Hello, yes, I am still here!

Just wanted to let you guys know that I am still here and creating beautiful, lovely smelling things. In the next few weeks you will get a sneak preview of the new perfume line. All GA Essence perfumes will be sold under a new name and get a complete revamp! Perfumes will be available in Perfume Oils as you have come to expect from me and 2 new formats: Pure Parfum and EDP. All the candles will remain at Gabriel's Aunt's website and Etsy shop, but look for a new store front for the perfumes. One or 2 of the current perfumes I sell under GA Essence will be retired and some new ones will be there too. So, don't panic! Look for the big announcement coming next week with perfumes ready by end of the month. Thanks for following and see you soon!

Some improvements!

After feedback from customers over the past year, I have decided to discontinue my 1.5 ounce votives (seen above) for more practical 2 ounce travel tins. While the votives have been a good seller for me, I think you will enjoy being able to just light these candles and go. You won't have to search for a holder that fits or worry about an uneven burn. The tins will be a bit bigger in volume as well so you will get more candle! I will be phasing out the votives in the next month and introducing the tins at the end of the summer. If you are interested in buying the remaining votives I have a nice discount, then email me at info@gabrielsaunt.com or leave a comment here. I have 50 or so votives in stock in various scents. I am excited to make this improvement and think you will love the new size option!

Spring Shopping Event this Saturday Courtesy of Etsy Rain!

I don't know about you, but I am all about Spring right now. The smells, the plants, getting out there and getting your hands dirty (if only I had a garden right now). Oh, and SHOPPING for stuff! For those of you in Seattle, you get a great opportunity this Saturday to grab some amazing stuff for Mother's Day or just to celebrate Spring. If you have an Etsy addiction like I do, you have will be able to experience a ton of Etsy sellers for the big Etsy Rain show Saturday, May 8th from 11am-5pm. Come to the Intiman Theater at the Seattle Center for amazing products and art. This is the time and place to shop! I will be there with all my newest candles and perfumes plus all the favorites. Look for me in the downstairs lobby. The first 50 people in the door Saturday receive a SWAG bag filled with Etsy goodies! Bring your Mom for a fun-filled day of shopping or just come pick up some great stuff for yourself. Happy Spring!

Another Round of April Sales and Specials!

Get your Spring on this weekend! I am offering Free Shipping on all orders from Friday, April 16th-Sunday, April 18th in my Etsy shop. Try my new Spring and Summer scents, like "Torte" perfume or candle with Frangipani and Almond or Summer Love Perfume with Orange Blossom, Jasmine and Magnolia. Freshen things up a bit and stop by!

Going Loco for Local Artists

If you follow me on Twitter, then you know I have started Tweeting almost daily with New and Random Etsy Shop Local finds. I open up the "Shop Local" section from the front page of Etsy and just click on a shop that looks new and interesting to me. I have found some AMAZING local artists I never knew existed. So, this will be a weekly (sometimes daily) thing from now on. I want to support my fellow local artists all over Western Washington. I am also hoping to do a weekly or monthly feature here on my blog of local artists. If you are a Western Washington artist and would like to be featured here, then let me know. If you are not following me on Twitter, then do! Would love to have you!

Honeysuckle and Smoke

OK, so I am going a little nuts right now with the overwhelming amount of scents around me lately. As a perfumer and candle maker, I want to make every good smell into something I can burn or wear on my skin. Several walks through different Seattle neighborhoods have produced a new inspiration for perfume (always a great thing!). One walk, in particular, through the Capitol Hill neighborhood brought together a mix of scents that took me straight to Summertime. It was one of the warmer evenings we have had lately and people were outside grilling and enjoying their evenings. We walked past a group of incredibly fragrant flowering vines; reminiscent of Honeysuckle and then, poof!, a whiff of someone's wood burning grill. I was overwhelmed by the combination of the wood smoke and the sickly-sweet honey and floral combination. As the smoke permeated our clothing and skin, we would pass another of these white-flowering vines and I would get the combination of sweat, skin, wood smoke and honey florals. Amazing and like nothing I have ever experienced. My obsession is now taking the form of my newest perfume. Name is TBD, but it will be an amazing blend. I am hoping to get it finished by the end of the month in time for some of my Spring/Summer events. If anyone knows the name of the gorgeous-smelling white flower, please let me know. I do not have a pic so it will be hard to identify from my post here (the pic above is Honeysuckle) I may try to take a picture of it on the next walk we take as they seem to be everywhere. Hope everyone had a great Easter and Seder.

Turn The Lights Out

Tonight, people all over this planet will take one hour to give our planet a much needed rest from electro-magnetic waves. Turning off lights, computers or unplugging electrical appliances or devices are all ways we give Planet Earth a nice break. Being a candle maker, I definitely enjoy this time to light my candles, meditate and just enjoy the quiet darkness. I encourage you to go through your house and turn off everything you can, light a naturally-scented, 100% beeswax or soy (or unscented) candle from your local natural foods store (or.....from me if you have one) and turn things off tonight!

You did it your way!

OK, I have finally listed a custom candle option on Etsy. If you want the chance to create your own candle blend, now you got it! Pick 3 oils from the list and make a special blend just for you.

All candles will be in my round 8oz. glass holders that will burn for around 60 hours. So, go do it your way!

Getting back to Blogging!

Hi all! It's been since October since I have blogged and now that my lovely friend Lena has fixed some snaffoos on here, I am going to be blogging again!

So, a quick update: I have a couple of new products in the works as we speak getting ready for an early Spring release. (1) My Violet/Cedar/Cognac perfume blend is getting closer to done. I am really excited about this one. It is so earthy, dry and takes my senses to a base instinct place. (2) Working on a cherry blossom/honey/almond accord. I have wanted to do this for a long time and after a few requests for this type of scent (plus the fact that I adore almond/cherry blossom); I am getting things in motion. (3) Frangipani candle will be the next Just For Fun blend. Gorgeously floral, intensely sweet and perfect to get Spring started. I estimate that by Mid-March I will have 2 of the 3 items ready to go.

I look forward to releasing more products soon and getting your feedback!

Glad to be back and blogging!

BLOG IS UNDER SOME CONSTRUCTION FOR NOW

I am working on getting the blog re-done and so I won't be posting here. For all updates, please visit my Facebook Fan page. I will post all new products, sales and Holiday show info there.

I do have my Holiday scents listed: Under The Tree and Harvest are now available. Time to shop for your Holiday candles folks!

Will post here shortly!

Nikki

Weekend Sale!!!! 20% off in my Etsy shop until Monday!

Run, don't walk! I am having a 20% off sale in my Etsy shop this weekend! Starting today until Monday, August 3rd, so shop away! I have lots of fun summertime scents, new perfume and other lovely smelling things for you.

Just put "weekenddeal" in the notes to seller section and shop away!

Visit my Etsy shop now!

ArtFire Studio is now open!

All you ArtFire lovers out there can now shop for my products! I just opened up my ArtFire Virtual Studio today and hope you will come and visit me. I only have a few products listed for the moment, but hope to get more up there soon. Do you have an ArtFire Studio? Do you shop on ArtFire.com? Let me know by posting a comment here. I would love to know!

Check out Gabriel's Aunt now on ArtFire.com

Come join my Gabriel's Aunt Facebook Page

Hi everyone! I just created a Gabriel's Aunt Facebook page so stop by and become a fan. I will be posting special discounts and news there (as well as here) so check it out.

Bohem candle is now in my Etsy shop and website!

OK, so finally I have gotten around to taking the first pic of my new Bohem candle. I have been trying to get to this for a month now and with my move and life getting in the way, I have not had much time. Bohem (like the perfume) is a fabulous blend of Tobacco, Amber, Patchouli and Vetiver. This combination is so unique, warm and sultry that it will be perfect to burn on a warm summer night. This is the first time I have used Tobacco or Amber in a candle and I am so thrilled with the results. The perfume has done well and I hope the candle does too. I hope to have pics of the votive and travel tin done this week. Anyone who reads this post and wants to try the new blend can just mention the code "blogbohem" in my Etsy shop/Notes to Seller Section and get %15 off the 8oz. size listed!!

Check out Bohem in my Etsy shop now!

Royal Couple Rose and Jasmine Candle now listed in my Etsy shop!

A little late, but better late than never!  I just listed the votive version of Royal Couple with Jasmine and Rose in my Etsy shop.  This is a really exquisite candle with real Rose, Real Jasmine Grandiflorum, Geranium and a little bit of citrus.  It is really lovely and sensual; perfect for setting the mood on Valentine's Day.  It is a tad more expensive than the other candles due to the nature of of the rare oils.  I will be listing the tin and 8oz. versions soon.  This is a gorgeous scent that you will fall in love with!

Check out my Royal Couple votives on Etsy

Three Little Words

Well, it is officially that time of year again when the New Year has begun and we are all trying to keep resolutions and then possibly blow them be the end of the month. Oh, it also that time of year for thinking about the ones that you love. St. Valentine's Day is just over a month away and so that means I am bringing back my very popular trio of sensual and aphrodisiac oil filled candles.  "Three Little Words"™ is the trio candle gift set I created several years ago hoping to create a different and unique way to confess or express your love. So, I started with finding oils that helped convey that emotion by stirring our passion, aka, aphrodisiac oils.  I created 3 candles that each contained at least one of these oils and knew I was on the right track. Then I needed a clever phrase for the package and since I had created three unique blends at that point I focused on three words: I Love You. Well, that makes sense! What could make it better? Well, burning them together and having each one symbolize those words and the phrase as a whole. Each candle can be burned separately, of course, but are so much better together. Here are the three blends originally created for this package:

"Slow Dance" for "I" with Sandalwood, Patchouli and spices

"Afternoon Nap" for "Love" with Black Pepper and Lavender

"Sweethear" for "You" with Ylang Ylang and Nutmeg

All three candles come poured in a 3oz. glass holder and will last 30-35 hours each. They come wrapped in a white gift box and are ready to give to your loved one.  Each one of these scents is available in all my regular sizes year 'round and available on my website and in my Etsy shop.

Check out this gorgeous package

OMG! Chocolate Bar is here!!

Now, I have been trying for years to figure out a way to create a chocolate candle that would compete with those synthetic ones out there in strength and uniqueness of scent.  Well, "Chocolate Bar", my brand new candle with Cocoa, Coconut and Mandarin is a hit!  I have been burning one on and off for a week now and just walking in the room when it burning is a treat to my nose and makes me smile. There is no bitterness in the scent like you will find with synthetic chocolate fragrances; just sweet and buttery chocolate with sweet Mandarin making it even yummier. I just listed the 8oz. candle in my Etsy shop today so check it out, tell your friends and stock up on them for the holidays.  It will be a crowd pleaser and comes guilt free! 

Also, a reminder to sign up for my newsletter (click on the logo to the left) and watch for some great deals and coupons coming your way just in time to shop for holiday gifts.  

SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a great week to start stocking up on all your Fall candles!  From today until Saturday, all my Just For Fun 100% natural candles are 15% off in my Etsy shop and my website at gabrielsaunt.com .  This includes all my votives, travel tins, 8oz and 12oz. candles.  Hurry as I am going to be discontinuing my 12oz. candles very soon so stock up!  As always, every candle is hand-poured and scented with essential oils and other natural elements.

Are you Yarting yet?

So, the Etsy sellers have another great group sale going on!  A nice twist on a Summer yard sale; Yart Sale is going on now until June 20th!  Some sellers are participating the whole time and others a day or so, but regardless, it is a great chance to get some amazing deals!  I, myself, have a whole section devoted to the sale.  If you are looking to browse through all the shops having sales, just search "Yart" from the Etsy home page and start shopping! Check out my Yart Sale section with items on sale until June 20th!  Lots of lovely smelling goodies to get.

Audacious!

OK, I cannot wait anymore!  I have to tell you all about my brand new perfume called "Audacious".  Why that name?  Well, because I think it says that whoever wears this wants to be noticed, has a little attitude and is confident.  This is my first successful (if I do say so myself) attempt at creating a "Floriental" perfume (a combination of Floral and Oriental categories); notes of Pink Lotus Absolute and Tuberose were my inspirations and I added notes like Cassia and Linden Blossom as a sweet, yet spicy base.  I added very light Top notes that would only bring out the heart and base, not overpower; like Petitgrain, lemon and Coriander.  This is a sexy perfume that can be worn during the day as a lovely Summer Blend reminding you of the blossoming flowers of Spring and Summer and also at night with it's spice and sweet base.  I had one of my best Etsy customers sample this blend and give me feedback.  Here is what she says about "Audacious":

"When I think of floral perfumes I think of the stale perfume the old ladies wear at the grocery store. When I put Audacious on, it is indeed a wonderful blend of floral/spicy/sweet. They are all equally balanced, not overpowering one another. First you smell floral mixed with sweet...and then the afternotes are a nice spice. This is definitely a perfume you'd take with you to wear all evening out. Perfect for office use too."

It took me a while before I really fell in love with this blend myself.  The hard thing about creating blends is that sometimes you won't love it as much as others will and vice versa, but I try very hard to only create blends that I myself would wear. Sometimes that means creating blends I think would be liked by others and then putting my own twist on them making them blends I would wear. I think I have to do it this way or my heart is not in it. Anyway, about 4 weeks into it, after letting it sit, I started to see what the blend could be.  As it "married" it became so lovely and I couldn't help but love it.  It just makes me feel sassy!

So, I will be listing this in my shop over the next day or so.  This is a pretty exquisite perfume and will be a tad pricier than my other blends, but I think that you will adore it.  I am also working on a musk/gourmand blend now hoping to get that ready for middle/end of summer release.