Do You Really Know What You're Buying?

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a popular gift show in my local area. My purpose in attending this gift show was to scope out my competition and the quality of their soy candles compared to what I offer. I was truly surprised with the results of how many candle exhibitors were present and was more so surprised with the results of how well they didn't know their product.

Now my results are in no way to badger the company in anyway, but to open the eyes of our consumers, the results are:

Candle Exhibitor #1:

This exhibitor stated that they're soy candles were handmade. I was told that their soy candles burned great had no soot or mushroom build up and had an awesome scent throw. Well, fortunately the exhibitor had several candles burning and I notice on their candles that the wick that was chosen had a lot of mushrooming and a little bit of soot build up and no scent throw unless your nose was directly above the flame. Speaking of flame, the flame on these candles was high and had a wild burn, which can be a fire hazard.

Candle Exhibitor #2:

This exhibitor informed us that she handmade her candles as well, but honestly the candles appeared to be machine poured because every candle look the same and had no imperfections. When candles are handmade properly, there are imperfections that actually make the candle perfect because it gives it a unique design. With handmade candles no two are alike. My business associate was asking various questions to see if the soy wax was compatible with essential oils. This vendor kind off "skated" around the question and wasn't too sure. We were offered a sample of the candle where I later tested the candle. This particular votive candle was actually made using palm wax and then burned all the way down in 2½ hours. That's the fastest burning candle I have ever seen. When this vendor found out that I was a candle maker, her eyes had gotten wide and at that point wanted to end the conversation. It's interesting how one candle maker can be intimidated by another candle maker.

Candle Exhibitor #3:

Lastly, this exhibitor primarily advertised that their soy candles can also be used as body oil and that you can deep your finger in the candle while the candle is burning. Well, Kandle Indulgence highly suggests that you don't put her finger or anything near and open flame serious injuries can occur. Yet again, my business associate asked the question concerning essential oils and/or what type of essential oils did their company use. She kept saying the fragrances come from flowers, but the question was what type of flowers, are these essential oils? Finally, after the exhibitor couldn't fully explain the company's product and was getting caught up in lies she basically said "I don't know." My question is "if you make the candles why wouldn't the candle maker know where the fragrances come from and what type of fragrances is used?"

In the seven years that I've been making candles I have received positive and negative feedback always concerning the scent throw of my candles and I took those negative comments and turned into positive feedback by constantly studying and researching my product also doing a lot of testing. Although other research was conducted from other exhibitors the three mentioned above sums up the most important part of a business?know your products, business and to be honest to your consumers because you never know who you may meet.

Jameel Nolan
Kandle Indulgence Co.
Handmade and Custom Designed Gel & Soy Wax Candles

Website: http://www.kandleindulgence.com

"The Creativity is within You"

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Crafts-Hobbies Information:

Related Articles

Need A Scrapbook Journaling Idea?
Try using song lyrics in your next layout.Song lyrics can be a great source of title and page inspiration for a scraper.
Making a Living Making Soap-Questions to Ask Before You Begin
Soap making can be a wonderful hobby but if you've ever thought of turning your hobby into a business you know how overwhelming the idea can be. Here are some questions to help you think through your decision:*How much of a business do you want to be? Do you really want to this to be a full-time job? Or would you rather just make a couple hundred bars a year for your church fundraiser? Your answer to this question will determine your next steps.
The Making of a Slipcover: A Lost Art
Today in this world of fast everything, most of us just don't have the time (nor patience) to do an all consuming job of making a slipcover. We go buy them and not always are they what we want.
Hollywood Gets Crafty - Knitting And Crocheting Not Just For Grandma Anymore
Sometimes it's hard to imagine that the stars who shine so brightly on cinematic screens are people just like the rest of us. We often think that their lives are so much more interesting and exciting than our own and that we have little or nothing in common with the Hollywood crowd.
Scrapbooking Yourself as a Girl, Youth, and Your College Days
Now that you grasp the importance of scrapbooking yourself and see how it can add value to your life, you've decided to go ahead and do it.The next question would be, "What's there to scrapbook about me? I don't have a fabulous or most interesting life like Rosanne.
Making a Chunk Candle
Making chunk candles is an and fun activity for all ages. A unique technique using wax chunks of different colors gives the finished candle a beautiful texture and look.
Remember When You Were Taught How To Make Things From Metal With Your Bare Hands?
How would you like the chance to use the skills you learnt decades ago..
Make Your Own Citronella Candles
Need a cost effective way to get rid of mosquitoes? Try making your own citronella candles and eliminate mosquitoes while providing a romantic, outdoor setting. Making citronella candles is easy and can cost as little as $0.
Airbrushing Does Not Have to be All Disappointment, Heartache, and Bloody Hard Work!
A smart, but irritating man once told me that Airbrushing did not have to be all blood, sweat and tears. If only I had someone guiding me back in those hard, frustrating and sick in the stomach days of airbrushing, I wouldn't have wasted all that time and money!So here you are.
Why Do You Need to Have Your Tools Blade Sharpen After Work
If you like to do wood carving or making sculpture as your hobby, you surely need tools to make your creation. If you just starting this hobby, knowing your tools and how to treat your carving tools probably the best way to make everything easier for you, thus make efficient time when doing your work.
Are Your Collectibles Valuable? Heres How to Find Out
The first thing you will need to do is check out the condition of your item, be it a train, collectible Barbie doll, Disney collectible, or some other collectible item. Is it scratched, torn, clean, dirty, new, in a box, without a box? You get the idea.
Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue: Unity Candle Craft Project
Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. There are plenty of crafty brides out there looking for a unique design for their unity candle.
Make Origami
Origami is a wonderful and elegant art. It has been developed and embraced over the past 2,000 years by young and old alike.
A Beginners Guide to Buying Authentic Swords Online
Looking at all the various swords for sale online can make you feel a bit like a kid in a candy store. But if you are looking to buy authentic replica swords online, it can be a bit harder to get what you really want than it otherwise might first appear?Sure, if you are just looking for an ornamental sword to hang on the wall - it's pretty easy.
Five Ways To Find New Markets for Your Dog and Cat Art
As you create your dog and cat art, you will find that you would like to find a market for your many non-commissioned pieces. When it comes to generic dog and cat art, keep the following tips in mind:1.
A Few Tips About Comic Book Bags
We store comics to keep them valuable. Air pollution, ultra violet light, dirt and oil from fingers as well as rough handling all contribute to the deterioration of a comic.
Embroidery Machine Use by New Owners for Good Results
Many new home embroidery machine owners have to learn on their own with little instructions and thus have to resort to the "trial and error" methods to get satisfactory results. One can certainly learn to embroidery this way but it takes time, money and patience.
Fun with Origami!
Storing origamiThis is a great question. Many people want to hold on to their special crafts for years to come.
Setting Up Your Display Case
One of the best ways to display photographs, memorabilia and other prized possessions is by using a display case. When properly done, a display case can showcase your collectables for all to see in an elegant manner.
Treasure Hunting - The Unusual Ways
When you think of treasure hunting, maybe gold coins and precious stones come to mind, but it doesn't end there. You can start in your own attic to see what treasures you find.
>