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Chele

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Posts posted by Chele

    Any of you watching this candle maker on ebay?

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Maple River Candle Co. If this seller is on this board.. congrats! You are rocking it!

    I have been watching your auctions for several weeks after one of my customers sent me a link to you. They must be some freaking awesome candles because they come back and bid on them over and over.

    Here's the link:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Primitive-20-oz-Christmas-Holiday-Candy-Cane-Jar-Candle_W0QQitemZ220302738411QQihZ012QQcategoryZ46782QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

    Take care,

    Chele

    Printed Ribbon

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    We get ours from Nashville Wraps.

    http://www.nashvillewraps.com/ShowPage.ww?Page=NEWPRINT#CustomPrintedSatinRibbon

    Be sure to ask about what inks have the most durability on your ribbon choice. Our first order was double faced satin ribbon with off white ink... you could scratch the writing off with your fingernail. Nashville wraps had to reprint it for us (at no cost) and we went with double faced satin ribbon with metallic gold print. It is fabulous and a good investment if you are going for an upscale look.

    One thing to consider is no matter who you go thru it takes weeks to get.. if you want it before Christmas you should order immediately. Also be sure to check on set up fees and plate charges - so you don't get any surprises.

    I have attached a picture of our finished product.

    HTH,

    Chele

    post-101-139458451073_thumb.jpg

    Glass glow

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    Tried it both ways... helped a little... but not practical for us to heat jars... we make wayyyyyy too many candles to heat jars.

    I think we have found a blend based on info given here that appears to be the direction we are going to go so long as the burn tests continue to go well.

    HTH,

    Chele

    Palm & Soy Mixed??

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    I've learned so much in just a few days. Our first round was 50% soy and 50% palm... poured around 200... wicked jars with our usual dual wicks also did a set with single wicks. I used 1 oz per lb.

    Fact#1 I didn't pay attention to cooling temp and made the ugliest candles I have ever made. (LOL)

    Fact #2 I test burned less than 12 hours after pouring and the cold and hot throw was phenomenal. I tested burned the single wicked apothecaries... and though the wick wasn't quite hot enough... I think I was close (used a CSN 12) - I think is how it was labeled.

    Fact #3 This blend is not for tarts.. scent throw in the tarts was great... appearance was yuck... would be a hard sell based on appearance.

    Soooooo... today I will try 100% palm and see if thats what made these candles so strong. As far a scent throw honestly.. this is the best BY FAR candle I have ever made.

    Also going to try 70% soy and 30% palm to see if less palm corrects the cosmetic issues and the improved candle remains. My "dream" change would be to keep soy in the mix because I have over 50 wholesale accounts I'm going to have to "market" this change to.... and I think soy in the mix makes that easier. I will tell you though if the 100% palm candle throws better than the mix I made... buh bye soy. Welcome to the "Power of Palm"

    I'll keep posting.. for those who got swept up in the great soy blend wax disappearance. Sorry if I rambled.. :)

    Take care,

    Chele

    Palm & Soy Mixed??

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    I am having the same issue my soy blend is discontinued and I have less than a case of wax left with the holidays arriving and a new store to stock.

    Luckily I can sell melts but I have to retest some of my best sellers in a new wax. QUICK.

    I was looking at palm wax as well and use to use plain 415 soy. I think I will try to blend the two at 25% palm with 75% soy and see what happens. Guess it is a starting point.

    WHY on earth would they discontinue a wax blend like that ...it seemed to be very popular. Was easy to use, easy to pour, no waiting like plain soy. UGH! GRRRR!

    VERY frustrating. :angry2:

    I started testing today.. I will post if I find a mix that works. I can't believe they stuck it to us right here at our busy season. But because of this stunt that have lost my business.. I am looking at replacements as we speak.

    I understand that things happen and manufacturers change things.. but be honest with me.. and you keep my business... stick your head in the sand and act like you don't know what's going on... and we have a problem.

    I am frustrated as well... been sick about this literally.. for days.

    Take care,

    Chele

    125 the same as 415

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    KY's 125 is not the same as 415.. but their 100% soy is the same as the 415. I've concluded over the years... (and if there are differences they are small) There is a pure soy version and a soy with cotton seed version basically.

    Once you get into the blends they split off into several avenues... but I do have my suspicions on several of those ... which are the same...

    HTH,

    Chele

    125 the same as 415

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    I discovered all this several years ago.. I really find it annoying as well. I guess they thought we'd never figure it out.. but it sure would have saved me a ton if testing and money in the beginning. It was nice once I figured it out that I had "back up" sources for my wax. :)

    There are plenty of brick & mortar stores that sell the same products with the same names and they seem to stay in business just fine... I guess the wax industry is doing the mattress industry thing... go figure. LOL

    Have a great day!

    Chele

    Palm & Soy Mixed??

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    I have been researching waxes for days as it appears my current soy wax blend days are numbered.. can't get a straight answer from my supplier and my wax is out of stock. I have enough here to pour current orders... but I need a plan for after that.

    Our "claim to fame" is soy wax candles... it's no secret that we use a soy wax blend... so my customers are okay with the idea of a wax blend. All that being said... I'm very interested in palm wax and already have a sample of it (along with several other wax samples) on the way. I really need to keep soy way in my blend.. just for marketing ease.. etc... anybody mixing soy and palm in containers successfully? or know of a reason why I shouldn't try?

    I'm not asking for recipes... just advice. I have a ton of testing to do... and would love any input you could offer.

    Thanks in advance!

    Chele

    PS. Yes, I have searched this board already and learned tons from all the existing threads. :)

    Lost my chart and my mind... ;)

    in Vegetable Wax & Beeswax Candle Making

    Posted

    Lost my hard drive on my laptop and guess I never printed my chart I made. (GRRRRR) I have torn my shop and office apart.. can't wait much longer.. I have to order wicks today.

    I need 51 cotton wicks.. my supplier is out, as is my back up supplier. I know Htp 83 too cool... HTP 104 too hot. I know I have used CD wicks before when I was in a bind. What's the equivalent CD wick to an 51C? Any ideas?? I'd be eternally grateful!

    Thanks!

    Chele

    I am in a bind......

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Congrats!

    I say deal with it as it comes. I keep very little stock on my shelves now except for the top sellers. You already have a little stock made up...draw from that to fill the first orders...then fill the others as they come.

    Good Luck!

    I agree with Kimberly 100%. We have been featured in magazines and newspapers several times. You will see a good wave of orders... but you will be just fine. We have had to bring in extra help but always got the orders out. Be careful listing a long delivery time... it will discourage people from ordering.

    HTH,

    Chele

    Combo Candle Warmers Wholesale

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Oops.. sorry about that

    http://www.oddityinc.com/

    is them.. I have had an account so long I don't even think they had a website when I got an account. I would click on "Retail Store Owners" and just contact them from there.

    I'm not sure if you have to have a brick and mortar store or not to buy from them... I did at the time so I don't recall who you need one for and who you don't. If you do, just email me and I'll see if I can order and just have it drop shipped to you.

    Take care,

    Chele

    Any NG suggestions?

    in Fragrance Discussion

    Posted

    Just tested Spiced Cranberry and Autumn Magic in 100% Soy and I was very disappointed..not much of a throw in candles. Testing more tomorrow...:confused:

    I'm not trying to argue with ya but you may need to get someone else to test the Spiced Cranberry for you. We used it in 100% soy for years.. now use it in a soy wax blend... however it's one of the few we have to back off the amount of FO we use or it will make your eyes water. It is a top 10 seller for us for years... can not keep in on the shelves from October thru December. May want to revisit that one....

    HTH... a little,

    Chele

    Bad batch of SFIC Honey Soap??

    in Melt & Pour

    Posted

    I read the older thread about a suspected bad batch out there... just made up 32 bars and they are soft and rubbery. Made it the same way we have been making it for years. I am out of town but will call my supplier on Monday when I return.. I can't sell this...

    Anybody else still having problems?

    Thanks in advance,

    Chele

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