LisaW

I did a search and found one thread that is very helpful. After two years I'm having to give up the shop I've been renting and move back to the house so the garage is the only viable option. (Don't even want to think about how much I've spent in rent over the last 2 years!). Other than the obvious get rid of everything I'm not using, lots of shelves and counter space, I was wondering if anyone else has done this and what advice they can give. I'm guessing I'm not the only one going through this right now. TIA, LisaW

Thanks for the ideas. More testing. Need to add at least a couple of these. Thanks, LisaW

what are they really looking for? Other than Harvest I'm not sure what direction to point them. When I ask them to be a little more specific they can't really say. Just wondered if anyone else has run across this. I've also got a "spice" scent, but it smells a little more like a bakery scent. TIA, LisaW

I got the sample pack in for Philosophy and didn't realize I was getting the extreme concentrate. Just poured my testers at 9% and realized they're the extreme concentrate (dammit!). Anyone have a suggestion where I should start as far as testing this grade in 100% soy? I saw on their website it said that this grade is really not suggested for soy. I may just have to reorder. I hate it when I do this! TIA, LisaW

I honestly think there must be something else going on. We are all people even though we have a business. We still deal with life situations that can be stressful and sometimes devistating. Maybe you could try her back in a few days. I'm not sure. I know I've had some really bad stuff happen this year (dog died, son in jail, I know I sound like a country & western song) and I'm sure my customer service was not up to par, but I've always been willing to go back and rectify the situation.

I've done business with Kathy for many years as well. I'm very surprised by the response you got. Not saying you're not telling the whole truth, but I've never heard of anyone having that type of cs from ICS. I've honestly never taped those boxes shut. They're such a pia to open I never thought they could open on their own without a crow bar!

Thanks for the response, Traci. We'll have a table, a few chairs, 3 or 4 display fixtures, and many boxes of candles, etc. Sounds like we'll go with the cargo van. Thanks, Lisa

Trying to decide how to transport our product and exhibit material to a trade show. We're about 300 miles away. Last year we drove a uhaul and a personal vehicle, but I'm thinking it may be just as cheap to have it shipped. One carrier quoted me a decent rate, but it's got a $1500 deductable on the insurance (uh, I don't think so!) and they're charging a 15% fuel surcharge. Just wondered what you guys do for trade shows. Thanks, LisaW

This is for a pre-K and their order was 1200 candles. I seperated by teacher one year and they kept saying they were short. The next year I just delivered by scent, they still said they were short. This year I seperated it down, like I said, by customer/student/teacher, and it's the closest I've been to matching what they have. I know it's a pain, but I make lots off this fundraiser, they're great to work with, and I don't want to lose this account.

Just wondered if I'm the only one with this problem. Doesn't matter how many times I check the totals when it's all done I'm off. Over, short, whatever. Please tell me I'm not the only one. I'd love some ideas on how this has been addressed. My current fundraiser turned in their order and it was for a total of 1180 candles, but by the time I finished checking their totals it was 1215. By the time I finished pulling the orders I was short one candle in one scent and over 6 candles all together. This was the first year I packaged by customer/student/teacher, but it happens just about every year. Any ideas are appreciated. (P.S. I'm pretty sure if the school would just fill out the spreadsheet I send them that would solve the problem, but they just want to give me the totals).

Is it close to ICS's? The one ICS has is heavy on the clove, very nice. Does TCS's do well in soy? (sorry to be such a pest).

I've tried some others, but the ICS one has more clove. Anyone know a good substitute? TIA, LisaW

I got that same one from a rev. Sounded like he (or she) spoke another language and used one of those online translators. Here's what mine said: Dear Sir/Madam. My name is Rev.Bob May weather and i will like to know if you do carry Candels in stock for if yes i will like you to please get back to me with the Type you got in stock with there Prices and also the type of Credit Card you take for us to Process the order i will be awaiting on your e-mail with there Prices thanks. Doesn't even make sense.

That's cute, but I was thinking something along the lines of: Soy Wax has a low melt point. Please keep samples out of heat and sunlight to avoid samples melting. I guess I'll just use that.

This is the first time I've done a fundraiser in July/August and needless to say using soy wax in Texas I need to put some type of note about not leaving the samples in the heat or sunlight. Trying to come up with the right way to word it. Any ideas?

I think part of the problem may be that it looks like two different styles together. Does that make sense? It's a little more "modern" looking on the pics in the background, but the b/w with the design looks more "country". I think you need to decide on one or the other. I'm thinking your labels will pretty much determine what direction you're going in. I, also, am always changing my website. Hey, that's what summer's for, right?

Ok, so I got stuck on the endless loop on the customer service line so I called Ace Hardware (I'm sure TrueValue would be the same, Ace is just the closest to my house). I was told they carry them year round and I can order from them. Woo-Hoo! Guess I answered my own question. Hope this helps, Meridith. LisaW

Meridith, sounds like you and I are in the same boat. If I was just playing around with candles and didn't need a steady source the options listed on this post would be fine, but I order 36 - 50 cases at a time so that's not really an option for me. I did email Arkansas Glass to find out about their 16 oz jars. They look perfect (wide mouth) and I figure they may be more readily available. I'll give Ball a call later. Off to run errands now. I'll let you know what I find out if you don't get hold of them first. Thanks, LisaW

Actually I did check with my local Walmart last year (I also use the Ball Elite 8 oz jars) and they told me they could only order them for me during canning season which is over around August. I'll check with them again, but I think they're getting a little tired of me asking. I'll check with Ace hardware and see if I can order from them year round. Thanks, LisaW

It's not so much needing them now, I'll need them off season, meaning this fall/winter. Sorry I wasn't clear.

Looking for these off season. I know I can get them at Walmart and just about any hardware store, etc. during canning season, but what about after that? I'm in the Houston area and don't want to have to pay shipping not to mention shipping all the way from Fillmore which is the next closest place I know of. TIA, LisaW

Yep, it's container. Talked to the shop owner today and he told me it's a soy/paraffin mix, but I'm not sure he knows for sure. I'll check on the 4642.

Anyone ever heard of this wax? I've got a customer who wants me to make a bid on their line and they told me that their current candles are made with IGI 4602 (they purchase these candles from another candle mfg who will no longer be suppling them). TIA, LisaW

I've used the performa95 with 8 oz jj and ezsoy and they work GREAT. The only problem I had is that I'm in TX and I have to order them from WI so it takes a week to get them in. I got an order in and the oil had spilled all over the wicks so I was out of wicks for a week waiting for them to get in and it put me in a real bind on production. I switched over to HTP's cause I can get them locally. Never could get the performa to work right in my big jars (4 in diam), but I do use performa180's in my 8 oz blue tumblers with 3 in diam. I love them cause they don't do the self trimming bend thing and they burn great. Give them a try I think you'll really love them. Actually, you've got me thinking about going back to them.

Not sure about the fixed oils, but I did get a response back a couple of weeks ago that due to increased prices they will no longer be carrying essential oils (only their blends). Caught me totally unprepared so I'm testing with Camden Grey's stuff. You might check them out. They're very comprable to AGE.