doglover

I would have to agree with MichelleOH. The Fall-O-Rama does have a following. And is has things for children (which can be a pain sometimes!) Families with children do buy items from these types of shows. And I have found they are more apt to attend these types of shows because there IS something for the kiddos. I do a lot of events which offer more than just the crafters or artists.

I would have questions for the Art in the Park. Is is for fine arts? Do they allow your type of product (if it is crafts and not fine arts), which in my case happens to be candles and potpourri. I have attended and promoted shows in which fine arts (paintings/drawings/sculture/etc.) are mixed with crafts. My feelings are that they do not really mesh. But that has only been my experience. Another question would be how established is the Art in the Park?

You may be able to locate either or both of these shows online at http://www.craftlister.com and see if there are any reviews on either show. Good luck with your decision.

HTH

candlebean, have you checked out Richmark Labels? I recently added a new label (I wanted to change from paper to vinyl) and checked with several companies and found them to be the best for me for this particular situation. After the setup cost, the reordered labels were much cheaper.

Here are a few other companies as well:

http://www.richmarklabel.com

http://www.RubberDuckDesign.com

http://www.labelsforless.com

http://www.dawncanadian.com

HTH

I get my bags from here....I believe they have the holders, too. Fast shipping...never had a problem with customer service. Free catalog.

http://www.storesupply.com

What about an EZ Up canopy? You would be spending about $50 more (from $140) and getting 3-4 sides with it? And they offer different grades of canopies. They are water resistant also. They had a BIG problem last year, as many of their canopies were NOT water resistant as advertised and printed on the package. I had purchased three new ones (Express II) and sold my older (non leaking) ones. However, after I contacted EZ Up, they sent me three new, non leaking tops. I did treat the seams with Scotchguard though, just as an added security.

Also on these type of canopies, the legs go straight down. There are some out there where the legs go outward and downward, which can cause problems when you are only given a 10x10 space at a packed or crowded show and your canopy legs are protruding into anther crafter's booth. (I have had this happen on numerous occasions.)

I have never experienced a show dictating the color canopy I must use. However, selling candles, I would prefer the white to reflect the light. I have been under the ones with dark tops and they are a bit warmer underneath.

And as with any canopy, you must weight it down. Mother Nature's Wind does not play fair with the canopies! Especially when coupled with Rain! LOL

I have also seen crafters using either the swimming noodles or hula hoops that they put into each corner at the top of the canopy to raise the material to decrease the likelihood of water pocketing at the corners, as the water weight can ruin a canopy very quickly!

HTH.

I know you stated "internet" listing, but there are also a lot of printed publications out there as well. Craftlister has several he promotes. The one I use mostly is the Craft Register. It not only contains shows from the different states, but it also has a section for individual crafter listings (free!)

The book itself runs about $25 and is printed annually. I believe the web addy is http://www.thecraftregister.com/

I have purchased it for years. There are large and small shows listed. It grows in size every year! HTH.

I have poured in terracotta of all sizes, the big ones for citronella candles. I use Mod Podge on the inside only, and usually only use one thick coat. Two coats should definitely cover it. Just remember that the wax will sink in wherever the coating isn't. I like the look of the flat terracotta on the outside. Then I paint directly onto the pot.

You can get terracotta wholesale from Ceramo. Or if that is too far to drive, then check out your local stores. Perhaps they can order cases for you (which may even be cheaper than paying shipping.)

http://www.ceramousa.com/

HTH.

pm'ed you

I have found that as with all companies, some of the oils are good, and some are not. I also know that Lebermuth used to send out free samples. I have not ordered samples in a while, but I would guess they still do. I do use a few of their oils--and I am very happy with them and they are very good sellers. I do know that Lebermuth has quantity and pricing minimums, which can sometime be hard to meet. So I see it as a benefit that ICS is able to do this.

Just MHO.

I'm already missing candlemaking. I get to sit with my foot elevated from foot surgery. But I am a computer fool....working on new labels; making changes to get the shopping cart up; doing lots of research on some new products and fragrances.

So I guess it isn't that bad. It's not very often I get to do "sit down" work. LOL

Good luck to everyone on their shows this weekend!

Doglover, when you say be careful of the wick, do you mean be careful to not melt the wax off the wicks? When reheating the tops, that was what I was concerned about - that the heating would melt the wax off the exposed wick. Not sure if it matters, but thought I'd ask.

Kim

I meant to be careful not to burn the wick or set it on fire when using a heat gun. You can actually singe the wick or blacken it to where it looks burnt. I know from experience! LOL

You may also want to make sure that there are no air pockets in the center of the candles. As the wax shrinks/cools, this can happen. I have had it happen even with single pour waxes (as I tend to pour hot). You can poke a few holes down into your candle, and can usually feel the pockets. Then when you repour, do so at a cooler temperature.

I have also leveled out the tops of my container candles with a heat gun--even after doing a repour. (Be careful of the wick! LOL) It just depends on the wax, candle, and especially pouring temp. Good luck!

Hi Sharon.

That is how mine look also. I am not sure there is anything you can do about it, since they are being heated on a flat surface. If you would want a rougher look on that side, I wonder if you could wad up aluminum foil (so it is not smooth) and then place your beads on that--keeping the surface bumpy. I am not sure this would work, the beads may melt out from under the mold. It would take some testing. Or maybe you could heat the flat side with a heat gun and apply more beads (or use glue gun). Just some untested ideas.

However, my customers don't seem to mind the smooth side at all. HTH.

I am considering repacking my votives to single boxes. I have looked on Sunshine Container's site, but did not see singles. I will have to call tomorrow as they are already closed.

My question is for anyone who uses the singles: Do you have better luck with the 2x2x2 or with the 2x2x3 (3 being height)? Thanks for any info. I sure don't want to have to be stuck with 500 of the wrong size, as the companies don't send out samples.

TIA.

The jury fee was $15, and the booth fee was $75 - no table, no tent, outside rain or shine, PLUS 15% of all booth sales went to the church.

This truly sounds like a money maker for the church to me. I, unfortunately speaking from experience, have done a few church shows...one or two were first time events. I thought I would help them out and be a part of this growing event. To my dismay, my sales did not even cover the booth fee! And at one show, the church members who did show up, would not even go into the crafters' booths!

I would definitely recommend reconsidering selling at this show. Being a first time event (and the pricing seems a bit steep, also) -- and limited advertising-- I would not do it. But that is MHO!

Best of luck to ya!

I put the warning label on the bottom. Then use a hang tag held onto the jar with the gold elastic cord tied in a bow. I feel the gold cord adds some elegance to this jar. Works well for me. HTH.

There has to be a cow udder embed mold someplace:grin2: Pour them in a real bright pink and stick them on top of the votive with black spots. Pardon me if my idea sounds udderly ridiculous.

ROFLOL These ideas are great....I only hope the bride has a great sense of humor!

Thanks for the tips and laughs!

they closed at 5:00 so i'll have to wait until monday. and no i would not have place the order if i had knowen the shipping was going to be $15.73.

I actually had this happen to me once. When I called, it was taken care of immediately. It ended up being a mix up--I think somehow I was charged twice. I wouldn't get too worked up yet. Be sure to call, not email. I would also ask for the shipping dept. ....the name on the UPS label (if that is how it was shipped to you.) HTH

I have a customer asking for cow favors for her wedding. She decided that cow candles would be too pricey. And she is now thinking about cow melts/tarts or floating candles. I even thought little cow soaps would be cute. Does anyone know where to get a cow embed mold or floating cow candle mold? TIA

When I would provide paraffin dips, the wax was a straight paraffin, mixed with mineral oil and a mint/camphor type fragrance.

Apple Cinnamon -- always a big seller

Christmas Tree

Cinnamon

Harvest -- big fall seller

country Clothesline -- always a big seller

some fruits and clean smells

A lot of the floral scents slow down in the fall...thank goodness, ugh!

Will they not replace (or partially refund you for ) the leaked fragrance oil? What service did they use to ship. Maybe you could file a damage claim...

SMC looks very close the World of Products items!

I know that Morris Wax also gives case discounts for wax. I was thinking maybe at 12 cases? And I think you can mix the cases. I would also recommend calling them. You get a quicker response.

You can also use cleaners which emulsify the oil of the gel...such as Dawn, Joy or there is a environmentally friendly product called Basic H (Shaklee). It works great. I use it to clean all of my containers...glass and metal.

HTH

A higher melt point wax would be recommended...like the high melt votive blend IGI 1380 or IGI 1313