pdevine

Sorry, but I was on my way out the door when I typed the first message. Here are the "rough" pictures of what is soon to be my shop. Though I don't have pic's of the front, it has double glass doors at the entrance. There is a huge picture window on the left and right of the doors as you are entering the building. Then there is the large window that you see in the picture. This used to be a small restaurant and the windows had "hillbilly's" painted on all of the windows except one. Because I will use alot of antiques for displays, my shop will be more on the primitive side. Ok, lets just hope these pictures don't break the board. Here goes,,,,,,,,and it's alot cleaner now. We now have a lattice wall that seperates the front section and the back section where my working area is and the bathrooms. The podium that you see in pic #4 is in the right back corner now and will be where you check people out. We painted the floor a med brown and speckled dark brown and white in it. In the back right corner, behind that wall is where my office is. Now the fun begins and the furniture starts going in tomorrow. LOL,,,,,me & my husband has done all the work on the place ourselves. We spent our 11th wedding anniversary last Saturday getting started on it. Worked on it all day and came home around 8:00 and ordered up Domino's deliveries,,,,,LOL My husband asked me last night what a man had to do to get fired with me, because he sure wanted to get fired,,,,LOL Any and all suggestions are more than Welcome! TIA Portia

Ok, we are getting ready to start moving the furniture into my shop. I am "useless" when it comes to decorating. I have some ideas, but would love to see pictures of any of your retail shops decorated to get some ideas. I have a sister-in-law who has a knack for decorating, but she is over 300 miles away. Shoot, she could take a dinning room table and a pile of dirt and turn the pile of dirt into a beautiful looking center piece. Me on the other hand, things just never seem to look right where I put them. I will be using alot of antique furniture in my shop as display pieces for my products. Would just like to see pic's of how everyone else decorates, and hopefully it will make something click in my head. TIA Portia

Thank you so much! I was finding EVERYTHING but what I was looking for. Portia

Can anyone tell me who you contact in NC to obtain a business license? I have search the web and can find everything on licenses, except what I'm looking for. TIA Portia

I've been using it for about 5 yrs now and absolutely love it! I use it for ALL my containers. HTH Portia

Can't help you on how long they will last, but as far as the meatballer, take my advice and have a backup. Needless to say, you can't use but one at the time, but if you are like me and press it too hard (even the heavy duty one's) it WILL break. Ask me how I know,,,,,,HTH Portia

Ok, call me stupid or what, but is it a votive or an embed? Portia

What color would you make Amish Harvest? TIA Portia

I would love to split a case of the First & Main bears, mixed colors, item #1104. PM if interested. Thanks,,,,Portia

That is awesome looking! Dang, just talking about roasted marshmallows makes my mouth water. Haven't had one of them in ages........Portia

Thank you all so much! I will definitely have to try that then. Lyn your candles are BEAUTIFUL. Looks like candle carving is your knack, great work.......Portia

Can anyone tell me how in the world you make the "Realistic" looking crumbles? I have been using a grater for the shred look, but can't for the life of me figure out how the crumble is made. TIA Portia

Get you some cork board and cut you a square/circle (whatever you prefer) and hot glue it to the inside bottom of your cane before selling. That is what I do with mine and I sell votives and they holders with mine. HTH Portia Wal-mart carries the cork board squares in the school supply section. They're a few squares that come to a pack, don't remember how many.

LOL, aren't they just adorable? I picked up the same one's last weekend. I double wicked mine using Joy wax and (2) 44-32-18z wicks. Burned perfectly! Portia

Those are absolutely gorgeous! You are really gifted at painting and I bet it comes in handy. Portia

When I was using Astro F, almost EVERY one of my blues would fade or turn the purple like you are talking about. I tried different UV's and different dyes and I never could eliminate this. It seemed the natural one's (no dye added) over a period of time would turn yellowish looking and the blue's would fade and turn purple. I finally quit using the Astro F and switched to Palm wax and haven't had this problem. HTH Portia

Ok, I have the sugar cane night light mold from flexible molds and now that I've got it, I don't have a clue how to scent them. For those of you familiar with the sugar cane candles, what suggestions do you have for color and scents? I know I have seen them done in a very light tan color. I was thinking of scenting some in Potpourri Spice, Cinnamon, etc. TIA Portia

I was looking through Nashville Wraps catalog last night and they have them. HTH Portia

TN candle supply has a great smelling one. DON'T try NG's, it absolutely smells like a funeral home in wax,,,,,,,,YUCK! Portia

Try mixing your mixture up in a ziploc bag instead of an open container and see doesn't it make a difference. I tried this (suggested from someone else on here) and I can make them under ANY conditions and they turn out GREAT! HTH Portia

I have been mixing mine up in a large ziploc bag (someone on here suggested it) and it can be pouring rain outside with my windows open and they turn out PERFECT everytime. I put mine on a waxpaper lined cookie sheet and just sit them in my living room until the next day and package them. I think the key to mixing them in the ziploc bag is the mixture is not exposed to air while you are mixing, so it doesn't dry out as fast as mixing in an open bowl/container. Give it a try, it DOES work,,,,,HTH I normally have about 3 oz of mixture left over and I just put 1.5 oz in a cello bag, label it and label them as "Samples". I plan to sell these alot cheaper and it gives people a chance to test before they purchase the large bombs. Hopefully it will go over well. Portia

Congrat's to you!!!!! I know the feeling all too well. I get the keys to mine hopefully next Wed or Thurs. It's an awesome feeling knowing you will FINALLY be able to get everything out of the house and really display your products. I may be crying a sad story before I ever get moved in, but boy it feels good now.. Good Luck! Portia

Talk about butterflies, my husband went by yesterday and paid the first months rent!!!! The guy will be moving the kitchen equipment out ASAP and then we can start painting, etc. I have been a candle making fool here lately. I told my daughter that I really wished I had a clone of me, that way "Me" would know what needed to be done next and "Me" would go ahead and get it done and I wouldn't have to go through telling "Me" what to do and overseeing it....LOL I have soooooooooo much to get done now. But, I am "SOOOOOOOOOO" glad now that I can get my stuff out there and GET IT OUT OF MY HOUSE! I will post an update and pics as I get them. Thanks everyone for the congrats. Portia

Thank you ALL so much, boy I need it! I will DEFINITELY be taking pictures and more than likely asking for decorating ideas. I have been absolutely useless today, walked around in circles and there are a cazillion things going through my mind. I called about ins today and made an appt with my accountant to meet on Monday. Called the town and now need to apply for other things. OMG, I feel like I need to hire someone already to help me get it and the other products made that I want. Thank you all,,,,Portia

OMG, the $600 retail space that I had mentioned before. Well, I went and looked at it today and before I ever said anything, the guy came down on the rent to $500/mth:yay: :yay: The space is adjacent to several other shops, which is good. It's roughly a 50'x30' building with double entrance glass doors, a huge picture window on each side and a picture window on the east end. I plan to bring in some consignments and see how that goes to begin with. I have so much going on in my head right now, I can't sit still for a minute. Reality hasn't sit in yet:drool: I have been wanting to take this step for about 2 years now. Getting me set up and ready to open (cash register, ins., 1st mths rent, painting, repairs, etc) is my husbands 11th anniversary gift to me (Nov. 4th is our wedding anniversary). Can ya tell I'm excited and scared to death at the same time? I can't believe it's FINALLY going to happen! Wish me luck,,,,Portia