pixie Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Okay, I have a few more things to fine tune but I think Im on the cusp of deciding on "MY" wax and "MY" preferred wicks. YAY! However, looking back I've spent almost $1000.00 just testing wicks and waxes. And thats only for one size container! Just wondering if thats a pretty normal amount to spend during testing. Hubby thinks its a bit much :rolleyes2. Now that Ive decided on my wax and wick type, the fun part starts...testing all those fabulous FO's! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminousBoutique Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Okay, I have a few more things to fine tune but I think Im on the cusp of deciding on "MY" wax and "MY" preferred wicks. YAY! However, looking back I've spent almost $1000.00 just testing wicks and waxes. And thats only for one size container! Just wondering if thats a pretty normal amount to spend during testing. Hubby thinks its a bit much :rolleyes2. Now that Ive decided on my wax and wick type, the fun part starts...testing all those fabulous FO's! lollol. yes. Assure him its "normal" although... those of us who put ourselves through it might not be. haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 You only spent one grand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenscandles Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 I spent about a grand this year (just since May) as well....but I pretty much already knew what waxes / wicks I liked from my first go at this a few years ago. So my grand was more or less for "retesting" rather than "newbie testing".I learned to scale down on this go 'round. :rolleyes2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blest2BAmerican Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Yep, it is normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella1952 Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 (edited) We didn't spend that much testing our first container, but I'm awful cheap... Edited January 11, 2010 by Stella1952 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoalaGirl Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 A thousand dollars sounds like a huge amount to spend testing one container. Did you buy everything by the pallet load and get it delivered from two states away by taxi?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deb426 Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 I think that sounds really high unless you bought a lot of equipment. Playing around with a few different waxes and one container shouldn't have cost that much, I wouldn't think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcrafter Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 And that is why I gave up candlemaking and am sticking with soap and herbal remedies. Wicking is such a PITA and it just wasn't worth the money, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsbennis Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 that sounds normal to me, from her post it sounds like she used different wicks and waxes along with fo's+ shipping and it adds up really fast. I'm hoping that I will finally break even in about 20yrs...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella1952 Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 I'm hoping that I will finally break even in about 20yrsI look at my initial testing expenses as educational & training cost. Most colleges/trade schools don't offer a degree or certificate in professional candlemaking, so we have to self-educate. NOTHING comes for free in life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radellaf Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 I spent that much, but only from buying well over 20 different molds, and 10lb samples of at least a half dozen waxes (incl. beeswax), lots of spooled wicks, dyes, etc. Figure $200-$300 on wax, $300 on molds, $200 FOs..., the rest misc and equipment ($100 for a chemlab hotplate, and that was a huge bargain) Yeah, a grand can go into startup pretty easy.It may be a more "real" hobby than World of Warcraft, but it is a lot more expensive. OTOH, now that I'm set up, wax is the main cost, and I'm saving beaucoup bucks on candles for myself. Testing isn't just testing, it's getting to enjoy candles almost all the time. (Oh, add $100 for fire extinguishers and some alarms -- hope not to need them, and only burn attended, but especially with testing, better to be safe.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asheebeans Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 You only spent one grand?LOL!!! That's what I was thinking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernadette Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 And just wait until you decide to add new containers and fragrances...more testing, more money. And let's not forget the additional gas/electric costs, more wax, etc. Anyone who thinks making candles saves money and/or selling handmade candles is a quick and dirty way to make money....well...I have some oceanfront property in Arizona I'd love to sell ya'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandlePup Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 Okay, I have a few more things to fine tune but I think Im on the cusp of deciding on "MY" wax and "MY" preferred wicks. YAY! However, looking back I've spent almost $1000.00 just testing wicks and waxes. And thats only for one size container! Just wondering if thats a pretty normal amount to spend during testing. Hubby thinks its a bit much :rolleyes2. Now that Ive decided on my wax and wick type, the fun part starts...testing all those fabulous FO's! lolJust within the 2-3 months that I've been testing my candles to find what I find works well for me, I've spent WELL over that in about 2-3 weeks. Of course I also do testing about 8 hours a day and that tends to take a LOT of wax. :whistle:Either way though, I have a ton of FOs, Waxes, Wicks and Containers (and yes, I generally do purchase by the pallet since overall cost is less than paying for 10lb at a time). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deb426 Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 (and yes, I generally do purchase by the pallet since overall cost is less than paying for 10lb at a time).I think there are a lot of choices between 10 pounds and a whole pallet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandlePup Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 I think there are a lot of choices between 10 pounds and a whole pallet!What? A mere 50-100lbs? LOL....I'm price conscious of this stuff, which from what I've figured seems to allow for an overall decrease in my spending, especially when having to go pick it up at a store vs paying someone else to do it for me and bring it to my door. LOLSpeaking of which, I still have a lot left...wonder what I'll make this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deb426 Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 What? A mere 50-100lbs? LOL....I'm price conscious of this stuff, which from what I've figured seems to allow for an overall decrease in my spending, especially when having to go pick it up at a store vs paying someone else to do it for me and bring it to my door. LOLSpeaking of which, I still have a lot left...wonder what I'll make this time.At CandleScience, a pallet is 33 cases (50 lbs. per case). 1650 pounds of wax is a lot of wax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminousBoutique Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 Anyone who thinks making candles saves money and/or selling handmade candles is a quick and dirty way to make money....well...I have some oceanfront property in Arizona I'd love to sell ya'!No KIDDING... I had someone say to me the other day "Oh soap and candles? There's good money in that huh?" I just laughed... :laugh2:and laughed... :laugh2:she looked at me like YEAH... eventually. Once you've sold your arm, leg, first born, cat, soul, and lost your mind getting everything perfected... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminousBoutique Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 At CandleScience, a pallet is 33 cases (50 lbs. per case). 1650 pounds of wax is a lot of wax. pretty sure that would fill my whole studio! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8-GRAN-ONES Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 you are not out of the ball park at all...and just wait until all the other creations going on, on these forums start catching your eye..and you want to try them too..you have not even started spending money..join the merry crowd..:laugh2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandlePup Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 (edited) At CandleScience, a pallet is 33 cases (50 lbs. per case). 1650 pounds of wax is a lot of wax.*Points to storage area out in backyard* Yeah, I learned the hard way about that the first order I did. LOL Either way though, it's a fun wax to play with overall, esp if I want to test a color combination and/or scent combo. Either way though, I didn't order from CS. I forgot who I ordered from less I go back through my receipts.Right now I am working on multi-layered straight paraffin pillars with various angles/sizes/etc. Don't feel the need to do much more than that at this time.Funny thing though, after posting yesterday, a couple of neighbors came over and asked if I'd be willing to teach their kids (dang them for noticing the truck). Not sure if I'm even good enough to do that, but hey, when in Rome....and not to mention, I have plenty of fire hydrants and protective gear. That's the joys of living on over 5 acres of land I guess. Edited January 24, 2010 by CandlePup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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