SageSlowdive

Trying it now to see - I've sold things on Ebay for many years and they support their sellers much faster.

Hi guys, Not sure how off topic this but I'm hoping to find some advice (and rant/warn, of course). So, I started selling on Etsy in October 2021 - it was an uphill climb trying to figure out branding, marketing, and traffic patterns and it took me, really until March, to see a climb in sales. I was hit with a reserve on payments almost immediately, which complicated getting my money for orders immediately (thank god this is just a side hobby) but I worked through it and perfected my shipping times, feedback ratings, and message responses. I became a Star Seller in February (missed it in January because a person I ORDERED off of replied back to me and I didn't respond in 24 hours 🙄) and in March I became a top seller with almost 300 sales. So, April 1st rolls around and I am filling at least one order a day, continuing my Star Seller streak, and anticipating the higher percentage rates Etsy is going to charge. I go to log into my account and it says my account is locked. I tried multiple times to figure out on my own what the problem is and I STILL have no idea why they did this. I tried emailing Etsy, 20 times over the last two days and still no one has replied to any of my messages. They no longer have a customer service number as well. I've read up on forums that this happens to people and they usually get access to their account after a few weeks - the problem is my shop has not been shut down and I'm still getting orders! I have access to the customers addresses through email so I'm making every effort to getting these packages out but I can't update shipping or inform the customers that their orders are in the way. I've read some real horror stories about people having to CANCEL orders they already shipped out because the customer filed a false claim! I'm at a standstill and honestly this whole experience has jaded me to ever wanting to try this again. What kind of company sends emails saying they invested millions of dollars in advertising but can't have a solid team to support sellers? Let me also emphasize that (as far as I know) I have done nothing wrong. I have not had any customer compliments, trademark issues, or Etsy policy violations. They are supposed to send an email if you've violated a certain policy and I do not have that. Does anyone have any advice? I put sooooooo much time, money, and energy into making this work - to see it possibly end like this is really saddening.

The only one I've tried of that is Island Escape and it's amazing! Truly one of my favorite suppliers.

Thank you! I'm trying to round out the edges of mine so I need help from a professional lol.

Studio is definitely one of my favorites! I've spoken with the owner Curtis a few times now and he is such a nice man - if I have the littlest of concerns or problems with shipping he'll call me personally and help me reach a solution. The fragrances are top level quality and like you said free shipping after $25 is to die for in the oil world. Their dupes of Marshmallow Fireside, Fall Festival, and Egyptian Amber are amazing!

Hi TallTayl, just curious what is your Etsy shop?

Just curious question if anyone noticed: I ordered a 40lb box of 6006 one day from Aztec because it was coming up 40% off in the cart (I thought I hit 2 in the quantity but alas 🙄) I went back today to order another box and it's not coming up 40% off, wonder why?

Oh for gods sake...they have made this SO HARD to continue with them.

Thank you guys! Trying to elevate my candles to the next level.

Guess no one has suggestions.

Hi guys, I saw a candlemaker online posting these - I'm very intrigued by this and want to recreate. Does anyone know how you would add a separate smear of color like this to the side of a container? Can you just paint dye on the side of your candle like that? Hope someone can help

Looking for something very odd and specific lol. A real murky water smell, almost like a swamp. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hi guys! I finally got my candles out in the Etsy world and what do you know, the jars I've perfected are on backorder BIG TIME (Candlescience is having major supply chain issues, according to their email). Does anyone out there know a similar container to this? https://www.candlescience.com/containers/3-wick-tumbler/ Height 3.63 " Outside Diameter 4" Inside Diameter 3.8125" Whatever you can help with is much appreciated!

This should be fun and informative: what are your least favorite wicks to work with?

Hmm, I know citrus is hard to wick in most forms - that may be the issue with these. I'd personally look at wick sizing to be an issue.

I've been testing with ECO1s and even they burn incredibly hot.

Here is my next question: what if you edit the image into something else? For example, editing by adding/losing something on the image? Does that still fall in the same category?

Hello all, Just wondering if anyone has ran into a copyright issue with labeling? Obviously we all want a label that is eye catching, unique, and beautiful - but what do we do about images we find. For example. I wanted to make a candle that references a film - I wanted to add an image I found on Google that doesn't directly mention the movie or seem licensed from what I can find, what would you recommend? Are there websites that have free non-copyrighted clipart? Thanks a bunch!

Would love to hear some experts on this.

I've been buying mine from Aztec and haven't had any issues with the wax (wicking it is a different story).

Thank you so much for the input - do you sell candles? Do customers ever see excessive smoke after relighting candle?

I thought this would be a good topic to discuss, especially for new candlemakers hitting the boards. What are those notorious scents that take some genuine time to get a good HT or are impossibly hard to wick? I've read patchouli, amber, lots of citrus type scents can be pains. I've personally tried alot of tobacco scents and haven't found a real good thrower yet.

Sounds like a good plan - do they volunteer or do you pay them?

Not sure how testing a half-full candle will help with the smoke from a second burn.

Just shooting in the dark if someone out there has some suggestions: I'm double wicking ECO2 in 6006. HT is great, but for the life of me I cannot get this wick to stop smoking. Been testing for weeks now and the first 4 hour burn is good, the second burn produces a chimney of smoke that lasts for at least a few minutes (important to note I did not trim the wicks after first use, as I would like to see what they would produce as I'm sure customers will not trim after each use). I used less dye on a second go around with the same candle and dropped from 8% to 7.5%. If anyone has any suggestions on what wick would be best for double wicking, please say so lol. (for reference, I have tried quite a few double wicking combinations, just looking for some seasoned suggestions).