Quentin

That could be possible I suppose. That item may have been one of her early attempts that she was willing to let go as "clearance" or "distressed goods" instead of dumping them in the trash.

OK. Thanks. I misunderstood you. I need to use the biggest image my camera can take and crop afterwards, probably with that app you gave us the link to. So, don't even crop it to 1:1 on the little phone editor, right?

Well let me tell you about that. I didn't mention that I ordered one of her candles about two weeks ago. I just wanted to see what I got. Apparently, she is unaware of any of the postal discount sites like Pirate Ship. She only offers regular Priority Mail. That was about $13.00 but that was obviously USPS over-the-counter pricing. So, she can't be doing it that way. Maybe she graduated from Harvard Business School or from Wharton. Perhaps they're now teaching a new theory that the way to make money in business is by losing money It could be that she is a believer in this time tested business idea: "We lose money on every transaction but we make up for it in volume"

Oh yes. Here is her product description. She's also throwing in a pillar plate for free. Description Pillar Candles have a unique presentation you can dress them up with flowers or keep them simple.4" by 4.5" 12.5" diameter (round) . Weight is 1lb 10oz. Comes with Pillar Base.

Check out this link from Etsy. How can this seller possibly sell at this price and not lose money? It costs me more in materials only, than what she is charging for this candle on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/listing/632292274/pillar-candles-scented-or-unscented-any?ref=shop_home_active_10&pro=1&frs=1

Back to taking pictures with a cellphone. Like I said, I've got shaky hands. So I'm using a tripod now but still have to work to keep it steady. I AM getting better pictures, though. Question: I have two settings to choose from in the 1:1 ratio. I can pick 1:1 (3.7 MP) 1920 X 1920 or 1:1 (2.4 MP) 1536 X 1536. Which should I go with for online use?

You've earned it. Thanks for the heads up on what I have to hopefully look forward to.

That is very helpful. I've been struggling with that idea. I didn't know where to start when it came to how much I should charge for a flat rate. It would definitely save a lot of time and mental effort that I could use elsewhere.

I had an idea for a different sort of "business card". I don't mind sharing it. What is something that people will keep and goes perfectly with candles? Answer: Personalized matchbooks with the same type information you would put on a standard business card. A little more expensive, certainly, but most likely they won't throw them away. You could also throw a pack of them in with each of your orders you ship out. A little free gift.

So basically the sites we've been discussing. Just a different name for all the Etsy, Amazon and others. Thanks.

You've worked really hard. I wish I had that focus and could maintain it.

Shopping cart site? Could you list an example or two? I'm not sure I'm familiar with the term. I must not be familiar with the term or I wouldn't be asking you this.

As they say, "there's always next year". We (Ole Miss) were actually going somewhere in football. The we cheated and the N.C.A.A knocked us out. Our downstate rival turned us in. Since I'm a gentleman and a good sport I won't mention their name (Mississippi State).

I think the "Square account and going with their free web store to start (along with Etsy/FB)" is a good, sound plan. I wish I had started out smaller instead of the way I did. Now, I'm feeling overwhelmed to the point of inaction. I jumped right in without giving it much thought. Unfortunately, that just seems to be my nature. To say that I have a limited knowledge of things internet and e-commerce would be a gross understatement and would be a much more generous thing to say about me than I deserve. After reading what you, @Paintguru , have posted over the last few weeks I sense a caution on your part that I wish I had. I can't disagree with anything that birdcharm said here. However, when you bring the Facebook page thing into play and use it to direct people to your Etsy shop and your Square page, you've pretty much done an end run around the search engines. Not an end run on the scale of Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Oklahoma but probably better than my favorite team could do. They are now resting in the cellar of the S.E.C. Facebook reaches almost everyone in the Milky Way galaxy. That's a lot of humans AND extraterrestrials <<<<<<<----------- Spell check says I got that right so I'm sticking with it. Go with the plan you just laid out there. It seems to make sense to me.

I feel your pain. However, the "inexpensive side" may not get you any business at all. It's possible it may never get noticed at all by the consumer. Therefore, you might end up spending more in the long run. Let me say though that Milos's approach of starting with a Facebook page then adding Etsy and linking the two together is good sound advice. I would add my own suggestion to get signed up with Square, buy their card scanner that plugs into your cell phone. That way you have a method of taking payments at remote locations such as shows, flea markets, etc. They only charge you when you take a payment, but paying them something is better than losing any sale.

I agree, those fees are not too high. I wouldn't be able to do it at all without paying someone to help me, not to mention the time it already takes away from my production time.

"It is monthly rate, correct?" It's one of those offers that you're seeing more and more of each day for internet services/downloads. It's similar to the same tactic that all the charities and companies offer on TV: "Send in your monthly contribution of $15.00 a month [automatic debit of course] and you can feed a child for a whole year, decade, century, blah, blah, blah... That's just 50 cents per day. Less than you'd pay for a bottle of Coca-Cola" 50 cents a day is still $15.00 a month or $180 a year. Sometimes paying it all in one lump sum might save you $5.00 on an annual basis. You get the idea. After all, who can't afford to part with only 50 cents every day? Right?

I can't answer that question yet, because I haven't got the complete answer myself. I'm winging it right now. The information that @TallTayl gave in the last post cleared up quite a bit. She's right on the idea of free shipping. Consumers, including myself, go for that. Many times I will buy one item that offers free shipping but is priced higher over an identical item that is priced less but is + shipping. In my mind, I know I'm paying for the shipping one way or the other. I know it is built into the price and it's not really FREE. Most every other consumer knows that too. Despite the fact that we know all that, there's something in our minds that draws us to the product that offers something for free. FREE is THE most powerful word in advertising. It always has been and probably always will be. Next time you're in the grocery store, look closely at all the products that offer such things as "2 ounces Free". Once you start looking, you'll see it everywhere you go.

I have great news for you. There's still a lot more to learn.

Oh. Oh. By the way, I tried your suggestion to use the "high temperature" tape and it worked perfectly. I'm probably through with the putty forever. The funny thing is that I had a roll of the stuff on the shelf above my work bench all the time!

@Simon-RSA I promised I would try your formula and get back to you. I haven't poured a single candle since this discussion, so I'm sorry I'm late getting back to you. I was getting ready to pour some candle tomorrow, pulled out the copy of your formula and started to plug in my numbers. Then I noticed a couple of things I needed to clear up before I proceeded. I'm going to ask the the stupid question first and get that one out of the way. I noticed your temperature references are in Celsius. I'm a Fahrenheit guy. 1) Am I assuming correctly that I can use Fahrenheit just as long as I use it all the way through to be consistent? 2) When you said "Add FO around 10 degC above your pouring temp", did you also mean to use the pouring temperature range prescribed in the wax specifications or were you saying to use 10 degrees above your "wax melting point target" as the pouring temperature? I'm sorry to bother you with these questions and I know that others are reading this that will remind me that I'm the overthinker. I know that is true. I just like to make sure I have everything clear in my mind before I proceed with things. In fact, I'm really excited to try your formula.

I clicked the link you provided. On that page it says this: Note: If you came here looking for Jpegcrop, then you're in the wrong place. Please visit the Jpegcrop page instead. Jpegcrop and JPEGCrops are two different programs. Which one should I be looking for?

Pirate Ship has articles that will help you understand all the info on Regional boxes, USPS Cubic shipping rates and all the rest. Very valuable, easy to understand. If you open a chat with them, they're usually right there except after "regular" business hours. They are obviously a small company, but they know how to use the USPS. I'm merely speculating, but I'd be willing to bet that they are former USPS employees who know the Post Office inside and out.

I'm on PC too. In fact, I don't think I know anyone personally that has a Mac. Seriously though, I'll take your advice and check that link and give it a try. All the photo editing stuff on my PC at the present time seems to be pretty useless to me and I'm not about to tackle anything like PhotoShop right now. PhotoShop has just too steep of a learning curve than I have time for now.

Hey, even if it turns out to be worthless, that just means you have more cool gear around the house.