DonC Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 My wife and I, both in our 50s, have been making candles for years but have never sold them. Just for our own use and for gifts, etc. That said....We have decided to start selling our craft, only with a "twist" if you will. A good freind of my wife's owns a spa/salon and suggested we make candles for her to sell in her shop. That gave us the idea to make candles and to sell them exclusively to spas & salons in our small state in the northeast. We have done some checking with a number of "high end" spas and they like the idea. We plan to use scents that are known to relax and sooth and might even mix "special" scents that would be unique to each shop. I also found a company that has "coconut" shells for use as containers and thought that would be a GREAT idea. I thought I would ask all of you "PROS" what you think of the idea. Your input would be greatly appreciated!!!Thanks in advance...........Don & Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandlekrazy Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I purchased a bunch with little stands to make coconut, pineapple, and the combo candles when I first started. A lot of them don't really stand straight so the candles are not even. Many, many of them leaked. I suppose you could seal them with something before pouring, but the holes I found were pretty big! They also were not a big seller...after all that work!! I tried putting them in a neighborhood yard sale we had this past spring and none of the coconut shells sold! I live at the beach, they should have been a big hit here. For the spas here, we use soy wax, essential oils and frosted glass tumblers that hold approx 6.5 oz of wax. Our labels are very simple/sophisticated and we never dye the candles for spas. A couple have their own custom labels that we put on the candles with our info on the caution label. We sell to the spa for $6-$7 each wholesale (if they buy enough) and they turn around and sell them for $22-$24. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luci Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Hi, Don & Donna! I bought some of the coconut shells for the candles. I put 3 coats of modge podge on them before pouring, though. I never had a problem with test burns and completely burned out the wax to the empty shell using soy and 2 wicks.I only have a very small customer base at this point--post-retirement career here. I don't know if I'll sell these or not since one of the grocery stores has them for $4! Same shells, etc, made by someone one state above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted September 23, 2007 Author Share Posted September 23, 2007 Thanks Supa Star.......I should have mentioned that we will be using only soy wax and the best lead free wicks we can find. The supplier of the shells suggested using foil before pouring, but I was thinking that would look really tacky once the candle had been burning for a while. I just ordered the shells yesterday and when I get them, I'll let you know how I make out.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 High end spa in a coconut shell? Ummm that doesn't come across as high end to me. A coconut shell can be flammable as well. While most things can be, what about a thick-glassed tumbler, maybe even frosted, maybe not. Could try it out wickless too and see how they work on a warmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 High end spa in a coconut shell? Ummm that doesn't come across as high end to me.that was my thought too. but the idea of selling to salons and spas is good. they might want their own labels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in KY Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 The only candle fire I have ever had was in a coconut shell. Flames shooting up almost caught my shower curtain, good thing I had a smoke alarm....close call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debscent Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I agree with the others, I don't see coconut shells being a big seller in spas. Personally, I see those as tourist products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darbla Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I would try the coconuts at tanning salons instead of spas. Darbla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandlekrazy Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Thanks Supa Star.......I should have mentioned that we will be using only soy wax and the best lead free wicks we can find. The supplier of the shells suggested using foil before pouring, but I was thinking that would look really tacky once the candle had been burning for a while. I just ordered the shells yesterday and when I get them, I'll let you know how I make out..........Don, where did you get your shells from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donita Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 High end spa in a coconut shell? Ummm that doesn't come across as high end to me. A coconut shell can be flammable as well. While most things can be, what about a thick-glassed tumbler, maybe even frosted, maybe not. Could try it out wickless too and see how they work on a warmer.This makes more sense to me. I prefer a cool fruity drink with a straw in my coconut shell (smile) Donita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rekarns34613 Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Salons and spas are great!! I'll be the one to put it out there. Obviously, our largest customer base is with the ladies. Who most often frequents the salons and spas?.... Ladies!(sorry guys, but we are outnumbered there:sad2: )When we were in the retail business, we sold out of 5 hair and nail salons in our area. It was the largest part of our business. We sold on a consignment type system. We collected the money and restocked product once a week. We sold glass jar candles, and pottery candles. The glass jars sold much better. I agree that coconut shells will probably take away from the high end appeal of your product. However, they would work in the summer for a beach theme, or like was mentioned, in tanning salons. Keep in mind that specialty containers often limit your scent list. Not much demand for a blueberry candle in a coconut shell. Hope this helpsRay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandlekrazy Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 This makes more sense to me. I prefer a cool fruity drink with a straw in my coconut shell (smile) DonitaNow you're thinking Donita!! Something to do with those left over coconut shells...pina coladas!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavenScentU Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I am with the others that coconut shells don't seem to be a high end thing. It sounds like something I would either find at a Hawaiian gift shop or out side market along the ocean. But who knows people seem to buy the wierdest things.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasha Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 www.candlesandsupplies.com They are the only co I have found the coconut shells at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandlekrazy Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 The Coconut King sells them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonC Posted September 23, 2007 Author Share Posted September 23, 2007 www.candlesandsupplies.comis where I got the shells.From the comments I have gotten so far, I am beginning to rethink this shell thing.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvcandlecrazy Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 BCN also carries them and they are sanded on the bottoms so that they sit up on their own http://secure.candlesupply.com/catalog_page_detail_keyword.cfm?queries_index=index5Sue Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van_yulay Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 I think that is an awesome idea. I was thinking you should make a mold of a coconut shell. so the bottom would be flat and you could fill the middle with white. Awesome!! MonicaVan Yulaywww.vanyulay.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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