Clear Black

11 minutes ago, Trappeur said:

Great labels!  Very professional looking and colorway is terrific!  And being you can make them yourself is even more wonderful.

 

Question:  What do the numbers mean on the right sides of the pictures.  Some are No. and some say UB....What does that mean?

 

Great job!!!

 

Trappeur

They dont mean anythiing except for which number recipe I came up with. Like my Red Hot Cinnamon was the first ever recipe I tested, so thats NO.1 All it is is just something to put on the label to fill in that white space that was over there. It looked naked because the left side that space is filled with the warning text. So I came up with the numbers and thought it kinda looked silly, but cute at the same time.

The only reason why the wine is listed as "UB40" and not "NO." is beacause I was being over the top silly with this one. This is my Red Cabernet (Red Wine) fragrance. Back in the mid 1980's there as a band called UB40 that had a hit song called Red Red Wine. So I decided to give a subtle laugh to myslef and label my fragrance as Red Red Wine and change the NO. to UB40. Hehe, my sense of humor is a bit off in left field sometimes. I chuckle when I read it still, I figured if 1 out 1000 people get the reference, then its worth it for me

There was a woman there selling wickless candles. ? Basically just a regular candle, without a wick. She was instructing potential customers to put them directly on top of a burning woodstove, or similar hot surface as a form of wax melter. 

Two questions:

1. Is this wrong to tell buyers to place glass jars on a very hot metal wood burning stove like that? 

2. Do people buy wickless candles? Do you sell them? Until then, i had never heard nor seen of one. 

3 hours ago, Candybee said:

Nice job! Colorful and inviting. I can't find anything to criticize.

Thanks Candy. I do appreciate the criticism though. I see my labels theough my own eyes, but I cant see them through other people eyes. Its always nice to hear the good and the bad so I can make changes or start over if need be. 

2 hours ago, Sponiebr said:

Well, FWIW (keep in mind I'm a soaper) as someone that should be considered as an uninformed buyer, I like them, but I would like to see the wax or some of the candle. I know nothing about chandlery except maybe how to fashion an improvised wick and stick it into a jar of tallow for emergency light. (I mean, I understand the concepts, but I don't make candles.)

Pretty labels though! Maybe if they were a tad more narrow? I dunno. 

 

Cheers, 

 

Sponie the suspended executor of nuff'n. 

 

I could get them narrower, but it just didnt look right. I think its either an all or nothing kinda look. Plus my wax isnt colored, so there isnt much to look at lol :/

Appreciate the feedback though. Keep it coming please

7 hours ago, MLG said:

I love them!  They are clean, neat and professional looking.  If I were out shopping for a gift, I would definitely give those labels a second look!  Do you print them yourself?

Yes. I use Online Labels and the Maestro label design it comes with. Order a bunch of blank ones and print them here at the house. Having over 30 different labels and then 3 different size candles makes over 90 unique labels. Having a print shop do that for me would be far too costly. So for now, its on my printer lol

6 minutes ago, debratant said:

I think these are great!  You did a GREAT job on matching the rest of the label to the colors in the images of the scent.  

Awesome Job!

Thanks! When choosing the backround colors I always cherry pick from the photo so that whatever the backround color will be, its in the photo to begin with. That way it has some cohesion 

17 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

The first impressions are pretty great. how do they look lit? Does the flame glow through the non-clear label?

 

i don't see uncolored wax being a problem even with transparent labels (heck Kringle does not color theirs). 

yes, actually thats one of the things I like most. Its very noticable as well. Im not sure if this is a good explanation, but ancient Chinese used wooden boxes with a candle lit inside to pay respect to the dead. It gives a similar glow when lit through the label

So I have been working on some new labels lately and would enjoy some feedback, either positive or negative, all is welcome. Negative feedback will only help me so do not hesitate to rip into my designs with suggestions and/or comments. 

A few thoughts before discussion, yes indeed I have purchased the rights to use these images. In case you want to get some for your own, websites such as Shutterstock, Dreamstime, 123R and many more offer images for fees. Ive payed upwards of $20 for the rights to use a few of these images so keep in mind this route isnt the cheapest lol. 

The first photo is my test jar. I am using Libbey status jars in the 3oz and the 12oz with plans to maybe go for the 20oz at a later time. The "concept" I went for is the full wrap around label type. I know many of you will not like the idea of the label covering the wax, but I seem to have fallen in love with it. I do not color my wax, so seeing the wax color isnt an issue. I am hoping with the bright colors and cute images it will distract customers from not having a traditionally colored wax candle. "I hope" Lol. 

Without further ado....

This is about 6 of the 30+ fragrances I have at the moment, but it is enough to get some feedback started so I can make any changes or srtat over lol.

Thanks a bunch

On 11/14/2016 at 11:02 PM, ThisLittleLightOfMine said:

Sorry I didn't respond jfear and candle guy...my life took a hard personal detour so I am kinda starting over. Just now starting to retest. I am in a different place in life now I guess because I don't mind the dancing g Flame so much anymore and I never thought about the flameless electronic candles and your absolutely right!! Why would they mimic a less than ideal part of a candle right?!? Lol you guys are the best... thank you for all the help!

I use 4627 exclusivley, and can honestly say that I think your dancing flame issue may be more from drafts than the wax. You may not even think you have drafts in the home, but even the slightest bit of air current around a flame will make it dance a bit. Ive gone through a few different wax types from soy, to palm, back to soy, to 4627 etc etc. My flame always had a flicker because of the air flow throughout my house. Warm air always rises, and there is always an air current/flow regardless of time of year. I would maybe grab a bunch of solid objects and build a "wall" around your candle, maybe block some air flow and see if your flickering goes down any.

I just wanted to leave some feedback on a fellow member, debratant. Not only was this the easiest member-member transaction Ive ever had, but her replies to any questions I had were immediate and thorough. When asked for a few more pictures to ease my mind they came through to me almost within an hour. All and all very pleasant experience and I thank you very much debra    Cheers

Looks good. I will take it. Lets work out details tomorrow or when you can. Im off yo bed for the night

On 10/21/2016 at 9:06 PM, debratant said:

Moonstar....I have a presto that I've been considering posting on the classifieds.  I installed the spigot, or rather, my husband did...lol....but I no longer

use it.  It is exactly like the one in the link....except mine does not have the interior basket.  I will try to get some picks of it.  I would let it go for 25 plus shipping.

There is nothing wrong with it....I just don't make candles in large amounts anymore so it's sitting in my basement unused.

PM sent

10 minutes ago, kandlekrazy said:

GW used to have a great one but now the status have seams and I hate them.  They are not Libbey just a knock off status jar.

Good to know, Im sticking with the true Libbeys from CS for now. Maybe will try Flamings at some point. 

Read the post wrong, editing for stupidity

22 hours ago, ILikeWaxMelts said:

 

I don't think I would need to use a double boiler Clear Black;

as I can control the Temp. of each burner precisely with a digital control panel;

in 5ºF degree increments as I stated in my original post if you missed that part.

So I can set; one burner to be 180ºF and the other 175ºF or any combination I desire.

it's about $160 from Overstock.com Clear Black.

Its not about controlling the heat, but the fact that you will have DIRECT HEAT on your pour pats. In terms of melting wax, that is a big NO NO. Which is why the double boiler method is standard, or presto pots in place of a DB.  If you are ok with melting your wax w/out using some form of a double boiler, then that is your decision. I myself would never think of doing any wax melting unless it was a form of DB or a form of Presto Pot.

And for $160, you could get 2.5 Presto Pots with a spigot or if you prefer not to have a spigot you could maybe get 4 Presto Pots. That to me would be a better investment and a safer way to melt wax without the risk of scorching the wax by direct heat.

I assume you would use the double boiler method of heating on a surface like this, So I would first find out if there is ample room/space for (2) double boilers without it become a safety issue.

After that, I dont see why you couldnt use it?  How much is it?

I was looking for Libbey status jars and came across this site selling them for cheaper than i can find anywhere else. Has anyone ever dealt with this site and/or purchased the status jars?

3oz http://www.candlemakingsupplies.net/glass--gift-boxes--jars--lids/glass-containers---jars/cate_104/p___P0816180.html

12oz http://www.candlemakingsupplies.net/glass--gift-boxes--jars--lids/glass-containers---jars/cate_104/p___P0892419.html

i am having a hard time wrapping my head around them charging the SAME price for a 3oz status and the 12oz status. This doesnt seem plausable to me and Im hesitant to place an order from this company. 

Ive looked at The Jar Store, Fillmore Container, Peak, Lonestar, Candle Science and a few more, and the cost per jar with shipping comes out nearly $1+ less with generalwax.com

Halp?

Dear God, being 45min from CS must be outstanding. I could literally save thousands on shipping costs alone 

34 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

How about a compromise? 20 oz candles seem pretty big. Aside from wicking issues, the price point will put you into a slightly different market.

 

Couronneco.com offers similar squares for half that price. Distinctive, won't break the bank and a nice entry with a new packaging line. 

 

http://www.couronneco.com/xedni.php?p=search_result&Page=2

 

My 8oz tins average about $1.11 with shipping, so our packaging costs would be similar. The 16 oz version of my tins are around $1.35 with shipping. I sell about 1300 8oz in the summer compared to, maybe, a dozen 16 oz. 

 

i retail the 8oz at $10 each or 3/$27 and the 16 oz at $16 or 3/$45.  Better than 80% of my people go for the multiples of 3. Those who want the bigger candle already know they LOVE the scent.

 

This year, I'll be adding distinctive ceramic vessels... waiting to see how well I do at pricing them. 

Also, my plan was to carry Glassnow's 8 ounce square and the 21oz square. So compromising wouldnt work. I feel as though I would at least need to offer another size other than just an 8oz.

31 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

How about a compromise? 20 oz candles seem pretty big. Aside from wicking issues, the price point will put you into a slightly different market.

 

Couronneco.com offers similar squares for half that price. Distinctive, won't break the bank and a nice entry with a new packaging line. 

 

http://www.couronneco.com/xedni.php?p=search_result&Page=2

 

My 8oz tins average about $1.11 with shipping, so our packaging costs would be similar. The 16 oz version of my tins are around $1.35 with shipping. I sell about 1300 8oz in the summer compared to, maybe, a dozen 16 oz. 

 

i retail the 8oz at $10 each or 3/$27 and the 16 oz at $16 or 3/$45.  Better than 80% of my people go for the multiples of 3. Those who want the bigger candle already know they LOVE the scent.

 

This year, I'll be adding distinctive ceramic vessels... waiting to see how well I do at pricing them. 

The company that sells the square jar I listed, Glassnow.com, is a subsidiary of Couronneco. You need to be a wholesaler and buy in bulk  in order to purchase from Couronneco, whereas Glassnow offers smaller quantities AS WELL AS pallett rates. 

I use 4627 only and add FO at about 175-180 and it works for me at least

Going to reply to my own topic, but out of curiosity what do some of you price your 20oz or similar candles at? I am horrible at pricing lol

I know "normal" is subjective, but do any of you use a jar that is a bit on the pricey side? If so, how do you manage your costs and what is your target audience? In search for another members request for a jar they were looking for, I sort of stumbled across a type of jar that I always had imagined using when i first started making candles. The jar I currently use is a basic straight sided salsa-type jar and sure, I can continue to use it but it kinda bores me. Its very cheap too, the 16oz only costing .88c per jar w/lid. The 20 oz variant of what I just found would cost almost $2.30. I could get that cost to below $1.50 per w/lid, if I ordered per pallet. Im just not even close to that selling power yet, so til then it would be $0.88 vs $2.30. I could still make a decent profit with the more costly jar, but thats a pretty big price difference for someone with, at this point, no major customer base. So profit is everything. AHHHHHHHHH   (pulls hair out)

For comparison:

16oz Straight sided: https://www.containerandpackaging.com/item/G275

vs

21oz Square: https://www.glassnow.com/21oz-square-candle-glass-container

I also would have the option of doing a "limited edition" or "collectors edition" in one of many different colored glass jars like amber or cobalt.

Thoughts? Would you just increase your prices by say $1 to offset some of that cost? For comparison, I usually sell my 16oz straight sided for around $18-$20 depending on show location and costs. . 

Just found an 18 ounce! Madison. Still, in my opinion, a bit pricey for reselling, but I tend to price my candles too low anyways :/

http://www.jarstore.com/jars/18-oz-anchor-madison-jar/

not sure how pricing works, but you may also be able to order direct from AH:

http://www.anchorhocking.com/prodd_4587_cat_95_madison.html

The closest Ive come to your type jar is a 12oz Madison jar. Sadly I could not find anything larger.