Hopie

Thanks all, this is just too much fun! Got a load of oils recently and can't wait to play with more of this stuff! The soy candles are curing, so we'll get to see how they burn in a few weeks

You are truly welcome, always willing to pass the knowledge on. Willing to answer any questions.

It is a huge learning curve, just like making candles But, if you have a work at home desire, it can be lucrative beyond your wildest dreams! It was for me. I just wanted....to....go....OUTSIDE! EDIT: 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!) Way Out West Aromatherapy Candles Stress Relief 2 Pack with Natural Essential Oils of Lavender, Eucalyptus Spearmint and Rosemary (2) 8 Ounce Jar Candles- Spa Quality Gift and Made in America

I didn't sell candles on Amazon, but another totally different line of products (mostly bedding/blankets). You could try the homemade page, check on how many listings you see. If there are a lot more listings for candles, go for the regular Amazon page. Remember, you are always after the highest traffic, whether you're selling at a show or online EDIT: I just did a handmade check, there are over 10,000 listings for candles. However, in the regular search for "Candles", I got over 200,000 results. You could try listing in both sections, play around with it and see what you get! Gee, there's one of a 12 oz soy candle selling for $24.99. Not bad, 'eh? These photos of other people's listings can always give you ideas of jar types, sizes, labeling techniques, and a lot of other things. Study them intensively and come up with your own unique ideas Do let me know if I can assist you in any way, I guess you could call me an "expert" at selling online.

Yes, and I'm glad I found this in my photos while looking for something else....I thought I'd deleted it a long time ago. I guess I thought it was important enough to keep it after all.

There are many candle glass suppliers online, you can do a search for them, and find the best shipping rates to your area (the closest one to you may be best, but not always). You can also peruse the canning section at WalMart, they do have a lot of jars to consider. Putting pretty ornaments or decorations on them will spiff them up for gift giving If you're happy with the ones from WalMart, at least you'll be able to get them almost any time you want, without having to wait for shipment. (unless canning season is underway, lol)

Yes, I posted this to put the FEAR into anyone considering doing this! It's just not worth the shortcut! You should have seen the look on our faces when that thing exploded!

I sold online for 13 years... Ebay, Bonanza and Amazon, and Amazon is a total cash cow compared to Ebay or Bonanza. I would compare sales levels at...20:1! The very best way to take your photos yourself is outdoors. NEVER indoors! Use the natural light of a sunny day for the pictures. You'll be amazed at the results! You can do a search of my feedback on Ebay if you'd like, and as you know, not many even leave feedback...my username was: sweethopie

Trust me, it took DAYS to get it ALL out of there, the glass was in total SHARDS! The worst thing about this, was that the directions I got with the candle kit TOLD ME to make them in this manner! Can ya' BELIEVE that?

Thanks, Trappeur! Funny, our clothing collection has changed drastically since last year! I don't even have some of the ones I see in this picture! Maybe I'll post a new one when I can think to take one at a show. We worked our little butts off yesterday, put up 400 sq feet and never stopped moving upon opening until we tore down. Needless to say, I slept like a baby last night, lol!!

Yes, I can see for safety purposes that you would not want to travel any more, and I would not chance it when your husband has had medical issues, I hope he is doing well now? We did 8,000 miles last summer, so we decided not to do the grueling show route this summer, that's why we'll be hanging out in Prescott, Sedona and Williams this summer. Time for some FUN, as we worked like borrowed mules all this past winter. David keeps looking at properties lately, so whatever he wants to do in regards to another property is okay with me....I just hope he doesn't find one FAST, LOL! I just LOVE our freedom right now. Can't wait to get "on the road again"

Remember, too...that it MUST be for candles...I saw some of the "storage jars" at Dollar Tree with lids, and I would not trust that they are properly tempered for candle use. If the glass gets too hot, it can POP or crack when the candle is burning. Mason jars do work well because they are manufactured for high temperature use when canning. The ones I bought were candle glass, but did not have lids on them. I hope this helps?

Several years back, my neighbor and I were playing with making candles. I had bought a little kit online, and invited her over to mess with it. It was for making a soy candle. SO, we started puttering around, and the instructions said to microwave the soy, add color, FO, then pour. We did a few like that, and all went well....UNTIL....we were both standing in my kitchen, my microwave was at approximately "neck height" on a shelf. We were chatting, waiting for the bell to go off indicating the timer was done....and we heard a HORRENDOUS POP! We looked into the window, and this is what we saw! It was SHOCKING, to say the least! Our only thought was "What if one of us had opened the door BEFORE it popped?!!" It could have sliced one or both of us RIGHT ACROSS THE THROAT! Please, PLEASE do not us a microwave, in in an "oven safe" measuring cup to melt your wax! (which as you can see, it was an Anchor Hocking measuring cup!) I saved these pictures to show my FB friends what can happen! SO, here it is, I'm sharing it with all of you! Needless to say, I NEVER melted wax in this way again!

Good thing you posted this, I do NOT recommend a microwave for heating wax! See pictures! I will create a post about this dangerous practice under "candle making" discussions for all to see/read!

Thanks so much, a mold it is....after I get new wicks, of course! I don't want to attempt a jar then, with the mottling wax, we are in a motor home, so we're EXTRA careful when it comes to a fire hazard!

Amazon is a CASH COW . Do a search regarding the top ten sellers on Amazon as far as candles go, one is in a mason jar with a handle, some are upscale, and some are in more plain jars. It's a powerful place to sell. Trust me when I tell you this

So, I just LOVE my candles, but I hadn't ever thought of hugging them . Now, when I test them, I'll do just that! I really appreciate the good advice, sometimes, the mistakes are part of the fun journey! The wax I used for the pillars is the 1274 mottling wax. Should I not put them in a jar if I remelt, then? Maybe I'll remelt and use the other wicks and put them in molds, then.

Beats burning the house down!

I chose the different shapes because I love them, and I believe that my customers will, too! I did have the notion that wicking them would be a challenge, but that's okay. My incense buyers will love them, many are artsy/eclectic loving consumers from all over the country. It shows in my clothing sales. (Had a huge run on incense today, they bought bags at a time because it's nearing the end of the season and they just don't want to be without it, and I am truly honored by that!) They love my stuff, and I go "to the ends of the earth" to find them. Yes, and it's so much fun to find them, too!

Addiction. LOL! Yep, I'd say it is! This thing had a very high flame, and it blew out pretty fast, so, my thought is to melt it down and put it in another mold, or even a jar just so we can enjoy it. Next time, different wick for sure!

Since you are rural, you can always go the internet route. I will say, it takes time to learn that, too. Amazon is your best bet. Read the rules carefully, take fantastic pictures, and get your customers to "smell" with your words. Don't write a "novel" in your description, but do try to get your customers to "smell" and take a chance by ordering from you. I was very successful on Amazon for many years, shipped six days a week. Just got to feeling too cooped up in the house so we went the show route. "For now"

Any particular company to get those wicks? Is it on a spool? If so, do I need to wax it?

I couldn't have said this better! As I said, we did just awful at it the first few times out, and we just kept going back. Once people know your name, they "know" you, and are more apt to buy from you. Your jars look nice, so that may not be your issue. Although, I'd want a cute logo of some kind, perhaps a company name, something they can identify with when they see you again. Perhaps dress your table up with a colorful tablecloth that will catch their eye? You didn't say what part of the country you're in. 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. You may also want to find other venues to sell at. Is there any other place to sell your candles? Find the local event listings and try those. We do well at a certain County Fair in our area, but you really have to have a lot of product to do them, and yes, they can cost more for the booth, but it's the high foot traffic you're after. Don't give up easy, keep going out there and trying new things. You may even have a customer come by who wants to order a batch for a special occasion or gift. Do post pictures of your table for us when you do your next show, there's a lot of help and encouragement here, and everyone started somewhere. Now GO GIT 'EM!

What a lovely list @Trappeur! I just received a big load of oils to play around with. Since our cherry incense is a top seller, I made a soy candle with black cherry to test, as well as Caribbean escape, creamy vanilla (we carry four vanillas in body oils). I LOVE the Asian Sandalwood, and made a small pillar with it to test, so that should be a good one. I also just got the Baja Cactus, so I'll make that in either a pillar or in soy this week to test. Of course, I got some oils in standard scents, like lavender and jasmine, both of which are staples in our body oils and incense. I also wanted to try the fresh baked bread, I like the scent OOB so far. Most of our buyers are snowbirds from the northern states or CA,. as we're in a tourist destination. We do have a big following in the Arizona market, as well. Many return a lot of times to see the "new goodies" in clothing, so I'd love to offer candles, too!

I agree with @Iansmommaya, your prices are too low. Can you post a picture of your booth and your products? It may help if we can see it. When it comes to marketplaces, sometimes, it's a matter of who your customer base is, and what type of a marketplace it is. Was it a farmer's market? A flea market/swap meet? A craft show? A fair? 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? At our very first market we sold...NOTHING! At our second market, we sold a measly $7 worth of merchandise, so I know the pain! After honing our offerings, and our selling skills, we now travel and do this full time, so it can be done! We'll be entering our 6th year in September. Also, if you have a printer, you can create some pretty good looking labels right on your computer, even if they're just in black and white. Perhaps they need a redo?