Sara

What would you say you do more of? Is your candle/soap/craftmaking all for business, all for pleasure or a lopsided combination? I'm especially curious of those who are running a business - do you ever "play" anymore?

Haha. I'm with ya. I had some just to play with and... well. That didn't last long. I probably didn't give it a fair shot, though, either, but I knew it just wasn't my thing.

I have not used that particular jar, but that's not a bad price, especially if you just want to test it out and see if it is something you'd like to carry. I'd stock up on a few more, though.

Web orders always, shows only when asked.

I can think of more reasons to the positive to do so. It is a very common practice to have a listing of the stores where your product can be purchased, or fairs that you may be seen at.

Ahh. Well in that case, I'm guessing you'll be looking back in a few months wondering how the HECK you even managed to squeeze in time for that candle stuff, LOL - buys with other things you'll be.

I hear ya girl. That's not an easy decision. Hard when you put your blood, sweat, tears, and pocketbook into something. Do you have a day job? What will you do with all your time?

I like simple. Leenabug's Leenabug Leenabug at Home There are benefits and drawbacks to having too specific a name.

I'd go with the votives.

Welcome to the forum

Yeah, there's always a lot sold out this time of year. Definitely try the hardware stores... do you have a Menards around you? They've never run out as far as I can remember, and they came at a good price.

It is difficult to say, since it is their first show. They may have absolutely NO traffic. Are you to pay in advance, or after the show? You can always pay a certain amount in advance, and then donate more depending on how the show goes. Honestly, though, it would concern me a bit that they aren't able to specify the amount. It leads me to wonder how organized it is and what efforts have been made to generate traffic, make vendors comfortable, visibility, etc. You might want to call and ask some questions before committing. If they aren't charging beforehand, there might be a fair amount of people that "sign up" but then never show, etc.

Sultry Angel is a good one, as someone mentioned. But it is somewhat "foodie" if you think about it. Gardenia would be a nice one.

It might still be worth trying candy corn FO. Sometimes it is simply the name that throws a person off, too. People smell sometimes what they hear. Maybe you can find one that is less sweet.

I, personally, would not give a refund, but would re-send a package out. I had to do that once. There's no reason a refund should be given in that instance. You don't have proof that the package didn't arrive. I can't think of many (any?) businesses that would refund the money on an item that shipped simply because the recipient said they didn't get it. They would re-send the order instead. Bummer, though.

Haha. Scented's posting at the same time.

For those who make both, I'd like to know which one is easier to make? Both have their benefits. I'd say soap was easier on the whole because you don't have to deal with wicks. However, you DO have to deal with lye, and that is a big safety issue. Which one is more expensive in terms of equipment, ingredients etc.? It depends. You can make both pretty basic, using household items. I you're leaning towards doing it professionally, they seem about equal to me. Which one sells better? Too easy to say. Depends on your marketing, location, product... too many variables. And finally, I know that candle makers are being hit with price increases but is it the same for soap makers? Soap ingredients have gone up too, as well as some scents. Some depends what you use, where you buy from, if you can get it local... Bottom line: If you're thinking of doing either, prepare yourself to shell out some money to do it properly. Half of the start-up costs is valued in time for testing, purchasing, researching, etc. and the other half in raw materials. There's no way to know exactly what you are looking for and what formula works for OR what you will be good at doing until you dive in and test it out. Best of luck!!

Unless she's ordering the other scents now and would like some "sample sniffers" to go along with (kind of sounds like that's what is happening), I'd tell her sample packs come in amounts of x and you can add one onto her shipment if she would like. It shouldn't be that costly, a sample pack (generally if you're doing wholesale you might have something like this already), and would better her purchasing decisions if she had one.

Yeah, that's always the concern. I personally prefer a wick, because then, obviously, you can light it easier. I haven't tried it like Debk said so I can't really give an opinion on it, but sounds like a decent alternative.

That's great, SherriLynn. I could especially see if you were selling at a Farmer's Market how that would tie in nicely. Well, that is the truth!! That is interesting with the corncobs. I've heard of the packs made with rice, not corn... wonder if there's a big difference. I would think the rice would be much pricier.

Great article, Adam. Althought I don't see CT mentioned anywhere...

The lady I'm talking about uses a local baker's kitchen to make her cookies. Which, depending on how much that costs, seems brilliant anyway because of the industrial kitchen increasing productivity. That's what I'm talking about, LOL. My husband's aunt is amazed at what people will pay for the clothes she makes. They are for the American Girl dolls. Apparently some of the people who own those dolls will spend more for their doll's clothes than some would spend for their own wardrobe.

LOL. I like the plate spinning... wonder if you can buy those wholesale? It is interesting, looking back at candlemaking as craft to business and how it has been effected by the rising costs. The price of wax doesn't make it as easy for a crafter to break in and give it a go. Though many of us burned up a lot of money testing and honing our craft anyway, finding it pricey even five years ago. Can't imagine starting today. The drop in new crafters might be a good thing for the already established business owner. But then also, like islandgirl said, people are being more picky with their money, buying smaller and probably needing to put more in the tank and the grocery bill. But back to topic... My aunt makes a living selling doll clothes on ebay and she does pretty darn well. A woman in our school bakes wheat-flour cookies (that's her niche) at a local bakery and sells them at farmer's markets. If I were to lean another way it might be towards baking/cooking. I don't really have any other marketable craft that comes to mind. I knit, but I don't do it well enough that anyone would want to pay for it, I don't think, LOL.

Cocopop, what did you figure out? Did you do it?

I contemplated even touching this one. But for me - a blend of both. Best of both worlds.