Samples Galore!!

This month and next month Nikki Makes Scents teamed up with several different companies to offer samples as a part of their sampler boxes. I love to try out products and getting a bunch of different samples in one box is a fantastic way to sample the many online businesses where one usually can't physically touch or smell them. I have contributed votives, lotions, perfume oils, body butter and soap samples. The soap samples aren't in my regular line yet. I was trying out new designs and with scents like Raspberry Ice and Fig & Sweet Almond (Yum). Usually there are between 10-20 different samples per box depending on the company. Look for us at:

• Home of the Sampler for their April box
• The Little Black Box on sale April 24th
• In the Company of Sistas in their May box

Greener shipping tip

I love this planet. Since I was a small child many people thought I was somewhat strange with my obsession to keep it clean. I would frown upon people that would litter or run behind my friends and family if they dared throw a piece of paper or wrapper on the ground. In my 20's I lectured my girlfriends on the environmental benefits of cloth diapers. And I even drove an electric car in the early years of the millennium before it was "en vogue" or gas spiked to $4. I must admit though, as I have gotten older, busier and less bold, I haven't been as proactive as I should be. It seems the more "natural" it is the more expensive it is. One would think that getting something straight out of the ground than manufacturing it would be simpler and cheaper but that isn't the case. As micro-mini business it is even more difficult to remain environmentally friendly in all aspects. Nonetheless, I try my best.

I I hate those little white foam peanuts. They will never disintegrate and are toxic to the factory workers who make them. But as a online business they are the most lightweight to keep from adding to shipping and for the most part cushion the products well. There are very few alternatives as paper is much heavier and corn starch peanuts are more expensive and hard to come by. In the 11 years of business I have never bought a bag of foam peanuts. I recycle them when I buy from my suppliers and I ask local businesses to save the peanuts or bubble wrap for me and I collect them monthly. My friends and family and coworkers also save their packaging to give to me. Sometimes I have so much I don't have enough room.

My easy packaging tip for consumers is unless you know the packaging is biodegradable, I encourage everyone to save at least a garbage bag full throughout the year to use for personal use like shipping presents or to give to a local mailing or online business. It won't save the planet but will recycle the peanuts already in circulation so less needs to be manufactured.

We're on Facebook!!

For the past 4 months this phenomenon called Facebook has quickly consumed my web time. On days I should be updating my website instead I'm scanning old pics of old friends to try to out embarrass one another. Also, trying remember last names to find old friends and instead old acquaintances are requesting friendship and I'm trying to figure who they are. Applications, pictures, wall comments and chat have had me on the site until the wee hours of the morning.

Now that the newness has subsided and finally figured out how to make a fan page I invite you all to become fans. I'm sure most of you are already on Facebook already and if your not join this fun addiction of keeping in touch with old friends, classmates, relatives and favorite businesses.


Anyone who becomes a fan of our page will automatically receive 15% off their next order over $25.00
Now back to Faceboo....err I mean making the candles!

Love is in the air

Usually Valentine's Day is for lovers but that doesn't mean we can't express our love for all those important people in our lives on this day and everyday for that matter. Of course many for many of the expression-challenged having a day such as this forces them or gives them an excuse to be mushy and romantic.

We have dozens of romantic scents for this occasion and the scent of the month is Vanilla Romance! One of my favorite candles to make around this season are the Mini Heart Floaters. They are inexpensive enough to buy a few dozen to put all over the house and create an ambiance of romance. They come in several scents and colors or if you prefer unscented or you can certainly customize a color and scent combination.