emilyspoppy

Dear Inez; Hello from America. Normally I wouldn't reply to a post like this one, because there really isn't anyway to provide a simple and definative answer to the question you ask. You write English very well. Better than many of us on the board, actually. I wish I could write or speak German, it's my family's native homeland. Both of my parents' grandparents imigrated from Germany in the late 19th century. I grew up listening to German, but never learned it. I wish I had. I did aquire the taste for the cuisine, however! (lol) Man, do I love sausages !!!! To answer your question, I my first admit a little about myself. I have a batchelors degree in business management and a master's degree in marketing. Both of those "honors" will get me a decent cup of coffee as long as I have about $3.00 in my pocket, though. I've been told, however, that I could sell snowballs in a blizzard. My dad taught me the trade. Some of my first recollections in life were with him on selling sprees in a number of venues. It's simply in my blood now. Dad could and did sell anything and everything that was not illeagal or offensive. From what I've read, you seem to lack the confidence in your own products, even though you KNOW they are good quality. Until you overcome this propensity for being "humble" about your products you may have to simply settle on modest sales or find someone who is more gregarious to assist you with "facing the crowd". Not everyone is a "natural born salesperson". There's no shame at all in it. It is a skill that can be learned, though. I would like to offer the suggestion that you get aquainted with the Candlewic Company and subscribe to their free internet newsletter, "The Enlightener". They very often have some very good advice on how to best market your candles, soaps and related craft products. The owner of the company, Bill Binder, writes under the pen name of "Chandler". He is a second generation candle maker with a lot of experience. I hope he doesn't mind me mentioning that he, too, is of German ancestry. He's also a very nice guy! There are numerous books that you can buy that detail how to learn selling skills and there is a wealth of free information on the internet, but a good place to start the journey would be here, by reviewing the archives, or by looking at some of the supplier sites that offer selling advice including Candlewic's "Enlightener". I've attached a link to the Candlewic site which will allow you to read and subscribe (free) to their newsletter and to search their archived material. I realize I'm not offerring much, but I hope this helps some. Good luck! http://www.candlewic.com/default.asp David @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

I would not even consider buying wicking from any source other than Candlewic. BTW; I believe that wick sale is on right now. JMO

These look "cool". I was planning on trying to do a watermelon scented M&P soap, using three colors, plus some "seeds". You've inspired me to bo it. Dave

Jeanie; I really like the looks of the jars, but for the life of my I could not get them to work like I wanted them to with my wax (4630) no matter how many wick types and sizes I tried. I finally just gave up. This is not to imply that they are not great candle containers, I just never unlocked the mystery to using them. I'm sure many others are smarter than me and do well with them. JMO/HTH Hope you're having a "G-R-8" holiday weekend !!! Dave ETA; I've noticed the DT jars, but have avoided them largely due to safety concerns about glass quality (heat resistance) and an uncertainty about finding a lid that fits properly. The jars I've tested from suppliers seem to give me issues after a few burns when air convection issues kick-in. I think there is a benefit to a slight taper inward/downward that the JJ's offer when it comes to air flow during the burn. That is just my observation, however. JMO/HTH

I prefer using jelly jars for several reasons, but have worked with Prestige & Status jars quite a bit and I have to agree with Chandler and Jeanie that there appears to be something unusual with the way the C&S jars are designed. I think the heavy solid glass bottom on all of the Prestige & Status jars that I've experienced is one of their best attributes. I would be concerned with the safety of the C&S jars based on what I can assume about their design from the photos in your posts. I've not worked with the wax you are using and can offer nothing on that subject. JMO/HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

Me 2

Shannon! That's the first thing that came to my mind, too! We must be on the same page! Dave

Russ & Friends; I'm pretty sure that PayPal and eBay's policies are not due to a political "viewpoint" of their ownership. There are certain items including ammunition, all automatic and certain semi-automatic weapons and magazines which exceed a cartridge holding capacity that are by federal law unlawful to trade in. A lot of states also have additional limitations and restrictions that exceed the federal regulations. I live in one of the worst states in the country when it comes to gun control. Many knife types and some "marshall arts" weapons are also regulated or illegal. Our shop is located in a farmers market and I don't believe a month passes that some vender isn't taken away in handcuffs for selling illegally made licensed products or unlawful or controlled weaponry. Maryland was found in violation of the second amendment by it's VERY restrictive control over issuing permits to carry a concealed weapon. The practice continues despite the Supreme Court decision. The state police claim the flood of requests for gun permits has put a hard strain on their backround check personnel and it will take years to get "caught up". I have a friend who has a "permit to carry" in, I believe, five states, but his own state, where his business is, Maryland, is not on the list. My brother moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania several years ago and had a concealed weapons permit within 4 months to carry in the commonwealth we grew up in! He told me where he lives; "Everyone's packin' !!!" I don't blame PayPal or eBay. I've been an eBay member a long time and I was surprised at what they were selling when I started. There were so many shady quasi-dealers selling so much illegal stuff there they had to tighten down the screws. I really think they only worry about making as much money as possible and avoiding litigations. I'm not sure about Square. I don't know them. BTW; I'm now a pacifist, but if someone thinks they're going to come into this former Marine's home and due harm to me or mine . . . feel sorry for they're bullet ridden corpses. JMO Dave

I'd start with Peaks "Wild Mountain Honey", Mac Apple and a "splash" of Cinnamon. I'm off to the lab real pronto! You've inspired me! I like Apple fragrances and I'm a big fool for honey! I've never thought of blending the two. Why, escapes me! I just made my favorite candy dupe last night. You know those, chocolate covered orange jellies? Yummmmm!!!! I'm going back for another sniff right now. I'm on a diet, too! Dang! Dave

That's probably to allow you time to pack-up your valuables and keepsakes and load the RV up with your kids, pets and spouse!

I've been making candles, including fragrant ones, for quite some time and it wasn't until today that I learned how wrong it is that I have been doing it. I just happened upon a site that was really "enlightening". I wonder what the rest of you think. Should we all try this "simplified" method. Look how much we will be able to save on shipping great big heavy boxes of ol' nasty wax. Comments, anyone! http://www.ehow.com/how_8114094_candle-fragrance-oil-instructions.html *faint*

I've resisted posting on this thread, because I had little interest in the subject, but having read the previous post, I feel I must jump in and agree with this member. Please, however, do not stress out your local landfill by contaminating it with what can be a difficult to "compost" material . ("Green Movement" advocates agree!) If you send me a PM; I will reply with an address for a location here in Southern Maryland so that you can ship your unwanted wax to a recycling facility that has been established to dispose of your "trash" wax. You will only need to pay the shipping cost. There are no other processing fees. Note: All waxes, regardless of type, color or scent will be accepted except GEL WAX. This facility does not accept that product. HTH

Your "story" sounds similar to the one I heard about a gal named "Mary Kay" and the now "gozillionaire" who started, grew and then sold a candle making company somewhere "up North". Hey! Why not! You're far more organized than I am. I just found over 40 one pound bottles of FO from two suppliers that I had forgotten I had bought during Christmas week this past season. I was making up an order when my DW said; "Do you know these are here?" No order now required! God! I'm dumb! Oh! How I wish I were young again and able to walk into my own stockroom. Stay organized and healthy and someday you may be doing a bit more than selling melts to friends and family or at a few events. I think you're smart and ahead of the game, too, by focusing on wickless items. JMO Dave

Quote from Karen; "(I) do sell a few to friends and family." Welcome to the trade!

A couple of years ago I posted this same response to virtually the same question on another board. The reply posts that followed nearly all agreed with me. It will be interesting to see how this one reads. We all know that fragrance preferences are seriously subjective, however; In my opinion, both of these scents are pleasant, but not impressive nor "top drawer". I believe the name attracts the attention on these two fragrances that may otherwise go mostly unnoticed. I currently carry "Butt Naked" in my shop. I use a very tasteful image of a smiling baby on the label. I once carried "MF", but renamed it, "Monkey Breath". I discontinued carrying it once it went out of stock. We have a similar tropical fragrance that sells better. I did try labeling it "Monkey Farts" for about two weeks, but grew very weary of all of the similar and usually stupid comments. My wife and employee both thanked me. These issues may not be important to you, Karen, as you are not in the trade, but I posted in order that others who do market their products may consider my experience with them. JMO Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

I've been making and selling candles for well over 30 years. In retrospect I wish now that I had never let my hobby turn into a profession, even only part-time as it has been most of the time. I used to enjoy making hand-dipped tapers, pillars and votives. Now I seldom make them, because there is no profit in them for me. If I had even half of the money back I have spent and often wasted in this craft, I would be able to live comfortably for what time I have left in my life. God only knows how much more "accomplished" my life would have been, if I had back those many hours spent as a chandler, too. JMO Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

I thought you were asking again what I thought about the "temperature deal". The quote from your post that I replied to pretty much now has me confused; "So are you saying that FOs in the CBL129 should perhaps be added at that low of a temp? Your opinion - and Bill's - would be much appreciated." I don't want to "wear out my welcome" with Mr. Binder by asking the same questions and raising the same points (website & shipping) but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't mind "speaking" for himself if someone else were to ask. Candlewic's phone number is 800-368-3606. . . (hint hint, back at ya') lol

NO! As I recall you said you found another source from another member. I didn't order it. Dave

When PayPal came out I was big into eBay as both a buyer and a seller. I REALLY resisted doing PayPal. I finally broke down and have not had a single issue with many 1000's of transactions since. I love it. I've had my debit card ID "stolen" twice online, but never an issue with PP. I ALMOST quit buying from Candlescience when they quit taking PP. JMO

Stupid, too! :undecided

Oh! Sorry! So much for thinking I remembered you as Karen from another board. Since you're keeping it a secret I'll just think of you as "Dorothy". She was from Kansas, too! David (Dave) is not my real name either! . . . It's actually James Hoffa, but please don't tell anyone. A lot of folks are looking for me including the IRS. You have no idea how much I owe in back taxes. I'd never be able to sell enough candles to pay the principal let alone the penalties. If you like you can call me "Toto". It can be our secret. I was up all night! Can you tell? YES! I'm an idiot! :rolleyes2

I thought there were already at least two other members on the board with usernames that begin with PITA. (lol) I felt I explained my thoughts on the temperature issues. I am going to TRY Bill's suggestion to add FO at lower temperatures. It makes sense to me. If he's full of hooey, I'll just keep increasing it gradually to I find the "magic number". I do know that what I smell coming out of those pour pots should be going into my jars and not the air. Bill has already told me everything he will about CBL-129 and I've posted everything I know about it on the board. I received the CBL-129 last Wednesday, if my memory serves me correctly. I have not used it yet. It looks to me like an all-purpose firm paraffin Pillar/Tart/Container?/Votive/Tealight/Clamshell . . . (Whew!) wax to me. If and when I do melt, scent, pour and test the CBL-129 in clamshells, I will report in a new thread. I have at least 100 more urgent tasks staring at me right now and my shop just got restocked with melts that I want to sell-down first. I have no plans at this time to use it for any purpose other than clamshell melts. My wife purchased a couple of the granulated wax candles from Walmart. I'm not over-impressed or concerned about them. I didn't burn them yet. I have a stack of candles in my "need to test" box ahead of them. There's no point in me sending one to Bill Binder. I know he will not discuss what he produces for special customers. The "Aroma Beads" candles, however, in my opinion, look exactly like the granulated wax I purchased from Candlewic several years ago. I'm sure if you were interested in buying several tons he would make some up for you too. (lol) Contrary to what many on the board may feel, I'm just another small-time chandler with CW. I respect Bill for not discussing his competitors or his customers. I do wish he'd fix his website, however. Last week, I placed a small ($125.00) order that had a 33% shipping discount. The box that arrived here was really heavy and if I recall the shipping was about $17.00. For the first time ever in a "bunch" of shipments over many years, my order was "messed-up". A couple of the fragrances I ordered had been switched. CW uses a numbering system to ID their products. The "picker" must have missread the similar numbers. I suspect they might have been busy that day, because it was the last day of their shipping discount sale. I called the office and spoke to Ellen, in customer service. I was shocked not to get a "leave a message" notice from an answering machine. She was very friendly and very apologetic. There was no sense at all that she was thinking I was trying to put one over on them. I have no recollection of having spoken to her before. When I call Bill I use his private extension number. NO! Don't even think about asking! I promised Bill I would not post it. You won't need it anyway. He returns calls when left for him. The person answering the phone will switch you over to him. If I was a girl and we were both unmarried, I would "flirt" with him! . . . He's a sweet guy! lol Anyway; Ellen told me she would have the proper FO's sent out to me promptly. She did not mention returning or buying the mistaken FO's. Fifteen minutes later, I received an email from Fed-X with a tracking notice. The package arrived at my house the next day, actually twenty-six hours after I placed the call. I can live with a messed up website when the service and product quality is that good! JMO "Dave in Exile" I've been expelled from my kingdom. My former subjects wanted a smarter, healthier and better looking monarch. They said they would even be willing to pay higher taxes in order to get rid of me.

Dear Marilyn; It's not that I'm smart. I'm not! I am quite lazy, however! (lol) I'm going to tell my DW that I've decided to introduce a "new line" to sell by making up an introductory batch that consists of a putting a little pot in a zip lock bag for her to pass out in our shop. I'm already smiling, just imagining her reaction. And to think, that two of my earliest ambitions was to be a "preacher" and then a Maryland State Trooper! I just can't help myself. If only "the voices" would just go away! "Dave the Head"

Karen; CS's "Rosemary" is very strong. IMO I too, like to combine fragrances. Dave

Russ and I have been doing parallel research on this and I've decided, personally, that this is the way for me to go, too. I came to that conclusion a day or so ago. I'm also going to be "fussy" about who we will be passing them out to. I plan to put the pot (Please! No confusion here. . . lol !!!) in 3"X3" zip lock bags with a lable attached to the bag with all of the pertinent stuff I want and need to say. Thanks, Marilyna! Dave