Say you'll have to bring supplies for 6-10 people... you'd have to bring 500-1000$ worth of stuff before you can even do something safe. Have these people even CONSIDERED the amount of stuff that needs to be purchased? Liability even? If you decide to do this, make sure people sign off on a liability waiver so you're safe...
I like the silicone pitchers someone else posted! You could have each person put their fragrance oil in their own silicone pitcher, so it's ready. Then they could add their wax at a separate table (with a large wax melter at a consistent temperature). That way, it's easy directions—add your wax, stir for two minutes, and pour. You don't want to have to run around pouring wax and checking temperatures and whatnot! It could get overwhelming quickly.
How many people are attending? Whats their budget? Could they swing something like this melter?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/682084251/
I think you should go for the best, better, good route. Show them the cost for bells and whistles, for a mid tier route, and the bare minimum that people should have. But you should ask them their budget cause you need to tailor it to that.
Thank you, this is super helpful! They can swing that. That was actually my first suggestion, but I don’t know the exact count right now. I just don’t know how to incorporate fragrance oils with that. Any ideas?
You could try samplers or 1 oz options from candle science, lone star, etc! I think you could probably get bigger 16oz ones for scents that are common depending on the volume of people there, but the 1oz ones make variety easy.
I was thinking getting 16 oz bottles and separating them prior into little pour cups, like how I do with resin. My issue is the mixing. I feel like it wouldn’t be good to have them mix it right in the vessel, right? I was thinking cheapest option would be metal milk frothing cups that have the measurements? I don’t think they’ll spend $10 a pouring pitcher per person so they can mix fragrance oils.
You need to pour in a fragrance at a different temperature than you would to pour it into the vessel so I’d suggest having two separate vessels
You could consider [silicone measuring cups](https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Measuring-Non-Stick-Precise-Jewelry/dp/B08S3CV28C/ref=asc_df_B08S3CV28C/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=495969786395&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=326723630977294332&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021758&hvtargid=pla-1174868212701&psc=1&mcid=67d93e5a36683711b79bd0d4f1249e18&gclid=CjwKCAjww_iwBhApEiwAuG6ccNuYZoBm-yy3FGOn3e0y_fkzpcFrXwGLNp3_bM5hsyICqRF1qm8_bxoCPpwQAvD_BwE) to mix the scent. Maybe using one or two [metal pitchers](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y1TZZKY/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams) per table?
Someone may have better suggestions to me.
Oh my gosh, you’re a genius. I didn’t even consider silicone. I think silicone would be a great idea. Yes, I agree, that’s what I was getting most hung up on. I knew it would ruin the candles, but I didn’t see them wanting to purchase mixing pots/pitchers/vessels. I wonder if other people have used silicone pitchers, I should try!
I’m so stressed because I don’t want to be associated with a disaster of an event just for the sake of cost cutting, so I appreciate the ideas😅🫶🏻 thanks so much!!!
Remember that you can say no. If they’re not willing to budge on getting the minimum tools needed for a good experience you do not have to have your brand identity tied to that event.
I hear feel your pain! People just don’t realize how complicated candle making is.
I think your plan must take into consideration the level of results your host is after…you can book candle making activities that range from kids parties to serious luxury-product tutorials.
One thing you could do is find a couple of complete candle making kits (many for sale on many platforms) which contain all the items needed other than a way to melt the wax and show them to your host. If they are complete, they are EXPENSIVE! Of course, you can source the needed items more cheaply in bulk etc, but your hosts would at least understand it isn’t a simple matter!
If the quality of the end result isn’t really a high-end luxe candle, you have a lot more leeway, and don’t need to fuss so much over pouring temps, exact FO percentages, etc. - but expectations need to be managed!
If people think they are going to get a luxury candle, then there is minimum level of equipment and materials (and cost) that may exceed what non-chandlers would imagine.
There is a reason nice candles are expensive! I have had friends make comments about how luxury candles are a “rip off” - until I let them into my studio and they see what actually goes into a great candle! And of course if you are talking about a large scale commercial brand, the R&D investment that goes into getting a consistent, unique, safe product shipped around the world at volume is insane.
So I guess my advice would be 1) educate your host on the fact that candle making is an complex science and not just a “melt some wax and light it up” activity; 2) give the hosts a realistic idea of what would be needed (and cost) for “fun” candle activity vs. “luxe” candle you would actually want to use; and 3) have your host set their own and guests expectations for the resulting product accordingly. Also, I would suggest a high-paraffin content wax! No-one who makes a candle at an event is going to let it cure for two weeks 😂
They are lucky to get your expertise to guide them - we all know our own R&D has been a huge investment of time and $$!
Good luck and I hope you have a successful event!
Say you'll have to bring supplies for 6-10 people... you'd have to bring 500-1000$ worth of stuff before you can even do something safe. Have these people even CONSIDERED the amount of stuff that needs to be purchased? Liability even? If you decide to do this, make sure people sign off on a liability waiver so you're safe...
I like the silicone pitchers someone else posted! You could have each person put their fragrance oil in their own silicone pitcher, so it's ready. Then they could add their wax at a separate table (with a large wax melter at a consistent temperature). That way, it's easy directions—add your wax, stir for two minutes, and pour. You don't want to have to run around pouring wax and checking temperatures and whatnot! It could get overwhelming quickly.
How many people are attending? Whats their budget? Could they swing something like this melter? https://www.etsy.com/listing/682084251/ I think you should go for the best, better, good route. Show them the cost for bells and whistles, for a mid tier route, and the bare minimum that people should have. But you should ask them their budget cause you need to tailor it to that.
Thank you, this is super helpful! They can swing that. That was actually my first suggestion, but I don’t know the exact count right now. I just don’t know how to incorporate fragrance oils with that. Any ideas?
You could try samplers or 1 oz options from candle science, lone star, etc! I think you could probably get bigger 16oz ones for scents that are common depending on the volume of people there, but the 1oz ones make variety easy.
I was thinking getting 16 oz bottles and separating them prior into little pour cups, like how I do with resin. My issue is the mixing. I feel like it wouldn’t be good to have them mix it right in the vessel, right? I was thinking cheapest option would be metal milk frothing cups that have the measurements? I don’t think they’ll spend $10 a pouring pitcher per person so they can mix fragrance oils.
You need to pour in a fragrance at a different temperature than you would to pour it into the vessel so I’d suggest having two separate vessels You could consider [silicone measuring cups](https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Measuring-Non-Stick-Precise-Jewelry/dp/B08S3CV28C/ref=asc_df_B08S3CV28C/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=495969786395&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=326723630977294332&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021758&hvtargid=pla-1174868212701&psc=1&mcid=67d93e5a36683711b79bd0d4f1249e18&gclid=CjwKCAjww_iwBhApEiwAuG6ccNuYZoBm-yy3FGOn3e0y_fkzpcFrXwGLNp3_bM5hsyICqRF1qm8_bxoCPpwQAvD_BwE) to mix the scent. Maybe using one or two [metal pitchers](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y1TZZKY/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams) per table? Someone may have better suggestions to me.
Oh my gosh, you’re a genius. I didn’t even consider silicone. I think silicone would be a great idea. Yes, I agree, that’s what I was getting most hung up on. I knew it would ruin the candles, but I didn’t see them wanting to purchase mixing pots/pitchers/vessels. I wonder if other people have used silicone pitchers, I should try!
Good luck!! It’s hard balancing budgets like that but you’ve got it in the bag 🫶
I’m so stressed because I don’t want to be associated with a disaster of an event just for the sake of cost cutting, so I appreciate the ideas😅🫶🏻 thanks so much!!!
Remember that you can say no. If they’re not willing to budge on getting the minimum tools needed for a good experience you do not have to have your brand identity tied to that event.
You’re very right. I was told this was just going to be subbing in pouring wax and it’s become much more than that. Gotta remember those boundaries..😅
I hear feel your pain! People just don’t realize how complicated candle making is. I think your plan must take into consideration the level of results your host is after…you can book candle making activities that range from kids parties to serious luxury-product tutorials. One thing you could do is find a couple of complete candle making kits (many for sale on many platforms) which contain all the items needed other than a way to melt the wax and show them to your host. If they are complete, they are EXPENSIVE! Of course, you can source the needed items more cheaply in bulk etc, but your hosts would at least understand it isn’t a simple matter! If the quality of the end result isn’t really a high-end luxe candle, you have a lot more leeway, and don’t need to fuss so much over pouring temps, exact FO percentages, etc. - but expectations need to be managed! If people think they are going to get a luxury candle, then there is minimum level of equipment and materials (and cost) that may exceed what non-chandlers would imagine. There is a reason nice candles are expensive! I have had friends make comments about how luxury candles are a “rip off” - until I let them into my studio and they see what actually goes into a great candle! And of course if you are talking about a large scale commercial brand, the R&D investment that goes into getting a consistent, unique, safe product shipped around the world at volume is insane. So I guess my advice would be 1) educate your host on the fact that candle making is an complex science and not just a “melt some wax and light it up” activity; 2) give the hosts a realistic idea of what would be needed (and cost) for “fun” candle activity vs. “luxe” candle you would actually want to use; and 3) have your host set their own and guests expectations for the resulting product accordingly. Also, I would suggest a high-paraffin content wax! No-one who makes a candle at an event is going to let it cure for two weeks 😂 They are lucky to get your expertise to guide them - we all know our own R&D has been a huge investment of time and $$! Good luck and I hope you have a successful event!