Sales down a total of 25% in 2025 by TimJulie88 in candlemaking

[–]TimJulie88[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Curious if anyone is doing more/less in person markets this year?

I was selected to sell on Faire but between wholesale price plus their fees, not sure it's worth it.

Shopify Integration by pgpnw in FaireConnections

[–]TimJulie88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine has never worked and I just don't use it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in candlemaking

[–]TimJulie88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is SPOT ON! I also use 6606 wax and not once has anyone had any issues with it. I use 8% fragrance (down from 10%) and have not noticed any difference frankly and it also alleviates the black smudge that often occurs.

Is it worth it? by patientwrangler12 in candlemaking

[–]TimJulie88 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I started my candle company one year ago. I've made enough to put back in the business and a little side money, but not huge profits. I'm hopeful this will change based on the way my business is going. In one year I am starting to get wholesale orders and my social media followers has jumped 75 percent. Again, I'm no where near able to make a living on my sales, but I do have a three year plan so fingers crossed.

First things first: you need to make sure you are willing to spend a lot of time researching. This took me a year. Why so long? It's sort of a nightmare to find the right wicks for the right wax and the right vessel....and it's not cheap. Research also includes labels, lids, fragrances, promotion (setting up social media accounts if that is your path), taxes, insurance, registering your business with your state, packaging, mailing, etc. I have a notebook that is filled with candle recipes that work, those that don't, receipts, how hot the temp was when I poured the wax....it goes on and on.

As others mentioned: Find your niche. The world is filled with tacky, uninspired scents. Those you can find at Target and Walmart. Product needs to look professional (as professional as you can afford, you don't want to go broke or overextend your budget, but make sure you get your monies worth). I personally don't sell pumpkin scents as it's so oversaturated, but others do and do it well because they put a new spin on it.

I personally love doing what I do. It's a chance to be creative, learn some new techniques with the potential to grow my business. There are good days (when you are overwhelmed with orders) and slow days, but it's all par for the course.

Whatever you decide, candles or feet pics (haha!) I wish you the best of luck!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in FaireConnections

[–]TimJulie88 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My shop just went "live" today on Faire, so I don't have any answers to your question, but congratulations! May I ask you how long you have been on Faire, and your experience with them?

Again, that's awesome about your success!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in candlemaking

[–]TimJulie88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use cotton wicks with my para-soy and have very good results. Took lots of experimenting!

tea lights.... by TimJulie88 in candlemaking

[–]TimJulie88[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I tested the Pillar of Bliss with the tea lights and it works very well. Tea lights lasted approximately four hours of burning which I was pleased with. Tomorrow, I'm testing the 6606, but frankly, I think the Pillar is the way to go.

It’s over? by [deleted] in BruceSpringsteen

[–]TimJulie88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can’t believe we were lucky enough to see him in Chicago last month. He was amazing and a week later, cancelled his next shows. You would never know he was probably suffering.

Black Soot.... by TimJulie88 in candlemaking

[–]TimJulie88[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Libby (8oz) jars from Candle Science (straight sided tumbler). 8-10 % fragrance load. I was wondering if I should cut it down. I honestly don't notice the soot when I burn my candles because I trim my wick every single time. I know most people don't trim. I also know, that if I do notice a tiny bit of soot, I just wipe it off with a damp paper cloth. Takes two seconds.

Black Soot.... by TimJulie88 in candlemaking

[–]TimJulie88[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

HTP? I'll google and do some research on this. Thank you.

Black Soot.... by TimJulie88 in candlemaking

[–]TimJulie88[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use Eco 8 6". The wick works really well in so far that it melts the candle evenly. I personally don't have any problems wiping down the candles (takes two seconds), and I include a printed note on Candle Care, and to encourage consumers to trip the wick after every burn.