cestlavielumiere

You leave the glass voitve in the candle? Won't the heat from the wax in the glass cause the candle to melt?

What about Bayou Lights? Sunrise Candles? Sunshine Candles? Rise & Shine Candles? Rivers and Creeks Creations? Creek Creations? I am from the Bayou Land, sorry.

I like the logo. What about putting a hummingbird near the flower? Or changing the A or N in the shape of a leaf? Or Nature written with a vine type script? Or the O in the shape of a bubble?

Is this like a hurricane candle almost? I am confused. Is it a pillar candle with a inset to hold votives? Can someone shine some light on this for me?

My email is cestlavielumiere@yahoo.com. Please send me what you would like to have etched. I will be meeting with my partner this afternoon real brief and I will discuss it with her to see what she can come up with. She is the glass guru other the bunch. Isn't nursing just grand? I like what I do Trauma & Surgery. Tilly

Thanks for the information. I actually wrote down the time I lit the candle and the time I extinguished it for a 4 ounce candle. I was about 30 minutes off from the calculator. :rolleyes2 Thanks, Tilly

What is the average burn time for a 4 oz and 10 oz container candle? What about votive and tarts? I am just trying to get an idea if I am in an acceptable time frame?

I am wanting to use paraffin wax.

I have been going through many thread on this web site but I am unable to find the answer. I am wanting to make tarts. My question is what is the best wax to use for tarts?:rolleyes2

Part of my company is glass etching. Would be happy to put you in contact with my partner who handles that aspect. She does the stain glass part also.

Jane, We were inbtw. hobby and business but due to "unforeseen (Well, saw it coming)" area competition, we chose to get the L.L.C. We am still trying to get all of the insurance stuff. Right now, like I said we work out of my house. One of the other partners live 5 miles and the other 15 miles. Every time that you change a name or add someone, it cost more money. Thank god for "attrition" in the tax world. You could have, just "opened a second shop" so to speak out of your house, just for "tax" reasons or a place "where you do your books." Is the new county a better tax break? I have been selected as the"quarterback" for our team so to speak because I did all of the research and development and the most experience in the field have. I do all of the books, designs, forms, etc.. We meet weekly and go over things so that way we are all on the same page. It sounds like you to have a great start, just keep it up. The old college saying "There is now I in team work" and it is "not ego but we go." Speaking to a tax person at this time of the year is like is like asking hell to freeze over, IT JUST WON'T HAPPEN. Money is a big issue. Hobby-wise, well lets just say my husband has an expensive hobby too restoring old cars. Therefore it is the saying "money spent for car part equals to glass and wax for me."

The "Pop Tarts" comment was just for laughs. Good luck with your C & D issue.

Well, I guess that means a letter soon for Kellog's Pop Tarts. Is there a place on this message board that contains a list of Yankoff's cannot use list?

Well, if they trademark the word tart. I guess Kellogs is on trouble for their Pop Tarts.

Sorry, but what does C and D mean? I am sorry to hear about that. I think it is ridiculous that Yankoff candles would feel that threaten by other candle makers really they need to get a grip. I hope everything works out. Tilly

I will go back to the "drawing board." I am putting tile in my shop at the moment ( I made a huge mess with the dyes so I decided to rip up carpet and tile the floor. I was using a paint canvas over the area.). I am planning to store the votives in separate containers. For lack of space, I am planning to use the Starlite 12x6 boxes. I can get those for a dollar each at the Dollar Tree. Thanks for all of the great advise.

Jane, I am glad I can be of service. I have gone to Office Depot and they have 2 CD ROM's on Forms for business and LLC. Office Depot also sells an excellent monthly records book, produced from the company of Adam and it has lots of useful information about how to set up your forms, and record keeping. I have found them extremely useful. I also have some friends with small business ( Beauty Shop, Realtor) who have also shared some of their forms (but not the " what they don't tell you in school type business information") with me and I have taken bits & pieces to create my own. I am sorry that your SBA is not too helpful. I have just started on the business road and I am learning every day. I am a trauma nurse and this is all Greek to me, medicines and treatments I know, however wax type, scent mix, well lets just say I am a novice. I do not mind sharing my information. This is stuff I wished someone would have told me. Also, believe it or not, the IRS has an excellent web site with FREE classes (yes Something Free from the Government; you have paid your dues now take in the rewards) the classes are on small business and there are free DVD's about record keeping. If your SBA is not working try another SBA in another area. Do some reconnaissance work, learn it first hand. I am working on this "Business Plan" thing (as you can tell, I am a very easy going individual). I am trying to learn the language and a lot of the stuff does not really apply. I didn't get a small loan, I do not have employees, etc. I feel like I am in school all over again. I wish I could find a copy from someone who did a candle one and tweak it to fit mine. I am glad to help if you need me. What is the nature of your business if you don't mind me asking? Tilly

IF you go to Bplans.com and legalzoom.com you can find detailed information on setting up agreements. Your local small business association can help also. I am currently in the process of drawing one up. I would be glad to send a copy of it when I am done if you like. There are different types of agreements and contracts verbal (which is hard to enforce) and offer and acceptance, exchange of things of value etc. If you like here is some information: You and your partner should spell out your rights and responsibilities in a written partnership agreement ( establish shares of profits or losses, each partner's responsibility, what will happen to the business if a partner leaves etc.) to avoid ANY minor misunderstandings if not the rule is that the state's law will control many aspects of your business. If you refer to the Uniform Partnership Act which is a law that established basic legal rules that apply to partnerships and will control many aspects of the partnership's life unless you set different rules in a written partnership agreement. Things you might want to include: 1. Name of the partnership 2. Contributions to the partnership (who is going to contribute cash, property or service and what ownership percentage each partner will have, if cannot contribute monetary can contribute by work, etc) 3. Allocations of profits, loses and draws. 4. Partner's authority (to prevent one partner from binding the business 5. Partnership decision-making ( management styles, etc..) 6. Admitting new partners 7. Withdrawal or death of a partner 8. Resolving disputes 9. Defining financial and management structure (chain of command) Don't be tooo specific but don't be too vague either. Have everyone sign it and notarize it and give a copy for each and have one on file. Review it annually. Keep good records. Have monthly meetings and keep notes. Keep each other informed. Talk about the problem when it occurs and not let it stew for a long time. Have realistic expectations . Know your personal expectations, limitations,ethics and values. Understand not everyone will share your enthusiasm and will get things done in your time frame, be realistic or will do things like you, it does not make it wrong. Don't delegate to your partner something you would not do yourself. They are individuals. Don't boss each other. Do a real analysis of your personality and your partners to find the strength and weakness. A partnership is like a marriage or like cloths, " you should try it on before you buy it" Maybe have a neutral party available for discussions. Be honest and up front. You can't be scared to discuss things with your partner. Like a plan of care or action plan, if this... then that... I have been doing all of my legal work myself and lots and lots of research. Arm yourself with knowledge. I am willing to help and share my knowledge. We have to start some where. Lawyers are expensive get all of your ducks in a row as much as possible BEFORE you go to see one. Any-who, this is my "wax drippings" for what it is worth. If it is unwarranted, sorry. Tilly

Just don't want something so bad that it owns you. I hope it works. Don't you think on it for one minute about it being selfish. Take care of you and your needs, the rest will fall into place.

I am in a similar situation. I started the business myself and have done the research over the years. I recently decided, OK let's do it.. got the LLC, Occupational license, yada yada. My glass friend said she was in and has been contributing way before Moby Dick was a minnow like myself. My friend who does the glass part says that all good partnerships is a team effort and all teams need a quarterback which she said "kid'o that would be you." She reminds me of Shirley McClain. Our nick names, Thelma & Louise and the new partner Mabaline. The other partner, a stay at home mom (I think is a tough job in itself) can only contribute time to help make the candles. We took her on to help her to learn to be independent and stand up for herself (but she has been doing more falling than standing lately and we are TRYING VERY VERY HARD to help her.) For example, we were suppose to meet today to make candles for an order and she called me 2 hours before time to meet and said something came up, her husband was coming back home from work. My partner and I are about family understanding. She has started to make this a regular occurrence. We have given her a few task to see if she completes them with a determine deadline. I had her look up 2 craft show information and told her that I needed the information by 03/30/07. She was given this assignment on 03/24/07. When I called her 03/30/07. She said "I am working on it now." When I called her this morning she said "hold on, let me look it, I didn't get to it Friday. " Then she calls and said she could not meet today. If she does not then she will be cut from the business. My other partner and I work as RN's PRN and we schedule meetings around all of our schedules. Next week the children will be out of school and she said she will be going to visit her husband, which is great BUT she does have an obligation to the business also. Last month she missed a week because her husband decided to change the days he was off and we had to get a big order out. She missed all last week because her parents came for a visit. We asked if she could have them watch her little girl for 2-3 hours one day to help with an order and she didn't inquire of that. She has 5 children at home and her husband is in the service and comes in on weekends. When we work she brings her 4 year old over and keeping her in check is a job. My 4 year old goes to school. She has been pushing for us to try a farmers market. I told her that my other partner and I can not get that volume done alone and she needs to help. I told her in the original agreement that we had, that we would all 3 be at the farmers market for the first year and she said sure. Also she has committed to working on candles 2 days a week. We all have families. It seems when we do meet her husband just seems to aggravatingly call every hour with some task for her to do when he sits on his butt all day at work and at the evening time and comes home on the weekends. I told her she will just have to stop taking the calls unless it is an ER. He calls at the most inopportune time. My partner and I told her today that she needs to have a "come to Jesus" meeting with her husband and find out where he stands about the business and if she is serious then she needs to commit. We are drawing up a partnership agreement that will clearly outline job, role, commitment both work and monetary and EXPECTATIONS!!!!!!! We think she is just fascinated with the idea of a business but does not want to put in the time required. Sorry about my "candle box" (don't make soap so really can't say soap box lol). Becky, stick to you wax. You may need to have a "come to Jesus" meeting with her. Is she a stay at home mom? Maybe she does not understand the process and is just excited to I don't know, make a place in the world. Maybe you could use this as an education opportunity for her. Take her to the local small business association in your area. They have free council sessions. This will open her eyes. We will be taking our "Stay at home mom" to our next meeting. Maybe keep a journal in case anything "goes wrong." Has she always been this way? People usually do not change there ways. I guess, what I am trying to say, have a long "think and drink" or a "coke & a smoke" with yourself and decide where you stand and if you can separate business from friendship , it is not personal, it is business; what are you willing to do and not; gain and loose; will this person "leave you holding the bag when the going gets rough and where do you see the relationship in a few years. All you can do is try. As my grandmother would say," you never know until you try." I would be hurt too and it sounds like you are. It seems she took something that you valued enough to share with her and tried to get her own piece of the pie. It is a great feeling to start something on your own and a greater feeling to share it. These is the good in the bad. A partnership is like a marriage. Good luck with what ever you choose. Only you can decided. Mull it over with a Margurita. Just know lots of people are here for you if you need us. Tilly

What do you suggest is the best wax to make votives? I tried for "the heck of it" to make a votive with j 223, too soft but burns great.

Thanks. The National Candle Association was over 2 grand. My home owner's association only cost $15.00 a month... Don't think so.

I was looking on the web for a candle association. The price was very ridiculous. I know when you join some of the organizations you can get discounts on your supplies. Can anyone recommend a reasonable priced one?

I have just purchased a 8" impulse sealer with cutter on line and I have a heat gun (real cheap $ 9.99) from harbor Freight and I will seal my votives this week. So poly-p won't suck the scent out of the candles? I had considered the carry case tray from Walmart ( The lid with bag handles you can carry lots of cup cakes in) but space wise, it is not practical. Do you line the bottom of the drawers with wax paper? What do you display your votives in at craft shows? Do you think since they will be sealed, I could put different scents together? Oh, how long do you keep you stock before rotating them? What temperature do you keep shop? Thanks, Tilly

Can anyone tell me what is the best storage method for Votive? Once they are sealed do they really loose their scent?