kandlekrazy

Unfortunately everything seems to be going up again in big numbers instead of slowly climbing. Even if I find a great sale the shipping is killer. I just found 50# wax on a great sale but by the time shipping added my local supplier is less. The only thing I can recommend is finding suppliers as close to your location as possible. You could also raise your prices moderately to help offset the increases, it's tough but sometimes it's all we can do.

I started mixing my own when Bert went out of business. Her's was over the top. If you have an orange or sweet orange that you like and clove fo's start with 3/4 orange to 1/4 clove. This is what I like but I like to really smell the clove.

Are you sure you're not just getting used to the scent so don't smell it. I honestly have trouble smelling my melts but people walk in our store and comment on them so I know they smell. Sometimes using testers is better than trying to do it all yourself as we tend to get candle nose and even coffee beans or a walk outdoors does not completely cure it.

This is oh so true. I had driftwood that wouldn't sell. Renamed it Cayucos Driftwood and flew off shelf. We attract vacationers from all over the world and they want something with our name on it.

I've had it happen before and if I'm remembering correctly my supplier told me it was a reaction to the fo/wax combo I was using. Mine turned a blue-green. Unfortunately I've lost all my notes from way back so can't check to see which fo it was. I don't believe I used Nag Champa back then so chances are it's something in that blend. I use C3 now but I did try all the GW waxes at one time, I'm not sure which wax it happened with. Not much help, sorry.

You probably will do better contacting one of the places that sell all the above additives. I use USA in C3 because it behaves better with it but you use it in a very small amount, like 1-2 tablespoons for 5# of wax. I do know that it does not replace UV inhibitor. I don't use UV except with some heavy vanilla fo's and many of my melts change color under fluorescent lights. They probably wouldn't if I used it all the time.

Yeah, thinking they'd have a tough time standing their ground on farmers market. I can understand tart because the meaning doesn't really apply to candles but come on Yankee next they'll trademark "candle"

They would easily sell for $12.00 here.

Me too, diff wax and usually unscented but sometimes scented...works just fine!

It's most likely your fo/wick combination. Try switching to a different type of wick and you will probably see that fuel smell disappear. I personally do not like LX wicks. In Ecosoya the Premier wicks work quite well, some citrus as stated before always gives a slight fuel smell.

I highly doubt that the words farmers market can be trademarked, it's way too common a term and name of fo's

Isn't it Lotioncrafter's formula? I know it's trademarked.

The large square lid from Lonestar doesn't fit??? Someone carried rolls of sticky type covers with holes to sniff, but I can't for the life of me remember who. You could use the same one on several size jars, I wasn't crazy about the sticky so I quit using them. I thought about cutting them just to the size of the top but then I quit using a square jar. You might be able to make your own?

Those circular lines that are closer to the wick with C3 are a pita. I've found ambient temperature has alot to do with it while cooling. I've been able to almost eliminate them by doing the following, hope it helps for you: Making sure room temp is at least 70 or covering with a box while cooling Pouring cooler, wait until the wax is pretty cloudy to pour Try to pour down the wick instead of close to the jar wall. PRAY that the soy fairies don't mess with you.

Barnwick makes wood lids that are round for resale, I wonder if they would begin making the square if they knew there is a demand for them? Their wood wicks and lids are avail now at woodcandlewick.com We could all make a joint effort and start emailing or calling them...lol...blow up their phones!

Did you put it in wax? Sometimes I gag at the smell until it's in wax and cured then it smells as it should. Obviously it has to smell good burning as well! I can't even go into those porta pottys so I'll pass on even trying 1 oz.

Camel's milk is pretty popular in California health food stores as well as some of our high end markets. I've never tried it myself but it does sell or they wouldn't continue to carry it. I believe it's Bristol Farm's market that also carries the soap but it could have been Mother's my fav health food store. I'll have to check when I go on a trip South again. The places I've seen it are in So Cal where I lived previously.

I think you go into that My Media icon on top of the thread when you're posting and it allows you to add attachments.

Once you know what your % are of each scent it really doesn't matter if you premix or mix right before using. Just be sure to mix it well. I premix for convenience.

LOL I'm with you, if I didn't see this thread I wouldn't have known...gotta look now.

Some big shows only allow 1-2 vendors with a particular product and some have no restrictions and that would be my first variable in spending that kind of $ to sell. Know your competition. The next is your area, how much do you sell at smaller shows and if you multiply that by the # of days/hours would you do ok on paper? Next is whether or not the event charges an admission fee, I found this could turn people off or make them buy more. I'm one of those that feel if I paid to get in I need to factor that into the cost of what I buy, others feel they need to buy more to justify the cost. The other thing is what is the main focus of the show? Is it a handmade/craft fair? We have a huge vintage show at the Madonna Inn every year which is very pricey for vendors. I've gone because Antiques & Vintage are my main work but I've never participated. Two years in a row there has been only 1 candle vendor there and she was right inside the front door with a really tall display that you couldn't miss. I'm going to say she did really well or wouldn't have come back. I wasn't impressed with the look of her candles, I felt for this event it needed to be upscale and near perfect and they weren't. If she is there next time, I will pick her brain a little. If I knew I was the only candle or soap vendor at a huge event, I'd probably try it provided I had the time to make enough product for the event.

I don't use your wax but I'm one that feels testing has to be random because that's how a customer will burn. I typically make 2 candles the same and burn at different lengths of time and restart them at different times. I rarely wait more than 8 hours between burns, usually 2-3 hours or overnight if I'm testing in the evening. Sometimes I power burn the candle just to see what it will do as I know some of my customers will do the same. I have my mom test as well, she lights a candle and doesn't put it out for 5-6 hrs unless she is leaving the house, I think she is a typical customer.

Beautiful label, beautiful tribute! Thank you nephew for your service.

How far are you testing? That jar tends to catch up with 2nd or 3rd burn. I use a C62 with C3 and no dye. I only have a few scents in that jar so I'm not sure if all scents will work out.

About a week ago I found them and wanted to try their wood lids. I'm also thinking about trying their wicks, I haven't had much luck with wood wicks in past testing so I gave up. I'm ready to try again