MONDAY MADNESS - Lilac Ave.

Once again it’s Monday, and today is one of our favorite days of the week because we feature a seller and their handicraft.  All of our featured sellers are artists, crafters, or hobbyists.  We hope and pray that every Monday you will see some WONDERFUL finds and get inspiration from their ideas. In order to keep these features as fair and uniform as possible, every store has received the same questionnaire.

Let the MADNESS Begin!

Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

I am a mom of 2, and a military spouse.  I started my own business to allow me to spend more time with our kids, and a "portable" job for our military moves.  I am really passionate about small business entrepreneurs and being eco-concious.  I love my craft and my job, and really love working with my customers, and building that relationship.

Tell our readers a little bit about the history of your store.

I used to work full time in the corporate world of retail.  Then, we had a double whammy, with my son being diagnosed with high functioning autism at the same time my husband started going back to sea deployments. My job could not cater to my son's therapy sessions, and I could not be everywhere at once.  It was obvious that my family needed me not only for the carting around to therapy, but to be their stability, when their life was not.  By that time, my daughter was about to enter Kindergarten, and with losing 40% of our income, money was tight. I had always loved creating and making things, and I knew about Etsy from a friend, so I opened up my shop.  Since then I've grown quite a bit, and I love it so much.  I am not sure that I could ever go back to the corporate world after this experience!

Tell our readers what makes your store UNIQUE from all the other stores that sell a product similar to yours.

There are a lot of candles in mass market and on Etsy. I make soy candles, which are made from a renewable resource of soy (not Paraffin which comes from Petroleum).  Soy candles burn longer and cleaner than traditional candles. I think I also take special care into knowing where my supplies are coming from.  I use all natural cotton wicks, with no zinc or lead in the core. I try to avoid colorants, since they are just an added chemical, with no useful value.  I am about to change my containers to ones made in the USA, since that is an important value to me as well. I think supporting our local economy, and being as natural as possible, and conserving as much as possible, are all characteristics that set me apart.  Not just your run of the mill pretty candles!

Tell our readers about your favorite items that you make and list in your store.

I personally use tarts more than candles.  I love how a burner diffuses the scent and they last forever!!!  They are a great value.  I love the soaps, use them everyday.  They are SLS Free and very natural, so you are washing yourself with soap...not detergent.  And think about how many plastic bottles are NOT going into a landfill when you use a bar of soap vs shower gel.  It's hard to choose a favorite scent, since my tastes change by the day.  But Citrus Pomegranate and Ginger Peach are always at the top of my list!

Feature one of your items and tell the story about that particular item.

I think it is fitting to feature this item right now:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50680143/semperfi-fund-gift-basket-lotion-wood

I am part of the Etsy Homefront Team, and we currently have items, where the entirety of the sale will be donated to the Semper Fi Fund.  This charity benefits the thousands of wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan.  As a fellow military wife, my heart goes out to their hardships that they suffer upon return and the vulnerability of their situation.  I love being able to help even if it is in the smallest way.  This basket contains an awesome Butter Pecan wood wick candle, as well as some Coconut and Vanilla Lotion, and a all natural lip balm, no flavor, no tint...just moisturizing. This is a great unisex basket.

Tell our readers if you do custom orders, designs, etc.  If you do, what kinds of services do you offer for custom orders, what are your policies regarding custom orders?

I do a lot of custom orders.  I adore them!  I do personalized candles with photos from my customer, as well as personalized seals for baby showers, weddings, birthdays, and events.  It is always such a heart warming thing to work with a customer to make whatever their event is a little extra special. I can also make custom scented candles, and get you just about anything you want.  Isn't that where the fun is?!

SPECIAL OFFER FROM Lilac Ave:

Now through November 5th, put "MondayMadnessBlog" in the comments, and I'll refund 15% of your order.

Find Lilac Ave Here:

      Store: 

            http://www.LilacAve.etsy.com

      Blog:

            http://www.LilacAve.webs.com/apps/blog

      FaceBook:

            http://www.Facebook.com/LilacAve

      Twitter:

            http://www.Twitter.com/LilacAve

      Email:   LilacAve@gmail.com

Our "Monday Madness" slots are open to any artist, crafter, or hobbyist that has an online store.  If you would like to submit your name and store to be considered for a Monday feature on our blog, please contact us here.

***All images and links are used with the artisans permission & are sole property of their owner***