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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Preparing for the new year.

I survived the Christmas hustle and bustle. Let me tell you, with a 4yo, that wasn't an easy thing. I learned alot on how to proceed with the holidays next year. I am just glad it's over and the kids are happy,more importantly.....QUIETER. :)

In the mist of Thanksgiving and Christmas, I neglected to do anything special in my shops but offer seasonal flavors. I think that is a mistake I will change next year.

For Valentines Day, I will be offering a special box of candies made specifically for the holiday. I have had a blast looking online to see what specific flavors/fruits/herbs etc are suppose to mean/help your body with. I have a test list of flavors combos. I am planning on playing around with before I start sharing.

I will share the choices of box names though -

Guilty Pleasures
Erotic Indulgences (I like this one the best, but I am afraid it will put too many people off. Thoughts???)

I am thinking of doing a chocolate Guinness for St. Patty's day. Caramel and Marshmallow -YUM

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. Be safe and have FUN!

Talk to you in the new year. I will have pictures soon!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Christmas cookies

My son and I made Christmas cookies for Santa today. We made candy cane shapes. I used kool aid to color and flavor them. I do not like the weird taste some color leaves. :)

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Loopy Chick

S Kamla Featured Artisan The Loopy Chick Comments Share File Edit View Help View only
The Loopy Chick Feature Artisan


This weeks Featured Artisan is Stacy Lynne - The Loopy Chick! You will find darling Sock Monkeys and "Snuggy" Baby Blankets in her shop!  All made by hand and all made with love by Stacy! Beautiful Crocheted and Knitted Gifts!

 You can find the Loopy Chick on: Artfire Blog Website Facebook Twitter

Are you On Fire for Handmade? http://onfireforhandmade.com Enable screen reader

We love Sock Monkeys at our house. My son and the dog are constantly at battle for whichever one is the favorite.
Please go and check out her amazing items!!!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

On Fire For Hand Made

I have joined this group and they are EVERYWHERE! It's great promoting other shops and myself. I really believe it's helping.

Every week we do a team treasury and here is mine for this week!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTI1MTQ0NDh8MjcyMTE1ODQ5OQ/i-am-feeling-alittle-blue

Check it out and post on your favs or what you felt I should have put in there! :) I love suggestions!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Handmade Fuzzy - Feature

I am participating in onfirefor handmades blogging group.

This week the featured artisian is Handmade Fuzzy. You can see her blurb at this link.

http://onfireforhandmade.blogspot.com/


I went and poked around her shop on Zibbet...

http://www.zibbet.com/handmadefuzzy

There is a lot of cute and fun items! It is definately worth checking out!

This is the one item that caught my eye.

http://www.zibbet.com/handmadefuzzy/artwork?artworkId=952516

I do love color!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Busy days

I know it's been awhile. Since before Thanksgiving. I was going to post pictures of my yummy stuffing (yes, it was a success), but completely spaced it with all the chaos of the day. Trust though, it looked good and tasted wonderfully. I am no longer a stuffing virgin.

I have plans for some interesting posts, but need to get some orders out! I have been very busy the last week or so. I hoping it continues.

So hopefully mid week I will have my self ready to focus on my blog. Which is a huge thing in my new marketing plan. Part of what I want to blog about.

Gotta get back to it. It will be sooner then later. ;)



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Stocking Stuffers - Small gifts

I am going to be promoting smaller amounts for stocking stuffers and small gift ideas for teachers, co - workers etc. :)


Pre Thanksgiving Dinner

I am doing Thanksgiving dinner this year, as I have already told you. I am spending today preparing.

I neglected to consider seating. We will need to figure out where everyone will sit. We have a small table and 6 chairs and 14 people coming. OOPS! :)

I am also still nervous about the stuffing. I am sure it will be fine, but who knows. You never know how easy it can be to mess something up. LOL

Ok- so have a great Thanksgiving and I will post pictures after!!!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Thanksgiving

This year I am making thanksgiving dinner. Our turkey arrived today and I need to be able to get it into the deep fryer. That's right! Deep fryer!

I am also trying to decide what dessert to make. I already chose the stuffing. I am going to make an apple, sausage, fennel stuffing.

What are you all doing for the holiday???

Monday, November 12, 2012

New adventure

I have added a business to my current list of projects.

I have joined the BAKE family



I will be starting a separate blog for this business that will have my adventures in teaching baking classes in peoples homes. :)

I will post the link when I get it set up.

:)Thanks for your continued support!!!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Dessert table treats continued

As some of you know, my helper is 4. He loves Halloween and Spookly the Square pumpkin.

When I asked him what he wanted to make for the dessert table his response was Spookly's of course. (He knows the book by heart.) So, away we went planning how to make Spookly the Square Pumpkin treats.

We decided to use rice krispie treats for the bodies.



Then we cut them into something that resembled squares and dipped them in orange chocolate.

Please note the chocolate does not look that orange as we ran low on colorant. :)

 
 
We did not do eyes and arms. I got lazy. :)
 
 
 
We used the sprinkles instead. :)
 
Then green icing to make nice little stems, :)
 
 
 

Not perfect Spookly's but the short one was happy with them and all the kids at the party loved them!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Whoopie Pies

One of desserts I made for my dessert table was whoopie pies with chocolate marshmallow filling. IT being Halloween, we had to have pumpkin cakes.



Then of course, these are too boring and uninteresting. We had to decorate.


Thank you pinterest for the ideas! :) Love that site!!!

They turned out pretty good.




Last but not least to fill them!

The kids at the party LOVED them!

I will post more later.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Halloween Party

I am going to be doing doing a dessert table at a Halloween party and I am very excited about it.

I am excited to use some of my halloween molds!


 



I have a cake pan I am using for whoopie pies, but I want to try and incorporate some of these fun molds! Especially the eyes and teeth!

Thoughts??

I am planning on marshmallow cereal bars, popcorn ball, cake pops, caramel apples, and chocolate bark. Maybe I just make chocolate shapes instead of bark???

I would welcome thoughts and feedback!
 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Rock candy

I am about to see how the candy turned out.


Out of the jars......


Not a huge success, but not an utter fail!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Candy experiment

Today we started the process of making rock candy!

Jam

We finally made some jam today. It came out much better then last year! Now we just need more jars/lids!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Fall Flavors



Fall Flavors are creeping into my shops. Do you all have any favorites? Eggnog, pumpkin pie, and apple pie. YUM!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

New flavors

Wow, I didn't realize it's been so long since I posted. YIKES!!!

I made new flavors today and wanted to share them!

Chocolate chip mint and neopolitan! Can you tell I have had icecream on the brain???

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Shipping

I was lazy and did not change my shipping until tonight. I have a customer in Australia you has gotten a SCREAMING deal on shipping on 3 boxes now. :)

LESSON LEARNED.

don't procrastinate.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Emmy event

The indiExhibit will be co-hosting a super fab cocktail party with Hollywood Weekly Magazine! What could be more exciting that that? We have *four* AMAZING celebrity sponsors for the event, including the beautiful Charlotte Milchard and Vikki Lizzi, and the incredibly
handsome Patrick Kilpatrick ...

and Kevin Sorbo! Wait..it gets better! DAMA Tequila has joined us as our alcohol sponsors (hey, you can't have a cocktail party without the cocktails, right?!) AND the bestest news of ALL? Super talented Nickelodeon star, Austin Anderson, will be performing! Needless to say, it will be an epic night! We are very proud of all of our amazing members who have worked so hard to see all of these wonderful things happen. #ie4me

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Craigslist

I posted an ad for my shop on Craigslist today. We will see if it does any good for my shop!

I never dreamed how hard starting a business would be. :) It is very exciting and fun!

more to come..... :)

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Looking ahead

I am excited to say that next year there is a possibility of having my caramels at the Food Network Miami fesitival.

I also need to work on some kind of peanut butter treat to send in so that I can showcase my yummy peanut butters.

This is a short and sweet one. I am sick and have more work to do. We went on a long weekend to the coast. :) I was a HUGE slacker!

I will post again soon!

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Live and Learn

I was taught a very valuable lesson today. I did not do enough research before entering my shipping costs. I got an order to Australia and my shipping costs were $20. short. :(

Be sure to research your shipping costs! It's VERY VERY costly to ship overseas!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Head smack!

I made some yummy caramels for an Art opening. I did a drink theme. I made martini, Mocha, Tea, Red Wine, and brandy. I tasted them all and I was happy with how they came out.

I forgot to take photos so I can list them in my shop!

I CANT BELIEVE IT!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Drink caramels

I made my caramels for the art opening! I made martini, mocha, tea, brandy, and red wine.

My favorite is the mocha! They are very lucky they made it into the box!

I will post pictures tonight.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Sun and fun

The weather in deary Seattle has finely turned decent. I have been trying really hard to focus in promoting the business.

I did send in some yummy dessert topping and peanut/sunflower butters for a celebrity gifting. It was actually a relative of a celebrity, but still. :) I am also needing to start preparing for an art opening. I am doing drink themed caramels. I think it's going to be fun!

Later gaters. :)

Friday, July 20, 2012

Off blog subject!

So, I am getting involved in helping my friend restructure her dance studio. She is the spitting image of "Bunheads"

you need to go check out http://www.dancebydesign.net/
She is an amazing Teacher! My son is SO excited to take preschool Hip Hop and Tap from her. She has classes for everyone and offers an AMAZING birthday party package! What little girl wouldn't want a ballerina party???

Go check it out!!!!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Flavored Waters

I love all the flavor extracts and oils for cooking. The cost can add up! While cleaning, I found an herb book with a bunch of how tos.
I am currently making my own flavored water to use in my caramels and perhaps marshmallows.



All you have to do is cram a bunch of herbs or rose/flower petals in the jar, add water and sit in the sun until you feel its ready. I let mine sit a few days, as we don't get too hot here. You can also boil the water with the flavors for about an hour. I like the slow method. I feel the flavor is better. :)

Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

marketing

Since business has been alittle slow, I have been focusing on marketing. I have been facebooking, tweeting and pinning to boost my name. It has helped get my name and product out there but it hasn't done much for sales yet. It's still early.I also plan on blogging more.

On another note I added new products to my shops this week. I know have 2 online shops. my Craft Cafe shop has launched!

So, I have added caramel sauce, marshmallow sauce (which is the fam fav) and "Sticky Balls" which are cakeballs made with caramel.



I am also working on putting together some party favor packages to list. My son made these cupcake toppers. :)



I have a ton of molds to allow for variety. So, I am pretty excited for this. Hopefully it will sell.

Alright, well I am planning on blogging more so I will type soon!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Keep Moving Forward

So, I have hit a another lull in business. The celebrity thing isn't panning out so far. I have a few more events to try and then I will have to re asses.

I have a few books I am reading to come up with a plan to move forward. Nothing Worth having is ever easy, right?

I really want to push my peanut butter. I think it's a great idea. I am working on creating from names. It's kinda fun to work backwards. Right now I am working on "Snip and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails". I am trying to make it savory and incorporate licorice somehow. MAybe I can WOW in the next 2 events.

I am really excited about the peanut butter still, so I am exploring ways to promote this! Plus, it just tastes yummy!

That's all for now. I need to go care for my little helper.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Pictures

I realized there were not as many pictures as I thought. So, this post will be mostly pictures. :)


The top picture is a few of my peanut butters, and the bottom is sunflower butter.


These are a couple of my celebrity gift bags.

Tiramisu marshmallows


Top is baslamic strawberry and the bottom is sour cherry. 2 unique and fun flavors


I will post more later, I need to go be with the 3d people and world now. :)

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Peanut Butters

I have announced my new products. I am super excited about them, although they haven't sold yet. I am promoting them every chance I get.

Summer is almost upon us. I am looking forward to nice weather and my garden. I am still looking for work and trying to get my business going stronger.

later kids.
:)

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Name block

I am having the WORST time trying to come up with a name for my new product line. I am planning on adding peanut butter and sunflower butter and can not for the life of me come up with a name. It is driving me crazy! The containers are on the way, I have a deadline to get product out. All I need is a name so I can get labels.  GGGGGGgrrrrrrrr! :) IT has to be AWESOME as I am going to gift it to some big name celebrities! I am hoping this helps business pick up so I don't have to work in fast food.

On a more positive note, I have planted all my seedlings in my garden. I am hopeful that this year will be better. Although, I did loose most of my squash and my brussel sprouts. :( I did plant new squash. I think the wild bunnies ate my brussel sprouts.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

So, it's been awhile since I posted. I was having trouble with the site on my laptop. :) I still don't know what the problem is. I have discovered I can get on from the desktop, so I am very happy now!

My last post was about The Halle Berry event, that was cancelled. I participated in The Kentucky Derby event in place of it. That is this weekend, so I am hoping it will generate some business.

I am EXTREMELY sad that the Terrence Howard event was cancelled. Food Network was suppose to be there. I was hoping to get "discovered" :) Instead, I am going to participate in a Fathers Day Event. Lots of big names.2 of my sisters "Boyfriends" are included. Brad Pitt and possibly Johnny Depp.  Instead of sending in product, I Am thinking of doing gift certificates so I know if I am getting noticed.

Business has been picking up a little lately. That makes me really happy. I would love to get enough to support having my own website. Hopefully soon. I have a web designer on standby. YAY!!!! Then maybe I can get big enough to get my commercial space and be completely legal. :) Then I can participate in spring/summer festivals.

I am working on starting a new line for my shop. It's appeals to everyone and it a little more health conscious. So, I am hoping to get that in soon. I would like that to take off.

While researching the product, I discovered flavored salts. I am super excited to buy a few to try. They will work in my caramels and the new product! I just have to pick what flavors. I had no idea there were so many!

I have had to take a regular paying job. My hours are opposite my boyfriend so we can save on daycare costs. I work almost everyday and so we don't see each other much. It's a HUGE adjustment and it's been harder on me then I thought. But, it allows for very little disruption to our schedule, which is what we needed for now.

I think you are all caught up.
I am glad I can get back to blogging.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

April Event

I am very excited to say that I am participating in a Halle Barry Event in April. A group I belong to does gifting suites for celebrity events. I finally caved and decided to try to see how it would go for my business.I am also doing a charity event hosted by Terrence Howard. I am SUPER excited about that one. Food Network will be at that event.

So, I am working on creating a new label. Any thoughts or ideas would be welcome!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Spring treat fail

I found the cutest pan at JoAnns the other day and thought I would be able to make these super cute treats to sell in my store.

Marshmallows are difficult to work with cleanly. :) Shocking, I know. The caramel didn't show the shape very well, and my decorating skills seem to be lacking. :)

Take a look ~


This last picture is of some smore brownies before they went in the oven.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Need a jump start

It feels like the business has flat lined alittle. I tried to get it going with some valentines candy. That didn't seem to work. The candy didn't even get picked to be featured. I was alittle bummed about that. Now, I am working on some spring/Easter stuff to see if that will help.

I was able to post a new listing yesterday for a layered candy. We will see how that goes. I might have to lower the price a little. That seems to be an issue. Handmade stuff is more expensive then the big company stuff. It's better of course, but pricey. :)

I have offered sales, but they seem to go un noticed. I am going to start looking a better ways to promote the business. I am going to be in the sample village boxes In April and May. I hope that helps.

Feeling a little blah about it all. :) Off to do some chocolate work. Hopefully will have some good pics later!

Monday, February 13, 2012

gardening

It is alittle early, but as I live in the Pacific Northwest, I am starting now. My son and I have started planting seeds to start inside for our garden.




These are brussell sprouts! I am excited for the tomatos to sprout. We are planting popcorn tomorrow! Will post more pics as they come!