Just Completed My First Craft Show

[CrisH]

Hello All~

I attended a craft show this past weekend (Saturday and Sunday). I had initially planned to just sell my soy candles but took some of you all's advice and had a small bow display also. I primarily offered basic solid colored bows, big/lil sister bows, a few Spongebob and Dora bows, nothing fancy just basic bows... I only sold five My candles did pretty well though Saturday it was chilly and cloudy but Sunday was a beautiful day. There weren't a whole lot of shoppers, mostly just browsers. The craft show was part of a carnival and people were spending most of their money on rides and food (expensive food!) Every vendor I talked to said they didn't do well and some didn't sell anything Total from both days was $374. I think under the circumstances, I didn't do too bad My booth was nothing fancy, just a couple of tables covered in white cloth and a center table covered in yellow cloth. My husband is planning on building some nice shelves and displays to help get everything up to eye level and jazz up the place a little. I plan on doing my next show in Mid-May. It's a one day show and hopefully we will have a good turn out. Just wanted to share with everyone and to thank you all for all the advice and assistance.

[kaikai]

WOW...I think you did great! Can't wait to hear how you do at your next show

[Lisa_Marie]

Wowzers! $374 sounds great. Besides bows, candles are my other obsession, I have them all over the house. I'm going to have to check out your site. I've never had soy candles before but I've heard good things about them.

[cjmea]

Good job! That's awesome.

[Amber427]

That's great! I also want some candles! I may have to go shopping

[kimc]

way to go! im sure the next show will be great!

[sweetpeasbowtique]

Originally Posted by Lisa_Marie

Wowzers! $374 sounds great. Besides bows, candles are my other obsession, I have them all over the house. I'm going to have to check out your site. I've never had soy candles before but I've heard good things about them.

I love making them and I don't mind burning the soy candles around my little ones. I make them in my microwave and get the supplies off of ebay. The supplies are much cheaper than getting them local.

[CrisH]

Thank you everyone. I'm looking forward to the next show. It will be held in a larger community, so I'm hoping for a better turn out.

Thank you to those that are interested in my candles, feel free to check out my site. I don't have a shopping cart set up yet, at the moment I'm taking orders via email and payments via "snail mail". Right now, I'm trying to get my name out there and once orders pick up, I plan to add a shopping cart and some sort of online payment set-up. I no longer deal with Paypal and I'm in the process of looking for alternatives. Any suggestions?

On my site there is a section called "Soy Wax VS Paraffin Wax", you guys should check that out. I was shocked at the information I found on paraffin wax (it emits 11 different toxins ) I had initially planned to use paraffin wax because it's cheaper but after I researched it, I decided soy wax was the safest, cleanest wax to use. And using soy products support the American farmers

Thanks again guys.

[CrisH]

Originally Posted by sweetpeasbowtique

I love making them and I don't mind burning the soy candles around my little ones. I make them in my microwave and get the supplies off of ebay. The supplies are much cheaper than getting them local.

I would be scared to make candles in the microwave. The wax, fragrance, and dye have such a low flash point, I'd be afraid it would burst into flames LOL. I purchase my supplies from a company based in North Carolina. All of their products are made in America but of course you have to order in bulk and if you're just a "hobbyist" then it wouldn't be very cost efficient. Soy candles are safer to burn than paraffin candles... and they smell better/stronger too They also do really well on a candle warmer.

[sweetpeasbowtique]

Originally Posted by CrisH

I would be scared to make candles in the microwave. The wax, fragrance, and dye have such a low flash point, I'd be afraid it would burst into flames LOL. I purchase my supplies from a company based in North Carolina. All of their products are made in America but of course you have to order in bulk and if you're just a "hobbyist" then it wouldn't be very cost efficient. Soy candles are safer to burn than paraffin candles... and they smell better/stronger too They also do really well on a candle warmer.

Oh no, you just melt the soy flakes until they start to melt, you have to keep checking the temp until it gets to a certain temp and then take it out and the heat will melt the remaining. Then you add the oil and color chips and they melt down also from the heat. I don't dare melt it all together in the microwave. There are directions from the soy folks that tell you the degree and etc. I just can't remember, it has been a while since I made some. I was making them for us and my parents in between the bows because it really dosen't demand alot of one on one attention after you pour it into jars. I love making them, it is relaxing!!! About the wax, soy is all I will burn, the other wax has some cancer causing agents, so I don't burn them in the house. I love soy and it makes your hands soft too!!!