Brenda (OH)

OK - this year I am looking for new marketing ideas. What works best for you? Does advertising in local newspapers pay off? To date my business has grown from word of mouth and brochure parties. I have done a few fundraisers and love them but don't have as many as I would like. I'd like to step it up a bit in 2006. Anyone willing to share what works for you?

I get my bear key rings from www.candlesuppliesbyfarmhouse.com. I do not dip them in wax but rather squirt oil on them. I sell them for $5.00 in a cello with a caution label on them.

Thank you - Thank you

Can anyone lead me to their website or provide a phone number? TIA ~ Brenda

Thanks Trish ~

I too am wondering what warning info to put on a label for wickless candles. Over the christmas season I had alot of requests for them. I do not think I am going to use a bottom label like my normal candle line since the label would be placed on the warmers surface and could be a hazard. But am wondering what the general consensus thinks for info on a hang tag or top label.

Yep - poking 4 holes around the wick pin and I thought I was keeping them open good, but maybe not. I have been stir crazy busy - 'Tis the season Would a cooler atmosphere possibly cause this? My basement is slightly cooler than normal . . .

I am making 3x3's also and pour around 175* - 180*. These are the first ones that I have had the problem with and realistically I probably wouldn't have caught it if my wicks would not have been sliding in correctly. The only thing I have changed was using the wick pins, before I was wicking before the pour securing with a screw. Good thing to know that I can remelt multiple times. Hopefully I get it right this time. Waiting on more pillars to cool

Yep, by golly I had an air pocket I used my electric knife to slowly make a vertical cut thru one of the pillars. There was a heart shaped air pocket - kinda cool - but still requires another rework. Tossed them both back into my pot :undecided So now I need to know - how many times can you rework pillars? This is the third time melting this wax to get these dang thangs right.

Thanks so much for the replies.

Sheesh - I do not have access to any power tools, darn :undecided The only thing I can think that might work would be my electric knife. Edit: Anyone else with any ideas?

How is the best way to cut a pillar to check the inside for air pockets? I had to remelt a couple pillars since I used the wrong wicks and didn't have wick pins at the time they were made. Since my wick pins arrived I was able to use them after re-melting. (Love them by the way!!) So I unmolded them this morning and went to slide my wick in but it seemed have gotten lost inside the pillar. Both of them were like this. If I threaded the wick in from one end they got lost but sliding it in from the other end they went in fine. I poked relief holes continually as they were cooling but now am wondering if they are air pockets hidden away. Any suggestions?

maybe I just need some clarification. . . .I currently use J300 and have read that it is a veggie blend. What is the difference between vegetable and soy? Is there any? TIA ~ Brenda

OK - I've been making candles for about 4 years but am kinda curious as to how short everyone trims their wicks before packaging the finished product. I typically trim mine a little over 1/2" for both containers and pillars. I have seen some wicks kept very long and others a bit shorter than I trim mine. Is there a "norm"? Merry, Merry Christmas Brenda Edited to add a ? at the end of my sentence - LOL

Thanks Dee ~ The end that gets lit is what frayed. I will dip it into some wax. Whew - you made my day

I just finished grubbying some pillars and one of the wicks frayed on me. I have never had this problem before, will it affect the burn? I pre-wicked my mold since I don't have wick pins (YET) and cannot remove the wick to replace it. I am hoping I haven't messed up this candle. Did I? (Please tell me nooooo)

I have never met the lady who wrote me the email below but do make candles for her SIL. She emailed me a week or so ago and I sent her the suppliers by state link and suggested she choose a supplier close to her, get a sample kit to start with and TEST TEST TEST. Then I got this email yesterday and still haven't found the choice words for a reply yet. I am appauled at some people. "I just brought a bunch of your candles to my sister-in-law in Pittsburgh. She and her daughters loved all of them. They had emailed you once a week or so ago about getting info on how to start their own candle business. The oldest daughter just graduated college and is job hunting but needs some income now! There is no real competition back here in this area so she would love to start her own business. Problem is that they are real unsure about the technical aspect of your business. They would love it if you could provide the web addresses of your suppliers. They would like to stick with your exact product type and smell since they are of such great quality! They are really interested in the candles and the smellie jellies. They had never seen a smellie jellie and fell in love with them. Could you tell them how to make a smellie jellie? They printed off basic candle making instructions from the internet but need someone to mentor them telling them how much scent to use to how much wax, how to tell the correct time to pour, what type of wax (all soy or a mix), how to tell the correct wick to use, how much wax makes each candle. How do we figure the cost versus pricing how much does a single candle cost you so she can figure her profit margin. Where do you get the jars and special jellie lids? The college grad obviously has limited funding currently and wants to use your scents since she knows they would be a hot seller around here. Could you tell her if you have mixed the scents or did they come in that scent? They can find craft stores back here but I thought you maybe were buying your supplies from the internet which would be easier for them so they could buy in bulk versus all the small quantity purchases. We would really appreciate your help on this. The job market is so bad back here but amazingly nobody is handmaking candles. Everybody buys store bought ones so we know she could make a go of the business but we really need your guidance. I realize you are very busy but if you could find time to help my niece out we would really appreciate it. Thank you so much for all the help! And trust me this won't effect me buying from you because I am not driving 5 hours for a candle even if it is made by a family member! Thanks again for helping her!" Crazy huh?

Southern Scentsations has a terrific Lemon Pound Cake. I use a soy blend but I know that they test all their oils in soy before adding them to their line. www.greatcandle.com HTH ~ Brenda

Thank you madam I always appreciate your wicking experience. I have a 62 cotton poured up ready to test in the container. Thanks again ~ Brenda

Dana ~ I am using J300 wax. I use the LS #17 for my hard to wick scents - specifically Orange Clove and Clove - in the wide mouth half pint and pint Ball Mason's.

Hey Thanks Dana ~ I recently placed an order with WSP and over looked needing the LS #17 wicks. :undecided I checked shipping for the wicks alone and I think I will look for other alternatives before ordering just them. I do have the 62 cotton on hand and I am thinking that they should be comparable. Let me know how your pillar does . . I appreciate your help

Thanks e Those were the sizes I was considering in addition to the LX20. Since I have located suppliers with the sample packs, I will go that route. Especially after reading Fern's experiences. Oh mercy, I will be testin' again

WOW !!! - I wouldn't have expected them to be that far off for suggested applications. The J300 wicks similar to the J223 so I have noted your suggestions. I am checking out the supplier sites that offer the sample packs as we speak.

After posting - I went to Peak's site and seen they do carry the LX sample packs. I over looked it the first time - so sorry. :rolleyes2 But if anyone can help with me my other questions, I will greatly appreciate the cooperation.

I am looking to order and test the LX wicks but I haven't found a site that offers sample packs. Can anyone guide me to a supplier who does? I am currently using the 4 oz quilted jelly jars, the wide mouth half pint and pint masons and the square mason's. Providing I can't find a supplier that offers the sample packs what would be the choice sizes to start with? And one more question - do the LX's burn "true to size" for suggested applications? Example: LX20 - Large Containers or Pillars, approx. 3.25-3.5" Sorry so many questions - I am looking to vear away from zincs and previous posts about these wicks have captured my attention Edited: Forgot to mention I use J300 wax.