Well, as you can see I haven't kept up with my blog.  What a procrastinator I've  been.  We have been working on a wholesale book and pricing.  Every time I think it's right it's wrong.  A local nature photographer Shawn Looney had taken some awesome pictures of my products.  We are now choosing pictures to use.  This is very hard, they all look so good.   As for me, my picture taking abilities are awful, you would agree if you could see my pictures.  I gave Shawn some of my products and he went with it from there.  He did a great job using a beach.

Hats Off

Wearing the many hats in business.  When you're a small business owner you change your hats daily.  I have at least four hats, my thinking for concepts, then there's to make, to market and decisions for all the aspects to run a business . I learned ask for help. I found mine from my local Score.  What's Score?  A group of retired business people who succeed in their business to help you to succeed in yours.  I like the fact that they been there done that.  I can now say I'm wearing my hats wisely.

FOOD FOR THE FACE

I seen an article about certain foods for the face.  One food tweaked my interest, grapefruit for the face?  Mashed grapefruit, mix with egg whites and put on face for about 5 minutes at night.  This would " brighten the face because of the vitamin C and the egg whites tighten the skin".  My first thought was grapefruit and medications. The article didn't say how many times a week you should do this.  Grapefruit is known to interact with many medications.  So depending on the frequency of use, the body does absorb.  To be safe check your medicines, make sure grapefruit is OK to use.  The article talk about other natural foods for a healthier looking face.  I say' "kudos" if we are taking care of what we put in the body, then we should do the same, with what we put on the body.

Shop Small Business Day

On November 24, is shop small business day. Thanks to American Express for their advertisement and support.  There are many small businesses that are in store fronts or farmers markets or craft shows and we do appreciate their support.  There are a lot of local artisans or crafters that create by hand or with the help of tools to make their products.  They make items you can buy in big retail stores and most of the time they are priced higher, but the difference is they are one of a kind. When creating by hand, no one item is the same.  They are really one of a kind. We always give you the best because we are our worst critic when creating our work.  We pay more for supplies, we don't carry large inventory and we never pay ourselves enough what are time is really worth.  So when shopping for just a gift, make it a one of a kind gift. You are supporting a small local business.

Synthetic Dyes in Candles

Synthetic dyes in almost all candles, what are they and how are they made?
I really didn't know, I don't use dyes. So, my quest for information was on. I found out most dyes use aniline, what's that? First place dictionary, I used World English Dictionary - Definition of Aniline:
"Also called: phenylamine  a colorless oily pungent poisonous liquid used in the manufacture of dyes, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and explosives. Formula: C 6H5NH2" I tried Wikipedia but that was like chemistry 101 for me. I then looked up Encyclopedia Britannica, this is what was written" aniline, an organic base used to make dyes, drugs, explosives, plastics, and photographic and rubber chemicals.
Aniline was first obtained in 1826 by the destructive distillation of indigo. Its name is taken from the specific name of the indigo-yielding plant Indigofera anil (Indigofera suffruticosa); its chemical formula is C6H5NH2.
Aniline is prepared commercially by the catalytic hydrogenation of nitro-benzene or by the action of ammonia on chlorobenzene. The reduction of nitro-benzene can also be carried out with iron borings in aqueous acid." Aniline is used to make dyes but to make it simple, it's a water down version, supposedly not as toxic.  There are other additives (chemicals) like toluidine that are not so good for you either. Then there are Trade Secrets again, not going to find out  exactly how their made, we just have to believe they are safe.Synthetic dyes are in a lot of products, from pharmaceuticals to almost everything.  As for me, I think I'll just enjoy what ever color nature can give me.  If it doesn't have a pretty color I'll use my imagination.

Flame-less Candles?

Flame-less candles?  I guess I should know about them since I make candles.  I had to do a web search to learn a little more.  I didn't really have a lot of time,so I got a little peek into it.  What I did find was that you plug the candle ( pillar or jar) in to an electric outlet. OK, but don't we have enough stuff now that we use electric for.  I think the Electric Co should send us a thank you for making them richer.  Of course there are battery operated tea lights, no electric.  I then got to thinking,some company in China making all these tea lights and workers having to work harder, more and more to put out.  They just can't keep up with productively and riots break out.  Gee, I think I heard this before.  I know there are several reasons why people don't want to burn a candle with a flame.  I was one of those people,mine was fragrances and waxes.  With all that being said, this is just my thoughts and they are mine.  Everybody can choose for themselves.

Soy Candles & Moisturizing

If you didn't know about soy and vitamin E, you will now.  What started out as an alternative to paraffin candles,  became a great moisturizer for your hands. When burning the soy candle, the wax burns warm.  Blow out the lite wick and touch the wax.  The soy wax should be warm to the touch, that is a course if it is 100% soy wax.  There are a lot of soy candles out on the market, so be careful.  Soy candles that have color or additives can burn hotter. If it is a soy blend it will burn hotter, deepening on what it is blended with.  So again be careful.  The natural vitamin E in the soy wax is helping to repair your dry and damage skin hands.  Don't you just love when things have more the one use.  A cleaner burning candle and a lotion too.