Some things just bug me!!

Some things sorta bug me.  I was looking at a website a few minutes ago of a candle maker and when I read the "About Me" page it hit me!!!  Some candle makers are like politicians.  They like to tell everyone what a great Christian they are, they are a Sunday School Teacher, Boy Scout/Girl Scout leader and blah blah blah.  Just like all of that is going to make them a better candle maker. I guess some people are fooled by that.  If they are then send them to me and I will toot my horn and see if that makes them want to buy my candles just because!!!  And since I am all of those things you know my candles are going to be so much better burning and better smelling than someone elses who can't add all the so-called religious affliliations to their name.  Now there is certainly nothing wrong with saying I am a Christian, it is just when you try to add all the other "stuff" that is supposed to make you greater/better/smarter than another candle-maker that bugs me. 

Sorta like the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican.  I think of that parable often when I think of certain people!

This is from Luke Chapter 18. 
(10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

(11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

(12) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

(13) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

(14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Guess I need to get off my soap box and get to making candles.  Now when I get through with them I am going to start tooting my religious horn so you will know how great I am and that my candles are so much better than another's!!!

I believe in living my life like a quote I read somewhere and it goes something like this "You may be the only Bible someone reads"









 

Just things!

My first thought for today is that I am so thankful all the miners got out safe.  It was a miracle!  God gives man the knowledge to do the imposibble with his help!

I have not kept up as I had planned, never do.  I am not a writer and trying to come up with something to write is just impossible for me.  But ----- I am so glad fall is here.  Not sure which I like the best, spring when everything is turning green or fall when everything is turning the beautiful colors of brown, rust, orange, gold.  It is truly a beautiful time of the year, breath taking!  I really love the fall colors also.  They are my favorite colors.  I am just not a pink, bue, yellow person!

It is strange how our sense of smell can change all of a sudden.  I had never been the bakery type in scents but it seems in the last couple of months I am constantly trying to find bakery scents.  The only problem with that is that some of them really get to smelling almost the same and it is hard to detect the difference.  I do have some new bakery scents though - Iced Lemon Biscotti, Toasted Almond Torte, Pumpkin Creme Brulee, Fall Harvest, Orange Chiffon Bundt Cake, Gingerbread Village, and Amish Spice Loaf.  I have added a couple of new Christmas scents also - Mistletoe Whisper (this is really a very different type scent),  Bayberry, Christmas Morning, Aspen Winter.  There again it is easy to get to many Holiday scents and they sorta run together!!  I do have a new Pumpkin Pie Spice that came in yesterday that I will try to get a tester poured today and see how I like it.

There is one scent that I really love for anytime of the year and I always forget about it until I finally make and burn a candle made with this scent, which I remembered last week!  Falling Leaves, it is a clean scent but still has sort of a "woodsy" fall freshness to it, if that description makes any sense! 

I have been wanting to change my labels and looking through my Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine I see some really beautiful labels.  But I think they would be almost impossible to make, would have to get them printed and of course that wouldn't work with all the scents I carry and it would also be very expensive and you know adding expense to the making of a candle makes the price of the candle go up.  I try to keep mine priced as low as I can but that is hard to do with the cost of candle making, it is a very expensive business.  But I am going to be thinking and working on that.

Well, that's about all I can think of today.  Need to get to work!  I will leave with a very cute card saying I saw looking through my magazine.  These are cards from the Greeting Place.  They really have some unique type cards with saying I really love.  This says "I don't like to brag or anything....but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school"!!!!!!!

Happy Fall,
Elaine

Candle-Shoppe Newsletter

Hi Friends,

As the song says "Love is in the Air", well here "Fall is in the Air". Especially late night and early mornings, during the day though summer is having a hard time saying good-bye!! With fall and the holidays approaching I really get in the mood for my spicy and bakery scented candles. If you are like me you hardly have time to turn around and then it is Thanksgiving and Christmas!! Time to get the Santa list ready and start shopping!!

If you checked my website during August you saw that I was closed due to medical emergency. Actually on the 3rd of August I fell and broke my R wrist, had surgery on the 9th, a plate was put in, supposed to be quicker healing and no hard cast!! The last of August I started back to making candles, though it was a little slow because I could only use my L hand for most of the process.

http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/

I have added a page to my website with my holiday scent list. Some of them are new and some of them are old faithfuls that I just can't say bye to! You can click the link above to see the list. To go shopping all you have to do is click the picture and it will take you to the shopping page. Some of the new scents added are Pumpkin Creme Brulee, Iced Lemon Biscotti, Toasted Almond Torte, Fall Harvest, Cinnamon Glazed Baklava, Blackberry Jam Butter Cookies, Country Christmas Store, and Gingerbread Village.

I also now have 100% soy candles available. If you order them I will keep them for approx. 2 days and let them cure so by the time they reach you they will be ready to burn and enjoy! After several request I have also add the 16 & 26 oz Apothecary Jars back to my containers.

http://www.pepperpatchcandles.com/

As the link above says I now have a new "sister" website called Pepper Patch Candles. This is named after my almost constant and under foot dog Pepper and kitty Patches!! I started this for the customers that like the country/primitive look and jelly/mason jars. I have the 8 oz jelly jar and 16oz mason jar with black lid, tied with rafia and a kraft label. I really like the looks of these jars.

Thank you for taking the time to read my "news" and for being my customer. I look forward to hearing from you. If you have any questions, comments, or complaints please email me. I will try my very best help you.

Happy Fall,

Elaine

Sorry I have not posted in a while. Broke R wrist on the 6th Aug & had surgery on the 9th.  When I am able to resume with candle-making will have some new scents & containers!

Square Pillar Candles

Made these the other day.  I really like square pillars and have added them to my website.  They are 16oz, 20oz, & 29oz pillars.  Been burning a tester in Nana's Old Fashioned Apple Butter.  Smells great, but when I went to supplier website couldn't find it.  Got to find out if they have any left or plan or restocking it this fall.  Hope I can get more cause I really love the scent!

Testing soy wax in some status jars I had that have been sitting around and never used.  I am bad about buying jars I like and then never using them.  Also have a large vase jar I may decide to test later.  Today have 50 votives I need to get wicked and put in clam shells for customer to use for a wedding rehearsal dinner.

I will leave you with a quote about friendship from a book my best friend gave me!

"Friendship bridges the gap between what things are and what they could be." Roger Holmes

Small Town USA

As my title says, Small Town USA has been running through my mind for the last month or so.  Only problem couldn't think how I wanted to use it.  Knew I wanted it for a banner but you usually see candles in a banner for a candle website.  Today it was on my mind again so I started playing with it.  After all, Glenwood GA is your typical Small Town USA.  I love it, wouldn't have it any other way either!  I have always lived here and hope I always will. 

I got my website changed and am really rather pleased with it.  Just hope it doesn't sound to "corny"!!   This is a picture of the banner -

To see the complete page just click here - http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/

Sorta like the name Small Town Candle-Shoppe but it would be to much trouble to change all that.  If you like to see deer pictures then check out what I saw in my backyard today!

It is hard to see the deer but the first picture is of Mama Deer who I saw earlier on in the afternoon.  Second picture is of her twin babies.  They were really at a bad angle for picture taking and I couldn't open door to step out on deck, it would have scared them away.  I really love watching the deer, they are so pretty and graceful!  I know my neighbor doesn't feel that way though, he has a garden and they sure do love his veggies!!

Getting ready to test a new jar in both paraffin and soy.  It is the status jar and probably holds about 7.5 oz wax.  I haven't measured it yet! 

That is all for today.  Please leave your comments if you would like! 

Blueberry Cobble Chunkie!

Was still in playing mood and just loving the Blueberry Cobble and Blueberry Cheesecake oil.  They both smell delicious!!  Decided to make me a chunkie in the Blueberry Cobble. 

Just playing around

I was just playing around yesterday and decided to try my hand at making bakery candles.  I made some Blueberry Cheesecake Mini Bundt Cakes drizzled with Vanilla Buttercream and topped with Blueberry Cheesecake sprinkles and Strawberry cupcakes topped with Vanilla Buttercream frosting and then drizzled with Strawberry. 

Think I will be playing around today also with something in Blueberry Cobbler or Cheesecake.  It is just smelling to good not to make something else!!

Below are pictures of my first try at making bakery candles!!  I just cannot make pictures line up like I want them to.

  

Hello Again!

Gee, didn't realize it had been so long since I had last posted to my blog.  I am really bad about this and keep saying I am going to do better but it just doesn't seem to happen.  Well, here's to trying to do better again!

Not much has been happening around The Candle-Shoppe lately.  Think this hot weather along with the economy has slowed everything down.  I know it has slowed me down! 

Since my last post I have, as usual, added some new scents.  I will see if I can remember them!  Fresh Floral Honeydew, Sea Island Grapefruit, Twilight, Tuscan Gardens, Persian Pear, Watermelon, Blackberry Jam Butter Cookies, Cinnamon Glazed Baklava are the ones I remember off the top of my head and at this late hour.  Should be in bed!  See all my scents by clicking here - http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/page4.htm

I have also added Bath & Body Products - Lotion, Bath Gel, Body Spray, & Bath Oil.  My ladies and men's perfume and cologne has been a big hit.  I am trying to get more of the modern scents in perfumes but I really haven't bought or looked at any in a long time.  I do have Ed Hardy for Men & Women, Amazing Grace, Juicy Couture, A&E for Men & Women.  Check out my B&B and perfumes at this page - http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/page12.htm

Also new are soy candles.  These are available in just a couple of my jars and scents.  The scents available are listed at this page - http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/page4s.htm

My website has a different look.  I tend to change it often, trying to find just the look I want.  You can see my website at this link - http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/index.htm  I also have a new email address - thecandleshoppep@gmail.com

This that is about enough links for the night!! Now to see if I can find you a picture to keep the page from being so link crazy!!

Good-Night All, I promise to try and do better in the future!

Change to my links

Guess that is the title I wanted to use.  To start with I had all my candles & etc listed on My Products Page, you clicked that and it took you to the links to click for containers and etc.  I thought that may get confusing so I changed it back so on the home page everything is visible as to products.  It just seems easier that way.  Also another thing I discovered with my new website, instead of all the pages having html like past websites, this new one has dropped the l and it is htm. 

Hyacinth has become a real popular scent.  I was not sure about it to begin with.  there are so many different floral scents til it is hard to really know what people will like.  I have learned though after all these years not to order the large size of anything new I am trying.  A lot of candlemakers get the 1oz samples to test but I always order at least 4oz sizes.  If I really like it don't want to have to order more and that seems to be enough to "test the waters" as they say.

I have added 1 new scent lately - Sunflower.  It is really different than most florals to me.  It just seems to have a bright sunny, little sweet, little green scent to it.  Though really I have never thought a sunflower in real life smelled real sweet and flowery so I really think this is a good scent.  It is strong and scents up a large room really well.

Well, time to take Pepper out and get ready for bed!  Until next time, "sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite"!!!!

Forgot to add - During the month of March all online orders receive a 15% discount.  It helps to pay for shipping so stock up this month.  Don't know when I will run a special like this again.

I know I have been very lax in updating my blog.  I always tell myself I am going to do better but it just doesn't seem to work!  Not much has been going on this year.  Things have been sorta slow but that is understandable with the economy like it is.  I am also sure people are trying to get over Christmas spending.  Don't know why we do it but we always seem to overspend on Christmas! 

Just to update a little.  I have a new look to my website and sure hope it is not confusing to my customers.  Now instead of having all the links listed out on left as usual they are grouped.  All my candles and etc are on the My Products page and once you click on it then you can see where the containers, pillars and etc are and just click that link.  I have also added quite a few new scents.  My favorite so far are the Ginger Lime and White Musk.  I have also added Tuscan Garden, Twilight, Hyacinth to name a few.  I really have a lot of scents listed and have been thinking about trying to narrow it down some.  I think sometimes where you have so many scents it makes it hard to choose just a couple!  That's like looking for a card for a Birthday and having to read through all of them to find just the perfect card!!

I have let it get late on me before I thought about blogging so I am making it short.  This is the link to my shoppe.  http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/ 

Bit & Pieces Candles & Other News

This is a picture of my Bits & Pieces Candles.  There are 3 scent families, Fruit Orchard, Floral Explosion, & Spice Woods.  These candles are made with left over wax I either pour up in the candle jar or either make into tarts/melts and store them in glass container jars.  I thought this was a good way to use up excise wax and also make an interesting candle.  I doubt any 2 candles would ever be made the same. 

They are made in my 15oz containers and cost $12.35 each.  If you would like to order one just click on this link and it will take you to my website so you can order.  Just choose the scent group.
http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/page5.htm

I have also added some new scents and you can see the names of them on my home page.  Click link http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/index.htm

I will highlight 2 of them, probably my personal favorites!
Ginger Lime - A wonderful lime with a tinge of ginger that spreads through the house and lingers well after the candle is extinguished. Awesome scent, Very clean & you can smell all components of the scent, but the lime does not take over & there's no fuel smell. This could become my new favorite oil this year.

Hyacinth - Absolutely THE best, most true hyacinth flower fragrance! Lovely notes include lavandin, jasmine, lavender, rose, myrrh, sage & sheer musk. VERY strong.

During the month of February I have a 10% off.  You will need to enter the code 10 (number 10) in the shopping cart where it ask if you have a code.  Also if you are local and would like to order from my webside you can choose customer pickup and no shipping charge is added to your order.   

Valentine's Day is Sunday so don't forget to tell those you love "Happy Valentine, I love you".  I really don't think we can ever say those words to often!

So - "HAPPY VALENTINE TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND THANK-YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT"!

DRUDED PAPERWORK & BOOKKEEPING + Candles

Yes, I am shouting, I hate doing paperwork and going through this mile high stack of mail that has been put to the side.  Most is just filing stuff and junk but it still has to be gone through.  Wouldn't be so bad if just for 1 business but I have 3 to keep up with!  Anyway, though I would show you a picture of my heart candle and some tumblers I am thinking about adding to my line.  Also tested 3 new scents and know I will be adding at least 2 of them - Ginger Lime is fantastic, & Mediterranean Garden Spa.  http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/


 

Few words for today!  Still cold, weather.com says it is 30 outside.  Have to bundle up to take Pepper out, she doesn't mind the cold and just wants to play and sniff!!  Got couple orders I need to start on today but with the cold just seems you can't even get warm inside.  I know our electric bill is going to be terrible!  I have been leaving the heat on in my shop so it doesn't get to cold and since it is part of house I figure it helps with heating the house. 

Check out my website, need to order some of my clearance candles, they all smell good.  I just want to clear them out so I have room to put some of my new scents out.  Still want to find some more oils that when I smell them I say "This is it, the best I have smelled in ages"!!  Got a couple of samples that I want to get poured and see how they are going to do.  The 3 I really want to try are Japanese Pear & Ginseng, Ginger Lime, & Mediterranean Garden Spa.  Might just pour them today.  Having a hard time getting motivated this year.  Really believe if someone would just take pity on me and come clean up my shop, get all the spare boxes stuff has come in and clean all clutter, do my mile high stack of paperwork, then I could probably get motivated!!

All for now, try to get something done!   

Changed the looks of my website again!  My husband says I am never satisfied!  Have a clearance sale on candles from last year.  Need to get rid of them so I can get some new scents made up.  Really want something different but all the suppliers I look at just don't have anything that jumps out at me!!!  Maybe I don't really know what I want.  I do have some new scents though and I think they are pretty good.  I have been testing them but it is hard for me because I just can't smell much anymore.  This cold & rainy weather we had been having doesn't help that any either.  Now they are saying a chance of rain & snow showers in AM.  Well, would be better if it came Friday night and Sat AM.  Then we could enjoy it for the week-end.

It is now 10:47 and I took Pepper out probably 30 minutes ago, had to feed Nome and Patches, and now back.  Some drops falling but only rain cause it is only 46 outside.  We will see what AM holds. 

Nome is my outside cat and is old and getting feeble but his appetite is terrific.  He loves my chicken & rice casserole I made last week!  Ran out of his favorite food, perfectly chicken in the little packs by Whiskas I think and $ store out so I tried him on the casserole.  I warmed it and made it soupy like he likes and he loved it.  Casserole gone so I cooked him some chicken and rice but he likes casserole better!  Maybe $store will have his favorite in tomorrow.  If not may have to make more casserole!  What we do for our animals.  Now Patches, inside cat, don't know what she likes!  She's a fat cat so she's not hurting for food!!
Oh, forgot, I have Nome a box with towels fixed under the carport right at the backdoor so he can stay warm and out of the weather.  Cat's don't think like we do and he wouldn't sleep in it until about 3 nights ago and it was like "Whow, what a nice bed!"  Finally decided to sleep in it!!

Well, enough on pet stories.  I do love & try to care for my pets though.  This is the link to my clearance page - http://www.thecandle-shoppe.com/page7.html

Well, that's all for tonight.  About bedtime.  Keep warm!!