The Messy Magic Behind the Scenes
Running a small handmade business means the wins are sweet—but sometimes, the chaos is real. This week, I wanted to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to test and prepare wax melts for sale. Spoiler alert: it involves lots of scents, lots of labels, and one dye spill that nearly did me in.
The Spill That Almost Broke Me
In the middle of my testing, I dropped a full dye bottle on the floor. It went everywhere. After thirty minutes of scrubbing, half a roll of paper towels, and two bottles of 70% alcohol, the floor looked fine—but my foot and cabinets didn’t. I’ll probably have to repaint the cabinets (and scrub my poor foot a few more times). That was my cue to call it a night.
Calling in the Cavalry
The next day, my grandson Easton came to the rescue. He helped bag, label, and carry everything up and down the stairs. It was such a relief—and a reminder that sometimes, running a business means asking for help. He may be young, but he’s already a pro when it comes to production day.
The Test Results Are In!
Out of over 20 wax melt tests, 13 passed with flying colors. Some I loved. Some I didn’t—but they still performed well, which means they’ll be offered for sale at upcoming craft shows and possibly on my website soon.
Here are a few that made the cut:
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Ocean Breeze (Candle Science): Great scent, though tricky to wick in candles.
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Caramel Popcorn (Candle Science): Needed a retest—turns out it's a winner!
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Midnight Amber (The Flaming Candle): Strong and complex, maybe a tad overpowering.
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Gretel’s Kiss (Black Tie Barn): Passed, though I’m not a fan of the licorice note.
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The Quiet Cedar (formerly Sacred Fog): A soft, relaxing scent—and a name I love. Thanks, ChatGPT!
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Velvet Brew vs. Butterscotch Brew (Black Tie Barn): Velvet Brew won me over once it was melting. Butterscotch needs a bit more punch.
My favorite part? Watching some scents surprise me. What smells meh in the bottle can transform when melted.
A Word About Packaging
I also debated switching to smaller bags for the melts but decided to keep the taller size. They just look better and ship better that way—even if they take up a bit more space. Sometimes, function wins over minimalism.
Honest Testers Are Gold
One of my coworkers tested a lemon scent for me and absolutely raved about it. She’s my most honest tester—she even splits the melts with her mom and reports back on both opinions. That kind of feedback is priceless in this business. (My family, on the other hand? Let’s just say they’re sweet, but not the most reliable testers. 😆)
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever tried to test a new product, whether it’s a wax melt, soap, or skincare item, you know how unpredictable it can be. That’s why I’m committed to only sharing what I truly feel good about putting my name on.
Thanks for being here—and if you love hearing the behind-the-scenes stories, let me know! You can also check out the video version of this post:
💛 Tammy
Owner + Maker at Walnut Creek Bath Boutique