Quentin

4 hours ago, TallTayl said:

Wooden clothespins are pretty cheap and great for tins. You can really snug the wick in them. 

I can't seem to picture that. Do you have one clothespin coming from each side? 

I mean my Edwic store. I haven't tried to integrate Etsy yet.

34 minutes ago, Laura C said:

 

Hi @Quentin. I assume you transferred your domain from GoDaddy to another domain seller? I have some domains with GoDaddy that I'm going to transfer to my 1&1 IONOS account because GoDaddy is more expensive. https://www.ionos.com/

 

I have several domains with 1 & 1 as well and I'm really happy with them and they are cheaper than GoDaddy, plus "private" registration is included with 1 &1 domains. I've not been too impressed with either company's website design software but it's ok and gets the job done. And of course there are many other options out there, just wanted to let you know.

Moving the domain from GoDaddy to B12 was simple. B12 did it for me.

17 minutes ago, Laura C said:

Canva has some free stuff https://www.canva.com/

How much does the free stuff cost?  

3 hours ago, Paintguru said:

Point taken, and you are likely right.  Maybe I should stick to my original plan and do a Square website, which is limited to just one page of products, along with the Facebook/Etsy stuff.  I'll have to check out the B12 thing.  @Quentin, do you use that as a landing spot with links to your Etsy site or just an information page or what?  Thanks for the thoughts, they are greatly appreciated.  

I just saw something in your question that I don't think I answered. If I list the product on my store site, it automatically populates my B12 site. 

2 hours ago, Paintguru said:

Point taken, and you are likely right.  Maybe I should stick to my original plan and do a Square website, which is limited to just one page of products, along with the Facebook/Etsy stuff.  I'll have to check out the B12 thing.  @Quentin, do you use that as a landing spot with links to your Etsy site or just an information page or what?  Thanks for the thoughts, they are greatly appreciated.  

Do I use the website as a landing spot? Hmm. I guess that's what I'm doing, since I'm putting my B12 website on all my products, business cards, stationery, etc. Let me say this about B12. I didn't shop price too much on this venture. I really can't tell you if they're expensive or not. The salesman gave me a better price right off the bat. If you get on the phone with him, balk at the price and he'll probably give you a deal. All I can say is that I feel I'm getting my money's worth. You fill out a little interview form on their site. Then they show you a mock up. Then you make an appointment right then for a phone consultation. The first guy that calls is the salesman. If you decide to take their offer, he sets you up with another guy that serves as your permanent consultant. Then you answer a few more questions about your preferences. He takes it from there. They are easy to communicate with and they never fail to respond. If you don't understand how to do something, he will help you with it or even do it for you. 

When I shop for anything, I don't shop entirely by price. I shop by what I perceive as VALUE.  Sometimes the lowest price is the best, sometimes the mid price, sometimes the high price. I would never by a pair of size 13 shoes because the were on sale at 75% off. That wouldn't be a good VALUE for me because I wear a size 8 1/2.  That's just how I look at things.  

13 minutes ago, Laura C said:

 

Those are neat. I agree, I have tried and don't like those flat metal bars because they do slide and move around. I like those metal bow tie ones too, I use those alot and they fit several of my jars. I've seen them on several supplier's sites including The Candle Makers Store  https://thecandlemakersstore.com/candle-making/candle-making-wicks/candle-wick-centering-device.html  I've never tired them but I've seen similar plastic wick holders like the ones in your photos at Aztec https://www.candlemaking.com/wick-center-holder.html.

I think I've got just about all the types of centering devices. The bowtie type is and exact fit for some of my molds and jars. The thin metal ones with real sharp notch will slice through the wick if your not careful and if you pour to the top, sometimes the wax gets all caught up in it and creates a big mess. The nice thing about the bowties is you can flip them upside down and use them that way too. I really want some of @MilosCandles just as soon as they hit the market. Really, @MilosCandles you've got a winner there. Those things will sell $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

20 hours ago, MilosCandles said:

@YellowButterfly Yes they are.

I need to pay a visit to my local library and see if they have a 3-D printer. Do you think they might 3-D print an AR-15 for me?

Have you tried any of the liquid white dyes?  AAA sells one. Not the auto club, but  aaacandlesupply.com  

Milos, you are a wiz at stuff like that.

1 hour ago, MilosCandles said:

@PaintguruIf you are starting at ground zero I suggest Facebook/Instragram/Twitter with an Etsy Site.  You can refine your pictures and description with just a $.20 listing fee (for 90 days) for each item you put on Etsy.

 

Etsy has has millions of user search everyday there. You can figure out shipping and packaging.

 

I would not just start out with wordpress/woocommerce site first.

I essentially followed Milos advice that he gave me in this thread on 10/23/18. I didn't do it exactly the same way, but basically did and it has turned out well. While far from being finished, I'm up and running online. Here's what I've got so far.  1) Facebook page.  2) Etsy Shop  3) Ecwid Store 4) Website by B12.  B12 is able to offer me great person to person assistance on the phone and via email and they are able to help me with other questions that they really don't have to but they always help me. That was something I needed. 5) Pirate Ship is there when it's the best option for me. 6) Square for payments at remote locations.  While not all these integrate together, some do. I doubt there is any combination you could put together that will do it all. FB page directs to Etsy and B12. Ecwid integrates with Square and B-12 website. Etsy directs to B-12 and FB. Ecwid and Etsy offer me invoicing options. The B12 website can direct shoppers anywhere I want them to go. My biggest holdup now is getting good photography, but that's a different topic. I'm working on that.

On 11/30/2018 at 8:12 PM, aptommo said:

Is there a preferred way to store wax as you use it? Does air getting to it bother it or affect it's use??

I'll tell you what I've learned over the past year. Where I live it's unbearably hot and humid in summer. Humid and cool to bitterly cold and humid in winter and can change literally day to day. Always humid. My shop is in a hot garage in summer. No insulation or A/C in the garage. It has a wall mounted natural gas furnace so winter is not a problem. In the hot weather I stored the soy flakes and all my "soft" waxes indoors under my beds where it was always cool and in low humidity. In the garage, the soy flakes clumped together and it was sticky, messy and even more yucky than usual.  My "hard" waxes can live anywhere. For the winter, it's all in the garage. The part we just learned from @TallTayl is new knowledge for me, so I learned something new today and it's not even lunch time yet.  

2 minutes ago, Jenni Wix said:

No, I'm more worried about possible contamination depending on how long it was holy, and what it could've been be exposed to.  It's a really soft wax.  Luckily, it looks ok.  

Ahh. Just blow the dust off it or break off the annoying parts and throw them in the trash. It's like buying a bag of potting soil or a bag of sugar. You'll never get all of it.

10 minutes ago, Laura C said:

 

I know, right? I do too. LOL

I keep saying I need an assistant. LOL

My redundancy is becoming very redundant.

1 hour ago, Jenni Wix said:

@Quentin, even though it's slightly frustrating, it's relieving to know it's a common occurrence.  I guess it's just the thought of shelling out so much for something, I'd expect suppliers to take care with it. Heck, I'll pay for a thicker box.

Did you lose much wax, though?

On 11/30/2018 at 4:10 PM, Jenni Wix said:

I just got my first big case of wax and it has several small holes exposing the wax, and one large one that goes a few inches deep.  The wax was packaged in a thin  bag, it looks like, obviously the box wasn't too strong either.   The supplier states they won't deal with damaged packages.  So I'm filing a claim with the shipping co, including pictures of the unopened, holey box.

 

How often does this happen to those of you with more experience?  If I wanted to use it in cosmetic application, it would be unusable.  And I am afraid to use it for candles in case the wax is compromised at all.  I mean, the box is pretty beat up. 😓

It happens to me at least 50% of the time. 

2 hours ago, MilosCandles said:

 

I tried a heat lamp, electric space heater, and the heat gun worked the best.  

 

Not sure if I put the link to the turn table I got - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014RWD9EU/

Wood top - https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-x-2-ft-x-2-ft-Pine-Edge-Glued-Panel-Round-Board-682527/202017012

 

 

 

I can see I'm gonna have to buy one of those turntables. Is there anything Amazon doesn't have?

39 minutes ago, aptommo said:

WOW from the first to the last! That's inspiring to me thank you so much for sharing!! Also the pic with the green tables, what is holding up all your signs? I can't quite make it out! 

Are you talking about the signs behind the tables? Frames made from PVC. You can do a lot of things with PVC. PVC ROCKS!

On 12/2/2018 at 6:53 AM, Arch Rock said:

Stopped at McDonald's for breakfast and they both barfed in the car on the way there . . .

Ahh, brings back memories of the Big Mac I ate in 1971 just before going to a football game. Somewhere around the second quarter I...

I've got a lot of catching up to do. I see pictures like this and I feel inspired but also overwhelmed at the amount of work to be done.  I talk a good game.

7 hours ago, Laura C said:

 

Hi @Quentin. Did you end up purchasing that logo from LogoJoy? Have you had any problems with the company or your logo? Just wandering because I recently purchased a logo from them and they are no longer returning my emails nor have they fixed the issue I'm having with properly downloading my logo files. It's really bizarre, never had contact/communication just dropped like that with someone I'm doing business with. Could be my emails are being blocked by their SPAM filter or something. I keep trying to be patient and give them the benefit of the doubt but this has been going on for almost a week. I'm currently in the process of contacting them live chat on their website and then next by phone. It's just very strange.

 

>>> Current Buyer Beware Warning with LogoJoy company <<<

Anyway, just want to let people know, anyone that may be interested in buying a logo with them, that this is happening so they should be Aware. I hope this is just some mix up on their part and that there is an explanation and my issue will be resolved ASAP. I will let you all know what happens. 

No. I haven't had any problems with them. I got everything I promised plus more than I expected. They always answer my messages. The chat method on their website is the best way to contact them. I do know they are a very small company, but I've gotten better service and communication from them than what I've received from some of the big hitters. No buyer's remorse here.

9 hours ago, Laura C said:

 

Hi @Quentin, why won't anyone notarize your documents from Legal Zoom? I have thought of doing the same thing, a will and living will, with Legal Zoom but I don't want to waste my time if it won't be legal or legit.

To be perfectly honest, I don't remember the details or the reasons no one in my area would notarize it. I could blame it on the local bar association, but I don't think that was it, so that wouldn't be fair. Legal Zoom was pretty new at that time. So I finally tossed the document and got a lawyer from within the state to write one. The county in Mississippi where I live has grown dramatically in the last three decades as people and businesses continue to move south out of Memphis with its crime and high property taxes. It's not "White Flight". People of all ethnic groups are moving down here to get out of that place. In spite of all the growth and demographic change, the county is still run by four or five old families, but they're gradually losing their grip on things.   

Just now, Forrest said:

A light box would help with that, and they are easy to build.

I just noticed the part on the DIY light box. I think I could pull that off.

On 12/4/2018 at 1:47 PM, Forrest said:

In another thread TT suggested I should write an article about photographing our products, and while I have some basic knowledge in this area, unless you’re selling grandchildren or sunsets my experience is limited. So to build on my knowledge base I did a little research, and I found this excellent article on Etsy’s site. Not being one to reinvent the wheel I thought I would post this here. Also this is just one part of ETSY’s Seller Handbook which contains information on many other subjects that would be helpful to anyone wanting to sell on-line.

 

 

 

https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/the-ultimate-guide-to-product/143986679284

 

Very timely information. It just so happens that this is a big project that I'm struggling with right now. I'm trying to get pictures ready to put on my online store. I'm not a good photographer. Shaky hands, a miniature tripod of sorts, a cell phone, and a webcam plugged into my computer are the only things I have to work with now. It was comforting to read the comments from the other Etsy users and realize I'm not alone in all this. Getting the lighting right without glare is the biggest hurdle for me. You're right about the handbook. Browsing through it I found lots of good information that can be used regardless of whether you're using Etsy or something else.

On 12/4/2018 at 9:00 AM, Trappeur said:

just let this be a learning experience or a guide to what you can envision yours to be or something as beautiful...actually we all learn from others and here is one example. 

@aptommo Take Trapp's advice here. You will learn something new each time. I know I learn something new every single day. For example, I'm learning that I can download files to my computer "easily". I just click download. Now when it's time for me to FIND those files, use them, upload them to something else, convert them or manipulate them, that's a different story. I become a nervous wreck! Usually, I consider it a success if I just happen to stumble upon what I'm looking for, click the right thing and accidentally get them where I wanted them to go. But I'm a little better at it than I was. Seriously though, you do get better each time you do something. That may sound trite, but it's true. Old sayings become old sayings because they're true. I always look at the pictures of every single table, booth or display method and I always pick up some good idea. It becomes a part of you even though you may not realize it at the moment. Your brain is a lot younger than mine. You'll do fine. Look at what you've learned in just the last few hours since you started this thread!   [I'm 60 years old. I got my first computer in 1994. 4 MB of RAM! That's not a typo. It was the fastest computer in the neighborhood. The internet was brand new. I only learned how to "cut and paste" about 10 years ago. I was scared to try it for fear I might fail or blow up my computer or some other horrible thing. Totally irrational thinking on my part.  Now I get really irritated when I hear older people like my father say they're too old to learn anything new. I've decided that I'm never going to take that attitude. Never.]