QTsmum

Are you heating it hot enough? I was making awesome melts then bought a presto pot. My melts wouldn't last long at all. By advice of ladies on here, I started heating to 200 to transfer to my mixing/pour pot. (I guess I was losing too much heat during my ladling!) Ever since then, it's been so much better!!! Also, what is your warmer? I had a candle warmers.com square one. A melt I only got 4 hours in that one, I got well over 12 in another warmer with the same bulb!! I guess it was just getting too hot or the shape...I dunno! Don't give up!

I'll do a bit of research on a spinner rack. I hope I can find something in Canada for a decent price or make my own. Vertical space. Check. I now have to get/make a table skirt. My table is 6 feet but theirs are 8! GAH!!!

You should post a pic! I love to see people's stuff!

I am so, so, so, so nervous! This show is massive compared to what I've done! I mostly sold from my house, but did a show in a very small venue with about 30 vendors before. The crowd was super manageable and it was fantastic. I got accepted to a large show that had a turnout of 2000 people last year with over 180 vendors. The table fee was over 100 times what I spend last time!!! Now I'm worried about everything. I got mini business cards made (300 of them) when I was planning on doing the 2 local (smaller) shows. Now with this one, I'm thinking they will be gone! Should I go to Staples and grab those 'print your own' business cards? Or is that cheap? Being in Canada, shipping takes awhile and I have under a month. I have to make a banner too. I'm worried about my table set up. They provide a table. I have some little shelves that DH built, but I'm worried about laying my melts out with such a big crowd. I'm thinking I should make peg boards or get spinning racks... I really did enjoy having my melts on the table, it was so easy to engage with customers and encourage them to sniff ones they may not have, kwim?! I worry that having them up on spinners will discourage that. I should do a practice set up in the basement and get some feedback from you ladies. Is there anything else I'm missing??? I haven't felt this nervous about anything in a long, long time. :undecided ETA: Do you have little cards where people can give you their email or anything? I've been reading the brochure that came with the acceptance into the show and it does suggest something of the sorts. I feel so lost. Maybe I shoud invest in one of those wine bras. LOL

That's awful. If you are looking for help and guidance in general, just come out and ask. Someone would be more willing to help if someone was honest. I despise trickery and liars. It just gets right up under my skin.

I haven't made any but what about if you add a nice soft wax (like good 'ole messy 4627)? Just a touch per batch?

Oh my GOD! Well, at least you know the scent was authentic!!! That is HILARIOUS!!!

My favourite is Sugared spruce, personally!! Though it's a touch sweeter than pure 'tree', I think it's amazing!!!

That's really weird. I don't know, it just seems odd somehow. I can't place what but I trust my gut when I get an 'off' feeling. Better safe than sorry!

I agree. I'm not really trying to get into soy very much. I'm really happy with my paraffin clamshells but just have had demand for soy. I figure this is nicely giftable. (That's my main thought with this one, was presentation!) I had the jars on hand, so figured I'd give it a go. If they don't work out, I won't cry! I don't have a much soy left, so I'll see how this show goes (in Oct) before i make any serious game plan! I don't think there are any other wax melt makers here...Scentsy being my only competition. I thought at least this is REALLY different from what will be on their tables, kwim?! I'll see how it goes! I should mention I do have 2 oz portion cups with the soy flakes as well. I've only done up a dozen of these jars to see how they do! As for the label, it is driving me INSANE! There are no cheap label options for me (Canada), though I would LOOOOVE to use the clear ovals. If these sell well, I'll look into them. I'm also getting frustrated trying to label my 2 oz portion cups. :S

Yes!! Those were cut Down a bit already!!! :0 I It was driving me crazy!! I'll thin the labels for sure!!!

Exactly. I hate when they're like "It smelled nice". Ummmm, thanks! LOL! It's not really all that tough to jot on a piece of paper when you started/ended it and if it did/did not smell a big portion of the house! Some people just want freebies. There's no way of avoiding that. Once I find good testers, I keep 'em!

I am making a list of oils I want to buy in larger quantities and Amish quilt is definitely one of them. I usually get mine from AH/RE, but I have managed to find some ones I like at Natures garden. They ship USPS so it saves me $30 + in delivery fees (being in Canada) and if I could possibly get it from there, that would be amazing. But I don't want to sacrifice the throw/deliciousness!!! Anyone compare the 2?

I'm wanting to offer a soy line alongside my paraffin clamshells. I had a lot of requests at my last show. I wanted something different though so I went with scoopable soy. Cost is between $3.20-$3.50 per unit. I was thinking $8 each or 2 for $15 but now I'm second guessing myself thinking I should go $10. If I ever wholesaled, I wouldn't want to have my own prices too low. It's min 4oz of wax in an 8 oz jar. And what do you think of it?

I'm cheap! LOL! I give people a single cube, because that's what I test. I put them in little tiny poly bags (that I make from huge ones, I just use a sealer and make them itsy!) and write what scent it is! Then it's consistent with results. I know they only have 1 cube going and this way, they test many scents for me and I'm easier able to confirm their results within my home (if they suck for a scent). The customers love it too because they are able to try a bunch of different ones. I get quick feedback this way and can have a dozen scents reviewed in a week, kwim??! (Did I mention I'm cheap?) I am pretty simple with my testers. In the beginning I send out an email and very few got back to me. Now I'm simple and just ask if it fills the house, about how many hours are you getting out of it, etc...I get more feedback that way. I hate sending out a ton of samples and getting a single person reporting back. ETA: I do find my testers end up being my biggest promoters too!

Ok, I'm glad I'm 'normal'! I try to just do local (though it's quite limited). Just got accepted to a HUGE show 1.5 hours away. I want to barf! LOL! The last show I did was just tiny, tiny in a little gym! This is 180 vendors!

Just curious what is the average distance you travel to a decent show? Or do you only do local?

I kind of figured it was fake. Something about it! So funny though.

Ok, awesome! Thanks! I'll just add the 'type' to the dupes then! And for now, as for the labels I've already done, I'll go the forgiveness route. LOL!

To add, the vine is part of my logo!

Woohoo, I ordered 'mini' business cards and they got here today! Each card is a different colour (well, 5 options!) I love them! They are different and I love that they specify home made! What do you think?

I'm the same. 1 to maybe a smudge more. There are some scents that just absolutely don't need it. It would probably blow the hair off your head to have more than an oz pp! LOL (like Amish Quilt)

LOL! I think I need to show that to DH!!

HAHAHAH! Yeah, I saw that the other day. I think adding 'use caution while twerking near open candle' may be a good idea these days!

Do you have to change the name of all 'type' fragrances?