Sunday, February 27, 2011

Happiness is...and the Answer to the Future of Good Neighbors Candles

Linking up with Smiling Sally's Blue Monday Party.  So much fun!

 Happiness should probably not be 
quantified by what I am about to post
about.  However, there is no denying 
the happy feelings that "filled my soul"
(oooh the drama)
on Saturday as I got to refill this huge 
blue candle.


time.  So much fun challenging!!  But even as much 
fun as it was to make I had no idea if
the color or fragrance had pleased the 
customer as it had gone through my 
Amish friends who collect orders from 
their family and friends.

All sizes and shapes.  Recycled containers!

When I unloaded this box of glassware
and found it carefully wrapped and tucked
in for a refill I was so very happy.
It had just a tiny bit of wax left at the 
bottom and had burned beautifully and 
cleanly from top to bottom.

Wicking this is challenging...but better the second time around.

For my first candle of this size 
(72 ounces)
I had definitely
guessed at the wick sizes.  
Thankfully I got it right!
Experience is a good thing!!

Keeping the right lids with the right jars can be challenging...

Better yet was the phone call 
on Saturday from Rachel,
my Amish friend.
She had forgotten to tell me that the owner
of this candle wanted it to be scented just as
it had been originally. 
That was just the icing on the cake!
She said they absolutely loved this candle
and that with the three wicks it was 
like a lamp on their dining room table.
No other light was needed in the kitchen
most of the time.

Now, I have to tell you that I really have not
expected to receive any more orders from this
source.  The reason being that the last time I 
saw Rachel she told me that she was going to 
begin making candles herself.  She and a cousin
were going into business together.
I was thrilled that she was inspired to do this 
and offered any help I could give.
At the same time I was sad because I figured 
that would be the end of the orders coming
through her.  So...on Friday when the phone rang
and it was Rachel asking me to stop by and pick 
up a huge box of jars I was very pleased.

She and her cousin are still in the process of learning
how to make candles.  
I have given her some wicks 
to try....
am I crazy???
I don't care. 
I love helping others succeed.
There is room enough for both of us
in this town.  
I'll just consider myself her inspiration
and smile any time I think about it.
Yep!  
I am that vain.

Tomorrow I will cheerfully finish
filling this order.
Loving the fact that every jar is recycled, 
some for the fourth or fifth time.

It would be a shame to throw such a beautiful jar away....
I recognize them.
So fun!!

Anyway...I totally get that there
are way more important ways to find
   happiness.  
At the moment though
I am going to rejoice in the fact 
that Warren and I had a very nice
chat on Saturday and he has agreed that 
it makes sense for me to make candles 
for at least another year.

Yippee!
Thank you, honey!!

Some changes will be made around here.
Storage and organizational things....
pricing and fundraiser percentages.
Time to catch up with inflation.
If it works, it works.
If not....
well, I'll deal with it.
I will.

I promise!

21 comments:

PJ said...

I have got nothing but RAVE reviews from the neighbors who received your candles for Christmas, and I am still enjoying the extras I received with my order. I've been hoarding them so as not to use them all at once.

Theresa said...

I am so happy that you are sticking with it for another year! I love your candles and like PJ, all of my friends and family loved theirs:) Have a blessed day, HUGS!

Diane Shiffer said...

Becky, I'm so pleased that you'll be continuing with your candle business. Yours are seriously the best I've ever used... and I'm kind of a candle snob, lol. Did you decide against opening an Etsy shop? I think you might do very well there... I know that I was able to sell everything I put in my shop and pretty quickly too. My problem was that I didn't have the time to make enough headcoverings to keep my shop adequately stocked. Hopefully I'll be able to get more sewing done now that Amelia is watching the baby!
Have a wonderful day, dear friend♥

Becky K. said...

Diane,
I think now that I have the "green light" to continue...I will set up an Etsy shop. I want to take the excellent advice about packaging and making the presentation special so will take a bit to come up with these details.
Thanks for the encouragement!!
Who would have thought that one I have never met would be such a dear friend!

PJ and Theresa...You bless me so much! I am so grateful to hear that you love the things I make and that your friends do, as well.
HUGS!!

Karen said...

I'm glad you will still be making candles!

A little reassessment every so often never hurts and it's great that you and Warren were able to take the time to discuss issues that have cropped up and figure out resolutions. I know how much trouble our fundraiser was for you but you couldn't have been more accommodating and kind every step of the way. I appreciate you!

It will be exciting to see how much your business grows over the next year-especially when you don't have to fit it in around school-related stuff. I'm having a hard time imagining just exactly what I'll be doing when I finish homeschooling so I think having your candles to concentrate on might help get over that hurdle for you?

Becky K. said...

Karen...
Yours was the first long distance fundraiser I had done. I sooooo appreciate your patience as I learned some important things...like what ships well and what doesn't! Ugghhh....

I am excited about this year. In fact I think I will begin putting together a flyer for a Mother's Day fundraiser offering. With the future of Good Neighbors Candles in doubt I haven't done that yet.

Thanks for your sweet encouragement and I do believe it will be easier...especially since Warren is going to make me a melter which will make my whole process more efficient. I love my hubby!!!

Tracy said...

I know how excited you must be to get repeat orders, and have the satisfaction of a job well done. Good for you, Becky!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Becky, Congratulations...the economy being what it is, I can see your candles being a real blessing. They are so beautiful! I never really thought about what goes into making a candle...this was such an interesting post for me.
♥, Susan

Chubskulit Rose said...

Wow those recycled jars and glasses are a big help for your candle making endeavor.

SmilingSally said...

Oh Becky, I can almost smell it all the way from Tampa!

I love those blues!

Happy Blue Monday.

Maurie said...

What a fabulous attitude! To bless a competitor with your expertise and experience...how generous and what a reflection of the giving heart of God!

Miss Blogger said...

Oooh I love candles! And I would so love to learn how to make one :)

Happy Monday!

Sasha

Ann said...

Your candles look so beautiful. Its so great you use pre-owned glass.
thanks for coming by oz today, love to have new visitors.
Ann

Gypsea Nurse said...

Happy Blue~ I guess i am going to have to try your candles.. i am a pure fanatic over them..and I love that you recycle!!!
have a great week.. now let me find your link to order!!
smiles~
Cat

Turtleheart said...

Aww, I'm so glad you're still gonna make candles! High five!

ellen b. said...

How wonderful that you can re-use these great glass holders and make candles! Sounds like you know what you are doing. Happy Blue Monday!

Tracy F. said...

Lovely!

Tracy said...

Sooo HAPPY for you, Becky... and thrilled that the candle-making will continue for a good while longer! Nothing like good, pretty candles. And I really like how you use recycled glass for your candles! :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

Vee said...

This just tickles me all to pieces. I wanted to tell you before that you should continue, but had to stop myself as it is none of my beeswax, no pun intended. All the best! And just add me to your list of satisfied customers. I love the smell of my new pumpkin pie candle...it's amazing!

LV said...

I have never tried making candles. It is very obvious you enjoy it and turn out some lovely, sweet smelling ones. I am sure most anyone would enjoy having them.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

you are so very creative.

keep it up.
Smiles.