Are you helping or hurting the candle community and your business?

[@royalladybug30]

I love helping other candle makers. What itritates the heck out of me is the tiny percentage of people posting something like " I need money, can you give me your best selling wax, fragrance, vessel and wick?" It always comes off like they are treating candle/soaps as an easy get-rich-quick buisness.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Those questions definitely come up and I always direct them to videos that give basic recipes or a website that gives a kit. If they can't take the craft seriously, I won't answer with 100% commitment.

[@georgianasalter]

​@@StandleyHandcrafted❤❤ This is A craft that takes time, dedication and practice. No easy money here. (3 months down my candle road my husband said...'I don't think this candle stuff is panning out for you, you haven't yet made a single candle you can sell.' To which I replied... 'Well, that takes time dear. A candle that looks like Rome wasnt poured in just one day' lol. Real truth, trying to make a safe quality candle is flat out expensive. And any time you change anything about your candle, doggone if you don't gotta invest in it all over again to make sure your changes are safe too. And if its not fairly costly then youre taking short cuts. And short cuts and fire do not mix.

[@NikkianneDiPaola-ro3rl]

the first thing i want to do when i figure something out is go straight to the group and tell everyone about it lol i’ve never believed in the whole “another person succeeding is going to stop me from succeeding” thing. idk, always been a “you get what you give” person. watching someone have a “ah-ha!” moment is just the best feeling for me

[@atmosphaeraaa]

well said, i definitely feel the same

[@CandleMakingCoach]

I ❤ helping other makers. When I started in this industry almost 20 yrs ago I didn’t have the luxury of these groups. I had to learn by trial & error so if I can help someone else I’m glad to do it. ❤

[@ArianeArsenault]

I couldn’t handle handmade candle demand or soap demand on my own. I definitely think helping other small makers helps the handmade community be more competitive vs the commercially made soap and candles.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

You help a ton with your channel as well!!

[@ArianeArsenault]

@@StandleyHandcrafted I do! And it makes me super happy! 🙂

[@WalnutCreekBathBoutique]

Well said Jeff! People can forget what it is like to be new to something. With the economy the way it is, it can be stressful to just keep making mistakes. Having guidance from others that know more and has more experience is one of the best parts of social media. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@dsnow1030]

Thank You! Made candles ages ago, decided to get back into it. New waxes, so after many, many, many waxes for my wax melts, trial and error, your videos, I've learned more from you than anyone else. Thank you for helping and sharing.

[@sallymoore6920]

I believe the bigger problem is those that “borrow” aka STEAL a candlemakers hard work/creativity. I experience that in a large market I do ..the other candlemaker WALKS around my booth and then TRYS TO STEALS everything from my set up to what I sell to my packaging..ANNOYING ..

[@natashapalmer9370]

I'm glad you are back making videos again. There is no one out there like you.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Thank you so much! I'm glad to be back to a regular schedule. :)

[@Elizabethsinspiredcreations]

I have no problem mentoring or helping other candle makers!

[@corgimama4988]

I’m new to candle making and have valued information gathering and insights from KZbin creators. But at the end of the day it’s the experimenting, personal trial and error and coming to my own conclusions that I think has helped me build a foundation. I think it is important to think for yourself and have your candles reflect you. If you can navigate all the challenges, roadblocks, time and effort- 🎉yippee

[@brandylucas1783]

You’re so awesome! I just joined your fb group several days ago. I hope to learn a lot. Thank you

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Welcome to the group!!

[@ExperienceKevsworld]

I have a lot to say, but I will try my best to keep it short. This video is exactly what I am researching right now. I am barely testing my first handful of candles right now and just enjoying the craft. I wouldn't mind recouping some money to keep me making them, but whatever, it's the experience I'm mostly after. I am learning a ton of little lessons right now like fragrances can eat through a small plastic container (lol). So, in regard to people's recipe's, I want to create, not copy, and I think I can do that pretty well. However, I am finding it difficult to find anything that has not been done i.e. company names, niches/themes, labels, individual candle names or fragrance descriptions, wick types, vessels, etc. Certainly, I have seen some crafty and unique aspects of all of these, but quality is hard to distinguish until you burn it. Also, how can anyone be that different when supply somewhat dictates what is made. Lastly, I started with a candle kit that I put on my Xmas wishlist after the last expensive candle I bought for my wife in November last year, was just plain crap. I figured, I can do better than that, and here I am. We just basically excepted the junk pouring out of the big-name makers (and some small ones too) because hey, they are $45, they must be good. When I get 500 made, I might try to sell one (lol). I encourage every new maker to make a quality product. Sorry for the long post, it's rare for me. Thanks for your content and the effort to make videos for us to learn and grow!

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

LOL, we've all been there finding out what holds fragrance and what doesn't :D Keep it up and you're doing it right, making and having fun for now. Once you nail it start selling finished testers to friends and family.

[@bekahqualman9701]

Love to see all the new videos coming out recently

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Thank you! I’m making a big push to keep them back and regular uploads again. 😁

[@littlegizmo2]

I believe in helping anyone. I have made candles for 26 yrs. I believe God will send me the people he wants me to sale to or help.

[@toujouramour2008]

I have 20 years of candle making in, and I totally agree with you here. I don't stress about it and let God lead the way!💜

[@Lifeofme12..]

Wow. 20+ years, how amazing. I am just starting. And I am scared as he'll.

[@rbergamo5]

I try to guide people to resources I didn't know existed and not always give the direct answer.

[@bobbiadams9296]

I appreciate all the help you’ve given. I’m with you…help if you want, ignore if you want, but just don’t be rude.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Agreed, I just don't understand the people who go out of their way to say no and make them feel bad for asking.

[@crystalduke2705]

The end of the day customers buy from you because they like the way you brand your business and they find you comfortable to purchase from. You are the reason they come back. Because they can go buy a vanilla coconut candle from just about anywhere. Probably for cheaper to. But they don't! Why? Because of you and what you yourself put into quality customer service. You take care of them make em feel like family for that brief time their shopping with you. So sharing anything with anyone doesn't hurt. Because for one thing they are the ones that have to take that info and use it or not use it. And half the time people tend to put their own spin on it anyway because it's what is natural to them and easiest. Then they have to match your customer service skills and your branding. Guess what if your doing what your supposed to they aren't gonna come even close to you. So end of the day work your business to the fullest love what you do and you will be fine.

[@zetababy79]

I always visit other candlemakers at the shows I attend. I love to share and help. It's just funny to see some of the reactions. Some are appreciative. Others think you're crazy sharing information. I do better selling squeeze melts as opposed to clamshell melts. Now the recipe for squeeze melts I don't give out. There are KZbin videos on it but so many variables affect the recommended percentages.

[@scriptedscentsandink]

It comes off that some people want others to struggle because they have struggled with candle making or that they went through the mess of figuring out what advice worked best for them. I feel people ask questions because during your research you find out that candle making isn't a cheap business startup especially when you haven't figured out your waxes, your vessels what niche you want to fulfill, so you want to find out what help them figure out their true starting point and try it out for themselves. If I can assist someone, I would do it within my ability. If I can't, I usual mind my business and scroll on because nine times out of ten, I'm using the search function to figure out if someone else went through what I'm going through and what advice they have gotten and try it out before bringing up the question.

[@wasntm3289]

What kind of metal are the solid metal vessels?

[@val-bm3so]

Hi Jeff, I love the metal vessel. Please what is the weight of a case of 24. I have a bad back and may need some help bringing them in the house 🏠 Thank you PeAcE

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

They’re about 15lbs

[@val-bm3so]

@@StandleyHandcrafted awesome I can handle that🤩

[@henhousebathco]

I’m a soap and candle maker and I’ve always lived by the rule “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Yes, there are proprietary things but I still give help. I can teach someone my exact recipe and they still won’t be able to replicate it exactly, just as I can’t replicate something myself. We all put our own spin. That said, I do draw the line at exact dupes of labels, names, tone, etc.

[@ammy1977]

There is a lady in a group I’m in and all she does is expect instant answers without testing. She wants formulas, recipes and inundates me with messages trying to get a quick answer to everything. The reason I refuse to help anymore is simply because of safety. A candle maker NEEDS to learn by testing, researching and more testing. I am NOT going to give someone a quick fix answer and have them sell a candle that explodes in someone’s house, or worse. I’m shocked at how some people are selling candles but still asking questions about basic things like wick placement. If you need to ask that, you are NOT ready to sell and I am not going to enable that. I myself have been making candles for 5 years not and only plan on launching my business at the end of 2024. It’s a lot of hard work, money, frustration and ultimately, learning from my own mistakes. Just my 2 cents ❤

[@atmosphaeraaa]

you and me both on the shocked part. i bite my tongue a lot because even i haven’t been at this for longer than a year, but i’m not even selling yet. getting close, but i’m taking the necessary precautions and enjoying the learning process as i know it will pay off in the long run. however, i’ll learn something crucial to candle making and safety and then see someone posting asking the same questions i’m learning about and they’re already selling to many customers, doing markets, etc. i’m always like shouldn’t they take a step back & really get truly educated on this before they have all that going on? the worst is when they post something extremely dangerous or concerning and in that same post they’re saying how they’re excited or something bc they’re selling tons of candles. it’s never my place to tell someone what their place should be, but i can’t like, not notice that and fear for their unknowing customers! all i’m saying is, and i think the general consensus here is in agreement, it really counts and is very rewarding to be mindful. mindful of your manners and mindful of your candlemaking progress and practices. that is all 💞

[@ammy1977]

@@atmosphaeraaa there is a lady who has a 11 year old daughter who makes and sells candles in the group. She specifically said that her daughter has no clue about what wicks to use, she just picks them at random and hopes for the best. I tried to say (as kindly as possible) that this is extremely dangerous and will get her into a lot of legal trouble down the road. She insists that it’s all good, and even said the local radio station has been promoting her daughter’s candles. Sigh. I don’t know what else I can say tbh. Lots of people thinking this is a quick and easy way to make a buck, not realising that the $1000 you make (and all your hard earned savings) can be easily taken away just like that if you find yourself caught up in a lawsuit.

[@juanwhick5589]

Do most of you use premier wicks? Or eco or htp?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

I love Premiere and HTP wicks, never been a fan of ECO.

[@juanwhick5589]

@@StandleyHandcrafted thank you. I've been struggling with for a year 😭

[@kaytee6353]

prison cafeteria mindset is a great parallel to draw!

[@Sourpatch46]

I help anyone that needs help, like you though i dont hand out my recipes to people who just "tell me step by step how you made your candle" I feel like testing and failing helps you learn the right and wrong way to do something. I will not give someone my recipes that i worked hard to get or that are proprietary to my business. I enjoy helping people find their way in the candle world as long as they're willing to put in the work.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Absolutely and that is the right way to go about it. There are 100 different ways to help without compromising your own hard work for sure

[@bobbiadams9296]

Not to mention you can give me your EXACT formula and it not work for me. There are way too many variables!

[@Sourpatch46]

@@bobbiadams9296 exactly, some people in the groups get angry when you tell them that. Almost like they think we're gate keeping.

[@natashapalmer9370]

I had someone send me a link to their KZbin video in your group. But then, they post about people asking them direct questions on their ig.

[@brianend114]

He isn't wrong. Generosity is a good thing. It only brings strength to the candle community.

[@RoseKindred]

I hate to say it, I used to help people when they asked but I fizzled out. Candles, wax melts, 3D design, 3D printing, etc. I think it was being countered on basic safety advice repeatedly that got to me.

[@amandag5072]

Facebook groups have always been pretty hostile places. Most candle making groups are filled with people who don't know what they're doing and/or give out bad advice. Sadly, most of the truly professional and experienced candle makers who teach sound knowledge and good technique, no longer teach (for whatever reason), and this knowledge is being lost.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

The amount of bad advice is really frustrating. I feel bad for new people who come in and take this advice without researching.

[@dieseephuis]

People that are not willing to help, or want to operate just for themselves - I call that a poverty/scarcity mindset.

[@ginvi1]

Let’s hope you are not shutting down your business too.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Not completely, I am getting rid of vessels and wax though. Keeping all the smaller supply items.