Follow me!

I feel so lucky to have grown my fan base to its current level, and it's all because of you!


Those of you who have followed me for a while know I spend a lot of my time marketing my business.  Did you know:

• My first marketing initiative was my newsletter. It has grown from 20+ close friends to nearly 100 people including customers, vendors, and others who are interested? I've also grown the format from a simple Publisher piece to an electronic newsletter with subscriptions? (If you haven't already, you can subscribe here.)
• I have a Facebook Fan page with over 120 fans and I give away a free product every month?
• Through the prodding of the Etsy Promotional Frenzy Team, my third marketing initiative was Twitter.  I never thought I would tweet, and now I have a Klout score of 37. (Go to www.klout.com for more on this). You can follow me @DLitesbyDorene.
• I've fallen in love with Pinterest.
• I've written 24 blog posts.

Perhaps this isn't earth shattering news or the strongest of social media efforts out there, but for someone who began this business venture less than a year ago and had no interest in SEO, it's been huge for me personally.  

I share this with you today for three reasons:

1. I love sharing my product. Please "like" my Facebook page if you haven't already. 
2. I hope to encourage everyone out there that working the social media is easy to do, although it does take time, skill and practice for the efforts to reap the benefits.
3. To thank you for reading my post and to offer you an additional 15% off any purchase (including sales and clearance) through the end of March.  If you email your order to me, the discount will be subtracted from your final price; if you purchase through my Etsy shop, please use coupon code BLOGLOVER at checkout.

I hope you continue to follow me through whichever media outlet you prefer. But please know I offer different  specials at various times through all of my marketing initiatives.

Thank you so much for your support! Enjoy the green this weekend!

Last month I launched new product lines of diffuser oils and fragrance sprays.  I'm happy to say my line continues to grow, but I need your help.  


If you've ever seen my fragrance listing, you know that it is extensive.  I'm currently seeking product testers for feedback on new fragrances to offer.  I've currently received feedback on a handful of fragrances, but have many more to go. So,....I NEED YOUR HELP! 

I am currently seeking testers for my new line of diffuser oils and fragrance sprays.  Please email me three fragrances you'd like to test, and I'll send you one (my choice) 1 oz. complimentary sample to test.  A complete fragrance listing is available here.

Thank you for your help!

Color of the Year

I've recently found myself thinking a lot about trends. All kinds. Technology. Social trends. Fragrance trends (of course). But not fashion, I'm a Capricorn, after all.


So I thought today's post would be about color trends. Every year Pantone researches worldwide socio-economic conditions to determine the color influencer for the upcoming year. Here's a snippet from their news release:


To arrive at the selection, Pantone quite literally combs the world looking for color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films that are in production, traveling art collections, hot new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.


The 2012 color of the year, drum roll please, is Tango Tangerine. 

According to to the Pantone website, 


Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.  Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike. A provocative attention-getter, Tangerine Tango is especially appealing in men’s and women’s fashion.


Personally, when I first heard the news, my reaction was, "Hmmm....." I'm not an orange person.  But the more I see the color, the more I like it.  It is more red and appealing to me than I first thought.  Here are another image of the color from the Pantone website:

So, what are your thoughts? Do you follow color trends, and do you use them in your daily life or business?

Pearberry - March fragrance of the month

Sorry I've been MIA for a while....I'm glad to be back and to announce the March fragrance of the month - Pearberry!


For anyone who is a fan of Bath & Body Works, you know what a wonderful fragrance Pearberry is! Combining the fragrances of perfect pear and beautiful berry, Pearberry is a classic for anyone, anytime.


In addition to launching this new fragrance line, I’m pleased to announce the introduction of bath & body fragrances in addition to my home fragrance line. New products include body lotion and spray, as well as hand and foot balm to soothe away those rough edges and callousness.


While the Fragrance of the Month, Peryberry is 10% off.  Products shown include: 

• 12 oz. container candle, $14.85; 
• 7 oz. cocktail glass candle, $6.75; 
• tea lights, 6 pack for $5.50; 
• fragrance tarts 4 pack, $4.50; 
• room and linen spray, - $9.45; 
• votives, 4 for $9.00; 
• wickless candle, $4.50; 
• body lotion, 4 oz. for $7.20; 
• body spray, 4 oz. for $7.20.; 
• and hand and foot balm, 2 oz. for $10.00.

 Please take a look and indulge yourself!

Blogger Blues

Ok, I have to be honest.  I don't like to make resolutions, but I always strive to be better and to make goals. One of my goals for 2012 was to blog twice a week.


Well, I didn't make it this/last week (depending upon how you view the calendar).


Twice a week for me works best on Sunday and Wednesday.  There was no Sunday post this week.  So, I'll flog myself with a wet noodle in preparation for Lent.


I'll try to post an additional blog later this week (and again on Sunday)....but does anyone out there face the Blogger Blues? It's not writer's block in which you know what you want to write about but can't find the words.  With Blogger Blues, you simply don't have any topic at all, and therefore, the words aren't relevant.


So... I've tried to write about business applications, marketing strategies, favorite shops, and alas! my own products.  But Sunday and today, nothing. Rien. 


Does writing about Blogger Blues count for writing a blog? For today, I'm going to pretend that it does. Because blogs are about getting to know one another, and like it or not, these blues are what I'm going through at the moment.  


Maybe Friday I'll find a recipe to post. Or a book to review. Or any other inspiration. But these Blogger Blues also define me. Please don't be offended.  I'm just being honest.

Etsy shop review, Victorian Swag

Recently I had the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a pair of earrings from Victorian Swag. And low and behold, I won!  


Monday, I received a this lovely pair of earrings:

Here's the description as posted on her web store:


These beautiful stud earrings featuring the print of a single rose and gold embellishments on porcelain would make such a lovely gift for her this valentines day.

I use E6000 Jewelry grade glue so your earrings will stay lovely for years to come!

And they are all as promised. While I've not had a chance to wear these yet, they are all as written and more!

Here's what the owner of Victorian Swag, Missy Perez, has to say about herself:

By day I am your average stay at home mom caring for two wildly lovely children while trying to keep some semblance of a tidy home, but by night I transform to artist and designer extraordinaire forgetting all my mommy duties for just a few hours to churn out original and stunning jewelry for your enjoyment!

I am continually inspired my children, my own childhood growing up in New England, and my amazing mother and grandmother. I'll get an idea for a necklace while reading a beloved storybook to my kids or while watching an old classic movie. The memories of my grandmothers house and her shabby chic country style, before that was ever even a term, are what has inspired the entire look of this shop. My designs are truly from the heart and I hope you'll love them as much as I do. 

Missy, thank you so much for the lovely pair of earrings, but more so, thank you for the opportunity to learn more about you and your store!

New product lines!

Did you know that over 80% of adult Americans have purchased some type of air care product over the past year? These products range from candles, air fresheners, potpourri, and car fragrance products.  Clearly, we have an expectation that our environments smell great year round, not just at the holidays or special events. 


With that, I am so excited to introduce to you my new product lines: Diffuser Oils and Fragrance Sprays!


Now you can take your favorite candle fragrance into the kitchen, the bathroom, and any where in the home.


What is so exciting for me is that my fragrance sprays are completely natural and safe for the environment.  They do not contain alcohol or other additives and can provide fragrance for even those with allergies.

Current diffuser oil fragrances available include:

• Clean Cotton
• Ginger Peach
• Lavender
• Lavender Vanilla

Current fragrance sprays available include:

• Key Lime
• Lavender Vanilla
• Love Spell
• Pearberry

If you've ever seen my fragrance listing, you know that it is extensive.  I'm currently seeking product testers for feedback on new fragrances to offer.  If you are interested in testing diffuser oils and fragrance sprays, please email me to learn how you can receive some free product.

Wednesday musings.....

Ok, all, I'm really tired tonight, but my goal for this year was to post at least two blog posts a week.  So, here are some photos of my favorite shops and products in Etsy land......please shop and enjoy!

Dell Cove Spices - I just love their White Cheddar popcorn topping!

I've tried my hand at wire crochet, and I love the bracelets from  Julie's Crochet Array

Gotta love anyone who is inspired by Pride & Prejudice! Check out  Brookish

Love the sense of humor from Forked Up Art!

I've already introduced Greenhouse Glassworks.  Here pieces are so pretty!

Only a knitter can truly love Sassafras Creations!

If only Alis would make a Dorene! 

Happy shopping, all!