Review & Article Round-up For M Design Boutique

So as many of you know, I have had the pleasure of being approached by several bloggers who want to either feature M Design Boutique, review one of my products, or both. With several more reviews in the works, I thought I would collect a few in one place for those who are interested in finding out what the blogosphere has to say about myself, my shop and my products.

Watch for the latest reviews because they tend to go hand in hand with a give-away, usually a gift certificate good towards any order in M Design Boutique! Each give-away has different rules about how to win and eligibility (usually depending on where they will agree to ship the prizes).

I am always sure to post about these give-aways on the M Design Boutique Facebook page so that my fans get every opportunity possible to win prizes from my boutique!

Around the Plate -- An Interview with Melissa (that's me!) about my inspirations, process and more.

Grandma Sez So -- Artist Introduction about my shop and myself.

Grandma Sez So -- Product Review about Travel Tin Candles. Testimonial: She just purchased an order of custom candles to use as a promotional item, starring her logo and favorite fragrances!

Andrea's Thoughts -- Product Review about Travel Tin Candles in Valentine's Day fragrances. Giving a younger-than-me audience a snapshot of what my shop has to offer them!

Coming soon, a review of my Fertility Prayer Candle and yep, yet another Travel Candle review!

Due to the high volume of requests for samples and give-aways, I have created a new policy you can read about here.

It Just Hit Me

Earlier today I was writing an email to one of my closest friends, responding to her encouraging words about my Etsy shop. Way back when, she and I lived together and today she mentioned that she remembers me making candles to get through the rough times back then. It sparked my thoughts about how my struggles in life often result in my creative work.

A-ha! No wonder I am happier making a living by making the things that have always brought me calm throughout my life! I thought I would share a slightly edited (for privacy reasons) version of my response to her supportive email. And I should add...I love my friends and family. My husband, friends and family are a massive support system that keep me going through all of the ups and downs. Thanks to all of you. You know who you are.

Here is what I wrote in the email to my friend: 

"i also reflect, like you said, on how much it has helped me through the rough times. what i think about now is that i can afford to do it the right way with real ingredients and not just crayons and old candles and those mexican prayer candles! the wax i use for each type of candle is meant for each type of candle so i don't have pillar candles that "sag" like back then when i was broke. i have learned a lot about the process and temperatures and cooling times and the chemistry and physics of it all. so now mine are better than a lot of other ones people are selling. mine look cooler, smell stronger and better and burn longer, cleaner and more evenly than most homemade candle makers. i have used just about every type of wax out there and i am a true believer in my super anal process that i have developed over the many years of making. most customers probably just like the custom label thing and picking out their fragrance...but what they don't know is that i am an expert and they're getting something they are about to love more than they thought when they clickity clicked the payment button. i have been getting a lot of awesome feedback from my custom order people and it is so freaking rewarding. more than any job i have ever had. and i get to be home with my animals in my beautiful kitchen looking out at the snow, not driving in it. looking out at my yard...not cubicle walls."

I wanted to share that because I thought it might offer a glimpse of what my process does for me. My shop sales allow me to do what I have always done to be who I am. I think that is why I can confidently tell the world I'm really good at it!

Thanks to all of my customers who make this life a possibility! 

Williamsburg Brooklyn Artists & Fleas February 5th -- I'm Gonna Be There!

I am happy to announce that on Saturday, February 5, 2011 M Design Boutique will be selling alongside Big Bridge Studios!

We'll be at an awesome weekend market called "Artists & Fleas" in the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Drop by between noon and 8pm and check out a major display of creativity by tons of artists, designers and vintage sellers.

I will be bringing along a selection of M Design Boutique handmade candles, hats and jewelry perfect for Valentine's Day gifts (just in time).

As I mentioned before, I'll be selling alongside my friend and creative cohort Kendra Shedenhelm, owner and designer over at Big Bridge Studios. Some of you may already be familiar with her awesome "i <3 tacos" onesies and her board book "I am, Yo Soy" because I have been giving them out to all of the gazillion new babies in my ever-growing family of friends! Kendra hand-screens an awesome array of designs inspired by her experiences with her toddler living, well, by the Big Bridge in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Here are a few sneak peeks at what M Design Boutique will have on hand (that means no shipping cost if you show up, shhh!):

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart Soy Candle Travel Tins

 

Love Potion Soy Candle Travel Tins 

Lots of Cute Jewelry including the two pieces shown below

 

Hats including the latest designs not yet listed online!

So Come On Out NEW YORK!

Spend a fun day perusing the creations and vintage finds of some very talented, creative sellers and treat yourself and your Valentine to something local, original and supportive of the Indie Community!

Happy Shopping!

Valentine's Day Gift and Decorative Candles

Valentine's Day will sneak up before you know it. Here are a few suggested candles for your sweet heart. 

Be sure to check out all of the fragrances and designs in the Travel Candle Section of M Design Boutique. There are lots of yummy baked treat fragrances, as well as the Viking Prayer Candles for Fertility and Love.

Click the images below for more information!

Chocolate Covered Cherries Soy Travel Tin Candles

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart Soy Travel Tin Candles

 

Be My Valentine (you select fragrance) Soy Travel Tin Candles

  Set a romantic table with these decadent Champagne Flute Candles served up in real Glass Champagne Flutes in two lovely fragrances (or custom fragrances by request) "Mimosa" and "Strawberries & Champagne". These smell and look beautiful. Check out the other hand-made candles available for your Valentine's Day or any other Romantic Occasion Here!

Strawberries & Champagne Glass Flute Candles

 

Mimosa Glass Flute Candles

If you're not a wizard at selecting a gift for your Valentine, a Gift Certificate is the perfect solution. She can choose exactly what she wants and M Design Boutique is the perfect place for her to shop! She or he can choose from jewelry, candles, accessories including hats, scarves, flip flops and lots more! 

Gift Certificates are available in any amount $10 and up. It can be emailed, mailed to her/him or mailed to you to give to him/her. These are pretty gift certificates that come in a matching envelope and make a lovely gift.

Cheat Sheet! Save This For Reference For Event Favor Candles!

Please note date of post for accuracy of pricing. Each calendar year, prices are updated to reflect materials cost. Updated prices are reflected in cost calculator and in current shop listings.