Don't be scared. It's Black Friday!

Ah, Black Friday is finally here.  The day where our overstuffed bodies get pulled out of bed at 3am so that you can save an extra bit of your cash on all those things you (or your family) want.  I have not personally participated in this event in a couple of years now (sometimes I wonder if I am really missing out on the amazing deals) because I have decided to go hand made for the bulk of my gifts this year as I did last year.  Now, for me, that means one place for shopping.....ETSY! I peruse the Promo Forums like crazy and check blogs for great sales and coupons. I love the deals you can get dressed in your bathrobe and waking up at a normal hour post the turkey trauma. So, with that being said, I want to invite everyone to shop Etsy this year and go handmade.  I love knowing who made the gift I purchased and having direct contact with the craftsperson.  So, saying that, check out my shop full of lovely smelling things.  I have several new candle scents available in my new eco-friendly packaging as well as my Holiday scent called "Under The Tree". Oh, and if you have any great deals you come across please post them here!  I love discovering good deals and new shops!  Happy Black Friday everyone!

Check out my Etsy Shop here

FIG+SAGE STOCKING STUFFER LIST FOR 2008

Just wanted to say a quick "Thank You" to the folks at Fig+Sage for including my votives in their list of 61 Eco-Friendly and Organic Stocking Stuffers under $6.00 list for 2008!

It is a great list full of items that I would love to get so check out their blog and the 61 items they chose this year!

Check out my votives online at www.gabrielsaunt.com and my Etsy shop at gabrielsaunt.etsy.com

They are great gifts.  Already boxed up and ready to give!

I Love Dirt!

Recently, I have been fairly obsessed with the earthy and woodsy scents.  Maybe it is because I go outside into the Pacific NorthWest Fall air and am overcome by the amazing variety of rich scents that come from the Hemlocks, Fir trees or even the gigantic varieties of fungi that seem to grow at the speed of light here.  I think for humans, the attraction to the smell of earth, grasses, leaves, barks and resins is innate.  We need the minerals and the other elements to stay alive and nurtured. I tend to associate these oils with living and being free; like hiking up a mountain or swimming in the ocean or traveling from city to city or country to country without boundaries, it brings us closer to real living.  So, saying all this, (at 4am, too early to be contemplating any of this really) I have been inspired to create my next blend called Bohem.  Bohem is a blend of earthy and light blends like aged dark Patchouli, Oakmoss, Orange Essence, Davana, Vetiver and other oils.  Like a traveling artist who is only bound by his ideas, Bohem will transport you to a another world and put you in touch with your free self.  This blend will be available early in January and I think it will be a perfect way to kick of 2009.

Check out my other GA Essence Natural Perfumes in my Etsy shop

What do you want under your tree?

I grew up looking forward to putting up the Christmas tree.  Most years it was a fake one and so I just had to imagine what that freshly cut tree smell was like.  On occasion, there was a real one, but for the most part picking out a tree was done at a local Kmart or other department store. When I first started my candle lines, I knew I had to come up with a Holiday scent that would make me always feel like I had a gorgeous smelling and decorated tree.  Nicely decked with candy canes and shiny ornaments.  That is what "Under The Tree" does for me.  There have been several years where I did not put a tree up and so, in it's place, I burned this to give me that holiday scented lift! "Under The Tree" is a fresh and slightly sweet blend of Cedarwood, Pine and Peppermint and is sure to add a special something to your home or holiday event.  Show up with this (or any of my candles) candle as a housewarming or host/hostess gift.  You will have everyone talking! 

Check out my freshly listed "Under The Tree" candle now in my Etsy shop and website.

SALE ON ALL MY CONTAINER CANDLES (LIKE THE ONE ABOVE) INCLUDING TRAVEL TINS UNTIL NOVEMBER 23RD.  GET 15% OFF IN MY ETSY SHOP! 

My candles going greener!

I have been thinking for many months on the best way to start cutting back on the amount of packaging I use.  I have always offered a recycling discount and encouraged people to discard of their candle packaging responsibly, but I wanted to make things a little easier.  So, I started with my larger 8oz. candles.  I have completely switched over from the square containers to a lovely round "rocks" holder.  That was a good start. I really liked the new look of the round containers (maybe because I was tired of the other style) and thought "Why should I cover these up with anything?"  I put a label on and liked the look, but I had to come up with some way to cover the candle and protect the oils. I knew it would have to be something made of paper (I didn't want a lid anymore) and what better paper than the kind that has been recycled already, is hand-made AND PLANTABLE!  So, I contacted ClaudiasCreations on Etsy and had her make paper for me to use.  She specializes in this so it was perfect.  She makes gorgeous recycled seed paper and it looked great with my new look.  Well, now I have updated some listings in  my Etsy shop with the new packaging and listed some additional candles. So, it is a perfect time to try them if you haven't already.  If you have, then come on back and see the greener packaging.  I love it and I feel good about making the switch over! 

Go Shop!