Choosing the Right Scented Candle

Choosing scented candles for yourself or a gift is not as easy as it seems. Sometimes you may get “scented out” by too many scents and not pick any. Being overwhelmed by scents, especially at a candle store or booth is common. See if there are any coffee beans to neutralize your scent buds, it works like crackers to your taste buds. Now you’re ready to sniff some more.

Choose scents you are familiar with. Sometimes we waste precious time and scent buds by “trying out” some scents that we know we’ll hate. I do not like patchouli by itself, so why would I smell it again? There are so many scents out there to explore. On the other hand, be daring and try different smells that you’ve never heard of.

Decide where is the scented candle going? Living room, bedroom, kitchen. This often can decide on the scent. I choose fruits or herbs for the kitchen, and soft florals for living room. Another wonderful choice is an ocean scent for the bathroom.

If this is a gift for a friend, try to think what the he or she may like, not just you. Over and over again I see people buying candles for other people with scents that they like themselves. Are they hoping that the friend will give it back to them so that they can enjoy it?

Go for quality, not necessarily the packaging. I’ve seen so many wonderful candles being passed by for the more expensive, cooler packaged candle. Candle crafters make high quality candles, sometimes in little or no packaging experience.

Freshness counts. When was this candle made? How will the scent hold up? Buying a candle that has been faded by the sun, or buried in a box for three years will burn differently from one that was made last week. Get to the know the per who makes the candle, or the re-seller for more information on the candle itself.

I hope this has helped you choose the right candle, and remember, the more educated you are, the better choice you’ll make.

Don Stevens is a consumer writer and co-owner of Wick-edly Sent Soap and Scented Soy Candles Company in the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York.

Add comment

Protected: Natural Soaps Wholesale Supplier - Handmade soap loaves at low, discount prices. Shop Today!

Enter your password to view comments

engagement ring

Engagement Ring From Here To Eternity
 
Engagement ring encompasses in them the sense of love, commitment and fidelity. These are given at a very special moment in the life of two people, promising an eternal love and honor between the two. These rings hold their special place in the life of the people from very long. The invention of wedding rings and engagement rings is attributed to the ancient Egyptians, but the use of those rings had been there for quite long. But the purpose of engagement and the wedding rings did not change so much over the years, conveying deep emotions of eternal love, eternal happiness, eternal commitment, and eternal togetherness.

 
These rings are one of the most special gifts that you can get. These rings signify eternity between the two that is the giver and the receiver. An engagement ring is a complete circle with no break and no end or beginning, it is only eternal which means it just goes on and on.

 
An engagement ring is often intentionally expensive as a sign of man’s permanency. It is typically a precious band and mounts a diamond or other gem. The reason for its expensiveness is the use of diamond in it. Most people choose a diamond engagement ring. The argument for a diamond is that it is the most enduring, beautiful and expensive gem.

 
An engagement is an agreement or promise to marry, and also refers to the time between proposal and marriage. Engagements have no predetermined length, and may range from days to years. During this period, a couple is said to be affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Ring is a romantic way to recognize an engagement, anniversary, or any other special occasion. An engagement ring is a beautiful way of expressing love and proposing for marriage to someone. Customs surrounding engagement vary greatly, and may include a formal or informal announcement to friends, family, and community, or a celebratory party or gathering.

 

Add comment

variety of diamonds

Diamond the most valued gemstone. The name comes from the Greek word “Adamas” meaning ´invincible´. The diamond is considered the greatest of stones, revered throughout the ages for its great beauty, and strength. The diamond is said to enhance the wearer with charm and beauty, which makes it women’s best friend from ages. 

1. Pink Diamonds
The pink diamond is the world’s most rare and valuable diamond. The Argyle mine is the world’s foremost source of unrivalled intense pink diamonds, producing 95% of the world’s supply. Argyle has sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million a carat. For years the white diamond was considered the world’s most beautiful diamond, 

2. White Diamonds
White diamonds are produced by mines all over the world in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The white diamonds recovered from the Argyle mine are particularly brilliant and of high quality. The Argyle mine also produces white diamonds with secondary pink color that command a higher price per carat. A higher price is commanded for pink secondary color depending on its depth and strength, because pink is one of the most rare colors found in diamonds. 

3. Champagne Diamonds
Champagne diamonds are naturally colored diamonds that are produced in a wide range of colors from light straw to rich cognac. The 4C’s of color, cut, clarity and carat weight apply to colored diamonds just as they do to colorless diamonds except the intensity of color, not lack of it, plays a greater part in the valuation. The diamonds are graded on a C1-C7 color scale. The fancy cognac diamond is graded C7. 

4. Pink Champagne Diamonds
Attractive champagne diamonds with secondary pink color are also available and command a higher price per carat than champagne diamonds. These stones display slight to bold flashes of pink in their fire. Pink is one of the rare colors found in diamonds. 

There are some more varieties of diamonds available in different colors such as yellow diamonds, blue diamonds and the green diamonds. These are some of the rarely found varieties of diamonds. 

Diamonds are not only used for jewelry, other than fashion it is also widely used in the industries. These industrial diamonds are a bit different from the gem diamonds. Diamonds hold their own significance in different streams and its beauty and tendency to perform helps it to excel over others

Add comment

wedding ring

 
With this ring, I thee wed.” Those words have long been spoken to signify a couple’s ever-lasting commitment to one another. The exchanging of wedding rings marks the beginning of a new life together for the bride and groom. A big day in the life of two people, yes the wedding day for which the preparations start from very long. A couples wedding day won’t be labeled as the big day for nothing. It definitely is something to look forward and to get prepared for well in advance.
 
According to some customs, the wedding ring forms the last in a series of gifts, which may also include the engagement ring, traditionally given as a betrothal present. Choosing the perfect wedding ring depends on what kind of ring you desire and what choices are available. Whether you prefer yellow gold, platinum, or white gold there is a vast assortment from which to choose. Even more important than how your wedding ring looks, is how it feels.
 
 Most of the wedding rings are made up of diamond with a base of gold. Most people tend to choose a diamond wedding ring because it is believed that diamonds are women’s best friends and they are the best in impressing them. So because of such beliefs most wedding rings are diamond rings. Diamonds too give a number of options to choose on. Diamonds are available in different shapes, sizes and colors. The favorites are colorless or the pink diamonds. Their ability to shine more than the others give them a special place.
 
 A perfect wedding is a collaboration of many things out of which one of the most important is a beautiful diamond wedding ring. Wedding rings are outward symbols of love and commitment, but they are also very personal possessions. With so many options available, look for something that reflects your personality and use this as an opportunity to express something about yourself

Add comment

Diamonds – The Aura

THE BEAUTY OF DIAMONDS 

Wedding ceremonies, the symbol of a mystic union, and the embodiment of a promise so eternal; an offering on the altar of marital bliss surely should resound with this sentiment. Diamonds, the ornament of the royal, are the perfect embellishment for a moment so precious. The grandeur of this beautiful gem speaks for itself in all its shimmer and glory. From being the one and only possession of the erstwhile rulers, to being the ultimate expression of passion, the charm and beauty of this marvelous ornament truly remains eternal.
Petite and eye-catching necklaces for bold and beautiful people, the jaw-dropping magnificence of diamonds has always held the fancy of jewelry lovers. Apart from being a beautiful ornament, diamonds have also been considered a very wise way of adding up to your investments, ensuring high and beneficial returns. Diamond has always been prized for their beauty and brilliance. Diamonds are indeed very desirable objects and worn through out the world. Buyers worldwide walk up to procure millions of carats every year to stock up their treasures.
 
The stunning glaze of diamonds has also been an object of muse to historians who’ve been churning out tales of its evolution, since ages. It is actually believed that the history of diamonds dates back to some 300 years to India. Historians believe that upon its discovery, diamonds were being used for decorative purposes as well as a talisman to ward off evil or provide protection in the battle.  
 
We, at Goldenmine fulfill your penchant for this wonderful ornament like no one else does! Come and take your pick from the most dazzling collection offered at our http://diamonds.goldenmine.com. From pink diamonds to exquisite diamond engagement rings and wedding rings, studs and bracelets, earrings and hoops, we have it all for the esteemed diamond lover!
 
Written by Goldenmine Team. Goldenmine specializes in all kinds Jewelry especially Diamonds. It is established in the industry for the past 20 years and sells a variety of Jewelry at wholesale prices.
Ezine Subscription & Enquiries: Send mail to info@theonlinejewelers.com

Add comment

Sewing As a Service Business

If you enjoy sewing you might want to think about starting up a sewing service. As a doll maker and designer it can be time consuming to sew a bunch of doll bodies. The idea of having someone use my design templates and sew the bodies for me is appealing. That way it saves me a lot of time and I can go straight to stuffing the doll and finishing her features. You could offer to do “piece” work. Meaning charge by the piece. For example $2-$3 per doll body and once you gained a few clients it could be worth your while. Sewing would have to be something you enjoy and you’d have to not mind the repetition of doing some of the same doll bodies over and over again.

Another idea is for anyone that enjoys doing stitcheries. The one reason I don’t offer stitchery patterns at the moment is I simply don’t have the patience or time to sit down and actually do the stitchery. Now I can draw out the designs no problem but it’s more time consuming to do the actual stitchery. I have in the past hired someone to take the design and create a stitchery for me. Then they took a great photo of it that I could use for the front cover of my patterns. I paid them a reasonable fee and PLUS they got to either keep the finished work or sell it. Their choice. A win-win situation. I had the picture I needed for my design as a finished product that I could use for my pattern cover and they got paid and could sell that finished item. That gal ended up going back to work full time so she can’t do them anymore.

The same concept could be done for those that enjoy needlework like doing Needle Punch. The designer creates the design and you created the finished Needle Punch. Again, you would take a clear photo of the finished item and email it to the designer, who in turn would use it for their pattern cover picture. Also the designer in most cases would furnish the materials required in most cases, or you could add the cost into what you charge. I would imagine there are a lot of crafters that either sell online or off line that could use this kind of service. The gal that did the stitcheries for me was fantastic at it and a lot quicker than I would be. It was really neat to see my design come to life like that.

I know personally in the pattern designing business this kind of service would probably be a great asset for a designer. To be able to team up with someone talented in sewing, needlework, etc. That came to know the designers style and how they wanted the finished piece to look. Or in the case of just the doll bodies, how they liked them done. It could really work out to the benefit of both individuals. I’m not talking about outsourcing work like they do when sending things overseas to have a mass amount of finished products made.

This business would specifically be beneficial to designers who create their own pattern line. The difference would be you (your business) would create ONE of something so a picture of the item could be used as the front cover for that designers pattern. An seasoned designer would have enough experience to know the steps required to write instructions for sewing the doll body, as most are very similar in the way they are sewn together. So something to think about and perhaps this will help someone that is trying to find the right niche for them to start a business in the crafting world.

Author: Talena Bacon

Marketing Manager

Pattern Mart, LLC

http://www.patternmart.com

Bio: Talena Bacon is a doll maker, pattern designer and also marketing manager for Pattern Mart, LLC

Add comment

How To Deliver the Best Online Customer Service

It seems in this day and age of exploding online business start ups on the Internet, a lot of effort goes into creating the perfect online presence. Including website design, SEO optimizing, marketing and promoting. But so often, one of the biggest things that can make or break your business is having great customer service. Sure you can have a fantastic website, great products and mass marketing campaigns going on. But if your customers feel your customer service is awful then your business will surely suffer for it.

You have to look at it this way. If you walked into a store you would surely expect the owner or sales person to be courteous and helpful right? Well, so do your customers online. When I say “customers”, I’m also referring to businesses that offer intangible services and have clients also. Without customers and clients where would your business be? They are your greatest asset and you should treat them as such. So now that we’ve established why customer service is so important, what are the techniques for implementing the greatest customer service possible?

Let me offer you an outline to help the bigger picture come together for you.

1. The Golden Rule Method. We all need to remember the golden rule of “Treat others as you would want to be treated”. This definitely applies when it comes to customer service. Give your customers the same treatment and attention that you would expect from a business. A good business that is.

2. The Customer Is Always Right. NEVER argue with a customer or client, even if they are wrong. Instead respond to their question or complaint in a polite and non-threatening manner. Do your best to explain yourself and offer answers to whatever issue they are having. For example if a customer purchases a product from your website and complains that they thought it would be bigger and are not happy with it. The best thing to do is to in this case would be to respond and tell them that you are sorry they are not happy with the item and offer A). They can return the item for a refund or B). Depending on your policies, offer them a website credit. Both examples of course are based on whatever policies you have in place. If you have a policy that says no refunds or exchanges. Instead, offer them an online voucher of so much off their next purchase if that is all you can give. But don’t not do something for this customer or you might as well wave good-bye to them for any possibility that they will order from you again. Not only that but you probably won’t gain any of their friends or family as customers either. Of course there are customers out there that can be dishonest and take advantage of situations so you have to use your judgment per individual situations. But for the most part it’s always wise to err on the side that the customer is always right and offer what you can to rectify the situation in hopes that they will continue to purchase from you and tell others what a great company your company is.

3. Remember it’s email. While email is a great communication tool, it doesn’t have the ability to convey verbal expression. Unlike communicating on the phone where people can hear the expression in your voice. So always be aware of this when sending your responses to your customers and try to write them in such a way that expresses their importance to you and your concern for whatever issue they have.

4. Be Accessible. There’s nothing worse than feeling like the customer service of a business is not very accessible. Always have an area on your website for customer service inquiries. Don’t let your customers feel like they can’t come ask you a question at anytime. A good idea is to add at the end of your response to your customers something like “If I can answer any more questions or assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me again”. This will let them know that they can come ask you anything, anytime. Some customers and clients can tend to not want to “bother” you. But you want them to know they are not bothering you with questions, concerns or comments they may have. Being accessible not only keeps the communication lines open but it builds that so important trust you want your customers and clients to have for you and your company.

5. Don’t Make Them Wait. No one likes to wait for a response from a business. I’m sure many of you have sat on hold while calling a company and it feels like forever. Customers get frustrated with this. Unless your company has a huge customer service response team it may be unrealistic for you to respond to customer service inquiries immediately. But you can at least let them know that you received their customer service inquiry by implementing an autoresponder through your email client. This would be a email they would receive right after contacting customer service telling them that you have received their email, letting them know how important they are to you and giving them a time line as to when they can expect a response from you. For example a autoresponse email might say “Thank you for contacting “Your Company Name Here”. Your inquiry is very important to us and we wanted to let you know that we will respond to your inquiry promptly within the next 24 hours. Thank you and we look forward to speaking with you shortly.” -Signed by Your name and Your Company.

6. Follow Up. A nice customer service touch is to follow up with the customer. Say for example you have a customer that has a problem ordering or issue from a client that subscribes to your service. A simple email a day or so later asking them if they’ve experienced any further difficulty will be very appreciated and allow for an open door that you initiated in case they indeed are having more difficulties. Don’t overdue it of course. Just the one follow up is sufficient. Some customers/clients may not respond and that’s ok as no response usually means all is well. I hope the previous has been helpful and you all will go out now and perfect your customer service. Remember customer service is one of the most important aspects of your business. It is one of the big reasons that your customers will keep coming back to your company.
Author: Talena Bacon, Marketing Manger

Pattern Mart, LLC

http://www.patternmart.com

Bio: Talena Bacon is a doll maker, pattern designer and also the marketing manager for Pattern Mart, LLC

Add comment

Creative Block- Why do we get it?

Now I think that is good question. Like most crafters everyone has a day when they have a creative block and just can’t come up with anything new to create.

 

This is ok and don’t worry you are not losing your mind. Sometimes we do too much and our minds get alittle boggled down with our everyday chores and we overlook that we are only human.

 

I find that sometimes we need a break from our creation table as I call it. Time to clear our heads and take a “For Me” day.

 

A “For Me” day is one where you do nothing but sit and relax. Read a good book, go shoe shopping, or even get a foot massage. These are things that relax your mind and your body. Ok, maybe shoe shopping doesn’t fit into this category but it sure makes any woman feel good when they find a good sale.

 

I find that taking this time gives you a new outlook on your business and also stem up some new ideas that you did not think of before.

 

For us workaholics who can’t take a “For Me” Day than take a “For Me Hour”. Just alittle time to is all we need to clear our heads so that we can start fresh and new creations.

 

Author: Talena Bacon
Bio: Copyright © 2006—All Rights Reserved—Written By Talena Bacon of Sew Cute Dolls & More Primitive/Country Doll Maker and Doll Pattern Designer. http://www.sewcutedolls.com 

 

 

Add comment

Altering the Color of Wool

Changing the Color of Your Woolens

Wool comes in glorious colors, and some not so glorious colors! Don’t ever pass up a good piece of wool just because you don’t like the color. You want to constantly be building your stash of wool, and in time you may want to start overdying them to achieve exactly the colors you need for a project.

In the meantime, there are ways to change those ugly or not-quite-right woolens to get the colors you need for your hooking projects.

Learning to Marry the Colors of WoolensIf you have several red pieces of wool and you need more than one red for a project, but the reds you have just don’t look good together, you can marry them! Here’s how: (more…)