Today's Forecast: Scattered Creativity

If someone had read me a forecast on how much progress I would make in June for the various "to do's" I have planned for Homemade by Hoyt... it would have predicted scattered creativity. I have made progress on a few ideas, but nothing has truly been completed. Thankfully, I did complete the candle inventory, so I was able to place it back in storage instead of having it spewn all over my only table / work surface.

The first thing I have been working on is... I plan to offer up gift sets of my products to two entities that have giveaways in my community. I'm not really sure how they choose the prizes they currently offer but think there is a good chance they would be interested in my handmade crafts... and I wouldn't mind getting my name a little exposure in front of their "customers". I know I'm being vague, but I don't want to reveal the complete details of my idea yet. However... hopefully, sometime in the near future, two lucky someones in the greater Santa Barbara area will win the two gift sets shown here. Both contain sage green colored, tibetan black tea scented candles and a bar or two of my vegan hemp soap. It definitely wouldn't be the largest prize either place has given away, but it could be one of the most unique.

Tonight I started a different project... going through all the magazines and other stuff I have stacked around the house and picking out what I want to save for collaging onto recycled jar candles. Things have definiely piled up since I last did any decopaging... and maybe I'll do more soon. I could use a bit more inventory online and my tub of jars is overflowing! If that isn't a sign, I don't know what is... of course, that won't help the July "forecast" be any more focused than June, but any progress is good, right?

New Online Pricing Structure

One thing I've learned over my years of selling candles is that if something isn't selling, you need to change something... usually the packaging or the pricing structure. After a few months pondering, I've finally taken the plunge to include shipping costs in my online pricing. All online listings have already been updated to show the new FREE SHIPPING prices. Coincidentally, the prices I have come up with are only a mere dollar or two per candle over the local retail prices at Hemp Wise and Midnight Sun. I hope you will find the new prices more attractive!

Recycled baby food jars were $3.25... now $4.75 each including shipping!

Recycled frappuccino jar candles were $6.25 a piece... now $8 each including shipping.

3" x 6" Square Pillar was $12... now $16 including shipping!!!

3" x 3 1/4" Small Cylinder was $8... now $11.25 including shipping.

"Nights" at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Tonight I was fortunate enought to venture out to an interactive art party at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. I recently became a paid subscriber to the edhat.com newsletter so that I could enter their contests for free tickets, etc. and I already won my first prize! It was two V.I.P. passes to "Nights" at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and I am feeling oh-so-lucky to have won entry to this experience!

I have been in quite a creative lull lately. I haven't made any candles or soap... nor have I done any work to promote my products. When I saw this event listed on edhat's newsletter, it immediately sparked my interest. I had hoped the interactive art would get my creative juices flowing again... and I definitely feel a bit more energized now than I have for a while.

The galleries were open from 5:30 - 7:30 PM and within them activities and music had been set up. You could listen to an excellent band while having your nails artfully decorated or as you create a piece of art. I chose the latter and was instructed to either brush water colors over my sheet to create a colored background or use nothing if I prefer plain white. Then, I took squeeze bottles of colored paint to decorate my paper as if I was making a smiley face with ketchup on top of my hamburger. To finish, I put a piece of clear plastic on top, squished my squeezed on acrylic paint and taped the edges. It was a simple way to create art which quickly brought out my childlike spirit. I will definitely do it again on my own.

Outside the patio was packed with fun: DJ Jeremy Sole kept the party lively as we spun art on what I think was a pottery wheel (with tape to hold down the paper). If ever there was an activity to inspire me to create candles with vibrant color... THIS is it. I think this activity may have had the highest participation rate because I saw a multitude of amazing color combinations. I believe many people took their paintings home like I did.

I would definitley say this is an event worth attending. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a swanky party to wear your new fur coat or an artsy get together where sandals and tie dye are the main groove... "Nights" merged those festivities into one. Furthermore, it is a reasonably priced event, all amenities considered. Tickets are $25, $35 or $50... I recommend the $50 VIP ticket. There are additional appetizers in the special people's section and the drink tickets are cheaper! (All the non V.I.P. people don't know it, but they missed out on a truly amazing dessert... berry skewers drizzled with multi colored peruvian white chocolate. YUM! We also sampled lamb skewers wrapped with spaghetti strands of cucumber and dipped in a yogurt sauce.) Though I must say... the appetizers I tasted in the art gallery also proved Chef Brenda Simon's ability to create tasty flavor combinations.

If you are reading this now and sad that you missed it... stay tuned to edhat.com or check the Santa Barbara Museum of Art's website for information on the next "Nights" in August. Perhaps I will see you there.