What has been Going On

It has been almost a month since I have posted something about Betty's Only. Honestly, things are still the same. I have been getting orders for specific candles for various occasions, but no sales on Etsy. I haven't been to the consignment store due to being out of town. So the status of that endeavor I don't know. While out of town someone contacted me from Miami about putting some candles on consignment in his families liquor store. That seems to be very interesting. I am unaware of how he found out about my company. That really doesn't matter, just getting the word out about Betty's Only is what I want to do. I did respond to him, but now I am waiting to hear back. If I don't hear from him by Monday I will give him a call. With going out of town, I enjoyed myself to the max, but it did throw things off financially. I have to get it together.

As for Etsy, I haven't updated it in a while well over 2 months I think. I can say that I do have a problem and that is sticking to something anything. My attention span sometimes is as long as a grain of rice. For real, but at least I know that about myself.

Since I have the candles of consignment I have few candles available at home. I have to complete a couple of candles today and I will make more and update my Etsy. It is crazy, reading my previous posts. There are things I said I would do and haven't. All I can say about that is life happens. I must make the most out of it and do the best I can with what I am given. Still strive to achieve more.

More Candles on Consignment

I put more candles on consignment and none have sold. The place is a little warm and one of the candles melted a little. The set up was changed. The jars on the top and I organized the candles by category. The owner said that it has been slow lately, I guess this is due to the economy. I am just proud that I have candles on display for the public to see. Things will pick up, but when, I guess when I believe in myself and my company.

Candles on Consignment

I haven't been here in a long time and it's not due to giving up, but not having anything exciting to post about and having strept throat. I am much better now, but before the sickness got really bad, I contacted a consignment store and there was going to be an opening soon (actually the middle of July). The owner said that if that person moved out sooner she would give me a call. Sooner ending up being the very next day. I was very exciting about being able to display my candles in a public arena. Now, I have candles for sale in the store. It costs $60.00 a month and the money for the store comes out of the sales. That is good, the contract is for 6 months, but if I am not doing well or interested anymore I can give her a months notice and terminate my contract. I haven't been up there or made any candles due to being sick. I am going to start making more candles tomorrow since I feel much better. That was a break through for me. I was so elated. Another step for Betty's Only.

How to Make a Log Candle

Thanks Ms. Gilbert for the support and help!

Materials Needed:
Wax, Mold, Double Burner, Wick, Wax Pourer
All items can be substitued with items you have in the home.

The double burner is used to melt the wax. The wax is in the pourer. Water is in the burner. The stove is turned on low. (I use a hotplate because it is somewhat messy.) The water boils and it slowly melts the wax that is in the pourer. When the wax has become liquid put the dye and fragrance in. Make sure you stir to combine the wax, dye, and fragrance.

Get a mold. It can be a long plastic container.

Next, I have pre-made wicks, place them in the container. You can use a little oil to rub on the mold so the candle will not stick when it has cooled.

When the wax has melted, you can add fragrance and color to the wax. Let the wax cool some. Now, pour the wax in the mold.

If you want you can add different layers of wax. I let the first layer cool then I added another layer. This is done to not let the wick faint or fall into the liquid wax. I added three layers of wax, each one a different color and fragrance.

This is the wax cooling within the mold. The wax actually cools from the outside in. You can see the wax gets lighter as it cools.

This is the final result.

These directions should help in making a candle. I really had fun with this assignment. I know I said I will make a movie and I will I just have to build up my confidence.

Someone told me today that I write like I talk. That's curious, but on a lighter note. I have a few candles to make for some friends. I have given candles to some for gifts. I quickly got another order from the gift giving. When I complete the orders for friends I will upload the photos.

I am just going to enjoy the journey. Did I tell you I have a MySpace account? For those that know me, this is a trip. My address is www.myspace.com/bettysonly see what I have to say.

How Can I Sale My Candles?

I have over $300 in candles and I don't know a quick way to sell them. Some I have had for a while and others where just made a few days ago. I am somewhat at wits end. I have uploaded more and more to Etsy, but still now orders. I have been added as others favorites on Etsy. This is a step in the right direction. The people that add me as their favorite will likely purchase from me.

I have been taking pictures and working on that. I have also been searching candle, candle blogs, and candle making websites. Some have not been updated for a few years and others are building daily. I think taht I am not good with this tag thing. On stumble upon someone else other then me liked one of my sites. That is great! I also stumbled candle sites. I looked around to see what they had to offer. Actually, I am learning much about the industry. It takes money to make money and I am almost there. Think of where I see myself and build toward that goal.

This journey will be fun. I forgot that I got a myspace page. What is that about?

If you can give me some ideas to sell my products to the public please let me know! Actually, I may need more candles and candle accessories. I thought about Christmas in July. Let's see about that!

Betty's Only Collage

The Road to Success

The road to success seems to be hard and somewhat discouraging. I have been trying and honestly I have, but it seems to no reason. Still no sales on Etsy. The time has passed because I have complete all of the orders that I had to make. I take that back, I have to make some candles for a friends home. The colors are white, orange, and brown. I have to get on those ASAP. I want to sell to people that don't know me, don't get me wrong because selling candles to anyone is always great, but to sell to those that don't know you is a horse of a different color. I don't want to sound desperate, but I want this thing to take off and I know I have to put forth the effort, but what will it take? It seems daily I put forth an effort and it doesn't amount to anything. Something is all I ask for, that is all.

Yesterday, I was filmed making a candle. I thought that I didn't record me, the sound actually played once it was uploaded to the computer. The video was crazy, the materials that I use daily I couldn't recall the names of them. It made since, but I could see the mistakes on my face. Everyone is not for video and I think I may be one of those. What I will do is make a script and go through the motion of making a candle. I will upload that and then there will be a face to Betty's Only. I am somewhat apprehensive about that, but that is one of the necessary things. I may not be ready, but at least that we people can see that this is for real and not someone trying to get over on others. I am a young lady promoting her candle business. The funny thing about that is it has been in existence for a long time and now I am just getting in the swing of building and getting the name out to others.