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My Blog

Blog

Cleaner Air, One Candle at a time

Posted on 4 March, 2011 at 10:07 Comments comments (131)
Every once in a while, I forget how truly allergic I am to synthetic fragrance.  After living for so many years not being able to be around fragrance and now, with my essential oils and organic, plant derived,natural fragances, being constantly surrounded by wonderful fragrance, I forget the affects synthetics have on me.  And then I enter a building with a synthetic candle burning.  Or perfume.  Or try a lotion. I instantly can tell if the fragrance is synthetic or not.  My throat starts to clam and tighten up, my breathing becomes labored, my head hurts and I feel sick.  How many people have this same affect?  I hope that my business grows expenentially.  Not because I want $$ (although I surely don't mind) but because I want the air we breath to be fresh and healthy.  I don't think most people understand what they are burning and putting in their air.  After all, if a lotion says natural or a candle says natural, doesn't that mean it
 
IS ALL NATURAL?  Sadly, NO.  The FDA has decided that fragrance does not count.  If the rest of the product is natural than the produce of the product only has to put fragrance on their list of ingrediants.  If you see this and it doesn't say Organic fragrance, Natural fragrance or Essential Oil, it is SYNTHETIC.  Made from petroleum, petro-chemicals, phalates and other chemical labeled as TOXIC by the FDA.  So why are they not labeled toxic when added to other products?  I'm just not sure and I'm going to find out.  I'll be back!

Find me at Aster & Bee!

Posted on 25 February, 2011 at 17:28 Comments comments (168)
Now you can find my organic fragrance candles at Aster & Bee in Portland, OR!  Plus, don't forget to check out my Grand Opening of JUST THE GOOD STUFF at Milepost 5 in Portland, OR April 8th and 9th. www.justthegoodstuff.net  

new shops

Posted on 22 February, 2011 at 17:22 Comments comments (117)
Now you can find your favorite Vance Family Soy Candles at Snoqualmie Casino, The Pacific Northwest Shop in Tacoma, WA and The Gourmets Galley in Friday Harbor on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound of Washington! 

New Labels! New Store!

Posted on 16 February, 2011 at 23:07 Comments comments (327)
Well, I've changed up my labels 6 times this year and this time I think I finally got it right!  I am very happy with these.  They are elegant, recyled, down to earth, slightly whimsical, branded and are just paper that is wrapped around and taped so the buyer can take it off and have a plain candle if they would like.  I am also making tags for my coffee candles and other funky sizes.
  What do you think?
I will still keep my recycled white labels for any hard-core fans but otherwise, I really like the recycled brown.
 
 
 
Speaking of new......Handmade Local Market opened this weekend!  If you haven't had a chance to check it out, please do!  For the month of February you can buy one of my healing shea,soy and essential oil massage candles for only $5!   This Saturday, ALL CUSTOMERS GET FREE LIPBALM while supplies last.  One per customer.
Plus, I have a shelf of OOPS! candles with the wrong wicks, discontinued fragrances, discontinued jars, etc. that are only $5!
 
Hope to see you there! 
Vance Family Soy CandlesCustom Organic Coffee Candlesmarket bagsSweet with Heat Caramel Corn
For the Love of KnitLijah Hanley PhotographyUpcycled Bird FeedersVintage Cards
Heat PacksCloth Diapers and Baby GearOne of a Kind JewelryStuffed knit animals
Essatto Handmade Leather ShoesTaylor's Pottery FacesOil cloth market bagsCardtagious
Handpainted wine and champagne glassesHand dug, hand shined, igneous element jewelryGoat soap!Up cycled bird feeders
Handmade wooden airplane from salvaged wood and new teak and cedarPhoto on CanvasCeramic cupcake boxesLeather Dog Collars
Hand Roasted Nuts and Handmade CandiesVance Family Soy Candles new labelsGardener's Hand Salve

Seattle Gift Show Coming Soon!

Posted on 1 February, 2011 at 1:04 Comments comments (209)
Crazy busy getting ready for the Seattle Gift Show!  Greatly looking forward to it!  Hope to see you there!

I'm Opening ANOTHER shop in Battle Ground!

Posted on 9 January, 2011 at 18:44 Comments comments (179)
So, I've done it.  Enough people have said they want a shop in Clark County and I found a good starter location that I can afford.  It's not going to be called Vance Family Soy Candles but rather Handmade Local Market.  It will have dozens of vendor's wares, from art to artichoke cheese.  Creating a Market makes it much less risky for me and creates great opportunities for all those involved AND fills a void in the shopping marketplace.  I know that we are all going to have a great experience and I look forward to a CRAZY year.  See you there!

Store opening at Milepost 5!

Posted on 6 January, 2011 at 14:38 Comments comments (1)
I am so excited!  My sister Jen and I are opening a shop at Milepost 5 in Portland!  It is an answer to prayer and I am very excited to see what is in store for me.
Meanwhile....my massage candle is AMAZING.  James has used it on me all week (and vice versa) and it feels incredible.  Warm, smooth and still has plenty left.  I am excited about this product.  James says everyone should have one.  Thanks, James, for your support and allowing me to use you as a "guinea pig".