Trae

Here ya go..... http://www.gelstuff.com/bluesnails.html

I get mine from Candles & Supplies.

Looks kinda messy to me. I think I'd use a regular mouth pint mason and a flower pot votive glass so everything didn't melt into the ingredients. Seems like a waste otherwise.

I buy the large pop bags from the craft store and put 6 in a bag (2 rows of 3). I just fold over the open end and scotch tape it shut. I'm thinking about getting some acetate boxes from Paper Mart so they're easier to stack without the tealights getting beat up. Tracy

I get mine from www.candlesandsupplies.com. I used to get it from www.polygonwax.com before C&S started carrying gel. Their shipping was pretty reasonable. There is also www.Candlewic.com. HTH! Tracy

I pour my gel into my container first, when it is the consistency of thick syrup. When it's cool enough that I can put my finger in the gel and not scream, I use the eraser end of a pencil to push the embeds into the gel. I've had no problems with melting doing it this way. HTH! Tracy

I think most of the embeds you would buy already made would be made of high mp wax. I make my own container embeds using IGI 4786. For my regular container wax I use j50, which is much too soft to make embeds with. There are many reasonably priced silicone molds out there and would probably save you some money in the long run if you can take the time to make them yourself. HTH some. Tracy

I donate gift baskets to our school and little league every year and I just ask them to write me out a receipt for the retail value for my tax records. Trae

I've never seen "just the ladies" getting favors. It's either been each place setting or each couple or single person attending. Guess it's up to the bride!

I use Mod Podge and cosmetic glitter.

Not sure if they'd be big enough, but if you have a Sally Beauty Supply or any other beauty supply near you, they should have the clear rubber bands that are made to prevent hair breakage. Worth a try! HTH. Trae

Haven't tried the grape, but I get the raspberry and pineapple from Candles & Supplies. HTH! Trae

The imprinter I gave you the link for is a kit and comes with 100 charge slips. For my plate info I just put my business name, city, state and phone #. With shipping everything came to about $50. I process everything thru ProPay using their Premiere account which allows you to accept Visa, MC, Discover and AmEx. You can also use your cell phone to process your sales. I printed up info slips for the customer to fill out that gets their name, address, phone, alt. phone, e-mail and driver's license #. I figure this way if there is a problem there is enough info to get hold of the person. I have had no problems with this imprinter and sales have picked up since starting to accept CC's. Trae

This is the one I got last year: http://www.usamerchantsolutions.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=515KIT It has suction cups on the bottom so it doesn't slide around and the plate with your business info is free. HTH! Trae

I've been using IGI 1260 for my embeds. The melt point is 163. I also add luster crystals to make the wax more opaque when needed. HTH. Trae

The Candlemaker's Store offers warning labels that they can print your business name on. Subtle way to have your name somewhere on the candle. When people inquire about private labelling, I tell them my insurance company requires my name to be on the product for liabilty purposes. HTH! Trae

I offered it for a while but no one did anything with it so I stopped offering it. Like Suds said, unless you are shipping more than one candle, the cost might not be worth it.

I bought a turkey baster from the dollar store and used it to suck the water out of the bottom of the pot. Really works!

I don't use the wax basket you posted, I use one that Janet from Creative Gems Molds made. If the one from C&S is make with high MP wax, you can fill it with container wax and the basket will stay in tact while burning. I make mine with 163 mp wax, fill with J50 and top with wax fruit made with IGI 4786. I drill 3 wick holes in the basket before filling. Here's a pic of one....

With me it's a combination of things. The biggest one is finances. My husband just doesn't make what most people do in our area and it's tough to keep up. The cost of living in my area is pretty high but hubby refuses to move. I have so much I want to do but don't have the funds to do it. Another thing is there are a zillion candlemakers in my area. Also, many people are cheap. They'd rather go to WalMart or Target and buy crappy candles because they are cheap. I have to say that business picks up a little more every year so it's getting there but definitely not enough to live on.

I have a $100 minimum on the first order and $50 on reorders. I also require a minimum of 3 per size per scent. You might run across people who want to try to get around the minimums but stick with it. I had one person who wanted wholesale prices but didn't want to pay $50 or $100 at one time and another who wanted to buy baskets off of me wholesale but if they didn't sell wanted me to buy them back! And make sure you make up some kind of agreement form stating your policies and have them sign it. HTH some. Tracy

Sharyl, have you tried putting your candles in a sunny window to get rid of the bubbles? I think it's much easier than the oven. Just make sure it's a BRIGHT sunny window! HTH! Trae

I agree with Top. I use J50 with all of my tealights and the soft wax isn't an issue at all. I use CD3 wicks with all of my scents and get great throw and burn. :smiley2: Tracy

I went to an accountant for the first time last year. I had been keeping track of everything thru Quick Books using the cash method. The accountant asked me about Cost of Goods Sold and I told her I don't keep an inventory so I don't do COGS. She told me I don't need an inventory to keep track of COGS. Didn't understand that one so this year I kept track using both cash and accrual methods in Quick Books and I'll give her both printouts and see which she wants to use. I'm finding the cash method easier but she's the one who signs her name on the forms so I'll let her handle it! Good luck! Trae

I started out in my kitchen but moved to the basement after getting gel boogers in our dinner! I have a propane heater that keeps the basement at a comfortable temp. My FO's are kept in a cart with wheels and 5 drawers and my wax is kept under my work bench. Got a TV and a beer meister too so I'm set. LOL! Trae