Showing posts with label D'Lites by Dorene. Show all posts
Showing posts with label D'Lites by Dorene. Show all posts

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Shabby Chic Rose Votive Candle Holders

About a week of so ago, I came across this tutorial for a candle craft I thought I'd try. Thank you Two Crafty Mules for the inspiration!

 
According to the tutorial, the supplies you will need are:

A glue gun and glue sticks
Scissors
One "roly poly" votive candle holder
Silk roses

I already had silk rose petals on hand, so I used them instead.  No cutting required!

Starting at the top of the candle holder, begin gluing your petals around the top of the jar.  Make sure you're gluing with the inside part of the petal onto the jar.  If you mistakenly glue the wrong side of the petal, don't worry, as you can easily "flip" the petal to its inside; following layers will help hold the petal in place.








When I got to the bottom of the jar it felt just a little unfinished.


I had some light green tulle on hand, so I decided to add it to the bottom of the jar to add a more polished look and to give the illusion of petals.


I eventually added more tulle.  Following are photos of the finished products.




It's a very easy and inexpensive project for the craft minded!

If you decide to make these, I highly recommend using tea lights instead of votive candles. Votives are meant to be burned in holders with a tight fit so the wax doesn't spread. The roly poly jars are larger than most votives, and when the wax spreads, it will most likely not burn completely.  You'll end up with wax left in your jar and no way to get it out, thus ruining your pretty project!


....and again!

Wheeeee!!!!!! This fabulous treasury featuring my Strawberries & Cream candle made the front page of Etsy today!




'Strawberry Smoothie' by SeaPinks



Strawberry Souffle' Marb...
$10

Girls Ruffle front dress - t...
$38

Thai parasol white and gold ...
$30

Pink Tinted Lip Balm - Sheer...
$8

elongated cream stamens with...
$4.5

Felted Slippers - hand knitt...
$55

Bucket - Cream Layered Scall...
$45

Strawberries & Creme 12 oz. ...
$17.25

1970s Pendleton Suit // Vint...
$228

Cream Birdhouse lamp
$65

Ice Cream Sign Photography p...
$25

Wool Felt Needle Book // Str...
$26

observe...28/50...an 8 x 10 ...
$20

Decorative Throw Pillow crea...
$160

Porcelain Cream and Sugar Se...
$22

strawberries
$22

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Thank you, Jenny from SeaPinks, for this gorgeous collection!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

A Question to My Followers

Recently, I decided to kick my blog up a notch. I've made a good habit of blogging twice a week, once about Etsy treasuries or shop reviews, another on small business topics. I've decided to branch out and to write about home and lifestyle topics that my followers may find interesting.





So, here's a bit more about me. When I'm not in my day job or making and selling candles, I enjoy knitting, gardening, cooking (although not much with just me in the house), and yoga. I'm planning to show you more of this world in my Show and Tell Friday posts.

 But before I launch into too much of anything, I'd really like to know what interest you? I truly enjoy marketing and invite you to ask any marketing or other questions affecting your small business.  I'm planning to expand on the posts I've written on Decorating with Candles, but with more do it yourself candle projects.

What excites you?

What else in home and lifestyle excites you? Please use the comments space below or send me an email with your thoughts. I also invite other bloggers to submit article ideas for guest submissions. I enjoy getting the word out about other fabulous bloggers.

I look forward to your responses!

Dorene

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Etsy shop review - Tatiana Mozerova of Tatiana's Tienda


Today's Etsy shop review features Tatiana Mozerova of Tatiana'sTienda. Please take some time to learn more about her and her craft!

My name is Tatiana. I was born in a small Siberian city called Irkutsk. I graduated from university with a degree in civil engineering and management in economics. If you'd have told me nearly two years ago that I would open craft store in the US and that I'd be crocheting and creating crafts, I would have though that you were insane! It just wasn't a future that I had in mind.
Baby Boy Booties
At the time, I was working with a construction company and dealing with projects and numbers, while at the same time I was studying for my second degree and teaching fitness in the evening. Everything was so overwhelming, I didn’t enjoy my life and one day I was fed up with it. I can remember this day… I was sitting in a lonely office, working on a boring drawing of a building riddled with numbers. I opened up a web page and started searching for flights. At the time, it didn't matter where I'd go…The most important part was getting FAR AWAY from the craziness that was my life! That same day I bought a one way ticket to Bangkok and I was infinitely happy with the decision that I made. I didn’t know what to expect or where I'd go afterwards, but I definitely decided that I didn't want to live that crazy life anymore.
I passed my final exam in January, got a diploma in civil engineering, quit my job, and moved all my stuff into a garage as I was off to Thailand. I remember saying to my family and friends, “I’m starting a journey towards a 'real' life, a life that I deserve and want to live, and a life that society doesn't dictate for you…A life that you want to live and share with others!” From there I traveled for about 10 months and it was the most amazing months of my life! I went to meditation courses, volunteered in Laos, worked in China with kids… But the most important thing – I’ve met an amazing person, my soul mate, a person who understands me without words on the way to “my new life”.
Newspaper Vase 
We traveled in South East Asia together, lived through the craziness of China… And then one day he asked me, "Do you want to visit the US?" Well, I had never been a big fan of this country but I realize now it was all due to the media. Russia and USA had never been big friends and I also had such restricted visions about the country before… But after traveling in so many countries,  I realized that political views of a government don’t always have anything common with the people who live there. So I agreed to come with him. Right now I amazed with this country and really enjoy living here.
When I flew to the US I didn’t know what I was going to do or where I'd look for work. One day my boyfriend’s sister was knitting a scarf. And I remembered how I love doing this in childhood, but when I grow up I totally forgot about it because didn’t have time for it. The very next day I made a hat for my boyfriend. Afterwards, we came up with the idea to sell items such as this on Etsy. I made different goods for special holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day. I later created candy bouquets and wicker baskets made from newspaper. I really enjoy the things that I create, because I know that it will make my buyers happier and richer inside, will put a smile on their face and maybe even change the world for the better!
Easter Candy Edibles
And as you can see in both 'my story' and the level of detail and pride I take in all the goods I make, I put my heart and soul into this little boutique shop. This is how I support myself! I appreciate all my customers for all sales I receive and will go out of my way to make you happy with your order!!
Blue Rose with Ferrero Rocher candy
I realize 'my story' is much more detailed than most you'll come across, but just wanted show how one day can change your entire life! Your life is in your hands and you are the creator of your destiny. Don’t be afraid of changes. It may seem too scary to make changes right now… but feel it in your heart that changes are for the good – so never hesitate to take the first steps!
Tatiana can be found:

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Surprise, surprise!

This past weekend was the first I made it outdoors to work on my gardens. I'll give you a moment to be awestruck by use of the plurality of the word, but you should know, I have a postage-stamp sized yard, and "gardens" means the front bed, the side bed, the back rose garden, and a few other spaces. We're not talking Central Park here.

Anyway. I've lived in this house for fifteen years. My gardens, such as they are, are known to me by square inch and the weeds they attract. I'm seldom surprised at what my yard can produce at this point.

Until this past weekend.

I was walking between the back and the "really" back yard on my way to the compost pile. (I love my compost pile, but am saving that introduction for a later date.) When, what to my wandering eyes should appear, but....no, it's not the season for a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer....a little furry bud.
I looked. I stared in disbelief.  Then I started jumping.

Jumping not for joy. Jumping not to catch a squirrel, as my neighbor thought (embarrassment!). But jumping to catch a branch just a bit higher to see if my hypothesis was true.


It was. The tree I had known to love (not) and to appreciate (not) as part of a "border" was a pussy willow! A thirty plus foot pussy willow! In fifteen years, I've not seen this tree produce anything similar to a bud, let alone the architectural branches we proudly display in our homes. Looking up over the top of my garage, I saw a fuzzy treeline of what must be the buds of these pretty spring displays!

So I brought out my clippers and snipped what I could. Then I brought out my ladder and cut as many branches as I could reach. Of course, the good stuff was only attainable by climbing on top of my garage (not!), and my boys weren't with me, but I was able to gather enough branches to make a modest display for my foyer.

About a month ago, I had a conversation with my father about our yards. The pussy willow he had given up on last fall and had been felled to the ground had suddenly begun producing flowers not seen in years. Maybe the shrub I inherited so many years ago was just severely neglected, yet somehow in the right place to produce this year. I think the lesson here is that nature is a unpredictable. I'm not trying to analyze the jet steam, greenhouse gasses, or even compost pile versus Miracle Grow, but there is still a lot in our own hands, in or on our own footprint, that we have yet to learn from.

Go get your hands dirty!


Friday, April 12, 2013

Oops, I did it again!

It happened twice in one week - I made the front page of Etsy!

I'm not here to brag, but to share my excitement.  Here's the treasury which was featured yesterday in the 2:00 PM EDT hour:


'For Mom' by allthingsgranny



Baby's Breath room and l...
$6.49

Blue jasper earrings , birth...
$32

10 Place Cards, Wine Glass D...
$22

Small Notebook - The Little ...
$10

Custom flip flops. No Minimu...
$58

Recipe of french coconuts ma...
$5

Ceramic Magnets Set of 3 Bro...
$12

Victorian Porcelain Keepsake...
$28

White Tibetan Agate Bead Bra...
$42

brown linen pouch with aqua ...
$28

Air Planter - Large Handmade...
$50

Mint Colorblock Decorative P...
$55

DIY Wedding Tree Guest Book ...
$18

Modern Faux Wood Grain Birdh...
$32

Food Photography - minimal k...
$30

Crochet bag in cream white, ...
$75


As I mentioned last week, when Etsy posts a grouping of "Hand Picked Items", the grouping (also known as a treasury) has been created by another member who usually sells on Etsy. When these treasuries are featured on the Etsy front page, the product and shops included get additional exposure that is so important for independent shops like mine!

Please take a look at this gorgeous collection and shop Etsy today!
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