Peggy T

It's a bit late in the season for my question but I'm curious anyway. I sell online and at various events in the fall/holiday time. For folks who sell at events (craft markets, etc), how do you package it up when someone buys one? I've always just wrapped mine in colored tissue paper with the goal that it have some protection and doesn't clink with other candles. But it doesn't look all that nice. I used to use boxes but they weren't all that sturdy and when I was shipping orders I'd have to wrap them in bubble wrap before I put them in the box which kind of defeated the purpose of the box in the first place. I'd like to come up with something that is protective but attractive and doesn't cost a lot. Bonus points for being able to do it quickly at an in-person event. I consulted ye old oracle (google/you tube) but all I saw were folks using boxes or doing a "pleated top" wrap which is certainly can't do at a busy show. lol Thanks

Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback on how to reply. I think a lot of her hesitation is related to being a nervous, first-time mom. I was certainly that way when I had my first child 800 years ago. 😂 This is probably one of those instances where Google does not help allay any worries. I will incorporate some of y’all’s suggestions into my email response.

A customer bought one of my candles (464 & coco 83 blend) for who daughter who has a newborn baby. The daughter wants to know if the wax is organic. It's not, and I will tell her that but I don't think that's really her question. What I'm sure she's really asking is, "is this safe to have around my baby?" It's her first kid. I'd like to be able to respond with something a bit more useful that no, it's not organic. For one thing, I don't know if you can even GET organic wax. And then with the additives, fragrance oil etc, I seriously doubt ANY candle is truly organic. In over 10 years of making candles, I've never had someone ask if my candle is organic. So I guess my question is: if someone asked you if your candle is organic or if it was safe to be around babies, what would you say? Thanks

I've ordered quite a bit from AFI because they are local to me and I can pick up at their facility. Most of the fragrances I gave gotten from them are good quality. I know for a fact they make some of the fragrances that The Flaming Candle sells (both are metro Atlanta area).

Thanks!

I have beeswax I can test. When I've tried it using it before, I found it a bit temperamental; nothing is straightforward with candle making...What % would you suggest I start with? I'm thinking super low (less than 3%).

I have no idea. I'm in a major hub and the order will also go to a major hub so I hope it will go by air and then to a warehouse...But once it's on the ground in Dhaka, all bets are off. 😁

What additive might I consider in the future? Thanks!

Leave for a day and there are a lot of responses to catch up on... @ErronB & @TallTayl Re: wax formulation. In retrospect yes, it would have made sense to do that. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. My particular blend is reasonably heat-tolerant and I've usually been able to manage summer issues by shipping M-W. I just never expected to get an order, in summer to Bangladesh. I am limited by shipping to USPS because this is going via diplomatic mail. So no FedEx or UPS. I'm going to do some research and see if I can learn more about how exactly dip mail works (ie--is it going to sit on the tarmac for days or will it be warehoused). I'm prob also going to tell the customer that I can't guarantee it won't melt on route. I lived overseas with the US govt for a number of years, so I know folks rely heavily on diplomatic mail bc you can order things without paying int'l postage. She should understand that while it's a great benefit, it has limitations too...🤞

I wasn't sure if I should put this question here or in the Business board but since this is a time limited question, I thought this might be the better spot. During the summer I take extra steps to ship an order (ship on Monday or Tuesday, thermal bubble wrap, ice pack). However...I just got an order from a DPO/APO address (diplomatic mail) going to Bangladesh. Oof. I have no idea how long it will take to get there. It could be as little as a week but also could be longer. I so rarely get DPO/FPO orders that this never even crossed my mind. DPO addresses go to Dulles, VA so getting there will be fast (I'm in Georgia) but after that I don't know. Any tips...? Any folks here who ship internationally? Thanks!

Thank you both for the feedback. I just remembered I have a bit of Aztec's new(ish) soy, coco and beeswax blend. I might give that a try too. Heck I haven't even tried it on candles....

Currently I get my Rosemary Mint FO from AFI. I don't love it, but it's convenient to me, affordable and I can order 10# at a time. My issues are the scent is a bit light, it sometimes has a fuel scent, and most annoyingly, it will discolor the wax to yellow over time. I really don't understand the discoloration issue since the FO itself is clear but it is a problem for my wholesale customers who don't want a yellow candles on their shelves. AFI has SO many Rosemary Mint fragrances that it's hard to weed through them all. Does anyone know of a good Rosemary Mint that might help with the above issues. Brownie points if they're from TFC or AFI. Thanks y'all! EDIT--When you look on AFI's website they only show 2 RM FOs but when I went to their facility (so interesting if you ever can) they brought out tons.

I have a lot of extra wax laying around and am wondering if I can use them for wax tarts. However, none are paraffin. My point would be to use some of the extra wax I already have--not buy any more.😆 I have: 464 Coco 83 Easy Beads Millennium Soy 100% Midwest Soy C-6 Beeswax Is it possible to blend these into a good tart? I know they are mostly primarily designed as container waxes and would therefore be difficult to get from the clamshell. Could I add a bit of beeswax to harden it up? I don't use wax tarts personally so I don't know much about them. Thanks

Updated Update: They responded to my DM yesterday and promised to send a replacement ASAP. So I give them props for (hopefully) resolving that quickly. I'm still not crazy about a number of their practices (slow order fulfillment, no phone number contact, and inability to review products) but I do appreciate their messaging me quickly after I complained.

UPDATE: Well, my order finally arrived 4 weeks after placing it. And.....it is missing one of the fragrances. And...it was the ONE fragrance I needed. I am so annoyed. Does anyone know their phone number? It's not anywhere on their website. Ugh.