tinalee334455

Well its getting closer and Im getting nervous.I have 4 large shows in the next month.2 shows have an average attendance of 50,000 one has an average of 35,000 and Fort Ligonier has an average of 160,000.... I have been working every day for the past 3 months.I have over 1200 jj's ready,300 seasonal travel tins,100 8oz mason,50 16oz mason,35 hillybilly home brew 16oz mugs,300 bags of brittle wax melts,200 clamshell tarts,100 4oz FO sprays,scented putka pods and potpourri,bakery type candles such as loafs,cupcakes etc,electric candles and over 200 prim can candles....I will be making more throughout the weekdays but will be at the shows on the weekends....I posted a thread a few months back where I was told 10% of the crowd will buy.I just cant see that being that there will be other candlers there.I have read through several post that have had updates on how shows went.One states the attendance was approx 80,000 and she sold close to 600 candles.Others say maybe an attendance of 50,000 and they sold 300 candles or so...When I read 10% I about died because I simply couldnt make that many candles in 3 months.These are all juried shows so when I sent in the pics and applications I assumed I would get accepted to maybe 1 or 2 shows.I was accepted to 3 shows and then just last week a girl who owns a craft store asked that I place a display in her store.I accepted.She is right in the middle of Ligonier where they hold Fort Ligonier days,she told me stock up for Ligonier days!Yea I am aware,I normally shop Ligonier days and you can hardly move! Sooo Im busy bustin butt for yet another event in hopes that I have enough candles.I have a few things I didnt mention like pumpkin candles and things Id say around 2000 candles plus the brittle and tarts etc....So for those of you that have done large shows what was the average # of candles you sold? I want to have enough yet I dont want to have stock for the next 10 years...lol... Thanks in advance...

this isn't the Field of Dreams where "if you build it, they will come" ;-) LMAO

I hate when people do this.I have raised pomeranians for 13 years.I have people steal pictures of my babies to advertise as their own! Of course I contact my lawyer who contacts them.I even had a lady copy my entire 'about me' page word for word as if it were her story.Needless to say I get angry when this happens. I just sent Shining light a message telling her to get off her dead ass and do her own work.I said a few more things but I really shouldnt repeat them on here Hopefully she will get tired of catching hell and take the pics off but I have a feeling that would be her entire website...I hate lazyass people like this! (Oh I did mention that to her in her email as well..lol)

You guys are AWSOME,it was Jackel (jkl international) Thank you soooo much!

Any chance you could provide a link to the glass supplier jackel? At this point Im ready to give up or PAY someone to find a wholesaler with these votives! I can normally find anything on the internet uuuuggghhhh

My goodness,I have seriously been on the internet looking for days Im getting so confused with Jackel,Crackle,Cracked ..lol...I will check Jackel. THANKS!

I believe its called crackle glass.I've seen it called cracked glass,crackled glass and crackle glass.Here is a pic of what Im looking for.... thanks

Does anyone have any idea who may have the crackle glass votive holders?I know I saw them about 2 months ago on a website and loved them but figured Id wait until it was closer to fall to order them.They had pumpkins,apples,pine branches,hummingbirds etc...Very pretty. Ive spent the last 4 days looking for them online and cant find them.Ive found websites that are selling them but not the wholesale website Thanks so much in advance.

Yes I do have alot of money invested into the candles.When I started it was to make candles for myself and family members to save a few bucks because I used to burn Yankee,Bath and Body and White barn candles.So like most I started out thinking you could just put wicks,wax and FO in a jar lighter 'er up and walla scent everywhere:rolleyes2 WRONG....After about $8000 in testing I was finally down to where I knew which wax,wicks and Fo I would go with.I have finally narrowed it down to ordering from Natures Garden,Candle Science and of course Peaks, there are a few must haves from Candlewic and WSP.Anyway,like most of you I became addicted to 'getting it right' and reading this forum which I must say THANK YOU to everyone who gives wonderful advice on the forum,I can honestly say without the forum I would still be clueless with candle making.Like all of you I ordered hundered of samples from so many suppliers and waited at the mailbox like a little girl on Christmas morning till my scents came so I could smell them and test them :smiley2: After all the money spent(the $8,000 does not not include the trailer,caravan tent,tables,banners etc-JUST testing alone!) I realize I could have bought myself and my family members candles to last them the rest of their lives :rolleyes2 But I love it. I will keep you posted on the outcome. Again thank you for all the advice and luck

Ive never posted pics so I hope these pics show up.This is my average set up a t the market.I plan on making another set of steps for more jj's as they are my biggest seller.(yes I made the steps myself and I love them The show isnt until Oct 1st so I have enough of time to prepare.I have a wonderful husband and my 13 year old daughter helps with the candles.I do have 3 banners that I use for the tent,so have that covered and bought a 5x8 enclosed trailer with our candle name on it so have that.I guess I took this applefest on because I have worked SO HARD for a year and a half to get my candles to where I want them and have all the supplies now I guess I have to get to the shows and festivals to market them. Did I mention I have anxiety?? I will be sure to have my Zoloft script filled,Oh boy I have to be strong...lol...My parents did not do much with their lives(alcohol was their addiction not FO) so I want to try and do something successful with my life I can do this....Any helpful advice will be much appreciated.

Well I will be attending my first applefest.Expected attendance is 40,000-60,000 over a 3 day weekend.I have NO IDEA how many candles I should have ready.I have been testing for a year and 8 months-I was finally comfortable with selling my product this spring so I have been selling at the local country market.I sell an average of 40 candles in a 4 hour period at the market,everyone has good feedback and they come back for more So with a festival of that size what would you prepare? Thanks in advance..BTW I dont know how candle making could be an addiction but it is,Its like you get addicted to the FO,guess Id rather be addicted to FO than something else:laugh2:Oh sorry one more question,for the 8 ounce JJ's(hold 6 oz wax) I sell them for $6 each or 2 for $10.I read that was the going rate on the JJ's but wanted to be sure that was still about right as we all know prices have gone up so much...

Bank just called me with recent activity on my mastercard totaling OVER $2000! I have used my card for so many candle companies lately as I have been testing for over a year now and getting very close to a sellable product.I have ordered from Fillamore,CS,NG,WSP,Peaks,Candlewic,Millcreek,Daystar,paypal,amazon,ebay and more Im sure....Looks like the card was used for tickets to Jamaica,some sort of job search,music jams and some sort of global buyers online.I cant believe this.I have been in business for 13 years(not candle business) I use my card everywhere.This is the FIRST time in 13 years someone stole my card #'s.What a shame!

I have been making candles for about a year,I have gotten FO from so many companies.I am pleased with some and not so pleased with others.Like many others I have spent so much money on FO,wax and shipping charges to get a nice quality candle. One Stop Candle from NY has a guarantee on their FO which most companies do not.Anyone have personal experience with this company?Ive tried to research them but cant find much on them.Thanks in advance!