Saltbox Pantry

Are they still in business?? Emailed them last week regarding some FO to test and they didn't respond back. Hope they didn't close up:cry2:

Also Fragrance Oil Central former A Scent Shop oils.:smiley2:

www.fragranceoilcentral.com

SP

That looks so real.....what a great idea!

SP

So....you're adding the FO in @ 195. Maybe I'll give that a try. I was told by a supplier to heat up the wax to 150 add oil.............some oils throw great some don't.

Peaks was one that really did't do well for me, so maybe I'll change the temps and see how it performs.

SP

Maybe its a Chai Tea...I believe its spicy.

SP

Great! Can't wait.....

SP

How did it soap and did it discolour? I ordered 1oz of it but I guess I should have ordered at least 4 oz....:undecided

SP

I know of 1 good use for MO and thats for suffocating and killing lice.....that's about it.

This same question was asked on Yahoo.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070321223750AACO8nk

SP

Let me start by saying I LOVE candlemaking. I am proud that I have learned to make a quality candle and I get that warm, fuzzy feeling inside when I receive compliments from customers who purchase candles from me. I have a very busy full-time job as a legal assistant and my candle business at the moment is probably considered to be at the "hobby" level. My advertising thus far has consisted of advertising in our weekly newsletter at work, mailing out flyers and putting them on the neighbor's front doors, hosting open houses (my best sales yet were from an open house), my website, and attending the occasional craft fair. I find the craft fairs most difficult because (1) it takes a lot of time to build up the inventory for these events and with a full-time job, it's hard to find the time to adequately prepare without losing lots of valuable sleep and (2) the craft fairs seem to be saturated with handmade candles. So far my sales have been mediocre, at best, and at times I feel like I'm beating a dead horse. Does anyone else feel that the handmade candle market is over-saturated? I really don't want to throw in the towel because, as I stated before, I LOVE candlemaking. I just don't know if it's a viable business venture for someone who already holds a full-time job (and can't afford to quit her day job to put 100% into the candle biz).

YUPPER's! I feel the same way. In my area I have approx 4 major Candle companys that have been in the business for 10 years or better. It seems that every person I talk to either has a friend who makes soaps/candles or knows of people who are in the business.

I've been thinking about this for past year and not really motivated anymore.

Maybe its just another one of my hobbies to keep me busy....as my husband would say.

SP

Boxes.....cardboard boxes....any type that is free and

recyclable. Line it and you have a great mold.

Have you tried 2 HTP 104's yet? or any HTP's with El Soy?

I've been testing the 16 oz apothecary on off. They are a big pain! I've decided not to carry them and just stick with 10oz squares & 8 oz tumblers.

VS

WOW! That is awesome!!

SP

If your looking for fragrance oils, New Directions Aromatics Canada carry 2 of the 3. They also have a U.S. store.

I have Sweet Champaka, smells different from Nag Champa, haven't smelt Frangapini.

I've tried Nag Champa FO from another supplier(didn't like it) its not like the Satya Sai Bab Incence sticks that I burn and love.......yes I very much prefer my incense.

Unless you know exactly the smell, its going to be very hard to find one that matches to what your customer wants.

Hope this helps,

SP

Oh yes keep the gloves on........

Some people leave everything until the next day. I prefer to clean up right after I'm done a batch.

Gloves on until I'm done washing everything thoroughly. I make sure my sink is completley empty. Rinse a couple of times and then I wash with detergent a couple of times. Dry with paper towels, put away for my next batch.

SP

These would be Essential Oils. You wouldn't get any antibacterial benefits with just fragrance oils.

SP

Oh no.......I'm speechless to think a relative would do such a thing! Unbelievable!

SP

I was on their site checking out the GB wax and wanted to order some samples but the shipping cost made up my mind....NO WAY.

SP

Sorry I forgot to answer that part.

Well here's my take on it. With high prices for everything and not being able to buy in pallets/skids, I can't see how it's worth it to wholesale. With that being said, I do have one small wholesale account to a Spa in my area and this happened by accident. Its o.k. and I do make a tiny bit of money but personally I'm not a wholesale fan. My DH, who from the beginning kept saying its a waste of money and time.....he now is bugging me to wholesale out. Its going on 2 years now and I have 1 wholesale, can you tell I do not like to wholesale.....LOL

I do have a small store front out of my home which I like better and was my plan from the beginning.

This is just me though. I like to take things very very slow.

SP

P.S. If something doesn't make sense its only because I've been trying to type this reply out for a few hours now....constant interuptions around here....LOL

Oh I guess it is. I was just getting a bit confused.... which doesn't take much....LOL

SP

Hi Saltbox, I am sorry you are in the same boat but it is kinda good to know that I am not the only one incurring these costs. It would be great to create a $3.00 16 oz. candle. I am not even sure if I could do it if I ordered my jars from Richards here in the state.....maybe around $4.00 or $4.50.....not real sure. I can't even consider that anyway because they do not have the type of apothecary I need and want.

Do you still sell wholesale currently? I am not sure what you meant by "add it in at the end." If you are selling wholesale, are you considering not doing it now?

I really wanted my 16 oz. jars to retail for $16.00 at least (I figure a dollar an once at least) but people around here are very conservative and want a lot for their buck. My friends kind of indirectly influenced me too in my decision not to go over $15.50. Sometimes I want to please too much. If I was on the Seattle side or back in CA it would be different......$16.00 would not seem as high. However, I prefer it here.

Thanks for the response.

Hi there,

When I add up my cost and x by 3, I do not include my jar.....so I don't make money on the jar. I just charge what I paid for it.

Example per pound:

Wax $2.61

FO $2.37

Total $4.98 x 3 =$14.94

I then add in my jar cost of $1.00, labels and wick approx 30- 40 cents.

My 16 oz jar total for retail is roughly $16.34.

I do not add the taxes in because my customers get charged the taxes when they purchase from me.

SP

There's bases you can get at certain suppliers . I'm testing one right now and it's not passing....it could be the room I'm testing in. The scent only last for 2 hours or so.

I'm also going to test Cyclomethicone.

SP

I'm with you Holly and both my hubby and I are re thinking this venture.

It cost me about $5.00 with dollar store jars. I finally had to exclude my jar in my 3x and add it in at the end....so instead of my 16 oz jar retailing for $20.00 its down to around $16.50.

SP

I did to see how it would work. Its too thick and does not come out in a fine mist or spray....it comes out in blobbs(sp?)

SP

Dinah,

I see that you are under MISHKA now......your first post was dleonard.

Are you the same person or am I going nuts.......

SP

Hi Dinah,

Oh what a bummer and sorry the pillar did some damage.

Just wondering if you placed a plate or a holder for pillars on the bottom before resting it on the counter over night? I know those oils will damage and the dye, especially red will get into anything.

Did the wick come out from the drilled hole or popped out of the tab, was there a tab? I don't make pillars but many on the board do and can probably tell you why this happened.

SP