VerticallyEnhanced

It's buttery yellow...for some reason I remember it being clear. Of course it also took me 20 minutes to find my keys this morning. I need a nap.

So I love this scent. I ran out of it earlier this year, and just never did get around to getting more oil. It is not one that is requested a lot. So anyway, I just ordered a bunch to have it for fall/winter. I got the oil yesterday. I did not remember it being that dark/heavy looking. I thought it was much lighter to the point of almost being clear. I am not saying they changed it, it was probably just me being forgetful. I thought for sure I remembered this oil taking my "normal" wicking, but again, the look of the oil made me thing, "hmmmmm." So I went to my trusty ole index card box where I keep my notes on each oil to see what I had written down. There it is...my All Hallows Eve card. I have the FO percentage written down, the dye amount written down, my testing notes on throw written down, and then I see this: Wicking: Use two CD 1 :undecided :embarasse What the hell was I thinking when I wrote that down? Two what? CD 12, 14, 16, 18? GRRRRRRRR! So I just made a tester with my normal wicking and now I wish I had bumped it up. Does anyone use soy, this oil and wick up, or is it a pretty easy one to burn? Off to kick myself in the butt AGAIN, and check the rest of my cards for any other lapses in common sense.

I don't think it is too much info, but then again, I have been accused of being verbose. :DIf you have it on a site away from other items where people don't have to wade through it to get to something else, I don't see it as a problem. I have something similar that I had been working on for a while...mainly because I do get so many questions about soy wax...what's the big deal about it, etc. I was tired of the scare tactics used by others and laid it all out as well as I could. It is a fine line to walk...giving enough info without putting people to sleep. Bottom line, if they don't want to read it, they won't. The only thing I also have a problem with is the 40% longer claim. I tested soy vs a few paraffins/blends, and while in *my* testing, I did find the soy burned a bit longer, I could never say it was close to 40% longer. And you know what...kudos to you for laying it out. Curious to see if you get as many hate emails from Mia Bella reps as I do...lol.

I just got the Spiced Apples and Peaches in yesterday and I cannot quit smelling it. I got it on a whim, thinking it might be too similar to my other spicy fruit smells, but it is just different enough to possibly fit in my line. I want to try and hurry and get it tested to see how it will sell. As others have said, this old house is awesome!

I hate to burst your bubble, but it is so hard to guess what will sell in a certain area. I do a handful of really big shows each year, each one in a different town. They will all have different best sellers. One show will sell out in bakery items. For another show, the fresh and clean scents kick butt. Then another, florals. To top it off, if one show is a crazy bakery show, then the next year I show up with bakery candles out the wazoo, they will want the florals! I have stopped trying to guess and just offer a variety. Three of my wholesale accounts are about 30 mins from each other. They are all the same type stores, but their best sellers are different as night and day. You have a good selection on your site and a seemingly wide variety to choose from. If I could offer any suggestions, it would be to offer a few herbal/fresh smells (clean cotton, fresh linen, herbal blends, etc.).

sisterkaren, if you want me to, I can take a picture of the bags under my eyes and send it to your friend to show her how simple it is.

JBN Has a good one as well.

I have posted this before, but here it goes again. I sweetly say I am flattered and that I would be more than willing to be a candle consultant for them. I tell them that I will give them a demo, let them know all of my suppliers, show them how to keep records, teach them about safety, testing,etc.,. I then tell them since I spent so much time an money researching it on my own prior to going into business, that my consulting fee is $500 and hour and that it will take numerous, NUMEROUS hours to school them on everything. If I am feeling really saucy, I might smile, tip my head and say "So when do ya wanna start?" It has never gone much past that.

Glad it could help you out! I was in the same boat, so to speak...there was a local sign guy that I went to and I liked him a lot. I like being able to buy locally, supporting local businesses, but the price difference was just too steep. I love being able to create my signs in photoshop and upload them...I am in total control of the design, where as with him, he was the one doing the design and even though I had to give final approval, it would take a while because we had, um, much different tastes. :undecided

Has anyone tried this in soy? I am a sucker for the "offbeat" and a sucker for mint...this seems to fit both bills!

Hmmmm...gee, well, I guess I should pay more attention to dates, huh? I see something up top, I read and answer. It is usually done amidst kids running around, asking where their clean uniforms are and what I am packing for lunch, so color me distracted. So Michael, my dear, if this does not help you, I hope it helps someone else. By the way, I meant to say I know you are not overly fond of JBN, but if you are interested in some great vanillas from them, PM me. Actually, just answer the PM I sent you earlier this morning.

Okay...just an idea and feel free to spank me for even suggesting this. BUUUUUUT, if it were me, and I had a doctor...in an office...with other people around...as in lots of potential customers, I would take a sample basket with small candles of every dang vanilla I make. A note saying, "I just could not decide for you, so enjoy these samples and let me know which one you like." Of course you would include a handful of business cards and a hand full of brochures so that when the people from the office next door walk in for something, see/smell the basket, and say "OOOOOOHHHHHHhhh my! That is heavenly!" then THEY can take a brochure back to THEIR office, where four more people will be told about it, they will walk over, smell, take brochures, etc., etc., etc. See how my mind thinks? Can't you see it now? A drug rep comes in to talk to him. Drug rep: What IS that smell??? Doc: Oh, this candle basket...one of my patients brought it. Drug rep: That is amazing! Doc: Here...have a card. (and now the drug rep has your card...and that drug rep will tell someone, and so on and so on and so on...lol) You would have to make sure to drop this basket off at the front desk, loudly, explaining that you just have to many good scents to decide for the good doc. "Gosh, maybe you ladies (or gents?) can help him decide." Don't forget to throw in somehow, "Oh gee...did I tell you I do corporate gift candles?":D But again, that is just me. I have done it before and the little bit-o-money I put into the basket yielded a lot in sales, repeat sales and yes, even a corporate gift account.

signbar.com is who I have always used. I just went there to make sure I had the right url and it took me to http://www.signstatements.com/signbar.php The good news is you can get 10% off! They say response time to receive proof is 15 mins, and lead time is 1 day. That leaves plenty of time for shipping and you should get it by Friday, esp if you upgrade shipping. I remember for one show at the last minute I wanted an extra sign...I think I designed it and uploaded it on a Tuesday and had it by Friday (I did upgrade shipping to make sure). I gave up on using the awning that came with my tent for the sign. It was heavy and any bit of wind would flop it down. My hubby made something with lightweight metal poles (conduit tubing? Did I even get that right? ) and I strap to the legs of my tent with zip ties. The poles have these l-joint looking things (I know my husband and most of you men are cringing right now because I am not using the proper tool technology) where I attach the pole up top that runs the length of my tent. The signs I get all have pole pockets at the top which I slide through my signs. I just assemble the sign, then raise it up and attach the poles to the tent. The added plus is that it raises the sign nice and high...definite attention grabber.

I have a 10% off code for Overnight good through October 15. The are the ONLY place I will send my stuff to...I have been continually impressed. Code is: L H 0 7 (it appears with spaces in the promo email, so not sure how that will work when you type it in). I am promising myself I will get my stuff ready by then to take advantage of the discount I need to tweak my business cards and get my brochures done...sigh. If only I had more than 5 minutes at a stretch at the puter, that would help. Who needs sleep, right?

I agree...replacing and getting the original back is a good idea. I have learned to pay very close attention to my customer's comments. I will admit that they are usually always positive comments, but a few years ago I got my first negative comment about a candle drowning out. I instantly thought "user error" until I got a second one...and then a third complaint. It was the beginning of a huge snafu, but those calls alerted me to a bad batch of wax. The whole fiasco ended up costing me (and many others) a LOT of money, but I am SO glad someone said something. By being alerted to it, I was able to pull all affected candles from stores and figure out what was going on. Now, i have had some real stupid customer comments, too. My favorite is the lady who BROKE her candle jar because she put it in a vice to get a tight lid off. No I wish I was kidding. Bottom line...take heed. It could be a case of a mistake on their part, but to me, peace of mind is totally worth it to replace a candle.

BCN is what my brain said...too bad my fingers did not cooperate.

BNC's Basil Sage and Mint is super strong in 100% soy. I tested FOH Tuscan Herb in my soy and it just did not do it for me. It was a beautiful scent, but just not a great throw.

Thanks guys...I will try them.

Hey all...who has the Rosemary Mint that is the closest dupe to Aveda. The one I use now is nice, but I really would like to get closer to the Aveda smell. Has to work in soy. Thanks!

Thank you so much guys! I appreciate it!

I agree...call your state's department of revenue. Most states have or are in the process of doing away with SS# based ID numbers for the very reason you stated. Check with them to see if they have alternate numbers or a way to protect yourself.

Two questions... At the request of one of my wholesale accnts I am adding my cyclo spray to my wholesale line. How do you handle samples for wholesale accounts? For example at my shows, I have a sample spray bottle for each scent that the customer can try. Do you offer your wholesale accounts a discounted bottle (I would use a label that specifically says "sample" so it could not be sold)? Or just let them handle it themselves, using one of the bottles they purchase as a sample? Or offer it for free and just build it into your cost? Also, I love the look of the exposed thread sprayer on the alum bottles at SW. http://store.scent-works.com/4ozbralimbo2.html I like the imperial style, too. My accnt said she likes them (better than the ones with the black or white spray caps) but was hoping to find 1) two sizes, both 4 and 8oz (SW only has 4), and 2) likes the idea of a cap on top. I explained that these come with a locking ring and cannot be sprayed, but she feels they are "unfinished" without a cap. I don't agree, but hey, she is the customer. I called SW and they were very nice and said that they could possible get the caps, but that it would be pretty expensive compared to the price of the bottles. So, does anyone know of: 1) avenue for the exposed thread aluminum imperial bottles with caps? 2) 8oz aluminum imperial bottles with caps? 3) or just a place where I can find the caps? 4) if 1:30 pm is too early to open a bottle of wine. Oh wait, that one just kind of slipped in there...sorry. As much as I like SW and their prices on these, I promised my wholesale accnt I would look into it. Thanks for you time!

I have been wanting to carry Tuberose for a while, but just never did look into it. Now I have had two requests from a couple of customers. One is specifically fond of the Trapp Tuberose. He said it is a straight Tuberose with nothing else added. I have not gotten out to try and sniff one yet. I did a search here and it seems that a lot of the ones suggested are Tuberose with other stuff. I also did not see mention of a Trapp dupe, nor did I find anything on the different fragrance finders I have bookmarked. any clues? Thanks!

Humph. I may be partial, but I thought the Texas group was pretty damn fun!!! I will put it on my calendar for next year. Kim has been wanting me to come up there, that will give me a year to save up. :highfive: I cannot wait to meet Miss Mystical, anyway.

Like I said, I really wanted it to work in my soy wax, but alas, it just does not. I may try another one increasing the oil percentage to 9% (this one was made at 8%, which is what I use for the majority of my candles) just to see what will happen.