Where To Sell Wax Art

As with any merchandise, the best place to sell it is wherever you find customers. I have listed some ideas here to get you started. These have been proven to have good potential for wax art sales

Shows And Fairs
This category is probably the best possible outlet for wax art. This would include county and state fairs, street fairs, craft shows, craft fairs and any similar venue. These are usually outdoors and outdoor shows will generally produce more sales so this is a great market to target. Indoor shows can be good, but generally get substantially less traffic without a substantially lower booth fee

As a general guideline, always try to do the biggest shows possible. You will sell a lot more at a show with an attendance of 40,000 than at a show with 4,000 people You can expect to pay higher booth fees at bigger shows, but usually you will sell a lot more. Keep in mind that your labor cost (yes, your time is worth money) will be the same either way, so why not maximize sales for the time spent.

Flea Market/Swap Meet
This could be classified with shows and fairs with one big exception - people go to flea markets expecting to haggle over price. Personally, I don't enjoy haggling and find people offering me less money for something than I paid for it somewhat offensive. So I do never do any shows that are flea markets or associated with flea markets (as in Craft Fair and Flea Market). If you don't mind the haggling, some flea markets have the potential to produce big sales.

In Store Display
I have seen several stores try to market a make your own candle section in their existing store. This may do better in a candle shop than in other types of stores, however I have never seen anyone actually stop to make their own candle in this type of setup. Although some locations (such as tourist areas) might do well with this type of setup, most probably won't. You'll have to decide this for yourself.

Birthday Parties
The past decade or so has seen a big rise in popularity of professionally hosted children's parties. As a parent I understand the attraction - no work, no mess, no cleanup, Just have a good time and leave all that for someone else to take care of. Basically this has given rise to a fairly new industry - party planners for kid's parties. Some businesses specialize in this, offering a variety of party types. Other businesses offer parties in their specialty only - such as ice skating, bowling, bakeries, arcades, laser tag, plaster craft, etc

The popularity of this leads to several possibilities. If you own a business specializing in craft parties, wax art is a potential candidate for one type of party. If you own a candle store and have a spare room that could be decorated up nice, this has great potential as a new revenue source Even if you don't have a storefront, there is some potential for doing the wax art portion of a party m people's homes (more on this later).

The major pitfall to all this is having to work with kids. If you don't have a lot of patience or don't like to be around kids this is not your best option.

Customers that book a party expect things to go smoothly - after all that's why they are paying a professional (you). It's vital that you plan everything out, are well prepared, and act professionally at all times. Don't just plan for everything going smoothly - you must have contingency plans in case things go wrong. Sit down and make a list of every possible thing that could go wrong - and how you will deal with it.

Remember that a successful party with lots of happy children and parents will often result in multiple bookings for more parties

On Location
As mentioned previously there is some market for doing wax art on location. This could be as simple as providing the entertainment for children's parties, or a larger operation entertainmg corporate spouses during a convention.

Another on location possibility is fund rising. Many non profit organizations host bazaars and other events to raise funds. Although some actually offer booth space to vendors for a fee (treat these like craft fairs). Some don't allow outside vendors, but may be interested in a partnership. Basically you would kick back a portion of the sales in exchange for booth space. Sometimes these organizations will even provide free help working the booth with you.

Summary
With the ideas explored in this chapter you should by now have formed some idea of how you plan to market your wax art. These are some of the most popular marketing methods, but don't stop there - you may come up with a new and unique approach that will do even better.

Overall I have to say that the show / fair booth is the best way. I have seen to market wax art, and most people that market it this way do well. Read more.

Candle Making Safety

Although not overly hazardous, working with heat and wax can be dangerous if you don't observe basic safety precautions. Failure to follow the safety rules may result in serious inury to yourself, or others, and property damage as well. If basic safety precautions are taken, fire should not be a common problem, but you should be prepared anyway
• NEVER leave melting wax unattended Not even m a double boiler Not ever
• NEVER overheat wax. It will spontaneously combust when it reaches the flash point (about 375 degrees F). Do not heat above 212 degrees F (such as m a double boiler). If using a torch, always keep it moving to prevent overheating the wax. The fumes from overheated wax can cause severe illness - in case of an accident evacuate the area and ventilate it
• ALWAYS keep wax away from open flames - it is flammable
• ALWAYS use a thermometer It is essential for safety that you always be aware of the wax temperature
• ALWAYS use a double boiler temperatures up to 200 degrees F can be achieved this way. You do not need to make the wax any hotter than that If you don't have a commercial double boiler, use an old pot for the water and a smaller pot inside it to melt the wax in
• NEVER put water on a wax fire. Wax is essentially oil, and water may splatter the flaming wax
• ALWAYS keep a pot lid, and a dry chemical (ABC Type) fire extinguisher handy when heating wax. Use the pot lid to smother tiny fires m the melting container. A fire extinguisher is useful if you set the curtains on fire, or have some other major accident These items should be kept outside of any area that may be affected by fire but still within easy access

A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU CAN OWN IF YOU ARE MELTING WAX

• Wear loose clothing. If you are wearing tight clothes and wax splashes you it will be in immediate skin contact. If wax gets on your skin, run it under cold water immediately - then peel off the wax
• Don't pour wax down the drain unless you want an expensive visit from your plumber
• NEVER let candle making get so routine that you get careless

Following these safety rules and taking precautions against fire will help you relax and enjoy your candle making even more

THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF CANDLE MAKING EQUIPMENT YOU CAN OWN IS AN ABC TYPE,DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
Read more.

Candle Burning Safety

Every candle you sell or give away should be accompanied by an instruction sheet. Here is a sample, however feel free to modify it as you desire. If you want to generate repeat business, add contact information at the end.

Burning Safety
• NEVER LEAVE A BURNING CANDLE UNATTENDED!
• Always burn candles on a heat resistant surface. Candle glass may become hot and damage furniture. A good heat resistant surface can be made from a ceramic tile (cover bottom with felt to protect furniture, or an old dinner plate
• Keep all burning candles away from children and pets
• Position candles away from flammable objects
• Do not bum candles to the very bottom

Burning Tips
The following burning tips will help you get the most out of your candles
• Always keep the wick trimmed to 1/4 inch (6 cm)
• If a candle bums unevenly it is m a draft Rotate the candle 90 degrees periodically to keep burning uniform, or move it to another location
• Candle should be burned a minimum of 1 hour for each inch of diameter. This allows the wax pool to cover the entire surface, improves scent throw, and extends the burning time
Read more.

Pouring Technique

This technique is simple and fast to use and seal the top of the candle well. The biggest drawback is the preparation involved if you are doing this from a booth. If you are doing it at home or in the shop it is much simpler.

Benefits:
1. Quick and easy
2. Requires little or no practice

Drawbacks
1. Not easily portable - require substantial equipment if doing this in public

Materials
1. Fire extinguisher - you must have a dry chemical fire extinguisher (ABC type) if you are using this technique
2. Double boiler setup - this can be either a commercial double boiler or just a pot set inside another pot. The pot used to hold the wax should have a handle and pour spout for convenience.
3. Heat Source - a stove or hot plate. if electricity not available, then a propane camp stove may be used
4. Thermometer - you must monitor wax temperature
5. Water source - you must have enough water to maintain pot of boiling water for the duration of the fair
6. Protected area - you must have a way of isolating customer from hot wax, stoves, pots, etc...this must also be stable as it as hazardous if knocked over
7. Paraffin wax - this can be some of your granulated wax, or less expensive pure paraffin wax

Do not try this technique without reading the safety instruction.

Step 1
Prepare the double boiler - put several inches of water in the outer (larger) pot. Place on heat source. Add wax to the inner (smaller) pot and place inside the outer pot. This will not be usable for food again, so don't use your good cookware.













IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES
Never place a pot of wax on direct heat! Never let all the water boil off - check it often!

Step 2
Place the thermometer in the wax pot. Try to regulate the heat so that the wax stay at about 150 - 160 degrees F. Pouring it too hot will cause it to soak in too much. Pouring too cool will prevent it from flowing properly. It may necessary to adjust the wax temperature depending on the ambient temperature. On hot days you can pour a bit cooler, on cold days you may need to pour a bit hotter.








Step 3
Once the wax is melted pour it across the top of the candle allowing it to flow to all edges.












IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES
Use caution when handling hot wax!

Step 4
Allow the wax to cool and the candle is complete












IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES
Never let the customer handle the candle until the wax has cooled! Read more.

Torching Technique

This technique takes a bit of practice to get the hang of, but it seals the top of the candle well. It is substantially more dangerous than plastic wrapping and you have the portion off the work area so customers don't get hurt. Torching may be done with either the propane torch or heat gun. Both are available in most hardware or building supplies store.

Propane Torch
Commonly used by plumbers to "sweat" copper pipe. Available in self igniting models (recommended).

Benefits:
1. If you have any showmanship skills at all this can attract customers to your booth
2. Highly portable - does not require electricity

Drawbacks
1. Requires the use of an open flame
2. Requires practice to use it safely

Heat Gun
Used most commonly for stripping paint and wallpaper.

Benefits:
1. Easier for beginner to control
2. Does not have an open flame (the nozzle still get hot enough to burn though)

Drawbacks
1. Requires use (availability) of electricity
2. Takes longer to heat up

Do not try this technique without reading the safety instruction.

Step 1
The wick must be protected. This is most easily done by wrapping a small piece of aluminum foil around the wick. Failure to protect the wick may result in the wick being charred or actually igniting.












Step 2
Play the flame or heat across the surface of the candle. It must be kept moving at all times to prevent overheating the wax. Continue until all surface is liquid, then remove the foil and allow to cool. This take substantial amount of practice, so don't try it for the first time at a show - get the hang of it beforehand.











Step 3
The complete candle.












Read more.

Plastic Warp Technique

This is by far fastest, easiest, and safest method of top sealing, and my personal favorite. Although it doesn't have as nice a finished appearance as the other techniques, it works well and i have used it on hundreds of youth group as well as several thousand sold at craft and street fairs. this method also best used when the candle will not undergo any rough handling (such as shaking).

The only materials needed are plastic cling wrap (from any supermarket), and some rubber band.

Step 1
Make sure the container is completely filled to the top edge. This will help prevent the design from shifting around and looking messy.

Step 2
Bend the wick over so it lays flat against the wax. This will allow us to position the plastic wrap as tight as possible without puncturing it. Note how the granulated wax is filled to the very top edge - this is vital when using this technique.












Step 3
Place a piece plastic wrap over the top and bring it down the sides. Make it as tight as possible.












Step 4
Position the rubber band to hold the plastic wrap tightly in place. NOTE: narrow rubber bands are useless for this so you should use rubber bands that are at least 1/4 inch (7 mm) wide.











Read more

Top Sealing

As you may noticed, the candle you've just made has loose wax granules. This is not a problem if you plan to burn it in the place where you made it, but what if you plan to give it, sell it, or otherwise to transport it.

The solution is to seal at the top. This is actually the hardest part although depending on the technique choosen it is still not to difficult. There are three common top sealing methods which will be covered in detail in this site.
1. Plastic warp
2. Torching
3. Pouring
Read more.