Craftedinthewoods

Hear, Hear! Bring it all. After your first few shows you will begin to get an idea of what is the ideal number of jars to bring. Good luck at your first event! How fun!

Well, I know now that you can go to the Market Square web site to see the vendors that will attend each show. I didn't recognize any names there, but you might. I don't know that many wholesale businesses. All the vendors were very primitive. The only other candle person had grubby votives & taper candles along with tea lights. But even they seemed to have the same amount of candles in their boxes at the end of the day as when they started. What sold seems to be primitive furniture. The furniture vendors sold out.

I currently pay 20 per month too, with homestead.com. It has worked ok for me, except for the $20. A while ago a new friend offered to help me set up a site with Wordpress.org. This is a free blog site you can set up and use like a web site. My new site is begin hosted with 1 & 1 internet inc. I think it's something like $4 per month. (my new site isn't complete yet.) Now, all that being said, I needed help setting this up. So if you have a computer savy friend or understand thing yourself this may be a good option.

Just wanted to share my experience at the recent Madison Cash & Carry event. In short, I made several contacts that I hope will lead to solid accounts. But as for sales that day... it was a no go. I didn't realize the show features very primitive products and I don't really fit that venue too well. The event coordinator told me after seeing photos of my candles that they would fit. Now I know better to do my own research of what other vendors are in the show and to be more diligent about the style that is featured. But, I think I'll look for another wholesale event to try. I can say I learned a lot and hopefully will be able to apply it to the next time.

In my experience, shops and nicer gift stores do a 100% markup on wholesale prices. I have around 15 stores that order regularly (a couple are more seasonal), but none of them ever asked me to show them their possible proffit margins. Most don't even ask me what suggested reail is. They have all sold candles before and know better than I did what they could get for them from their custoemrs. But, you might need to try using a spread sheet and see if it works for you. How I approach a store owner is with a brochure, business card, wholesale price sheet, and order form along with a travel tin candle. I ask for the owner or person in charge of buying and if they are not there leave the papers and candle for them. I'll call them in a day or 2 to set up an appointment to meet. If they are there (in small shops the owner is usually the one behind the counter anyway) I'll introduce myself and explain that I make candles and if they are interested I'd love to meet with them sometime to show the candles. (this lets them know you appreciate they are busy and don't want to just pop in on them uninvited.) But after seeing my little tin (it's cute) they will usually say "do you have any sample with you?" Well yes, I do happen to have my sample boxes in the car (I always take them along when approaching stores), I go get my candles and poof, we are having a meeting. Also, don't always take no for an answer. Just a month ago I secured an account with a store who has been telling me no for 2 years. The first time she said no it was because she already had several lines of candles in her store. But I would stop in every 4 to 6 months and reintroduce myself, saying I've chatted with you before about my candles, but just wanted to check if anything has changed for you. No, no, No.... well, just 2 months ago I make my treck into her store and gave her my shpeal... well she smiled and said I needed to call her in March. Which of course I did and then she ordered over $200 in candles! Sorry I'm so long winded about this, but I feel like sharing with others who are wanting to approach their local stores & shops too. Do it... It's a fun challenge, and so worth it when you get a "yes"!

I checked my printer settings again, no transparent on mine. I've tried a couple different glossy choices (premium, ultra, plain) and I have bad luck with all. I've decided to go with a paper label because spraying my label sheets just sounds like another step and I'm doing this to cut down on my labeling time for my candles. I've been making candles with my new labels for several days now and it has really streamlined things already! I'm very pleased. I'm posting the page where I found some round hang tag things that I'm using for my candle inserts. Classiccandle, I'm checking out the link you posted too. But so far, the sheets I've started working with are easy and quick to punch out. Quicker than what I've done in the past. I like the look of the insert and having the extra space to print info. I think it will work out well. Here's the link: http://www.labelsbythesheet.com/items/hang-tags/hang-tags-for-two-sided-printing/2-diameter-round-hang-tag-sheet-micro-nikked-white-or-brown-kraft-cardstock-br-usually-ships-same-da-detail.htm (now that's a big link!) Thank you to everyone with the great input about what you do with your labels!

What company is this through? $7.00 a month and those low percentages look really good. I've been looking at propay and using my laptop at a show (and hope internet connections are possible...).

Well, I got my samples from Online Labels and right away printed some out. I used the glossy paper setting and a text setting for the ink (less ink than some of the photo options.). Well, I let the labels sit for a while - 20 minutes - and I got a huge smear on it when I ran my finger over the printing. Even hours later, it still smudged badly. So, I'm sticking with a paper label for now. Maybe my printer just won't work - or the last think I like to think about is operator error! Anyway, I'm not getting a laser printer right now, so paper it is!

That is great advice. I kind of think I'm not seeing the forest for the trees here. I will focus on more spring and summer scents, as I was told by a worker with this company that this will be what buyers will look for now. I do have my sister helping me that day... I'll be able to use the bathroom when needed. :smiley2:

Well, this does bring me a bit back down to earth. :rolleyes2 I know I have always tended to bring way too much to shows. Especially my first ones a few years ago. I will still bring all I can to this one and hope for the best. I know I will be a smaller booth compared to others. I have some plans for drawing folks in... but I also know I'm new here and won't have a clientelle coming to find me specifically. We'll see. My goal is really to get a handfull of new stores selling my candles. I'll be happy with that, and thrilled with anything more.

Well, I think the best I can do will be to take around $5,000 in product. For me, that is about 50 dozen jars and the same in travel tins. Do you think I should order more jars and have more product? I began looking into cc stuff yesterday. I called my bank, looked at Thompson... something, Touch... something, Sorry I can't remember the names... But I think I like the look of Propay best. I read a lot here on the forums too and I think Propay sounds like the most commonly used small businss cc company among us crafters. Another issue / question. I currently ship using priority to web customers. I believe that will still be the best way to ship cases of candles to store buyers in the future. Even if they order 2 or 3 or more cases (dozen) I can ship them in the flat rate or even the new regional boxes. UPS seems much more spendy than that. Anybody ship quantities out to stores and have advice for me?

I just got back from visiting with 2 of my store customers that sell for me close by. Both say that having the ability to take credit cards will be important and I'll probably lose sales without it. So I'll be googling and reading much about the best way to get credit cards going in my business. I'd love to hear how any of you do it. If I'm going to pay for this service, I think I'll make sure it is as portable as possible so I can take it to any show I do. Even outside. What do you think? Oh, and I'll certainly post my experiences as I go... Good and bad.:rolleyes2

I am entering the world of the wholesale trade show. My first big one is in 2 weeks in Madison, WI called Market Square Cash & Carry. I have heard from 2 different people - one vendor that has attended, and one store owner who has gone as a buyer. Both give the impression that this is a HUGE show and a big deal. The vendor who emailed me said they bring $16,000 in wholesale inventory to this show. The buyer I chatted with said she thinks I could sell out everything I have plus take orders for more. I'm beginning to be a little awed by the prospect of such a huge event. My mind is swimming with the 'how' of it all. If anyone has any experience at this event or at something like it I would love any info or suggestions. Especially: How much inventory should I bring? (I don't have $16,000 worth...) Do I HAVE to have the ability to take credit cards (will I lose sales without it?) For a bit of my own background... I have attended one other very small wholesale show in my area. I already have 15 or so stores in this area that sell my candles and reorder at different intervals. I also attend several craft shows and events each year. I'm afraid I feel a little 'small fry' here. Thanks for ANY help you may have to offer!

Late last night I was reading on the online labels website where I saw info on reducing the amount of ink used in the printer and setting the paper to glossy. I did those things (set printer to a simple text setting) and I thought I was on to something. No smudges! But this morning, my daughter was able to rub the ink off of one part completely! I think she has clammy hands... But still, I thought I had done it, but not quite. Though it was much better. I couldn't get a smudge unless I rubbed really hard, and I don't think customers will do that. In the mean time, I'm making a ton of candles getting ready for for my first big wholesale show. I just won't label anything yet. :rolleyes2 Thanks for all your help and input. Really appreciated!

I just finished ordering several samples of different clear inkjet labels from online labels. Great tip! Jonsie & Chuck, how long do you let your labels sit and dry... or do you not have to do that? Until reading your posts this evening I had pretty much decided to go with a khaki colored paper label. I don't want to mess with the time of spraying my label sheets to make them smudgeproof. But I do love the super professional look of the clear labels! I'm anxious to try the online labels and see if they work better. I may have my clear label yet! Now, patience... until they come in the mail.

I checked, the labels I ordered are for inkjet. I just spent the last while reading old posts about smearing ink on clear labels. (I should've known there would be info here...) Sounds like trying Krylon spray on the label sheets after printing will work. I will try that. I also read one post about setting the printer on glossy paper setting so I tried that. It still smears for me. I've even left it to dry for a while... I'll leave it overnight and see if that makes a difference. I does sound like laser printers do not smudge. I'm actually going to look into what they cost. Business expense, right?

Jonsie, what you are thinking about is right. I looked for a photo on line and cannot find one. I have wondered if anybody would be dumb enough to light the candle without removing the paper... And, Steve, you are right... punching holes in a little circle would be part of what I'm doing now already. I did find sheets of die cut circles that would go through the printer all at once. Popping them out would be quick, punching the holes in them... a little time. My time saving would come in because I would no longer have to fold the tags and then tie them on. Then I would be able to have that extra space to say trim your wick, be responsable, recycle your container, and oh yeah, take this little paper out BEFORE you burn this thing. A new dilemma I've encountered tonight is smudging ink on the clear labels I've printed. I made a new (and beautiful if I do say so myself... I'm excited about it!) label idea to stick on the jar and lo and behold my label is smudged and my fingers are inky. Do I have to go out and buy a laser printer??? Good Grief!

I'm beginning to look into changing my label. I currenly tie on a folded tag with my logo on the front, a few burning tips inside and website, candle size, & recyle reminder on the back. While this looks really great, the time it takes to fold and puch a hole in those tags and then tie them on... Well I need to streamline a bit. SO, I'm going to move toward a clear label on the side of my jar. But I don't want to loose the space for quick reminders of burning safety tips (I do have a label on the bottom of jar) or company info. I've seen a candle now and then with a little circle paper INSIDE the candle with a hole punched out for the wick. Both sides of this circle were printed with easily read tips and the website of the company. Anybody here do this? Any thoughts on this idea? I've searched the forums and can't find a reference to this type of 'label'. I also have searched the net for a few nights looking for sheets of circles to easily print on. No luck. Any ideas?

Ok - so I found some clamshells at Peak's and poured a few using my container wax and votive wax. Did a few different pour temps with each. I like the container wax better. They come out all right and the tops are smooth. Now, I plan on making one to test with scent. The only melter I have uses a tea light as the heat. Is that a comparable melter to the electric ones? Will I get similar results as far as melt time, scent throw, etc.? Also, maybe a dumb question. I've taken advice from the candle makers on this forum and tested, tested, tested before selling a candle. Do you test as much with each and every scent of tart you make? Or once I do my first test scent and know how long the scent lasts am I good to go?

I'm a tart newbie here. Found this thread super interesting. So, explain to me if you will, you put one little clamshell thingy into your melting thingy and then turn on the heat. The tart melts, smells up your room (or house) and you're good to go. The scent lasts for several hours (not 80 :rolleyes2) ... Does the wax slowly 'burn' or evaporate as well? I wonder... can they get away with saying 80 hours because the tart wax will last that long? I just bought 20 clamshell molds and tonight poured my first tests. No scent yet. I'm just testing my container wax & my votive wax to see which works best in the molds and comes out easier. Also tried a few different pour temps. I'm not sure if I need to be so 'testy' with tarts as I was with candles. I know I've got some learning to do in the tart arena.

Thanks everybody! I can't wait to try pouring some. I have liked what I've read so far. But now to find the best clamshells. I have not looked thouroughly yet, but does anyone recommend a company to get the clamshells at?

I currently make & sell soy container candles. The other day at a craft show someone told me I should make clamshell melts. I'm wondering if those are as simple to make as pouring my soy container wax with the same amount of FO that I use for containers? (I have done all the testing I needed to do for my candles and so I wonder if I can simply use the same formulas for clamshells.) Does the pour temps matter with melts? I am not a melt or tart user myself so, I'm kind of beginning my research stage to see if it is simple to add tarts to my line. I am just beginning to search the forums for these answers but so far none have answered these questions for soy... I'll keep looking, but I'd appreciate any help.

Anyone have results using cornstarch to help with grease? I saw a couple posts about that. Also, one post said beeswax has some drag to it. How about using bw & soy wax half & half? Thoughts?

I have an open can of beer in the fridge now. Hope I can use it this weekend. Withe aloe or the others you listed here will I have to add a preservative of some sort?

What differences did you find between soap made with water and the same soap made with GM?