Fern-Marie

I was curious, when you first started selling to the public directly, or more so through stores on consignment, what were the biggest problems, or pitfalls, you encountered? If you could go back and say 'never again will I"....what would it be? What advice can you give to new sellers as a business person? Thanks, Fern-Marie

CandleGuy, sorry, I didn't see the Custom Make request. I ougt to not do this when I am overtired!

Bitter Creek has the clear plastic lids. They usually are used on the jelly jars. They are called Smelly Jelly plastic lids, or something like that. They may very well have the ones with the holes. Hope that is what you are looking for. I'm sure there are others, but that was where I got mine. Good luck to you. FernMarie

I have an outstanding order with her as well. I ordered from her in the past, and got excellent service. I think that the problem here is that she is having serious health problems. I don't know how it will all go, but I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt, I think she deserves it after years of such excellent service. Let her try to get back on track. Sounds to me like she's overwhelmed. She needs help, good help. You know what it's like when you are sick and you get behind, it seems like you will never catch up. The anxiety alone will put you under. We've all been there. She does have great products and excellent pricing. I am leaving my order standing. If need-be, I will get what I need elsewhere in the interum until she is on her feet. She is not a personal friend of mine, and I have not had much contact with her, but I think she deserves a break. I would hate to be in her shoes right now, and it could happen to any of us.

...oops... :whistle:

Ok, I have found that whatever wax you are using greatly effects the coloring. But, whenever I need a suggestion for color mix, I go to Nature's Garden, look up the FO, and they will give you a color mixing suggestion. It works for me most of the time-at least gets me on the right path. Their suggestion is 6 drops of red to 4# batch. I wish I could help you, but I have not attempted that color, yet. Good luck to you.

That is just too sweet! I can't believe we don't have this out here. Honestly, I have never heard of it...I'm going to have to check with my neighbor-bud acrossed the street, and my Aunt in western NY...who grew up in Boston. If anyone will know, it's them! Thanks so much for sharing that. Gotta love America!

Roses, roses, and more roses...getting ready for Valentine's! I made Red, Yellow, and Pink. MAN HAVE I GOT A HEADACHE!

I've never heard of the May Day basket of flowers thing... is it a regional tradition? I love the idea of it, though, it sounds so sweet and quaint.

Ya know, I just love to look at the soaps, but just as I was about to scroll down to look at your soap...it dawned on me that you wrote "wicked"...a strictly NE/Bostonian word...made me laugh. By the way, your soap looks "Wicked Pissa"! Thanks for sharing!

You soapers amaze the heck out of me, that is too cute!!! Are the fishies soap too?

Sorry JDS, I completely misunderstood what you were looking for. I can't get over those cut lil fry pan looking things...I absolutely love them. I wish JoAnn's was open I'd go right now!! So, thanks from me too, AngieD!

I never knew that the tax rates can vary by county. What an odd thing. Here, 5% is the tax rate - the whole state. NH, ME, RI, I think CT...all have one set tax for sales. That must make it incredibly difficult to set a price.

I don't think that it matters which way you do it but I would go with the higher amount and say nothing about taxes, myself. When I go to shows, ppl are never charged the item plus tax...just a specific amount. So, I would go with the $8.50 or whatever your final amount is that you have decided will cover any taxes you pay. It is more comfortable for the consumer, especially at shows where most vendors take in cash anyway.

What a great idea for the warmers. I usually tell ppl that they can use a heat-safe jj or stoneware bowl, old mug...whatever is heat safe. This is far more attractive..way cute. Thanks so much for sharing that. Fern-Marie

www.specialtybottle.com Has the best price for tins that I have found yet. I use short glass jars for my wickless candles. Do you prefer the tins for some reason? Fern-Marie

Correct. If you charge sales tax above what you are selling the item for... IT IS TAX FRAUD, AND IS A FELONY....BE CAREFUL! Charge taxes on what you are selling the item for. Glad you checked before jumping in.

What is this soy that ppl dip their hands into? I have had a couple of ppl ask me if my soy can be used that way?? What type of soy is it...they seem to think that it's some sort of melted candle wax, but I just can't imagine a wax of any type that one would want to put directly on their skin. What are they talking about? I'm sooo confused! Thanks

How is it that someone with so much flare, personality, talent, and humor goes by the name GrumpyGirl? You are anything but! NO GRUMPY person could make that! You soap makers are so incredibly talented, what a treat. Thanks for sharing. Name: Fruit Twister?

Bev, what are firestarters? Thanks, Fern-Marie

I melt it into tarts and give to my friends and family to sample scents...I don't sell it.

When my wax was suddenly, and without warning, discontinued in the height of the season, I searched desperately for another wax. The only one who had any wax left was NG...so I had to get it. It is about the ugliest stuff I have ever seen. Very frosty, separates from the glass. The tops look like wet paper, and it frosts 'deep' so you can't heat gun it out. It almost looks marbled on top. I quickly found out what wax hell was! Now that I am down to the last couple of pounds, I have found that you MUST pour this cool, 110 of lower. I found myself 'babysitting' it to try to stop some of the deep frosting before it completely set. Partly my fault because I was trying to produce. Patience is a must with this one. Still, I find it way too time consuming to heat to 175 for dye, down to 130 for FO, and down to 110 to pour. I don't think that I will be purchasing it again, if I can help it. Now, I'm more used to it so it wouldn't be as bad. I did manage to get some smoothe and shiny tops on some, but this wax is very fickle. Coloring was tougher-it is very yellow when melted-you'll need a lot of dye to cover it, if you use dye- and you will want to with this, and it doesn't take well to some FO's. What a tough wax to master. It is what I would call a good hobby wax, not meant for production, in my opinion. This is not a slant in any way on the great ppl at Nature's Garden. They are top-notch. Sorry, I couldn't give you a more glowing report.

I put a piece of Masking Tape running lengthwise down the jar. I put start and stop burn times on it and make little notches so I can have a visual of how much is burning within a certain amount of time-to see it as a customer would see it, and little notes I put on tape going horizontally. It assures me that I won't forget what scent it is, that I won't lose my notes, and it's great for side-by-side testing. A good sized roll of Masking Tape lasts forever. Also, I use clothes pins for wick holders on smaller jars.

Thank you all for the valuable information. Much appreciated. :smiley2: Fern-Marie