CandleLadyBusiness

Hi Donna, the best thing to do is ask your supplier. I never used pillar wax , just a votive wax.. pillar will be harder I believe so you would have to wick up to get a good burn.

Diane

I no longer make candles, just am a candle distributor now, much easier for me personally..

I haven't personally used palm or purchased to make , but love the look of it for sure.. it is beautiful.. the candles I am selling now contain palm soy veggie blend and I tell you , no more ugly looking candles.. beautiful look before and after burn.. this can not be achieved with all soy.. so I am glad I found this line..

Diane Mumm

Hi Everyone, just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.. especially for the newbies..

I made candles for nearly 10 years, but no longer as now I am a distributor.. here is what I learned..

When I first got started like many there is a researching period where everyone should not miss.. you really need to find out it this business you really want to get into.. ask yourself these questions..

do you have time?

do you have space?

do you have start up money?

do you have patience, cause at times you will need it?

do you want this as a business or a hobby?

and so on

You are going to have to continuing test your candles from day 1 and ongoing.. I found many times changes to products as sometimes my candles did the burn the same.. frustrating to say the least..

It is a fun business , there is no doubt but make sure you consider all factors into this business.. Insurance is a biggie , and you need to have this , liability coverage you never know what people will do out there and you want to safeguard you and your family.

My observation on selling on ebay, don't do it unless you need to clearance out your candles.. I mean people go to ebay to look for bargains.. you do not want to cheapen up the quality of your candles by putting them on ebay.. and the price that some are selling on ebay , I often wander how in the world they are making any money, unless they just wanted to clear out some inventory.. so not recommended..

Make sure and most of newbies won't know this, working with soy is a ongoing trial and error.. and I am not saying this to scare you.. it is a unpredictable wax .. you need to know.. to continuing pulling out a candle and testing your large batches you pour to make sure they burn great..

Make sure you figure in all your cost .. many don't and they find they are running short of making an income..

Just figure on buying in bulk and try to find your products as close as possible to keep your shipping cost down, this can really add to you costs.. I know I have been there..

so all good luck.. I could go on and on.. what will stop for now

Diane Mumm

Sharon, that was my observation when working candles for 10 years.. I mean frustating as it is , I kept going, but did find a lof of fluctuations , and made sure I did testing on a ongoing basics..

the leaking is a problem.. it is hard to sell a product this way..hopefully Trudi you get this figured out..

Diane

Yes , there is a paid ads, but there is also a pages link.. it is under the my campaigns , my ads , then pages.. if you are not seeing this , then I am not sure why ..

Diane

Hi, normally depends on how you sell your tarts, do you ship them.. because if you do the container wax will not hold up as well..meaning it is softer.. I used to do this but changed to a harder wax as they shipped better..

You don't want your product to crumble.. I usually went with a votive wax or something similiar.. with a melt point of at least 130..

I made candles for 10 years and had much better results with the harder wax.. this was my preference and had no complaints..

I no longer make them, but love to help others ..

good luck

Diane Mumm

Trudi, I had this happen a lot but usually in the humidity of the summer..

it could be many variables, the mixing of wax, mixing long enough, did the scent change perhaps..

really could be anything, especially with a natural wax.. I ran into this a lot and quite frustrated..

There always seem to be changes in product, either wax, scent wicks you name it.. it was hard to figure out because you thought you did everything like you always did..

I am glad I do not have these headaches anymore.. I really do feel for you and good luck ..'

Diane

ladsj, once you are on your profile page, click on home-then right hand corner -ads and pages, then click on pages , then create your page.. simple an effective..

hope this helps

Diane Mumm

I did a poll on this one time when I was making candles, and the majority like colored candles.. however I am seeing more and more dye free , but what I have found is people associate the color with the fragrance.. this can be a matter of opinion , but the colored candles do look better on shelves..

there really is pros and cons to each.. I suggest asking your clientele to see what their preference is and go from there..

definitely soy has a lot of issues with dye.. they just don't hold color .. so that is something to consider..

good luck

Diane Mumm

Hi, when I was making candles and using the presto pot.. I would melt the wax then pour into pour pots.. wasn't that big of a deal, then pour from there.. work just fine..

good luck

Diane Mumm

Yes the pvc works, that is what I used to use.. years ago..I actually forgot about this until I seen this thread..

get caps to glue to the bottom , let them dry, stand them up in a something , fill, soak as needed.. a lot of work for just incense but I guess if you can sell them .. great..

Diane

I am glad I read this thread as I was thinking about getting some.. not good..

did you send your complaint to the company you purchased from?

to see what they suggest or say.. I definitely would

so there is a 3 prong and a 2 prong.. will definitely ask before purchasing.. thanks

Diane Mumm

Hi Rebecca, tart warmers can all vary on how they melt, because they can have different wattage.. this can also make the difference in scent throw..

depending on the wax you are using will depend on how easily the wax comes out once it sets up..

if you have a two piece tart warmer , I have placed the lid in the freezer for just a tiny bit and the wax will pop right out..

I haven't bought any local, only online.. in bulk..

good luck

Diane Mumm

Bernadette, facebook is highly recommended , as there is millions of users.. You could set up a candle page, fan page whatever, it is definitely worth doing..

I have several profile pages. and a few fan pages It is something to consider

good luck

Diane Mumm

Sharon, Sorry to hear you too are closing..

I don't have a storefront, but I too am done with the candle making business..

Good Luck in selling your items.. I am still doing this also..

what are your plans??

I am actually relieved and thought this was a great time to make that change..

Cheers

Diane Mumm

Candlelady - where are you in Iowa? Email me at tayloredscent@earthlink.net please.

hi I just emailed you..

Diane

HI JOSH, would really put some personalization into the website.. people like to know who they are doing business with.. If you don't have a photo , I would put a photo ..

and pretty much agree , your complete contact info as stated already..People want to know you are a real person

good luck

Diane Mumm

Diane- you have to be a member for a certain amount of days and have a certain amount of posts to post to the classifieds.

Thank you I was thinking there was probably a reason..

Diane

Hi Carrie, I know what you are saying I did candles for years and now am no longer a candle maker either ..

have to do what is best for you , and your family.. there is many other things you can do now..

it is funny I came here to get rid of some items , but don't seem to be able to post in the classifieds..

anyway good luck in what you decide to do.. I came here late so I do not know what was said ..

Diane Mumm

Hi , I used to use a soy wax from Kentucky Candle Supply and used it for years.. the one thing with soy wax is it can be unpredictable so testing is always a given..

It sounds like you have a good thing going with driving to get your wax, shipping has dramatically increased since I changed my business.. that was one of the reasons..

I have heard of Golden and in the past it was said that many use this wax but they use their own trademark name on the wax.. hard to find out thou as noone tells..

I was always looking for a different soy wax because there seemed to be so many on the market, but in reality many can be the same.. or similiar..

if you can save on shipping that would be what I would do.. this can really help cut your costs..

I hope this helped

Diane Mumm

Hi Melody , I have used the votive and was very pleased..

Diane

Barbara, absolutely not.. I think it is crazy the things people try to do to get free stuff..

Soy candles do change in appearance , and I find it quite humorous that someone would have the nerve to do this..

I really commend you , for doing this , but in the future I am sure you will not be so willing..

good luck

Diane Mumm

Hi Jan, figure your costs and make sure you figure everything, most people cut them self short , and usually find they are not making enough money.. then add for profit..

I used to sell a 16oz apothecary jar at 8.50 .. wholesale and it sold fine.. I would look to see what others are doing with that style..

have fun

Diane Mumm