The_Dallas_Texas_Dean

I was in Walgreens today and their Halloween "stuff" was 50-75% off. I was a little sick to my stomach when I checked out the candle section. Hate to even think it, but they were really NICE. EXCELLENT cold throw, awesome fragrance choices, and WAY affordable..ok..C H E A P. I kept looking.. trying to find something wrong with them at those prices...

I got mine from Taylored concepts. www.tayloredconcepts.com I chose them because they are the 24W ones.

I have found that wicks vary from supplier to supplier even though they say they are the same size etc. You may want to add dyes if you are going to color your candles. You could get the primary colors and mix.

Nail Clippers work great as well as the standard wire cutters found in the tool box. For some reason every wick trimmer I have bought is fairly dull and gets even more dull very fast. Maybe there is a better quality I havent found.

ANYTHING berry...ANY berry. Also Grape, Banana anything . HATE fake fruit smells. Many of the Bakery scents are WAY fake too. Nothing is worse to me than a cheap bakery scent. Some of the florals are really bad too. Country Heather, Gold Leaf and Hydrangea, Tulip, Freesia, Plumeria Eucalyptus ( from NG ) STINKS so bad, I am assuming that it is not too good from anywhere else either! UGH Did I mention fake rose scents? The bad list goes ON and ON...certainly more bad out there than good in my personal opinion.

Hi Grumpy, I think you are on the right "wave length" with your jars if you are looking for a contemporary candle. No, sorry, you can't use a JJ if you are wanting a contemp look. There is an alternative. You could go with the 8.5 oz tumbler ( Votivo style ) They are very reasonable and almost every supplier carries them. The challenge is they have no lids, but you can get the "seals" for them at Taylored Concepts. ( very reasonable ) They are great to start with. HTH Michael

I still have the mindset concerning this that I had before I ever made a candle, and was merely an addicted consumer. I didn't care about it then and I don't care about it now. I didn't even mind a little black soot. I just wiped around the top of the jar and went on to enjoy the candle. Ignorance is Bliss! I WAS picky about: 1. wicks that drowned out 2. wax left on the sides 3.weak scented I think that most consumers have no opinion about mushrooming, and probably it is a non-issue. When it comes to all the variables we focus on to try and make the perfect candle, it is virtually impossible to do anyway! With all the money I spend on high end candles I have realized ( now that I know about all this ) that even the Diptyque and many other great candles have issues we talk about. If I had to chose, give me a "hot" candle any day! Michael

I am starting on candle #3 The first two were GREAT!!! This is FUN! I would love to do this with 8 oz tumblers! It would be so cool to have this many Container candles from the PROS! We could have catagories...like one time do Bakery....one time florals....or we could do Colors!...one time red....one time blue ( with the approiate scents to match!) I might try to host something after Christmas if everyone wants to.Maybe Valentines Red candles! I know it costs us for the supplies, but we ALL deserve this many all for ourselves!

The only thing I can add is when you are negotiating your lease is to get a no competition clause if the location is one of several owned by the same landlord. Also, at that price, I would try and get a LONG lease or at least a couple of options. If not, have it written in how much the increases can be "capped" at..ie cost of living %'s. Also, I would have it written into the lease that the landlord is responsible for the Air/heat units.If you are lucky enough to get a long lease, you could possibly get some TI dollars ( tenant improvement ) which will enable you to do some finish out for your usage. In most triple net leases, the tenants are responsible( for the air conditioning and heating units ) unless it is negotiated otherwise. I have had units go out and had to incur the expense of purchasing new ones. Also with triple net leases, you are responsible for the owner's taxes and insurance and are required to furnish several types of Insurance to cover the owner of the property. Make sure that the location is well lit around the exterior of the building. Security is a huge issue these days. Also, check with the city concerning any signage restrictions. And most importantly, you HAVE to trust your product and absolutely KNOW it is the best and better than anything else in the area. It has to be unique and superior quality. From what I am "hearing" from you it sounds like you want to do it. If you have all these bases covered that everyone has mentioned, I say GO FOR IT! I have owned my own businesses for over 25 years in several cities and I have loved every minute of it. Make sure you fully understand your lease and remember that EVERYTHING is negotiable! Good Luck! Michael

bugtussle....1oz per lb seems like ALOT of FO for the WYW FOs. When I fist started using them I used 1oz and even tried 1.5 oz per lb....everyone told me to try less with these oils and it worked! They are still way fragrant at .5 or .75 per lb.

Picnic in the Forest Sunday Afternoon Hide N' Seek Outdoor Outing Mint-Oreos and Milk ( Sorry, I like "unique" names )

The 16oz tins are a BUGGER with ANY WAX!!!!!! I have had all kinds of issues, and have tried single, double and triple wicking. STILL dont have a great burning candle. I would say that the barrall will have to be double wicked. Sorry...not sure why I posted...I am NO HELP whatsoever:embarasse

I would suggest if you have a candle supply company in Memphis ( I think that is where I read you are from ) that you take the time to physically go and visit them to purchase your supplies locally. ( NOT at a craft store, Hobby Lobby or Michaels etc, but a candle supplier ) Most suppliers have people on staff that are excellent at helping you get started and know their products well enough to make recommendations with the products they carry.Most candle suppliers are "one stop shopping" now ,meaning you can get everything you will need right there. Honestly with everything I have done to try and learn, the very best information and the most helpful guidance came directly from the suppliers. Sitting down with them, taking notes, placing your order and asking questions really helps! Not sure what type learner you are, but if I read everything that is on the boards before I started, I would have been so discouraged I might not have even tried. It gets WAY complicated and discouraging on the boards sometimes ( IMHO ). The suppliers want customers, and they can help you get started with the "right" everything. If you don't have a supplier close, than order an all inclusive kit from one of the suppliers with the instructions. HTH Michael

I can't imagine selling any candle for less than a buck an ounce. We are selling our 8oz tumblers ( votivo style ) for $15.00 and we think we are giving our customers a great deal. The 3 wick 20 oz ( I think that is the right oz) are $20.00 ( Tyler Candle Type) and again, we believe that this is a great value. We use the very best supplies available and use great caution in making every single candle. We do not "cut corners" We are not really "mass producing" since we only sell in our own store.

So, Candlelady4ever is either Cheryl or Janice????? Who are you????? Whichever one Candlelady is, I got one from her but didn't get one from the other one, but got two from Katy.

Candlelady and moonrose, what names are you on Tess's site?

Waaa HOOOOO!!! I got mine too!!!!!! YUMMY, what an exciting thing! I never dreamed I would get so excited over some votives:grin2: Tess, I think that is SO COOL of you! It is just awesome!!!!!! A HUGE thanks to Ashlie for all your hard work to make this happen! Which one first....which one first...... Michael The Dallas Dean

I like Fall A"Fair".........like a State Fair ...playing off of an "affair" Fall....A "Fair"

I use liquid brown and add black to get a deep rich brown. ( Browns are suppose to be the new "hot" colors...replacing black!) I have been reading in the design mags, as well as the fashion rags.

Maybe I will just "take up" coin collecting or bird watching.

Hi there top, I have to join in with the group and say that your work is truly beautiful. Everything about them looks 100% "top" quality to me. Thanks for sharing, Michael The Dallas Dean

I am interested in knowing about this also. I have researched and can't get any info about it or anyone that knows much about P.A. I bought mine at Taylored Concepts and it was fairly reasonable. Are you using it for perfumes and colognes or something else ,Joy?

I STILL can't get accustomed to the keyboard on my laptop:sad2:

Hi Bruce, I certainly remember your work from the old site, and not knowing the first thing about carved candles personally,have no way knowing the amount of effort and expertise that into such beautiful works of art. Was it you that had a father that was in the industry? Was this something that was passed down from one generation to the next? It didn't take me long as a "newbie" to learn that you are certainly the most respected artist in the business. I love to see someone that has taken a "craft" to the next level which, no doubt, qualifies it to be viewed and enjoyed as "art". You must be very proud of your work, as are your "fans" who have a keen appreciation for your creations. My question is the same as so many others. Is your work available for purchase online? Thank you for sharing with us, Michael The Dallas dean

It is my VERY favorite!! For some reason they have been out of it lately. I have a friend here on Candletech that loves it too and she said they have been out for awhile. Yes, it is DEAD ON for the TYL** Candle fragrance!!! Waaaa HOOOOO. I am going to get seriously depressed if too many people find out about it and can't get it anymore. So Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh secret! DO NOT tell anyone else that Starville has it!!!!! The ONLY bad thing about them is that they only sell in 16 oz or less increments. Have you noticed that?