This is the first live blog session that I conducted. I want to show you all the topics that we went over. I am planning on conducting more in the near future especially with 2009 looming ahead.
The session was only suppose to last for 1/2 hour, but as you can see it surpassed the mark. The session was a blast.
Thank you so much for joining my first live blog. I hope that I will be able to uncover a lot in this half an hour and also get direction in what you are looking for.
[Comment From Cheryl]
Will there be any new christmas molds?
Hi Cheryl,
Yes there will be new Christmas mold. I have a grubby snowman, grubby snowflakes and Christmas lights in the works. I also have some Christmas soap molds coming out.
10:55 [Comment From Cheryl]
When icing a bundt cake, sometimes a big hunk falls off, whats the best way to fix it?
10:57 Hopefully this answer will help you out. I have redone a certain area on a candle before that I did not like. I have chipped away at the wax and then regrubbied it. The product still looked came out normal.
10:57 Is that what you mean?
10:58 [Comment From Cheryl]
When do you think they will be available?
10:59 The Christmas molds will be “debuting” tomorrow. I have some finishing touches on them to do. Also, I will have a contest coming out tomorrow to win the grubby snowman mold.
10:59 [Comment From Cheryl]
Does it look ok?
10:59 Mine at least came out looking okay. The problem I had was not with the whole grubby part, but with making sure the color was consistent.
11:00 [Comment From Cheryl]
Great, I will check your website tomorrow. thanks
11:00 No problem. I really liked how the Christmas molds turned out. I am excited about it.
11:00 Cheryl do you have a website?
11:02 [Comment From Cheryl]
Me too, I get bored when decorating with the same old stuff. I need something new.
11:02 Yeah! I like to change things up. I do not enjoy the same old stuff. Customers like it when they see items different from the norm.
11:03 [Comment From Cheryl]
Yes, http://www.candlecreationsbycheryl.com
11:04 [Comment From Krista]
Do you have any suggestions for those that want to start a candle business that do not have a web site ?what is the best way to advertise
11:05 Best way to advertise. I have been out of the loop for selling in the immediate area for around 3 years. When I was selling I did consignment shops, craftshows, and I had friends that worked in hospitals. This got my name out pretty good.
11:06 I would also place brochures and business cards in various shops and post offices.
11:06 [Comment From Cheryl]
I am finding word of mouth is working great. I have gone to some local craft fairs here in Southern California where I live and I’m getting a great response and following. I have a website, but it’s not generating as great a response.
11:08 Word of mouth has always helped me. I have also done up a drawing basket in gift shops. People would have to give you their addy . When the drawing is over you have a whole list of potential customers.
11:08 [Comment From Cheryl]
You can get a website free using microsoftofficelive.com It’s free and they help you if you need it.
11:09 I am not familiar with a free website type deal. I have diyestores. My website is the only thing that generates traffic for me.
11:10 [Comment From Krista]
I’m not to great on computers as far as getting a web site up and running
11:11 Krista, Have you tried craftshows and consignment shops in your area?
11:11 [Comment From Cheryl]
Maybe I’m not putting it out on the seach engines right. Also, I think shipping is a problem.
11:12 Cheryl, do you mean in respect to finding and using your keywords correctly?
11:12 [Comment From Krista]
I have been doing craft shows for the last 6 years I know I have given out more than a thousand business cards .I lost a lot of money on consignment shops
11:14 [Comment From Krista]
They packed up and took my stuff with them
11:14 Okay Krista, You have done those.=) Maybe try other avenues like senior homes, hospitals, home parties, fundraisers. How about those?
11:14 [Comment From Cheryl]
I guess, I think I have done that, but I have had only a few orders.
11:14 Oh My! That was not right. Did you realize they were leaving?
11:15 If you want Cheryl I could help you out maybe focus on certain keywords and see what we can do.
11:15 [Comment From Krista]
I would love to get into fundraisers.No I went by to check on stock and they had gone
11:16 [Comment From Cheryl]
Thank you, I would appreciate that
11:16 Also, Krista I have heard of businesses sponsoring t-ball teams and have their name on shirts that they bought for the team. Try even putting a magnet strip on a vehicle with your business info.
11:18 I can look into fundraising for you. I have done it through a friend that was a teacher. I asked her if she would be interested and then I had to be approved by the school. Then I put together a list of only 20 scents and a small catalog. I did not give a lot of choices because it would be too much.
11:19 Cheryl, I will be setting up a forum soon or figuring out some way we could communicate easy and we will take it from there. I have been doing SEO on my web and have jumped up my traffic by 600 people/month. I am very excited to help you out.
11:19 [Comment From Cheryl]
How to you paint with wax, some thing require different colors and you can’t pour them separetly. Is there a trick?
11:20 Krista, the kids made 2.50 per candle. I do know that some schools have a standard of the amount they should make on a product. Price accordingly
11:21 Cheryl, I bought this stuff at walmart that allows you to paint on wax. Let me try to find it.
11:21 [Comment From Cheryl]
Thank you, I would appreciate any help you can offer.
11:21 [Comment From Krista]
I would really love to get my business off the ground.I enjoy making them .That would be great as I have no idea as how to begin
11:21 [Comment From Krista]
would you sugest just jars or pillars
11:22 I would stick to jars. Maybe even do the enamel cups. I did jars when I did them, but worried the whole time that one would crack due to heat. I had to mail them to VA. If I were to do it now I would go enamel.
11:22 [Comment From Cheryl]
What is SEO?
11:24 SEO~ Search Engine Optimization . There is a process behind finding what keywords you want to rank for and finding exactly the ones that will get you on the first page for those words
11:24 [Comment From Krista]
I make bakery candles but also pillars
11:25 Krista maybe what you could do it test out the fundraiser market. I do know that when I have seen other co’s do candles they were jarred candles. Maybe the bakery area was never attempted. Not sure.
11:25 [Comment From Krista]
would you do pariffin or soy?I have never worked with soy but would have to do alot of test burning before I could sell them
11:27 If you were able to get into the market now I would stick with the wax that you have tested and enjoyed. Soy does take alot of testing to get things right in my opinion. I have been testing 415 plain soy to get good scent throw for 2 years and I still don’t like it. I have added a bunch of stuff. Luckily I just make the candles for family.
11:27 [Comment From Cheryl]
Is there a fee?
11:27 [Comment From Cheryl]
The problem with bakery candles is the handeling. They are more apt to get damaged with all the transporting
11:28 There is a couple sites I know of that would do a keyword research for free. People have had luck with them.
11:28 [Comment From Cheryl]
Here in California, alot of people ask about green wax. I don’t even know what that means
11:29 The only thing I can think of is maybe earth friendly. What do you think?
11:30 [Comment From Cheryl]
Great, could you let me know which sites
11:30 I will get those addys around for you. That’ll be great!
11:30 [Comment From Krista]
I have a friend in PA that wanted me to send her some 5in pies but they have gel wax in them so I’m not sure if they were shrink wrapped if they would make it
11:30 [Comment From Krista]
I live in Ga
11:30 [Comment From Krista]
I have’nt heard of green wax
11:32 Krista I would say try it. See if they make it. You would have to test it out and see how they withstand shipping. Also, if you started with your local community and doing fundraisers they may just be shipped local and you would not have to worry about the whole shipping damage ordeal.
11:32 [Comment From Cheryl]
It seems like most candle people live on the east coast. Maybe I can grab the west coast crowd.
11:33 Cheryl that sounds good. I have noticed that too. A lot of the makers are out here. I wonder why that is
11:33 [Comment From Cheryl]
Here in CA everyone is so earth consious. It drives me crazy, I haven’t a clue either what they mean.
11:33 I know they are very concious about that . DO you use soy out there?
11:33 [Comment From Cheryl]
I don’t know, I love bakery candles.
11:34 I love bakery candles also. You can really decorate things up pretty nice.
11:34 Hey if you want a bakery candle look still, but not have to worry about the damage maybe use like a loaf pan tin.
11:34 [Comment From Cheryl]
Yes, but you said that they are difficult to work with.
11:34 [Comment From Krista]
maybe I can send you a pie and see if it makes it in one piece lol
11:36 I have just noticed at least with plain soy also called 415 it is difficult to work with. The soy that I enjoy is c-3 from natureswax I think. I can get you the info on it. I put in a bit of parafin. 70:30 mix.
11:36 [Comment From Krista]
I do cobblers in loaf pans
11:36 [Comment From Cheryl]
soy is difficult to work with
11:36 Would love a pie from you krista.=) Need to make myself some candles for the house and do not have the time.
11:37 Does that sound like another avenue to do cobblers in loaf pans?
11:37 [Comment From Janice]
Hi everyone. sorry to be late. thought it started at 11:30 est. I live near Montreal in canada. Will catch up with the text chat.
11:37 Hey Janice Glad you could make it
11:37 [Comment From Krista]
let me know I sure would send it
11:38 I would love one. I think there is a way you could pm me and I could give you my addy and how much I owe you. How big are they? We will test out the shipping
11:39 Yeah! soy is difficult. When I put paraffin in it I do not get the complete soy aggravation
11:39 [Comment From Krista]
I wonder what avenues the guy who started y88888kee did to get his business going?
11:39 I am not familiar with y88888kee. Tell us more
11:39 [Comment From Krista]
i know he started in his garage
11:40 Is he pretty popular in GA. I started my moldmaking in the garage.
11:40 [Comment From Krista]
yankee candles bad word among candle makers lol
11:41 Oh Jeez! Leave it to me.
11:41 I have heard from the locals that the quality of them it going down. I have never bought because I like to support locals and they were always out of my price range
11:41 [Comment From Janice]
I’m looking for “bears” molds. Any suggestions? and also, what would be the best wax to use for making them ?
11:42 [Comment From Krista]
trying to watch my mouth lol
11:42 [Comment From Krista]
I tried mold making you can do it
11:43 I wish I could tell you where you could find a nice looking bear mold. Maybe from onestopcandle.com I think that is their name. If the bear is difficult to get out I would use parafin pillar.
11:43 [Comment From Krista]
I personally don’t like the way they burn to much wasted wax
11:43 [Comment From Krista]
3d bear?
11:44 Their bear maybe associated with a beehive. I cannot remember.
11:44 [Comment From Janice]
Any type of bears.
11:45 [Comment From Cheryl]
What about after the holidays, what sells best
11:45 [Comment From Janice]
talking of bee hive, true that it is better for the environment & the health ?
11:45 SNowflakes sell very well. At least from my end.
11:46 Yes, beeswax is very good for the environment given it is all natural.
Cheryl there is your”green wax” You can cater to CA
11:46 [Comment From Janice]
I meant bees wax. 
Thanks for the link I will check it out.
11:46 [Comment From Krista]
I had a teddy bear sitting down but was never able to wick him so I could only use him in soap
11:47 [Comment From Cheryl]
Is beeswax easy to work with, can you use if for molds
11:48 I am not quite sure. Honestly I think because it is natural it is a bit tricky. I do not even think you could put FO in it.
11:48 [Comment From Cheryl]
snowflakes won’t well well here in sunny southern ca
11:48 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
sorry just got in here
11:49 No, snowflakes would not work out there. What do CA’ like?
11:49 Hi Sandi
11:50 Given that CA’s like the “green movement” you may have a market for it. May have to test it out
11:50 [Comment From Cheryl]
I guess I will try beachy stuff
11:50 [Comment From Janice]
Merci Krista !
11:50 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Am i the only M/P soaper on here?
11:50 [Comment From Krista]
Cheryl what kind of candles do you make?
11:51 Beachy Christmas stuff?
11:51 [Comment From Krista]
hope this helps
11:51 I almost think so Sandi. I am sorry. Do we have any other soapers here?
11:51 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
I know that i have had requests lately for sea shells soaps in christmas tins… these went to austria
11:52 [Comment From Cheryl]
I make all kinds, mostly pillars and food candles. I don’t mean beachy for christmas, I am looking for candles for after christmas
11:52 [Comment From Cheryl]
I have never tried to make soap, is it difficult
11:53 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
after christmas I start right into Valentines and Spring/Easter
11:53 I have tried soap and it wasn’t too bad. I just do not like messing with the lye
11:53 [Comment From Krista]
I want to try cp soap
11:53 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
I use high quality melt and pour bases and add my own extras…my teenager 17 works with me and i love the melt pour
11:54 [Comment From Cheryl]
can you make soap without lye.
11:54 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Lye and standing so long for cp or hp is why i stick with the melt and pour
11:54 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
No lye is needed to make the soap …from studying the lye burns off in the soaping process
11:54 [Comment From Janice]
I’m a newbie . What does cp and hp means ?
11:55 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
cold process is cp and hot process is hp
11:55 [Comment From Janice]
ok.
11:55 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
my understanding and i am still learning is cold you have to let sit for weeks (4-6) hot you use the oven and it sit but not as long
11:56 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
I’d love to learn to create melts/tarts
11:56 [Comment From Cheryl]
does melt and pour eliminate the hp and cp
11:56 Melts and tarts are easy once you get the wax you love
11:57 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
yes melt and pour someone else creates a blank base could be goats milk, anything …you then add it to and make it your won
11:57 I have tried that way also. Because of excluding the lye. I liked it much better.
11:57 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
really??? I tried but i think i got the wrong kind of wax…soy
11:58 Yes, parafin is a lot easier to work with.
11:58 I use a soy parafin 70:30 blend .
11:58 [Comment From Krista]
I would use a votive wax
11:58 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Okay now I have a new challenge
11:58 [Comment From Krista]
it has a lower melt point
11:59 Yeah! I do not use pillar wax for melts and tarts. I actually would use a container soy and j223
11:59 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
gotta go find my pen
11:59 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
what is j223
12:00 That was a brand of container wax. Feels like vasoline. I do not know if they make it anymore
12:00 [Comment From Krista]
you don’t think they are to soft to work with for melts
12:01 I honestly have not had trouble taking them out of my molds. I thought I would. The last candle project I did with the pumpkin was done with container soy and j223. I think the container soy is just hard enough that it offsets the j223 a bit
12:01 [Comment From Krista]
j300?
12:01 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Thanks I think i have a lot more studing to do on this
12:01 [Comment From Krista]
I still have some it is like working with a hunk of lard
12:02 I know what what you mean lol
12:02 I think j223 made the best parafin candles, but they burned down fast. I had to put a special hard wax on my wick.
12:02 [Comment From Janice]
I created a bee hive candle (with a plastic mold ) and two tapers in a kit bought on Amazon. Paraffin wax. Results were not like it should have been, but learning
12:02 [Comment From Cheryl]
I have to go now, it was great chatting with all of you
12:03 This has been great chatting with you Cheryl. Get in touch with me and I will help you out.
12:03 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
Hi everyone, sorry I’m late, I use 50/50 paraffin and soy for my tarts and they melt great and come out of the molds perfectly
12:03 [Comment From Krista]
take care cheryl
12:03 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Janice I know what you mean…my hubby doesn’t understand the tries and misses at all
12:03 Hey Michelle!
12:03 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
Hi Dawn
12:03 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
great idea, this live blog
12:04 Loving it.
12:04 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
i love it too I am learning new things
12:04 [Comment From Janice]
I can relate to that Sandi
12:04 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
Hi Sandi, nice to see you here too (and everyone else)
12:05 YOu should have seen the first molds I tried to make Janice. UGH!
12:05 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
HI Michelle!!!!!
12:05 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
In this business it’s all trial and error and you just have to keep doing and redoing till you get what you want
12:05 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Got a question…. I made up some soaps using the ramikin mold
12:05 What is the ramikin mold?
12:06 Janice I know that you are new to candlemaking do you have specific questions?
12:06 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
mold like you cook flan in
12:06 [Comment From Krista]
I used it to do baby cakes put two layers together and ice it
12:07 I tried one of those pans with wax and my wax went all over the place.
12:07 How did your soaps turn out?
12:07 [Comment From Janice]
I am still debating on what king of wax to use. Confused between soy, paraffin and bee wax. One better than another or all have advantages ?
12:07 [Comment From Krista]
one layer a cheescake
12:08 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
I’ve never worked with bees wax but think it is expensive
12:08 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
My soaps look awesome from the mold just trying to decide if i should fill in the inside with more soap or add cookie soaps to the insides.
12:08 [Comment From Krista]
I like pariffin it is easy I think to work with
12:09 Parafin is the easiest to work with and gives off alot of throw. Soy is a bit trickier.
12:09 [Comment From Krista]
why not put little plastic toys inside?
12:10 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
parrafin is easy to work with but does create soot if your burning it but for tarts it’s wonderful. I like to mix with soy because the coloring of the products is better and more realistic. I do a lot of bakery tarts and want them to look like you can eat them
12:10 [Comment From Krista]
if using a clear base
12:10 [Comment From Krista]
or a rubber duck
12:10 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
I love the rubber ducky soaps, too cute
12:10 [Comment From Janice]
Another question. Is is very difficult to make Gel Candles incorporating attributes ( ex: santa, pumpkin, etc ) ?
12:11 Michelle makes great bakery tarts.
12:11 [Comment From Janice]
Great. You are giving me good perspective. Merci !
12:12 I like adding the cookie on the insides idea Sandi.
12:12 [Comment From Krista]
the embeds need to be glass or non flamable and set off of wick
12:12 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
Thanks Dawn
12:13 Your Welcome
12:13 With parafin and the sooting I had to really play around with wicks to get it not to soot so much. That is something that customers do not care for at all.
12:14 I also dip my wicks in a wick specific wax. I cannot remember what it is called. Helps the wick burn
12:14 [Comment From Krista]
I use wax embeds in my gel candles
12:14 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Not sure if you can click on this but here are some empty
12:14 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1620/1919010/20652328/342849684.jpg
12:15 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
hey, I have that mold too, haven’t worked with it yet and come up with something unique!
12:15 Those are great. YOu could do so much. What kind of look are you going for?
12:15 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Took me forever to figure out where to add the soaps which end
12:16 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
i was worried if i filled in inside with soap and add like say gingers sticking out it would be way heavy
12:17 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
why can’t you just sell the shell filled with mini guest type soaps all bundled together?
12:17 Can you lighten the soap any or pour in partial soap .
12:17 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Michelle that was one of the ideas I had and also maybe Cookies for Santa small soaps inside.
12:17 Mini guest soap sounds good
12:18 That does sound like a very nice idea.
12:18 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Thought about maybe fruit slices with clear glycerin inside the outer shell
12:18 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
I always like to have cute little soaps around the bathroom that no one uses, just to look at!
12:18 The clear glycerin would be so neat
12:19 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
Thanks you have have given me some awesome ideas and very inspiring
12:19 [Comment From Janice]
Home decor
12:19 lol!
12:19 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
yeah they go with the towels your not allowed to use either. LOL
12:19 lol!
12:19 [Comment From Janice]
12:20 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
How true oh i could make a set with these guest towels I’ve been working on
12:20 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
ya’ll are soooo good for me
12:21 You are wonderul too sandi. The kids and I have used your soaps before. Theyare great
12:21 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
shucks
12:21 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
your so creative Sandi, I always love your stuff
12:21 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
I love your molds … i like to do didfferent things ya know
12:22 Thanks so much Sandi. I greatly appreciate that. I love doing the molds.
12:22 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
have you seen Dawns primitive soap mold? I used to make soap and used them all the time. Their adorable
12:22 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
There’s a crow, star, flag and raggedy ann head
12:23 Thanks Michelle. Prim is still in here. I thought it would be phasing out. Not at all.
12:23 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
yes i have and they are on my christmas list to hubby
12:23 lol!
12:23 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
they make full size bars of soap, then I would dust them in real cinnamon
12:23 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
prim has just now finally hit Dallas
12:24 Oh My! Took awhile. Funny how long trends take to get somewhere.
Janice what is the trend in Canada?
12:24 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
it’s real slow her in PA with the craft shows
12:24 I am going to put up some poll questions If you do not mind answering.
12:24 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
people either really like the primitive stuff and have never seen it before or they really hate it
12:25 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
i’ve been selling more of my strawberry and fruit slices to folks in canada lately
12:25 What part of website marketing you want to learn more about?
Traffic/SEO
( 50% )Social Media
( 0% )Blogging
( 0% )Keywords
( 50% )Other
( 0% )All Of The Above
( 0% )
12:25 [Comment From Krista]
ok
12:25 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
do all you fine gals do craft shows?
12:25 [Comment From Janice]
Very popular. Circle of lady farmers as they are called exists in nearly every town. !
12:26 I used to do craftshows.
12:26 [Comment From Krista]
i love doing craft shows
12:26 [Comment From Michelle (uglyducklingdes]
I used to do 12 shows a year but we have a wholesale division of our candle business that is too busy and now we only do one big one each fall
12:26 Krista another avenue. Wholesaling. SOrry I forgot that one.
12:27 [Comment From Donna]
I do craft shows, but I am a newbie with candles, so I am not selling them yet.
12:27 [Comment From sandi-sassysoapsnsuch]
I am both deaf and can’t get around much because of bad fibromyligia so i don’t do shows
12:27 [Comment From Janice]
I did trade shows for nearly 5 years in Canada & USA but it was in the philatelic field ( topical stamp collection ) 
