CC on Maui

Ya done good, Pilgrim.

Wanted to share an idea that involves a minimum investment in materials, time and money that just might help you increase your show sales. We do a simple product called MAUI BEACH CANDLE GARDEN (see pics below). It is a small cello bag filled with assorted shells, and a header card on top. We do a display next to it that shows what a completed garden can look like. The back of the header card reads: "Create your own Maui beach candle garden! Using a shallow glass dish, cover the bottom with a layer of sand, arrange one or more candles, and garnish with the enclosed seashells." Obviously we use seashells, but you can tailor this idea to fit your regional area, or any holiday or whimsical theme you'd like. Perhaps you use river rocks, mini pinecones, colored beach glass -- well, you get the picture. We find that it has helped us upsell our pillars. In the end, we sell these little bags for $4.00, and only have about .30 cents worth of materials invested.

You may want to double check with your merchant account and see if you will be charged a transaction fee for each time you run this card -- even though you are getting a declination. Most companies count it as a 'transaction', even though it is declined. Ask me how I know. I learned this the hard ways a few years back.

Thanks for the kudos. You guys can copy these to your hearts content. You just can't use the title, Keiki Quackers, or I'll have to get ugly with ya. LOL. I get the little tubs (with liners) from Buhi Imports (Ohio). They are item #BY874-1, if you just want to place the item number in the search feature. Here's their link: www.buhiimports.com/wholesale Interestingly, we sell the majority of these to adults who are purchasing them as a gag present for other adult friends who collect ducks. The next group who purchases these are the grannies, who can't pass them up as a goodie for little Suzy or Mikey.

We do our rubby ducky soap a bit different. It'a s 4.5 oz bar, and we sell it as a soap and soap dish set. Of course, we use the little aloha ducks. We pour our base into a mini galvanized washtub, then pop the duckies in. Once set-up, we simply place in a cello bag and add a header card. I should add that the mini washtubs comes with a clear plastic liner inside. BTW, for those who are wondering, keiki means kids in Hawaiian.

OMG Robin! Please tell me it isn't Friday already! LOL

What kind of dyes are you using?

Aloha, I would think you'll get the best advice from someone in your own country and/or jurisdiction. If it were me, I think I would contact the candlemakers in my area (the ones I would be setting this business up to sell to) and see if they could head me in the right direction. No doubt, they already been through the process in setting up their own businesses, KWIM? Good luck!

If you'll go back and read my reply to you, I believe I answered your question about copycats. As for the rest, I'll stand by what I posted. One month of testing is not long enough to be peddling your candles in the marketplace. Read and research the link someone else was kind enough to post.You asked for advice, and I offered mine. I've been making candles for over 30 years. I believe that qualifies me as a seasoned veteran. As with others before, you will do whatever you choose in the end, and that is your privilege. But don't ask for advice if you want to arm wrestle the replies of those who may not agree with you.

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What you are describing Jennifer is pretty standard fare when doing a Trade Show, however, in all my years, I've never seen it at a craft show. I'm assuming your space is 10' x 10'. If so, you can create your own little haven by bringing a couple narrow tables (I used to have two of the 4 ft x 2 ft tables, end to end) and place them along the back perimeter line of your space. You could also do it on both sides as well (one table on each side). It still gives you room to get around as well as in and out. I would cover them all with the same table coverings I was using on my front table for continuity. And, if your show is busy, it is the perfect solution to use for wrapping or packaging purchases for your customers. I used to like it to be able to display additional products, or graphic signage, too. Good luck!

I don't believe there is anything negative about Bruce's comments, or anyone elses. They are simply sharing "their reality" -- as they have already been where you wanna go. No one can shatter your dream but you.

Welcome to the addiction. In reading your post, the first thing that comes to mind for me is the old saying, "you can't have it both ways". Be a business, or be a hobby. If you are planning on selling even one candle (even to a friend), you have liabilities as a business. That means that you must take whatever the appropriate steps are to become a business where you are located. Call your county and/or state offices and do the legwork to find out what is required. (Never simply rely on a message board response for legal requirements like these). In addition, you need to check into liability insurance for your company. You may find wholesale accounts or craftshow operators who will require proof of your insurance before handling your products or allowing you space in their venue. Regardless, it is part of being a responsible business. As with any enterprise, it takes proper capitalization to get started. Between start up costs and testing, it can take a long time to recover your costs and begin seeing profitability -- if ever. Unfortunately, businesses are never risk free. You need to decide just how dedicated you are to being a business, and then take the appropropriate steps to make it happen before you ever let one candle (sold) out the door. As for your unique idea? I don't want to burst your bubble, but what you may believe to be unique may well be in the marketplace already. If not, be prepared for someone -- somewhere to either copy it, or come out with it believing it is 'their' unique idea (the position you are in now). Of course, you can spend $$$ and patent processes or trademark names, but it will also take $$$ to enforce those patents and trademarks, should someone infringe on them. Personally? I prefer to concentrate on making the best product I can, and not worry about what my competition may or may not be doing. I hope you will take this reply in the spirit it is intended. I'm simply writing from truth and experience. Good luck! EDITED TO ADD: In reading through several threads this morning, I discovered that you just made your first candle a couple weeks ago. PLEASE do not even think about selling yet! There is no way you could have tested appropriately in that short amount of time. You do yourself a disservice, as well as the rest of us who have done our homework and tested, tested, and tested some more to be sure that we are putting out a properly made product, and one that will perform for our customer as a well made candle should. When a customer or shopkeeper ends up with a poorly made candle, they may never try a handcrafted candle again. Please don't ruin it for the rest of us. Take your time, and perfect your craft. There is more to understanding this craft than melting wax, throwing in a wick, and calling it a candle. In the end.....there are no shortcuts.

If you use the SEARCH feature under the B&B Recipe section, you'll find all kinds to choose from.

Great job, girl!

Actually, once you get a system down, these pop together really fast. What I love the most about them? The profitability. LOL.

Aloha Cheryl, Nope. I actually buy the loose petals and leaves from BCN. I use 24 petals and 4 leaves for each rose. To reconstruct them, I take a clear nylon thread (with needle) and place a tiny seed pearl over the knotted end. Then, I start threading the dipped petals from smallest to largest (BCN's are the truest sized petals I've found). The last to be threaded are the four dipped leaves. At this point, I slip another seed pearl onto my needle and thread, and knot it several times. (The seed pearl keeps the thread from pulling through the silk petals). Next, comes the most difficult part. You have to artistically position or rearrange the leaves to resemble an actual rose by adjusting them back and forth with each other (sliding them around on the thread). Once I've achieved the look I want, I set it down on my work surface, and do a couple quick passes with my heatgun to ever-so-slightly warm the petals up so that they will lightly adhere to each other (very lightly) to keep the flower formation in place. That's it! BTW, I'll say it again -- the petals from BCN are the most natural looking ones I have ever found. They vary in size from small to large, and the variegated colorations are very realistic (IMHO). Hope this helps!

When I first started making these, I tried the string, but found it too time consuming. I ended up using the foamcore board (I believe it's shown the the Bittercreek site). It was fast and easy for me. I always use clear base. I do my petals a bit different -- I don't sell them loose, I reconstruct the petals (and leaves) into an actual rose. Here's a pic from my site: http://hanabotanicals.com/index_files/Page5842.htm

Okjay, I'll predicate this post by saying I've seen no other label from you other than the two that appear in the first post of this thread(at the moment I'm writing this) I prefer #2 because I think the font is much easier to read. Nada on the R/W/B border. I like what you have right now. Clean and simple. Easy on the eyes.

I use PrintShop, however I know alot of others really have had great success with Avery. I guess it really depends on how detailed and graphic your labels might be.

I'll second what Beth-VT says. Donna At Dove Studios does a great job. I've been looking at her stuff for years now. You can't go wrong with checking her out!

Well, I'll be the Scrooge here. LOL. My friends and family all pay my regular retail prices. I do give them a Preferred Customer discount of 10%, after their first order. That's all they get -- ever.

I would double check with the Prosecutor in your area and make sure what you can collect and what you can't. The fact that you have denied her space means she will have no benefit for the entry fees you are attempting to collect. Because the show is not until next month, there is a good argument that you would be able to lease her space to someone else and not incur any financial loss as a result. I'm guessing you would only be entitled to any OD/bank fees as a result of the NSF check, not the amount of the entry fee. JMHO.

Aloha Royster.....welcome to you newest addiction (okay, your wife's newest addiction...it will affect you, too, trust me! ) Bittercreek sells quality products and offers outstanding customer service. You and the wife will have fun working/learning on your initial and exploratory creations. You chose well. Glad to see you have a grasp on creating labels, as the image that you eventually choose will be a contributor to your success or failure. No doubt you will go through many generations of labels before deciding on one that 'speaks' to your needs. Jump in and get involved on this board. There are many of us here who feel as I do -- we all were beginners once. Sounds like you have the tenacity, detail orientation, focuse and heart to go the course, should this be what you decide is the direction you choose. Once again.....welcome.