CandleMama6

Ok, I must have been tired. I kept thinking you were putting the round labels on them little bitty tubes and just could not see how that was working. I definately need a vacation!!!

Either I am really tired or having a DUH moment, but how would you use round labels on the boxes?

They look beautiful!! I never thought about a clear label before. Very classy!!

:laugh2::laugh2::laugh2::laugh2:

I bought some of the ones from Bitter Creek http://cart.candlesupply.com/product.php?productid=20178&cat=288&page=2 but I don't really like them. It is too hard to get them tight without ripping them off the bottom. I might have to look into those butterfly ones though. I did try the popsicle ones when I first started but I could not get them to remain tight either.

I have a cart that holds full sheet baking pans. It was given to me and so I use that to roll things out of the way. Another thing I got was a huge food grade storage container for my wax. I do not store it in the cardboard boxes. One container will hold 50 lbs of wax. I also have similar containers for aroma beads, corn cob, and then smaller 1 and 2 gal ones for B&B stuff. Baking soda, cornstarch, sugar, salt, cream of tartar, etc. I buy these items in bulk and so I get enough to fill the container at a time and it makes it great for storage. Then I just bought small plastic scoops that are 1/2 c for easy measuring. Not that mine is better than anyone elses, but I will send you pictures of some of the things I use for storage if you need ideas.

What is gimp? I looked up gimpster.com but I don't think that is it. ETA: Is it the gimp.org?

I got it Luminous. Thanks for your help.

I went to Wal-Mart and got the plastic storage containers with drawers. I use the shoe box size for tons of stuff. Each wick has its own drawer. Colors and dyes, stirring sticks and such, anything you can think of. I use the ones with the big drawers for ribbons, bottle, caps, stuff like that. My candle room is a second kitchen in the basement so I have a pantry type closet, cupboards, oven, fridge, etc. I just organized it to a way that was good for ME. Also, I agree with a tall table. I have a table in mine that I am going to build a platform for because I never use it since I have to stoop so much. One thing that I did before I organized and bought things was this. Sit down and write a basic list of the items you need. Then decide how many areas you need. Write out your routine when you make a candle. This will help you know the order in which you need to move around the room. Decide what type of things you want to store in. Plastic, boxes, shelves, etc. I even went as far as to draw out the room as I invisioned it then did what I could to make the space I had work to that drawing. Like posted above, make as many sections as YOU need, not what others do or what you think you will need. Just make sure it flows so that when you are working, you can move easily from one area to the other without doing a lot of backtracking. Don't be afraid to say I hate this over here and then move it. I had a couple of things that took forever to admit did not work where I thought they would. Once I took a look from a new prospective, I was able to make minor adjustments. Lastly, try your best to stay organized. I know that is easier said than done, but it can make you or break you. I have gotten in the habit of cleaning everything when I am done. I don't let it sit until later or say I'm too tired and wait til tomorrow. Because then when you get started, you just end up working around it and that gives you obstacles. My inventory was the one that took me the longest to get organized. My 15 yo daughter got so frustrated watching me go nuts not knowing what I had, that she took one Saturday and created a system for me that works like a charm, lets me know what I have at a glance and although it took time to set up, it is a piece of cake to maintain. I guess the bottom line and most important thing I can say and stress is to make sure you take everything you are suggested and create a way that is best for you. Just cause one thing works great for me does not mean it will be great for you. Have fun, make it your own and your room will be fantastic!!

Hi Mandy, First let me say congratulations on getting a site up. I keep putting it off and one day I will bite the bullet and do mine. I am not a professional but I will tell you what caught my eye when I looked. Please don't take anything personal or with any malice as that is not the intention. Main Page: While I think the flowers are gorgeous, I counld not relate them to anything on your site. Fonts/Colors: Your fonts are varied and in my opinion, distracting. I personally do not like a lot of colors in text on a regular basis. If you are promoting a clearance item or a sale item, then I think a color is warranted. Otherwise, in my opinion, I think bright colors distract. Pictures: There were quiet a few that were distorted, unfocused or had way too much glare. I think that if all you are showing is the product, then you should use a white background/backdrop and edit so that all that shows is the item. If you want to show the items in a scenery type style, then put the bathsalts in something, tarts in something, etc., as to create a scene or mood. Instead of just using a counter, place other relevant items as a suggestion type thing. Not sure if that makes sense so if not, let me know and I will try to explain better. Scents: You stated in a post above that you have a drop down menu, but when I looked, it only had the scents that you had typed below the picture. So a fragrance selector such as a drop down menu would most likely benefit you greatly. Descriptions: You don't have any. I think it was Luminous (sorry if I am wrong) that said when someone is looking on your site to buy, they are going to buy off what they read and see. Descriping your items, there scents, textures, etc will add a lot to the overall look of your site and give a much better "must have it" attitude in people looking. This link is from BCN and is entitled "Sparking the Olfactory Imagination" The owner wrote it and it has some wonderful suggestions when using descriptions. I hope that it is ok to post it, but if someone deletes it just go to their website and message board area to read it. http://boards.bittercreek.com/post?id=2103448 Overall, I think you are off to a great start. And it is the START that is the hardest step to take. Just sit back and think, "If I was shopping here and knew nothing about the company, would anything interest me based on what is there now." Good Luck!!

Ok, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I tried these and hate them already!! How do you get them out of the blasted molds??? I used mini muffin tins and they won't come out. I tried liners and they look horrid. I tried a measuring cup like Luminous and they won't come out. I used the recipe she posted as a starting point and I NEED HELP!! Can anyone please tell me what I am doing wrong??

I wonder if this would work for feet too?? My son's feet get really bad and it is so hard on him when they crack and bleed.

I just saw this thread and will call next week if you want me to. Seems like the state would not matter since the company is on OK.

Anyone??

That is what I thought Carebear. The bath tub thing I figure will be a one time shot when the kids use them. But I agree that you could not leave these in a soap dish. Any thoughts on the water separation??

Thanks Blest. I usually con my daughter into designing things for me because she does so much better than I do. But she is always swamped with honors classes homework and can't help me right now. But that would be great if you could do that for me.

Would you be willing to post a picture? Maybe it is the way I am designing them that makes them look cluttered.

Ok. I changed my post because I had my duh moment and thought you said cardboard. But I didn't think about the fragrance soaking through. Wouldn't want that to happen.Do you just put basic info on your labels or do you put instructions there as well? I hate having it all on one label cause then it looks cramped when you look at the clamshell.

So Blest, you use one huge label and cut it down to size? What kind of cutter do you use? Could you use a regular paper cutter I wonder?? Thanks!!

I use a container wax for my tarts and have never had too much of a problem with them coming out. My mom is one of my testers and she said that when she had one that would not come out easilty, she cut one edge of the cup and then peeled it away.

How is everyone labeling their clamshells? I use a regular label and have decided I don't care for the look. Anyone have any other ideas that work for them. Thanks!!

Ok, these have been in the fridge and have solidified. Now I have a couple questions. All of them look like the water separated from the rest. It is sitting on the top of the soap. Is this normal?? They were poured in some plastic beakers that make the finished soap look like a cylinder. How many uses are you guys getting from them? I used one and it seems that if you were to use one in the tub or shower, you would only get 1 use of it. At a sink, maybe 8-10. Any thoughts? Maybe I did something wrong for the water to separate out the way it did.

Luminous, Were you able to stop at the Winco when you went to IKEA? I love their bulk foods section. Last time I went, I came home with all sorts of stuff!! Question for you though...when you package these, how do you package them? Paper, cello bags, shrink wrap? Thanks!! eta: Is there a certain order that I should add things or do I just throw them all in a bowl and mix??

Thank you southern.scents. That is what I thought but my mind just could not grasp and hold the concept. Been a very long week I guess. Has anyone ever felt a need to do either?

Would you be willing to share the ratio of activated charcoal? My daughter has severe acne and I really need to find something that will work for her. Do you use the M&P goats milk? I have some of that coming from a recent co-op and was wondering if I could use that? Thanks in advance for your help.