Laura C

Wow, that's helpful and great to know you can get that done if needed. Thanks.

Oh no, oh no, I don't want to hear it, I can't take it. LOL! Waxes have gone through changes and now FOs too. Yikes! 🤣 😝

Yes, you are correct, 4625 is a pillar & tart wax. In my experience with it @Laila, I have made wax melts that have strong hot and cold throw so you would think a candle made with it would too. It more than likely wouldn't have great jar adhesion in a clear glass. I have also mixed it, I believe 50/50 with 4794 a votive & tart wax with success. As @TallTayl said you should try a wax made for container candles. You could mix the waxes if you wanted to experiment.

Hello @Onyx-uk, welcome to Craft Server, the place where the fun and learning begins. LOL

And @jmspgh, I speak from experience a very bad experience, do not do business with a logo company called Looka (formerly Logo Joy). They are terrible and lie and rip you off. They were great at first and lured me in and then wham, it all went down hill. It appears that after so many bad reviews and complaints they changed their name, not surprising. It amazes me that they are still in business. Once they got my money they would hardly give me the time of day and they never did give me what was promised and what I paid for. I did not get high quality files, they were low resolution and grainy.

Etsy.com and fiverr.com have some talented graphic artists at reasonable prices. Graphic arts college students may want to do work on the side to get experience.

Hi @jmspgh. For the business side of things which also includes social media info/how-to, lookup your local chamber of commerce and the Small Business Administration (SBA). They have lots of info and usually offer free webinars, etc. https://www.sba.gov/learning-center https://www.sba.gov/course/understanding-your-customer/ https://www.sba.gov/course/social-media-marketing/ https://www.sba.gov/course/sales-guide-small-business-owner/

Thanks, that's a great idea about product placements. 👍

Hi. Use an infrared thermometer gun.

This business is painful. 😩 As if the previous Soy Wax debacle wasn't enough, now we are getting hit with issues around the Corona Virus including the new trade deal with China. Wonder when the shortages and delays will be over. Looks like a bunch of American entrepreneurs need to start manufacturing businesses again and take over for China. Wish I could start a business that manufactures candle and soap making supplies.

LMAO, I tell you, some of you are comedians on here. I'm getting so tickled at some of these posts. This is great reading. Along with the humor there is also some wise words. 🕯️ I don't like Facebook for many reasons and try to avoid it but I especially avoid any candle groups after hearing comments on here, LOL.

Hi, did you list your jars for sale?

Wow, I hadn't even thought about it until now but it makes sense. With the corona virus pandemic so many people have started canning food for fear of shortages and fear of the unknown. Hopefully things will get back to normal soon. I sure miss the good ole' days. 😷

Hello @6WeekCure and welcome to Craft Server. I'm a candle maker but I know there are lots of soap makers on here and I'm sure they have lots of knowledge to share. Enjoy browsing the site. 😊 Some Helpful General Tidbits: If you don't know about this free software already then you should try it out https://www.soapinventory.com/, it's awesome. I use it cause it also works with candle information and is so helpful. Even thought it's free I give the guy period donations because I'm so thankful for the software and database. Shopping for supplies locally or near you to avoid high shipping costs - Suppliers By State

Hi @NicoleE. Here's my thoughts on it. I'm a perfectionist as I'm sure lots of us are (LOL) but after years of making candles I really try to not sweat the small stuff. I got hung up on that issue with soy candles for a few years and realized it's impossible to get rid of unless you lower your soy % and/or add other waxes or additives to it. Then you even open yourself up to other possible issues. LOL 😀 Candle Top Appearance: I don't have a problem with the way the candle tops look, I think they look fine. Lots of customers don't even notice or care about ripples, pitting or small cracks. Don't forget, that coconut wax does have soy in it and those are natural characteristics of soy wax and I would market it as such. It appears that candle tops and wax melts don't "have" to be blemish free to be big sellers. Have you seen some of the stuff at department stores and big box stores? Not all of those have smooth or level tops. Candle Performance: For me the performance of the candle is more important than minor blemishes. Did that candle burn safe, clean, even and have strong hot and cold throw? Have you asked any friends or family what they think? I'd say "look at these candles I made, what do you think?" Don't point out any flaws or anything about them before hand, just see what they notice. That can be interesting.

I have used some people on Etsy and fiverr.com for graphic work and have been happy with it. Unfortunately the lady I was using on Etsy retired, she was really good but there are several artists on there. The artists I used on fiverr went by the name Kagosage, if he is still on there, he was good.

I'm excited about this thread, there's some good ideas and questions here. Just so happens I have been thinking about partnering with a local artist here in my area to do future arts & crafts shows and link to each others sites, looks like some of the Christmas ones will still happen where I'm at. I have been attending free webinars for small business through my chamber of commerce. I noticed a local lady on the webinar that sells bath & body products, doesn't look like she sells candles and wax melts, so I'm thinking about contacting her to see if she would share a booth with me. Never know, she could be thinking the same thing. If anything comes of it I'll let you all know.

The "dungeon", LOL, sounds like it's fun down there with all those wonderful molds. I'll be the first to admit, I'm a scent and mold junkie. 😄

@MilosCandles that's an awesome story, so glad you have been enjoying your journey. 👏 It's an inspiring story and interesting to hear about the changes you have gone through in order to get where you are today. Congratulations! 🎉

The updated site looks great @TallTayl 👍 and I like the candle image background.

Hi. I too have had misc. problems when it comes to printing product labels whether it's alignment, crispness or proper colors. It can be really frustrating and time consuming. Here's some general things to consider and keep in mind for both laser jet and inkjet printers. - To avoid curling or peeling labels when printing, use the tray that shoots the label sheets straight through and keeps the sheet flat and don't use the tray that bends the label sheet. - For crisper prints, periodically running the printer's maintenance tools will help. - To get the most accurate color results all the devices in your workflow need to be color calibrated with the same color profile, your monitor, printer, etc. - I believe most inkjet printers only use the small ink cartridges that can be expensive and not last very long, especially when printing in color. Whereas laser jets use the huge ink cartridges that are not as expensive and last alot longer. Something to consider when calculating long term usage and costs. - Also, be aware of generic ink or ink that is too cheap to believe, maybe not all of them but do your research and read the reviews. They can be junk or cause the ink cartridge sensor in the printer to malfunction.

You must have fixed it. Colors look fine now and look nice. I see black, white, grey and blue.

Wow, $40 for a single bar of soap, I'm in the wrong business. I need to sell soap instead of candles. LOL. No matter how good it smells, I don't think I could force myself to buy a soap that expensive. But I agree, I'd love to be able to sell a bar of soap for $40 dollars. LOL. 😄 🧼

I have not tried that new coconut wax but I'm curious about myself. Maybe someone has and will share info with us.

Hi @jmspgh. When I'm done with a test candle and want to reuse the jar, I too will remove the wax and use it on a wax melter or use it to make fire starters. If I have not attached a wick with a metal tab, I pull the wick out then pop it in the microwave for a few minutes to get it soft or runny, scoop the wax out and wash the jar. If it does have a wick attached with a metal tab then I boil it in water a few minutes on the stove in a big, deep frying pan. These methods work well for me.