Artfire

Giving this a little shot - not sure how thin I can stretch myself tho!

Store not available

Flavored Lip Balms now listed on Etsy and my website! Click below!

Website

Etsy

Thank goodness for Smoke Detectors and Sump Pumps!

I have 4 different melt pots for my wax - One is a great big turkey fryer - the others are presto pots. I have had the presto pots a long time and had issues with the temp control cord/ probes before (and have 2 pots now that I have had to share one cord which can be a "pain"). Last night suddenly my smoke detectors went off - and when I ran downstairs my presto pot that I was melting wax in was smoking up a STORM! I quickly unplugged, added more wax to cool it down and opened all the windows. It was a little scary! I just found a site on line and ordered 2 new sets of cords/ temp controls. *Whew* I don't want to think about what might have happened if I hadn't gotten to that when I did!

Now today it's raining- pouring! - on top of what was 2 feet of snow - we even had thunderstorms last night. It's around 50 degrees and now about half the snow is melted. When my house was built my builder put in a sump pump and drain tile. If you stand downstairs right now it sounds like there is a stream running under the house! The sump pump is pumping water out about once every minute. I can't (and also don't want to) think about how much flooding I would have down there if I didn't have that!

So today I am very grateful.... to say the least! Now if I could only figure out how my mail carrier is going to pick up my packages while my (unpaved) driveway is still solid ice!

They're here!

Now that the Christmas rush is over - I have finally gotten some time to get my lip balms in process! If you are a lip licker/ biter like me you really need this kind of thing this time of year - and having a wide choice of flavors can't hurt!

Scents like:
Amaretto
Cappuccino
Key Lime
Pomegranate
Pink Lemonade
Sangria
French Vanilla
Cheesecake
Strawberry Cheesecake
Mint
Tangerine
Mega Melon
Coconut
Chocolate
Pina Colada
Raspberry
Very Cherry
Honey Bee
Wild Berry Burst
Root Beer

and there is always combining too - like chocolate and mint together!

Here's a sneak preview of how the tubes will look:

One LONG driveway to shovel!

I actually shoveled it all today. But you'd never know it now as it just won't stop snowing. I don't think my 52 year old body can do it again tomorrow without a day to rest in between - plus I think there's gonna be a lot more snow on it now! They say this weekend we're getting a warm up so we'll have some melting and then it can all freeze back up again. I wish I was a bear and hibernated all winter!

Reddog was hilarious though today I really laughed and laughed hard. He had his tennis ball and he would drop it - then try to move it with his paw - like he could on "dry land" and of course every time he did that the ball would go deeper and deeper. Then he'd have his head way down in the snow trying to get the ball and his tail wagging - was too cute. He eventually came back without the ball - we most likely won't see that one till Spring (good thing we have more). Wish I had gotten more pictures of that!

it's only just begun - winter that is!

And the snow hills get bigger and bigger!

A little snow?

Not sure the mail carrier will get down my drive today unless the snow stops first and my neighbor plows - could be close!

Fail Blog

Funny - disgusting - insane - browse through the pages of this blog and see what you find!

My DD brought this site to my attention - she always finds the interesting things!

Fail Blog

Wowser! I also had one of the treasuries I made - make it to the Etsy front page! Sure it had to be at 4:45 am so most of my teammates missed it - but it was there!

Pretty good couple of days for me! :) :) :) :)

Etsy Front Page!

Finally made it to the Etsy front page!

Monkeys on TV!

My teammate Dulce got some fantastic publicity on Channel 13's Take Five today!
Her Sock Monkeys are adorable - I have one of her keychain ones!

I tried to embed the video but it says the tag is broken so I will just supply the link to it:

http://www.wzzm13.com/video/take_five_default.aspx

Ok I changed it again - there are so so many cute ones to pick from. I'll probably be changing a lot - I love free stuff!

Blog Overhaul!

SO what do you think??? The only thing I don't like is that the left margin of my posts runs too far into the decoration. Otherwise I really like it!

Feel free to comment! :)

Feature & Give-away!

I've been featured on a Bath, Body & Candle Blog - check it out! And there is a free giveaway!

http://www.bathbodycandle.blogspot.com/

Hulu.com

My favorite website lately - if you missed your favorite tv show - or are looking for something on a channel you don't get - or just want to watch something and be able to pause it whenever you want - try out hulu.com

I watch the Daily Show (I love Jon Stewart!), any episodes of Lipstick Jungle, Gray's anatomy or Private Practice I miss - and right now am going through old seasons of "The Practice" - yes i know that's an old one. But I love multi-tasking so I watch/ listen while I answer emails or print shipping labels. And pause it whenever I have to go downstairs to my shop.

Check it out!

Survived Cyber Monday!

Actually it wasn't much different than any other day :)

Paypal working again and I am hard at work - had a wonderful November and working hard to stay caught up and barely succeeding! Ok no time to chat - back to work!

Paypal shipping grrrrrrrrrrr

In the midst of the busiest week, guess what isn't working? Gadzooks! Cross your fingers this gets back in order - shipping from usps.com takes a lot of extra time!

Snowy day in Michigan today - we have 2 seasons here ya know - winter and road construction :)

Weekend Cyber Monday Sale

Saturday through Monday on my website and Etsy - 10% off everything!

See code on my website for the discount at check out. On etsy I will need to refund the amount or you can wait for an adjusted paypal invoice.

Shop shop shop!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hoping everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Reddog, Tigger and I were happy it wasn't snowing - even though there is still snow on the ground. We all shared some Turkey (well Tigger only had one tiny bite, reddog could have eaten all of it in <2 minutes I am sure!)

Not sure if tomorrow will really feel like a Friday but I have plenty to do so I probably won't notice much!

If you haven't seen it yet - check out my reindeer poop listing on Etsy or Ebay. It's selling quite well!

Rudolph is coming!

How's this for a new scent?

Reindeer Poop!

This fragrance will lift your holiday spirits, and add a little magic to your life! Reindeer Poo begins with top notes of apples and pears; followed by middle notes of eucalyptus, pine, and geranium; and well-balanced with base notes of vanilla, cedarwood, and patchouli. We believe that the bubbly top notes coincide with the feeling children have when they see Santa's reindeer magically flying through the sky. And included is a cute poem for you !

Santa saved a precious gift
And it's especially for you.
Just a little something extra
And it comes from Rudolph, too!

He knows that you've been naughty
Instead of being nice.
Once again you're on the bad list
And he's checked it over twice.

Santa hopes this little poem
Doesn't throw you for a loop.
All your getting this year
Is a bunch of reindeer poop!

finally sent newsletter!

I sent out my newsletter today with November's special - I think! I have myself included to get a copy but I never did! Zookoda says it went out - 57 went out - right now 11 have been opened. So if someone who did indeed get it could let me know I'd appreciate it!

It includes a very nice special! If anyone is not signed up for my newsletter please sign up now and then let me know and I will let you know the special so you can still use it!

Other than that - wow I've been busy! I am about caught up now, so turn around time should be normal!

And have you seen the new scents added? Wow - some really nice holiday scents as well as year round goodies!

Autumn Leaves
Boston Cream Pie
Butterscotch Candy
Cherry Jellybeans
Christmas Blizzard
Creamy Vanilla Nutmeg
Fall Frenzy
Gain Apple Mango Tango type
It's Raining Men! (where??)
Orange Caramel Crunch
Pumpkin Vanilla Cream
Sugared Spruce
Sweet Potato Pie
Winter Holiday

For full scent descriptions go here:
http://sweetsurrender.myshopify.com/pages/scent-descriptions

I will really try to blog more often - I know I've been bad!

Thanks!!!!

I am so late for my October special - I know! But I will get something out shortly and I will have it continue through November. I've been busy! That's a great thing!

I'm still cold. Today's show was at a hospital - but it was outside. After the rain yesterday - and expecting us crafty folks - they unfortunately did not think to stop the sprinklers from going off. SO we set up on drenched thick green sod. Everyone had wet shoes and pants half way to their knees. We Etsian's (There were 7 of us there together in basically 4 spots) were also down grade so your shoes actually stuck to the wet stuff. We put tarps down for folks to walk on which helped a tad under the canopies.

Traffic was so so. The sun was out maybe 20 minutes the whole time. Temps in the 50's and the wind blew not horribly but enough to knock down people's lighter displays many times and when we were packing up it was getting VERY windy. We were cold - between the wet shoes/ socks/ pants - lack of sun and the breezes - just COLD. I vowed not to turn my heat on tonight at home but I gave in - and my face is red with windburn. Forgot to take my little cart so there was way more carrying for way too far a ways and I "ain't gettin any younger".

On a good note my last 2 shows are INDOORS! Well gotta get back to pouring - I am a little behind!

Wednesday October 1st I will be at a craft faor at Metro Health - 5900 Byron Center Ave., Wyoming MI. Show runs from 9 am to 4 pm in the Healing Garden outside. If you are in the area stop by!

I got an email from a customer tonight I just have to post :)

"Hello, I rec'd my tarts today and I had to tell you that the box smelled so yummy. I was very excited as I have purchased tarts from other (omit) sellers and they STUNK! I mean like dirty feet and poop...it was bad! I complained but didn't get anything resolved. So when the box came and the mail man told me the box stunk...I was so disappointed...until he said it smelled like butterscotch and he hated butterscotch or the smell of it. I was so relieved when I got the box and smelled it for myself. It did smell like butterscotch...and when I opened it and it smelled even better I was even more relieved. I couldn't wait to burn one so my first choice was Harvest Spice. I wish I could put everything in the feedback section that I want to say! You have a great product and I can tell you worked very hard on them. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! This is what customer satisfaction is ALL about! Two people came to my house tonight and before they left they purchased TARTS! LOL Many thanks

whatcha think? :)

Decided I needed a new look for my 7 ounce frosted tumblers - ok I think I have ADD - I get bored of things too easy (probably why I never got marred ;) )

I think these look good with no dye - I have plastic lids for them so they don't get dusty - or I also have some metal lids but they cost me $1 more so I would just pass that dollar along.

I have them listed on Etsy.

Something new in town!

Heard of Revolution Money Exchange? Seems to be the latest PayPal - but without the fees!
I signed up! You can too - click below!

September specials have gone out! One of these days I will figure out how to change the top part that says "Sample Company Newsletter" - yikes!!

Been busy cleaning and re-organizing - hope everyone had a great Labor Day Weekend!

My Etsy "Mini" !

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade SweetSurrenderCandle.etsy.com

Employment update ... plus

Well the wonderful job I had my hopes up about did not come to fruition. However, I am staying optimistic and still looking - I want to find the right place! For now I am just working harder on trying to build my business - if I could survive on this I'd be in heaven!

Being on more sites now, I am hoping I can really increase sales over last year for the quickly upcoming busy season. If you love my stuff - please share my site(s) with your friends!

I've stocked up on wax and fragrances and a few surprises - like this gorgeous pewter candle holder/ topper - just a dozen in stock! And some very cool new reed diffusers.

Feel free to comment and let me know what you think of this! Thanks :)

And like that wasn't enough - how do these sound?

Pecan Cheesecake Brulee - A super strong, blend of crushed glazed pecans, brown sugar, tiny hints of caramel blended into a rich cheesecake brulee.

Baklava - Rich bakery flavor; creamy rich vanilla, almond, clove, ginger and cinnamon with sweet butter blended throughout make this sweet treat a hit with everyone.

Bear Claws - Layers of sweet flaky pastry made with mouthwatering hints of chocolate, honey, almonds, raisins, and confectioners sugar! This is a really strong oil! Bursting with different sweet smells to fill your house!

Brown Sugar Pecan - Heavenly rich, aromatic pecan pie dusted with brown sugar crystals and topped with drizzles of creamy whipped amaretto cream.

Fruit Lupes - You will love this fun, fruity combo! Citrus based with a big twist! Sweet Lemon-lime and berries all come together to bring you this fruity delight!!

Pumpkin Ginger Streusel - Pumpkin spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove are topped with vanilla sugar and gresh ginger to create this mouth watering scent.

Pumpkin Nog - A very intense pumpkin spice mixed into a rich creamy nog! I have to say, this is one wicked oil! While it is different than Pumpkin pie spice, it has a SUPER AWESOME scent throw! It is VERY strong, rich and wonderful!

Sugared Vanilla Shortbread - AN irresistable rich aroma of sweetened Buttermilk, fresh vanilla extract, and lightly dusted top notes of powdered sigar.

Christmas Fig - An earthy, fruity fig belnded with hints of apple, quince and rich plum notes to make a magnificent blend!

Winter Woods - Fresh breezes, orchid and ylang ylang dance on top of sandalwood, pine needles and freshly fallen leaves. Reminiscent of a walk in the woods on a snowy winter day.

I am suddenly hungry and refreshed! :)

I'm a scentaholic!

I keep adding more scents - I am hooked!

Here is what's in the works!

Blueberry Cobbler
Raspberries & Cream
Graham Cracker (and now I can make SMORES scent!)

Those 3 are pretty self-explanatory - these to follow I thought needed descriptions!

Hypnotic Tonka Bean - Bergamot, Lemon, Orange, and Galbanum start out this hypnotic scent followed by Jasmine, Rose, and Ylang Ylang. Sandalwood, Musk, Amber, Vanilla, and Tonka Bean round out this beautiful fragrance.

Cranberry Orange Spice - Tart cranberries & sweet oranges mixed with just the right amount of spice

Maduro - Sultry scent reminiscent of after dinner rooms reserved for first class passengers on the Titanic. Earthy rich teakwood, cognac and a faint hint of tobacco.

Clementine Clove - Sweet clementines spiced with whole cloves make a sweet and spicy favorite

Fruity Sangria - Red wine, chopped fruit, orange juice, blended with other spirits

Pear Drizzle - Sweet juicy pears drizzled with brown sugar and nutmeg.

That one makes my mouth water!

I don't have them in yet but they are all in the process of being ordered. Keep checking back!

And if you find a 12 step program for scentaholics - please let me know!

oh boy!

after a little over a month of being "unemployed" after 8 yrs and 4 months at my last job - it looks like I might finally be going back into the work force! Yeah I wish I could survive on my candle business but it's not that profitable and much too time consuming :) But I enjoy it!

But I took my first drug test Friday and am hoping by next week I'll be back in the mortgage biz during the day. It's a contract job so not sure how long it will last - it could even turn into permanent - and it also pays way better than my last job - which just means I will spend more money on new scents and products! Wish me luck!

In the meantime I am thinking my next special sale will be a discount on one of my new candles - but which one? hmmmmmmmmmmmmm better decide soon!

Hope everyone is having a great August so far!

I will soon be sending out a special for August to those who have subscribed to my newsletter!

I am always open to new scent suggestions if anyone has a favorite - just let me know :)

This video made me cry - more than once - not from sadness! You have got to see it :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adYbFQFXG0U&feature=related

I got an article published on credit scores!

Please check it out:
http://tinyurl.com/6rfq8o

New Tart Molds!

I just love when I get new molds in - and today was my day to play! My new tatr molds are in the shapes of: butterflies, tulips, plumeria flowers and suns. I will be adding them to my Etsy shap and sweetsurrendercandles - and maybe some to my Feebay store too.

Remember to sign up for my mailing list to get special discounts!

Welcome to the Sweet Surrender Blog!

Now that I have gotten to know so many of my customers- I really wanted a place for everyone to come to hear about new products, new scents and new sales!

And I would also like to hear back from you!

Tell me what new scent you are looking for - what you like or don't like. Tell me what neat things you have seen or have done!

Sign up for my mailing list to get special offers and coupons!

I am a little new to blogging so hopefully this will get better as it goes along!

Use the subscribe at the bottom of this entry to be on my mailing list!