scifichik

I'm wondering how the midwestern US flooding is going to impact the cost of soy wax in the future.    Lots of soybean fields are under water.   My thoughts and prayers go out to those farmers and their families!

Yes, that's the kind of thing I'm looking for...curious to know who uses them and the pros/cons of the models they have.

What do you use for portable power for shows where electric isn't available?   I thinking of something to run a small fan (or heater) and laptop.  Looking for recommendations of what others use like Duracell PowerPack, etc.

After a series of interesting life events, I'm ready to set up shop again with my candles and melts and am ready to get everything out of storage.

My current best location is an old cottage about 200 sq ft that someone used to live in years ago.  We currently use it for yard/garden tools and storage. There is electricity, but no plumbing or water.   It's minimally insulated and currently has no heat source, although a small infrared heater makes it toasty pretty quickly.   No AC other than opening the door and two windows (old school   LOL).

What's the best way to test to determine if it's adequate temperature-wise to store my oils and wax, or should just utilize it as a production area.  We have an unfinished basement that is fine temperature wise, but not enough available room to set up a decent work area---so I could always store wax and oils there, if the cottage isn't sufficient.

My warning label for critters says:   I AM NOT A CANDLE.   Do not light me or put me near flame; I am very flammable and will help start a fire, and you don't want that to happen.  I AM NOT A TOY.  Do not let children or pets play with me; I will flake off wax and make a big mess of scented snow.  KEEP ME ON A DISPLAY DISH.  The wax, fragrance oil, and dyes used may stain wood, cloth, or other surfaces.  

Actually, my "Not Scentsy" sign drew in people and spawned lots of conversations and sales.   I think it's a new permanent keeper for future events.   And anyone is welcome to use that idea, after all, we ALL say it at one time or another---so it's not like it's a uniquely coined phrase

It's probably time to make the next office investment on a color laser printer for the labels, I think, too.

I did a last minute show this past weekend and had no helpers, so it meant going light on tables, displays, and product (degenerating discs in my spine, doesn't stop me but does make me slow). I did take about 4 dozen of each top-selling fragrance and restocked the display area as it sold. I have a banner on order, but it didn't arrive in time, so my table drop front looks bad.

I'm thinking of having Avery or some other place print my labels (with the fragrance section blank that I could print later) so my logo gives a nice pop of color on front, and there isn't a sea of white.

Any pointers or constructive input appreciated for my display, as I'm still new at doing shows/fairs.   It was fun, and after I pretty much bought family's Christmas from other vendors with my profits, I still left with $80 from sales, so for a first-year event in a very small rural town, I was very satisfied.

I love all your colors!

Are we talking about polycarb containers like these to be dropped into a warmer?   http://www.candlewic.com/store/product.aspx?q=c29,p802

I got some from the classified section and they were from the vendor called Uline.  They are on the web:   www.uline.com

We do the same as Alajane.

Are you talking about making your own silicone molds?

I typically only have two Presto Pots "live" at any given time, either when I've got lots of pouring to do and need to keep wax melting to transfer to pour pots---or if I have two different waxes I'm using (like pillars and containers, each uses a different wax).

Ok I'm looking on Bitter Creek website and I can't find it... I remember this from a few years ago and couldn't remember where I saw it.. Thanks... Now what category do I look in ?

Look under accessories.  Web site says they are out of stock.

What a great idea!

Thank you for sharing with us!

Those would be the ones, Trappeur

Thank you!  I like the look of those.  They are nicer than portion cups with lids.

I love the lodge/primitive look of your display and sales areas!

I need some of the tin sample cases, like the ones that Bitter Creek carries (but is currently out of, per the website).  Does anyone have an alternate supplier for those, or a different way to be organized with samples for scents for parties and such?

I get my Patchouli from Peaks.  I don't know how it compares to Moonworks, but it is a favorite of one of my self-described "hippie" customers.

I use that FO in 464 and EcoSoy Pillar blend mix.  Anything more than 1 oz per pound yields odd results for me in melts.  I haven't poured any candles with it, but CT and HT are very pleasant

Yikes!  Shipping fees are just killer sometimes.

When we get the new chip reader, do we keep the mag stripe reader to use for cards that don't have the chip?

Vista is the only one that doesn't require a minimum order.  Levine Gifts has nice products, but also has the same $100 minimum order that OBI does.  From Levine's page:  This is a wholesale web site and store. We have a minimum quantity of 2 per item and $100 per order.

I was going to order from CandleWarmers, but they require a min of $300 for the first order, and then only $100 for reorders.  Opportunity Buys had similar products, but only a $100 minimum on any order.  We'll see how that works out