Wildcrafter

I have 2003. I can not find a place where I can do anything from Avery.

I unlocked the code for Maestro because I was given a free trial when I bought my labels. It's very primitive and no, the curved doesn't line up properly. And when I try to adjust, it distorts the word and it looks like crap. I tried design pro by Avery, that's what I'm talking about on my thread. It's very primitive as well. Just doesn't look that good at all.

I was just going to start a similar thread. I purchased online labels - OL325 - 1.67" circle labels, which are the same as Avery 5293. I downloaded the free trial of maestro label design that I got with the order. It's very basic, you have very few choices of colors and clip art and I can't copy and paste from my present publisher designs. I can't pick a color and then try variations of tone for that color, their clip art looks amateur. I tried avery.com to download their design template and ran into the same problem. Publisher doesn't have a template for round labels. I need these labels by the end of next week for 3 fairs I have scheduled for that weekend. Publisher is so versatile, I wish I could figure out the template for these labels. Worse to worse, I have to use full sheets and cut into rounds. I hate to think about doing that because cutting a circle never comes out right and I don't want to spend more money and time searching and purchasing a hole punch for that size. I hope somebody who knows something chimes in.

I'd go with overheated as well.

I like them. They're not the same ol' candles in a jar that is done frequently. No offense, because those are nice too, but it's refreshing to see something different. I bet those will go quickly at the fairs this season.

Papermart is good for future reference. I've used them for years. Do you have a Cash N Carry restaurant supply store nearby? Or any restaurant supply store carries bags.

Your cost times 5 is retail. Half retail is wholesale. So, if it costs you, say, 2.25 to make a candle, you would charge 11.25 retail, 5.63 wholesale. There is a program: soapmaker.ca that allows you to enter your ingredients, packaging, labor and everything else involved in your product, you also plug in the size/weight of the product and it will give you your cost per item. Plus it keeps inventory of both end product and materials and gives you a heads up when it's time to order/go into production. It doesn't have to be just soap. I use it for all my products.

Husbands sure come in handy!

Hey people! It's M.O.N.E.Y!!!! Anyone want to come to my house and help me make products???? I had some gals come over yesterday and did we have a blast! And so much got done. Ever think of having friends or students come over? They love to learn and you get things done. Win/Win! And I pay in trade for either products or supplies. Again...everyone's happy.

I just bought some white roving from a gal up the street who raises sheep. Are there any sheep farms in your area? I have 5 gals coming over today to help wrap soap. I've been making them for years and they are labor intensive! I can only do 6 an hour, myself. The price you quoted per ounce is good.

I use Australian reef red clay. Depending on how much you use, it goes from a really nice red to a dark burgundy almost.

I make my own labels on my computer. I'm already thinking of the label! I like that on this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XVA2EK The lotion bar is wrapped. I have never liked the idea of a lotion bar in a tin without some kind of wrap. I sold them for a while this year, they sold well, but carting them back and forth from farmers market to farmers market and back, I ended up having to do a lot of "cleaning up." The inside of the tin would get yucky from them jostling around. Hmmmmm............. Ok....now I have to make them again. Brambleberry is just up the road from me. I'll see what they have for molds and then order the tins. Off I go!

I would like to find this mold as well. Does anyone have any websites to post of companies who have this mold? Thanks! Ebay is too hard for me to navigate. I've tried and tried and end up being frustrated every time.

Thank you so much for the site. I tried to navigate around ohio wholesale myself yesterday and today and finally sent them an email saying that I was going to have to go to another company to purchase what I needed because every time I put something in the search engine, it comes up with everything BUT what I'm looking for and I don't have to time to search by category and then each subcategory. I may buy these mugs, although they are bigger than what I'm looking for. I'm wondering what wicks would work in them? I would be using EOs, not FOs, which I understand make a difference in wicking.

I have 40 pounds of 100% Soy Container Wax left over from failed attempts to figure out wicking for a small metal square container and a small glass container. I saw a company that does soy and beeswax candles in 4 oz. tin enamelware cups and they looked really cute. I found a place where I can get them for 2.65 a piece. http://www.formgraphicsinc.com/pricing.html Does anyone use these or similar containers for making soy candles? Any ideas of wicks? I hate to get them and then find out I can't figure out the wicks again. The whole candle thing has really stumped me.

My sales are also down 50% at a market where I have been for 13 years. I always come up with new stuff each year and even during the season. Many people at this market are complaining of the same thing. I'm off to do another market today, this is the last day for this market, and I'm pretty even with last year, maybe down just 10%. It's frustrating because my husband got laid off in April and hasn't been able to find a job yet, his unemployment ran out and we got a check this week for a whopping $134 and he can get an extension, but next week, there will be no unemployment check coming in. It's getting pretty scary. We moved last month to a cheaper (but nicer!) place and it cost 3 grand to move in. I had the money saved, but it was nice seeing that money in the bank account. We just got our "deposit" check back from the previous landlord who always said we were their best tenants ever and he screwed us out of all but 100 bucks, charging us for normal wear and tear. I am going to the tenants' union tomorrow. I left him a long message yesterday. Was as nice as I could be, but was very clear that I was going to fight to get my deposit back. I am so keyed up about money right now! oh...what was the question?

I don't use FOs ever. I use EOs. They do not mold or turn yucky. Some EOs stay emulsified in the alcohol, some separate and the bottle must be shaken before each use. The citrus EOs tend to separate. The ratio is up to you...as far as how strongly scented you wish your sprays to be. I can not advise you on using FOs because I do not use them and have no experience with their behaviors in alcohol or water.

If you have a Costco nearby, you can get Iso alcohol really cheap there. I have never noticed floors getting oily from using my sprays. I use alcohol and EOs. That's it. But it's great that you are concerned for those living in the centers. That's nice of you.

It didn't come across that way at all and I don't feel blasted at all by anyone. That's what I was trying to say that I would not blast anyone if they did use a certain ingredient or product, even though I wouldn't myself...none of my business. And of course, I couldn't find the right words. I was trying to say what I do or don't do. I don't care what other people do. Am I clearer or digging in deeper?? Stupid English. It doesn't always come out on the computer the way it's going on in my mind!!!

Wash off or not, it's still going on the skin. 60% of what goes on the skin goes into the bloodstream. I superfat all my soaps, therefore, there would be hydrogenated oil going on the skin. At the end of the soap making process, there is no lye to harm the skin or enter into the bloodstream., so the lye is a moot point in the wash off product controversy. Had I known that soy wax is a hydrogenated wax, I would never have bought it in the first place. I don't use any synthetic fragrances, colors, petroleum ingredients or preservatives in any of my products. That is my desire, what I think of as ethical in my own practice and thoughts, in my teaching and is my niche. What other people do is up to them, really. I'm trying to step softly here. I mean to say I don't blast others for what they choose to use as ingredients. Not that I think anyone is blasting me or anything. Am I talking too much? Do you get what I'm trying to say???

I didn't know soy was a hydrogenated oil. yuck. Now for sure I won't use it in soap and will probably sell it. dang.

Wow! What does soy wax do in soap?

http://www.tastouchsoaps.com/TAS_Touch/Home_.html It reminds me of this gal's soaps. She's a great lady and really knows how to make soap. Also...Soapfreak makes awesome soaps, too! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5722418

All that talk of dipping has gotten me thinking. I dip ponderosa and digger pine cones in scented beeswax and sell out every Christmas. I think I'll dip them in the soy instead of the beeswax. Cheaper for me in the long run. Thanks everyone!!! I loved all the suggestions and do appreciate you all!

Or stick your knee dead center of the lid and then it's easier to pry open the lid by hand. That's how I do it with my 5 gallon buckets because I lost my opener!!