Spellkast

Try WSP. I know they have shrink bags to fit over baskets- that might work!

I can't spend TOO much, but I might be interested in some of those baskets- I've been on a search for more "modern" baskets, and have failed miserable- so I think those qualify! Let me know if it's gonna work

My tealights hold 3/4 oz. wax, so 16 fluid ounces makes about about 24 tealights, give or take a few. 38 tealights, wow!! What wax and what tealights are you using? Maybe that's by actual pound of wax- I don't know the conversion for weight to liquid fl. ozs. in wax.

It's been about 3 weeks since I made my first batch (with shea butter in it) and after this post I went and used some..and it really isn't grainy at all. It's really smooth. I even made my husband try it- and he fell in love with it But really, if you're worried about graininess, try it with just the cocoa butter- I like it even more And Smiley- if you go to the fragrance discussion there's a stick right at the top that shows all sorts of abbreviations for commonly used companies...I hated that thing, because I found SOOO many new places to spend my money!!!

You need a secret password to find out all about BCN...ok, bad joke. It stands for bittercreek north (a candle and soap supplier) www.candlesupply.com Anyway, they have this GREAT lip balm base that I've been using for years, and I know a lot of people on this board use it- so I've spent the past few weeks trying to replicate it So there ya go, you're officially in the loop now!

I havent had any problem with graininess at all, but if you do, you can just use more cocoa butter instead. I actually tried this recipe without the shea and I like it better, it's a little harder now- BUT, the recipe with the shea was not grainy at all. I just didn't like that it was semi-soft. I think it didn't get grainy because the shea is such a small amount- I don't think it affected the recipe too much. HTH!

no, not at all...leave it. Your name has candle company in you- people know what you're selling (especially when the label is ON a candle!) I think it looks great just the way it is!

LOL..why orange door? It's definitely different! I like the fonts and the fact that it's simple and not overly cluttered. Looks good- but I am very curious as to the name!

Thanks guys! See, I was thinking, when I've been to craft shows, I've never even thought about using a credit card- I figure most people bring cash. But I live in Colorado, and it may be different out here, who knows. I'll see if I can find a cheap credit card option. Thanks!!!

Ok, so I'm doing my first craft show and the people running the show recommended that I bring a cash register, charge machine and charge slips. Does anyone know how I go about getting such things? All I have right now is paypal- don't I need to set up a credit card account or something along those lines in order to process credit cards- and how much do places charge for these things? I remember a LONG time ago there was a thread on here about being able to use paypal at shows- am I retarded? Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you so much! Michelle

I package mine in little plastic ziploc baggies (I think they're 3x5 or something like that) four of my heart tarts fit perfectly in them and then people can re-close the bag after they open them. I made "toppers" our of cardstock that fit right on the top of the bag and they say what scent they are and have instructions on the flip side. I've also seen people package them in clear boxes, but I don't think that would fit with a country theme too well. You could also put them in a gusseted cello bag and tie some of that brown raffia stuff around the top with a little hang tag. That would be cute! Anyway, tarts are usually pretty tough, so I just wrap them once in bubble wrap (I have tons of it so I use it even when it's not needed.) and then throw them in a box with some peanuts and they're fine! HTH!!!

Well thank you for that! I've never tried their FO's...and now I'm curious to try their grade A fragrances. They're cheaper than some othe places I order from and they claim I'd only need to use 1 oz. per pound TOPS. That was a great article- thank you for sharing it!

Ok, fine then...just trying to have them give it a shot instead of resorting to buying some wholesale. Containers are a pia, but votives, I thought at least, were pretty darn easy. Anyway, if you'd prefer to buy votives and or containers from someone on this board, there are plenty of people who sell great candles (me included) But I don't have a website up yet. Do a search for websites..a lot of people on here ask for comments on them once they're up- so you can find a decent amount that way! I also know that InKristinesShower offers wholesale- I think she does soy containers, though. Maybe she'll chime in here.

If you want cost effective- go with ICS or Peaks. If you're planning on buying whole pounds of scents, then JS is great, but not for smaller quantities. ICS has 1,2,4 and 8 oz. sampler packs which are very cheap, and I have loved all of their oils (although there have been problems with some people) So, just buy some sampler packs..Just Scent's is having a great sale right now, 10 oils for $14.95 and she usually throws an extra one in there. Peaks is 10 for $20 and ICS is also 10 for $15. I think BCN has a sampler pack of 12 for $20. I think NG is pretty pricey- their sampler packs are the same as peak's, but every oil I've liked has been about $8.00 for four ounces...and definitely don't get Tony's. They're great, but expensive. I'd try each scent from at least 2 different suppliers. It might smell great in the bottle, but not throw at all in your candle once the scent is in the wax! There are a lot of great companies out there, so try them out!

I would give the votives a try- they're really not all the difficult. I use the same wick for all of my votives, actually and they all burn perfectly. How many scents do you have? I got all of my votive testing (with 50 scents) done in about a week.

You could always just shrink wrap the ones you're selling, or buy tamper seals (both can be found at WSP) It also lends a very professional look. And I don't think anyone would really try to open a sealed package when you have one sitting out in front for everyone to try...and if they do, beat them over the head with something!

Thanks! Ya know, I thought about that- I know I do that, if I'm not interested, and someone offers me a way out, I take it. But I've bought stuff sometimes because the salesperson was so good at convincing me. I figure I'll have my 20 scents, and if they happen to ask specifically if I carry a certain scent that I have, I can tell them they can special order it. I figured I'll bring every scent I carry in votives and possibly tarts or tealights, too. This way if I don't have their scent in jars, they can still purchase something while at the booth. Does that sound decent? I'm just so nervous, this is my first time doing this- I don't even know how to set up the booth or where to get a sign printed up for a craft show..I'm very craft show clueless So thanks for all of your help guys!!! It is so very appreciated! Michelle

I'd call it body butter. The stuff that the body shop sells is really a thick cream and they call it body butter, so if they can get away with it, so can you! Everyone likes something different, so I'm sure it's not a problem. Hell, I can't even imagine why people want to buy my shea butter sometimes- I always think they'd be just as well off rubbing olive oil on their skin...but of course, I don't say that! So don't tell anyone what it's supposed to be, and they'll love it!

anyone have a link? I'm always up for trying new oils!!!!

does it feel nice? If you're selling it, you can market it as a thick lotion/cream...? It looks like something I would like I hate shea butter...so greasy...I hate to admit it does feel good once it sinks in though! Anyway, yeah, I'd try the freezer thing...it might harden it up a little bit for ya. What all are you adding to it?

see, I'm just scared because I've spent so much time testing using my chips, I'll have to go back and re-test 50 scents in 5 sizes if I start using liquid! Just seems like so much hassle!!!! Does anyone know the answer to this question: since I use dye chips now, should I wick down one when testing the same color using liquid? Or should it stay roughly the same, and just try it with the same wick? I was under the impression that color chips are denser and require larger wicks than if coloring with liquid...is this true? I might take the plunge if it doesn't mean wasting a thousand wicks in the process looking for the right one. Thanks guys!!! Michelle

I use Microsoft Publisher. It's sort of limited with the sizes of labels, but I only use 2x4 and avery 5160 (the little shipping labels) So, it suits me wonderfully. You can add text effects and they have a ton of fonts to choose from and special colors. I love it. Let's see if I can put a pic up here. [ATTACH]2678[/ATTACH]

So through Jasmine, Mulberry and Patchouli in there somewhere? See, Patchouli isn't a huge seller for me, which is good cuz I hate that scent. Would that make the list a little more rounded out, do you think? Thanks guys!

I think every makes theirs differently, but I know with mine, that when I'm whipping it, and right afterwards, it's really thick and fluffy, but then once it sits in the jars for a while, it sort of settles and becomes like frosting. Most of the time, it get's thinner in the jars (someone, correct me if Im wrong!) So you want it sort of thicker . I know if I turn my jar upside down it would stay put. Did you do anything different this time? Have you tried freezing it and whipping it again?

Mine's like homemade frosting (or icing.)