scifichik

What kind of issues are you having? I use that wax sometimes, but haven't had any problems. Check the "freshness date" on the box and let us know what it is.

That IS a scary story!

Maybe you can set up shop again when you get to your destination and enjoy much success there, too. Prayers for your travel safety

That's gorgeous! What fragrance did you use? (Just curious )

We've hit the local craft/vendor fair circuit and have done a show each weekend for the last 2 months. Clamshells, melts and wickless in tins have sold well.

We FINALLY sold an actual wicked candle today! LOL It was a 4 oz in a potent peppermint fragrance, and we only sold it because it was the last item in that fragrance we had left.

We're thinking for next weekend, instead of taking a selection of cash/carry for the candles, we'll just take one in the three sizes we carry so the customer can see the style of candle in wicked containers and will take orders. It'll sure be easier loading up the car with the lighter products, leaving the heavy guys at the workshop.

How have others handled this situation where market trends have shifted?

I'm sorta thinkin this is another company that will "melt" itself down quickly. Seems many of these bizes go down the tubes rather quickly once saturated with sales reps that don't make the money they want. They have done me a load of business though...Many compare my tart warmers in pricing to theirs... it won't cost ya $50 for a wamer and 3 clamshells here. Plus my clam shells fly off the shelf at $4.oo each or 3 for $10....gosh even at 3.33 each I'm still making almost 5x cost of product.. gotta luv it.

I hear you. We sell for $3/each clamshell or $10/4 and still make a nice profit. We have good product with repeat buyers.

My friend started out using one, but found it to be messy to dip her melted wax out of the roaster. I've always used Presto Pots with spigots, although someone gave me a Presto Pot the other day that she wasn't using and it has no spigot, so I suppose I'll find out how neat/messy it will be to dip out of it with a Pyrex measuring cup.

We've been doing the local vendor/crafter circuit and have noticed that it seems EVERYONE has a Scentsy rep in their family, work place, church, etc. How can they sell anything when it seems the marketplace is saturated with reps? I've noticed that they are highly competitive (translate: not nice), particularly with one another and find it interesting that some events will allow more than one rep from the same direct sales source. Also, they are expanding their product line with Grace Adele (putting them at odds with the Thirty-one Gifts gals).

Gold Canyon was a new name to me and I only just encountered it this past weekend. They promote themselves as "upscale" home scenting. They had container candles with lids, about the size of your standard votive starting at $8.75.

It's been a while since I've heard mention of PartyLite, although a couple of years back, everyone was teaming up to to Pampered Chef/PartyLite/Lia Shophia parties. Talk about pressure from friends, and it was like a chain letter parade to host parties for each other. I typically travel frequently for work, and could always gracefully decline party invitations, but would offer to host a "silent party," which consists of putting their catalogs in the break area at work.

We were running a show special on our clams, 4 for $10 or $3 each (which is our normal selling price) and did well. The other candle folks, not so much.

My cousin is a rep for "For Every Home" and they have some sort of soy/parasoy blend that seems to be a "green" Yankme wannabe. Their prices are lower than Scentsy.

I did an "emergency" pour Thursday evening for a Saturday evening show. I poured a dozen creme brulee and a dozen vanilla hazelnut clamshells because I'd miscounted inventory and we were low, and those have been good sellers the last couple of shows. We did the show on Saturday, church took up most of today, and I am lurking the forums tonight

The show was a vendor/crafter show with about 40 participants at the local community college fieldhouse. Table fees went to the Shop with a Cop program team teams up local law enforcement with a child (whose family must meet certain low-income guidelines) and a $100 budget to shop for Christmas. Typically, in our area, children from certain low-income areas get a negative, biased view of law enforcement. This program helps them associate law enforcement with positive events in their own lives. There was also a silent auction room where each participant donated an item and all proceeds went to the program. There was a not-so-decent turnout, being the day immediately following Black Friday, but we made table fee x 8, so for a three hour affair, we were happy and felt good about contributing to a good local cause.

Quite by accident, we colored our Twigs & Berries the same granny smith green as our Apple Jack & Peel. It looked pretty, although we usually leave that one uncolored.

Was it called "Crafty" something? My nephew's school group got some to mess with, and I do mean MESS with. It was nasty stuff.

Just my opinion, but if you are using mason/jelly/salsa-type jars they look unfinished without a lid. If it's a more contemporary/status jar, you really benefit from the plastic cover to keep dust/debris off the top of your candle.

Scifi, your table looks full and organized! I am of the opinion that lots of people would be drawn to your banner because it is home made. And what a sweet way to honor the contribution of your sister's kids!

Some of their warmers are super-cute, but the prices for them keep me at bay.

Scifi, your table looks full and organized! I am of the opinion that lots of people would be drawn to your banner because it is home made. And what a sweet way to honor the contribution of your sister's kids!

Thank you for your input. The banner is usually a conversation starter.

I tend to stay away from vendor events because I think people are sick to death of them. With respect to your set up, you might want to consider a table cloth that covers all four sides of your table to the floor. You can hide a lot that way. And although I understand the sentiment behind your laminated sign, I must admit that I have reservations about using it front and center as your main sign. Perhaps you could shrink it down and use it in a smaller format elsewhere to keep the charm but have a professional sign done in a whimsical manner for front and center. That way, you can have it both ways. Remember that people who are shopping do not know the story behind the sign and are simply judging your stand on what they see in the blink of an eye.

Thanks for the input. The tables provided to us were supposed to have been skirted, but much of this event didn't meet the expectations we were given, so we were lucky to have a spare table cover. Lesson learned here: bring our own skirt or full-length table-cover always in the future.

As for the banner, we can't part with it, but do have a decent logo on packaging, website, business cards, and whatever else.

The organizer told us at the expo that we could get a nice banner at VistaPrint for some reasonable amount. We told her we liked our little banner because my sister's children made it with much enthusiasm and love a couple of years ago. It's laminated and we take it with us; it's quaint and obviously made by children. They are VERY proud that this is what we use for our booth.

A local woman organized a "shopping expo" today for local vendors to rent a table and show their wares. Each vendor was allowed one table that was supplied in the cost of the $25 fee and the event was to last from 11 a - 6 p. The location was the "event room" of a local party shop. People typically have baby showers, birthday parties, etc there and the cost is $20/hour and they provide tables and chairs.

People were grumbling when they got there, because there was an "L" shape of four tables lining two walls---full of the woman's items. Apparently, she does the full buffet of Scentsy, Grace Adele, Velata and something else. She justified it because she had four companies that she represented. It made little difference to me because it was an opportunity to sell and get our name out there.

We set up and she sent her daughter over to check out our table and posted prices. After the scout returned and reported that our clamshells were $3, she immediately announced an "unadvertised sale" on her bricks to $4 each. Anybody know what the Scentsy rep's cost is on them?

At any rate, we made our table fee, plus $11----so we were the big winners over some folks who sold absolutely nothing, and it was half mile from home. We did make some network connections for some other area events, and the Thirty-One rep asked us to come do a party/show with her. The show we participated in last weekend as a fundraiser for Project Graduation was better, we made our table fee and $125, so we were pleased as we only had to drive 10 miles to get there.

Actually, my sister thought the organizer was crazy. She bought balloons and stood on the street corner with them, waving at people, trying to attract attention from car and pedestrian traffic.

I attached a picture of our table, although my sister was less than thrilled to be in it It was a learning experience, as we're experimenting with doing "events" now. We have another one on the 24th.

Didn't know either

You and your hubby are incredibly sweet and generous to share your idea and directions with us!

I purchased it. I got it off amazon. If you get one be sure to get hooks too. They don't come with the rack.

I like that rack, too! What's the make/model from Amazon?

I was just looking at those before I checked back into the post activity!

Do they spin well without being "tipsy?" Can you use standard pegs (like the type you buy at the hardware store), and how heavy is it to transport?

I'll let you know what I come up with, and maybe it might work for you as well

Cheryl, sorry your outing wasn't what you hoped. We participated in a local bazaar today, which was supposed to have been handmade crafts, but most were manufactured items. We and a ceramics table were the only truly handmade vendors, and we did well because of that. Hoping your next shows are better for you.

A Scentsy rep was at this show, and she bored holes in us with her eyes because she wasn't selling.

What is everyone using for displays for clamshells at shows? We've just moved into that arena and need a shove in the right direction, please.

I'm thinking table-top spinners or something multi-tiered. My sister thinks just put samplers out on the table and have crates of alphabetized clams under the table, hidden by table skirt, and get the customer whatever they want which also sounds good.

Ktaggard, congratulations on your first show! Sometimes the learning experience is more valuable than actual sales. I wish you all the best!