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clonefan80

Suppliers
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    188
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  • Website URL
    http://www.wildfire-creations.com

Converted

  • Makes
    candles
  • Location
    OK
  • Occupation
    candlemaker

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  1. Here's my one piece of advice for those with a water jacketed melter - distilled water. I have a 200lb one and its about 6 years old. I use distilled water and have never had to replace my element. Distilled water keeps the mineral build up on the element to a mininum. At first it took lots of gallons but the upkeep is low after it is full.
  2. Don't try and match the scent to the name...test a scent that you love and will sell good and put one of your names on it. Take it from someone who does this all the time....ya gotta think outside the box, it works!
  3. I purchased an extra one when I bought my melter 6 years ago but have never had to replace it yet....reason: I use distilled water in my water jacketed melter which reduced mineral build up on the element.
  4. I do mine a bit different, I use a #150lb melter so when I'm pouring the temp is around 190. I always use 6% per pound of FO. Since i'm pouring several candles each time (200+) they set up on the work table. It's useless to try and beat the "wet spots" because as soon as they are moved from one temp to the next they will appear, contract/expand effect. As for wicks, i'm a tried and true zinc user..
  5. Don't know about them closing but they sure make it tough for small retailers to order from them when their opening order min is $1500. Not sure what their reorder min is.
  6. On the flip side.......my prices online are higher so that I am not competing with a retailer. But I would prefer they buy from a retailer.
  7. blwoods is right in that you need to be looking closer to home for your first tradeshow and she's right about some of the best tradeshows being out east, especially in your state! Heck if I didn't live 1000 plus miles away I guarantee you i'd be doing those shows in your area.
  8. Dang thats pretty pricey for a tradeshow.....my most expensive is the Denver Show and it still doesn't come close to that....it sure would make me think twice right now. I also advertise in two publications and that keeps my name out there in between shows. I am scaling back this year on markets and doing more advertising. Lately I have been getting comparable new accounts doing this and I don't have all the hassle of preparing for a show....ugh. They used to be fun in the beginning, but now they are just lots of work and tiresome.
  9. I have not done that show but tradeshows are all I do and....I have met many people who have done that show and like it fine. Its somewhat a regional show (buts thats ok) with Magic in Vegas being a large market as well as the gift show in San Francisco Now that said....you gotta expect the markets to be down this year but retailers do have to purchase for their stores and the Jan/Feb markets will be the ones they attend. As for two separate booths for your companies....not necessary and a waste of money unless you just need that extra booth space then I would get a larger space. You can have two companies in one booth if you own or rep them and they will display both signs. If wholesale is your goal then you gotta jump in sometime. If you live fairly close and can drive to this market then its a good place to start. Most booth space is $8-10 a sq foot so that will give you an idea on price....a good estimate would be $2000 for a 10x10. I always try and get an end cap and pay the extra bucks, its worth it and it opens your booth up on all sides and allows for thru traffic to mingle easily. One more thing...I think it was your post on the general candle making thread about lamps and heating jars.....that is a waste of time and not necessary. I doubt you'll find very many, if any, candle producing companies heating their jars...good luck
  10. ahhhh, i barely saw this thread when scimming thru stuff and...i've been having the same problem with oils I know aren't phalates free....so much that I ordered new wicks to test them. I also get my wicks from BCS...hum...
  11. I have Ohio Casulty and my renewal is in Jan. I'm bettin' my renewal will remail the same price. I think you should call another independent agent and ask them for a quote. I do know that a basic 1 or 2 mil policy on ANY commercial insurance starts at $500...
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