coconut

My friends/customers/co-workers are raving about Peak's Lemon Pound Cake, French Vanilla, and Warm Apple Pie. Also popular are Sage/Lemongrass, Fruit Slices, Ocean, and Clean Cotton.

I just started getting this request. I use Microsoft Word but you could use other programs. I'm listing the scents next to the size that scent is available in (I don't have wicked candles for all scents). Pricing is at the top. Later I plan to add photos of my products. So far it is just one sheet-so I don't know if it is a brochure or a catalog. My sales are still small time-just to co-workers. If you have a lot of sales, I would do something with your items and scents but a separate insert for pricing so you don't waste catalogs when prices change. Unless your customers are very high-end, you should be ok printing your own.

IGI 4630-great throw, creamy, looks great, few wet spots. Can be very tough to wick though so try a small slab before you order a lot.

Peak's is great, no dirt.

I had a request so I'm testing Nature's Garden Snickerdoodle on some friends and they think it is just fabulous. BTW, is this a popular scent? Does anyone sell much of it?

Correct. I ship for a Fortune 500 company and sometimes ship a package as low as $6.00 UPS-we have an agreement for them to be the main supplier and we have a huge volume. CandleScience ships a lot of wax so I would guess they have negotiated better rates.

Ooh, I can't wait to pour some too! Maybe I need to make some of the real thing just to check for authenticity. Thanks for the update!

Peak's Lilac does smell just like the real thing and sold well for me at a Christmas craft show. Reminds folks of being back "up North".

I notice certain parts of the house have a good scent while other areas do not-the fan pushes the scent around in my house. But I still get good throw. I am in Florida so all scents must throw under pretty all conditions including air conditioning or being used outside. I make mine candles pretty strong to combat this situation.

I work on other people's computers for a living-touching keyboards other than my own a lot. (yuk) Although I wash my hands frequently during the day, several times a day and after every keyboard, I bathe my hands in straight 70% isopropyl alcohol. Been doing this for years and have not found it to have a drying effect on the skin. Don't know about the skin sanitizers though.

Thanks everyone! Looks like I must add yet another supplier to my list! (groan).

That is very kind of you. I would be happy to buy the tart and pay the shipping if you send me a PM. Thank you and thanks to everyone who replied!

OK-I have never smelled a Yankee Key Lime Pie candle but I am trying to make a dupe for a friend. Now, I grow Key Limes and I make Key Lime pie all the time so I know what the real thing is. I am testing NG's Key Lime Pie in Harmony Blend (4630) and to me it smells like soap. Is it me? Is it the paraffin? Or do I find a different source for this FO? BTW, my other NG samples smell great so far-can't wait to pour them. Thanks for any input.

The quilted jelly jars come with lids with pictures of fruit on them and matching oval labels. The jar has a diamond like pattern on it but only numbers on the bottom-does not have Mason, Ball, or Kerr on it. Have not gotten around to taking pictures yet, sorry. Here is a link to Kitchenkrafts with a photo: http://www.kitchenkrafts.com/product.asp?pn=PG0104F&bhcd2=1185651139

I like the quilted jars which come with a labels. I put the warning label on the bottom and the scent label on the clear spot on the glass. Don't know what your customers will prefer-ask them! I do. I would not try to seal the lid to the jar with a heat gun. It requires a lot of heat to soften up that rubber and you could create real problems and burn yourself. If you really want to try it, soften them in boiling water (this is how they are designed to be used), dry well, and screw on to the jar. Then remove the bands. I'm not positive this will work because it is the vacuum seal that keeps the lids on the jars when you can produce or jelly, not the rubber. I just use the lids and bands that come with the jars so my customers can open and smell the candles. You can also buy one-piece lids on the internet. Kitchen Krafts handles them and there are others too.

Just got my first sample and OOB it smells better than the other two I have. Has anyone poured it yet and what do you think of it?

Thanks everyone!

Thank you everyone! An ounce it is then! I can't wait to try these samples. I had requests for several scents and Nature's Garden was the only place where I found them all!

I have used cheesecloth. Bought at the grocery store. Fold it into as many layers as it takes.

Not that my opinion matters, but personally, I don't like any name that contains "original", "creations", "alternatives", "solutions"-or anything of the kind. These terms are often associated with startup companies that are trying to make their mark with a name. As I try to come up with a name, I picture myself answering the phone with that name. Also picture someone stopping at a co-worker's desk and asking "Is that a ________ candle?". See how it rolls off the tongue. Pine Creek Candles is good. So is Miller Farm Candles. The big guys don't have any cutesy words after their names so there must be a reason. Also stay away from names nobody can pronouce. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Getting ready to test a bunch of samples from Nature's Garden. OOB the scents don't seem quite as strong as Peak's (which I pour at 6%) but I may have candlenose. DH says they smell strong. He liked the fact that sniffing the bottle did not make him sneeze! Does anyone use NG's oils in paraffin and what % do you recommend? Just looking for a starting point. Their instructions suggest 1-1.5 oz per lb. vs. Peak at .5-1 oz per lb. Any input appreciated. Thank you!

Trying to decide between using polypropylene wrap or ziplock bags. This is to wrap tarts and to cover wickless glass bowls. Does polypropylene stick to itself and to glass like commercial plastic wrap, or does it need to be secured with stickers or tape, or tied on? Thanks in advance. I would just go buy some but most good stuff must be mail-ordered in SW Florida. We have two sayings-you can't get there from here and you can't get that here.

I am testing 4 oz jelly jars with the chimneys. I should have been more clear-I test both inside and outside, both winter and summer. I don't find the chimneys make a significant difference with these containers but I don't know about pillars. Candle toppers made a huge difference and I had to abandon them-candle burned too hot. The ambient temperature does make some difference but has not posed that much of a problem unless I try to test below 65 degrees. Then I don't get a good melt pool. From 65-95, does not seem to make too much difference. I use IGI 4630 which is very soft. I aim for about a 1/4" melt with a slight hangup on the first burn or two, which then catches up later. This gives me some wiggle room regarding the room temperature. Hope this helps some of you. BTW, I make my candles in the lanai too, at 94 degrees. Thermometer in the lanai reads 100. I guess you just get used to it in Florida.

I used to own a carryout and had to file lots of stuff-income taxes, sales taxes, employee taxes, unemployment fees, licenses fees..... Having those two pros available was the best thing we did! I only went to see them a couple of times a year so it did not cost much at all and the CPA paid for himself with the write-offs he found me! And the lawyer was worth his weight in gold when we sold the business. Their fees are a write-off too!

When you go into business, you should have two things: an accountant and a lawyer. You don't have to spend a lot of money. Just have an initial consultation with each, pay for one hour, and you will get a wealth of information. Then you can file the taxes yourself each quarter as needed-just have the CPA help you at the end of the year. These guys are well worth the money you pay them, and will often answer a quick question for no charge once you establish a relationship. Best of luck!