Janette

It is the burning of the fuel that creates soot. I don't believe that a tart melted in an electric warmer will produce soot. I believe the soot comes from any conbustion- tea light, pillar, votive, etc.

Janette

I have unscented candles and can't sell them. People expect to pay less for them. I always get asked why would anyone want an unscented candle and I have to explain why I made them. Even when someone says they can't be around candles because of allergies they take off before I get the chance to let them know unscented might be something to consider.

A few years ago I had the same reaction from most people about unscented candles. But in my area at least, this is changing. I still sell more scented but not nearly at the proportion that it used to be. I don't make any container candles...and don't see container candles at shows here either. I do charge $1 less for the same size in unscented but that is fine with me, less cost and less work.

Just thought this might be interesting to watch and see if any sort of trend is developing.

Janette

I'm glad you brought this up...I've been contemplating adding a line of unscented candles....I personally after working with all of the FO's and with the allergies I have like to sometimes burn an unscented candle.....

Chris

My first two years in business, I sold only unscented. I made fairly funky pillars in plexiglass moulds. I started selling scented candles in 1999. Immediately I saw the scented lines outsell unscented. Up to 90% scented.

I have always maintained an unscented line of pillars. In the last year or so I have had many more people looking for unscented...saying they or someone in their home can't be around scented candles. Last weekend unscented sold especially well for me as many buyers were looking for a candle for their Christmas table, and didn't want scent with the food.

That aside, I'm curious if others are getting more requests for unscented.

Or perhaps this is just unique to my area.

Janette

I am amazed at how many more unscented candles I am selling this year. Last weekend my sales were almost 50% unscented. Are others finding a similar trend in their areas?

Janette

Thanks Chris,

I have only one polyurethane mold...used only once and not too excited about using it again but thought I should at least give it a real try. I'll give the silicone spray a go.

Janette

Is it harmful to the polyurethane moulds? I have been researching and haven't come up with an answer. I am too ckicken to just spray my mould in fear it will damage it. Has anyone tried this, or use it regularly? TIA

Janette

We have all had shows that didn't go as we would like them to. The most important thing is to stay positive. If you start to feel sorry for yourself or uptight, the crowd can smell it. Feeling down is like having a force field around your booth. If no one offers to help and you aren't brave enough to ask someone, then take your cash with you and head to the washroom when you have to.

Janette

You're people are behind the times if they're talking birds ... things have evolved to ruining oil painting now and respiratory benefits lol. Pretty soon soy will keep your lawn mowed perfectly and paraffin will kill it.

:highfive: Too true. Last weekend I ran into my first soy candle vendor in my area...they haven't caught on here so much yet. I watched her dipping a stir stick into the still lit candle and then smear it on the customers hand..."you couldn't do this with regular wax" I heard her say as I walked away.

Janette

I was just looking on Libbey's site and couldn't find "Status" jars listed. There is a picture of one (no name or specs)...but wondering if they call it something else? TIA

Janette

I was just looking on Libbey's site and couldn't find "Status" jars listed. There is a picture of one (no name or specs)...but wondering if they call it something else? TIA

Janette

Hi AndiWood,

This link is a thread from the veggie wax section. Topofmurrayhill has a great, simple explanation of the production of soy based wax compared to paraffin. Thought you might find it useful.

Janette

http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35698

I have used laser labels (white) on both an HP and a Canon without trouble. At Staples, they told me that it should be fine to use laser labels with inkjet printer, but not the other way around. Looks like you will need to give it a try and see if it works for you.

Janette

Plexiglass moulds do not like FO. Too much FO takes the finish off the inside, and then you get an ugly finish on your candles. This one only cost about $500 to learn.

Janette

http://allwhitecandles.easystorecreator.com/Browse_Item_Details.asp/Item_ID/25/categ_id/3/parent_ids/0,3/Name/1000_3x6_Pillar_Candle_Shrink_Wraps

Thanks Everito....Their prices look better than other suppliers:highfive:

Janette

I have seen these on a suppliers website, but for the life of me I can't remember which one. I am thinking of trying these as well, so hopefully someone else will come up with the supplier for us.

Janette

You know, I'm exhausted from being on my feet most of the day too. I want to buy or invent some kind of vibrating shoes (I kid you not lol!) Usually other vendors are pretty good about helping out. Dollies are fabo! Some shows even come complete with volunteer help.

Have you tried those rubber gardening clogs? I think they are called "crocs". They look ugly but are soooooo comfortable. I also put down a fatigue mat to stand on. Makes a huge difference to feet, legs and back.

Janette

If people are rude enough to ask you your trade secrets, and have the "attitude" then do this, I did.... LMAO;)

Say:

Oh here, let me write down the website of my supplier for you..

They have the best Fragrance oils and wax..

Write down this site www.smellypoop.com give them the slip of paper, and when they walk away, you can laugh your butt off!!

Who knows, maybe they will check it out when they get home!! LOL

That ought to teach them not to ask people trade secrets!!!

:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

You made me choke on my tea....too funny. Thank you.

Janette

I am always on my own at shows. Like the others, I find that other vendors are happy to watch my booth for a potty break, and I do the same for them (we always wait till its a bit slow). I always have all my food and bevies with me. Shows are hard work. But don't forget work is a four letter word:laugh2:

Janette

:yay: Thanks Robin....I was just searching for this link.

This is my favorite post of all....

Janette

I agree with all above. Just about anyone will take your candles for free (consignment). I'm not entirely against consignment, but this offer seems a poor one at best. JMTC.

Janette

I really like the look. Nice work:highfive:

Janette

Using a non CSA approved appliance may be stupid but it does not always invalidate your insurance....A bigger insurance risk is commercial activities when you only have a personal insurance policy....Sometimes you will find "warranties" in an insurance policy that say for example you have to have working smoke detectors or monitored alarm.....If you breach a warranty your policy will not respond....In all my years of insurance adjusting I never saw a claim denied because of using non CSA approved appliances, however, I saw many denied because of undeclared business activities on the premises....RCS...

Thanks for the info, I'll check with my broker later today.

Janette

Just wondering about using Presto Pots in Canada. Since they are not CSA approved I assume that my insurace company won't cover me if anything happens as a result of using it. My local insurance office is already closed for the day (talk about bankers hours: ). Just thought someone might already know this one. TIA

Janette

Good luck.

The Presto kettle is UL listed, but not CSA or CUL listed therefore it can't be sold in Canada.

I wondered about that. I bet if use one my insurance policy will be an issue. I guess I will have to check with my insurance company and see if this could void my policy.

Janette

With all of the heightened security these days on planes.....do you think they will allow you to bring that on board? Just curious.

We will see. My mom is going to ask on her way down. Not really sure what threat an electric cooker poses, but you never know these days. If she can't get it on I'll post so others will know.

Janette