KnickNaxCandleWax

Happy Sunday everybody!
Stephanie and I clipped the red ribbon on our Etsy shop and launched it full throttle. We have spent probably the last month fiddling with the idea of opening a candle business online. It all started in the dusty back corner of Michael's. We even made it official with a handshake and all. So we got straight to work, and after weeks of experimenting with wax, wicks, and scents we finally have a system down. There are still many things we have to learn, but that's the most exciting part, and not to mention we will be creating our own product for people to enjoy. I mean seriously who doesn't love candles? ESPECIALLY Game of Thrones based candles. Yep, that's right, our first selection of candles will be dual scented character candles from the HBO TV series that everyone is raving about. (Including myself, that is just a little bit obsessed).

So our site is brand spanking new, three candles are up (Arya, Sansa, and Khaleesi) with more to come in the following weeks. So if you view this blog frequently you will also be hearing about updates on new candles that will be filling our electronic shelves in the future. 

Also, if you're not a fan of Game of Thrones and you're just looking for new and unique candles to make your home smell fabulous, just wait because we will be adding seasonal scents and collections as well.

Welcome to KnickNaxCandleWax, make yourself at home.

Art from the Heart

Two weekends ago Ryan and I made our way to Downtown Dunedin in search of pottery to paint. And we found just that, with a little help from google of course. It's a little hole in the wall place hiding in the back of the hustle and bustle of the downtown shops and such. We opened the door and were automatically welcomed by the two eager ladies that ran the joint. They led us to the back corner where all the pottery pieces lived, this is where we picked our soon to be masterpieces. I think I was still in awe of the place though because I couldn't keep myself from glancing around, first of all, at the abundance of people painting pottery (who know?) and second of all how absolutely quaint and adorable this place was. There were tables set up with mismatched everything on each table and the sunday afternoon light shone through the windows so perfectly. I snapped out of it to get back to Ryan who was probably clueless on what to choose. Which I found out he was, but who am I kidding so was I. There were vases upon vases, bowls, teacups, salt and pepper shakers galore! We made our final decision and he picked a skinny mug and I picked a not so skinny mug (see what we did there?) to add to our growing mug collection.
We scored a window seat and set to work on our creations.
It was a blast and we will definitely be back to make some super cool salt and pepper shakers and bring miss Lola so she can slap some paint on something of her own.
A week went by and Sunday came around and it was time to pick up our mugs which gave us prime opportunity to scope out what else Dunedin had hiding around in it's nooks and crannies. We stumbled upon a mexican restaurant that fit our coolness standards and scurried inside. The place was decked out in Day of the Dead decor and purples, greens, yellows and reds. So many colors and so many skulls. I honestly don't even know the name of the place since we were walking and just made the sudden decision to walk in, but it was really good and we found out that it was authentic organic mexican food.
We left skeleton land and oohed and ahhed at the shops and found ourselves in an icecream shop (of course). I blame Lola and her ice cream addiction. I swear she was begging for some of my peanut butter icecream.
We left after the air started getting that late evening chill that we've been experiencing lately and Ryan napped in the passenger seat the whole way home since I took the long long long way home (aka missed a turn and got a little lost).
A day well spent, we will be back for you Downtown Dunedin.

Felt Bulbs

Tonight we finally dressed our Christmas tree up with all the proper attire. well, Ryan actually handled all the ornamenting while I snuggled the shoosh on the couch. It happens, she IS pretty irresistible when it comes to cuddling, especially because it is very rare when she even wants to snuggle. Very particular. Anyway, I was standing in line at the grocery store the other day and I stared blankly over at all the overly sophisticated Christmas trees on the magazines staring back at me. Yes, they were beautiful and I'm sure they were way more valuable than they should be. Now, don't get me wrong I am a hug sucker for pretty sparkles and bows, especially on my tree. But a real tree tells a story. Each ornament has a tiny story and memory behind it. You know, those "1st Christmas" ornaments and those ones that have pictures in them from years ago. A few big shiny bulbs here and there, sparkling lights and memories strung from each piney branch. Those are the Christmas Trees that should be in magazines. 

 My ultimate favorite ornaments are the ones that are made by hand. I came across an etsy shop that was selling little felt light bulbs. I love when I am pinteresting and I quietly say to myself, "I CAN DO THAT." So I got a bunch of sheets of felt and got to work.

You will need:

• multiple colors of felt in sheets
• scissors
• thread
• needle
• fluffy stuffing
• ribbon or yarn for hanging
• cup of hot cocoa ;)

Start out by folding your felt sheet in half and snipping out light bulb shaped cut outs. I fold them so it creates one whole piece and you will only have to sew two sides.

Next you're going to do a blanket stitch. just start from the back of the bulb and come up. Keep sewing all the way around until you have about an inch left to the end. Now you're gonna reach your hand into fluff heaven and stuff your little light bulb, just enough to make it look 3-dimensional. Nice! Almost time to hang it.

Now you're going to snip out little yellow squares from your stash of felt pages, and attach two (one on the front top of the bulb and one on the back top of the bulb). This is going to be the metal part of the light bulb. You're just going to traditionally sew in and out, back and forth until its secure. The traditional stitch gives the effect of grooves in the metal part.

For the hanging, I just used some yarn from my dusty collection, but get creative! Maybe some ribbon, or use them in a garland or something to make imitation Christmas lights. I attached my yarn by hand just insert it onto the back or into the yellow felt before you sew the metal part on.

Happy Decorating!