Catching up, taxes done.

I have been incredibly busy since the beginning of the year trying to get my taxes done and filing my NY sales taxes in between filling orders and staying warm. I started out doing inventory in early January, then I decided to do my own taxes instead of depending on someone else (who royally messed up my taxes last year), so after I take a small break, I will be filing an amended return.   It's been a very cold and long winter out here in the country and I am so ready for spring and digging in the dirt once again. 

Last weekend was my first show of the season, the Indie Garage Sale in Utica NY.  It was a cold and rainy day, but the crowds were steady all day.  It was lovely seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  I've added glycerine and goats milk soaps to my line, but only for gift and spa sets to compliment my candles. 

It was a great show as always, but not fun packing up and driving home in the pouring rain.  I unloaded the car on Sunday, cleaned and re-organized my studio and since it rarely stays that way, I decided to take a few pictures in its pristine condition. 

This is just about everything I take to a show except my folding stool.  If I take my tent for an outdoor show, there's just enough room in my car.  I pack meticulously after each show so all I have to do for the next show is re-stock. I keep everything by the door for a fast exit! 

I am stocked up with nearly 200 lbs of wax.  The white box is extra wicking,  Most of the wax will be gone in a week or so. 

My primary work area is this table, covered in plastic then butcher paper to keep it clean.  My wicks hang above the orders clipped with clothespins, the table to the right is for my tools and important recipes are tacked to the bulletin board.  To the left are my molds and under the table are more supplies such as tins and tea light cups.  I make all my wicks, mix fragrances and pour all my candles at this table. 

My mold shelf (no, not moldy shelf) is getting pretty crowded as I continue to add new shapes and sizes to my inventory.  As you can see, the door opens on to my driveway, making it possible to open up shop to the public some day, should I ever decide to.  Of course I would have to eliminate the spare bedroom around the corner.   I like to keep my options open.

Fragrances

Staging table for finished products and packing table.

I haven't shown you the sauna packed with shipping materials and my tent, the other bedroom I use for storage, or the room where I melt wax and store even more supplies, but I enjoy working in my studio with the radio or stereo on.  It makes the time go by during long hours.  

Thanks for visiting!

A Recipe for Stuffed Peppers

Ok, so a few people have loved my stuffed peppers, so I made them tonight. Everyone has their own version, so this is mine.

Ingredients:
2 large peppers, cut in half, cleaned and rinsed
1lb ground beef
1/2 c rice, cooked
1 med onion
1 med can tomato sauce
8 oz cheese, grated, chedder works, but so does Swiss
Worcestershire sauce
assorted herbs, like Italian, parsley or whatever you like
garlic powder

Parboil the peppers in boiling water. Cook ground beef and onions until cooked through. Cook the rice.

Add about 1/3 can of the tomatoe sauce, about half the grated cheese, worcestershire sauce, seasonings and cooked rice to the beef and onions and stir thoroughly. Lay the pepper halves into a pan to form cups.

Spoon the meat and rice mixture into peppers, top with the rest of the tomato sauce and top with cheese.

Bake in 400 degree oven for about 1/2 hour until cheese melts completely.

Spoon onto plate and indulge!

I'm back!

It was a long holiday season, but I'm back.  Right now I'm mired in paperwork getting ready for tax season,  always a good excuse to completely clean and re-arrange my studio and office.  

Time to regroup.  

The best all-around show I did was the Indie Garage Sale in Utica NY.  It was a 2-day show the last weekend before Christmas and it was by far the best and well-attended.   Many of us were situated in separate boutique-like shops, so it gave an upscale feel to the show.  That's my booth right behind the window with the light green tables. 

I had a wonderful holiday.  This was my tree, and a great tree it was!

Well, Ok I lied.  We went to NYC for a couple days. 

So this is really the tree:

Believe me, it was better than the Charlie Brown tree we had last year!

Wilbur got some new clothes (but he's more interested in the edible goodies)

Carla and the animals had a good time.

We feasted  

 

Christmas buffet





and partied 

and a good time was had by all

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Crazy week and the Pumpkin Festival in Norwich NY

Last week was insanely busy!  I finished an order for a customer who drove up here to pick up her order on Thursday.  Her husband and 2 adorable dogs came with her and they were a joy!  We had a wonderful meal, then relaxed in the hot tub, and they left first thing Friday morning for NYC with probably close to 300 lbs of candles. 

As soon as they left, I started loading the car for the Norwich Pumpkin Festival. 

The show was held in Norwich NY Friday 10/29 through Saturday 10/30.  Friday was set-up starting at noon, so I got there around 12:30.  As I was driving out of my driveway, I saw my street lamp had been knocked over, presumably by the landscapers who mowed my lawn that morning.  

Maybe I should have taken that as an omen, because it was rainy and blustery all afternoon as I tried my best to set up my tent and display on the street.   Both coats I had taken got wet as well as my feet.  I actually went to my car, took off my shoes and socks and sorta dried them out with the heater going full blast.   I finally got set up, but since I was on the street, the back was a lake, so I set my chair on the side. 

Saturday was Much nicer!  A brisk fall day, but no rain.  I was prepared with my winter coat, extra socks and shoes and my insulated and waterproof Timberlands which are 30 years old and have never let me down. 

So on to the pumpkins.  They were all lit and at night they were just amazing. 

Dog custumes!  They were the best.

 And scarecrow competition.

It was a great festival!  Even if it wasn't all handmade. 

I'll probably be back next year.  See you then!

Off to the Holiday Races

Today was the first of the holiday shows.  Held in my new hometown of Whitney Point NY, the Fall Festival was a resounding success.  http://whitneypointfallfestival.com/  I met so many local folks, making connections for future ventures.  One person talked about buying the old railroad station here in town that's been for sale since I've been here to make it into a year-round market.  Another vendor is opening a handmade shop a few miles away and wants to carry my line of Essential Oil candles.   So much energy in the handmade markets around here, and I want to be part of it!


This is the first time I vended with my 4 table set-up.  It gave me more space to spread out my wares to make it look less cluttered.  And I got my new Director's stool just in time.  I ordered brown to coordinate with my booth and it looked great.  Comfy too!  I could sit and be eye level with my customers at the same time, but of course I usually got on my feet when they were present. 

So here's my schedule for the next 2 months!

Norwich Pumpkin Festival October 29-30

http://www.norwichpumpkinfestival.com/PFestBrochure2010Pg2.jpg

MayDay Underground in Rochester NY November 6

http://maydayunderground.wordpress.com/

Holiday Family Festival, Corning NY November 20-21

http://www.holidayfamilyfestival.com/

Holiday Traditions, SUNY Binghamton NY November 27

http://www.qualitypromotions.org/

Old Tyme Christmas, Weedsport NY December 11

http://www.iloveny.com/What-To-Do/Events/Weedsport-Old-Tyme-Christmas/15061.aspx

Indie Garage Sale, Utica NY (pending) December 18-19

http://www.indiegaragesale.org/

It's gonna be a rockin' holiday season!  Hope to see you!

marty

Color matching success

I've been quite the busy candle maker lately. I swore I would never do teal/turquoise/aqua ever again, but I'm not one to give up, ever. After many stops and starts, I finally got it right. The problem was trying to keep the brightness.  I sent off the color samples to my customer last week and feel so incredibly proud.  Color matching is an art, for  sure.

The Pink wasn't a problem, but as you can see, the blue isn't even close to a match.

And this was a perfect match, no problem

But here's the order - violet and pink.

As you can tell, I take color matching very seriously.   It's often and long and labor intensive process, but my customers deserve the best.

Storing up for winter

In between filling orders, I've been busy getting ready for the long winter months ahead.  I've been visiting my local farmer's market, and finally vended there this past week.  It's a great way to buy local produce and meet some really nice folks.

Two weeks ago, I bought some nice looking cabbage and started my sauerkraut. It's really easy! Just shred the cabbage, put it in the crock and sprinkle a couple tablespoons of salt on it, stir it up, and keep adding layers of cabbage and salt.   Cover it up and tuck in a clean breathable cloth and weight it down with a plate with something heavy on top.  Wash the cloth every day with hot scalding water and in about 5-6 weeks, you have sauerkraut ready to can. 

We found a wonderful farmer nearby and bought 130 ears of corn, fresh picked that day.  We blanched and froze some of it the other day, and today we canned 36 pint jars of cut corn.  You need a pressure canner for low-acid foods like vegetables, but it's very easy.  We cut the corn off the cobs...

Then raw-packed the jars, not too tight, added a half teaspoon of salt to each pint jar, then poured boiling water to 1/2" from the top.  Raw pack means you don't cook the contents first.  Hot packing means you add the hot cooked food to the jar.  You can do either with corn.  Once the jars are filled, you place the sterilized lid with tongs (put them in a pan with simmering water on the stove), then screw on the ring finger tight.  Then they go into the canner and processed at 10 lbs pressure for 55 minutes.   

Tomorrow I will probably make cole slaw and corn relish which can be processed in a simple hot water bath.  Since they are acidic and made with vinegar, they don't have to be pressure-canned.  It's a little less intense and can be done in a large pot only, without a pressure canner, which is an investment.  I'd love to find some inexpensive PA peaches, because they are sooo sweet and yummy around the holidays.  Nothing at all like canned peaches you find in the store.   And maybe I'll find some time to make spiced apple rings and harvest the my herb garden and dry my herbs for the cold months ahead. 

It's getting pretty chilly way up here in the north, and I have to order wood soon.  I'm really behind on that and should have had it so the girls could stack it for me when they were here last week.  Busy busy busy!