girlyracer

Hi there Royster and welcome. I too am a newbie. I spent about 5 months reading practically every candlemaking website to gain knowledge and information. I just made my first candles this weekend, haven't burned them yet as they are curing. Like you though, I too started thinking about the other end of candlemaking. Websites, shopping cart, logo design, image, labels, tags, packaging, the list goes on.

If like me you're strapped for cash then working on other aspects of your new business-to-be whilst you're getting your money saved up makes sense. Not everyone has a wad of credit cards or a substantial disposable income. If anything it keeps you focussed on your ultimate aim of having a successful home based business. Once you have your winning formula for your candles then your set to go.

Everybody works in different ways, it doesn't mean it's wrong, just shows that we are all individuals. What works for one may not work for someone else.

That's me off of my soapbox.

Ruby

Doh! Why is it we never think of the easiest and simplest solution. I'll have to remember that for when I start making container candles in tumblers.

Ruby

No, it's not you your eyesight is fine. It is a tad off, the wick must've moved whilst pouring. Either that or I've got dodgy bamboo skewers:whistle:.

Thanks everyone. They wouldn't have turned out this good if it wasn't for you guys on this forum. The wealth of information here is awesome. For any other newbies out htere this is definitely the right place to be.

Thanks guys:rockon:

Ruby

Mmmm, yummy

Ruby

Finally got round to making my very first container candles ever .

I got some starter kits delivered earlier in the week. I'm using Soy, Ecosoya I believe. I left them uncoloured, they look a bit boring but I'm well pleased with the results I got. I made a 1lb honey jar, a tavel jar and a yoghurt pot. All have got nice smooth tops. A few wet spots and some jump lines. That must have been 'cos I didn't warm the jars. They smell great cold and I can't wait to test burn them in a week or two.

Pics 21 & 22 are of my honey jar.

Pics 19 & 20 are of my travel jar.

I've definately been bitten by the bug now. Got to get more wax and more smells .

Ruby

I think you have a lovely site. As for the speed, I had no problems loading up the pages just now. They all loaded up quite quickly.

Ruby

If they are a registered company then you should be able to find out more about them from the local Chamber of Commerce, or maybe local Trading Standards.

I can only give a prospective on UK companies. Over here all Ltd companies have to register with Companies House and submit their yearly accounts to them. I would assume that there is something similar in the US. You can then check to see if they are genuine and if they are solvent or not.

I would assume that most countries operate a similar procedure. The only countries I wouldn't be sure of are those emerging nations from say Africa and the Far East.

If the said company is in Europe and an EU member then there are very strict rules and regs in place for registered companies and there are ways of checking them out.

Sorry if I sound a bit vague but this is an area that you really do need to consider carefully if you are not going to get ripped off.

Ruby

Good grief! You're not having a lot of luck and it's not for the want of trying. I can see how you would start to take things personally. I think I would LOL.

All I can say is what a bunch of party poopers. They either feel that hosting a party is too much like hard work or they are saddos and have no friends!!

Personally, I think parties are a great escuse to have a girl's night in. Get rid of the fellas, send the kids to bed early, break out the wine and chocolates .

Some of the parties I've attended have been brill. A few times the poor husband was too embarrassed to hang around. KWIM

Ruby

Hello, I've just read your dilemna with interest. I think this is something that can affect anyone at any time. I take it from your first post that you live in a fair sized town, if not then I stand corrected. I know that I'm in the UK and things may be somewhat different but here are my thoughts. Have you approached your own friends and family if they are local. They are going to be the ones who will want to see you succeed. Offer some good hostess incentives.

This time of year there are going to be all sorts of fundraising events. Over here we have lots of primary schools, nursery schools, nursing homes, churches, girl guides, scouts, various cadets, etc that start having events for Christmas. Do you not have these in the US? They could be another source of customers for your products. Let them know that you do home parties.

You see, if people, and especially your existing customers, aren't aware of this then your phone isn't going to ring. It is so important to your business that you ensure that you advertise not only the range that you produce but also the extra services like home parties or internet parties. Internet parties work on the same principal only that anyone who cannot attend or those who would love to host a party but are too busy, they host it online. People will place their orders online and they all go towards the hostess' final sales total. This is great if people already are familiar with your products.

As LynnS says don't forget to check your local paper for forthcoming events. Most community groups will advertise their up and coming bazaars. Also keep your ears open when you are in queues. It's amazing what little snippets you can pick up by eavesdropping.

Hope I've given you some food for thought. If you're going to succeed then you are going to have to move out a little from your comfort zone.

Ruby

Welcome! I've recently joined and I agree with my fellow Brit Chauntelle it looks like a great place. Some other forums can be a bit catty, but they all seem really friendly here

Ruby

Yep. They are all MLM companies. Not all MLM companies are scams, there are a few genuine ones out there. I've been part of one for the past 6 1/2 years here in the UK. The company I'm associated with has been trading since 1923 and they have a good tack record.

You do need to be very wary though. So many MLM companies go belly up in the first couple of years. You need to know whether there is an end user for your product or whether the emphasis is on recruiting and you buy product for your own personal use. An ethical company will allow you to sell direct to customers and/or recruit. If they are more interested in you recruiting then be very wary. If there is no product moving to end users then there will be no cash to pay the network.

I used to recruit but I now just sell directly to customers. There was never any pressure for me to recruit it was totally up to me. They understand that people join for different reasons, not everyone is after the big bucks. For most just an extra £100 pw can make a huge difference to their lifestyle. Put pressure on these people to recruit and they just end up quitting and everyone loses out.

One thing I noticed, there doesn't seem to be a statutory wealth warning. Here in the UK all MLM companies carry one. It's the rules otherwise the DTI and OFT come down on the company like a ton of bricks.

Ruby

My turn on the soapbox Isbennis, I couldn't agree more with you . I'm looking to start making soy candles from home too. At the moment I'm just trying to learn everything I can but I am having a similar dilemna. I would like to market them as eco-friendly but what do you do re fragrances and packaging. Container candles aren't a problem as glass is recycleable, but what about packaging for votives, pillars and tarts. Most people seem to either shrink wrap them or use cellophane. But are these methods biodegradable? I don't they are, most plastic takes forever to break down. Then there is the fact that plastic products are oil based. The list seems to go on forever.

Will there ever be a truly eco friendly candle - who knows. I think at the end of the day I think its a case of doing the best we can do with the available resources on offer to us and our wallets.

That's me done:2cents:

Ruby

Hi Candlewitch. Can you e-mail me what you PM me. I can't aaaccess PM yet as I've only just joined. You can e-mail me at girlyracer63@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks

Ruby

Thanks for those two eBay sellers. I had heard of Scensory Perfection. I wasn't too sure whether her scents were good or not. Sometimes you take your chances with eBay sellers. By the feedback I've checked out, they seem pretty kosher. Just need to check out which US suppliers will ship to the UK. I take it that not all of them do.

Oh well, more checking out to do and more feasibility calculations. New business startups - who'd have them, eh? Still it's all good fun, I think?

Ruby

Thanks for all your replies. Very interesting info. Food for thought I think. Now, where's my calculator ......:smiley2:

Ruby

So as as long as the order is below £18 I won't get hit with import duty. What about shipping? I'm just trying to weigh up the cost of ordering my FOs from either here in the UK or from the States. I don't want to compromise on quality though. Let's face it if you make scented candles they have to smell good.

Are there any other UK peeps here who import? What works best for you guys?

Ruby

Hi. I'm looking for a bit of advice. I'm currently investigating various suppliers for candlemaking supplies here in the UK. I've found reasonably priced suppliers for wax and jars.

I'm now looking for fragrance suppliers. I've got details of a few here in the UK but their prices.... . I know it's not their fault as they're imported from the US. They need to make a profit too.

My question is have any UK members here bought their FOs direct from the US. What were the shipping costs, delivery times and did you have to pay a lot in import duty? Is it worth getting them direct from US or is it best to buy them here?

Ruby