Isn't it funny that when making candles, you never know what to expect?
In my business: Kats Candles, I have found that peoples tastes vary from one season to the next, and even from one year to the next. One spring my customers will be crazy over Gardenia scented candles and the next spring it will sit and collect dust. I never know what is going to be popular?
I have mentioned before that I do craft shows, and I can't possibly take with me all 100 scents that I offer, or for that matter, all the products that I have. I usually bring a lot of candles, of all shapes and sizes, but maybe only 1 of each of the off season scents. I should mention that the spaces offered at these craft shows are not exactly huge!! So space is limited, and therefore, so is what I can offer!
Inevitably, someone always wants the scents that I didn't bring, for example, if I'm doing a Christmas show, I usually bring my Christmas/fall scents, and a smattering of the other ones. But someone always wants the "honeysuckle" candle, or the "baby powder"! Now, I try and take what I think will sell, and if the following year I take the "honeysuckle" and the "baby powder" they will just sit there taking up space on my table, and I will have people asking all day for the "blueberry muffin"!!! I can't win! Maybe if I was psychic, I would have better luck predicting what the customers would want.
I am still stocking up for the "big show" in November that I mentioned in a prior post. You can read it here, and I am scratching my head trying to decide what scented candles to make, and what to leave out. I just hope I make the right decisions this year! Wish me luck, and if you have any insight....please let me know!!! :)
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About Me
- KAT
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States
- I enjoy all kinds of crafts including jewelry making, candle making, polymer clay work and beading. I have a great sense of humor and I love to laugh! I post jokes and stories here for others to enjoy. I will offer tips and hints and some awesome Top 10 lists.
Two of my personal favorites are coconut and Roasted Hazelnut. Good luck. I hope this is your best year ever!
I know for me, I love food/spice/fruit scented candles. Sometimes I will buy some that are more "fresh" scented like "summer rain", but the food/spice/fruit scented candles are my family's favorites.
Hi Kat,
I feel for you, you work so hard and nobody is ever pleased. I suggest that you make a catalog of
all the scents you can make, and if you don't have it on the table they can order it through your catalog. I hope this is helpful, and if you get alot of orders, I will be able to work at home for you.
Take Care,
Janet :)
Wow great site. I have added you to my blog!
I like flower scents all year round. Honeysuckle, jasmine, hyacinth, lilac, rose, and lavender are my favorites. I'd love a nice lemon grass candle but have never seen one. And I hate the fact that most candle makers seem to fixate on adding vanilla to every creation they make. Vanilla gives me a serious headache.
I second that catalog idea, except if I was you I'd go one step further. I'd have picture, an item description and an attached little baggie with a tiny wax tart so that the customer can smell the actual product. You could put it all in a binder and direct people to it when they ask something you don't carry.