scifichik

I'll have to keep my eyes open for the next co-op on them.

I'll check when I go back out (tomorrow or next day) and report back.

Wow! That's really nice. I'm sure your mom is going to love it.

I wanted to make a sampler collection of fragrances. We bought some 2 oz portion cups with lids to pour into. We waited until the wax was around 120 before we poured. Here's the weird deal, some of the cups have split open after the curing process and others are just fine. All of one fragrance split, but another remained intact. All cups were filled to half or 2/3.

Happily, I don't have much money tied into the cups. The people who got them are my usual testers who give opinions on the hot throw in a melter so they really don't care how the packaging looks. I've been invited to a vendor show next month and would like to offer sample/freebies, but not if the cups are split.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? How can I prevent this in the future?

Congrats, Karen! Your candles were lovely.

Your candles are beautiful. I think they look like tiny works of art. Because you made the fruits by hand makes them even more impressive

That is so cute! I'd be so pleased to win a gift like that one. Great job!

I got that unscented baby wipe hint from here a long time back---one of the best pieces of info I ever picked up!

I did it! My husband and I are commercial beekeepers and I quit my job as a legal assistant because I felt I was not devoting enough time to my business to make it work. I did a craft show practically every summer weekend and had a website selling my products. Quiting my 8-5 allowed me to expand my product line and, with every item I added to my line, I found new a whole new customer base. Within 2 years I had completely replaced my salary. I could have probably done so sooner but I put a lot of money back into my business every year.

It can be done but it is a lot of hard work and, believe me, you won't be able to do with just internet sales. You have to get out there and physically sell your products. Craft shows are a lot of work but also can be a lot of fun and you meet the nicest people in the other vendors.

Just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to you!

I got a nice Wagner heat gun at either the local Wal-Mart or Lowes for around $16.

While this answer doesn't include websites, I've often found really cute silicone molds in the cake decorating/candy making sections of stores like Wal-Mart or K-mart. Sometimes, in the Kitchen Store at one of the outlet malls, you can find them. Frequently, our local Dollar Tree has seasonal/themed molds that pose as ice-cube makers, but can easily double for making tarts/melts.

To be honest, I really don't care what the tops look like after I've burned a candle. I care about the hot throw and the safety of the container. After I relight the candle, there will eventually be a nice melt pool going, and it covers whatever ugliness remained after the candle cooled from the previous burning.

I've discovered that my customers feel the same way, although I do try to make sure that the tops look nice (with the help of a heat gun) before they go into the booth at the craft mall.

Very welcome news!

Inserting my own LIKE IT, LOVE IT button here!

Happy for you!

I found what I was looking for, and Peak's was the supplier from whom I'd previously purchased. They have the clams listed under the MISC header as 6-cavity breakaway mold which is why I wasn't finding them under a search for "clam" or something close to it. The pricing is good, even if you don't need a case. 50 for $15 and right now they are having a 25% off shipping deal on all orders.

Thanks for pointing out the other suppliers.

Are you trying to prove that the addition of paraffin to soy produces a superior throw?

If so.....

A quick testing ground could be found on CandleScience's site as they offer a grading system to demonstrate how well a particular fragrance throws in soy. You could always find one they label as "not suggested for soy" and work with that. I don't recall specific names, but do know there are several there with a "one-leaf" rating with "three leaves" being the most excellent rating for good throw potential, and there were some specifically listed as "not suggested for soy."

Choose one of their fragrances rated as poor for soy, then compare for yourself the difference in that fragrance in your various blends.

It's weird, but all of a sudden, our wickless line has taken off like crazy. We're not complaining, by any means, but I need some suggestions on suppliers for the 6-cavity clamshells.

I got some from the classified section once, and then ordered from either Peak's or CandleScience but don't seem to be able to find those on their site any longer.

What suppliers have the rest of you used that pleased you with quality and pricing?

I don't like making the tags so the candles and melts can go in the craft mall booth. They require string tags attached to every product with your booth number, price and item description on it.

Happily, I have a 'tween niece and nephew who enjoy helping for a few dollars

I'd also speak to other sellers there, to get a feel for how their experiences have been. It could be a good start for you, but best to check all the angles. Best of luck!

Just chiming in with the others. Take the high road, don't bad mouth your former employer, but do contact former customers and let them know where and how your candles can be purchased. Best of luck to you!

I don't know that I'd be offended, but in today's litigious society I'd be paranoid they were cooking up a lawsuit.

I was thinking the SAME thing when I read the original post.

Those are beautiful! I love all the colors and the fact that you certainly weren't intimidated by any style!

LOL In that case, if your wickless product is in a glass container, just think of how many extra ounces that would be

For those who carry these items in their booths or at shows, who do you choose as your supplier?

We do have a wholesale account with Candle Warmers, but haven't yet placed our first order with them.

We'd like to test a few models (from whatever supplier) to determine how our melts/tarts will work with them, but don't really want to purchase an entire case of product at a time during this process. Suggestions are much appreciated!

For me, the choice was 464, 444 and 415 because I was lucky enough to have a supplier within a 45-minute drive----which made for huge savings compared to the cost of having it shipped.

They are now carrying EcoSoya products, too, so we'll be testing with those and comparing against what we've learned to do well with the other wax.