Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Lucky last teardrops

My clearout of mini-teardop candles is almost at an end. If you want to take advantage of the half price clearance offer, you will need to get in soon. I only have small quantities of the Rose, Orange and Frangipani fragrances left now. The Rainforest fragrance is the only one available in sufficient quantities for the set of five. I will have the remaining stock with me on Saturday at the Winter Encraftment market. If you can't make it along there, I have all the mini-teardrops available listed on Felt.

They are being replaced with small teardrops, which are available now. I have improved upon the mini-teardrops – the small size is 20% larger, and they last about three times longer, and the wick is a more suitable size. These are still available at the introductory price of $10 each. This has almost come to an end, and I will be raising the price of them on Monday to $14 each, to reflect the true cost of creating them. I will also be increasing the prices of the Valentines Hearts, Floating candles and Hand-dipped tapers at this time as well. I been revising my wholesale pricing to make sure it is sustainable, which means I need to raise the retail price as well to keep them in line. You have got until the end of Sunday the 3rd July to take advantage of my current prices – either at the Winter Encraftment Market, or on Felt.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Winter Encraftment market

The next market I have coming up is the Winter Encraftment Market on July 2nd at Villa Maria College Hall, from 10am-3pm.

This is a new market, and with over 50 creative stalls, there will be something for everyone. Bags, gifts, crafty items, toys, games, kids decor, vintage and modern jewellery, clothing, crafting supplies, homewares, garden art, children's clothing and accessories as well as amazing food, coffee and hot chocolate.

You will find goodies from Locket, Mudbird NZ, Feltgood, Green Jean, Cloudnine, Relique, The Wardrobe and many more. Forget the malls, come beat the chill of winter and the shaky ground with some retail therapy at Encraftment!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Focus

Yesterday was quite a topsy turvy day for me. I spent the morning in hospital under sedation, and the afternoon fuelled by adrenaline, after the world came crashing down again. Fortunately I was home from the hospital before the first aftershock struck. In fact I was just sitting down to relax to recuperate from a second gastroscopy (this one was to check the gluten free diet is working, and the results came back as normal, which means it is – yay!) We'd just cleaned up the mess, checked in on facebook and sat down again when the second one hit.

Just like February, the fish tank fell over and smashed again, throwing the fish on the floor again and spilling water all over the carpet again. The poor fish must be quite traumatised by now. Fortunately they both survived, as they were only on floor for a minute or so this time. We also got another liquefaction volcano in the backyard. Still no where near as bad as a lot of other people further east have it though.

All this shaking tests the resolve just a little. I'm sure we've all become much more resilient since September, but each time it gets a little harder to hold it together and stay focussed on the bigger picture.

For me, the bigger picture involves growing my business to a sustainable level that provides a proper income for me. Starting a business is never easy, but to start one in a year punctuated by earthquakes certainly doesn't help make it any easier. The majority of the retailers I supply in Christchurch have been affected, along with other local companies I work with. I don't want to sound too melodramatic though, as some businesses have lost everything, and I haven't lost a thing.

However, this makes me more determined than ever to make my business succeed. As long as I am self-employed, I am keeping a job open for someone else who needs it more. In the longer term, my business may grow to employ other people, and help grow the Christchurch economy when it so badly needs it.

I have a list of things as long as my arm of things to do, which I have been slowly ticking off. There are two important things I need to do to help with the forward momentum, and I feel if I write them here, it might give me more accountability to get them done! Firstly, I need to finish my website, which is at least half done. Secondly, I need to find some more retailers interested in stocking my candles. I have a few in mind I plan to approach, but if you know of any shops in your area that might suit, or you have a shop yourself and would be interested in stocking them, then let me know.

I do plan to still have my Tea Party on Sunday. It may begin with an earthquake briefing, but other than that I'm determined not to let tectonic plates get in my way! If you'd like the distraction of shopping, high tea, and great company, then come along, and feel free to bring a friend. You can RSVP here by 5pm tomorrow, and receive all the details by email on Thursday, and check in on the facebook event here.

Last night I kept thinking of that parody song 'I'm on a boat', and thinking that's what it was like with the house swaying so often. Which reminds me of how if someone is feeling seasick, you always tell them to watch the horizon. Which I what I intend to keep doing.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

And the winner is...

Drum roll... Rosie from Honey and Spice! You have won a tall ice candle, and a small essentials tin. I will email you with the details.

Thank you all for your comments and feedback, it's always nice to hear which products people like. Also, just this afternoon I have reached another milestone, of 30 sales in my Felt store!

If you'll be in Christchurch next weekend and feel like some high tea and shopping, you might like to come along to my Tea Party. You can RSVP here.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Tea Party – The Winter Edition

It's that time of year again, the Rose in Thorns Tea Party is back! It will be a great blend of tea, fine china, baking and shopping. There will be a full range of my candles available to purchase, some great deals on sale stock, and demonstrations of some of the different candles.

It will be held on the 19th of June from 3pm – 5pm at my home in Richmond, Christchurch. You will need to RSVP by Wednesday the 15th June here, and will receive address details the following day. You can also RSVP on the facebook event I have created. You can RSVP on both, I will check to make sure I don't count anyone twice! Also, feel free to bring a friend along with you – just mention that when RSVPing so I have the correct numbers. I don't want to run short of teacups and baking!

You can bring along any old candles for recycling for a 10% discount of your purchase. Also, don't forget my giveaway is still open, you've got till tomorrow to enter.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Giveaway time!

A big thank you to everyone that helped me to pass the 200 'liker' mark on Facebook. When I wrote my 100th blog post, I said that I would celebrate by doing a giveaway when I reached the Facebok milestone. So, without further ado...

The prize consists of a tall ice candle, a round acrylic plate and a small soy essentials tin candle. The winner can choose between the white and blue/purple ice candle shown, and one of the following essentail oil fragrances: Cinnamon, Patchouli, Geranium, Rose, Lavender, Manuka and Ylang Ylang.

To enter, all you need to do it take a look at my Felt shop, then comment on this post with what your favourite item from my shop is. Easy! Entries will close on Thursday 9th June 2011 at 7pm, with the winner chosen at random from the comments. Good luck!