Twoscentsworth

I know Lynn...I feel sorry for them too but hello ! It's a craft show, people sell stuff that smells that's just how it is. I am allergic to cigarette smoke and do my best to stay away from it.....but there isn't much you can do when people are in places where smoking is allowed and I am too . So while I really do sympathize, there isn't anything we can do. Besides, I am so busy selling I think some people are really complaining about that

well, I experimented with pie slices but there was so much wax left over it seemed a waste. If I had time I might try double wicking with different size wicks but it would take me too much time.....

Jazzbo is an expert pie slice maker I think.

The pro is that it makes your candle glittery and sparkely

the con...well, sometimes it's difficult to get that glitter to do what you want it too and sometimes it sinks right to the bottom

I make lots of glittery gel around the holidays and to show off the sparkle I put a string of mini lights behind them...really catches peoples interest.

Also, you can use glitter you get in stores IF it's the fine or superfine. I have experimented with some from Walmart and it works just fine but I would be careful and do some good testing....that said

Amy from RusticEscentuals is THE Glitter Queen and she has wonderful glitter and other things like hearts and stars in an amazing array of colors which I have purchased in massive quantities ......

Just prepare yourself....you will make the whole place smell and most people will "sniff" you out I was once in a very large hall and had people searching all over for the wonderful smell....however, you WILL have some complainers and they are usually the most vocal.

I once was set up next to a gal who complained because she was "allergic"...I told her I was VERY sorry but there was just nothing I could do and that maybe next time she should tell the promoters that she needed to be far away from anything scented...

Since there really isn't anything you can do, just be prepared with some answers to the complainers and have fun and sell out !

Don't know of an indoor venue where the fire marshalls allow you to burn a candle....instead take an electric wax melter ....much safer and it will really get the scent out there.

Do you have enough $$$ to buy all the supplies you need plus pay your rent, electricity, advertising, etc. for six months even if you make no money? Overhead is a killer....

Most small businesses fail because of undercapitalization. It can take a year or more for people to find you...even then no gaurantees.

Owning your own business is a twenty-four seven job....

That said, if you are willing to invest the time and money and think there is a market in your town it can be done.

I started with craft shows and then had a store in the mall which I shared, so I paid 1/2. Even in a mall there were days that were very, very slow...in the summer you might not make your overhead but should recover during the fall and holiday season. When my partner decided not to "play" store anymore, I quickly looked for a place where I could reduce my overhead. My best advice is to keep your overhead as low as possible.

I use zinc for all gels.....I tried others but they would always "slump" on me. It was just easier to stick with one type...

Here is another take, limit the number of scents you take because if you have too many, people will not be able to choose !

I usually take only 15 scents ( 5 floral, 5 food, 5 other)that is more than enough and yes, someone will always want one you didn't bring but that will happen even if you take 100 scents.

Also, do you really want to lug all those candles for a one day show?:rolleyes2

and do you want people standing in front of you, sniffing all 53 scents taking up your selling time? Just some other things to think about

Would depend on where you live...if you are in the South Alabaster has smooth sided jelly jars and choice of one piece lids.

Deanna, I don't know how this will work with your cut n curl wax but I will tell you how I make them with CBL-141.

Get a square cake pan, melt,color, scent your wax and pour it into the pan. Set out a large piece of tin foil (I use the non-stick kind).Now this is a bit tricky, but you have to let the wax set up just enough to be solid but not tooo much that you can't work it. You can test with a cake tester, you want it to not be soupy. Then cut the wax into strips .. I make my strips about 3" wide. Pick up the first strip and set it with the cut side on the foil, then start rolling it...you have to kind of mold and roll at the same time so it won't split. As I am rolling I also start pushing it gently upwards because I like mine to be tall. You do have to work quickly so you can get to the other strips before they harden...this might take some practice . Once you get them all molded you can add your wick. Again, I don't know nuttin' about the properties of the wax you have, but I measure the width of my "buns" and use the appropriate size LX wick...I drill a hole in the middle of the buns and then insert the wick. After they are all formed and wicked, I then melt some wax with no color, just scent for the icing...put it into a pouring pot and then holding the bun by the wick drizzle the wax over the buns. If you put more of the no stick foil into a pan, you can then re-heat the over pour and use it again. HTH and is not too confusing!