SliverOfWax

You should figure a minimum of twice your entry fee to even break even. That might cover the cost of supplies and entry fee. If you have to drive far, it won't cover other costs, such as gas and time. Like Meridith said, even a bad show can turn out to be good exposure, depending on what comes from it in repeat customers and possible wholesale. But to sell $500 at a $300 show isn't something I would plan on doing next year. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

I agree with this statement 100%+. Which, of course, is my point. It somewhat contradicts the rest of your post. Having done shows for well over 10 years, some years every weekend, some shows juried, some not, some shows huge, small quite small, I've seen much "competition" come and go. Those who book juried shows are generally much different than those booking spaces at a Crafter's Mall. There is a greater emphasis on quality. Crafter's Malls are often owned by a group of investors who never set foot in the mall and they leave the renting of spaces to minimum wage or volunteer employees who work in exchange for free space. I've seen everything from Ty Beanie Babies to high quality candles at Crafter's Malls. Of course I've seen the same thing at so-called "craft" shows, too, unfortuntely, lol. But we're not talking about craft shows. We're talking about permanent placement in a fairly small store where variety will keep people coming in week after week. In large shopping malls, you will generally find Victoria's Secret on the opposite end and far away from Bath & Body Works. There's a reason for that and without question, a high degree of professional marketing skills is responsible for that decision. Fifty vendors is a small group, and a small space can only hold so much scented product, no matter how differently it is packaged or displayed. If I were the other soaper, I would be wondering if management realized that. I would definitely let management know how I felt. It has nothing to do with so-called "pissing and moaning". I notice one person posting to this thread was unable to keep her store running for more than a few months. This is not a marketing opinion I would place value in. Those with a long and successful track record in this industry would know the benefits and pitfalls of the topic of this thread. An opinion from someone who has done this for years, as you have, SherriLynn, is a valid opinion and I respect it. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

It may not be a problem for you as a shopper but it's one hell of a problem for the vendors. Owners of these stores, as well as people who book shows, often don't seem to realize that having a lot of scents mingling can be very destructive when a potential customer is sniffing the wares. Scented products in close proximity can result in sensory confusion and overload, especially if one of the vendors has product uncovered or worse, burning. The fact that one product is somewhat different than another makes no difference. One vendor might have pillars while the other has containers. The public only sees candles. One vendor might have cold process soap while the other has melt & pour. The public only sees soap. To assume the person doing the booking knows best is ridiculous. They are booking spaces. They don't know one scented product from another in most cases. When booking shows/spaces at malls, one of the first questions a potential vendor should ask is, "how many other (candlemakers/soapers/whatevers) are there?" and if there are others, "how much space will there be between us?" The same should go for jewelry, purses, etc. Too much of a good thing is a very bad thing from a vendor's perspective. We often see complaints here about someone having done a show where there were umpteen other candlemakers. The complaints are valid.

All the information you could possibly need, including the email addy, is in this thread. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Good Grief, you were just starting to make candles a couple of weeks ago and hadn't even figured out who suppliers were. Now you want to sell? To people who make their own candles? You've got to be kidding. http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55105 Slow down. You've got a long way to go before you start selling. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Whatever that fluffy featherduster thing is in the back, I would take it out. It overwhelms the candles. If you must put something extra in the picture, go for something small and simple. The fabric looks nice and the candles look nice, except it looks like the bottom left one is over the edge of the box under the fabric. I think the top row would look better if the votives were on the outside and the jars on the inside. Good job cropping. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Sometimes I use CD, sometimes I use HTP, sometimes I use LX. You'll just have to do what I and many others do. Test and make that determination based on your formula and your requirements. Sorry to be so vague. That's just the way it is. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Two weeks is hardly a long time. If you know you need something by a specific time, perhaps ordering sooner would alleviate your stress. Your comment indicates you knew ahead of time that you needed the containers by a certain time. It's not a good idea to wait to place an order you know you need. Some suppliers don't send confirmation emails. By federal law, any company has 30 days to ship. That said, she's not noted to be a fast shipper. It seems you already knew that. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Absolutely. I have found anything much bigger than an 8 oz can cause a chimney effect, especially noticeable as you reach the end of your test candle. The 8 oz are perfect. Many people use them. Good price and with no shipping, lucky you! Stock up and buy all they have. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Might I suggest a search. No, it doesn't mean 3 different scents. It has been discussed here for years. It might be a marketing ploy. It doesn't matter if it works and those people are being honest. And it DOES seems to work for a lot of people. I am not one of those people. If you use good FO, you don't have to use that much FO. Years ago. 1/2 oz/lb was the industry standard. Straight unblended paraffins were typically used and the wax only held that much FO. As waxes changed (for the better) people started using more scent. Do the math. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

I'm not sure where you got the idea that triple scented is 3 oz/lb. That's not what it means. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Candles put out more heat than you might think. Some years back, some company, Wal-Mart perhaps, put out a Life Saver candle for motorists to carry in their cars in case they landed headfirst into a snowdrift with no help in sight. I didn't try one, but did consider making them for my customers. The problem was I couldn't get past making a bunch of boring, unscented candles, so I abandoned the idea. Plus I figured the flame would eat up all the oxygen and they would probably die anyway, but at least they wouldn't freeze to death. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Candles should be tested in the approximate conditions under which the consumer will burn them. Unless you're testing Citronella, outside under a tree probably isn't such a good idea. If you are selling your candles primarily in the winter, your testing conditions must emulate those same conditions. Candles burn differently at different ambient temperatures. What you use for a wick in the summer will most likely not work as well for winter burning. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Vanilla Bean and Vanilla Bean Noel™ (B&BW Type) are two entirely different scents. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

I've tried 3 or 4 over the years. None, absolutely none compares to Wendy's. Wendy is not a supplier. She occasionally does private prebuys. She isn't allowed to do them on this forum. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

http://www.wildfire-creations.com/ It's an awesome scent. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

I guess that makes two of you who are in breach of contract, then. MORAL: Never promise something you don't have available to give. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

A lot of suppliers carry the Philosophy type Grace series: Amazing Grace, Baby Grace, etc. I have found them to be lovely but light. Also, JLO Glow is light to me. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

Starting a business is probably the last thing she should be concerned with. lol No, of course you don't decorate a tester. Decorations are for packaging purposes only. IMO, you test everything yourself. Make sure your own house doesn't burn down before you put your product in someone else's home. Slow down. You've got a long road ahead of you. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

I'm curious. How can it matter when you remove the wax from the box as to how much you spill? Whether soy, beeswax, paraffin, whatever wax I'm using, the box it came in is fine for storing. That's pretty much what the box is for. I'm hoping this post of mine takes this thread to Page 3. Who knew? www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

IMO, this is on the same level, tacky, ugly, and just plain stupid, as Tom Cruise and Suri's first poop. And before people get in a snit, I DID say IMO. I've got enough scented wax splatters on the counter where I pour. I sure don't need a dirt-collecting glob of it sitting in the shitter. I would be embarrassed to offer it for sale. What's next? Scented wax coated tampons? IMO.

LMAO, I'm off to grab this name before someone else beats me to it!

lol is all I can think of. I'm trying to think of what I could say on my site to keep up. lmfsao. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com

I'm wondering why those with websites, including some who have posted to this thread, still have soy myths posted on their sites. Anybody have any ideals about that?

I'm with BigCat. I wouldn't even consider single wicking a jar like that. Very nice jar, btw, especially with the rust lids. HTP wicks are recommended by pretty much every supplier for Comfort Blend. Comfort Blend is neither translucent nor transparent in any way. For wax that emits a glow, try IGI 1343. It's not commonly used for containers, but certainly can be. It is often used for the overpour with chunk candles, which allows the chunks to show through when the candle is burning. It gives a nice glow. You will have to play around with it and do at least one, probably two, overpours. You will need to keep the wick taut as the candle sets up. It can be a pain to work with when used without additives, but if you're looking for a glow, that's what you'll get with 1343. www.StuffSunshineLikes.com