Thinking of creating HomeMade Candles and selling them at Flea Markets full time

[AerisandAlex]

Now that we're expecting #3, it's really important we get on our feet.

We have been struggling for a while as it is, having this BFP show up was a big fat SURPRISE.

I've been finding ways to be a stay at home mom since my second child was born since it was difficult to go to work with a sick child all the time I've tried writing eBooks, Wholesaling and Reselling, Owning various Paid-to sites (got into it with Paypal with those, turns out if you don't have a 'tangible' item, they don't want you to really use them) and now I'm freelancing on Elance but I really want to do something now that can be a permanent gig and one that could be fun!

I see candles being sold all the time and realized, maybe I could make them too? I live in Western PA so here, Flea Markets are EVERYWHERE and most are year round ones!

But I have so many questions... I've found all the products I need, and I've run all the numbers, but now it's like... I don't know HOW well candles sell.

I mean, what should I expect? Does anyone have any ideas in this?

If I bought enough supplies to make 3 dozen candles, is that enough? Should I get more? What scents should I think about choosing? How fast DO they sell? Is it possible to sell all 3 dozen in a day? What SIZE of jar should I get for the candle? 4oz or 8oz candles? What is the BEST price I should charge?

Any ideas or advice would be EXTREMELY helpful!

Every change we make to our finances is a potential risk and I don't want to walk into this area blind and lose out so please don't hesitate to post advice, I could use every little bit! ^_^ Thanks Everyone!

 

[ArcaneSpark]

As Christmas and halloween are coming up why not tailor some towards them? Alternatively I like clean smells like vanilla for scented candles in the house.

 

[AerisandAlex]

Really? That's very interesting... Well, I shouldn't say that. Recently I found that others who are in the same business find people are into a variety of scents that even the owner might not choose to have.

Thanks for that! I wouldn't have choosen that scent but knowing it's valued for that reason really will help me ^_^

 

[Jaylynne]

If you're new, I'd probably have custom scents that are for the seasons then a few staples like fresh cotton, mountain breeze etc. Season candles sell well if you do them right. Are you doing taper candles or can you make the pillar candles with the stuff at the bottom (like seashells in the bottom of an ocean breeze scented candle). You can probably pick up the stuff for the bottom at dollar stores but charge and extra 5 for it

 

[AerisandAlex]

Well, the Gel Candles look really cool and I really do want to do them eventually but right now there' not only the most expensive to buy the gel to make them, but also dangerous. You have to be very careful to buy the correct fragences or they could set the entire candle up in flames, or even worst, explode >.<

I was going to start out with making jarred candles, I find they're the ones that are put on the shelves the most and easiest to make. I'll get into the more elaborate ones shortly after, but just starting out with the jar candles first ^_^

I agree though, when I do start making the gel candles with the sand and seashells I'll have to find an ocean breeze scent that'll work well with it (and won't make it explode) lol

 

[cybermum]

I am a team leader with Scentsy Wickless..we use bars and melt the fragrance out so very safe with the strong throw many like .
And as mentioned various scents...I can tell you from a years stats vanilla sandalwood,sweet pea and vanilla,clean cotton scents all sell well.

Now selling a lot of pumpkin marshmallow,mulled wine scents and black raspberry vanilla .

Pm me if you want to ask anything,could be option for you.
No targets or areas or need to do parties .
I sell very well at events up and down the country

 

[AerisandAlex]

Neat! I ended up getting Pumpkin Pie Spice, Banana Nut Bread and Buttercream. I'm going to be getting some sandlewood and some clean scents as well as a few others.

As far as costs though, I've found a bunch of different ways to price them, it almost seems too much though, at least from my aspect, but then I was looking around online, like at glade and stuff, it turned out to be true I haven't purchased any candles in awhile so it's probably right, I just haven't bought any in awhile to notice lol

So they say material costs x 2 for whole sale, x3 for retail. Then there's others who charge between $1.00 to $2.00 per oz. So this is where I was like, "Really?" At those rates my 4oz candles would cost $4 to $8. I keep looking at my 4oz candles and they don't 'look' like they should be that much since they fit in my hand but they're definately 4oz and all but wal-mart prices them around that.

Would you girls pay $4 for a 4oz handmade Soy Candle or is it too high?

If it helps, I got the first batch of stuff yesterday and put together 24 candles, these are them