Out like a lamb

Good morning everyone!  Well, we went an entire weekend without snow although it's still brutally cold up here in Maine.  C'mon Spring where are you?

Anyway, I'm currently working on taking part in some upcoming fairs and festivals and should have some news soon.  In the meantime, there is a joint venture between Etsy's Team Homefront and NiceGurlNotes on Facebook called the Cute Stuff Sale on Friday April 1st.  I've been edged out by the other candlemakers but feel free to take a look at the sale anyway.  It's a great group of chicks selling some great stuff:)  

I'm also a member of April's Army, a group of extremely talented artists who found each other through their love of Regretsy.  For those who don't know Regretsy is a website run by April Winchell, voice of many of your favorite cartoon characters of old and daughter of Tigger, and her fiance.  Together they (and their fans) poke fun at the cringe worthy crafts being sold on Etsy, bring attention to some really cool and off the wall art, call out resellers and Etsy's insistence on not doing a damn thing about them or even acknowledging their existence (or the cyber version of closing your eyes, sticking your fingers in your ears and yelling LA LA LA LA and hoping the complainer will shut up and go away).  They have over 70k fans on Facebook and April's Army is made up of over 1000 artists.  Of course, there are many on Etsy who hate the fact that Regretsy exists (many of them are crafters whose items have seen the Regretsy spotlight).  However, far from being just a group of meanie doody heads who pick on Etsy sellers, Regretsy has also held many charity events raising hundreds and thousands of money for Cancer patients, children and pets in need, and sellers (some fans some not) in dire financial straits.  There's another charity drive coming up shortly that I'll be participating in so keep watch for details.  

Finally, as March draws to a close here is a list of upcoming obscure holidays and their discounts:)  Have a great week everyone!  Chow for now:)

March 29 - Happy Birthday Coca Cola!  

20% off all cola scented candles

March 31 - Orange and Lemon Day  

20% off citrus scented candles

April 1 - The Apple Computer was invented (1976)

20% off Apple and apple pie candles

April 2 - The birthday of the US Mint (1792)

20% off Mint scented candles

April 3 - National Chocolate Moose Day

free shipping on all chocolate candles

April 4 - Chocolate Milk Powder (1828) and Homogeneous Milk day (1892)

Free shipping on Chocolate shake candles 

April 5th - Apple Cider Mill Day (1806)

free shipping on apple/pie candles

Chai Tea and a Magnetic Personality

Chai Tea candle

Well, it's been a pretty busy week, enjoyed some beautiful weather and scowled at some falling snow as winter just doesn't seem to want to just go away!  So I broke the monotony by working on some new candles and projects.  This week I'm revealing a brand new Chai Tea candle!  I admit I've never partaken myself but I love the smell of it and understand it's a very popular drink.  So in a plain yet elegant white tea cup I've set a sweet but delicate scented Chai Tea candle complete with cream and a dusting of real cinnamon to complete the experience.  I've also decided to make a smaller version of my Cola scented candle.  This one is only 6 oz and is about 1/3 the size of the original in a thick green glass.  I'm also happy to report the supplies I've been waiting for for an entire month are FINALLY on the way and I hope to reveal three new concept candles I've been planning these last few months.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime I've been working on bringing my Foodie line back.  I just didn't have the heart to let these little guys die so they've returned in refrigerator magnet form.  I'm also experimenting with pins and creating more characters.  For now though we have:

Sandwich Cookie Monster

Fortune Cookie Monster

Black Eyed Pea

Snowpea

French Bread Ooh la la!

Butterfly

Chickpea

Deviled Egg

That's about it for now I think.  Next week I'll have more candles and items available for sale and news about a brand new promotion featuring Etsy Homefront Team.  In the meantime, pop on over to my Fluffy Chiq blog for the results of all the recipes I tried last week.  Have a great week everyone.  Chow for now!

Back in the saddle again

Greetings and salutations!

Yes, I know, where have I been?  Apologies to all for dropping off the face of the earth, life just got away from me I guess.  You know what that's like.

Anyway, there have been a few changes since my disappearance.  First I've closed my Etsy shop until the holiday season and moved to Artfire.  I also have a fan page on Facebook, so if you haven't done so already please head on over and "like" me, and I have my very own YouTube channel where I post my favorite epicurean videos as well as commercials I make for Culinarychiq Concepts.  My latest Easter, Ostara and Spring candles are now available so head on over to Artfire and check them out!

I've also thought it'd be fun to run some sales on days containing obscure holidays.  Here is the sale schedule for March:

March 14 - Pi Day - 20% off all Pie Candles
March 15 - Dumbstruck Day - Leave a story on Facebook of how someone or something left you completely speechless and you get 20% off your next order (please nothing pertaining to something you saw on the news or tv, this is something that happened to you personally)
March 16 - Lips Appreciation Day - 30% off heart and Valentine's Day candles
March 19 - Poultry Day - Free Cream Egg Easter Chicky with your order
March 20 - First Day of Spring - 20% off all Spring, Ostara and Easter candles
March 21 - National Fragrance Day - All scented items 20% off
March 25 - Pecan and Waffle Day - 20% off Hot Fudge Sundae candles
March 29 - National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day - Send me a link of your online shop to get 20% off
March 29 - Coca Cola is invented - 20% Cola candles
March 31 - Orange and Lemon Day - 20% off all citrus scented candles

Finally, I have much love for my favorite Etsy people, Team Homefront, featuring other talented military spouses like myself with great shops!  Every Monday questions go out for the team to answer and so here are the questions and my answers:

1. What song is your personal anthem? If you don't have an anthem a favorite song will do.

I don't think I have an anthem but my absolute favorite song is The Very Thought of You by Nat King Cole.

2. What is your favorite ride at an amusement park?

I love old fashioned wooden roller coasters but my favorite rides of all time are the Wonder Wheel and Cyclone in Coney Island.

3. What was your favorite restaurant at any of your past/present duty stations?

I have two (surprise;).  Teriyaki Bistro in Issaquah, WA (I still dream about their special garlic sauce) and Coconuts on the Beach in Cocoa Beach, FL (best jerk wings and sweet potato fries I've ever had).

4. Where is your favorite place to go for supplies?

AC Moore and Michaels of course but in a pinch Walmart and Dollar Tree have come in very handy.  And of course I go online:)


Until next week folks:)  Ciao for now!