chauntelle

Live for the moment- if you don't try you'll never know and always wonder what if!!

A year ago nxt week my partner and i put every penny we had into an outdoor shop selling climbing, camping and walking products. We put everything we had into it and didn't borrow a penny.It was hard no pretending and juggling kids as well . But after a while you get into a routiene and you learn from your mistakes. We calculated our risks and now a year on i can honestly say no regrets!!! yes i had times when i thought y? and thought we'd be better off without but now i'm so glad we didn't loose faith it's amazing how quickly this year has gone and how much we've achieved.

I'd say go for it.We are so glad we did we are hoping to move to a bigger store before xmas and are even talking to our bank manager about buying a going concern outdoor business and merging the two!

If your after a bit of advice i'd say do a business plan with how much you think it will cost to set up, Have a marketing strategy- if customers don't know your there then they can't buy.It doesn't have to cost alot especially if you no your market well! Don't spend too much on fixtures and fittings it's amazing how far money can stretch if it has to. Have a small amount of money put by for quiet times ie september and january. And a big one that i'd say should be a must is have a launch day get a buzz going have some special deals for that day and show them all what you have to offer.

I'm sure you'll be fine and don't forget everyone loves these sorts of shops ' xmas. you'll find the money when it's needed.

Wishing you all the best for your business and remember you don't know till you try!Good luck:)

The pots with push on lids ARE ok for candles, I use them myself - very reluctantly because they cost so much. You HAVE to get the wicking right though, as the glass is thin and could crack if the flame is too hot. I also use the hinged terrine jars, but these are not fabulous sellers for me and are also too expensive if you want to sell your candle at a competitive price - they are much better used for bath/body products.

All my other jars and containers come from Germany or the USA.

I would be interested to find out where you can get the hinged ones at that price chauntelle - I use them for my bath salts and body scrubs.

Nat

It's through a supplier that i use for my outdoor shop but they will only supply to certain businesses but i manage to get them through my shop.If i can help then please let me no chauntellebacon@btinternet.com not sure how much it would cost to p&p to you if you let me no the costings then i'll c if it will be cheaper this way just let me no!

What about hinged ones i saw them on the website mentioned above and i can get them for half that price but i'm not sure if customers buy them? Do you think i should give them ago coz it would b cheaper that the other ones?

Don't you think glass jars in the uk suck!(no offence meant to anyone!)

For a while i've been searching for jars that are from my suppliers here in the uk,as it costs far too much to pay shipping costs from America. I've been looking for the 'yankee' style jars. it's taken me a while but i've finally found one of my suppliers who will supply me nxt mth. I'm not 100% sure on the prices though so i was hoping if i tell u howe much they r u could give me your opinion!

4oz = £2.10

7oz = £2.24

12oz = £2.48

there is a wholesale price if ordering 250 units+ which can be mixed and the delivery would be £79.00 any less and the delivery charge would be costed @ weight value.

Rubber seals start @ 20p each.

My main worry is that my customers will find it too expensive once i've added all other costs. I also have to consider my wholesale customers.

Any advice would be appreciated!!

I solve the dilemma like this.

From January-August, my kids get me.

From Sept-Dec, my bod belongs to candles.

you must make hundreds in those 3 months or do u still do a few in the other months? you got me intreeged!!

(sorry about the above can't work out how to delete yet must have posted that accidently?)

you must have to make hundreds of candles in those 3 months or do you still make a few Jan-Aug? you got me intreeged!!

WOW wish i could do these they r sooo beautiful. never seen them like this b4 i'm not surprised they sell so well. how long have you been making them?

Letitia (who's five) has settled into school really well and although she only does 2 1/2 hrs a day i wear her out and her little bro when she gets home and after t bath and story she's really ready 4 bed now @ 7pm!!!!! on fri and sat she's up till 7.30 & 8pm but i've finally got more of a routine to fit candles into.When she's at school i manage to do a small batch and when i get back it's perfect time to do a second pour and following your advice they r really getting to grips with the hot thing and even tell me to b careful- u gotta love em! My kitchen overlooks their playroom so i've rotated there toys and they're fine to play gd most of the time for 45 mins.My partner works all day 5 days and usually 3 nights as well but wen he is home he puts a program on and watches with kids whilst i melt then he watches wax whilst ispend time putting kids to bed.It seems to be working but at the mo i'm only doing small batches. But it's like u say u find the time. My bags r now about 2" but hey i made a candle that i'm real proud of yesterday so it's worth it.

With the bedtime thing i'm quite strict but always have been in a nice way i make it fun but calm & they seem to understand!!!

P.s I'm addicted to candlemaking big time!

I think there great the way they r the clear ones r fantastic, can't wait to c your website!!!

check this website out www.candigifts.com there great request a catalogue coz they seem to have even more on that!! Hope this helps i'm new @ gift baskets as well but they have so many things that gave me great ideas.

thankyou for putting my mind at rest, i did try to do a search but didn't mind an answer. will give ur suggestion ago!!

I made a pillar candle and lite it 24hrs after and the flame was 2 inches high. I measured the wick b4 lighting and i haven't used any FO. Is this too high?? tried it again and it's done the same thing. what am i doing wrong????

WOW u really love those candles huh? I think the tag idea is much better than labels and agree that there slightly too big, but i thought the jars looked nice!! I'm sure it won't be long b 4 it's all your candles on the shelves :rolleyes2

I think there great, you've put a smile on my face this morning -just what i needed!! would love to see some more as i don't have the heart to try them yet but i love these!!! :yay:

Thanks guys, it's great to no i'm not the only one who has to juggle it all!

So i'm now pledging to loose the sleep thing and keep the kettle on instead, get organised- something my family would laugh at,it's not really my strong point,and get stuck in!!!!! My daughter who's 5 would love to help but she's just a bit too enthusiastic at the mo and my son would have to put his fingers in NOT a good idea so the baby gates r looking like a must with a few videos and time management i'm sure i'll master it or come up with some interesting candle designs anyway!!!!!!!!! thank you for all the advice:yay: :D :D

Welcome,

I've only just joined too and the guys r great by looking through the threads(using the search key top right) i've solved loads of problems. The basic instructions on the left is a good place to get an understanding of what you'll need and how to make candles, once you've mastered that then it's just how fwr your imagination can take you. Don't forget to test your candles once you've made them it will make them safe and prevent accidents re-occuring!

But like i say i'm fairly new to candlemaking & even newer to this place so others will probably beable to help you even further. don't forget if there's something specific u need 2 no and can't find your answer then post a thread. Everyones so great you'll have your answer in no time:yay:

I'd love to no the answer to this as my days(and nights) just don't seem to have enough hours in them. I've got two children my eldest is five and has just started school but only does pm's till after xmas and my youngest is nearly 3 just started preschool but only does 1 am till halloween and then will do 2. I don't like to heat wax with them around so i generally start once there in bed @ 7.30! so i'm always knackered the nxt day!

Is there an easier way or is it like this till their @ school full time??? Would love to hear how you guys find time to make all your beautiful candles!!!!!:rolleyes2

Never heard of them has anyone noticed that they have two different launch dates on the home page it says august but on the about you page it says july! Maybe it's just a typing error. I would never sign up to selling these products- u have to like what you sell and believe in the product, how can you do that if there's no products to view (unless i was being stupid and not looking properly. Maybe i'm wrong could be beautiful products and a great company to work 4 ?

Just been looking through today's threads and found a lady who's also based in uk a link of hers has one style of jars

www.sensoryperfection.co.uk

I'm having the same trouble. My current supplier who lives 5 mins away from me is stopping selling candle supplies and so i'm having to look for new ones she recommended a couple to me but they don't supply glass jars.i was browsing the internet the other day and found one that does a wide range of candle supplies but i can't remember jars only had a quick look.i think the web address is www.4candles.co.uk ? off the top of my head- left it in car but will let u no if it's wrong. I know hobby craft sales jars ect 4 glass painting but not sure if it will stand up to the heat and they're quite expensive 2!

I'll let u no if i find any coz i'd love some too!!! Hope this has been some help!

Haven't been making candles long enough to really answer you, but having some one to ask for advice sounds good.The book interested me as well as i had never heard of it i don't spose u could tell me the author and where i might find it?

I'm sure some others who no a bit more would be able to help you!!

had a look @ them n they give a nice range of lay outs and ur right it looks easy but after looking at a couple of the sites they seem to have a familiar feel to them i liked yours coz it's fresh and different is it the graphics you've used.all the others had softy look borders ect your ones got that crisp modern look i'm kinda aiming for.

Just had a look @ ur site looks good. How long did it take u to build? I'm not too good with computers do you think it would be easy enough to use? Love the skeleton leaves wicked touch a really easy site to use i'd b proud if that was mine!Thanks

I've been looking for a website that looks fresh and modern but i don't know what's a good one to go with, would be okay doing my own one without hmtl or whatever the code is - see totally bad with websites! The other problem that i have is that i'm on a very tight budget and need to get some new kit as wel so it needs to b as 'cheap as chips' any advice would b fab!!!

Do any of you get sales through your site, wondering if it's worth doing and if i'll have to wait long for it to b worth while???? ! Sorry to trouble u all again

Sometimes people like to see you a couple of times to no you're genuine. I found that the second time that i held partys for people there was a much better atmosphere and people brought alot more. I also find it helps to relax guests with games Get ur face known, word of mouth will spread and you'll b fine !! Why not ask family to hold some parties and u never no there friends might want 1 too. Good luck and stick with it IT will pay off.