Michdj

Seriously, what you're charging is none of her business and what she's charging is none of your business.

I've had wholesale customers ask me what they should charge. I tell them the sky is the limit, whatever their market will bear, and I couldn't care less. Once they buy it, it's theirs.

I agree. I just don't want to be hamstrung on pricing by my retailers. Grr... Thanks everyone for the advice!

IMO color is the first draw for a customer who hasn't smelled them yet. I think it depends on who you are making them for. If you are selling online, you need something to attract the customer and stir their imagination regarding what the scent *will be like.* If you're making them for yourself and friends/family, then it's personal preference.

Or... maybe they're not needed?

Hi all, I've decided to use wick pins for my pillars (such a heathen!) and I'm wondering what you use to hold the wick pin centered? I have bowtie centering tools for my jars - would they work? Or would I need to pick up the plastic ones shaped in an x? Or... is there something else you use? And where do you get them? Secrets please!

That is horrible! And I'm going to guess with it being oil based it will need to torn out and replaced. I've never found anything to get the FO smell out of fabric or nylon.

I'm thinking if I pose it as recycling with a discount it will look more appealing.

Well, my problem is my web site. One lady saw I was charging less on my melts than her markup and was pretty upset. She wants the repeat business and wants me to charge what she's charging. I never tell anyone my costs (except you guys).

Cinnamon Bun from CS in 4627 is my best selling scent. I can't keep it in stock - and that's in the summer! I also loved CS's Strudel and Spice, which leans more heavily towards the bakery/vanilla with a strong-but-not-overpowering cinnamon.

I would love to find a true Mulberry. Even BCN and CS smell like grape bubblegum.

I second the earlier poster's search for blackberry as well.

Interestingly I was pouring this FO when I was making blueberry muffins and I was worried it had no smell! They are just the same. However, my caution about this FO is that its cold throw is a little weird. Hot is yummy. Cold is not quite blueberry or muffin. It's a tough sell to customers.

I just picked up an event planner as a wholesale customer, and they want all these unscented white 6" pillar candles, but they're only going to burn them for 6 hours. Wasted wax! I'm wondering if they could be "recycled" - melted down and repoured? Has anyone done this? Or would they discolor?

Would offering to do that with a discount to the customer make me Ms. Trendy Recycler or just trashy and cheap?

Hi all,

I'm working with two new wholesale accounts who are getting fussy because I'm using the x2 x3 model for pricing and they want me to give them the product at half of my retail cost, which cuts me REALLY slim on margins. They want to take my costx2 pricing and double it, which of course is higher than MY retail pricing, which is costx3. Do you ever have fussy retailers like this? What do you do?

Thanks!

Well, I'm working in large quantity (for me) and they need unscented uncolored pillars. I'm worried about which additives to use, and each time I've used 4625 I get a very opaque candle, which I'm assuming will have no glow at all in dim rooms. Any additional thoughts?

One would think the complications would come with scented, dyed pillars but for me it's reversed. I've gleaned from the site that you can use 1343 with mineral oil to make plain pillars, with braided or flat wick. I have orders for 200 3x6" per month starting the end of September and want to get your advice.

The orders are for an events center, so if they're burning in a dim light I'd like for them to glow a bit. Additives are what's tripping me up. What would you add (if anything) for the glow? Would Vybar 103 inhibit mottling (very important) but make them more opaque? I have Vybar but no stearic or any other additives - but I can get them upon recommendation. Please help! Thank you!!

Hi all, considering going into room/linen sprays since hubby thinks I need to "expand my line" so I'm doing all the relevant research. I like the look of brushed aluminum bottles but I'm not sure if they need a special liner to avoid corrosion, and if so, where to get them. I saw that Scent Works and Elements have them but I'm looking for other suppliers as well. Any suggestions?

Thanks everyone for your help! Show is tomorrow so I'm not on the boards as often. I will try your suggestions with my next pours! (After much sleep!)

So I am exhausted from pouring candles 12 hours a day for three straight weeks getting ready for my first show. I've encountered little issues I've worked around - things I've not seen before or had forgotten I had.

But I'm frustrated now.

So, I have certain FOs that will just NOT blend into the wax. (4627). BCN's Pecan Praline, CS's Hansel and Gretel's House, CS's Cinnamon Bun. I can stir at 190F, 185F, 180F, for a few minutes or MUCH longer and there's still little beads of FO in there.

So of course, what's my last pour of each day? Clamshells. So, what am I pouring into the clamshells? The bottom of the pot. What's there? All the stupid FO that I couldn't get stirred into the wax.

Yes, I know, I shouldn't have poured it, or I should have found a different wax, or SOMETHING. (Hush) But I did. And just now, I had the wax/FO mixture eat my clamshells. Shame on me, I should have known it would do that.

But I'm too frustrated to care. And I just realized as I type this that, as I cleaned up I must have rubbed my nose, because I have a burning spot on it that smells strongly of cinnamon.

Ugh. Thanks for letting me vent.

I use 4627. It is the messiest wax EVER.

Hey all, looking for some ideas on cleaning up. Specifically, what do you use to get wax drips off your pretty finished containers (assuming any of you are as messy as me when pouring)? And do you use any sort of solvent or special cleaner to get wax off pour pots, floors, counters? Any ideas are appreciated!

I use HTP 83 in the 21oz Status - so far, so good.

Agreed. Love pouring but the post-pour clean up makes me cRaZy. Esp. with 4627 - yuck!

Thanks! This was very helpful!!

Does anyone know how much wax these jars hold? I've got the 10, 16 and 26oz and I'm not sure how to calculate the weight since wax isn't measured by volume... And I'm no good at math!

Welcome! I'm new too - been pouring candles since 2004 but this site is new to me and wonderful! Hope you enjoy it!

Nice, I like that! Makes you need to smell it!