Back in Business

I'm super excited to share this post today. I've had something in the works now for quite a while, and I've finally gotten the motivation to do it.

I'M STARTING UP THE CANDLE BUSINESS AGAIN!!!!!

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I am super excited to be starting up again. I've been absent from it for about a year and a half, while I went through my separation and divorce. I'm starting over again, and that means starting fresh with a lot of things. I've missed my little business so much over the last several months. I made a lot of friends, and had so many loyal customers from the different venues where we would show. I can't guarantee that I will be at every single event, but I'll make it to as many as I can. It'll be just me for now, but I'm coming back in a big way! I have to repurchase the domain name and set up shop online. Besides the independent site, I'll also start posting on Etsy again. For now, the easiest way to reach me is to email me at sjcandleshoppe@gmail.com or find me on Twitter (@TXshoppegirl) if you want some info, to place an order, or just wish me luck! *SJ*

Help Us Make Room!

Although we are in the heat of summer, I am already looking ahead to Christmas! I have several shows already lined up, and am looking to book many more. The only bad thing is I am running out of room!

I have several shelves of discontinued items that I am ready to clear out. I've added a clearance page to the website, with some nice discounts. The recipes are our same high-quality soy candle recipes. In most cases, only the packaging has changed. In some cases, the scents are discontinued. Either way, we don't have room for them on our shelves anymore!

Check out the clearance page of the website, and help us make room for more great things to come!

*SJ*

Hostess Program is Here

Exciting news! After many inquiries from our loyal customers, we are introducing a hostess program! We wanted to keep it very simple, not so complicated you didn't know what you were getting. The program works like this:

When you host an event, you'll get 10% of order totals toward free product. Plus, you'll get one item at 50% off. You can choose to host your party in your own home or online. If you choose to host in your home (or venue of your choice), I will bring all of my items, and you and your guests can sniff to your hearts' content. I will have additional inventory on hand, and you and your guests should be able to take most of your items at that time (excluding any custom orders, of course).

If you choose to host an online party, I will set up a special page on the website where you will direct your shoppers. Each of your guests will have the items shipped directly to their home, and you will still get credit for the orders.

If you have any questions about the Hostess Program, or to host your own event, email me at sjcandleshoppe@gmail.com

*SJ*

Shopping Cart is Available!

It took a little longer than I expected, but the shopping cart is up and fully functional on the site! I also added a page with a link back to the blog, so if you're searching the site, it's just one click to get back here.

I went to Grapevine Market today, and it turned into a really good day. The weather was comfortable until just after noon, when it started to reach 100. Thankfully, the Market is only open until 2 every Thursday and Saturday, so it wasn't long before we were packing up to leave. I was even told I had "the best smelling booth" there!

I still plan to list some sample packs, both on Etsy and on the regular site, so be sure to check back for those items. I will have monthly specials beginning in August, and all orders ship out within 2 business days in most cases. Shipping is via USPS Priority Mail, which usually arrives in 2-3 business days.

I spoke with a woman at the Market today who wanted to place a large Soapsicle order for her daughter's birthday. I think they would also make a great stocking stuffer, and it's not too early to start thinking about Christmas! If I can help you with your party or wedding favors, or fundraising needs, please email me at sjcandleshoppe@gmail.com .

New Website Capabilities

I have made some upgrades to the site, including adding the shopping cart. It isn't available yet, because I've only been able to add two items. It's *much* more time consuming than I would have thought! I'll also be adding a fragrance page that will give descriptions of each of the scents we carry. You won't have to guess just by the name anymore!

I've been trying to get together with my sister, Stephanie, and tonight is the only night we are both available. Tomorrow is Grapevine Market, after which I will continue working on the site. I hope to have the entire cart operational by the end of the weekend, so check back Monday to see the changes take effect.

As always, you can email me with any questions you have at sjcandleshoppe@gmail.com or use the Contact Us form on the website.

*SJ*

Sugar Scrub Is a "Go"

Wow, wow, WOW! I am so thrilled with the results of my sugar scrub, and I can't wait to have it added to our line. Here's the history of the scrub, and why I'm so excited.

I had been asked about adding bath and body goods to our line for the last several months. I kept reassuring our customers that I was working on recipes, and that we would have some new additions soon. I was thrilled when Jay and I were both able to attend a bath & body class at one of our favorite suppliers a couple of months ago. (Although Jay assured me I would be the point person for the B&B..."I'm not telling people I make soap and bubble bath.")

So the big day arrived, and we got to the showroom early (!!!). The instructor arrived late, and spent the majority of the class plugging her newly-published book. She then proceeded to tell a story about a lotion she made that failed miserably. She ended the story by saying, "This is the lotion we're going to make today."

Umm...huh? Jay and I glanced across our work stations at each other, and I shrugged. We gathered our ingredients, mixed everything together, and stick-blended our little hearts out. We blended for a really long time, without the lotion achieving the "whipped" texture it was supposed to. Then the instructor mentioned we may not get that texture right away. She suggested we take it home and let it rest, assuring us it would be a beautiful rich lotion in the morning.

We went on to try our hand at the sugar scrub, which we partially finished before our class time was up. Jay and I took our half-finished batches of scrub home and played with the recipe a little (we didn't have one of the oils on hand, so we had to substitute).

The next morning, we went to check on our lotion, very excited about what we had concocted. Of course, by now you've probably already guessed that the lotion was a big flop. We tried everything short of standing on our heads to try to get this lotion to set like it was supposed to...nothing.

After that debacle, aside from being furious, I put it to rest. I shoved the lotions and the scrubs in the back of our supplies, and went on my merry way. I researched online, tried a few things, but couldn't come up with something that I loved.

Then, last night, I found the courage to try the scrubs. I came across them several days ago and wasn't sure what to do with them. I've been having problems with ingrown hairs after I shave my legs, so I thought I would try using the scrub to see if the exfoliation would help. Lo and behold...it worked beautifully! Even tonight, I don't have any stubble, and my legs still feel remarkably smooth.

I am so thrilled that the scrubs turned out. It makes me a little bummed that I didn't try them sooner, but now that I know I have a good recipe, I plan to make more...and soon!

I'm going to be listing sample packs of our goodies on Etsy, hopefully beginning tomorrow. I will group a sample of the scrub with some bath salts, a small bar of soap, a small bath bomb, and possibly a tart melt or two. Check out the shop here, and look for the scrub and other bath goodies on the full site soon www.sjcandleshoppe.com

*SJ*

Some Website Photos

Candle Trio~ 16 oz jar, 10 oz jar, 8 oz tin

Tart Melts with Warmer


Soapsicle Set~ 1 Soapsicle with cloth in your choice of color

Group Photo~ Reed Diffuser, Candle Trio, Tart Melt, Soapsicle Set

Hope you enjoyed this quick look at how the website is progressing. It is up and running, so don't forget to visit: www.sjcandleshoppe.com

*SJ*

New Scents Now Available

I have had many people request custom scents over the last several months. Now that we have the scents in stock, I am adding the scents to our available fragrances. For now they will be limited edition, but if there is enough demand, I may add them to the regular line. The limited edition scents are:

Lilac
Gardenia
Citronella
Creme Brulee

You can find the full Spring 2009 Fragrance List on the home page of our website www.sjcandleshoppe.com

*SJ*

Happy 4th of July!!

Hope you all had a fantastic day celebrating our nation's Independence. We took it easy today and stayed around the house.

I took some time today to get our Etsy shop up and running again. I am now part of the Etsy Fort Worth team. The Team has meetings and shows together periodically, so that's something else to look forward to soon. I've already listed a few items in the shop. If you see something you like, you can purchase it directly through Etsy. That way, you won't have to wait until I get the shopping cart up on the full site. We accept PayPal or personal check through Etsy.

I'm going to start ingredient profiles here on the blog. Basically, I will take one ingredient - let's say shea butter - and then discuss all the benefits of shea butter. We can talk about any ingredient you'd like, so if there is something candle or bath/body related that you have a question about, let me know. I'll do the research and then share it with all of our readers.

As always, please let me know if there is something you would like to see, either on the Etsy site, the full website, or here on the blog. Thanks for supporting us as we grow!

*SJ*

Signature Line Coming Soon

One of the things I love most about this business is getting to experiment with different scents. Many times, we get special requests to duplicate fragrances from this company or that, and it's always interesting to see other people's preferences. Every once in a while, though, I like to throw a bunch of scents into wax and see what comes of it.

It's that urge to throw stuff together that prompts us to create our signature line. Jay and I had so much fun at the supplier last week, that we spent nearly three hours there! We mixed fragrances until I didn't think my nose could handle it anymore! In doing so, we came up with several combinations that we really like, and we want to share those with you. We decided, since these are our own creations, that these will be our new signature line.

We'll still have all your old favorites (Pumpkin Pie Spice, anyone?), and we'll keep trying to track down those duplicates for you, but the signature scents will be uniquely ours. We hope you love them, and we look forward to their website debut soon.

*SJ*

Website Is Up!!!

It will please some of you to know that I have been working feverishly to get our website up and running. I can now officially say that it is ready. The shopping cart hasn't been added yet, but you can see photos and descriptions of all of our items, a brief bio about us, and a page that will show all of our upcoming events.

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that it is finally available. I will still be updating here regularly. In fact, this site will be updated daily beginning today. The other site will evolve some too, but here is where you should look for the day-to-day workings of the shoppe.

Once again, thanks to everyone who has encouraged us over the last several months. We look forward to branching out and meeting many more candle fanatics like us. Be sure to check out the new site and let us know what you think. www.sjcandleshoppe.com

*SJ*