New Fragrances Sampled

I just sampled two fragrances thanks to a customer request and both are wonderful! I want them both!

One is Tea Rose which is a white tea with a delightful touch of fresh rose. The other is Rose Hip and Tea which is a beautiful blend of rose and tea which I swear has a touch of vanilla...reminds me if a discontinued fragrance I used to love!

What do you think?

Mobile Blogging from here.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Bliss Candles Featured!

Bliss has been featured on yet another wonderful blog! Check out feature here: http://asthebellringsbadiks.blogspot.com/2009/04/feature-friday_24.html

-Suzanne

Featured Etsy Blogger Artist: TwoZanyZebras

Check out this months Etsy Blogger - TwoZanyZebras! These wonderful children's items ranging from baby bibs to blankets to onesies to t-shirts adorned with fun monsters and critters can be found at http://twozanyzebras.etsy.com. Don't forget to check out the blog too - http://www.twozanyzebras.blogspot.com.

What is Your Favorite Fragrance?

Vote for your favorite fragrance and take 15% OFF your next order over $60 at http://www.blisscandles.com/!

Click here for the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=q8vVx_2fNRVEhG5Ff68wVZDw_3d_3d

Fragrance List as of April 2009

We have added over 10 new fragrances since March 2009 and we now carry over 200 fragrances! Check out our new fragrance list at:

http://www.blisscandles.com/FragranceList.htm

New fragrances can be ordered with Price Break Listings in our Etsy shop right now (http://www.blisscandles.etsy.com/) . New fragrances will be added to the regular website this weekend (http://www.blisscandles.com/) !

-Suzanne

Etsy Artist Feature: You Stink Soap

As a member of several Etsy Teams, I come across some fabulous and fun artists. Many know I am a sucker for body products and home decor!

Today I came across a bath and body product shop that has a wonderful assortment of products as well as a professional presentation that lends her products to be perfect for yourself or gift giving...Mother's Day is coming! Check out these items from YouStinkSoap , an Etsy West Michigan artist, and stop in and take a look.

Enjoy! Suzanne

Fabulous Find: Organic Cotton Spa Washcloth Set

Of the many things I have bought on Etsy, this is one of my favorite items by Spotted Cow Soaps. These wonderful washcloths are fantastic for people with allergies and while the artist recommends hand washing these, I have put them in the machine several times and they come out fine. Check them out here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15829472

Have fun out there! -Suzanne

Increase Your Twitter Traffic!

I have been following all of Timothy Adam's wonderful advice and here is one site I am trying. It is supposed to boost your followers significantly for FREE! Check it out.

http://tweetergetter.com/blisscandles

-Suzanne

A Heavenly Combination

Sure I LOVE my own candles (*wink*) but I had a combo burning yesterday that was sheer heaven!

On one side of the Living Room, I had Lime Cilantro burning and on the other side I had Violet Lime burning. My home smelled so fresh and clean....it was fantastic! Definitely a recommendation of the "Chef" to grab these two :)

Just had to share...it is that wonderful! Have a great Sunday :)

-Suzanne

Fabulous Find: Flower Tags for SpRiNg!

I came across these pretty little flower tags today while "surfing" Etsy! What a fun little addition to those Spring and Easter gifts - designed by whateverislovely:) At only $4, this is a fun purchase to brighten your day. There are many more wonderful items in this shop so stop in and take a peek!

Here is where you can find these delightful little tags:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=19461136

The Spring Sale is ON!!!

It's that time of year...time for our annual Spring Sale!

Take 15% OFF any order placed on our regular website - http://www.blisscandles.com/ - now through March 30, 2009. Use discount code "SPRING" at checkout to get the discount!

Recommendations of "The Chef" for Spring:

• Fresh Cut Grass
• Lilac
• Tulips (YC Type)
• Hydrangea (YC Type)
• Lily of the Valley
• Garden Pavillion
• Spring Bouquet (YC Type)
• Key Lime Pie (YC Type)
• Violet Lime
• Lime Cilantro
• Orange Spice
• Orange Ginger
• Spring Rain
• Shore Breeze
• Pineapple Paradise
• Coconut Bay (YC Type)

Have fun shopping! -Suzanne

Featured Etsy Blogger Artist: DesignbyNora

This active Etsy Bloggers Team member, DesignbyNora, features adorable stud earrings, handbags, and an array of miscellaneous items. Stop into her shop at http://designbynora.etsy.com and get a jump start on Spring with these wonderful pics! Featuring free shipping on an assortment of items :)

Check out these bright little star earrings .... just perfect for Summer and Fourth of July!

What a pretty little purse to go with those dainty spring dresses.....

These pretty little earrings would go beautifully with bridesmaid dresses in Springtime!

Clean Up Your Act!

Do you love those YC fragrances but hate the soot and other oddities? Did you know we have a long list of "interpretations" of their fragrances made with wonderful, clean-burning soy? Please remember that our fragrances are NOT Yankee fragrances...just interpretations which may not be exact...and they hold all rights to names, fragrances, etc.

Go to http://www.blisscandles.com/ or http://blisscandles.etsy.com/ to order some of these favorites!

Amber Sunset
Buttercream
Cinnamon Stick
Clean Cotton
Coconut Bay
Coconut Lime Verbena
Cookies & Cream
Cranberry Chutney
Cucumber & Cantaloupe
Cucumber Melon
Fresh Cut Roses
Harvest
Hydrangea
Island Mango
Key Lime Pie
Lemon Lavender
Lemon Zest
Mandarin Cranberry
Midsummers Night
Pineapple Paradise
Sage and Citrus
Spring Bouquet
Sugar Plum
Sun & Sand
Sunwashed Linen
Tropical Vanilla
Tulips
Witches Brew

New Social Networking Site - Tumblr!

The computer nerd has found yet another social networking site! This site, Tumblr, operates more as a blog but has some fun features, is incredibly easy to use, links to Twitter, and offers yet another avenue for all of us to promote ourselves. Go to http://www.tumblr.com/ to sign up today! **Make sure you mention Etsy somewhere so that people can find you if they search "Etsy."

For those of us with the spectacular IPhone, there is a FREE Tumblr app available that allows you to do posts! Just go to ITunes to download it.

My tumblr address is: http://blisscandles.tumblr.com/.

Have fun out there! -Suzanne

Etsy Forums Post - The Huh Factor

Promotion and Marketing don't have to be "traditional"....

I came across a post in the Etsy Forums that I just love today! I'm always about the unusual as a way to boost promotion and marketing initiatives. This doesn't just apply to Etsy either. The advice given here can help anywhere. So enough of my blah, blah, blah....here's the link!

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6060399

Enjoy and think Summer! -Suzanne

Dog Bed Cover Delight!

I just had to take a moment to brag about yet another wonderful find on Etsy.com! I found a wonderful, high quality Duck Canvas dog bed cover that my pooch is going to love:) Here's hoping it keeps him off of the bed and couch!! It's washable, dryable, has no zippers, and even better...it just takes regular pillows.

Check out the full line of products here: http://bowwowbeds.etsy.com/.

Here's my sweetie:)

New Blog - Mom's House!

Check out my new blog which focuses on the fun things in life - Family, Friends, Fun, Recipes, Home, Garden, Etsy, and more! Mom's House - http://momshousemichigan.blogspot.com/.

Posted today...a yummy, fast chicken recipe!

As always...Enjoy!

-Suzanne

New Shipping Calculations - 2009

A short time ago, I read a great blog that showed how to set up shipping tables in Pay Pal since Etsy and some of the other selling sites do not have shipping calculators. In late 2008, I lost oodles of money on shipping to several states and with the recent rate hike I found I can not absorb up to $8 per package in shipping .... so I am trying out the Pay Pal Shipping option which will assign appropriate shipping based on your state/zip code. New shipping rates on sites without shipping calculators are as follows through Pay Pal:

States: New Hampshire, Colorado, Armed Forces - AA, Florida, Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota, Connecticut, Wyoming, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Armed Forces - AE, Armed Forces - AP, Massachusetts, Arkansas, South Carolina, Vermont, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Delaware

Purchase Total/Shipping

$.01 – 15/$9.00
$15.01 - 25/$11.00
$25.01 – 66/$13.50
$66.01 – 80/$16.50
$80.01 and Up/$22.00

States: Kansas, North Carolina, Nebraska, Minnesota, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Iowa, Virginia, District of Columbia

Purchase Total/Shipping

$.01 – 15/$7.50
$15.01 - 25/$8.75
$25.01 – 66/$12.50
$66.01 – 80/$15.00
$80.01 and Up/$20.00

States: Utah, Idaho, California, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, New Mexico, Hawaii, Nevada, Montana

Purchase Total/Shipping

$.01 – 15/$10.50
$15.01 - 25/$12.50
$25.01 – 66/$13.50
$66.01 – 80/$18.50
$80.01 and Up/$25.00

States: Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky

Purchase Total/Shipping

$.01 – 15/$6.00
$15.01 - 25/$6.50
$25.01 – 40/$8.50
$66.01 – 80/$10.50
$80.01 and Up/$13.50

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you to everyone for such a great 2008!! ~Suzanne

Timothy Adam Designs: Google Analytics and Your Etsy Shop

Another great video tutorial from Timothy Adam Designs! Did you know we have Google Analytics now for our Etsy Shops? Check it Out!

timothy adam designs: Google Analytics and Your Etsy Shop

Arts and Craft Show Selection Tips

Well...it's getting to be that time of the year. The craft show apps start pouring in and we're left trying to be psychic about the outcomes. For the last five years, I have lived the game. Let me start right out by saying no one is psychic and shows change from year to year. You really have to take the information at hand and do what you can with it.

Here's how you can improve your chances of finding the more successful shows:

1. Check with other crafters. Is the show good for them, bad for them? What do they sell? What items did they see walking out the door? I even check their demeanor...yep..their demeanor. Craft show shoppers often buy from the booths where the crafters are happy and participative yet not overbearing. If the person you are talking to has a grumpy demeanor or appears to be a pushy salesperson, that could a contributing factor for their lack of success. Check with as many people you can find and look on your local craft show web sites for feedback on shows. Craftlister.com is a good source here in Michigan and appears to cater to other states as well - http://www.craftlister.com.

2. Find out how many years the show has been running. I am always very flattered by the new shows and small church shows that invite me to be in their shows. The fact of the matter is I have to sell at least $2800 in product to make it worth hauling my stuff. Shows will less than 10 years under their belt typically won't yield the sales I need. I know those $15-50 application fees are appealing but in the end can you live with yourself if you don't hit your sales goals? Keep in mind that even a 25 year show can tank for an assortment of reasons. I have seen more than a couple shows fail because of a change in coordinators. Another example: This year I attended one of the best shows in this area. The sales were awful for most, actually not so bad for me because people looked for me and I did my own marketing. The show tanked because it got moved, there was poor signage, terrible parking (people literally had to walk a mile or more in some cases), it was 20 degrees out, and the Santa Clause parade was the same day. Blame it on the economy all you want, the items above had more of an impact. If you don't need to generate a great deal of sales to make it worth it, a 5 year plus show may be great for you!

3. Do people want your stuff? The outcome for you may depend greatly on the product you are selling. If it is something people want, you may be golden. However, if you are selling items over $100 in an area where everyone has lost their jobs, your likelihood of success may be minimal. If you are selling in an area where everyone has ritzy home decor, they may not go for less expensive towels and such. Talk to other crafters who have attended the show. Who did well and who didn't? Inevitably, you will have a handful of both but at least you can get an idea of what sells.

4. Where is the show located? Is the show easy to get to? Good parking? Does it offer food and snacks? If it is a church, is it a large church or a small one? The ideal: A large school or church with lots of parking, a full lunch menu (keeps shoppers happy), easy to get find, large "client" or congregation base, and booths that are at least 10x10 so shoppers have room to browse.

5. How do they market? Oh..this is a biggie! Over the last couple of years I have seen some high dollar shows produce less sales because they took on the attitude that everyone knows when their show is. Bad move. I hear customers say all of the time that they looked for it in the paper to get the right date and they couldn't find it! Not to mention, they don't get in those new customers. I always look for shows that advertise in several newspapers, utilize local church bulletins, have blogs and websites, advertise in school promos, etc. Make sure they are advertising in the right venues as well. I went to a show a couple years ago that advertised in surrounding communities and not in the one the show was in -- I was shocked. Do the homework that you can in this area. In my experience, the good shows typically put their advertising venues right in the literature that they send each year with the applications.

Again, there are numerous variables in who will be successful and where. Determine first what you are trying to accomplish and go from there. I have to make thousands of dollars worth of product to stock a show where someone else only needs a few hundred dollars worth. That makes a difference in the venue a person can choose.

Good luck with those 2009 shows!

-Suzanne