I Love Bottle Caps!

These are some bottle cap magnets I just added to my my Etsy shop. They are sold in sets of four. I never knew how much fun these could be to make; they're almost addicting. In fact, I've been going a little crazy this week because I ran out of the special adhesive I use to glue the image onto the bottle cap, and it seems delivery is especially slow.

Coming soon are more magnets, bottle cap and otherwise, drink charms, note cards, note pads, and of course candles.

Also, be sure to tune in to the Friday episode of The Martha Stewart Show, as Etsy is going to be featured.

I've been having a wonderful time working in the Etsy community, getting to know the artists there, learning the ropes of posting, and of course looking at all the wonderful items for sale. I think I'll add a weekly feature to this blog where I highlight some of my favorite shops.

Until then, I'll hope for a speedy delivery of my glue so I can get busy on creating more bottle cap treasures. I'll also be working on items for a spring boutique and possible upcoming craft shows, to be announced later.

Thinking Outside The Box And Failing

Do you ever have those days when everything you touch turns to...hooya?

I was thinking one night while lying in bed, why do citronella candles have to be so ugly? I imagined the outdoor bug repellent candles in cute stripes of pink, orange, aqua, and lime green, scattered about a summer lawn, flickering from twilight into the night, keeping those pesky mosquitoes away. Citronella candles don't have to be yellow. Party colors are the answer.

The next morning I woke up and hurried down to the studio, melted the wax and lined up all the festive colors. I spent hours pouring the thin layers of colored wax, getting more exited as the molds filled. At the end of the day after the candles had cooled and could be removed from the molds I unveiled the product of my vision. Except they looked nothing as I imagined. I hadn't achieved a smooth surface finish. My orange layer was too red. My lime green layer was too yellow. I failed.

I was so disappointed that after hours of work my four little candles were nothing like I envisioned them. Oh sure, I can take them to the cabin and share the attempt I made at festive citronella candles with my family. Functionally they'll be fine. Visually, not so fine. At least in my opinion.

Days later I'm still hesitant to try again. But it's such a good idea. By the weekend I'll probably be ready to make another attempt. Who knew a simple candle could be so complicated? Especially one designed just for bugs.

Midwest Art Fairs

My copy of Midwest Art Fairs arrived last week. When it arrives I get excited for a new year of craft show and boutique adventures. For anyone in the midwest looking for venues to sell hand-made crafts or fine art, this publication is invaluable. It's also a fun resource for people who like to shop at art and craft shows.

The other night I spent some time with the catalog and my calendar. I have a hard time setting a budget for registration fees, and very often there are more than one show I'd like to attend on a given date. So many decisions! Luckily I have a few weeks to choose summer shows and a few months for the fall and winter shows.

Of course once I register for the shows of my choice I have to wait to hear the jury's verdict on my presentation. If I make the cut it's all over but the days filled with meeting customers and other artists at the shows, and of course selling my wonderful products.

So go out and pick up a copy of Midwest Art Fairs if you live in the Minnesota/Wisconsin/Iowa/Illinois/North Dakota/South Dakota area. Whether you're selling or buying, you will be sure to find the perfect venues. I'll be sure to post my art and craft fair schedule on this site.

I Heart Etsy

She's up and running! I've finally opened my shop in Etsy.com. There are a few candles listed right now, and many more items will be listed in the future. I'll post updates of the shop on this site, so be sure to stay tuned.

Etsy.com is a wonderful site featuring many talented artists. All of the items for sale in the many shops are hand-made with a few exceptions of really cool vintage items. Add the site to your favorites and visit often to find great one-of-a-kind gifts of all sorts, or treat yourself to something that makes you smile. The artists update their shops frequently, so there's always something new. Even virtual window shopping at Etsy will make your day.

The Flu

After months of watching so many people get so sick, I finally got it. The fever, the cough, the plugged sinuses, the achy fatigue - it was all mine for a week. Needless to say, I was very unproductive during those long and dreary days.

But I'm coming back, slowly but surely. I received a shipment of twenty one-ounce bottles of fragrance oil, all chosen to reflect the upcoming spring and summer seasons. I've been making dozens and dozens of votives with the new scents, and will have a difficult time deciding which ones to add to my line. Coconut Lime Verbena is a shoo-in. Pomegranate is also one of my favorites. Another fragrance that is especially nice, Spring Rain - very fresh and light. There are florals, berries, fruits, and melons. There are tropicals, countrysides, and meadows. How can I narrow it down to four or five?

While I'm going through the process of pouring and testing I'm also warming up to Etsy.com. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll have a few things to offer over there.

Today I'm grateful to be drifting around the house without a fever. My routine is returning at the rate of my strength. Soon enough I'll be back to sipping wine rather than Nyquil.

Stay well.

Setting Up Shop

My Etsy shop is coming along. I've set up a banner (very simple as I'm not a techie), a shop statement, a bio, and even made an avatar. I think it's a perfect likeness of me.

Pretty soon I'll put some things up for sale; when that happens I'll provide a link on this blog's sidebar. The presentation I make on Etsy will prove to be interesting as my digital photography skills are somewhat limited. Ah, the many challenges that make life so delightful.

Be Mine

I love this. It's a cross-stitch project I've done which I scanned into the computer and made into blank note cards. I've scanned quite a few of my projects and offer boxes of note cards for sale at craft shows as well as some stores.

And speaking of stores, I've found myself longing to expand my sales into the world wide web. There were attempts to make sales through this blog; however, I think I could be represented better elsewhere. That's where Etsy comes in. I love the website and I love a lot of the stores it holds.

When I set up a store on Etsy, I'll make a notice of it on this site. I'll offer many things from beeswax, paraffin, and palm wax candles, a variety of products from the bottle cap collection, and an assortment of other products handmade by yours truly, Auntie B. I'll even offer cute little cross-stitch note cards.

Stay tuned. I'll keep you updated on my progress.

In Preparation...

Here she is, the grande dame of Valentine's Day. This little lady comes from the bottle cap collection at Auntie B's Wax. Yes, it's true, the entire thing is no larger than a bottle cap, and is, in fact, made from a real bottle cap. I've been having so much fun making bottle cap items, and the response has been wonderful.

The Queen of Hearts comes as a magnet or a lapel pin. But how can she be complete without her King? He, too, comes as a magnet or a lapel pin.

If you'd like more information on the bottle cap collection, you can send an e-mail to me at auntiebswax4u@yahoo.com. I'd be happy to send a catalog and order form. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address.