Picture This!

Let's face it, many of us consider ourselves to be proficient picture takers these days.  Thanks to technology we can automatically erase a pic and take a better one.  Even phone cameras can detect when you need a flash and have auto focus.  Thanks to photo editing software we can erase blemishes (or an ex), red eye, center the pic and even make us 20lbs lighter!

But there is nothing like the skilled craft-woman and talent of a true photographer.  Instead of taking a picture to tweak and fix they capture the right lighting, form and setting to result in a perfect picture.

Laura Herr Photography is a photo artist located on Long Island New York and captures people's greatest and happiest moments  from weddings, births and every day happy moments.   I was lucky enough to be able to be affiliated with her and she took a few pictures of my favorite summer candles.  Making these candles was fun but now that she took pictures of them they look stunning (if I do say so myself)!  You must check out her website and blog with happy pics of people I want to know and places I want to be.  That's the feeling her pictures evoke.

For a limited time if you visit her blog and comment on our feature  "Making Scents of it All" one lucky person will be randomly selected to use a $20 credit on our Etsy shop!  Offer ends May 21st so hurry!

May is Lupus Awareness Month

About 10 years ago I participated in a Walk for Lupus when my mother was newly diagnosed.  I was already familiar with the disease as her brother died from complications related to Lupus a few years earlier.  It just so happened that the Walk was in October and when attempting to raising money many people were unfamiliar with Lupus and much more familiar with Breast Cancer Awareness especially in October.  Our walk is now in May and our voice is stronger than ever providing awareness to the growing disease.  Here are just a few facts about Lupus straight from the Lupus Foundation Of America:

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

• Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.
• Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone.
• Lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, as described above.
• Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS the immune system is underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive.
• Our research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus.
• It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus.
• Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too.
• Women of color are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus.
• People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.
• More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country.

As with Breast Cancer I have made a candle collection for Lupus to assist in awareness, education and research. 50% of every candle and bracelet sold will be donated to the Lupus Foundation of America.  I will be posting bi-annual updates of what was donated thus far.  You can find the Lupus Awareness Candle w/bracelet exclusively on Etsy and Artfire.

These candles are also available in bulk for fundraising events.

DIVA Giveaway

Are you a Diva or know somebody who is?  Then you need to enter this Giveaway!!

Enter to win a
Diva Needs Set

(a $17.25 value)

For the independent woman that worked long hours at the office/home and is ready for a night out on the town. The necessities to start the evening off right.

Set includes:

• DIVA Butter Bar - We call it the Butter Bar because it is made up of all natural ingredients including moisturizing shea butter. (4oz)
• DIVA Shimmer Soy Lotion - a wonderful moisturizer with a non-toxic sparkle. (2oz)
• DIVA Dry Perfume Spray - Top it all off with a non-alcohol spray that goes on dry. Use as a perfume, body spray or a sheen for hair in our DIVA fragrance. (1oz)

Here is how you can win

Just for commenting you are automatically entered in our giveaway!

1. Be our fan on Facebook and leave a comment about the topic or website.
2. Follow us on Twitter and tweet about us using nikkicandles or Nikki Makes Scents (sorry private tweets can't be seen and therefore cannot be counted)
3. Follow our Blog and leave comment about any of our post for the month (sorry private follows cannot be verified therefore cannot be counted) .
4. If you made a purchase, leave comments on our "what people are saying" page
   

It's that simple for a chance to win this Diva set from us!!  (Please provide a way for us to contact you.)

Do all four this month and that will count as 4 entries to increase your chances!!

Comments such as "comment" or "I'm following you" are not considered comments! Please comment on our post, our products or whatever subject we are chatting or tweeting about this month.

(Previous winners within the year are not eligible to win again although we appreciate your support so let's hear from you too!)

Giveaway Ends May 31st 2011 (11:59pm)