Tokoo

On 6/2/2018 at 9:32 AM, Belinda said:

My experience for clams would be to add no more than 50% 4625 to a container wax. When I upped the percentage of 4625 in clams I got a funky smell from the plastic onto the wax. Your experience might be much better than mine though. You won't know till you try!

I have mostly been using 60% 6006 and 40% 4625. If I add to much 4625 I don't get as good of a HT, never noticed the funky smell.

8 hours ago, LittleMissSunshine said:

How is this going for you @Tokoo? I am using 6006 for containers and wanted to try something a little different for clamshells. 4625 seems like it could be good as it would make it harder, so I am wondering if you are having success. Maybe I will try it out too. ☺

I like 60/40, but mine are not super hard, I prefer melts of the firm side. I did a 50/50, that worked good, but I had little to no HT.

6 hours ago, lightmyfire said:

make your life easier and try the Ky parasoy tart and votive blend from RE---you won't look back.

 

 

I have to give it a try, have been so busy lately, I haven't made anything. Thanks for the tip.

On 5/26/2018 at 11:07 PM, Clear Black said:

 

Just to clarify, I have currently 25 different fragrances I carry seasonally. Each label has the exact same design and logo, I just interchange the colors to match with the fragrance. So these are all the same logo, just the color will be different for each label. I only added different colors to show you or rather ask you if it works as different colors or not.

 

Hope that clarifies that for you and thanks so far for the critique

Oh that makes sense then. You seem to have what is needed to catch the eye, clean, and professional looking. I'd say you done a great job, Illustrator can be a challenge using  itself.

Looks pretty good, but I would try and stick with one color scheme to make it easier, but I guess it would depend on what color paper your using as well. The 2 in the middle seem to catch the eye a little more the the others. 

25 minutes ago, lightmyfire said:

this is my system; popsicle stick and hair clip to hold the wick straight....works well.  

 

That works to lol.

I use cloths pins, I tried the Popsicle sticks, and had the same issue, manly due to them not keeping tension on the wick itself.

WoW those are really nice. Wish you luck on your new line.

Adding onto what @Hopie suggested, make sure to get your site out there. I did YouTube, and had a website years ago, from my experience Facebook, Twitter, and stuff like those, are not that great for starting up, unless you have 10k followers, the reason is over half of your followers will not see your post, unless they actually look at your profile. Reddit, and sites I traded on with my info posted in my signature actually better results. Also make sure if your not, use Google Analytics, to see were your traffic comes from. 

In time which it takes a lot of for websites trust me, its a waiting game. You will see results, but your design and layout is very nice, and the most important thing that you nailed is it's easy to navigate.

1 hour ago, Grungedoll said:

What are actual things I NEED to do for my size business and what I don’t (for example: do you need a business license when you’re just in the very beginning stages of selling with such sporadic purchases while getting yourself known? Is trademarking my name really something I should be concerned about?) The questions/concerns are endless. I’m also curious what I’m looking at as the best choices for these things so I could get my finances in place for it. Saving for all of this is one of the many things forefront in my mind and I feel like someone who’s done all this already could help get me on the right track.

 

When it comes to doing business, and having licence, is subject to the state you live/sell from. For example in VA you are allowed to actually sale up to a certain amount without having licence, but I don't think many states do that.

I have never done a LLC before, but I know their is a lot of info and links on this forum already that should be a lot of help,. If you have the money, or just don't want to do all the legwork at lot of people use Legal Zoom to setup a LLC. However filling all the paper work out yourself is always going to be cheaper, but not easier. 

These are so lovely looking, great job.

2 hours ago, TallTayl said:

I’ve been expecting this notice... EAP Innovations has been the first supplier I have read to notify customers of impending soy wax price increases and potential shortages. Stock up if you plan to keep with soy for the coming year. 

The real question isn't how much is it going up by, but is the quality going to go up with the price or down lol. 

3 hours ago, Candybee said:

I live within walking distance to the Shenandoah river.

Nice, I never been up that away but always wanted to visit the Civil War sites up through there. I live on the VA/KY border of VA, this place is so behind the times lol. 

1 hour ago, Jcandleattic said:

Anywhere where the humidity is on average above 25% is too humid for me. LOL 

I agree I hate how humid it gets here. About July I start feeling it, I been trying to get my girlfriend to move up to Canada, or Alaska, anywhere cold is fine. 

48 minutes ago, Jcandleattic said:

Have you microwaved marshmallows for kids? I love doing that too, and watching them blow up like balloons!! 

LoL yep, haven't done that in awhile, we hardly buy them, not a huge fan of marshmellows, besides for hot coco, or smores. . 

On 4/17/2018 at 4:50 PM, Candybee said:

 

Exactly! This weekend it was in the 80's and now I't back to cold day temps and freezing temps at night in the 30's. Its just insane. The cold makes me want to do nothing or stay in bed.

Lol same here, went to the market Saturday it was like 78 degrees. That night went outside for a smoke, about froze it dropped to 35 degrees and I woke up to a inch of snow the next day. Some weird weather. 

On 4/17/2018 at 4:53 PM, Jcandleattic said:

Don't think I could handle 80 where you are!! LOL

Not sure about Candybee, but I am in Virginia.

On 4/16/2018 at 9:56 PM, Forrest said:

What concerns me the most is I'm pouring less than a minute after adding the FO

I don't think it would, a lot of people pour 6006 at high temps, so they can't have more then a minute or 2 after adding FO. I can't confirm that to be true, because I pour mine near slush to minimize issues. 

I have seen quite a few people microwaving wax, the first time I seen someone doing this, I instantly had a picture in my head and it looked just like yours. I know it is suppose to save time, but how much time do they really save if this were to happen. I love doing this with eggs though, kids get a kick out of it.  

The texture on top is amazing looking, suits the colors to a tee, great job, and great name. 

1 hour ago, Hopie said:

Was surfing Amazon, and this seller has really nicely packaged candles. At 383 reviews, you can bet they are selling a lot....I'd guess only about a quarter of buyers actually leave reviews (if not less!) 

 

Ya that's one things that bothers me about the feedback system, no really uses it, but it is what it is. 

Thanks for all your advice, this will differently help me out a lot.

2 hours ago, Hopie said:

I sold online for 13 years... Ebay, Bonanza and Amazon, and Amazon is a total cash cow compared to Ebay or Bonanza. 

Just Amazon or Amazon Homemade page, not really sure there is a difference. 

50 minutes ago, Hopie said:

Since you are rural, you can always go the internet route. 

Thanks, I was thinking about Esty but never used it before. I used Ebay years ago, but it doesn't seem to be that good now days. I have used Amazon off and on over the years but never cared much for it, I have to look into this route a little more.

12 hours ago, kandlekrazy said:

 I would play around with other jars, if it's a farmer's market, the mason jars do best in our area.  

I honestly was thinking about this as well. I personally don't care for mason jars tbh, I know a lot of people love them though so its worth a shot. 

5 hours ago, Hopie said:

Are you rural? How about a tablecloth that looks country, like gingham? Dollar stores may even have them to start out. You'd be amazed what a buck or two can do to make a booth look good. Walmart sometimes has sale bolts of fabric that you can get at a very good price.

Thank you. I live in a backwards, unspeakable county of Virginia lol. There isn't any other markets close by, I would have to go out of state for the next nearest, which maybe my best bet in honesty. I am working on making a few displays, but there not finished yet, I make sure to pick up a table cloth, my girlfriend said we needed one at the market as well.

4 hours ago, TallTayl said:

 Nothing is an overnight success. Keep plugging along til you figure out your brand and following. 

Very true, I didn't think of it that way. 

5 hours ago, Hopie said:

Your approach with customers is also a factor in selling. Did you say hello to each and every person who stopped to look? Did you have conversations about your candles, the reason they should try them? Did you have signs clearly stating your prices? How was your boot represented? Is everything displayed in a pleasing way, or just plopped on the table? 

Ya, I had a few people ask if they are easy to make, etc, I tried to explain everything I could, in a way they would understand. 

I did have the prices marked, which I don't like to do. I use to sale all the time at markets, and one thing I noticed that has changed is everyone labels prices now. It's not bad, but I always felt you lost an easy opportunity to start a convoy with people by per-pricing, but I love to Haggle, which know one does anymore. 

5 hours ago, Trappeur said:

Can you post a picture of your candles and your booth set up?

 

Trappeuir

I don't have a booth. I just set out on a table, we don't really have a fancy market. Most people use tables, or sheets to lay stuff out on. 

This is a pic of the candles my G/F took just playing around with names and backgrounds etc.