Ahuff

I gave 4 different baskets to 3 different groups - a local service club, a car club and a company. All will be raffling them to their members/employees. The service club is a non profit, so that's a donation in kind. The others I write off as advertising. I do get orders from these baskets, so I find they really work for me.

I prefer the Muscadine that Greenleaf carries - you can smell the grape, the vine, etc.

Do you pour and then place the Wick Centering Tool or pour with it already on the jar? My hands shake and I don't think I could aim very well in that small space.

Very nice! There will be some lucky co-workers for sure!!

Also need to know what type and size wick you are using - they may be self trimming ones that curl to one side.

Just wanted to add that candlesource's Dreamsicle is dead on! Love love love it! Also, their Fresh Cut Roses is a huge seller for me - it smells like a dozen roses in the house. Great service with same day shipping when you call in your order.

Michaels can't control what you do once you leave the store. I have purchased those warmers with my tax ID#, so my intent was clearly to resell. No problems whatsoever.

I also get mine from Lonestar - I've never had one come loose like that!

I started using ECOs, but have switched to CDs - they seem to burn longer and cleaner for me. HTH, Alex

I don't understand the concept - do you put votive candles in them? They are rather long - you would need several votives, and with the cutouts you would need to use a votive holder. So if you use a votive holder, whats the point of the candle box? I also think the price is high. I love candles and candle goodies but I wouldn't spend $25-35 for a votive holder, no matter how pretty it is. I would suggest that you add text explaining what they are and how they are used. Play up the angle that they are handmade, what type of wood. Do you offer to paint or stain them? HTH, Alex

You tell them that like any other candle, the scent will diminish over time. However, you are more than happy to sell them 1/2 oz bottle of refresher oil. Yes, people generally buy the oil - just caution them to use just a drop or two at a time.

I think Racing Fuel would be great! We have friends that race so that smell brings back great memories. I told her that I couldn't locate a Skunk FO - and that I wasn't sure I wanted to make one if I did find it! She laughed and agreed that it perhaps wasn't the most popular scent. It too reminds her of childhood summers spent at her grandparents farm. Hmm, maybe a Room Spray? I can go into the gag gift market.....

I got an email from a good customer today, she likes florals and spa stuff normally. Today however, she was asking for a skunk scented candle. No, its not a gag gift, she just wants one. So, I'm wondering what other bizarre requests you've received. I know there are some strange FOs out there - Taylored has a motor oil - but I just can't imagine wanting a skunk candle. I suppose if I find it I have to make a striped pillar for her.......

Thanks - its handy sometimes to be OCD! Yes, I agree that honesty is best. Actually the average burn is 32 hours 40 minutes, so I use 30 hours. Underestimate and over deliver is my theory! I was just wondering what others burn times are, since she was so appalled. Is there anyone out there that gets 45-50 hours out of a jelly jar? Wicked correctly, no hangup, sooting, etc?

Yep, I saw several of the "slap it together and sell it" variety this weekend. Went to a local show, as a customer. There was one booth that was dedicated to candles - all soy, colorless in frosted containers. Her presentation is very arty and high end, and she doesn't sell much. Saw several booths that had various decorative items and a few candles. I was nosy and asked if they made the candles - every one said no, they bought them from "insert cute story about old person/single mom/family farm". Every one of them were really scary - wicks off centered, wicks that were obviously too big, wax that was lumpy, dusty containers. The family farm candles were small status jars for $10 and were dirty on the top. I find that if your presentation is attractive, you are able to carry on a conversation with people and let your enthusiasm for your craft shine through, you will do well. I try to avoid bashing the competition, but if someone asks what to look for in a candle I hit the high points of centered wicks, safe containers, etc. Oh, and I will be at this show next year!

Thats based on actual data gathered from all of my testing - I have binders full of notes. It depends on the FO - some are 28 hours, some go to 35 hours.

Well, first you need to realize that a 16 oz container does not mean you need 16oz of wax. Take your container and weigh it without anything in it. Now fill it with water to the desired fill level. Subtract the empty weight from the fill weight. Multiply the actual water contained by 86%. That amount is the total amount of material needed - meaning wax and FO. For example my 16oz keepsake jar holds 13.7 oz of water x 86% = 11.78 oz of material needed. So I would use 11oz of wax and .80 of FO for a 6% FO load. Once you have determined the actual amount of materials needed and the cost of the materials, then you can start looking at your profit margin to set a price. I think if you shop around you can get a better price for your jars. HTH, Alex

I like it! The colors blended really well together! Were the chunks scented or just the overpour?

I had a customer ask how long my 8oz jelly jars burned. I told her the average was around 30 hours, and she got upset and told me that she bought some previously from someone else and got 45+ hours out of them. She did admit that they were paraffin and she burned for very short periods of time. I haven't worked with paraffin, so I wasn't sure if it burns longer than soy or if this lady is crazy. I have always used blends, currently using GL 70/30. So, is her expectations out of line or are my jellys burning too fast? I feel that they are wicked properly to achieve the correct mp for the jar, no soot, etc.

You'll need a more complex vanilla - vanilla spice, vanilla orange, etc. Straight vanilla tends to fade quickly IMHO.

I use the spigot in my Prestos and can't imagine having to ladle the wax or picking up the presto pot and pouring out of it. Yes, the spigots will drip - especially once they heat up and any trace wax in the spigot from the last use will melt. I put a widemouth glass container on the floor to catch the drips. When I'm done working, I melt the drips back into the presto. I want a T&S but the element exposed to the wax makes me nervous.

Right now its holiday scents - Christmas Splendor, Jack Frost, etc. Honeydew Pear, Green Tea, etc are year round sellers.

I'm not a fan of them myself, but they are moving very fast around here. I got a sample of the base from Greenleaf and it really held the FO. It worked and still works, I just think they take up too much space. Not to mention the dust balls it will eventually collect.

They're great for placement of stuff in gift baskets - that's how I get the "Tower O'Stuff" look. Other than that, they're useless.

You won't find a 19/32 drill bit at a hardware store - they are "hobby" bits. You can use 11/16. Don't worry about the tap - the aluminum is soft enough that you can create the threads by twisting the parts in the pot. HTH, Alex