Thanks...

Just a quick little post to say a very big 'Thank You' to everyone who emailled, who sent cards and who called up to show their support after my last post.
I was truly grateful to each and every one of you - Mum has recieved some of your cards and she has been so thrilled that people are thinking of her.
She has finished her week of chemo and will stay in hospital for another 3-4 weeks. There hasn't been much nausea, but she doesn't feel like eating much either - the worst of it has been the overwhelming lethargy.
We figure that's not too bad for now.
Her sister is staying nearby thanks to the Leukaemia Foundation's accommodation and so she has someone on hand for company as well.
So , thanks again everyone. From my whole family and me!

a favour to ask....

This is just a quick post to ask if anyone would be kind enough to send a few thoughts and prayers my Mum's way.

We found out yesterday that she has been diagnosed with Leukaemia and was taken straight into hospital to start 4 weeks of chemotherapy.

Needless to say, the news was a little stunning.

Unfortunately she is in Townsville Base Hospital, away from most of her family and friends. Her sister is in Mackay, a few hours away and the rest of us are further than that.

I'm hoping to find some cheap plane tickets in the next few weeks, and will certainly be keeping in touch with phone calls and letters.

But I would so appreciate any goodwill folks could send her way.

If anyone is in Townsville, and you would be happy to visit, please let us know - I am sure she would appreciate the company. If anyone would like to send a card, let me know and I will give you the address. Her name is Laurel as well.

Here's hoping for remission at the end of this all.

Thanks.

Annie

new soaps on the block....

A few posts ago I mentioned a new soap I had batched up. It's been curing nicely these past few weeks so Ifinally got to take a few snaps of it to show.
I've actually done up a second batch since then and am just waiting on more ingredients to arrive (namely my coconut oil) and I will be right into making even more.
This first batch is a new fragrance - am loving citrus-sy fragrances right now so this one is Lemongrass, Ginger and Pink Grapefruit.
The fragrance has turned out really lovely. Of course the first thing that hits you is the zesty, herbaceous lemongrass then the warm tones of the ginger comes through with the pink grapefruit tying them togehter. Can't wait to get this one in the shower!
Instead of rolling the soap in to balls, as I've done in the past, I've sliced the batch into different sizes and shapes. The idea is to have a range of sizes and therefore prices for people to choose from.
I love big, chunky blocks of soap - but I have friends who prefer the thinner, rectangles. Each to their own.
This second soap is a fragrance combination I've done before, but again I've chopped instead of rolled.
This is my Red Tea and Linden Blossom soap. Such a wonderful fresh, green aroma! It sold really well as the soap balls, so I am hoping folks will take to the more rustic looking blocks.

They won't be cured in time for the Makers Market at Festivale, but I hope to have them ready for the next Niche Market (if I get accepted) and in sanctum. Am now starting to plan my next few batches of soap. Looking forward to seeing what I end up with.

Makers' Market @ Festivale!

Just a quick post to let eveyone know about the upcoming Makers' Market during Festivale.

The Design Centre is hosting this event on Saturday 12th February in their lovely courtyard behind the centre.

A round up of local talent will be showcasing and selling their wonderful wares - we would love your support. So please pass along the word!

See the sanctum blog for more information plus the stall holder lineup!!

soaking away the new year....

Welcome to the New Year!!!
It's hard to believe we have already started on 2011.
sanctum is open as of tomorrow and we already have appointments booked in for the upcoming week. Very exciting.
We are looking forward to the challenges that this year will bring.
Recieved the application for the next Niche market in April and also chatted to the folks running the Design Centre Market, during Festivale, about being part of that as well. So am already thinking on my little production line here at home.
Whipped up a double batch of Olive Oil soap yesterday - using Lemongrass, Pink Grapefruit and Ginger to fragrance it with. Very zesty and uplifting aroma's. Will post some pictures when I get it out of the mould.
Also made up some detox bath salts for a promotion I am running at sanctum. Along with a great value Massage Treatment pack, I will be giving a bath salts to each person that takes part in the promotion. See the sanctum blog for more info.
The salts are a blend of: Coarse Sea Salt; Milk Powder, Green and White Clays as well as; Lavender, Frankincense, Sweet Fennel and Lemon Myrtle Essential Oils.
It's quite a stimulating blend, so caution needs to be taken with any skin sensitivities or pregnant women.
The idea is to kickstart the body with a course of Massage and support this with the bath salts used at home.
Wouldn't mind doing it myself!

Christmas Day in Tassie....

Just a quick post to say that we hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and to wish you all a well celebrated New Years!
Our Christmas Day was a very low key affair... a gentle nudge awake by two hungry pussycats, a leisurely walk around Heritage Park a few blocks behind our house, a breakfast of croissants, warm from the oven and then onto the present opening!
We were lucky to catch up with the lovely Gemma (from Loz and Dinny), her hubby Dunc and their gorgeous brood of three for a delightful afternoon tea (consisting mainly of dessert items as it turns out!) and we were meant to get together with a few other folks for a picnic at Cataract Gorge, but this fell through.
Not to be defeated, we packed up and headed to the beautiful City Park, sat on the grass and enjoyed: BBQ Tandoori Chicken, homemade Coleslaw with Red Cabbage and Fennel, Corn Fritters with a tangy dipping sauce of Sour Cream and Spring Onions, homemade White Chocolate and Pistachio Fudge and topped off with a bottle of Andrew Garrett Sparkling Shiraz..... ahhhh....bliss....

It's tough celebrating Christmas in Tasmania!!

new candles in stock

Since Niche, I have been trying to restock my shelves at sanctum but have had some trouble with my suppliers being out of the usual containers I get.

The good thing is that it has let me try a few new ones.

I've got a smaller version (70g) of the large frosted tumblers I usually do - I think they are really kind of sweet and they have been received really well from Clients in at sanctum and at the Tamar Visitor Centre Makers Evening a few days ago.

I've also brought in these great metallic votives especially for Christmas - I thought they would make anyones Christmas Table look (and smell) amazing! The light shining through the walls of the container throw out these great coloured patterns.

These ceramic containers are the biggest that I do at about 250g. They will only be a limited offer as I can only get so many of the containers from my supplier.

They look great and I am really liking having a play with new containers and sizes.

I've got some more of these square ones on order plus a few large rectangle ones that I will most likely put a double wick into.

I've just now been able to place an order for the frosted round containers I usually get, though only in a limited number. I've been lucky that the orders I've had since Niche, I've been able to fill with what containers I already had.

Be sure to check out sanctums blog for some pictures I took of the rest of my instore Christmas display too!