mulberrysoap

Hi, I am planning on selling a wide range of VBN products such as CP & MP Soap, Lotion, Tarts and possibly a Balm or Mists. So vanilla would be the main scent and then mixed with other fragrances. I have used the one from TCS a while ago and loved it. I will need to order a min of 25lbs or 35lbs which I am prepared to do for this scent. I am sure I need to contact one of these suppliers - Agilex or Trilogy or Belle Aire...... Does anyone know which of these will be able to supply me with Vanilla Bean Noel? I would love to avoid contacting them all and wasting 2 out of the 3's time:undecided I am based in the UK and currently buy fragrances from Peaks, NG, BB and SW etc. Any help would be fantastic!!!

For me, Peak and Southern Soapers are very reasonable for postage. They do not tack on profit like a few other companies. I also dislike companies that only ship via UPS, why not try supporting your national carrier.

You maybe right, it is your business your rules.

Just wanted to add ( I realise most people might not feel the same) but for this horrible lady, I would not charge her the 20% restocking fee and just chalk it up.

That customer sounds like a complete nightmare!! How can any business afford to ship international for free?!! The costs involved in preparing the order takes time with customs etc. What a cheek! I love companies that offer to ship usps to the UK, the prices are very good imo, royal mail charges more and the parcel is coming from across the pond which would not be cheap!!

Hi, I was just thinking apart from Zum Bar (indigo wild) are there any other large handmade soap companies in the USA? I know Primal Elements and Hugo Naturals are also large, however they make melt and pour soap. There are thousands of smaller handmade soap companies I can think of, I was just wondering are there anymore biggies out there? TIA:)

I spoke to a fragrance house today ( I am looking to purchase fragrance codes that work in cold process soap) anyway, what was interesting was the fact the fragrance house said that yes some suppliers do water down (not with water of course) the fragrances before selling to us, she said that not all of them do so but some of them do in order to stretch the oils and to bring the costs down lower. I thought it was an urban myth but it has just been confirmed by a fragrance house and I believe her.

Peaks website is the best place to start for sure!

I also have to say ng have some of the weakest scents around. I often shake my head when people rave about them. Glad it is not just me to have noticed. On the plus side Peaks scents are great imo

Lavender is always a great choice, Rose scents work really well also. Then a clean fresh scent will be unisex.

Thanks for the comments Lynns and NaturallyTru! It is interesting, it seems that happiness is the main thing we are all looking for and to be able to be comfortable. Restaurants and gift shops are a great place for candles. I have just looked at your site Naturally T'ru and it is fantastic!!!

Thanks for replying to my thread Blacktieaffair a few people would love to have their own storefront also. I would love to be as big as Indigo Wild Zum Bar!!!

This is just a question I was thinking about this week. Where would be the number 1, top place you would love your products to be sold. For me, it would be a top department store ( ideal would be Libertys of London) in the UK. Where would yours be? If you are already there, let us know and congrats!!

I think sometimes these things take a combo of things. Sometimes it is sheer luck and sometimes it is hard work. Businesses can take time to build, if you have been making soaps and candles for a year or so, well it can be unrealistic to set the world alight. Run your own race, work hard and hopefully things will fall into place. With Youtube, there is a UK soaper with tons of views, she now makes money off her ads she places before her vids, she has lots of wholesale etc and she has been making CP soap for 2 years, she started selling CP soap within a few days of making her first bar. I think she has used a combo of things, luck, hard work and looking at what other soapers are doing and then doing the same thing. It works for her.

In the UK there are stainless steel jugs which are handy. Maybe they have them in the US also

Hi I will do so! I got some sample wick packs and as soon as I do the testing I will let you know the results. I am using the chicago tumber from libbey.

Thanks Ravens! I hope so, I think Candles is a learning curve just like CP/HP, but no 4 weeks waiting time!Lol!

Hi I had to get it sent to a friend who kindly sent it on to me. I got sample wicks etc to make it worth the while. With Alfa, it could be worth finding out if others in the UK also like the wax and doing a co-op on it.

This is such an interesting thread. I am also in the UK and I ordered a small amount of 6006 from Peaks to try it out. It is coming anyday now and I hope it is a nice wax to start with. I ordered a few different sample packs of wicks as well as small tumblers to try out. I hope you manage to find the wax you need. I think if the 6006 works well, I will go down the alfa route and see if they can make it a smaller order or something, I guess it is worth a shot at asking.

Thanks Sharon, I like the idea of the wild honeysuckle, buttercream is sold. I think look into buying 16oz to see how it does in CP, I love strong long lasting scents!Lol!

I should add I am in the UK and although we have fragrances here. The US ones tend to be stronger and a pleasure to work with.

Thanks beth, I saw that they were. I would be looking to purchase the fragrance codes to be able to buy the fragrance direct from the source. They were asking for around 100 for the codes.

Hi I tried lavender in bloom and to my nose and testers it doesn't smell too much like lavender. So I am using tassi from ss until I can find another one I can buy in bulk from a manufacturer. Has anyone tried bluegrass fos and found they stuck in cp soap? Thanks

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone I have tried using eos and unless it is triple distilled it really does fade after a while. The eos in the UK are a bit different to the higher quality you have access to in the US. jimo.

In the meantime I am using triple distilled peppermint eo, but is costs a great deal in the UK.