but you couldn't get me to eat something I found in a mailbox. A candle might be a better choice, but I'd try to avoid gifting him one labeled "Monkey F*rts"! You might send a different message than intended (or not?) . What's the story on the new avatar? I though another member jumped into the discussion.

For chocolate fudge and sugar cookies, I'll haul packages down your steps. and I'm in a wheelchair!

I've gotten some great deals on metal molds and wick pins from Candlewic over the years. Subscribe to the newsletter for sales announcements which usually run for a two week period on a monthly basis. Molds are often on sale. Shipping is quick and "realistic" IMO BTW: I used to use candle FO as a mold cleaner, but since I've bought Candlewic's mold cleaner, I've been very happy with it. It works really well, is pleasant smelling and is affordably low priced. Good luck!