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This would be a great question to follow up sales with, Masontx. Shortly after (within a week) of successful delivery, follow up the sale with a personalized e-mail. I would say something down-to-earth like, "I'd like to offer more items for sale in my store, if these were offered, might you be interested in x, y, z?" Where the variables describe a few sample products.
Homemade soap and soy candles makes me think of handmade gifts.
I might suggest that you create reasonably priced gift baskets. Many e-commerce enabled retailers are currently working on preparing their Christmas offerings and gift baskets that combine unique and interesting gifts in attractive packages (like nice baskets or boxes) do well.
Many Spring craft sales and Farmers Markets are underway in many parts of North America. I would visit as many of these shows and make some good connections with people who provide interesting and unique gifts. Reselling their wears online is usually easy when you have a growing audience either in an online or offline store.
Specifically, these items pop into mind:
Novelty matches and lighters
Handmade candle holders
(wall mounted, floor mounted, table mounted)
Complete table settings
(napkins, napkin rings, place mats, table cloth, candles, etc)
Bath products
(Candles and baths go together - there are a range or products in this category)
Escents products
(The sticks, holders, etc)
Aroma Thearapy products
(Oils, jars, etc)
Hand made paper
(Popular, generic and easy to store / ship)
Soy candles that don't require a flame
(I saw these at a craft show a couple of weeks ago - basically, toss an LED light in the middle of the candle and another on top)
Soap Dishes
(Clay or ceramic dishes to hold your soaps)
Handmade, environmentally friendly jewelry cleaner
(Most folks who are into handmade soaps and candles also like unique jewelry. Also, most craft shows have large jewelry stands).
I could keep going if you don't see anything here that strikes your fancy... just let me know that you need more!
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What is the theme of your store?
Are soaps and candles your only inventory so far?
Do you want to go with skin care items, or home decorations?
If you give me a little background, I'd love to do some research and help you out!
http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.61842913.jpg
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(contact me if they interest you)
2. Bath Products - You have the soap, you have the candles, now you need some bath oils and fizzes. Maybe even some bubblebath.
http://www.bathbybettijo.com/wholesaleinfo.php
http://www.wholesalebathproducts.com/
3. Linens, Pillows, and Such - Make a great gift basket out of some soaps, candles, and homemade towels, lap blankets, or throw pillows. Even unique pillow cases could be big!
4. Candle Holders & Soap Dishes - accessories for your great products! Why not give them one-stop shopping?
http://cottonblossomcrafts.com/
http://www.burtonandburton.com/wholesale/wholesale-candle-holders.asp
Or best yet - just browse this FAIR TRADE wholesale website. Just about everything there is a well-crafted, beautiful design for the home that would compliment candles and soaps very nicely!
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Oh, and don't forget impulse sales. Even though I'm not one to buy anything more expensive than a candy bar without giving it some thought first (I'm a tightwad - what can I say?), I know that impulse buys make a big difference in your profit margin. Get some really-good chocolate in your store, because you're probably catering primarily to women with the candles and soap, right? Probably. Though not every woman adores chocolate, getting some really-good stuff by the cash register is going to attract attention, and make some sales.
You might also try working with local artists. People in your area are probably making all sorts of neat things, from hand-made greeting cards to big-ticket items like rocking chairs. I don't know if you would move too many rocking chairs, but the "smaller" items could really move. Working with the local artists wouldn't get you a huge-volume deal, because they probably can't produce enough greeting cards to fill, say, a Walmart, but you can still get wholesale pricing on their items.
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Phenominal Soy Candles
A hot item in my boutique, they literally fly out the door!
Everyone loves them including me
Highly Scented
All Natural
Here is their info if interested
www.soyaromas.com
Source(s):
http://www.soyaromas.com
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Answered Question
M$2
May 26, 2009 02:21 PM
Looking for new items for my store that will complement homemade soap and soy candles. Any suggestions! Thanks.
I am looking for items to add to my store, I need to be able to get them wholesale. I have a sales tax #. I have already ordered handmade soap and a goat milk soap. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.
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| May 26, 2009 02:38 PM |
Homemade soap and soy candles makes me think of handmade gifts.
I might suggest that you create reasonably priced gift baskets. Many e-commerce enabled retailers are currently working on preparing their Christmas offerings and gift baskets that combine unique and interesting gifts in attractive packages (like nice baskets or boxes) do well.
Many Spring craft sales and Farmers Markets are underway in many parts of North America. I would visit as many of these shows and make some good connections with people who provide interesting and unique gifts. Reselling their wears online is usually easy when you have a growing audience either in an online or offline store.
Specifically, these items pop into mind:
Novelty matches and lighters
Handmade candle holders
(wall mounted, floor mounted, table mounted)
Complete table settings
(napkins, napkin rings, place mats, table cloth, candles, etc)
Bath products
(Candles and baths go together - there are a range or products in this category)
Escents products
(The sticks, holders, etc)
Aroma Thearapy products
(Oils, jars, etc)
Hand made paper
(Popular, generic and easy to store / ship)
Soy candles that don't require a flame
(I saw these at a craft show a couple of weeks ago - basically, toss an LED light in the middle of the candle and another on top)
Soap Dishes
(Clay or ceramic dishes to hold your soaps)
Handmade, environmentally friendly jewelry cleaner
(Most folks who are into handmade soaps and candles also like unique jewelry. Also, most craft shows have large jewelry stands).
I could keep going if you don't see anything here that strikes your fancy... just let me know that you need more!
| Asker's Rating: |
• Thanks for all of the excellent feedback, I will be using it. I appreciate the time and effort you put in your answer. "Kudos"!
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Other Answers (4)
May 26, 2009 02:41 PM
Hi Masontx! What is the theme of your store?
Are soaps and candles your only inventory so far?
Do you want to go with skin care items, or home decorations?
If you give me a little background, I'd love to do some research and help you out!
Permalink | Report
Reply
May 26, 2009 05:01 PM
Hi, I actually rent a space in a Emporium, it has from old to new stuff in the store. I have a separate space I have artisan made jewelry. I have just rented this space and so far the only things I have order are handmade soap. I am wanted to get soy candles and would like to have items that I could make a basket with. Also thinking about bath salts. Just really don't know what people are into these days! But I am open to anything. My daughter-in-law share a booth with me and she has the mosaic like crosses that she sells. Thanks for your help.
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May 26, 2009 02:41 PM
1. Dream Pillows - I'm partial because I run a dream pillow business and make them by hand. They are little cloth sacks filled with herbs. You place the pillows inside your pillowcase at night, and different herb combinations can help you sleep, or give you better dreams (depending on the blend). It's homemade, earthy, and unique! (contact me if they interest you)
2. Bath Products - You have the soap, you have the candles, now you need some bath oils and fizzes. Maybe even some bubblebath.
http://www.bathbybettijo.com/wholesaleinfo.php
http://www.wholesalebathproducts.com/
3. Linens, Pillows, and Such - Make a great gift basket out of some soaps, candles, and homemade towels, lap blankets, or throw pillows. Even unique pillow cases could be big!
4. Candle Holders & Soap Dishes - accessories for your great products! Why not give them one-stop shopping?
http://cottonblossomcrafts.com/
http://www.burtonandburton.com/wholesale/wholesale-candle-holders.asp
Or best yet - just browse this FAIR TRADE wholesale website. Just about everything there is a well-crafted, beautiful design for the home that would compliment candles and soaps very nicely!
Permalink | Report
Reply
May 26, 2009 02:49 PM
Can you get your hands on some bath salts? Those, I think, would go very well with the homemade soap. I can see people going for the soap, then adding some nice salts to their purchase - especially if, when the salts are still new to your store, you offered a small discount if they're purchased with some soap. Oh, and don't forget impulse sales. Even though I'm not one to buy anything more expensive than a candy bar without giving it some thought first (I'm a tightwad - what can I say?), I know that impulse buys make a big difference in your profit margin. Get some really-good chocolate in your store, because you're probably catering primarily to women with the candles and soap, right? Probably. Though not every woman adores chocolate, getting some really-good stuff by the cash register is going to attract attention, and make some sales.
You might also try working with local artists. People in your area are probably making all sorts of neat things, from hand-made greeting cards to big-ticket items like rocking chairs. I don't know if you would move too many rocking chairs, but the "smaller" items could really move. Working with the local artists wouldn't get you a huge-volume deal, because they probably can't produce enough greeting cards to fill, say, a Walmart, but you can still get wholesale pricing on their items.
Permalink | Report
Reply
May 26, 2009 05:07 PM
Thanks folkrockfan for you thoughts. Yes everyone loves chocolate. We use to sell these yummy cream cheese peanut candies and they did great, but I can't find the company any more. The company I order the soap from has bath salts and I am looking into that. In past I have sold gourmet foods. Thanks for the great info.
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May 27, 2009 03:02 AM
Thanks everyone for all of your info, it was great, I wish I could have picked you all.
Report
July 11, 2009 02:14 AM
Soy Aromas Fine Soy Candles presents the following: Phenominal Soy Candles
A hot item in my boutique, they literally fly out the door!
Everyone loves them including me
Highly Scented
All Natural
Here is their info if interested
www.soyaromas.com
Source(s):
http://www.soyaromas.com
Permalink | Report
Reply
July 11, 2009 02:33 AM
Hi thanks for the info, do they sell wholesale? I am unable to find that anywhere on their site. I have been looking for soy candles.
Report
July 11, 2009 03:07 PM
Yes, they sell wholesale. Someone referred me to them and I emailed them about their wholesale pricing. They don't have that info listed on their website, but you can find their email on their contact us page and email them for more info. Hope this helps.
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Here are two of my other answers that have helped people in this arena:
What is the best way to start an online business?
http://budurl.com/3pkz
What is the best way to market my hand made products online?
http://budurl.com/yjh9