Eco Friendly Option

Hip Happenings this Saturday

2009-10-12T10:03:00.001-07:00

This Saturday from 11 to 5 I will be vending at Hip Happenings at the Masonic Lodge in Sellwood. Come on by for a fun Halloween themed show and gets some great hand made stuff.

Come & See Me at Skating with Scissors

2009-09-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Due to my current pregnant state I haven't done any shows since April and now that I am finally feeling better (most days) I am excited I signed up for Skating with Scissors, a craft fair to raise some fund-edge for the Rose City Rollers roller derby team. It will be Saturday at Oaks Amusement Park in Sellwood from 11am to 7pm. Hope you all can make it. There will be a ton of great stuff and crafters sharing there hand made goodness.

Vineyard Wedding

2009-08-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

A few months back I cut a large quantity of wine bottles sent to me by a wonderful customer. She requested the labels be left on and used the wine bottles as vases for her wedding at a vineyard in Washington State. She was sweet enough to send some pictures of how they turned out so I thought I would share.

Our Sweet Rose

2009-05-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

We lost our sweet wonderful dog, Rose this week. She started to take a turn for the worse late last week and by Tuesday we knew it was time. I couldn't tell anyone because I just haven't been able to talk about it with out getting emotional and I just wasn't ready. Aaron has taken it very hard. And although we didn't go into detail with Cohen (Wyatt hasn't seemed to notice) Even telling him that she would be going to the vet and wouldn't come back was very tough for him also. We have had a lot of tears this week, but we are much better. It's the strangest feeling to not have her here. I still think "Oh I need to feed Rose" or "let Rose in". She will be dearly missed. She has been part of our family for so long. We knew this time was coming, but you just can't prepare yourself for the loss. We love you Rosie!!

I make it Myself and You can too!

2009-05-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

Over here at AC I have been diligently working on a new line of natural cleaning products. I have been using a my own handmade laundry soap and all purpose cleaner for a while now (about a year) and they work great! They work just as good as any product you can buy at Target or Fred Meyer only they are better. They are better because they are made from naturally derived ingredients that are better for the environment and better for your family. The thing is I am one of "those" people. I am someone who looks at an item in the store and says "Hey, I could totally make that myself." and then I go home and after much trial and error and a lot of Google usage I figure it out. I have always been a DIY girl. I taught myself to sew, embroider, make soap, play piano (ok, I had a teacher for that one) tile a counter, cook, garden, draw (not well) repair thing on our home, and write because that is just how I roll. It's what make me happy. I find that learning how to do something for myself is my favorite hobby.

This got me thinking that there are really only are 2 kinds of people in the world: The maker and the admirer of the maker. Now there are many varying degrees of personality with in those two categories, and a maker can and still is someone who can admire other makers work. There are about a million things I have never made, and maybe about half of which I would love to have, but have no interest or ability to create myself. In those cases I find myself seeking out and purchasing the item I so love, but wont make myself.

So here is my plan. I am starting to list my handmade cleaning products in my Etsy shop, and I hope a million people (OK, maybe like 100,00) buy them, love them and come back for more. But for those of you who think "Hey, I could make that" I am going to list some of my recipes here on my blog. I actually shared a recipe for Laundry soap about a year ago. Now I am not the best blogger, and the recipes are just what has worked for me so be patient and I'll get em all up eventually.

The first recipe I will put up today is for Laundry Soap (I have been improving apon it for a year so I figure I'll update it from a year ago.

One box of Washing Soda (not making soda and some places refer to it as soda ash so keep your eyes out) This is the toughest ingredient to find but most Freddy's stores have it.
One box Borax (Stick to the 20 Mules brand. They don't add extra stuff to it like fragrances or other unnatural chemicals)

1 cup baking soda

1 cup of Oxygen Cleaner (make sure to buy the Clear and Free one because it just the basic stuff too. More natural.

2 to 3 bars of cold processed Castile soap. The best would be to visit Etsy and buy some from your favorite soap maker. My favorite is Green Springs Body Works but she makes it special just for me. Another option (a way less cool one and not quite as good) is to find a bar at the grocery store. Kirks makes a fragrance free, but most stores carry the original which has synthetic fragrance in it.

Optional - Your favorite essential oil. Now the amount here is really up to personal preference. I recommended starting with a tablespoon, mixing, and see what you think from there.

Now grate all your bar soap and add all the dry ingredients. Mix and then add your essential oil should you want it. This soap is extremely gentle. It better then any baby laundry soap and your cloths will feel so soft you will wish you had been using it your whole life. (well that's how I feel.)

Have fun and if making laundry soap just isn't your thing check out Autumn Comfort for some yummy smelling options.

Have you heard of 350 Project ?

2009-04-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard about this you really must check it out. In this economy the decisions we make effect us more then ever. So take a minute to look at the site. Add the banner to your FaceBook page, Myspace page, blog or website. Post the printable fliers at work. And sign up, take the pledge! Be the change!!!

And the Winner is........

2009-04-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

I just want to thank everyone so much who gave me there input and help with this new project I am working on. It really help me to know what to focus on. The winner of an 8oz all natural soy candle is ..........

NANCY

Thanks again to ALL!!!! It's so great to have such an incredible support system from new friends and old.

Give me your input and you could win a Autumn Comfort Candle

2009-04-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

As some of you know I have been starting some work on a small line of natural cleaning products. Some of the recipes are ones that I have been using to clean my house for a while. What I need your help with is deciding what type of products in particular should I focus on offering? For example I use natural laundry soap, a natural all purpose cleaner, dish soap and a granite cleaner for my kitchen counters. I was also considering a simple carpet powder, a room spray and and maybe a window cleaner. So post a comment below listing the most common natural cleaners you would like to have and include your email address by Saturday April 18th and you could win a 8oz soy candle in the scent of your choice.I will announce the winner early next week and send an email to find out what address you would like you candle shipped to.

The Beautiful Truth

2009-03-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

My friend Julia told me about this great documentary. Incredible information!

Food Inc.

2009-03-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

This looks amazing....

My First Etsy Front Page

2009-03-27T11:03:00.001-07:00

Etsy Front Page 3/26/09 Admin
Originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers

Here is a screen shot of a front page My candles was on on Thursday. It's my first time on the front page of Etsy and it pretty much made my day. I also got a little shot out in the Guest Curator chat last night for my work with Bread and Badger on our hand cut and etched wine bottle candles. It was just the boost I needed to brighten my week.

Crafty Wonderland's 3rd Birthday Celebration

2009-03-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

On April 5th I will be vending at a very exciting Crafty Wonderland event. This will be Crafty Wonderlands 3rd birthday and the creator of the documentary Handmade NationFaythe Levine will be available to sign copies of her book. And they will be having a special Handmade Nation themed DIY Table project! Some of the crafters featured in her film/book are going to be there as well! There are going to be some great Artists and Crafters there so don't miss it. 11 to 4 in the basement of the Doug Fir on SE Burnside.

and for your viewing pleasure a preview of Handmade Nation which will be premiering here the same weekend at the Museum of Contemporary Craft

AC is now at Bella Sirota in Jantzen Beach

2009-03-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Autumn Comfort Candles are now available at the cruelty free shop Bella Sirota located in the Jantzen Beach Super Center near the Target entrance. I'm am really excited because she is currently in the process of moving to a larger shop just a few doors down from her current location in the mall. It's a great shop with lots of local hand crafted and Vegan only items! So if live in the area stop on by and check it out!

Our Kitchen Counters - Before & After

2009-03-05T10:45:00.000-08:00

We have spent the last several days getting rid of the chipped white Formica counters in our kitchen and replacing them with large stone tiles. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out considering we are pretty new to tile work. Here are some before and after photos from our project.

We cut the tile first and laid it all out.

And the end result.....

And yes I know my kids are in almost every photo. They hear the camera and come a runnin'. Next we will replace the horrible flooring. But for now I'm happy with the update.

Some exciting things for me

2009-02-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

Things have really started taking off over hear in Autumn Comfort Candles Land. I just wanted to share a couple features I have been in lately.
Last week I was in a small article in the Home and Garden section of The Oregonian which you can check out here:

The Oregonian

I am also in this weeks Portland Picks which you can see here:

Portland Pcks

And starting next week I will be featuring my candles in a new shop called Splurge. Slpurge. I am really excited about all of this and hope you are too. Thanks for reading and suporting me in my sweet little dream coming true. I have a long way to go but I feel like things are moving in a positive direction.

A Busy Weekend Ahead

2009-02-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let anyone who maybe looking for some shopping fun this weekend or that special handmade Valentines gift I'll be at 2 craft fairs this weekend with a lot of candles in tow. Saturday I'll be at Hip Happenings.

Then Sunday I'll be at Crafty Wonderland at the Doug Fir from 11 to 4.

You can check out Crafty Wonderlands site for a link of venders and directions if you have never been to the Doug Fir.

PSU show has been canceled

2008-12-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

Cohen is really sad about the PSU show being canceled.
Well the weather this last week, and the weather still to come has thrown us all for a loop. Due to the icy and snowy forecast the Winter Solstice show at the PSU Ballroom has been canceled. I have mixed feelings. I would have had a great time and been able to finish up all my Christmas shopping had the show gone on anyway, but I do really dislike driving on icy roads, so I guess I'll accept it as a wash. Sorry to any dye hard shoppers that were set on coming out to see us. I wont be doing any more shows until February. Should you want to get some candles you know were to find me, and I am happy to let you do a local pick up either from my home or my office in Lake Oswego.

Autumn Comfort Candles
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

The last Craft Fair before Christmas

2008-12-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

This is it. If you have any more Christmas shopping to do before the end this is the place to do it. from 8 to 3, Saturday @ the PSU Ballroom I will be selling my candles. I am sharing a table with Erin, from Atomic Glass Works who kicks ass I might add. This is a huge show so if you need it, we got it. Hope to see you all there.

Who I can't wait to see @ Crafty Wonderland

2008-12-12T13:51:00.001-08:00

So by now everyone knows that Crafty Wonderland is the "can't miss" show of the holiday season. I mean 180 vendors, all unique, all so talented. I mean I can't wait to tell my friends and family as they open there gifts "and that was made by "so and so" and they hand "paint, etch, assemble, mold, add and sew" that!" So when I settle in at the huge Crafty Wonderland sale here is who I can't wait to check out:
5pmstudioI am a sucker for birds. Her pottery is so beautiful and original.
AllegraB I already have a pin up biker girl bag from her that doubles as a diaper bag. But why stop there, right?!
Bossanova BabyI really want to get my hands on a scissor patch for a black hoodie I have. Ya, it's for myself, but Santa says I've been a good girl this year.
Bread and Badger This is her year. Her mustache pints are going to 4 family members.
Burdyflyaway makes hand printed, hand sewn, hand dyed Tees for kids and mammas alike.
Leah GlassBright beautiful mobiles that I love.
LeakartsShe is one of my favorite artists. I must have some of her new stickers and of corse coloring books with her original art.
Lolly totsMy booth mate and one of my favorite people Mary makes incredible tees, buttons, magnets and so much more with her original art.
MonsierTI really want the "Let's F* Sh* up tee for my hubby.
PDX soft GoodsMy 16 year old brother in law would love a "foxy Lady" can cozie.
Phoebe OwensMakes incredible one of a kind lamp shades from vintage picture slides.
Ruby Girl I love her snowflake pendants.
Salmon Street Studios I can't wait for a pregnant friend so I can buy a "don't touch" porcupine maternity tee. And there incredibly talented and now famous daughter Zoe who will be show casing her art in her parents booth.
Sew Many Cats Who doesn't need a Ninja Kitty?!
Thinking MamaOh how I wish I had an infant to put in the brown deer cashmere hat.
Zeldaloo makes the most amazing plush ladies. I am in luv!

Well that's just the tip of the iceberg folks. I can't wait to see every single artist at this event, but those are the ones I just had to share. See you at the Oregon Convention Center on Sunday.

Big Ol' Crafty Christmas - Crafty Wonderland

2008-12-09T08:25:00.000-08:00

It's almost here. Sunday from 11am to 7pm at the Portland Convention Center, exhibit hall E I will be excitedly vending at the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale with 180 other vendors. I will be sharing a booth with Mary from lolly tots who has been feverishly working on some great stuff for this craft fair. Don't miss this one folks.

Handmade NW Show this Sunday

2008-12-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

Come on out and see me and a whole bunch of other Artists and Crafters at the Chelsea Ballroom this Sunday. I'll have quite of few wine bottle candles not listed yet in my shop and a whole slue of my little $3.50 20 hour soy candles which make great stocking stuffer's, alone with a lot of other great thinks. Some of the proceeds from this event will go to Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East build homes with a local family in need. To donate today, go to Habitat for Humanity or stop by the wrapping station after you shop and wrap with a reason. Wrapping supplies loving donated by SCRAP.

For more info on this show and others visit Handmade NW

A great Collaboration

2008-12-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

I recently stared working on some collaborative work with artist Amanda Siska of Bread & Badger I will be listing them in my Etsy shop and possible have a couple at some of my upcoming shows. Keep checking back as I will add more during the month and possibly beyond.

Black Friday Sale

2008-11-21T16:49:00.000-08:00

There is this really awesome dress designer who's company name is Fancy Clothing which you should check out at necessityisthemother
She used recycled/upcycled clothing and redesigns it to make the most beautiful clothing. Anyway the reason I am mentioning her is because I always loved how her myspace quote was "made with human hands." I think about that on a regular basis. It's so simple but so important.

The reason I mention this is because it is that time of year again, when we shop for our loved ones. There are so many options for shopping and next Friday there will be hundreds of amazing deals to be had.
But if you want to find something different, unique and feel good about your purchase you should visit etsy.
It is an online shopping experience that houses thousands of handmade shops. You can find a gift for every last person you know and find deals while your at it. There are a ton of Etsy "shops" that will be having some great sales, most running from black Friday until cyber Monday.

I am also member of PDX Indie, which is a handmade cooperative. Several of our members here locally will be having sales.

Visit the following web sites for great deals on hand made items:
www.SoloArtworks.com - Is going to have a buy one get one 1/2 off sale during these dates.

melissalund
melissaklund
Melissa sale details are as follows: Your choice of four 5 x 5 prints for $40 or four 8 x 8, 8 x 10 or 8 x 12 prints for $80! Select either the 5 x 5 or 8 x 8 print set option from the sale section and leave the titles of the four prints you would like in the notes to seller box upon checkout. She is still working out the details of her gift shop sale, but I will update you as I find out more.

Souly Stones will be having 25% off everything in her shop.
I myself will be having a $10 off a $50 purchase as well, which you can check out at
autumncomfort

I will be adding more lovely shops as I find more sales for these important dates so stay tuned. Also if you haven't already don't forget to enter the Portland Craft Mafia scavenger hunt. You can find the details below.

Win some cool stuff from the Portland Craft Mafia

2008-11-16T08:18:00.000-08:00

The Portland Craft Mafia is having there second event this time in the form of a scavenger hunt. If you would like to win some cool hand made things go check out our blog and read the instructions on how to play.

Snowmen Crayons

2008-11-13T12:57:00.000-08:00

The boys and I made snowman crayons the other day. It's pretty simple and turned out very cute. We have been saving all the pieces of broken crayon for a while now. All you have to do is peal off all the labels, brake the crayons in at least half, but more if you can and place them in a mold like a muffin pan. I have a couple snowman ones I got from the dollar spot at Target. I use them for make seasonal candles, but they pulled double duty that day. Heat your oven to between 275 to 300 and bake for about 8 minutes, but watch them close. Once they start to melt they melt quick. You can cool them on the counter or in the fridge to speed things up.

If making these crayons doesn't sound like to much fun, you can buy similar recycled crayons on www.etsy.com.

Crafty Wonderland was a great success!

2008-11-11T14:36:00.000-08:00

So this last Sunday I set up my candles at The monthly craft show Crafty Wonderland which I keep trying to link to but I am finally giving up. (One day I will learn some HTML.) It seemed like it was starting slow at first, and I started to get discouraged. I had not yet had a show I would consider a great success. But things picked up, boy did they. I sold out of all but one of my small candles and all but 2 wine bottle candles. I had to buy change twice from the sweet Dolcetti. I ran out of shopping bags for people to carry there candles in. I was a mess and cleaned out and it was great.
It has sure prepared me for these upcoming December shows though. I know it will only be busier and more chaotic so I am preparing now. I have some great new Christmas-y fragrances I will be selling and I will have a lot more merchandise especially wine bottle candles. Hopefully I will see some familiar faces and new ones at all the up coming Christmas shows and I am so looking forward to it!!

Every body's doing it, why can't they?

2008-11-07T15:59:00.000-08:00

So I know you can get reusable shopping bags almost everywhere and I think that's awesome. I happened to pick some up quite some time ago at Albertson's only because I happened to be stopping there on my way home from work and they were only $0.99. Anyway if you haven't jumped on the reuse band wagon or you need another bag for those trips to the store then Target has a special promo going on but only until the end of this month. If you mail them 5 used Target bags in an 8 &1/2 by 11 inch envelope they will mail you a coupon for a free tote which is redeemable at any local Target.

Target Offer

and who doesn't like free stuff while saving our environment, huh?

Wax Dipped Fall Leaves

2008-11-06T16:56:00.000-08:00

The other day the boys (well mainly Cohen, cause Wyatt is to busy causing trouble) dipped leaves in scented soy candle wax. The great thing about soy is that it doesn't get hot enough to burn anyone, so kiddo's can help with this one. I have a thermometer to test the temp just to be sure and as always use caution when kids are involved and with hot wax, even soy. I put a couple in my car and one in the linen closet. Wow, I love them. They look pretty and my little van smelt like Pumpkin Spice all the way to work. Here are some pictures from our fun little project.

This is our deck covered in lovely leaves, so you can see we had plenty for our little project.

Here is my little boy dipping away. I used the same wax and same % of fragrance oil as I do when making candles.

And the final product, which looks just like the original leaf only a bit shinier. The wax should preserve the color of the leaf just the way it is. That is the cool part. The kids and I have saved pretty leaves before but they turn brown over time. This should keep them vivid and rich in fall color.

Vote vote vote vote!!!

2008-10-31T14:38:00.000-07:00

It's almost here you legal citizens of the USA. So make sure you have done it!!!!!

I'm a busy busy beaver

2008-10-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

Things are about to get crazy over here at AC. This coming Saturday the 25th I will be at a little craft fair at a Milwaukie Elementary school fro 10am to 4pm.

Then I have a little break until November 9th when I will be at Crafty Wonderland from 11am to 4pm. If you want to start your Christmas shopping so you don't have to fit crowds or buy everything in December, and you want to get your hands on some sweet hand made gifts, that you ain't gonna find at Target, you just can't miss this one.

and after another little break.....the fload gates O'Christmas....

December 7th - Handmade Northwest Formal Artisan Fair @ the Chelsea Ballroom from 11am to 5pm. This event is a formal affair with live classical music and great vendors full of unexpected Christmas gifts you know you want.
December 14th - Craft Wonderlands Super Colossal Holiday Sale from 11am to 7pm at the Oregon Convention Center, exhibit hall E. This one is going to be huge. Great goody bags and so many one of a kind hand made gifts your head will explode.
December 21st - The farmers Market Holiday Fair at the PSU Ballroom. (More to come on this one too, but it's sure to have great gifts that will say "No. I didn't wait until days before Christmas to buy you a gift. I put a lot more thought into it then that". How can you miss it.

So as you can see I am ready to rock and roll.

Autumn Comfort is now at Union Rose

2008-10-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

So I have been meaning to post this for s while, but things have been so busy around the Drey house. Last Month when I did the Portland Craft Mafia Kick Off Show I was approached by a lovely lady with a great little hand made only shop called Union Rose. She mentioned that they were looking for a line of candles to add to there already incredible hand made products. So I took the plunge into store front retail. If you have a minute take a peak at there web site or head on over to there great shop at 2023 NE MLK Jr. Boulevard.

Ben Folds makes me smile uncontrollably

2008-10-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

I heard this song the other day and I really liked it so I came home and what do you know I found a video for it. Ben Folds just makes my day. He is adorably nerdy and his weird songs and videos make me heart him.

I couldn't find a video of it to embed, but go to you tube and watch it if you have any taste at all!!!!

This weeks Oregon Art Beat

2008-10-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

Watch Oregon Art Beat this week on OPB.

Thursday, October 9, 8pm

Re-airs Sunday Oct 12 at 6pm

Crafting — The DIY craft movement has taken the city by storm. But trust us, this is not your grandmother's knitting! See why more and more people are joining the handmade revolution.

They will be talking about Crafty Wonderland so don't miss it.

Oregon Art Beat Link

I heart Obama

2008-10-06T18:37:00.001-07:00

Yes We Can Obama Song by Will.I.Am

It's that time of year for mold

2008-10-05T07:24:00.000-07:00

And know one likes mold right. It's not just gross looking growing on your bath tub but it's bad for your health. I know in this house it reeks havoc on Cohen. So instead of using a chemical such as bleach, try these tip.
Fill a spray bottle with straight white vinegar, saturate the area, and let it sit.

For more resilient mold, try mixing of two teaspoons of tea tree oil and two cups of water. Nearly as effective as tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract (20 drops mixed with two cups of water) will do the trick without the smell.

These tips are from The Green Guide

A Delicious Way To Surf the Web

2008-10-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe not delicious, but intising at the least. A while back, probably a year or so ago a friend of mine (Sam Roderick, in case you need to know. You sure are noisy aren't you) Told me about a little thing called Blackle. Blackle was a search engine much like Google. OK, it was just like Google. The main difference is Blackle was a much more eco friendly way to surf the web. In January 2007 a blog post titled 'Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year' proposed the theory that a black version of the Google search engine would save a fair bit of energy due to the popularity of the search engine. The reason this search engine would save so much energy is due to the fact that a black computer screen uses much less energy or wattage then a white one. Sounds simple enough, right.
Well I have been doing my best to use Blackle whenever searching the world wide web, but not going to Google is a hard habit to break my friends. It made me think though, that if a black screen saves energy maybe I should change or set up my web pages in the same way. As you can see my blog is black. One of my myspace page is also black. For me it's not just about being green (although that is very important to me) but it also saves me $$$. And who doesn't want that.
So the next time you want to search something on the internet, try blackle. Book mark it, and delete Google. (I had to, or I would forget) The changes we make no matter how minor are so important. Just wanted to share in case you didn't know and thanks for reading.

Get Em While They Last

2008-10-02T15:46:00.001-07:00

I am currently having a sale on all my 8oz frosted jar candles. The regular price is $8.75, but I am discounting them for $6. That's right 6 bones, 6 buckaroos, 6 Benjamins. You can't get a better deal. Once they are gone, they are gone. I will be replacing them with a smaller 6oz size and the price will be more due to the rising cost of supplies so sad but true. So send me a email at autumncomfort@comcast.net if you are looking for something specific. I will check my inventory to see if I've got it. And remember if your local, I you can do a local pick up.
Start your Christmas shopping early and buy hand made, at an incredible price.

A little fun turns in to a big mess

2008-09-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

They look sweet and innocent enough don't they. Let me share a story with you. It's long so if you don't have time just skip to the bottom.

So I have been working sort of feverishly on a bunch of business related things lately. I had to complete all my samples and check off all other awesome contributors to insure there samples were mailed (they did this on there own. I'm just trying to sound busier then I was.)( I had to mail samples for the sag bags and 2 big candles as door prizes for tomorrows Portland Craft Mafia kick off show. Business has been picking up on line, and I have been applying for and doing every show I come across. Cohen started school this month, and I keep hurting my ever sensitive back which makes me pretty much worthless.
I have been working on become more organized, which means I have been scheduling specific things to accomplish each day. Yesterday I cut and sanded a ton of bottles, I painted and made a bunch of wine bottle candles for orders and for tomorrow nights show. I packaged all my fall flavored votives and new pumpkin and leaf candles so I have those for tomorrow as well. I cut a bunch of business cards and made more tea lights to give out tomorrow. I am sooooo prepared. I want this show to be a huge success for me and everyone vending it.
So anyway when I tend to accomplish a lot with my little business I also tend to ignore my house and kids. At this point my house looks like someone should take a match to it. And the boys, well, let's just say they kept busy while mom made candles. I recently received a HUGE shipment of frosted glass jars and as anyone who has received breakables in the mail will tell you, you get a lot of packing peanuts. One of the boxes arrived with the side broken open so there were already peanuts all over the garage floor. I had opened a couple other boxes to take out the smaller boxes inside. The boys decided sitting inside these boxes was a blast and as long as they are not bugging me while I get some work done then who am I to judge right!?
In my maybe 10 to 15 minutes of distraction this is what took place.

And the attempted clean up.....

Portland Craft Mafia Kick Off Show

2008-09-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I will be at the Portland Craft Mafia Kick Off Show. I am really excited for this one. I will have all my 8 oz jar candles marked down from $8.75 to $6.00 and I will have some of my palm wax votives in delicious pumpkin-y scents.
The Mafia got some great press in the Portland Mercury and I was named specifically in a comment from original Portland Mafia member Cassie of BeBe Babies and Friends. If you want to read are bit o' press there is a link here at the Portland Mafia blog spot http://portlandoregoncraftmafia.blogspot.com/ . I hope to see some of you at our this great show. It's gonna be a blast!!

The Portland City Sampler

2008-09-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

As some of you know I am a member of the Portland Independent Artisan's Cooperative or PDX Indie. It's an incredible group of crafters and Artists who have joined forces to cross promote, increase business and encourage each other as independent artists. One of the ways we have joined together to support each other is by putting together the PDX Indie City Sampler. A large number of members contributed 25 to 100 samples of our craft or art product in order to give people an idea of what this great group has to offer.
The Home of the Sampler is a business that each month collects and sends out a box of fantastic samples from independent crafters, artists, designers, zinesters and record labels from all over the world. To see what each month of the Sampler has in store, please visit our Gallery for a peek at some wonderful samples from our Contributors.

For more info or to get a box of PDX goodness, which will be available in October, visit there website @ www.homeofthesampler.com

Earings by Rubygirl

Window clings by Eyepopart

A little something lovely from Beads and Badger

Love Ladies from Zeladoo

Stickers from Lolly-tots

and so many more. I am so excited about this little projest and if you buy a sampler please let me know all about it.

How I love Last Thursday

2008-08-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Last night may have been(lets hope not) the last Last Thursday of the year in which the weather was warm, and it stayed light out until 9ish. It seemed to me to be by far the busiest one of the summer. I arrived around 4:30 thinking setting up would be a breeze that early, but it turned out a bit more complicated then I thought. I parked on 16th, and set up on 20th. Have I mentioned my candles are really heavy. Anyway I promptly locked my keys in my car. Good thing I have AAA. I set up across from a lady named Monica. She had a coolest blue tights and was selling these great little stuffed creatures called Moctipye or secret keepers. They are lovely little plushes made from reclaimed fabric with 2 different sized button eyes and no mouth so you can tell them your secrets and and they can tell anyone. I knew my oldest son would think this was the greatest idea ever created. He loves to both tell and receive secrets. At the end of the night Monica and I made an excellent exchange. Cohen has not put his down all day.

As the evening progressed we had a great group of drummers set up about half way down the block from us. There is something about just a bunch of different drums that really gets people dancing in the street. I did pretty well, got rid of nearly all my paraffin pillars and votives, and had a ton of fun. Thanks Mary for being such a great partner in crime.

Keeping up with what's current

2008-08-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

So I have been feverishly working on cutting, sanding, painting, frosting, etching wine bottles so I am ready for the fall and winter months. I am hoping that there is enough interest to make the cut wine bottle my primary offered candle, but mean while I have been looking at new jar options for my current line. I did love the jars I was carrying, but alas, they are being discontinued and I have to find a replacement. As I have become more educated about how candles work and burn and have continued to test, test, test, I can say with 100% certainty that the best candle jars are those with straight or nearly straight edges. The good news is that wine bottles work perfectly. They are made from thick glass which makes them safe, and they are straight, (well at least to the neck, which I cut off anyway)so they create the ideal burning situation.

Ok, ok enough about wine bottles. The reason I keep on blabbing about the shape of the glass is that I wanted to show you the new tumbler and cooler shaped glasses I am adding to my etsy shop. I am continuing on my quest to find candle jars with lids that resemble my old jars, but have a more condusive shape, but until then this candles burn great and look beautiful. I hope you think so too.

A few more ideas for candle jars

2008-07-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

I came up with a couple more ideas for candles jars. I am still messing around with what I want, and what gets good feed back so here are 2 more. Thanks for peeking.

New items I am adding for a Greener Business

2008-07-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

So it's really important to me to do everything with this little business of mine as green as I can. I few months back I decided to start hand cutting recycled glass wine and some beer bottles. I have been working like crazy to come up with something that was still really pretty, but a bit more green. I have been testing and burning like crazy so I can be ready by fall with alot of great new upcycled items. Here is what I have been working on:

I added the first one to my etsy shop today. They require a lot more work then buying glass bottles, but I feel like it's worth it and hopefully others will too.

My first attempted at home made laundry soap.

2008-07-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

Well it was actually about a month ago, but a few bouts of sick kids, sick me and sick kids again have taken up a lot of my time lately. I wanted to share with you how it went and what I will do differently next time. So the recipe is pretty basic. All the ingredients were pretty easy to find. I purchased everything from Fred Meyer, but I think you could get most everything at most stores.

What you need:
Water-currently we all have that.
1 cup Borax- I have seen this everywhere, Safeway, Albertsons, Target- You name it.
1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap (This is the part I would change)
1/2 cup washing soda(a bit harder to find but Fred Meyer has it for sure)
and a 2 gallon or larger bucket.
2 to 4 tbsp of your favorite essential oil (optional)

so here is what you do:
cut up your soap or grate it into a sauce pan with 6 cups of water and heat it until the soap is fully melted. It took a bit longer then I had expected so be patient. Something I am working on. Now add in the washing soda and the borax and stir it all up until dissolved. Remove from heat and add 4 more cups of Hot tap water. pour mixture into your bucket and add a bit less then 1 and a half gallons of water. Add essential oil (I love either lavender or sweet orange.) Stir it all together and let sit over night. It turns into a sort of gel or the sort of slim stuff you see on the Nick Choice Awards (Yes I have kids and watch to much TV.) Most the recipes I found recommend 1/2 cup per load.

I am not completely sold on this recipe. Personally I like to see suds. I know, I know suds don't mean something is clean, but they make me feel clean so next batch I will add 1 hole bar of the fels naptha soap.
It was pretty fun to make and now that I have tried it once the next go around will be a kid and mom activity.

Lastly this soap is way cheaper then buying laundry soap, especially if you are buying the eco laundry soap. The costs works out to be about a third so give it a try and tell me how it goes. You can adjust any of the ingredients you want to. I have heard some people like to double the borax to boost stain removal. I tend to pour a bit of extra borax right into the washer with my laundry soap when washing heavily soiled cloth anyhow.

Good luck and happy washing!!!

Get out and Do Something- May 17th

2008-05-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

Check out Alberta Art Hop- May 17th. I'll be vending along with so many other talented artist and crafts people. Hope to see you there.

Life Never Looked so Green as in the Garden

2008-05-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share an upcoming event with everyone that my dear friend Susan Toler is heavily involved in. If you know Susan you know she has a deep love of gardening. I would go so far as to say it is her passion and true calling in life (along with many other gifts she possesses.
About 5 or 6 years ago before I did any gardening of any kind, (I don't do much now, but it is something I am working on.) I was at a friends home and spotted the most beautiful plant I had ever seen. She must have had 10 to 15 varieties. I asked what it was. She said "that's a Clematis". They come in so many beautiful vivid colors and have the most unique blooms.
If you are a plant lover, a gardener or just an admirer you will appriciate the beauty of a garden, and of the Clematis.
Below is a link to information for this event, but of you would like Tickets please contact Susan directly, or myself and I will relay the info. She has to sell a certain number of tickets. Hope you all can enjoy a taste of summer and check it out.

http://www.rogersonclematiscollection.org/

Do something Eco Friendly for Earth Day

2008-04-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

Buy a soy candle. Visit Autumn Comfort Candles for A today Only Earth Day Special.

In Honor of Earth Day

2008-04-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

So Earth Day is right around the corner. April 22nd to be exact. In the last year or so myself and my family have been making small changes to become greener and reduce our foot print in this world. Before my kids I didn't think much about what we were doing to contribute to the ever growing problem of, well frankly, Earth abuse. Since I have moved in to the realm of eco-ism I have really had a chance to see just what we were not recycling, reusing, and what we were waisting. Now I'm not saying we are perfect. Not by a long shot. I must confess we still buy paper towels, (although, much less) and my youngest is, yes, I confess wearing disposable diapers. (Don't think I can't hear your gasps of disappointment.) But we all must start somewhere.

So in further steps to undo my daily damage I have come up with 2 more things (we I would consider substantial for our family,) to move out of the red and into the Green. Here they are; First I vow to (and have started some) replace all my cleaning supplies with more natural, and hopefully home made cleaning solutions. I have been searching the web for recipes for everything from a replacement for my beloved 407 to home made laundry soap. I will let you know how my new found recipes turn out. Second as a family, (ok my husband and I) have decided to declare Friday as NO TV DAY!!!! I know this doesn't sound like much, but we are serious TV addicts. But isn't that what the DVR is for. I figure since summer has to get here eventually this is a good time of year to make this change. We watch much less in the summer anyhow. Now those of you with children know that TV can be a big part of a preschool and toddlers life unfortunately. I know there will be those (probably childless) who say "kids should be watching TV anyway. Why not NO TV ever?!" Get back to me when you have 2, 3 or 4 little ones and just need 20 minutes to make dinner. We have decided to give this special Friday a different name. NO TV Friday will only incite children to bag for TV they would have otherwise not even missed. We have declared it Special Activity Day instead. I have discovered that if you call anything"special" my 4 year old thinks it's the greatest day of his life. I am excited for these special changes to take place. Hopefully these small/big changes will inspire you to celebrate Earth Day all year long. It can be like New Years, but with Green Resolutions.

Like a Proud Parent...

2008-04-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

So when I decided to start making Massage candle (some times called body, or lotion candles) I wanted to do my home work. There is a lot of difference from company to company as to what the ingredients are and what makes them beneficial to the skin. Most small companies and even a lot of the big ones use soy as there sole ingredient, and for the most part they are using candle soy. While this is not dangerous in anyway I really high quality candle will be made with cosmetic grade soy along with other ingredients creating even greater benefits for the skin.

I make my massage candles with skin or cosmetic grade soy, shea butter, coconut oil and essential or fragrance oils in skin safe amounts. All my massage candles are 100% dye free. I feel like I found a way to make a extremely high quality massage candle by at almost a third of the cost of most large companies. I am really proud of it. If you would like to sample my massage candles please join me at some of the up coming craft fairs I will be doing. I bring small samples so you can try my product before you buy.

I will be posting my up coming fairs as they approach. Hope to see some of you there.

Autumn
Autumn Comfort Candles
http://autumncomfort.angelfire.com/

Why I burn Soy Candles-And You Should Too

2008-04-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

* Soy wax is all-natural - Soy wax is not made from petroleum, like paraffin candles. Burning of soy candles does not increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere. It is biodegradable and totally sustainable!

* Soy candles last longer - They can last up to 50% longer than paraffin candles.

* Wax spills are easy to clean - It's very difficult to remove paraffin wax from furniture or textiles. Soy wax spills can easily be cleaned up with hot soapy water.

* Soy candles produce less soot - Soot is very unhealthy and can eventually coat furniture and walls. Soy candles produce about 90% less soot that paraffin candles.

* Soy supports the American Farmer - Soy wax is made from soybeans grown right here in the United States. By purchasing products made from soybeans, you are supporting the U.S. Economy and the American farmer thereby helping to reduce Americas dependency on foreign oil.

* Soy candles burn uniformly - Soy wax candles burn more evenly, so the wax is not wasted and burn time is extended.