The Blue Gecko Candle Company Tart Review

I’m having so much fun burning The Blue Gecko Candle Company’s tarts – and not just because 2 of the tarts I’m burning are named after characters in Stepheneie Meyer’s Twilight series of books, which I’d just finished reading before I got the tarts.

These tarts are strongly scented, and they don’t need to be burned to be smelled.

Even as I sit here with them on my desk I can smell the tarts, and there have been a couple of slightly warmer days when I was sitting downstairs, and the tarts would perfume the air even though the electric tart burner wasn’t on.

It was kind of nice – I got a great scent without having to pay for the electricity the electric tart burner would have used.

When I did burn the tart I could smell it upstairs and downstairs, and the wax popped out of the tart burner easily after I left in the freezer for a while.

Bellissima Bella

If you’re a fan of the wonderful Twilight book series by Stephenie Meyer, this is what we think Bella must smell like to that handsome forbidden fiend of hers 😉 Soft floral notes of lavender and freesia are dazzled with fresh cut Spruce, sprinkled with luscious sugar crystals and balanced out with just a hint of orange zest; ending with a sweet infusion of juicy summer berries, picked in the deep woods of Forks, Washington. Be warned, may attract Vampires.

Mmm. I was a little worried about the spruce in this one, but it didn’t bother me at all, of course neither did the vampires 🙂 which is probably a good thing.

Forever Alice

Inspired by the hit novel, “Twilight”, Forever Alice is named for the premonition having best friend of Bella. Alice is a teenage girl, bubbly sweet, but she also happens to be a vampire, immortally cold..she’s forever Alice. Our interpretation of Alice is filled with sweet, sugary cotton candy, innocent creamy vanilla and swirls of gooey caramel; ending with an icy tribute to her cold immortal destiny; minty fresh, frosty cold peppermint. May induce possible visions of the future, visions may or may not be reliable.

I was really excited about the Forever Alice fragrance because I love cotton candy! This is definitely a sweet fragrance, but it isn’t overwhelming.

My MIL thought that this would probably be too sweet for her from the description, but when she came over while I was burning it she liked it.

Summer Lovin’

All right GREASE fans, go ahead and sing it ;)! A delightfully romantic blend of delicate apple blossoms, star jasmine and juicy pomegranate, married with a shy hint of sweet and sassy citrus.

What can I say – it’s Grease!

I really enjoyed The Blue Gecko Candle Company’s Tarts, and I’m impressed with their scent throw, and how easy it is to take the used tart out when I want to switch scents.

I also love the book and movie related scents – it’s fun!

If you’ve tried The Blue Gecko Candle Company’s tarts leave me a comment and let me know what you think – or let me know which book character should have their own tart.

Related Posts:
Luxurious Bath Melt Review
The Blue Gecko Candle Company’s Silky Milky Bubble Bath Review

Soaps that Make Scents – Etailer Interview

Today I’d like to introduce you to Karina Gallo from Soaps that Make Scents.

Karina creates handcrafted 100% vegetarian soaps and natural lipbalms which are scented using essential or high-quality fragrance oils that she carefully choose and formulate.

I love the fact that Karina makes soaps with essential oils – like the Blood Orange Essential Oil Soap, $4.50.

I’m sure you’re wondering what Karina had to say – so here you go.

1. Please tell us a little about your business, Soap That Makes Scents.

Soap That Makes Scents introduces handcrafted soaps to customers worldwide…no more commercial soaps with chemical fillers and preservatives—I help women and men discover that natural ingredients are better for your skin, just as long-lasting, and wonderfully addictive. Plus I keep people squeaky clean 🙂

2. Soap That Makes Scents focuses on soaps and lip balms. What made you decide to focus on those two items?

I was REALLY frustrated with boring bars of soap that dried out my skin…lipbalms that tasted artifical and chalky, and surly customer service clerks who could care less about my business or answering my questions and concerns about what I was putting on my body. I decided that not only did *I* want products that enriched the natural moisture oils in my skin, I wanted other people to feel better about their purchases as well–thus, Soap That Makes Scents was born.

3. What is your favorite product and scent that you sell, and what is your most popular product?

My most popular product is my lip balm…natural, yummy-tasting, and over 22 different flavors—from Pina Colada and Chocolate S’Mores, to Pink Lemonade and Cran-Raspberry. You NEED to have at least one of these on you at all times!

4. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in purchasing your products, but has never ordered online, or is scared about ordering something they canʼt smell, or see?

Stick with established sellers—they have great feedback and a good customer base for a reason. I’ve been in business since 2001, and I love that people from all over the world have tried my soaps and lipbalms, and I’m happy to bring them into the ease of shopping online–no crowded malls, no parking hassles. Shop from the comfort of your home, delivered straight to your front door.

6. Are there any websites that you visit daily? If so, why?

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of my time on www.theswitchboards.com it’s a great way to network and meet interesting people from all areas of crafting and business~

7. Is there anything you wished you knew before you started your business?

I wish I’d discovered all of this sooner!

Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed.

Thanks so much for this opportunity!

Soaps That Make Scents is currently offering free shipping on any item for buyers within the USA, $1 shipping on any item going to Canada and $2 shipping on any item travelling to the UK, so if you like trying new stuff without paying too much for shipping hurry and take advantage of this offer.

I’d love to hear what you think about Soaps that Make Scents – so leave a comment and let me know.

Shell Button and Wire Necklace

This Shell Button and wire necklace, $13, from Lady Fran’s Artistic Outlet, just caught my eye!

I love the 3D effect, and the wrapped wire around the buttons.

Three vintage shell buttons make up this lovely and pure necklace. I also wrapped wire around the outside to bring it some dimension. A gorgeous piece which hangs from a long vintage chain. A silver flower bead sits atop…The chain may be sterling and is 15 inches long. So, the entire necklace is 16 1/2 inches in length.

Bubbly Blue Gray Kiln Jewel Earrings

Aren’t the Bubbly Blue Gray Kiln Jewel Earrings, $19 from Infinity Art too cute?

I love the bubbles!

Kiln Jewels come from a technology that I developed after finding beads of glaze on the kiln shelves at college. I fell in love with the idea of firing glaze off of the pots and using the little gems post-firing. It took about four years to develop them consistently. The Bubbly Kiln jewels are an anomaly and were crated when I shut off the kiln at minus 22 degrees and the glaze cooled before it completely melted. If you are interested in this technology, you can read about it on my website at www.mary-cay.com under the publications menu.

Depths of Winter Pendant from Wyrding Studios

I love wire wrapped jewelry, and the Depths of Winter Pendant, $36, from Wyrding Studios speaks to me.

I think it’s the little white flecks in the firepolished glass.

It just reminds me of snow.

These pendants are approximately two inches high by one inch wide. Each one will be unique. The photos above show several examples of the variations in the design. The basic design includes silver and white pearls and clear firepolished glass; you may also select up to two additional colors of dyed pearls.

Octupus Necklace by Pet Zombie Creations

I love purple, and I love octupi – so the Tattoo Inspired Cephalopod Octopus Necklace, $14 with free s&h, from Pet Zombie Creations is irresistable!

Of course, I have to admit that I did think this was a spider until I saw it close up!

Either way, it’s adorable, don’t you think?

Jewelry!

Ahh, it’s always fun to browse indie jewelry!

This week I’m focusing on jewelry, and I’d love to hear about your favorite indie jewelry designers!

Pirate’s Booty – Pirate themed bath and body goodies from Etsy

In honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day – I’ve got a few pirate themed bath goodies for you!

I hope you enjoy!

Pirate Fizzies from Sassy Scrubs and Such.

Pirate Skull Shea Soap made with black australian clay, and scented with grape concord, by Jadewicks.

Super Bad Exfoliating Body Scrub scented with Holidays on a Pirate Ship from SuperBad.

And last but not least, the Pirate Mania Soap Set from
Uniquely Pampered.

How are you celebrating talk like a pirate day?

Tropical Syle Hawaiian Black Sea Salt Soap

I had to feature this soap because it’s so pretty!

The Tropical Style Hawaiian Black Sea Salt Soap, $5 from Savor has a natural black color due to the charcoal and minerals found in Hawaiian Lava.

Hoity Toity Sheer Satin Shampoo

It’s not your traditional bath stuff, but really – what’s a bath or shower without shampoo and/or conditioner?

Hoity Toity’s Sheer Satin Shampoo, $7 for 4 oz, is made with “essential vitamins, botanicals and wheat protein” and it’s safe for color treated and processed hair.

The Sheer Satin Conditioner, $7 for 4 oz:

“is light for daily use; enhances shine and manageability while restoring smooth and lively hair. This exquisite formula normalizes both dry and oily hair and scalp. Plant oil extracts in a base of Lavender and Chamomile flower water help repair damaged hair. Enhanced with Vitamin E and a complete Vitamin B complex for shine, body and nourishment.”

Of course the only problem is deciding on the scents – do I match the shampoo to the conditioner?

Choose complementary fragrances (Coconut Vanilla and Cotton Candy) – or completely unmatching ones?

Do I try unscented, or stick with an essential oil blend like grapefruit peppermint?

Or just buy a few more items so I try all the fragrances I think I’ll like?

So many choices – so little time!

If you’ve tried Hoity Toity I’d love to hear about your experiences.