Well the weather has been UGH and we’re still waiting for summer to show up.  I’m still waiting for a brighter day to get some product photos done.  In the meantime, I’ve been busily plugging away at making my space more organized and efficient.  Thanks to a lovely donation from the Simpson clan I have been able to take the space to the next level…

That is about a quarter of the way through the project of moving all of my storage shelves, moving all of the family room type furniture out of the area, and rearranging all of my tables to take full use of the space.  I have a lot more to do - although it may have been done if I had been able to move the couch by myself!  I will hopefully be able to post pics of the finished room next week!

The other exciting thing is that I decided to make a “doggy bar” of soap to use on the often stinkalicious Atlas.  I was so excited about them that I took some samples up to our pal Eddie at Ash Way Pet and he was so excited, and has asked for some product to sell in his shop!  I’m still in the testing recipes phase, but I have ideas for several different bars for your pooch, and maybe even one for the brave bathing kitties as well.

I just poured a batch this morning that I’m very excited about so I cheated and peeked at it just now to pop a photo.  It is basil and rosemary EOs, with a swirl design done with parsley powder - my first attempt at color.  I’m sure that it will turn some hideous color brown when it’s done, but right now, so pretty!

Well I may have to look into changing my name to Wax Cat Candles and Soaps.  I concocted my first two batches of soap from scratch yesterday and I am HOOKED.

I used two different recipes that I put together from scratch with different oils and butters I had collected.  The first batch - the only intended batch - I scented with eucalyptus EO.  It was so easy and breezy that I used a cardboard box as a makeshift mold and tried an even bigger batch, and scented with lemongrass EO.  YUM.  I just unmolded and cut them into bars and put them out to dry where they are waiting far more patiently than I am for them to cure for… 6 weeks?! This hobby will test my patience, for sure.

I am also very excited about the new lotion bars.  I have formulated a blend that is quick absorbing, and not as “greasy” as the massage tart/bar blend.  I will continue to carry both formulations in different bar sizes.  I am loving the new round mold for the lotion bars, but I may make some with the nubby massage mold also.  I am packaging the big round bars in tins - so cute!  I’m waiting to see if these big gray clouds can squeeze a little more sunshine out of themselves so I can get some product photos done today!

Crystal

It’s all about the wax war….

Over the past year the cost of my supplies have sky rocketed. The cost of the wax and shipping has nearly doubled in just 2 years. It’s been steadily going up up up until just recently. I would like to believe that the price decreases that are happening will become a trend, but suspect it is only a momentary reprieve as a couple of the soy wax companies reorganize and restructure. I have also been wondering if the growing interest in biofuels will effect the soy market… I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I wonder if the cost of nasty paraffin candles are going up right now with the price of gas?

Anyway, on a good note again, I have been testing out different suppliers, and have found some really good deals lately, especially in larger quantities of essential oils. I’ve been able to crunch the numbers to see where I can bring down the costs of my products, and I can now offer the essential oil blends at the same price as the regular scents. If you are a regular user of the traditional fragrances and have not tried any of the essentials yet, now is a good time to do it!

I realized a couple of weeks ago that the site had a bit of a bug that I wasn’t aware of.  I guess that unless you’re me which most of you are not, then you were not able to see any of the product descriptions in the shopping area.  I realize that yes, this is a very important feature to have malfunctioning.  I am slowly working around the kink, as I have not been able to figure out how to actually fix it.

I am also working on new and improved product photos with the ever evolving labeling.  Every day is a learning experience!  Eventually this is all going to look really great, and in the meantime… just tell me it looks pretty and buy some amazing products!

Speaking of amazing products… I’m about to start experimenting with something else totally new to me - Cold Process soap making.  I’ve always just been scared to death of it and never considered trying it because of the danger of using sodium hydroxide (lye).  Well, I’m afraid that I may get hooked on that too.  I got over the fear and started learning everything I could about it.  I’ve been researching and learning for a couple of months, and have committed enough that I have been gathering needed supplies.  I’m really excited to jump into that in the next few days!

I also did some playing around with pillars again.  Every year get so happy for Spring.  I love seeing everything burst back to life in nature’s crazy technicolor rainbow, and I go simply Springfever mad when I see the cherry blossoms peeking at me.  In honor of the seas of pink that I had the pleasure of seeing this season, I made some cherry blossom scented pillars.

There are some other cool things in the works… but you’ll have to wait and see!

Crystal

A couple of exciting things are bubbling in the laboratory right now.

First, I have been working with my friend who runs Herb Majicks to use her custom oil blends with my products. We have started testing the blends in the massage tarts and candles and are coming out so delicious! I look forward to being able to offer some of these products soon.

I have also dusted off the pillar supplies and have done a couple of practice rounds getting myself back in pillar shape. The pillars are messy and time consuming to make, and I like to experiment and try different techniques that produce not just candles, but unique works of art. I hope to keep the pillars coming in small batches without any mass production, and will just put them up for sale individually or in pairs.

Keep checking back for the new goods!

Crystal

Good morning!

I think that I have solved the shipping problem.  I was charging a flat rate of $10 S&H and refunding people back if they were overcharged.  I now have it set at $5 S&H, and little things like the lip balms, tarts and tea lights will ship for that price.  Adding glass containers or massage candles will add a minimal amount for each piece, and hopefully work out to be closer to actual shipping charges.  As always, if for some reason you end up being overcharged by a lot, I will attempt to refund back the difference.

I am also clearing out some stock of lip balms and massage tarts and have been tossing them in packages for free while supplies last!

Crystal

A big huge thank you to everyone that has been so supportive of the launch of the website! Ah, my friends, always there and ready to hold you up like a good bra. The initial response has been overwhelming (although I’m not quite overwhelmed with orders yet, so keep them coming!) Many many thanks to Morgan Grace for pimping my wares. Check her music out, she is amazing. Word is I should be popping up in Google searches here really soon.

If anyone is needing ingredients listings of any of the body products, please shoot me an email. I don’t have them up yet, and certain recipes are still being tweaked a little here and there batch by batch. Keep it evolving! Current main ingredients that are being used in various combinations in the body products are soybean oil, mango butter, shea butter, jojoba oil, castor oil, hempseed oil, apricot oil, coconut oil, vitamin E, licorice root extract and then the essential oils, fragrance oils and flavor oils.

xoxoxo

Crystal

Well, this is it!  I’ve officially put the word out that we are running and ready for orders.  We are set up to take paypal for now, but will probably upgrade soon to give people more flexibility in payment.  Also, if you know me and are local and would like to save on shipping costs, just let me know and you can pick up your order at “the shop”.

Please shop away, and shoot me an email if you have any questions at all!  I also like custom orders, so if there’s something you want that you can’t find, please let me know!

Crystal

Ok, it’s getting close!  The first test of the shopping system went perfectly (thanks Lisa!) so I just need to finish getting product photos taken and edited.  I have a few more products that I’ve been developing and are in test mode right now, your lips will thank me.  I’m working on perfecting a lip balm recipe for tubes, so I will have tins and tubes available soon.

I will be out of town all weekend, but hope to get everything up and in working order next week when I get back.

Make a note of the new email address!

crystal@waxcatcandles.com

The time has come, and Wax Cat Candles is about to step up to the next level. Very soon we will be able to handle online shopping to get these products from my work shop into your home! Check back soon to see what candles we have to offer, as well as other fun products like massage candles, massage tarts, and lip balm.

I believe in using only the best quality products, and put my heart and soul into every item I make. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Crystal