Suzanne

For the state sales tax ID, you need to contact your state's treasury dept. You should be able to find it on at your state's website.

Hi Judy, Here's the link to the irs site: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html You'll find the answers to all your questions there. And I don't think it costs anything for the EIN. If you have any more questions that you can't find the answer, just ask and I'll help you.

The federal is the EIN (employer identification number) from the IRS. You don't need this unless you are paying employees or paying yourself as an employee. In Michigan, if you get the EIN first, then the state tax ID just adds a couple of letters in front of that. (makes paperworker easier i suppose) And if you don't have an EIN, Michigan usually uses your SS#. I would suggest getting an EIN first, just takes a phonecall, then apply for your State Tax ID. Edited to add: EIN is a federal tax number. It's what is used to pay fed taxes that employers have to pay.

Same here!!

Thanks for sharing Donita. I purchased some hurricane wax from the classifieds months ago and still haven't attempted to make one. But a tutorial like that is my kind of thing!!!

I think this has been discussed a few times on here in the past. If I remember right, if Disney doesn't come after you, you're ok. But I believe if they did come after you, they'd tell you to stop making and selling whatever it is you're selling that is associated with them if you haven't got permission from them to do so. And you would have to stop selling it immediately or they would be able to sue you. Personally, I wouldn't use anything that's trademarked liked that.

Here's the Properties of Fats Spreadsheet and Description of Fatty Acid Properties

With just cyclo and FO, no perservative is needed. I'm not sure about shipping I haven't heard it can't be sent by air either.

Hi there and welcome. What do you mean scent bleeding? Is the fo seeping to the top of the candle? What is the percentage of fo you are using? It might be to much fo. Or it might be the fo isn't binding with the wax. At what temperature are you adding the fo? I used this wax for a brief period, so I can try to help.

The following is excerpted from The Dermatology Times article titled ‘Silicones in Cosmetics’: ‘“Ingredients such as dimethicone, amodimethicone, and cyclomethicone are rapidly being incorporated into so-called oil-free facial moisturizers and foundations to replace the more occlusive types of oils, and the benefits they offer have been revolutionary,” said Dr. Draelos. “The silicone-based derivatives cause minimal irritation, are hypoallergenic, and are neither comedogenic nor acnegenic. Furthermore, their use is associated with a better cosmetic appearance because they don’t leave the face with a greasy shine, and they can help smooth down the scale around acne lesions as well,” she said. Here's some info I researched in the past about the cyclo. It isn't greasy! And it's not nasty! For a room/linen spray I would make sure your customers know a little bit goes a long way. It's not the same kind of spray as the commerical ones.

Maybe it depends where you get it. All the cyclomethicone I've ever used has a very silky feel when sprayed. I've been very satisified and my customers love it. And it's very easy to mix. I love the stuff! Stephanie, you'll probably have to try the different ways and see what works best for you. Suppliers might have the option to get a sample size of the cyclo, not sure.

I use cyclo and FO. The cyclomethicone (silicone) is like a dry oil. If you spray some on your arm or where ever, you'll see what I mean. It's not oily or greasy but actually feels very silky. I make body sprays and room fresheners/linen sprays with this. The cyclo won't stain or moisten fabrics or linens like other mixtures can.

LOL Sorry Bruce, but it's not that easy. That's why there are accountants. Edited to add for Stacy: If the fair market value of your non-cash donation/contribution is less than $500 you don't have to include an additional form with your taxes.

Sorry Bruce but I'm afraid you've been misinformed. I don't really want to tell you what to do but you can't expect a candle supplier to be able to inform you properly unless of course, they are also an accountant. Taxes and accounting isn't something anyone can pick up on and everyone or every company does it the same way. There are many laws and regulations and such that accountants have to follow and inform their clients on. Donations is always a big issue as this changes all the time. I can't just tell you how to do it without looking at all the factors. If you use an accountant (and you should) to do your taxes they'd be able to tell you. But it's not just a simple issue. You can always send me your books and I can take a look at them and tell you exactly how to handle it, but I'd have to charge you.

Actually, you won't be deducting it twice. Without getting into to much detail so it's easier to understand, when you make a product, your inventory and raw materials accounts are adjusted. You don't "deduct" something on your taxes. Donations are deductable as long as they are within certain federal and state guidelines.

As long as you don't recieve anything in return for the donation it is considered a donation. What I mean is, if you get something like a discount, gift certificate or anything at all for donating it's not a donation. Keep a record of it for when you do your taxes. HTH

Daisy it would depend on what you plan on doing with the product you are discontinuing. As long as you still have it, it is still part of your physical inventory. However, you can transfer it to another account depending on how you do books.

I'm with CranberryGirl on this one. I make firestarters with all my extra wax. With the constant testing I do and have done, I'll never run out of wax for my firestarters. I mix all of it together, different colors, scents or whatever when making them.

On something like that, make sure you don't cut yourself short like others have said. Once you have an agreement you won't want to have to ask for a higher price per item a month or two down the road. It's easier to give them a discount in the future but it's much harder to negotiate (and get) a higher price after the deal is made and realize the actual cost. Good luck!

Hello Jennifer and welcome to the board!

Thanks for the info. There goes that idea.

I tried some searching and couldn't find a supplier either or more info about them. I only found places that sell them. Please post anything you find and i'll do the same.

Those are really interesting. Does anyone know if they would work with soy wax? Any suppliers carry the wood wicks? I think this just gave me an idea of something new to test this year.

In the gallery here, there's a lot of good ideas people have shared for their packaging. You can also surf the web and check out other sites that sell soap and see if they have pictures of their packaged soaps. And you might want to see how other people in your area are packaging theirs, if you are planning on selling. Some off the top of my head are shrinkwrapping, cigarbands and boxes. Go to the different supplier websites and see what they offer in their packaging sections. They might have some ideas you might be interested in.

Here's a link that might help you understand http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3179 Also, in the soapmaking forum (towards the top) there is a lot of helpful information you might want to check out.