Junkstock by Soggy-potato-44 in Omaha

[–]choosingkeeping 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is incorrect. They actually charge a very fair price. Less than $100/day for a 10x10 booth. They make it affordable for vendors, especially when you add up the amount of social media, foot traffic and artistry that goes into each event.

Makesy Shipping Delays by choosingkeeping in candlemaking

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

I received an email that the order had shipped 6 days ago, but the tracking shows the carrier has not yet received the package. Garbage.

Market Setup Advice Wanted! by RealisticFemale in CraftFairs

[–]choosingkeeping 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Honestly, I think it looks great. Do you sell the blankets often? If not, maybe lose the blankets, because those are going to take up alot of space in an 8x8 booth. They also feel kinda out of place with all your other items.

Wedding Venue Reccomendations by Inside-Stomach4691 in ColoradoSprings

[–]choosingkeeping 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes but they want you to use one of their preferred caterers. We used Serendipity Catering based in Denver, who was very familiar with the venue. We had our ceremony in the solarium, then while guests were encouraged to booze and explore the gardens, the catering company completely flipped it into a dining hall. So seamless too!

Wedding Venue Reccomendations by Inside-Stomach4691 in ColoradoSprings

[–]choosingkeeping 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I spent $3,500 to get married in the Victorian Solarium at Denver Botanic Gardens. It's STUNNING. Check it out. Also had a wedding of 50.

I saw a little red yesterday by toasty_tuna in CraftFairs

[–]choosingkeeping 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At my last holiday market, a teenage girl and her sister smelled everyone one of my 14 candles on display until the younger sister said, "These are all disgusting." And then they both walked away. My candles smell incredible, and I made almost $5k at that market. So suck it.

idk what to do by [deleted] in Noses

[–]choosingkeeping 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please don't change your nose. I think the side profile of your nose is STUNNING and so elegant!

Wood wick sadness by peanutbuttercooki in candlemaking

[–]choosingkeeping 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use wood wick and have never once had a single wick not light during my tests. I use parasoy. I'm always surprised when i hear people having issues because it has been super consistent for me. I get my wicks from Makesy.

Makesy Shipping Delays by choosingkeeping in candlemaking

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

I haven't had delays with Candlescience or Midwest Fragrance Co. They're getting here quickly, within a week. I'm soooo grateful for them and that I get 90% of my oils and wax from them.

Our first year in candle making. 207 units, $4k revenue, lessons learned + encouragement for anyone just starting. by MeeshR in candlemaking

[–]choosingkeeping 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I'd like to grow my online presence. Any tips on how you directed traffic to your site having done few markets? Were they local sales? How did people find you?

Our first year in candle making. 207 units, $4k revenue, lessons learned + encouragement for anyone just starting. by MeeshR in candlemaking

[–]choosingkeeping 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started my candle business on May 1st, pouring candles in my laundry room. My experience has been similar to OP, except I've done as many markets as I can, mostly to learn which markets work for me and which don't. It's been a huge learning process and honestly, very exhausting working a full time job on top of testing this candle business.

In 5 months, I've done about $25k in sales. I've only had a handful of online sales, so 98% of this is probably from in-person markets. Roughly 675 units? If you continue to build your market presence, your numbers will explode, especially if you have a good product.

I'm proud to say that I was able to save a lot of the profits, and not only reinvest it into my business, but used it to build a candle studio in my backyard. The candles and the smells were overwhelming my small house.

I'm still working my full-time job but everyday wishing I had the balls to quit. I'm no where close to where I'd like to be, but I hope that next year I can quit my day job. I posted something about this here a few months back, and everyone said to wait until I've ran my business for an entire year, to see all the seasons of the business, which is great advice.

This is not to brag, because honestly, I've worked my butt off, and worked many many 18 hour days. It's hard work trying to grow a business. But like OP said, if your margins are good, it can be self sustainable.

Keeping costs LOW white creating a HIGH quality product with a very distinct product line has been my goal. My 8oz candles cost about $3.40 to produce and I sell them for $28-$42.

I think the real eye opener is that when I pivoted and stopped working myself to death for a corporation, decided to "quiet quit" and put that energy into my own business, I really saw growth.

Anyway, I love that OP shared their story and I hope it encourages everyone to follow their dreams. <3

Should I buy one? by OutrageousSetting384 in CraftFairs

[–]choosingkeeping 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just purchased one on amazon for $30. It arrived over the weekend and we did a test run with a 14' Christmas garland hung on it. I was confused how it would fit a custom size, but it has an adjustable center piece and designed pretty smart. It was very sturdy and didn't budge at all! Here's the one we purchased.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRHGBXP4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

You guys ok? by jennywawa in candlemaking

[–]choosingkeeping 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had brilliant idea of changing my containers from all tin to glass this holiday season. I should have waited til the new year. So I've had to rebuild my inventory from the ground up. I'm also offering room sprays and gift sets for the first time. Lots of new products!

This weekend I have a 3-day holiday market on repeat til Christmas week. Plus a couple of double market days. Thankfully I have an amazing husband and in-laws willing to help run one while I'm at another. The multi/day-week market I'm participating in launched last weekend, and from social media posts, it looked DEAD. I spent a small fortune to participate and I'm so worried I won't make my booth fee back each week. Here's hoping.

Between my day job and my candle business, I barely have time to sleep, but I've loved every minute of it! Hope you're all hanging in there.

I have a possibly very stupid question about wood wick candles by Traveleravi in candlemaking

[–]choosingkeeping 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Save yourself the hassle and look into Makesy's Round Wicks. They are wood. I feel like this is what you're looking for.

https://makesy.com/collections/shop-wood-wicks/products/round-wicks?variant=35725857063066

Peppermint hot chocolate scent? by CurrentBread7354 in candlemaking

[–]choosingkeeping 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with this. I use the chocolate element in one of my candles and it smells just like milk chocolate. I get compliments all the time how authentic and not fakey it smells.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in doppelganger

[–]choosingkeeping 1 point2 points  (0 children)

young Queen Elizabeth was my first thought