VerticallyEnhanced

Here is the finished front of the card/birthday invite. It is a folded greeting card style with the party info on the inside. The party is at a ceramic shop, hence the paint.

Here is the effect with the dripping paint. It is a low quality resolution because the file was so big. When I am through with the whole thing I will share a copy...happy with the way it is turning out. :-)

I am still playing with it...I will post the finished version. :-)

I love adobe products and use photoshop and illustrator for SO much print design stuff that I do. With that said, i have been using it for about seven years now and I STILL don't know all it has to offer. The good thing is that 99% of companies out there that work with graphic design stuff (i.e. you upload your own artwork or email it to them) can accept (and usually prefer) files created in photoshop/illustrator. You can always save it as a good ole jpg, too. There is a line of books called Sams, teache yourself "X" in 24 hours. I hunkered down with the photoshop and illustrator books one weekend when I was first starting out. The photoshop "wow" books are great, too. Another thing I do is when I am trying to figure something out, I just goole phototoshop tutorials. For example, I am designing my daughter's birthday invites and wanted to do her name and make it look like paint dripping off of it. I googled "photoshop tutorials dripping text" and found this: http://www.photoshop-dragon.com/Tutorials/Text_Effects/Dripping_Blood_Text.htm (blood, paint...it will work. ) Another great thing is that Adobe is always offering traveling tours. Some are free and some have a nominal cost. I have done several and even the ones you have to pay for give you SO much in return. Not only in the info presented, but all the goodies you get. I think they have them listed on their website. Anyway, time consuming to learn and lots to learn, but the are some amazingly cool products that can do so much to make you labels and other print items pop and look very professional.

Very nice! Did you check on the trademark on the Mandles? I was going to carry those several years ago and they were trademarked, so I had to scrap it. It could have expired by now.

I had a power inverter that I hooked up to a cheap car battery. It would run my cash register all day and then lights at night. I could use it for three day shows without losing juice. Then I would stick the car battery on a battery charger before each show. Can be a tad expensive, but if you typically pay for electricity at shows, it will pay for itself quickly.

I never said I used only 6%. I said "I have tried it with every FO load combo and wick combo I knew, and could not get it to work in soy." That included 12%.

Someone recommended this one for me, and I have tried it with every FO load combo and wick combo I knew, and could not get it to work in soy. I use 415 and there was a tiny bit of a throw, but not enough to make the cut for me. I have many people who also test my candles when I need an outside opinion. All said the same on this one, not strong enough.

How is your shoulder holding up? I have my first show in a few weeks...always a kick butt show, so I am crossing my fingers. I don't know what it is about this show...the weather always sucks at some point of the show. You set up Friday (they have live music playing too) and the show is Saturday and Sunday. As long as I can remember there has always been a storm that comes through on Friday night late. The kind where you walk up the next morning with your eyes covered to see if you tent is still there on Saturday. Last year there was a freaking tornado while we were setting up on Friday night. I saw all these folks (from the concert) hauling butt down the sidewalk. I finally asked what was going on and someone said "They are evacuating us to the shelter in city hall...there is a tornado. Sure enough I come out of my tent and the sky was green! Yikes! Luckily the thing went right around the downtown square. Saturday was perfect and Sunday was hidious. Tons of rain Saturday night and the temps dropped and the wind was about 20-30 mph. ANYWAY.... I am glad you did okay. I am crossing my fingers on mine. Each year when I think I won't do well because of the economy (last year it was gas and corn prices all over the media) I surprise myself.

How is your shoulder holding up? I have my first show in a few weeks...always a kick butt show, so I am crossing my fingers. I don't know what it is about this show...the weather always sucks at some point of the show. You set up Friday (they have live music playing too) and the show is Saturday and Sunday. As long as I can remember there has always been a storm that comes through on Friday night late. The kind where you walk up the next morning with your eyes covered to see if you tent is still there on Saturday. Last year there was a freaking tornado while we were setting up on Friday night. I saw all these folks (from the concert) hauling butt down the sidewalk. I finally asked what was going on and someone said "They are evacuating us to the shelter in city hall...there is a tornado. Sure enough I come out of my tent and the sky was green! Yikes! Luckily the thing went right around the downtown square. Saturday was perfect and Sunday was hidious. Tons of rain Saturday night and the temps dropped and the wind was about 20-30 mph. ANYWAY.... I am glad you did okay. I am crossing my fingers on mine. Each year when I think I won't do well because of the economy (last year it was gas and corn prices all over the media) I surprise myself.

It could be just her, too. Tyler is very picky where they place their candles and they may have turned her down on a wholesale account. She may have just gone and bought them herself.

It could be just her, too. Tyler is very picky where they place their candles and they may have turned her down on a wholesale account. She may have just gone and bought them herself.

So Fallen Leaf is a dupe of Leaves from BBW? I don't think it is rainkissed leaves. The customer said it was a limited time fragrance and she cannot find it anymore.

I just got a call from a great customer wanting a dupe of this. I really want to try to find it for her...she buys a case of creme brulee each month, so I know if I could get this one nailed for her, she would buy it. Has anyone heard of it? I have checked all of the suppliers that I know are notorious for BBW scents, but no dice.

It has been quite a while since I have tried it (over five years??) but it was a perfect match. I use soy, though, and I could not get it to throw at all. I have tried several, and never gotten a good throw.

Are these OOB reviews?

If you are really bored, you can read about the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board. http://www.streamlinedsalestax.org/ Basically there were two supreme court cases (I think two) that spurred a move to try and put an end to this state-to-state-to-state-to-state difference in different sales tax laws and rules. A lot is similar state to state (i.e. most states tax the sale of tangible personal property like candles), but so much is vastly different (manufacturing rules, interstate telecommunications, etc.). While the supreme court agreed that existing differences proved too complicated for businesses without "physical prescences" in states in which they sell, they also said Congress has the authority to allow states to require remote sellers to collect tax. That is what is trying to take place now. To date just over 20 states have adopted streamline measures and I know many of the remaining states are moving to do so. It would be very helpful because not only would rules/laws be the same (what is taxable and what is not), but definitions would also be the same. For example, one state may call something "durable medical equipment" and another state may call it "orthopedic device." Anyway, not overly exciting to most, but if all states could come on board with the streamlining, it would make life much easier on those who sell across state lines if this comes to fruition. The good news is that for those worried about keeping track of different state's laws, rules, rates, etc. and filing taxes with their offices, there are companies called certified service providers that you can enroll with which do the calculations for you. I think it is free for states that are a member of the streamlined sales tax...not 100% sure. http://www.streamlinedsalestax.org/certified%20service%20provider.htm I would think if this federal regulation comes to be, there would have to be something offered to all businesses. Of course, "I think the government should" is kind of laughable sometimes, huh?

Lucky you had your permit, or lucky they did not check on you? lol... Just remember that by law (at least in Texas) if your prices include tax, you must state that in writing somewhere. I did not see it on your site.

IG, I have to laugh becuase you just gave me a mild panic attack reading through this post. I am literally sitting here getting ready to install QB on my Mac. I am wondering if I should take it back and stick with my excel spreadsheets. Nah, I will just ask you for help.

Just curious, but in which part of the market was your booth?

So where will you be making the candles?

Dead giveaway to me. If they cannot compose an email using correct spelling/grammar, it hits the delete folder.

I have probably mentioned this a few times. I think it would be hysterical if someone would do a documentary about craft shows. Especially those that are a monthly gig that have a lot of regs. They could film over the course of a year. I do a show which is a monthly show, but I only do it in December. I have been doing it for several years. There is a lady there who sells roasted nuts and everyone calls her "the nut lady" because she is just flat out crazy! I actually look forward to the nut lady's shenanigans. That same show is just a peyton place. There is one gal who gives me the scoop every December...who has slept with whom, who got in fights with whom, who got kicked out, etc. It cracks me up!

Okay, I almost had a mild panic attack just seeing how many boxes you had to deliver! You rock...plain and simple! Makes my itty bitty fundraiser look kind of sad.

What kind of wax are you using? Could it be a new batch that is burning differently?