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rsangel64

03-18-2006, 07:29 PM

I have a fair to do on Saturday and I was going to make some wax bears. Whats the suggested price to sell these for?

I was also going to make some roses with the coconut macaroon, what would you suggest for this? Do they sell good?

What are your ideas for a successful fair?

I was going to go to Real Estate school, but I am having so much fun and success with this that I put it on the back burner for right now .

DeannaEdited by: rsangel64

Rudie0730

03-18-2006, 07:45 PM

What are the best bears to use for these? Do you need to have any talent in order to paint the bear correctly? I tend not to be crafty but I want a bear.

Ruth

rsangel64

03-18-2006, 07:53 PM

From what Ive read so far, you just dunk. I may be wrong but this is all new to me too. I am looking for different ways to use the candles.

Deanna

snap21

03-18-2006, 08:25 PM

Been researching this also. I googled and got instructions and what people charged. I saw as high as 25- 30. I saw a bunny for $10 at a flea market done with Strawberry jam.He was soooo cute and smelled soooo good. Decided I had better make my own with our candles.

As I posted on my hello thread I did my first show today. People here bought the roses over plain votives. I plan on making more roses. Didn't seem to matter the scent. Everyone thought they were cute and wanted them.

rsangel64

03-19-2006, 03:45 AM

Thanks, was it hard to make the roses?

Deanna

ezhobby

03-19-2006, 06:15 AM

Please excuse my ignorance (once again!) but what exactly are you dunking to make these bears and bunnies? Obviously they aren't plush animals, so what do you use?

When I first heard about these scented animals, I assumed that meant you took a plush animal and put it in a plastic bag with grated candle so it absorbed the scent - which sounds like a good idea in itself. Has anyone tried this with plush animals?

And please do tell, how do you make the roses and what did you sell them for when they went over so well?

Just full of questions today and I've only just poured my first cup of coffee!

Blessings,

Vicki

Health4Mom

03-19-2006, 06:18 AM

Hi guys!! The best bears to use are ones with the longer hair. Price depends on the size of the bear you use. I would mark up to at least a 50% profit.

The votive roses are very easy and you can buy votive rose kits here: www.consultantcorner.biz (http://www.consultantcorner.biz). It includes the precut cirlce toile, the sticks, flower tape, ribbon, leaves, and instructions.

Some people actually dunk the bears in wax and some brush it on with a paint brush. If you dunk, make sure to wring out the bear to get excess wax out. Use a fork to fluff the fur before it dries in either case. I would buy a few little cheap bears from walmart or a dollar store to practice on.

Good luck!!!

They are good sellers!!

Health4Mom

03-19-2006, 06:22 AM

Vicki, you actually melt a pot of wax and dunk the bear in completely.

Here are some instuctions for one method:
<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />[/I][/B]
Tools:[/I][/B]
· Hot plate or your kitchen stove[/I][/B]
· Small saucepan[/I][/B]
· 2 old cookie sheets & wire racks[/I][/B]
· Pastry brush[/I][/B]
· Hair pick[/I][/B]
· Mia Bella votives (1-2 for small bears; for larger bears I use 3 if Kohair, 4 if long-haired Scraggles)[/I][/B]
[/I][/B]
Method:[/I][/B]
· Remove wicks and melt votives on low heat[/I][/B]
· Set bear on wire rack on cookie sheet and begin at the head, painting on wax with pastry brush. Leave the face unwaxed.[/I][/B]
· As you work, use pick to fluff the “hair” before wax sets[/I][/B]
· Leave “hands” & “feet” unwaxed, also.[/I][/B]
· When bear is all waxed, set on other rack to set[/I][/B]
· Bears can be packaged in zip-lock bags (quart size for small bears, gallon for larger bears) or you can “gift wrap” them in cellophane[/I][/B]
[/I][/B]
Bears can be displayed in a number of ways which will draw attention at shows and home parties. You can theme your bears, add glasses, hats, etc. to fit your theme. See pictures of bear table from Mid states for ideas.[/I][/B]
[/I][/B]
The following websites are good resources for bears, but don’t forget your local Dollar Store, etc. You can wax almost any kind of plush animal![/I][/B]
[/I][/B]
http://store.yahoo.com/cuddletoyfactory/bearsforwaxing1.html will take you directly to the right page. This is my site for the little bears (6” sitting. They have very short “hair” and don’t require picking.

http://giftbasket101.com/dippingbears2.htm is my site for wholesale Scraggles (7.5” sitting). You must have a tax ID and a minimum order is required. Mixed colors only.

http://cozyhomecraftsupplies.com/plush.html is a retail site for Scraggles (7.5” sitting). No minimum order, mixed or one color.

Have fun!
[/I][/B]

 [/I][/B]

ezhobby

03-19-2006, 06:32 AM

Wow - thanks Jennifer. Boy was I out to lunch! smileys/smiley5.gif

I just find it hard to believe you are painting wax on plush animals!

How does the finished products feel? I would have thought it would feel greasy and would "crumble" when handled.

Are the animals "for display purposes only"? In other words, don't allow children to play with them?

Sorry but I am really shocked that you use plush animals! Doesn't that show how "crafty" I am?? smileys/smiley36.gif

Health4Mom

03-19-2006, 06:41 AM

Hi, no problem!! Get with it would ya!! smileys/smiley36.gif

I think it would be easier just to dunk in hot wax personally. When they dry they are not to greasy. It is just like wax drying on any surfase.

Yes, they are for looks ONLY!! You may want to include a care card with your bears that they are not for playing with and not keep near an open flame, and to keep on aprotective plate so they dont stain,etc.

The scraggles bears work best. Happy dunking!! smileys/smiley36.gif

UNcommonScents

03-19-2006, 06:56 AM

Hey everyone!

DEANNA! You are unbelievable! A new story to tell people- how your Mia
Bella business took off so well that you decided not to pursure the realtor
biz... WOW!

Anyway, I got excited there, but there is a relevant point to this post..
heh!

You all piqued my curiosity and I couldn't IMAGINE this whole wax bear
thing.. So I did some Google snooping and came up with a website that
has step-by-step instructions and also some photographs of the whole
process. Hope this will be helpful to you wax dipping bear entrepreneurs
out there!

Here are the instructions & photos:
<a href="http://www.wicks-wax-scents.com/wax-dipped-bear.html" target="_blank"> LINK
</a>

GOOD LUCK with this fun new venture!

smileys/smiley10.gifsmileys/smiley10.gifsmileys/smiley10.gif DEANNA, YOU ARE A RISING MIA BELLA STAR! smileys/smiley10.gifsmileys/smiley10.gifsmileys/smiley10.gif

Health4Mom

03-19-2006, 07:06 AM

Thanks Kitt!!

A picture there also reminded me that people do balls of yarn too. This would be good for people who love to knit. These are decoration of course!!

Hey, I think you could wax pretty much anything!! I think even my hubby would be up for it! lol smileys/smiley36.gif

UNcommonScents

03-19-2006, 07:17 AM

HEY!

Waxed ornaments (miniature knitted socks, sweaters, etc.) for Christmas
would be cool... And I just happen to be a knitting freak! Hrmm.. A new
hobby to add to the mix. Oh boy!

rsangel64

03-19-2006, 10:22 AM

Thanks Kitt, it took off so well that I decided to stay here and not move to Chicago for right now either. LOL

What a difference Mia Bella has made in my life. I have talking to everyone and everyone is so PL out for lots of different reasons. They say this is like a breath of fresh air.

Deanna

rsangel64

03-19-2006, 10:33 AM

I killed the bunny!!!!!

I tried to wax him up and he melted right in front of me!!! WAAAH!!!

Ok, gonna try again!!! Never give up!!!

Deanna

ezhobby

03-19-2006, 01:34 PM

Oh - poor bunny! smileys/smiley19.gifsmileys/smiley19.gif

Good for you for trying again!

I asked another question further back in this thread about scenting plush animals by sealing them in a plastic bag with grated candle for a few days or a week. Has anyone tried doing this instead of waxing?

snap21

03-19-2006, 11:23 PM

uncommonscents that first picture cracked me up because the poor bear looked like a drowned rat! smileys/smiley17.gif

Rsangel the votive roses are easy. There are instructions on the website under the crafter's corner. I tied on a card that has order info and care instructions.

snap21

03-19-2006, 11:30 PM

How much wax does it take to dunk them? I think that would make the scent last longer but wondering if there is wax waste vs the painting.

rsangel64

03-20-2006, 03:09 AM

I think this time I will try and paint wax,I wasted a bunny and a votive.

Deanna