JI

Obviously I know that is the melts-candles sit for a few days they throw better scent. But why is this the case, chemistry-wise? The fragrance is already there. I typically cure 3-7 days depending on frag. If anyone has insight as to what happens, why, I would appreciate it!

That is just so terrible of that customer, blacktie! Were they embarrassed I hope? My husband used to work in th restaurant business years ago which is why we have always been really good tippers - even with subpar service...waitstaff have one of the hardest and kost thankless jobs in the world...maybe along with teaching as a second runner up!

Where is the best place to get plastic covers?

I mix it with peppermint and call it "old man winter" or something like that.

Had a great local arts/craft show this weekend. I sell a 17 oz double wicked apothecary jar for $15.99. No one has ever complained about my prices until now... Customer asks about priceof this large candle. He tells me he'll offer me $5 for this big jar. I had made so many sales that day and was so disgusted with him. I actually said "Do I look Chinese"? I realize that's a horrible thing to say, and my lovely sister in law is Chinese. But this is ridiculous to low ball me. The only time I ever had someone negotiate with me is when they bought 12 large candles and I gave them 10% off their final order because it was bulk! He just looked at me in confusion and walked away. Also the soy massage people were out. Lady asked me if she can use the hot wax for massage. I said absolutely NOT. She argued with me and told me that it would be absolutely fine. I said that massage candles had a higher percentage of oils/lotion type ingredients and that my candles were just the soy chips with fragrance. She still insisted that any soy wax is suitable for massage. She also proceeded to tell me that it is not necessary to even melt wax when making regular candles. She said you can just put the flaked chips in any container, stick a wick in and light!!! Voila for the perfect candle! Just shoot me.

That is so great - congratulations!

I have tried cs meadow and cs english garden. The meadow is very grassy and earthy, and the english garden is the typical over the top floral. But together they are actually quite nice. The grassy herbal cuts the excess floral note. I always smell green grassy herbal notes with flowers in a florist shop.

I do farmers markets, craft shows and some wholesales. I like your numbers. I also had a hard time selling pure floral this summer unless it was for old ladies. I had much better luck with citrus and herbal. I want tp phase out and ditch two of the florals and add an extra citrus. How does this sound for the slimmed down version for spring/summer: 2 florals 2 fresh 1 woodsy 3 herbal 3 citrus There would be some crossover bc some citrus can fall under herbal etc... Then for fall/winter add: 8-9 classics like evergreen, gingerbread etc?

Looking at the Fall and seeing what is selling I am trying to slim down for next Fall and Winter. I have 15 fall winter fragrances and want to slim it down to no more than 8 or so. As far as spring summer goes I currently carry 15 or so and want to slim down to 8-9. Am I crazy? I just feel that if I carry less I can afford to buy the huge 5 lb containers instead of the smaller 1 lbs. I do not want to carry fragrances that only appeal to a few. In my closet I currently have a total of 34 varieties. I am wondering about the "less is more" philosophy. What do you all carry and have you slimmed down over the years?

We are all dying to hear!

So annoyed. I have my products at health store on consignment. A customer purchased an 8 oz candle. Returned it a few days later saying it did not burn and kept extinguishing. They gave her another. I eat the cost of course. I went in to restock and get candle. Based on appearance this is what I am certain happened. She burned it successfully for a 2-3 hours. She then trimmed wick way too short, almost flush. She then had difficulty lighting it so she dug around with an implement to clear wax around wick. She then had an artificially created tunnell situation. She relit and it only stayed lit for about 20 min because of the tunnelled wax dripping down sides. My candles do not tunnell on their own. I cleared the top part of the tunnell and now it burns fine. Talk about customer user error! They gave her another. Hopefully she will not ruin this one! One more rant...when I was restocking the store manager asked me if the candles could be used for massage!!!?! As in, the hot wax. I said no. Apparently a customer had asked and they told him "yes"!! So this is why I have product liability! I emailed a follow up to manager telling them not to tell customers this. I said if they are uncertain, customer can ask me questions directly. Scary. What is with massage candles anyway?

The windex has been working really well, so far. It's very quick. Candles that I poured 2 weeks ago still look good, as far as adhesion, etc.

Is it a single-wicked candle? Diameter?

Jackbenimble- I use cs basil herb to blend. Although it is rated as a 3 I find it more like a 2. How is lime cooler alone? I just bought it and will start it in Jan. I am concerned if ht on lime will be good. With lime basil how about mixing 2 pts lime to 1 pt basil?

Getting ready for a church fall fest on Sat. Hopefully it will be way better than last weekend...a hurricane is going up our coast now. It is really windy and I am so happy because they cancelled school!! (I am a teacher.) More time to get ready and finish labeling! Hurricane should be out of here late Friday night. Fair is Saturday.

I am going to go to walmart to buy permatex. What section of walmart is it in? Guess i can go to autozone. Is it something that needs a gun like caulking or is it in a resealable tube? I guess that is not too bad to wick ahead. Do you think i could wick a case at a time ahead? Or would humidity in garage loosen them up after a week or two?

Is it an online or brick mortar store? I have not ventured into that territory...plus with online shipping would hurt me.

Where do you get your glue dots from? If i buy a huge pack is there a shelf life on them?

Mzphee, You really should consider an open house yourself after or maybe you'll pick up a lead to have them host one. It would be great. Wish I'd done them sooner. This Nov 11th event sounds exciting.

Hello, I always used high temp hot glue with success. Recently, I ran out of my old stock and am now using some new high temp glue sticks. I noticed some of the wicks loosen up as I burn the last of the candle. This didn't happen before. What do you all use? I didn't want to use stickums. I was thinking silicone but not sure about hot temps. This is to stick wicks onto a glass jar base. Thanks, Jahan

When is it anyway?

I found at the open house i had that people spent more when they realized i took credit csrds...square.

It's going to be great. Seven other vendors seems like a lot though. I assume that they are body/bath, spa types, etc.

I personally use 444. It's a little hot here, so 464 is not as desirable. Blacktie, what state are you in?

Does anyone know where/who the fragrance oil suppliers are? What are minimums on those?