SliverOfWax

There really is absolutely nothing you can do about those people. They are everywhere. It doesn't matter if it's candles or jewelry or baby bibs. Someone is always trying their hand at making and selling something, and by this time next year, they'll be off on other projects. To try to compete with their prices will drive you crazy. It's important to tell potential customers why your candles are the best. You can do that without dissing the other person. I'm glad I don't do craft shows anymore. To answer you, Holly, yes, I have a store in a local historic mall. I have my candles and B&B, plus Dept. 56, Just The Right Shoe, I trying to get a hand-made quilt inventory built up, and I've started making the Starbella scarves some of us were talking about in the craft section. Just a bunch of stuff, and I'm always looking for something new to make, like purses, belts, something. I thought I would have time to make more stuff when I retired, but the older I get, the slower I move.

I don't typically open teaser threads where the title doesn't define the subject, but since I did open this one, not only have I not burned candles at public functions, but I've gone around blowing out lit candles or asking management to put them out. When I was doing shows, I carried Victoria's Secret spray perfume and sprayed a little around every so often. I used to do probably close to 50% types and could steer people to the scent I had just sprayed. Now that I have a store, I keep wickless candles on warmers. I randomly choose the scent. Just whatever I grab.

Sounds like you rescued Clyde from a not-so-good situation. I can't imagine the work and expense treating an ailing Clydesdale. Goodness, dogs are hard enough. I know what you mean about tears of joy. I recently figured out how to burn YouTube videos and I've burned a bunch of short Clydesdale and Budweiser videos to watch when I'm at my store. Sometimes I have to stop watching for fear a customer will come in and I'll have to explain why I have tears on my cheeks. I could watch Budweiser Clydesdales all day. There's absolutely nothing better than the original Budweiser commercial, imo. I shouldn't get started on this. I'll spend the entire day poking around, lol.

BTW, Holly, look at this. I have a ton of these saved, but I think this is my favorite:

Have you considered wickless candles in something like a tureen jar? I added wickless about 6 or so years ago, thinking I would have to spend all my time explaining why the things didn't have wicks. That was not the case. They took off like crazy and far outsold candles with wicks. As of now, it's about 50/50, but people who have already bought the hotplate warmers, which I also sell, love their wickless candles. And really, there's no testing involved, to speak of. You know when the concoction is in the pour pot whether it's gonna throw. I tested only for purposes of having an idea how long the scent would last, much like testing tarts, but since there are so many variables (wattage of warmer, air movement in room, etc), even that testing was just for my own amusement. I made most of my wickless in 6 oz tureens. They hold a little over 4 oz when poured to the neck. In the beginning I used 4 oz masons. Both sell for $8. Wickless is just a suggestion if you want to pound them out in a hurry.

My best advice to you, Holly, is to do your best to ignore those who sell for practically nothing. They probably won't be around next week or next year. Or it's just a little hobby they indulge in because someone else pays the living expenses, i.e., husband or government entitlement check. I'm convinced most crafters who sell have no idea how to figure their costs. I've seen people ask questions such as wondering if they should include shipping charges on wax or jar delivery in the cost. Those who can't figure their costs, including labor, electricity, etc, will never be profitable and are not my competition, thankfully. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't undercut yourself. For me, my repeat customers allowed me to keep my prices above those who were here today, gone tomorrow.

No idea, but those are very nice. I especially love the filagree beads.

Like Holly said, it happens, no matter who made the candle. Any customer who has ever burned a candle before will know this. It's neither ugly nor pretty. It is what it is and it's nothing to worry about.

Hawaii and weddings. I don't care for Jasmine at all. Firstly, it smells like dirty feet. Secondly, it's way too strong. I renamed Jasmine 'Wedding Day'. I keep a handful named 'Jasmine' around for those who specifically request Jasmine.

There are EXCELLENT soapers here. Hopefully, they will contact you. I'm not inclined to list some I've used for fear of inadvertently leaving out a name or two. I will say I've used lots of soap from at least a half dozen soapers here and every single bar has been 100% wonderful.

And I, too, agree with what others have said. For lack of a better way of putting it, double wicking seems to produce a 'better' fmp. I realize a fmp should be just that: a fmp. But all fmps are not created equal.

A little update on brand differences: I've finished one with Starbella. It was easy to work with. I used every loop. Crap, I accidentally hit 'enter'. Onward and forward: I've about 1/2 finished one with Red Heart Sashay. The guy in the video was correct: use every other loop. The loops are closer together. The Shashay is flimsier and the yarn more prone to split. However, for reasons I can't figure out, the Sashay is finishing up thicker. It must be because I'm using every other loop. In the finished Starbella, I can feel the 'spine' running down the middle. With the Sashay, I can't. Perhaps the Sashay is thicker yarn to begin with, but it doesn't seem like it is. Most colors of Sashay are out of stock at knitting warehouse. In spite of the fact that it's a little more difficult to work with than Starbella, I wouldn't hesitate to buy more. I like both of them OK. There are definite differences. The Sashay is about $1.50/skein cheaper.

Yep. I did consignment once, many years ago. The store owner moved my display of candles to the west side of the store in front of a window. In the summer. I vowed to never do consigmnent again and never have. Once was more than enough.

I'm going with your friend. Not everything you see on the internet is true. In fact, most of it isn't.

OMG, I love this! Here's a pattern you can download. http://www.premieryarns.com/patterns.php?id=266

Well, I started my first one today. Worked on it for about 3 hours and it's only about half finished. It will go faster as I develop my habits. It takes longer to pull apart the yarn that the actual knitting. Sure is fun. I'll make a ton of these. If anybody sees a hat pattern using this yarn, please post it. Matching hats would be awesome!

Check Bittercreek North for the old BnL scents and see if they have that one. It was the best, bar none. I still have a couple of candles I made at least 5 or 6 years ago (from back before BnL went out of business) and they are still as good as they were the day I made them.

I would be there in a booth with bells on my toes. But...when I was doing shows, I never turned one down. People piss and moan about not being able to find venues to sell their products. Shows are everywhere. This is a prime example of thinking outside of the box. I would probably change the names of some of my scents to go with the theme of the show. I would have huge fun with it.

Assuming you're talking about Brenda, her very elderly parents were not well and suffered terrible damage in a hurricane. Last I knew, she went to care for them. As far as I know, she doesn't post on any fragrance or associated forums. I would take that to mean she possibly doesn't want to be contacted.

I wouldn't touch an outdoor show with a 10' pole, but that's just me. There are many threads here about tents blowing down, candles melting, labels getting dirty and ruined, and so forth. That's not for me, but a lot of people do them.

Federal law gives sellers 30+ days to get the product into the hands of the buyer. Nowhere is it written that they must become your pen pal.

She has always been nutty. Let's just say her CS skills are pretty much non-existent. She has some cool products. I've never used her FO, although it was tempting. She has very unique packaging stuff. After a couple of orders, I pretty much decided I could do without. Good luck!

I'm gonna have to find a hat pattern with this yarn.

I was looking at the Red Heart video. He uses Size 9 needles and knits every other loop. Since the loops are built into the yarn, I can see where the needle size wouldn't matter. He was complaining that the needles he was using were too long, so since I'll have to buy needles, I think I'll try some short (6") bamboo needles, which I've never even heard of before, lol. Oh, and the Red Heart at knitting warehouse is $3.99/skein. There doesn't seem to be as good a selection of Red Heart, though. He gets scarves a foot longer with Red Heart than with other brands. He does 6 stitches per row, using every other loop.

Yeah, well, consider yourself on IGNORE! That's the only way I have to save myself from you!!! This place has decent prices on Starbella, and the shipping is reasonable. I've ordered from them before and was satisfied. http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/yarn-deborahnorville-starbella.html I'll probably get a skein at JoAnn's next week and if I like it making them, which I know I will, I'll load up my knitting warehouse cart.