Trade Days Reminder

Just a reminder that we are at Trade Days USA this weekend in booth F1. Check out their website for full details and show schedule. www.tradedaysusa.com The weather was beautiful on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to another great day at the Speedway.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @TXshoppegirl or email me with questions at sjcandleshoppe@gmail.com

Exciting News + Upcoming Shows

First, for the exciting news...my computer is fixed!! I was a little anxious about using this computer after it was infected, and have tried to use Jay's as much as possible. However, I am happy to report that everything has been removed (at least, the stuff that didn't belong!) and I've been going successfully on this computer for two days now. I'm also getting used to this computer in general, as well as getting myself more organized, so I will be blogging more regularly from now on. YAY!!!

So, here's where you can find us in the coming weeks:

Trade Days USA @ Texas Motor Speedway - Fort Worth, TX
(www.tradedaysusa.com)
June 20-21
July 25-26
August 22-23

Trade Days of Waxahachie @ Ellis County Expo Center - Waxahachie, TX
(www.tradedaysofwaxahachie.com)
July 11-12
August 8-9

We'll be, hopefully, filling in more dates as we find more shows. Be sure to stop by and say "hi" if you're at a show where we're exhibiting.

*SJ*

Recent Events

Apologies for staying away so long. I was under the weather for a few days and am still not quite up to par. I also had something *really* terrible happen, which has kept me off of the computer. My laptop - remember, my brand new, hardly used laptop - was hacked! It happened through a virus I got on Facebook. I am still trying to get everything cleaned up, but will definitely be off Facebook for a while!

What I have been doing in the meantime, besides getting well, is researching recipes. In the coming weeks, you'll be seeing a new lotion formula, lip balm, and a sugar scrub. Don't forget to check back often to find out when these goodies will make their debuts.

As always, and especially now that I'm not using Facebook, you can follow me on Twitter @TXshoppegirl or subscribe to this blog. My next show is this weekend, when I'll be debuting my new logo at Trade Days USA. Check us out in booth F1, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm.

*SJ*

Severe Weather = Nothing Gets Done

I had some ambitious plans for today that included making some soaps & some candles. Unfortunately, we had a tornado warning, so nothing got done. I was afraid to start anything for fear of losing power, since all our appliances are electric. Instead, I spent most of the evening playing Mah Jong and listening to a CD on my laptop after losing cable & internet service for a couple of hours.

The result of all of this was a day that was spent doing very little. The up side is that I feel very rested, and look forward to getting a lot accomplished tomorrow.

This is what our back fence looks like after two panels were blown down by the wind. Excuse the tall grass. Today was also the day the lawn man was supposed to come out, but it was a little too wet for that!

*SJ*

Progress Report

I am so excited to report that I finally have some soaps ready to sell! The Green Tea Cucumber guest soaps and the Carrot Veggie Bars are both ready. Several other bars will be ready the first of July. Those soaps are Orange Flower Opulence, Pomegranate Passion, and Peppermint Pick-Me-Up.

As for upcoming shows, I will (tentatively) be at Grapevine Market this Thursday and Saturday. I am just waiting to be approved as a vendor. Next weekend I will be at Trade Days USA at Texas Motor Speedway. ( www.tradedaysusa.com ) I am in booth F1 down the main row. I'm looking for some more shows to fill out my summer, and will update as I book shows.

I also got another request for lotion tonight, so I will be working on that recipe next. I've been wanting to try a few that I've found, so this is a good opportunity. Hopefully, I'll have some ready for July as well.

Remember, you can stay updated by subscribing to this blog or by following me on Twitter @TXshoppegirl

*SJ*

More Soap, and Another Show

Today I cut another batch of soap, called Pomegranate Passion. It is scented with Pomegranate fragrance and has Passionfruit Tea leaves embedded in it. The tea acts as a mild exfoliant, and the pomegranate adds a nice mild fragrance to the bar. It needs to cure before it can be sold, so it won't be ready for 3-4 weeks.

This weekend, I'll be at Trade Days of Waxahachie. The hours are Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 9-4. They have only been re-open a few months, so this weekend they are having a Grand Opening celebration. There will be a band, children's activities, and 100+ vendors out to celebrate. I will be set up in booth #1; be sure to come say hello if you're in the area.

I will be tweeting from the show; you can follow me on Twitter @TXshoppegirl.

*SJ*

And The Winners Are...

Kelly & Shane!

Kelly is the winner of the 16 oz candle, like the one pictured in my profile pic. Shane will receive a bar of soap & some bath salts. I will be contacting each of you by email for your mailing addresses. Thanks to everyone who participated. Stay tuned for the next drawing on July 1.

Now on to the soap I made this afternoon. I *cannot* wait until this soap cures! I tried a new recipe this afternoon, and added some Shea Butter to a small batch. Shea butter is ultra-moisturizing, because it absorbs immediately into the skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and is said to heal burns, dryness and stretch marks.

I added some orange flower essential oil to the batch, which adds to the luxurious experience of the soap. I intend to call this one "Orange Flower Opulence." I also love that it came out completely white, which enhances the pure goodness of the bar. Here's what this one looks like after it was poured:

I can't wait to try this one! Remember, if there is something you want to see, please leave a comment or email me at sjcandleshoppe@gail.com. You can always follow me on Twitter @TXshoppegirl. Also, look for the grand opening of our website soon: www.sjcandleshoppe.com

*SJ*

Drawing Update

Just a quick note to clarify about the drawing tonight. I will be drawing two numbers using random.org. Your number will be based on the sign-up sheets from Kellerfest. You will receive an additional entry if you leave a comment on this blog or subscribe as a follower of the blog.

I will post another blog entry at 11:00pm tonight Central Time, announcing the winners. I will also have details of a batch of soap I have just finished, along with some pictures of the soap.

Don't forget to check back here tonight for the winners!

*SJ*

One More Day til the Drawing

Well, Kellerfest is in the history books. We survived - just barely! You still have one more day before I announce the winners of the drawings.

As a reminder, there are (2) items. The first is a large candle. It's the same one as the green candle in my profile picture. The second winner will receive a bar of soap and some fizzing bath salts. Come back tomorrow to see the results.

Now, on to our next show. This weekend, I plan to be at Trade Days of Waxahachie. I was scheduled to be there a couple of months ago, but there was a death in the family, so I had to cancel. I look forward to trying this one, as it is a relatively new show. Hopefully, they are already building a following, and I'll be able to meet some more great people. To find out more about this show, including a schedule of upcoming dates, check out their website: www.tradedaysofwaxahachie.com Hope to see you there!

*SJ*