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katinka

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Posts posted by katinka

    Scents

    in General Candle Making Discussions

    Posted

    Hi

    I think that since you suffer from asthma you're already "pre-sensitized" to anything you breathe in - some of these fragrances will definitely contain elements that might irritate you. Asthma is not something easy to live with, I think mainly becuase you never know what next will trigger it...

    K

    Graphic art, Clipart Rules

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Hi

    As far as I know, if it is a graphic included in a software package there shouldn't be a problem if it is registered software. You could always contact them to check, I think the contact details are normally part of the Help file. I do know that on most Freeware/Shareware websites you are allowed to use graphics for personal use, but mostly not for commercial without the permission of the owner. One example is Clipart.com. In terms of actual photos, as far as I know, the same applies, particularly if there is a copyright (obviously) on the image.

    HTH at least a bit.

    Katinka

    Putting this wedding order together is making me nuts!!

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    "She mentioned that she was hoping to get the votives for under $1 each"

    LOL, some people will always try their luck. If she wants them that cheap, maybe she should get machine pressed ones!:rolleyes2

    You know, I consider myself a good friend, and I know in a situation like this I would rather pay more than less, especially if it is a friend who makes them and I know their are made with care and attention. Plus one hand washes the other... Anyway, I am sure they will turn out very nicely and that you'll get some business out of it. Good luck!

    K

    Putting this wedding order together is making me nuts!!

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    I mean how do you figure the cost of each label and the cost of the ink??

    Hi

    What I do to figure the cost of my labelling is to take the cost of the paper or label sheet devided by the amount of labels I get out of it. For ink, I asked my printer company what the average cost is for printing a colour page. This I then also devide into the number of labels and add to the previous figure to get a total. If you are using a normal printer that uses cartridges, you can have a look on the back it normally says how many pages you can get out of one cartridge. Just devide cost of cartridge by amount of pages and then by amount of labels. This is if you really want to be accurate.

    As for what to charge, I personally would charge them a wholesale price for 250 candles, but I would make sure that I included ALL costs before doubling the price.

    HTH

    Katinka:)

    question about wicks

    in General Candle Making Discussions

    Posted

    Hi there

    I am also fairly new to candlemaking, but I can guarantee that I have read every single post on this board and in the archives. From this (and with very little practical experience) I would say that the answer lies in testing different wicks. There are people on this board that use a variety of different containers and mostly they all achieve a full melt pool and the candle burns down with very little or no wax residue. You are lucky that there is such a large variety of wicks available in your country, so I suggest you get a couple of sample packs and test each type and size of wick for your particular container and wax. Once you have found the right one, you might want to stick to the same container for a while instead of using too many different ones. Good sites to check our for sample packs is Peaks, CandleScience and Bitter Creek North. Also, do a search on this site under wick samples kits and you'll find more recommendations.

    Hope that helps.:smiley2:

    Katinka

    PS Welcome to the board - you'll really meet some fantastic people here!

    ISO Unique Molds

    in General Candle Making Discussions

    Posted

    You can not dupe those in a mold they would just look like a cheap imitation.

    These candle have been discuss on this board before.

    Honestly there are some thing that should not be copied and I think this is one of them. Think of the work involved in them as a whole. I would also be very surprised if the technique is not patented or copyrighted some where.

    No, I think you misunderstood me entirely. The intention was not to copy them spesifically, but to do that kind of unique figurine candle, i.e. a little bear candle, or a toy or playblock or something. I merely attached that spesific pic to illustrate that it is not the average type of mold I am looking for. I am not at all into copying anyone - I think is is more satisfactory to come up with you own things... Sorry everyone if I didn't make myself clear enough. :undecided

    Katinka

    What makes you buy a candle & keeps you comming back?

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Ok, here's my personal opinion:

    1. Scent (cold throw) (I always think if it has no cold throw, whats to say theres gonna be a hot throw? Now that I make candles I know the one doesn't guarantee the other, but I think consumers still think like that to a large extent)

    2. Strong scent when burning

    3. Style of container (If I don't like the look, I won't buy it no matter how nice it smells)

    4. Long burning

    5. Burns completely

    6. Burns cleanly

    7. Price

    8. Packaging (this only plays a role for me in so far as it shows the personality of the candle maker - are they somebody who pays attention to detail etc. becuase if the packaging is good in a handcrafted product, chances are better that it'll be a good candle too)

    9. Finish

    10. Color (I'd only choose plain white or something that fits with my decor)

    11. How the store looks or makes you feel (I think most people have what I like to call the "Affluent Attitude" - we all like to experience luxury and style, and this is often reflected in our shopping style too)

    12. Dupe scent at a lower price (We don't have any commercial candle lines like Yankee or BBW here, but if we had this is were I would put it - does that make sense?)

    13. Scent name (It needs to be descriptive though)

    14. Unique style (I prefer plain, mottled or rustic - no other styles really)

    15. How you are treated as a customer (I also like to be left alone to decide)

    16. Sale (this will make me buy more or try out candles that I would not ordinarily buy from a price point of view)

    17. Type of wax (I put this last because we don't have soy in SA so I wouldn't know the difference. I do think it is a different issue in your country though and I have read on that candle review site that some of the clients have quite a preference for 100% soy and that it is very important for them to know if it is pure or blended).

    This was actually quite fun. I'd like to see how it compares to other opinions. Thanks Candleman!:wink2:

    Katinka

    LX Wick Question

    in General Candle Making Discussions

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    I have been trying out the entire selection of LX wicks and testing is currently considered a swear word around here. My question is this: Does it bother anyone else that the melt pool is uneven in terms of diameter becuase it is selftrimming or am I being too perfectionistic? What other alternatives are there for straight paraffin with additives in pillars that will give a centered, uniform burn pool?

    TIA

    Katinka

    Searching for tealights with lids...

    in General Candle Making Discussions

    Posted

    Hi

    Just a question. What about using lip balm containers? The ones we get in SA look very much the same as the clear plastic tea lite cups you have over there. At least this way you would have the lid -as for the Claire Burke idea, what about drilling a hole in the lid with a small drill bit (thats if you want to go that far)? Just a thought...:smiley2:

    Katinka

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