lpoitras

Anyone know of a good tin distributor with 8-10 oz tins decorated with either holiday scenes or anything else?

My partner and I started our biz (soy candles, containers only so far) in April and have done 5 shows, 3 in the last 6 weeks. I know this isn't a very busy time of year for my shows (New Jersey) but how do you tell the right ones for you? All I keep hearing every year from the other vendors is "It's slow this year,I only made 1/2 of what I made last year, and so on". We were making a little more each show, then had 1 dud 3 weeks ago, then went to our final show until August today which was billed as a Victorian Fair and was given good reviews from my craft fair market guide. We were only 1 of 2 candle makers and the other ones didn't even make their own candles. So we thought we would have it made. Well we made our table and a tiny bit of profit but it was dismal compared to what I think it should have been. Had kettle corn smoke blowing on the candles and our table all day. Crowd was small, new management who were rude and didn't know how to set up or break down properly. And 2 hours away from my house so plenty of $$$ in gas money. I also had an appointment with a gift shop on the grounds who couldn't wait to see my candles, she did stop by after my partner brought her a sample but never ordered. All and all a disappointing day. and yes, plenty of flea market items and buy and sell. How can you tell ahead of time whether a show is worth it or not?? And my online brochure got mailed out to everyone who asked for one who is interested in wholesale orders, 6 in all from all over the US and no answers yet. After contacting retailers how long does it usually take to figure out if they are interested or just ignoring you because they don't want your products? I guess I am frustrated. Thanks for the vent. By the way people loved our stuff but I think this was a Victorian Fair turned glorified flea market at $60 bucks a table.

I noticed the same thing-plenty of candles but no bids. anyone sell candles on Ebay??

Thanks for the responses. I am going to join mine (small town $100 bucks) and the larger county organization as they are much more active (200 bucks) when I get the $ together this summer. The smaller one will at least give me 1/2 price on their craft shows. The larger one doesn't have any candle makers on the list that I can find so might be great for me.

For height I use crates and also a 2 tiered dessert tray I got from Big Lots for 10 bucks. Just put a cloth napkin on top of the plates and you are good to go. A little ivy wrapped around the wrought iron frame gives it a nice touch.

Mine is 100 bucks for the year. That includes free advertising on their site (not a lot of visitors I think). That includes 1/2 price on their 2 big craft shows. For anyone who has joined theirs was it helpful or a waste of $$???

I will be breaking mine in on the 10th in Cape May, New Jersey. My last show I had a cheap one that kept collapsing on my head. Anything has got to be better than that!!!

You make a lot of sense. That is an awesome story, I hope to be where you are in 2 years.

About trade shows--I know they are expensive. How long were you in the business before you did one?

Thanks so much. I feel a little better. I will try the organizations you gave me and try to widen my thinking a far as fundraisers for now. Thanks much.

I am looking for some sound business advice. I know this time of year is slow in our business (candles) but want to be sure I am doing the right things come September. I started my business in March, got a couple of orders from downtown shops on the first try so was encouraged. I marketed like crazy, sent free samples to people I knew, gift baskets to 2 charity events, the music schools where my husband works, freebies to the home students (you get the picture). Out of 10 shops on our "knocking on doors" campaign we got 2 small orders, this was in April, neither have reordered. Then whoppee, a shop with no candles who wanted to expand in another town. We got a reasonable order from them, they LOVED our stuff, even asked us to find tea light containers for them (which they never purchased) and they have not reorderd. This was 2 months ago. I have a specialty item which I did specialized marketing on line and got good response, made a physical trip to 1 store who LOVED it but her partner and her have since decided not to order at this time. Got 2 stores responding from other states, I sent the brochure (email file, 1 page but a good start) and keep hearing see you in September maybe. Now have our 6th craft show (4 pretty good, 1 bomb) this weekend so I did some advance marketing to stores in the area, one is excited and wants us to stop by during the show. What do I do next??? Lots of interest but not enough orders. I am also pushing fundraising with my son's band and they seem receptive so far but have to vote on it and don't expect this to happen until the fall. Am ready to get my fundraising packets in the mail by August to hit all the schools and organizations, also the web site is slated for July. What else can I do to sell?

Thanks all! I went through the archives and actually found a great tip-freezing the PACKING MATERIAL- (the peanuts and bubble wrap) and a great discount site for the cool packs that average 50 cents a pack. Hope this IS a problem for me, so far a lot of interest but no shipping this summer yet. One last craft fair until August and then working on my site. Maybe 1 flea market to get rid of my spring stuff but really concentrating on marketing this summer to get my sales up, up, up. Keeping the faith.

I am new to the biz and new to the site. Hi all. I have someone in another state who may want my candles and I make 100% soy and haven't figured out the best way to ship them. Is using cool packs the only way? Has anyone refrigerated or frozen their candles before shipment? Thanks.