CandleFreak

I have to second CDGM's scrub - it is awesome!!!! Hubby and I use it at least 3 times a week. At 30, I have acne prone skin similar to a teenagers....and the tendency to get very oily! Since using her scrub the breakouts have almost disappeared (the exceptions are when Aunt Flo is around and times of severe stress - but nothing helps then!) I also switched over to mineral makeup shortly after using CDGM's scrub and it really helped with my complexion as well! Moisterizing even with oily skin is a MUST!

WOW - 60 miles - don't think anyone could justify it! Looks beautiful and I'm sure it will be enjoyed! The arrangement looks safer this time around too! Great job!

I always put a wick in mine so that they can be set into the fireplace...lit...and by the time the wick has reached the wax all the kindling and logs have been arranged around the firestarter

...if you wanted to try another "see through" approach that is softer and lends more to the "romantic" feel of the basket try using some tulle...it's pretty cheap as well - walmart usually carries for 77 or 87c a yard....

*keep a tight control on inventory so that you do not have to "express" ship for items needed immediately *limit "freebies"; they are great advertising but a drain on the budget

This may not help you out...but may others... IF you have to CHARGE it...it is NOT on sale!!!! You often spend waaayyy more in credit card costs than you "save" with the supplier. Labor can be a drain on business (if paid hourly)...during slow days/times of year keep a minimum staff...cut hours here and there....I realize this may be hard since some of your employees are relatives...

found these...not wholesale but cute... http://www.rustybarnstar.com/catalog.aspx?cid=6&c=Plates,+Bowls,+Enamelware

for a lot of us FO's eat at the profit margin....just have to try this and that from everyone! it really blows the budget out of proportion....and testing never ends! As soon as you have one thing mastered you start on 5 other projects! Discipline is the key! (I am slowly learning!!)

mine doesn't have a pine smell...but it does remind me of cough syrup...uugghhh

ohhh I really wish I could smell that one!!! Looks good!

wow!!!!!

when I used to do hang tags...I used the business card size and folded them in half like a card so that I had a front for my logo...center for candle specific info (scent, net wt., etc).....back for safety info

I think they are a wonderful representation of shabby chic....the glory of shabby chic is that you can use an eclectic mix of things (old, new, fabrics, ribbons, etc) to achieve an overall goal of elegance, sophistication, and feminine softness. White is the predominant color of shabby chic, so your soap color is perfect...you could even use a real light cream color....(or the palest of pink, green, peach) pastels are preferred...and the flowers are NOT limited to roses.....all flowers can be used... as for packaging...the sky is the limit! Let me know if you need any ideas in that area! I love decorating....just don't have the time anymore....I'm 2 semesters away from my Int. Design degree (I'll finish eventually...just taking a break while I raise the kids!)

that's just crazy! like it would be so difficult....it isn't like you'd have to operate an actual storefront...just have a door marked for pick-ups.....jeez even "sit down" restaurants have curb-side.....

the egg nog soap could be a nice natural creamy color and then sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg or a light swirl on the top only.... or you could just make your packaging to look like mini presents and keep your bars in their normal scheme....or pakage in little stockings "stocking stuffers" or make circle soaps and place them on a tray to look like santa's cookies...you could decorate the cp soap with mp for "icing" or a little color stripes like the do on the chocolate candies or find some individual soap molds that are christmasy....like bells or stockings, etc or you could make a "yule log" a swirled cylinder soap...which could be even further decorated to your imagination and sliced at the shows (if you are doing any) if you have jewish customers you might want to consider hanukah (sp?) like star of david soaps...you could find a stamp or even carve it into the soap....or a menorah (sp?) speaking of stamps you could probably find plenty of christmasy shapes in wood and make your own stamps...... there are a gazillion things you could do...just takes some time and creativity!!! get to thinkin" and post what you come up with!