Crafted in the Woods

I'm pleased to share that I'm working on some new scents to add to my line for the spring.  It takes some time to get the right size wick for each scent.  I burn each test candle 3 hours at a time, extinguish them, and then take notes on how they are burning.  Is there wax left hanging on the sides of the jar, is the flame too large and bouncy or too small and weak, is there any soot or puffs of smoke coming from the flames?  All these things tell me if the wick is the right size for the scent I'm testing (or too large or small).  And of course, I'm deciding if the scent itself is good enough to add to my line.  In the end, I tally up the hours the candles burn and retest wicks based on the results of the previous burn.  Each scent gets several tests before it is added to my line.  That way I know it is the best candle I can possibly make.     

Well, enough about testing candles for now.  I'm off to each a piece of chocolate torte with raspberries and watch my new favorite show, 'Lark Rise to Candleford'. 

Cheers!

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I can hardly believe it is coming onto Christmas time already!  As you can see from the dates on my posts, I am not the greatest blogger on the web... But, life goes on anyway.

I've enjoyed a wonderful year of making candles, doing many craft projects with my 2 girls, continuing to homeschool, and attending craft fairs.  My next chapter of Crafted in the Woods will be experimenting with hand made soaps.  Especially liquid soap.  I've been using my own soaps in our home for almost a year and will continue to test and try recipies until I'm satisfied I've come up with the best formulation I can.  Will (try to) keep you posted! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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From a morning packed with school with my girls, to an afternoon speckled with finding craft shows to attend, planting a few more things in the garden and finishing up a few school assignments, then finally finishing up with an evening of burning leaves in the perimeter of the woods around our yard... breakfast seems like an eternity ago!  It's days like these that I feel like that 'Jack of all trades - master of none'!  

I had a great time on Saturday at the Duluth Dulcimer Day event.  The music that was shared there was fantastic!  A real treat.  I enjoyed seeing a few more repeat customers... always fun to hear what their favorite scents are.  And, as always, I met a few other vendors who - like me - are making a go at meeting the public with their creativity.  Always great to compare notes and gain new friends.

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Wow!  I really enjoyed myself at the Earth Day event at the Duluth Farmers' Market on Saturday.  I met with some really great new customers & reconnected with some existing ones.  There was great, live music going on most of the day which was lively enough to keep our feet tappin'.  That was really what kept us warm enough to keep functioning!  Yes, it was cold.  But hey, that's what you expect from Lake Superior in late March, right?  We love it it here anyway!

I bet you are just dying for an update on my sqare foot garden?  Well, we've sprouted several seeds - on a paper towel in a plastic bag! - and planted them out into our raised beds.  So far we've added peas, brocoli, carrots, lettuces, spinach, & a couple zuccini plants (which we keep under milk jugs with the bottoms cut out.).  Since the weather is quite cool, we also have a piece of plastic draped over the bed.  Amazingly, it keeps the soil really warm. 

That's probably more gardening than you wanted to hear about on a soy candle blog! 

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Things have been pretty busy around here this week.  Keeping up with our homeschooling has been fun, but a challenge.  Since the weather has been so nice, we want to be outside working on the yard, putting our sqare foot gardens together and generally playing in the sunshine!  So we have added gardening to our science experience and have planted many seeds and watched them sprout and push up out of the soil.  Amazing!

I enjoyed an evening of pouring candles last night as well.  I poured a few new scents to continue testing; Cinnamon Rolls & Blueberry Muffin.  They are almost ready to add to my line.  Just a few more test runs and I'll be happy with them. 

I'm really looking forward to the Earth Day Event this Saturday at the Duluth Farmers' Market (Located at 14th Ave. E and 3rd St. from 10 - 4 pm)  I love farmers' markets and all they represent for communities. 

This week's featured scents at the Earth Day Event will be Brandied Pear, Coconut Macaroon, and Ginger Chiffon.  These will be 15% off the regular price.  A great deal for trying out a new scent! 

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Today was my first spring show!  And the first show I've been at for a while.  It felt great to set up my booth and begin meeting people again.  I really love that part of growing my business.  I know that sounds kind of 'cliche', but I have really loved to talk with folks about scents and candles.  I've learned so much about how a great candle should burn and now I love to share that knowledge with others who love candles... not mention all the great things others can share from their own experiences! 

Anyway, the event to day was at Washington Gallery in Duluth, MN.  It was small, but intimate, with a great group of local artists and musicians sharing their skills.  I met several and it was a very personal atmosphere.

Thanks to all of you who came to the event today to support local artists and galleries in Duluth! 

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What a day!  It is a very exciting time around here with spring coming.  I'm happy to have updated several spring craft shows I will be attending in the coming weeks & months.  But even more exciting - we begain work on our new garden yesterday!  No, that doesn't have much to do with candles, but it is dominating our present time. 

My girls planted a couple different lettuces, spinach, & peas in our newly built square foot garden box.  And to top that, the seeds we planted in a sunny window are beginning to emerge.  Life is a marvel to witness!

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Greetings!  I have just blundered my way into the world of blogging.  It is certainly an interesting idea, but we'll see just how fascinating the life of a homeschooling candle maker can be.  

Anyway, if you've found me, Welcome! 

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