What are you canning now?

[TifsBroodyBabes]

Sandee
Your in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Chick named Lola]

I'm praying for good test results for ya!

 

[annaraven]

I found out today why I was having so much trouble getting my marmalade "up to temperature". My *candy thermometer* is off! I used it today to get the temp of some milk I was warming for yogurt and it just didn't seem right for the way the milk looked. So I pulled out another thermometer I have and found out the candy thermometer just doesn't go up far enough! Youch.

No wonder my marmalade is too thick.

 

[vfem]

I found I've bought 2 candy thermometers in the last 2 years. They don't seem to last long?

Anyways, I found these mason jars, they're going to cost me an extra $30 in shipping compared to the one's I was orginally going to buy. However, I think they look AMAZING for my product.

Should I switch jars now, or go back to what I was going to do in the first place?

http://www.jarstore.com/8-oz-Square-Mason-Jar-with-Gold-Lid_p_105.html

Here's the smooth side ones I was going to get (but from another company because they're cheaper).

http://www.jarstore.com/8-oz-Smooth-Sided-Jelly-Jar-with-Gold-Lid_p_51.html

I really am bothered that I have to pay more then $0.50 a jar! The reason I'm saying that is because I buy ball 8oz mason jars off the shelves at Walmart for $6 a case. If I can get them cheaper with no shipping, why should I order them online from 'bulk' dealers who aren't giving me my discount? I have my federal ID, I'm a legit business, and not getting a break?

 

[3goodeggs]

I do not know why, but I think part of the charm for your customers is the idea, that it is down home jelly making in a pure and an un-...um... un-corporate way.
The jars that look like a mason jar are going to catch some one's eye more than the generic store look.
You are selling a hope of simpler times.
That's just my opinion, and I have a tendency to be wrong a lot.

*now here is a thought, go to your walmart or whatever jar dealer and see if they will give you a bulk deal. If they do not have to stock or store them and sell more that way... they might .

 

[bockbock2008]

Quote:
Its your call but I REALLY like those square little mason jars

 

[vfem]

Well I love the square mason, they give a very vintage charm. But ball mason jars are just as simple... like Grandma used!

You are right, I'm trying to sell simple not gourmet, so no need to buy some pretty boutiquey hex jars or stuff. I just don't want to jack my prices to make up for a container.

But man, jars are not cheap anymore... not that they were cheap, but even buying bulk, wholesale... isn't cheap. And I want to be able to sell my product bulk/wholesale, and if people expect me to sell them a cheaper product if they buy more... I need to be able to get cheaper packaging to give them the prices to get them in the door to buy in quantity. I'm not winning this battle.


KIM!!!! Where do you get your jars for you things with your business? Is there a wholesaler in NC I'm just not finding?

 

[vfem]

Ok, I'm going to go to Walmart and clear their shelves of jelly jars!

Then when they are gone, and will break and buy these. I'm looking at $249 for these jars and shipping. That is nearly $1 per jar. Currently, my jars w/ the jam are costing me $0.96 a piece. So I can't really explain the expensive at this point.

I get $6 a jar for an 8oz... so that's $5.04 profit... but I have to pay listing and sales fees online... bring profit down to only $3.24 a jar. Paypal and etsy bleed me dry! Thankfully there are no fees associated with my local sales at the farm stands, they do it all for free... but starting next year I will be giving them at least $1 per jar sold. I'm also about to start buying honey is bulk from a neighboring farm and we're going to be doing custom labels for my shop I have to pay for. So I have to figure out sales & listing fees and make sure what I pay them per jar gives me a profit of at least 30%.

This business stuff is just crazy!

Especially when I WANT those jars, just because they are cool.

Maybe I will just buy some for personal use only.

You know, for me, and gifts and stuff for special friends.

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

My opinion, not that you asked for it is that you need a specialty jar for your "high end" jams and jellys (special preserve, limited editions) I would continue to use regular jars for basic jams but start to offer a more expensive looking jar (with a higher price) for the more special recipes. I am drawn to pretty jars and labels at the Farmers Markets and specialty shops, but that's just me, I do not know your customer base in your area.

 

[vfem]

That's a good idea. To have some on hand for the 'specialty' limited edition stuff!!! Good plan!!!

Will have to figure out what is special enough. Maybe my almond plum or pear honey. Mmmm

Now I want to can and eat jam!!!!