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Violetsexoticcandles

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Posts posted by Violetsexoticcandles

    Cool Santa Bear Before Dipping

    in Old Style Candle Gallery

    Posted

    I went to the dollar store and got this bear... it was hard to pick out a bear I wanted to stick in 120 degree plus wax! So I decided to take this pic before I bought and dipped him. OMG I admire you guys who do this on a daily basis! Stuffing that bear in my pot was a hard thing to do and man, seeing him all sticky with wax made me feel bad! :) He looks cool tho. I'll post another pic when I get him all dressed up again.

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    successfully single-wicking palm?

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    I single wick all my palm wax candles. I am assuming that you are referring to container palm wax candles. I single wick all of those, too. I use CDNs in all except votives and tea lights (CDs). If you cannot find a single wick that gives you good throw in such small diameter containers, I would suggest trying different FOs. It is possible that that is the source of your difficulty rather than your wicking. More than 1 oz. per pound is a waste of money and will not help with burning/wicking issues! :wink2:

    Palm wax tunnels. If you want to leave a thin shell, wick down; if you want the shell to be consumed, wick up slightly so that the hangup recedes during the last half of the burn. It is normal for a palm wax container candle to have hangup during the first two or three burns. Keeping the wick centered is very important. I tried the twisting the wick technique and it DOES help a lot. HTH :D

    Stella,

    Can you tell me which CD's you use for your votives and tealights in palm?

    I've got another pillar made, but I, too, am still having wicking issues. I may break down and get your CDNs before all my hair is torn out. LOL.

    Opinions needed for wording on wholesale policy

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Lindsay,

    Thanks for all the advice. I am definitely going to rethink and reword stuff... Good to know there are so many chandlers and crafters on CT who will lend a helping hand before we go and do ourselves in here! :)

    I like the hard copy idea, too... I seem to be so disorganized sometimes. I take a day or two and put everything in order, then I have a craft event and things just get lost! I went looking for the inventory I did after my last fair and I couldn't find it!!! Ugh... So had to do it all over again. This time, I put it on a word File. Can't lose that, well... not unless I lose my pc. Should print it out, tho.

    I am a novice at this, but I am so happy that you guys are here to steer me in the right direction. Retail seems sooooooo much easier.

    Vi

    I agree with the other comments about only sending this out on request. But there are some other changes I hope you don't mind my recommending. I'm going to put my comments in BOLD, and hope it comes through right! LOL! It's been a long day, so we'll see! :D

    Wholesale Accounts

    While most of my business is geared towards retail customers, I do welcome the opportunity to work with wholesalers who would like to buy in bulk in order to offer my products in their stores, on their websites, etcetera. This made you sound like a complete novice to wholesaling. If you are, that's fine, but don't advertise it. If you sound competent and professional, then you'll be treated as such. If they think they can take advantage of you because you're new to wholesaling, then they will. It also made me think that you care more about your retail customers than your wholesale customers. If I had been a potential wholesale buyer, this would have turned me off.

    I am willing to offer a 40-50% discount on any product I currently sell. By using the term 'willing', it sounds like your pricing is negotiable. It also sounded a little condescending, like you're doing THEM a favor by offering that discount, when it should be automatic. I feel that the benefits of selling wholesale can be multiple for all parties involved. Huh?

    I have carefully considered every aspect of selling my candles, both wholesale and retail, and after experimenting with the idea, I have come up with some policies regarding wholesaling my candles. This again reinforced you sounding like a novice. Like the idea to wholesale is brand new to you. I'd just cut this paragraph all together.

    1. For me, one large benefit of wholesaling (not needed) my products to retailers is to sell in bulk, thus I must receive a minimum order of $100 in order to offer my goods wholesale. Too much, Keep it Simple. Minimum Opening Order: $100 Minimum Reorder: $XXX.

    2. Another benefit is notoriety. My candles will go into other people's shops and homes. That being said, I am reluctant to do private labeling, or to allow those who purchase my candles to place their own labels on my products. One must understand that it takes hard work and years of dedication to learn how to make a great product, and that recognition of said hard-work and dedication is the right of the chandler. I do, therefore, require that my labels be used when reselling, in order to obtain the maximum 50% wholesale discount. On the private labeling, decide one way or the other. You DO or you DON'T. At the moment, you simply sound wishy washy. Private label is a big thing though. I don't know the policies with candles, but B&B, if we do the packaging, the label still needs to state that it was manufactured by Company XYZ (us) in Anytown, UT, USA.

    However, that said, I offer both. I honestly don't care which they choose. If it's my label, and they meet all my minimums (total order cost, and product minimums), then they get 50% off my retail prices. Private Label gets 40% off. If I design the label, they pay for that also. If you decide to do private label, and need more help setting it up, let me know.

    3. Should a customer desire a wholesale order for products that will not carry my labels, the label they create must include "made by Violet's Exotic Candles in Kinderhook, NY." At no time should any reseller claim the candles were made by anyone but me.

    4. For private labeling with no recognition whatsoever, I will only offer a 40% discount on retail pricing. In addition, the minimum order requirement is $150. See above for notes

    5. Once an agreement is reached between the wholesaler (Violet's Exotic Candles) and the reseller or retailer, it is considered legally binding. This agreement can be made either via email or mail, or in person; whatever method used, it is legally binding.

    6. Once an agreement is reached, a 50% downpayment is required, with a promissory note signed and notarized (I would have taken off at this point. This is so far out of the norm, I wouldn't bother. I'd find someone else to buy from) by the other party, promising to pay the remaining balance due, once the order has been completed, prior to delivery or shipment. The downpayment is non-refundable.

    6.a. Once an agreement is reached and the downpayment is made, resellers have 3 business days to cancel their order. Should they cancel their order within that time period, the downpayment will not be refunded, as supplies will have already been ordered for the specific order placed by the reseller. If an order is cancelled following 3 business days, a 25% restocking fee will apply towards the total balance, in addition to the non-refundable deposit. This was incredibly confusing to me all together. I'd advise simplifying things by simply requiring payment in full up front. If you really want to offer half down, then here's a suggestion...

    50% deposit, non-refundable. IMO, this is more than enough to guarantee them not going through with their order. The 25% restocking fee on top of the non-refundable deposit, way too much. I know you want to guarantee that people don't pull out on their orders, but there really isn't any way to do that.

    Remaining balance is due when the product is completed, packaged and ready to ship. But you don't ship until the remaining balance, plus the shipping, is paid for.

    Personally, I require payment in full up front, then invoice for exact shipping when the order is ready. Although I really liked the idea of requiring a UPS acct to do 3rd party shipping. I like that idea a lot. It would make things a lot easier.

    My accounts are used to full payment up front, and don't ask for anything different, but good solid accounts, if they asked for some variation in the payment, I'd offer the 50% down, and 50% due when shipped.

    If you do anything custom, require payment in full up front for those, non refundable for the full amount.

    7. All wax and fragrance oils used, suppliers I obtain them from, wick/wax and fragrance oil combinations, are considered trade secrets and may not be copied. Any violation of this may result in legal action on my part. I don't think this is needed. You sounded paranoid to me. :undecided If it comes up, then tell them that.

    If you would like to sample my products prior to deciding whether or not you would like to retail them, you are more than welcome to order at retail cost. I recommend buying tarts, as they will give you an idea of what scents you will be receiving and are cost-effective, as well. I would perhaps offer to them to then discount this purchase from their wholesale order should they decide to purchase with you. It's a nice courtesy, and lessens the 'blow' of purchasing at retail prices.

    Okay, there's a lot in there. If you want any more help, or even someone to look over a final draft later, feel free to send it to me. I've rewritten mine several times, cuz my old computer kept crashing, and I am the absolute worst about keeping track of my back up disks. Which is why I print everything. Hard copies are my best friend.... Just ask my desk which is groaning under the weight of several stacks of filing to do :laugh2:. I was supposed to file this weekend, then David (hubby) ruined that by fracturing his wrist at work, so I've been playing nursemaid, chauffeur (he's on Oxycodone, and definitely can't drive :shocked2:.... it's been a fun weekend... But he feels good! The combo of the Oxy with the anti-inflammatories has him feeling *super banana*)

    has anybody.............

    in General Candle Making Discussions

    Posted

    I used the goodie bags last Christmas. They were bigger than the candy baggies you hand out at halloween, though, and they weren't as strong as some... I ended up not using them because one holding an order of mini melts ended up in shreds when I shipped it. I still use the heavier ones from WalMart (the ones for wedding favors, etc).

    My last shot at Palm Pillars

    in Old Style Candle Gallery

    Posted

    Just wanted to update you on these pillars. I'm in NY visiting family but brought them along to continue testing. Dare I say that they have burned for 8 hours straight on more than one occasion beautifully? I've been doing mostly 4-6 hours at a time though. I am so thrilled with the way these are burning. I'd post pics but my mil has no way for me to download pics on her computer. I'll try to post some tomorrow if anyone is interested. They've burned now for well over 50 hours total and are still going strong. And the scent throw is fabulous @ 6%!

    Hey Cleanglow,

    Do ya mind my asking what wicks you're using? I have been trying (and crying over) CD's, am on a Premier 760 right now because I've given up on CD's... Stella said a CDN 14 would work, but before I get them I want to exhaust what resources I have left before I order more... I have CD's, HTP's and premiers, plus I'm getting a sample pack of zincs because I know they burn pretty straight and evenly.

    Thanks!

    Vi

    microwaving wickless candles

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    I was melting soy in my microwave to make my candles for a while, because I'd heard it was 'ok' elsewhere, but one day my pyrex blew up inside of it! I will NEVER do that again. Luckily the microwave didn't blow, too.

    I don't really like the idea of wickless candles, after I've read some of the stuff people have experiemented on here. Occasionally people will ask me if they can use mine as wickless candles for electric burners and I tell them I don't advise it. I wish I could get my server issues down so I can edit my website, because at one point, I had stated that if people wanted wickless, to let me know when they order. I want to take that off and put a warning on it about using my candles as wickless ones. Except for tarts and melts, of course.

    I can't imagine why any chandler would tell their customer it's ok to get their wickless candles started by popping them in the microwave, either. Wow! If a pyrex container with soy and no FO can blow up, think what a scented glass candle would do!:embarasse

    Wicking Perfect Blend...in 5" pie candles

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    :embarasse I saw your post and was hesitant to reply because I don't use the wax or wicks you're using..., but I do make the 5" pies. Also, I don't know what your shells are made of. I use soy (C-3) for the fill, and beeswax shells and embeds.

    The people I buy from sell them on Ebay and that is who I got my wicks from. They're a cotton coreless wick, size 60 something. I forget exactly.. but I had tried 3 wicks and they drowned out, so I emailed them and they told me to use 4. Also, you have to burn them in a pie tin (with a plate or something non-flammable or damagable underneath). They are basically meant to be burned like container candles, like votives.

    As for the pie liquifying all the way to the edge, I think that's a personal preference? But, that being said, the idea of a container candle is that it develops a full melt-pool within a certain time frame. For a 5 incher, I'd say you'd have to burn them for about 5 hours or so? Maybe someone else will jump in on this. My customers typically don't burn them- they say they're too nice to burn and just use them as air fresheners or to display as a decoration.

    Hope this helped some. I wish I could help a bit more on the wick question, but I just can't remember what they are.

    Violet

    Opinions needed for wording on wholesale policy

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Violet,I get what you are trying to accomplish, but I don't think you will be taken seriously. This is a contract/agreement, there is no place for "I." You are noting the benefits of wholesale, people who buy in wholesale know this already. As for private labeling, either you offer it or you don't. Try to simplify this process a bit more. Payment terms need to be simple.Whatever happened to your fundraiser? That might be a bit easier to write terms for.

    Hi Deb,

    I've taken what everyone's said into consideration, and won't be posting this on my website. I think the private labeling thing won't be a real issue. I will have to give it some thought, though. I mean, while I'd love to have my name on all of my candles and hated the idea that my last wholesale account didn't use my labels on my tealights... but money's money, too. So I'll have to mull it over.

    I think what I'll do is just put my contact info on the page and once I receive interest from a retailer, I'll just tell them the conditions and expections. I will probably end up requiring full payment up front.

    I tried contacting the school district's PTA for fundraising opps, but have not heard back. I think that Angi was right on this one- most have probably already chosen theirs for the year. I will probably try to call them again this week, though, to follow up.

    My son's been in a teeny bit of trouble at the high school lately, so I'm not sure the AVP will want to talk to me, even though we were in grad school together! LOL. Kids!!:rolleyes2

    Ebay sellers. How can they sell $100 tarts for $1???

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    I've only sold one thing at eCrater in the past 3 months. Doesn't seem to great but if you promote it to your currect customers and offer some kind of discount on their order if they refer people you could probably build up from there. But then again I only have my incense up at eCrater because I hate listing everything!

    Good luck though! eCrater is nice because you get to keep your profit (well except for PayPal fees!)

    Thanks! I sent an email to my current customers and hopefully they'll plug it for me :D I have a website but having issues w/it my server.

    Ebay sellers. How can they sell $100 tarts for $1???

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    We have a PayPal Business account. We are charged $0.30 per transaction plus 2.9% of the total amount of the payment. It would cost us $0.33 to just take the payment...lol.

    The ebay fees would be $0.20 cents to insert the auction at a starting bid of $0.99. If the listing started at $1.00 that jumps to $.040 cents. Then there is the 5.25% final value fee. This is why I think it is being used as a loss leader.

    I have not purchased any of the tarts but I would imaging that they are probably made using a candy mold. I find making them using a candy mold time consuming and a pain. The only way I have found to fill such a small cavity is by using a dropper...yuck!

    I am not sure what you sell on eBay but we sell a variety of things. Last year we started creating a new store off of eBay to help offset the ever increasing fees. You might want to check out eCrater if you need additional sales channels. It is complete free and very easy to use.

    Yah, probably candy molds- that's what I used and why I hated making them... can we say wax all over the place? LOL. My hands aren't always THAT steady.

    Thanks for the tip on eCrater. Never heard of it.:cheesy2:

    Ebay sellers. How can they sell $100 tarts for $1???

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    I am not sure why they do it but I can tell you why we do. We have sold on eBay for several years. One of our strategies when trying to drum up interest is to use a percentage of the items as loss leaders. You could say we simply treat the cost like it is a marketing plan. By doing this it generates word of mouth, feedback we can use on future listings, new customers, residual sales, free advertising for our website, and market testing to help set price points and so on.

    I doubt they are profiting much if any. The cost to even take payment using paypal would eat up 30% of the $1.00, not to mention the eBay fees.

    I agree with the fee part (I think paypal charges 10%, though), which is why it stumps me.... but your explanation does make a lot of sense. I used to make and sell mini tarts, myself, but stopped because they were such a pain in the butt to make and I didn't feel it was worthwhile. But, that being said, I may just start making them only for Xmas, if I can find the time. There's no way I'd sell that cheaply, though. I used to sell them for $5 for 50, starting bid. That way I at least recouped my costs. I know they can be a good marketing tool, especially given people are buying candles without smelling them first.

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