Abbiepql

I agree with Chris R, those amber type scents have been touch and go wick wise, I find too - I have to wick up a bit.

I was going to suggest Fillmore too, I am pretty sure they carry those jars and they are lower than the ones you mentioned I am pretty sure. Fairway does not carry those jars you mentioned, they only carry one twist jar lid that I know of and that is jelly jars. Worth checking out.

If you don't mind me asking where are you looking for jars? It has been my experience that many of the smaller suppliers have an incredible mark up on their glass, whereas a supplier of glassware will have a lower markup? Maybe if we knew what kinda jars you are looking for we would be able to direct you to the lowest prices we have found?

It varies from state to state, here is a link that I have used for contact information: http://www.fundraisetaxlaw.org/states.html

Lotta good points and really have nothing to add, except... at that price it's not going to hurt to throw it all out there and see what sells and what sticks. Good Luck ~ Sounds like a GREAT opportunity.

I am sending out a update email this evening to those registered, if anyone would like to stay updated, we welcome your interest - just PM me your email address and I will put you on the update list so you will stay informed of changes and additions. Our speakers and demo slots are almost full - we have some left in the works, to fill in - making sure we have something of interest for everyone, soapers AND candlemakers alike. Those companies that have responded to our invitation of participation have been very generous, we appreciate their support. We have only 2 tables left for attending vendors as of today. Lyschel of the Candle Coccoon accepted our invitation to join us and do a demo, we are thrilled to have her with us. I know it seems a long way off, but it will be here before you know it. We appreciate very much all the tips, ideas, requests and recommendations our registered and prospective attendees have made.

I gotcha Nancy, there is only one spot left! LOL Make sure you fill out your registration form/survey when you get it. We are getting very good suggestions regarding speakers and demos - as well as excellent recommendations on suppliers to contact. I know what you mean about July seeming so far away, but it will be here before you know it. I can remember thinking in the past when Cheryl would call me in January, OMG - why so early...now I know why - lotsa planning involved and the earlier the better. Looking forward to meeting everyone for sure ~ we will have a GRAND time.

Nancy, I pm'd you to go ahead and register online, we are taking early registrations until Midnight tonight. If you have any problems registering, let me know ASAP - you can email me or I will check in here.

I hear you Connie - hubby is so looking forward to the pool and being that it's indoors, makes it nice for night time! I have that special happy hour in my daytimer for Friday evening in the lounge. LOL

I started a new thread, since we are ending early registration tomorrow or after the last 3 early spots are sold. This "gathering" is a definate GO! The Holiday Inn, Coraopolis, PA will be our host. They have been a real pleasure to work with and are excited to have us. Everything is falling into place. The site, with it's new message board is updating often so check it out at http://www.lightsandlather.org We have not contacted any additonal speakers or demostrators, as we are collecting input from prospective attendees as well as those registered to find out what they would like to see and/or hear. Our next speaker or demonstrator will be for the candle makers, then we will add in areas of most interest. So far everyone involved and all the speakers, demonstrators and suppliers we have contacted have been very positive and generous. It makes working on a project of this size much easier. Of course everyone that has registered, provided assistance or has offered to help THANK YOU! This is going to be a blast!

Southwest flys to Pittsburgh! Shot - given the weather here, April is FL sounds nice too!

Wedding favors are 1/3 my income with my biz. Not a great deal of soap, but I sell mucho candles to brides. I average a wedding a week between April and August. This is what I have learned. If you have a bride that wants to give a handmade product such as your soap, then she cares enough about her guests to show her appreciation by giving them a personal gift. Some Quick Tips: Give them a discount for sure, depending on how many guests, they all have budgets - the average price for my weddings favors under 200 guests is about $2.25-$3.00 She most likely will want guest sized soaps I offer personalized packaging I let the bride pick colors & scent I make more money at times in upselling the favors, than I do in the favors themselves. I do shower favors, out of town gifts, Mother's baskets, Bridgemaids gifts, centerpieces, mantel arrangements, etc. I love working with my brides and I have yet to get a bridezilla * knock on wood* I get 50% for all custom work before I start, balance due upon delivery. I write a quote before doing any work and then have them sign the quote once we agree on price and she makes her deposit.

It's a blast!!! I always walk away from these gatherings feeling so enthusiastic and motivated. I might not learn a grunch of stuff after you have been in the biz for a while, but just meeting others, networking, talking about how others handle stuff - it's worth every minute and hey it's tax deductible right? So I know where most of my "economic stimulus" (sp?) is going! Plus, it's nice to get away and stay in a nice hotel, have somone else cook and chill. My son used to go just to spend the day at the pool!

The actual area we had orginally planned was Pittsburgh. Then we had a good offer from a hotel in Washington, PA. That place no longer meets our requirements, so depending on which location gets the bid, judging by the quotes we have gotten - our location may be closer to Pittsburgh, but for sure we will still be outside the city limits. When I have traveled to Canton, OH I was always surprised at how short a drive it was for me, but this will be much better! When the message board is up and running I will post a new thread so it does not say "interest" anymore, cuz we are up and running!

GMP ~ I need to talk to you! Can you give me a call. I had your # but recently lost my cell and therefore all my numbers! Oh...and my fingers are sore from typing so I would rather chat withcha! Hugs ~ Me

I know what you mean Steph. It's so hard to schedule events in the summer. Not only do people have tons of plans but then getting a meeting place - URG - weddings everywhere and family reunions. We tried to pick a good date, but like everything else...it's always not going to work for some. It sure would be nice to have you with us if your schedule allows. SYR, you were the first person I thought of when the location was chosen! I did not know for sure, but I thought you were not too far away.

Cool, I would love to see it in pearl white or glittered white - that would be neat for weddings!

I know the date seem so far away, but we have had quite a bit of interest and securing anything in a nice place with a ballroom and food is almost impossible in the summer unless you act early. But things are falling into place nicely. The ladies that have offered to help and those giving us suggestions, ideas and input has been really great. It looks to be a really great time! And for those of you in mid to eastern Ohio, it's not a long drive! I have some interested in VA, MD and WV that might be carpooling with me!

Not overly familiar with your wax, but the smoke could be caused by too big a wick or it needs to be trimmed!

I was just looking at the maps and the Pittsburgh location is really not that far from OHIO!

The Ohio's Soapers Gathering is not the same as the Midwestern Chandlers Gathering which is the one Gina started - is held in Canton, OH. I don't know if they have a date for the Midwesterns - I used to do their website. I'm working on one with some other ladies, scheduled in July for PA, it's closer. I listed what details I had in the business section in a post not too long ago. I really enjoy going to the gatherings/conventions - even if you are a seasoned crafter, you almost always walk away inspired.

If we are forced to change the day - I will make sure you know! It's really hard to plan things in the summer with all the holidays and then so many of the meeting places have "weddings" taking place for their rooms.

Gauging serious interest in a Candle/Bath & Body/Soap Makers Gathering near Pittsburgh, PA on Saturday - July 19th. We don't have all the specific details YET, in advanced planning phase, but we had a lot of interest last year when we brought it up on various boards from perspective attendees and suppliers. We have a hotel location - Washington, PA and an estimate for cost. We even have some speakers and demo ideas. What I need is...to know how many would be sincerely interested before I pay deposits. Please PM me and let me know if you are interested, I am thinking cost of $40 individual or $60 per couple (same biz)? Includes coffee/pastry for meet & greet and hot lunch buffet. If you PM me, please include in your PM any requests, demo ideas, co-ops, swaps, if you are willing to help out, etc. I need to know as soon as possible, as there is tons of work involved in putting these together. We have some experienced team players and other willing to learn! We want a class act! One of those fun & interesting gatherings everyone walks away from being motivated, and inspired! We are thinking 60 attendees. As soon as I have at least 40 seriously interested we will get a website up, start paying deposits, contacting sponsors, scheduling speakers, lining up demos and putting everything together. Thanks for your interest ~ Abbie:-)

The one's VP Hill hocks on QVC are a blend, and smoke/soot big time! On top of having little to no throw, unless you count sitting on top of the candle and catching a whiff here and there throw!

Very pretty ~ I wick mine so they burn leaving a shell - people like them cuz they can put a votive down in it afterwards, like a hurricane. I don't mess with "self-consuming" pillars, they are too many variables to deal with.