Janette

Sorry I can't help much...I don't do those. But you might get a better response if you posted this ? in the Fragrance Discussion. HTH Janette

I will check again now...but don't think they will ship to Canada. WalMart has a seperate Canadian site (I think), and it doesn't offer the Presto Kitchen Kettle. Must be some sort of conspiracy:laugh2: They don't want us Canadian making soup I guess:laugh2: Janette

I use the $300 minimum for the first order only. For re-orders they can order less. I do this for a couple of reasons. 1- I want them to have enough stock to make a reasonable display that will catch the eye. 2-It has to be worth it to me. If a store can't come up with that size order, they aren't as likely to be able to move much stock anyway. I don't find that it discourages sales. Most retailers deal with minimums for everything they buy. You can always have a lower minimum if you wish. I'm sure if you did a poll you would find a wide range of minimums among the members here. But I think most wholesalers use a minimum of some amount. Janette

Thanks so much Mag... The measurements are most helpful...I'll have mom check with the airline. I wish we could get the Presto Pots up here, wonder why WalMart doesn't stock them in Canada? Janette

Does anyone know if a new Presto Pot, in the box, will fit in the overhead luggage on a plane? My mom is flying to S. Cal today and said she will bring one back if she can get it on the plane. She didn't want the hastle of shipping it back to me. I have never seen one so not sure if it will fit in the carry on thingy. TIA Janette

I think it is good if at least some people think my candles are too expensive. If no one thought they were over priced, then they would have to be under priced. There will always be those who have no idea what is involved in making something by hand. Not to mention the amount of time and money invested to learn to make the product. I know it is a struggle to find a price that is workable so that you get paid and the candles get sold. Before you do lower your prices, try to let a little time pass and see how things go. There is no way to tell when prices are going to go up for wax and fuel again. I don't mean to be doom and gloom, but I don't think things in the Middle East are going to calm down anytime soon. Do you offer a reduced price if someone buys multiple candles? I find this works well for me. Janette

Shows for me run from $250- 75 vendors, 3-5,000 attendance to $800- 220 vendors, 18,000 attendance. Addmission fees for customers run from $3 to $6 for an event pass. Janette

My wholesale prices are 50% of my retail prices with a $300 min. order. Janette

I include all expenses of the show, booth fees, travel, hotels, etc...when evaluating a shows revenue. I am happy when these costs are around 10% of my gross sales. Janette

I use a small cast iron fry pan on direct heat, very low. Janette

I could simply be that the flame is not getting enough oxygen down inside the well of the candle. Janette

Relief holes help ensure the candle cools evenly and doesn't pull away from the sides of the mould. They also let trapped air out of the wax. I poke relief holes about 15 minutes after the skin forms on the bottom of the candle, and keep reopening them every 1/2 hour or so. I use a metal rod, just poke it into the bottom of the candle and move around to expose the molten wax inside the cooling candle. I make my relief holes about the size of a pencil or a little larger. I have never poured at 200 or above so have no advice for you there. I think the fingernailing is more a result of pouring low rather than too hot. Relief holes may solve your problem, allowing air to get out. Janette

That is the nicest fingernailing I've ever seen. This is likely caused by tiny air pockets trapped in the wax. The air causes cracks that most candlemakers call fingernails. Vybar may help with this. Try pouring a little hotter, 180. And make sure your relief holes are kept open during cooling. Your repour temp should be the same as your pour temp. also. Keep trying. Fingernailing happens to everyone now and then. Janette

Candlewic has a good grey in colour blocks. Janette

Hi Kat, I agree that this could be a good opportunity. Do remain vigilant though. If it were me I would ask for payment up front. Often times with wholesale, the buyer is given 30 days to pay for the order. This doesn't have to be the case. Since it is your first dealing with this buyer and this type of sale, prepayment could save you a lot of worry. Once you are paid, what he does won't really matter to you. Hopefully he will do well and re-order. If not, at least you were taken care of. Wholesale is normally 50% of your retail price. Be sure that you know for certain what your costs are and be sure your wholesale price is possible for you. HTH Janette PS- I like your site.

Thanks Portia, They have everthing! Prices look decent too. Janette

Thank you...that is just what I'm looking for!!!! Cheers Janette

For mine, I used 4' x 4' posts with a plywood base to keep from being tippy. For a corner space, I set up 3 of these. Then join them with a 2" x 2" strip of cedar from one 4' x 4' to the next. I then just staple my fabric to the cedar and drape it to the floor. Mine are 4 feet tall, but if I did it over I would go to 5 feet. I really prefer being seperated from the vendors next and behind me. I think it helps keep focus on my booth while the customers are there. Also, I just don't like the view into the booth behind me. I hope that gave you an idea of what I did, and wasn't just confusing. Janette

Hi Jennifer, Most of the shows I do this time of year have what you are describing. Generally there is an 8 foot back drape and the side drapes are 3 feet high. I have one show that these are not provided for. In that case I have my own stanchons that I drape with fabric (these are only 4 feet high). I prefer these as it blocks the view into the back of the vendor behind you. Janette

Remember the ones that bath beads come in? Any ideas who wholesale such a thing? Looking for 1 inch deep, 6 inch diameter. Western supplier would be best for shipping. TIA Janette

This link will take you to Candlewic's base formers http://candlewic.com/Store/Search.aspx?keyword=base+former I don't think these will work for a candle the diameter you are referring to but thought you might like to see these anyway. They are used for dipped tapers Janette

I couldn't agree more!!!! Especially with your last point. Janette

Cindy has hit the nail on the head....The FO's are the real concern. Many of us have certain FO's that bother us. I have many customers who can't tolerate any FO. I don't care what type of wax you are using, the more FO in a candle, the more polution you are going to produce. Janette

I wonder if you may have had an air pocket in the candle. If your relief holes are too narrow they may clog up during the repour, rather than filling in fully. I make my relief holes about the diameter of a pencil or a little larger. HTH Janette

Cybersix, Try to look on the bright side...one more candle company that you can do better than. I have seen pictures of your work, and this one you bought doesn't compare in appearance...or burn by the looks of things. Be proud of what you achieve. Definately let the "president" know what you thought about his candle. Janette