lpoitras

Quite serious. I measured it by dry flakes and that is how I measured my FO. I tested my wicks, etc. and had a product people seem to like. But now that I am making a lot at once I wanted a more precise measurement. I notice when I melt my flakes they never come out exactly liquid what I measured solid. I think it is because of the air between the flakes. It is always a little short. Like I said it is a dumb question but don't attack me for it.

I have been doing this for almost a year with pretty good results. But now that I am making more candles at a time I decided to see exactly how much melted wax I am getting for 8 oz of flakes and it is only 5-6 oz melted. Have I been measuring my FO wrong all along? I was measuring 1 lb of wax (flakes) and that is how I was adding my FO, usually 1.5 per pound. Should FO be measured for dry flake weight or melted wax weight??? So far they smell okay but just want a formula that is right. Don't kill me all at once.

Okay, I have someone who wants to order just plain mason jars. I want the account but don't want to hurt myself in the long run as I live in a tiny tiny town and the band is doing a fundraiser of my candles in 2 weeks. My prices are good but this little mom and pop store who wants my candles wholesale is cheap, cheap, cheap. But I want a foot in the door. So I am cutting my price to the lowest wholesale amount just to get started. I don't want to label my stuff because obviously I don't want people buying for the fundraiser recognizing my stuff this cheap. So how do I label my candles without naming my business? Just label the scents? How do you experienced guys do it?

Thanks guys. I will have 15 for my next show with a good variety of foods and flowers and seasonal scents and about 70 candles total. that should be fine for 6 hours. haha.

I am small, small business here, no big profits from shows yet so don't have hundreds of bucks to shell out on tons of scents. On the average, for a show that costs anywhere from 40-85 bucks a table and lasts 6-7 hours and attracts anywhere between 500-1,500 people, how many scents do you have on hand for the show?? My last show I had 15 and that was the most I have ever had. Any opinions on this? I know more is better but when you don't have big bucks to shell out, isn't an assortment of say food smells, seasonal smells, etc. okay too??

I have to agree with a lot of the other posters. I am initially attracted to presentation/packaging. If it looks good/nice/interesting/pretty, etc...I'll come over to look then I start smelling. If it smells as good as it looks, I'm in consumer heaven.

I also like to see prices and any specials cleary posted by the products.

HTH!

Well I first started not putting out prices so people would ask and get involved. But I decided that was not what people wanted to do. But I think I need to definitely make bigger price lists next time. And I started giving out wick dippers (really how little do they cost me?) and people LOVE these. Still looking for a very very cheap wick clipper instead but don't think they exist.

well I admit I am thrown. I thought it was the scent first, then container. I do have risers and a nice table display and just recently started using my own printed hang tags to make the display more professional. My last show was a church bazaar and hardly anyone showed but I sold quite a few for having absolutely no customers. So I was encouraged. I think I know just what to use for Xmas and to dress up my table. Thanks guys.

By the way I used a double wick for mini loaf pans I found for $1 at the Christmas Tree Shop for fall, now they have Christmas ones. I sold 7 of them at the last show. They did turn out adorable so if anyone has that store near them go take a peek.

I have masons, holiday mugs, tureens, emamelware soup mugs. I can't figure out what makes some people buy some and not others. I have 3 holiday shows scheduled and don't know where to put my efforts, I thought the enamelware would sell like hotcakes but at the last 2 shows I didn't sell that many. I have holiday mugs that I didn't even like that much and they sold. Do you think people are attracted to your candles because of scent or container? I say scent first, then container. Anyone have an opinion? I make 100% soy containers only so far. Just trying to figure out how many to make of what??? Hopefully I will sell out of all of it.

funny you should ask. Just got back from Staples and saw clear labels. I can't quote price or size though.

Batana...Here is a thread about candlewealth... and their schemes....

http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2942&highlight=candlewealth

My advice..... Buy a soy kit from a candle supplier and lose CW!!

That's exactly what I did! About 6 months ago I saw an ad in a magazine about candles. I LOVE candles and so wanted to get started. I contacted the rep who was nice, showed me their site, I signed up FOR FREE and got a sample pack. I GOT hooked on candles, NOT on their company. Their pack is a good way to get a feel for the container candles (which I gave away to charity) but then found out rather quickly that even though their wax was okay, it was too much and had to pay way too much shipping. so that's when my odysey began. I haven't ordered from them in 5 months but still get their emails and just delete them. Never signed anyone up-got myself a business partner instead and hope this is a good fall from us. Have learned TONS from this site and others and my web site is almost done. IMHO the only ones making $ from Candlewealth are the big wigs. Steer clear of pyramid schemes.

georgia those are adorable!!!

PS.. i was watching the price is right the other day andthere was a group of red hat ladies there, i thought of you!!!

Great ornies!!

I saw that show too, that women won a double showcase!!! Lucky stiff. What are the fragrance beads that you use made out of ????

Are you going in with an appointment? Or just walking in cold off the street?

When I went to talk to the buyers for my wholesale accounts, I had an appointment, and I took a basket of candles in with me. I also took the wholesale price list, and a scent list. Thats it. Lame I guess, but it worked every time All of my contracts were discussed at the time of the meeting with the buyers, and vamped from there. I knew what I would accept, and told them as much without having a contract right there for them to sign. My contracts are different for each store (I have different types of stores) and they were drawn up after the initial meetings, and signed before first orders were made. I did have a notepad with me and a pen, so I could jot down notes in order to do the contracts.

I had a basket to start with but felt samples were getting handled too much and bumped around, bows getting tattered. never came up with a great container. I think if I go around again in the fall a hat box would work better. And leave a sample (a must) and brochure, price list, business card.

i wish you lived near me so I could shop there. So homey and welcoming. Congrats!! I am green with envy. I wish you luck but you won't need it....

I am right over the bridge!!!! Count me in for 2 tickets please. I want some MARKETING info and of course some wicking info and business info like how to expand my business and new ideas to sell through the summer.

Hi. I sent some tealights to someone a couple weeks ago, and was informed that some of them had melted. I had sent them via Canada Post to the US...Virginia.

Are there any suggestions on what I can do to prevernt this from happening in the future?

Can't wait until I have this problem (haha) but read that refrigerating and/or freezing the shipping materials (peanuts) helps.And of course box in a box and using ice packs, Monday shipping, etc.

Don't hate me but I found someone in a pinch I can drive to less than 1/2 hour. But I like the stuff I am using already and don't want to change, shipping from Ohio isn't half bad. But good to know this other supplier is available.

Great idea actually about the pillar thing. I wouldnt give out any more ideas that good though, you made me think of something.

If you sincerely want to package your pillars in a velvet lined box you are welcome to my idea. And if you make a mint that's great. Unfortuantely I don't have the $$$ right now to even try something so lavish. Got get em!!

How about another question??? For those who do this full time-how long after you started did it take you to become full time candlemakers????? Or at least quit 1 of your jobs and make any $$$ at this????

I wish.

Pretty without being overdone, I like it.

The one thing I noticed missing from that site are pillars and votives. Only container candles. So I guess it's time to venture to pillars and then fnid an unusual way to package them-how about in a velvet lined box and i can charge 50 bucks for it??haha. But my wheels are turning......

okay, I went on their site and poked around for a bit. Their other packages are prettier, I think. There is definitely some big money being spent on publicity and packaging, $$$ like I wouldn't make in a year. But whatever. It sounds from the instructions like it is a soy wax with a zinc wick and (get this) they even tell you that the wick might be a bit crooked and so you might have to recenter it as it burns. For that kind of money the wick should sprout another candle. Unbelieveable.

Correction, that should be "stores that are carrying these".

okay, hush my mouth. I would like to know what you guys think though. Most candle fanatics want a great CANDLE, lots of scent and burn time. they don't want to pay for packaging. And I just don't get this-I am no marketing genius, but if I put a tassel on my candles I can sell them for 30 bucks?? What kind of wax are they?? I guess people figure if they are expensive they are worth more, they are perceived to be expensive because of the packaging but let me tell you, I have been to plenty of stores near some of the locations that are not carrying these and was told things like these won't move in the store. The store owners were always getting me to come down in my price and make practically nothing and I have a nice looking candle and they all agreed they liked them, BUT whatever. Do you all think maybe we are spendnig too much time testing waxes/burn times/wicks and should spend more time testing marketing results with our packages?? I am stumped. I would never pay that amount no matter what it looked like. Even high priced candles advertising in the Country Home magazine seem too high for me. Maybe I'm nuts. And I live 10 minutes from Philly, 30 minutes from the shore and 20 minutes from one of the stores they are now sold in. So I guess I know nothing.

Frankly I think they are ugly. I wouldn't pay that much for a candle, but they are a success, no doubt about it. Let them try to sell them at a store/craft show in Jersey. haha. They don't need to, they have their market, once Oprah puts it on her list it's like Christmas every day. I wonder how much it costs to advertise in Country Home and such, see plenty of candles there that are so/so but get a mention. I can dream,can't I?:rolleyes2