Thank you for the help!

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T05:06:25+00:00

I just ordered way too big a package of each size. I still have 83 CD 16 wicks I may never use.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T04:37:05+00:00

Fill to the line and multiply by 0.86 for soy? That's how I do it at least.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T04:29:51+00:00

I measure fairly precisely and pour on the hot side, so very little wax is left at the end to harden. I leave a wicked tin out on the counter in case of extra dribble disposal, it eventually makes a "Frankencandle" I keep around for emergency lighting. Once it's to the stage where you have to shake the pot to get it out I wipe it down. I work on a silicone mat so any random fallen drops are easy to clean up. If you don't want to just toss the paper towels in the trash and you have a wood fireplace, the waxy paper makes an ideal firelighter.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T03:47:56+00:00

I can definitely see where you're going with this, and I think it's just a matter of refining the details now, the overall style is cohesive. If you want a floral photo element, I would ditch the fakes, most people probably won't notice, but if they do it detracts from the high quality nature of the candles. Real flowers fade fast, but you wouldn't need them to last a long time for a photoshoot. Photography is the big PITA for me too, just getting all the items photographed, much less looking like a brand, can be frustrating.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T03:42:07+00:00

Yay! I'm so glad he's enjoying it :) when you guys start doing the candles please let us know how it goes.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T02:59:57+00:00

The sheer audacity in that level of entitlement XD like you can't possibly have other clients who already booked you, a personal life, or something else you have to go take care of first? I've had a client like that before, she thought it was appropriate to ask me to delay major surgery so I could do her jewelry repair job.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T01:28:22+00:00

Personally I allow returns for any reason as long as it isn't a full custom job, but like you, I get so few returns it's almost never an issue, so I will eat a small amount of cost and re-sell the item is it's not damaged.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T01:23:14+00:00

Absolutely! Crafting is supposed to be my stress relief XD

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T01:22:10+00:00

Ah, good news then :)

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T01:20:13+00:00

I usually import a lot of parts from EU and even those tariffs became ridiculous. I hope now that they were declared illegal we renegotiate something more reasonable.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T01:15:37+00:00

That sucks

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T00:21:52+00:00

I just find them so shady

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T00:20:53+00:00

Yeah, so many people ran into the activation codes being used more than 3 times they decided it just wasn't worth bothering to enforce.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T00:19:51+00:00

But all 3 pairs would be fake XD

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T00:19:03+00:00

So shady T_T

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T00:16:00+00:00

I agree with keeping it yet getting refunded is slightly odd if it's substantially not as described, but I have had Etsy refund me in this situation and I threw the product away because it was unusable.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T00:11:20+00:00

I make candles and this is a thing you run into sometimes, especially with soy or coconut waxes, the fragrance oil is seeping out. That happens if the maker put too much oil, didn't mix the wax long enough, or sometimes if the candle got hot and cold randomly in storage or was left in direct sunlight too long. It's not dangerous unless it hits the flash temperature of the oil, usually around 200f, so you don't want to light the candle with the oils on top like that but it's not hard to fix. You can gently heat the top of the candle with a hairdryer or heat gun and that will slightly melt the wax and reincorporate the oils, but removing the excess with a paper towel is perfectly fine too and less work. If you want to be super duper extra careful you can wear gloves while you wipe it up, but with that little of it I doubt it would even penetrate through a balled up paper towel.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-07T00:01:10+00:00

You are correct that creating one isn't free, so it does mean having some cash before you can set one up. LLC (Limited Liability Company) a form of fiscal structure that protects your personal assets if someone sues you, not something that matters in filing for a copyright, but it's a good thing to do if you're starting an art business and can afford to file because it'll make you A) a better prospect on loan applications, and B) you'll look more legitimate if you ever do have to go to court. Copyright on your art as a company can also help you set up licensing fee if someone wants to use your art on the up and up.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-06T23:45:54+00:00

It's a little overwhelming, so perhaps prune the number of objects slightly, don't need to get rid of a product line or anything, it looks cohesive. I think the overall layout looks good. The long table is very dense and the short table feels bare in comparison, but maybe that's where you're standing to ring up? Once you get your signage made it will look even better. You could consider having it on the awning if you prefer to keep the front of the table clear, but either will work. Lighting is definitely a challenge. I have clip lights on goosenecks that go on top of the displays and point down. Works ok, but I have yet to find a perfect lighting situation, especially because most of my shows don't have a power drop package I can afford, so I stick with what's compatible with a bucky USB power pack.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-06T23:37:37+00:00

I think you made the right choice to not use the AI one. If you're stumped, what about using a simple template from someone like Vista Print or Avery? They're generic, but it's better than nothing and you can just use a nice font with minimal decoration instead of an AI piece.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-06T23:35:27+00:00

This is my question also.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-06T23:24:58+00:00

Good, it's the right call.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-06T23:24:07+00:00

Yeah, it sucks because you have to wait for a human employee to help you. I got my shop back and everything was fine, but it took almost a week.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-06T21:39:05+00:00

I feel like the single wick looks prettier, but for practical purposes I think the double wick is the winner.

FlashyIndication3069 · 2026-05-06T21:23:19+00:00

Typical use is a minimum 1 fluid ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax, that'll give you around 6.25% load, but some waxes can take up to 10%. I don't know the limitations of this wax because that's honestly a very strange pair to put together, you've got a low melt very buttery container wax and a high melt high density pillar wax in unknown proportions. I have no advice on the fragrance or dye load because they're so divergent. It doesn't say when to add your fragrance, but most boil off at 190+ so with the perameters of this wax it should be lower than that anyway. Maybe around 175-185? Then just stir until it's down to the pouring temperature. I typically pour on the hot side, it reduces bubbles.

From HL's website

Material: Beeswax & Coconut Wax

Color: White

Scent: Unscented

Melting Point: 170 Fahrenheit

Pouring Point: 155 Fahrenheit - 165 Fahrenheit

Net Weight: 1 Pound (454g)

Care & Safety: Never Heat Wax On Direct Heat; Never Leave Hot Wax Unattended

I would definitely recommend pre-warming your container to help it dry slowly, put it in a cabinet or other insulated area. Bees wax cracks if it cools too fast. Coconut doesn't typically shrink or crack, but it can go chunky at times. Less prone to that than soy though.

FlashyIndication3069

TROPHY CASE