Monday, November 28, 2011

X is for Xerxes - devoured by mice

The holidays are here! Sickness has caused me to be sooooo late and I'm sorry.

This year I am offering 4 scents, an homage to the Gashlycrumb Tinies.

X is for Xerxes - devoured by mice:     rich chocolate, sweet amber, and a kick of black pepper
M is for Maud - who was swept out to sea:   golden honey, tangy orange, baked apricot and ginger
Z is for Zillah - who drank too much gin:   frankincense, myrrh, black cypress and juniper
Q is for Quentin - who sank in a mire:   almond cake, glazed walnuts, and black tea leaves

All four scents will be offered in sugar polish, lotion, and 5ml perfume oils. Listing today!~

Happy holidays everyone!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

SICKNESS

SOMETHING has knocked me down. In a big way. What started as a simple cold (I thought) has turned into multiple trips to the hospital and not being able to get out of bed LITERALLY for a week. I'm still not well, but I am out of bed at least and able to start working again. My doctor says if this isn't better by Friday-ish, we need to start testing to see what it is. There's a sickness prevalent in these parts, called Valley Fever and it is ugly, ugly stuff. I had it when I was a kid and it almost killed me.

I've been thinking a lot about my business, and how every little thing that happens to me throws a monkey wrench right into my production and turnaround times. Unfortunately, a lot happens to me. Why? No idea - that's something I've always wondered myself!!! Having gone 41 years with this luck, and it not changing so far, I'm assuming it will be with me forever. ha ha.

So here's what I've (mostly) decided. As my company grows, I've come to realize there is NO WAY I can do it by myself anymore. I physically cannot. Even when I am well, the demand is overwhelming and I find myself working 12 hour days and spending most of my time frustrated and prone to making mistakes. I've also come to realize that most of the companies I know are partnerships. They are able to have faster turnaround times, answer emails promptly, advertise --- all the things that come along with owning a business ---- because there are two of them.

so ----- I'm in negotiations with a very close friend of mine to split TMTM 50/50. We will be a partnership. Schematics have not been worked out entirely, as we've only begun talking, but I think we will be able to work it out so it benefits everyone involved. I am eternally grateful that you all allow me to pay my bills by doing what I love and I no longer want to disappoint you or make you wait for your orders. It's not fair to the people who have supported me and grown right along with me.

As our talks progress, I will keep you all abreast of what will be happening. I am currently on the lookout for sponsors and a small business loan, so I can get this machine well-oiled and running properly. Please wish me luck. I'm scared to death, but this was my only choice - besides quitting altogether and giving up something I have poured BUCKETS of blood, sweat and tears into.

There will be a blog shortly about holiday releases. Also, there is a pre-Black Friday sale happening right now. Buy 2 full size perfumes, get one free - buy 3 solid perfumes, get one free.

Love you guys.
Lysa

Friday, November 4, 2011

New offerings today

some of these have been requested for a loooooong time. I'm having a really busy day, so this will be a short blog. But here ya go - these will be in the shop today:

1891

Absinthe

Aurora

Horseman

Ichabod

Katrina

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

ODDITORIA Goodies, and Morton's Untimely Death

I've finally put the Odditoria stuff up on the website. As of today, there is:

Agatha: solid perfume, body lotion and sugar polish
Dhanya: solid perfume, body lotion and sugar polish
Eggbert: solid perfume, body lotion and sugar polish
Isabella: solid perfume, body lotion and sugar polish
Morton: solid perfume, body lotion and sugar polish

I know I said the new solids would be vegan. Sadly, I cannot get the formula right and there are some weird "after-smell" issues with the wax. I don't like it, and won't be listing them at this time. The new solids - wow - I am so excited about them! I went back to the tins I used to love so much. I also upped the fragrance load A LOT. There is almost a full bottles-worth of fragrance packed into this tin. They are much stronger and longer lasting now. In case you're wondering - yes, the TMTM scents will be available in this format. It's just finding the time to get to it!!! As soon as I can get labels designed and printed, and buy the MILLION and a half tins I'm going to need, you will start seeing them appear, along with the discontinuation of the old packaging.

As was discussed before, Morton will be leaving us. One of his components is no more. :-( I have a VERY VERY limited number of products, so if you can't live without Morton, hop on it.  *sigh* I am going to try and reformulate, but I don't think the new Morton will smell exactly like this one. I'm not even sure it will be close, to tell the truth.

I'm getting orders out as fast as I can. I am SO backlogged, it's laughable. I keep wondering how I can be working so many hours, yet still be behind. I don't get it. BUT they are getting out the door!!

Talk to you soon.

Love, Lysa