June 8, 2011

I'm back...or at least "coming soon"!

I'm feeling well again & am still missing all of my wonderful customers!  I'm sorry that I've been out of touch!

I'm planning to re-open my shop in the next few months (hopefully by the end of July or early in August) and am currently stocking new supplies, printing newly re-designed labels, and making batches of yummy goodies in preparation for my re-opening. 

If you want to be notified of my grand re-opening, head over to my etsy shop, scroll down, and click on the button that says "Yes, notify me by e-mail" and you'll get an e-mail when my etsy shop is back online.

I will be opening with 15 of my standard scents (the 3 most popular within each "garden" collection) and will bring the rest back into the shop gradually.  I will also have some seasonal limited editions to start with (will start with Autumn LE's).  When I first open, I will be stocking:
  • roll-on perfume oils
  • sample perfume oil tins
  • sprayable lotions (new item)
  • glycerin soaps (also new items)
This is just to begin with!  I will gradually add back in my lip balms, colored lip tints (new item), lip scrubs (new item), cleansing sugar scrubs, and velvet butter creams as well, over time.

In going through my past records, I've found 1 or 2 transactions that concerned me, but my record keeping near the end wasn't the best and I just can't remember in all cases what happened.  If I somehow missed sending your package or sending your refund when I closed...PLEASE, please, please contact me!  I truly thought I'd taken care of all my customers, but I want to make sure.  I never wanted to leave anyone hanging, but if I messed up, I will make it right, I promise.

Again, please accept my apologies for having to close so abruptly last year!  I've fully recuperated and have given a lot of thought to my processes and procedures and am now a lot more streamlined and efficient in all areas so I'll be better able to serve my loyal customers without placing as much burden on myself in running this one-woman show!  I've also learned to ask for help from my amazing family, so if I need it, they're there to help as well.

All of this will hopefully assure all of you that I'll be able to keep pace with the demand and not have to close again in the future! :)

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me here (contact link at the top of the page) or via etsy or my e-mail address if you had it.

Thank you all & hope to see you again soon!

February 14, 2010

SHOP CLOSURE NOTICE (may be temporary - still unsure at this point)

If you haven't been over to etsy in the past week,  you may not have seen this notice, so I wanted to be sure to post this here as well...

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I'm sorry to announce that I have to put The Garden Bath on a hiatus for several months (at the least - I will have to reassess the situation after that time).  I have an autoimmune condition that has unfortunately given me some trouble and, due to that plus stress and lack of sleep, caused some related health problems that I need to deal with.

I hate to abandon my wonderful, loyal customers and to shut down so quickly without much warning, but I have been working WAY too much for too long and my health has suffered and I just need to take care of myself for now.

I've been contacting every customer who has an outstanding order with me and can offer you the option to still receive your order or the option to get a full refund if you would prefer.  I'm still capable of wrapping up these last orders but can't take any more after this.  There are also a few people who haven't used all their gift certificates yet, and I will still be able to ship your orders when you're ready or offer a refund for the unused portions (several people are in discussions about custom orders to use their gift certificates and I can still do those or offer a refund as needed).


**** I love you guys & am sorry! ****

Thank you for over 2 wonderful years on etsy & artfire and for all the SWEET and supportive e-mails and comments.  You guys are the reason that I love selling online!

Please feel free to contact me and I'll be sure to reply ASAP.


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I will be updating my blog periodically with random updates on my life & any potential shop reopening dates (even if they're only temporary openings), so check back here soon...

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And after such sad news, I need something to cheer me up, so I'll sign off with a few more pics of kitty cuteness:

This is my new kitten, Max, again...this time sleeping on his back under my computer desk (he loves belly rubs and has absolutely ZERO shame about sleeping on his back like that)!  lol






















And another pic of him snuggling with his older "sister" Malia (who's still not super happy with him, but every now & then lets him get a LITTLE cuddly with her).   :)






















And one last pic, since I've never posted one of Malia...this is my favorite picture of her. She's almost 14 years old now and is the best cat ever. She sleeps with her head on my arm at night like I'm her own personal pillow, sits up to beg for treats just like a dog, follows me everywhere I go, and has the most BEAUTIFUL bright gold eyes.

This is her looking outside after a big storm (don't worry - she's an indoor-only cat, so she's not outside begging to get in or anything), watching me take pics of flowers, etc. with raindrops on them.  This is NOT retouched...her eyes are really that gold!  :)















Take care you guys!!

January 30, 2010

Updates - autumn LE's, lip butters, spring LE's, & new regular scent!

Just wanted to post a quick update regarding the Autumn Limited Edition Scents...

Last day to get them is tomorrow - through midnight 1/31!

Scents that will return next autumn (9/1/10):
Chai Tea
Gingerbread Cookies
Mulled Cider

Scent that will NOT return again - last chance:
Maple Pecan

Scent that I'm still undecided on - was not a huge seller, but the people who tried it liked it.  If you want me to bring back this one next year, please let me know - here or on etsy:
Carrot Cake



Other news - the Luscious Lip Butters will be returning by Monday 2/1!

I will probably be adding a few LE flavors in the next month or two, but for now - the flavor lineup:

Black Cherry
Like biting into a perfect juicy Black Cherry. This flavor is tart and sweet and very, very strong!
Chocolate Cake
Dark, rich and almost sinful, like a scrumptious piece of moist devil's food cake. This is not like sweet milk chocolate, it's darker - yum!
Coconut Lemongrass
An exotic tropical flavor that pairs milky coconut with tart lemongrass for a fresh, adult flavor.
Fresh Spearmint
A refreshing blast of fresh spearmint that will help you feel cool even on a hot summer day!
Honey Bee
Bzzzzz - this golden, sweet honey flavor has all the great taste of real honey without the stickiness! Vegans take note - there is no real honey in this, so it's still animal-safe for you, just like all my other flavors! :)
Key Lime Pie
An amazingly realistic key lime pie that is so tart and delicious and you can even smell the meringue and crust too - you won't believe it!
Lemon Drop Candy
Tart and sweet at the same time, just like those sugar-coated lemon drop candies that you love!
*note - this is replacing the Lemon Cheesecake from last year - it's much more tart and sweet with no buttery vanilla notes like the Lemon Cheesecake - it's stronger too!*
Mango Peach Sorbet
Combining the best of these two fruits, delicious mango and peach tango in this cool, creamy treat!
Morning Brew
A coffee-lover's dream...now you can have the delicious coffee flavor that you love all day long - without the caffeine!
Pineapple Orange
Yum - sweet and juicy pineapple & orange, just like a tropical drink!
Pink Lemonade
Sweet & tart lemonade with strawberries and sugar - the essential frosty summer beverage!
If you tried our Pink Lemonade Summer Limited Edition fragrance last year, then you'll really love this...same scent now in a lip butter!
Spiced Chai Tea
A warm, spicy blend of Earl Grey Tea with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and other spices.



♥♥   SPRING 2010 LIMITED EDITIONS  -  WILL ARRIVE on 3/1/10  ♥♥

I'm still finalizing the testing and lineup of the new Spring 2010 scents, but I can tell you a few things now.  These two scents will be returning from last year since everyone seems to love them:

■ Garden Greens ■
Very green and herbal, with notes of peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme, and hints of ginger, along with a base of amber and musk to anchor everything - really zingy & refreshing!

■ Honey Blossom ■  
This is not the sickly sweet honey you may have smelled before - instead, it's like raw honey: honey nectar with a floral touch of honeysuckle and jasmine, with a little bit of vanilla - soft and sweet!


And some of the other scents I'm currently testing:
Strawberry Kiwi
Heather & Hyacinth
Calla Lily (or a lily / orchid / rose bouquet blend)
Sweet Pea (I've never smelled a sweet pea, so I'm enlisting my mom's help & a friend who's a floral person - lol)
Fresh Cucumber (or a Cucumber / Marine / Kelp spa-like blend)
pomegranate blend (I'm loving this so far - pomegranate, peach, strawberry, orange)
coconut creme Easter egg - like the Cadbury creme eggs (may be a special LE for a month only)



BAD NEWS......DISCONTINUED SCENT:
Raspberry Seeds has unfortunately been discontinued due to a supplier issue & the fact that I can't find a good replacement!  I'm so sorry!

GOOD NEWS......NEW REGULAR SCENT (The Orchard Collection):
This will replace Raspberry Seeds as a regular fragrance in The Orchard. I love it & hope you will too! This will be in the shop by next weekend (2/6 - 2/7).

■  Blackberry Seeds  ■
Realistic wild blackberry scent that you would swear are fresh-picked right off the vine - pure berry goodness.



Well, that's all the official updates I have for now!  Before I go, I have to share one more pic of my new kitty, Max.  Isn't he adorable?!?!!!   :)  Oh...by the way...YES, that is a leopard-print couch and YES, in spite of my best efforts with the lint roller & vacuum, it's already half-covered with Max hair!  lol

December 16, 2009

New kitty in the house...

Just had to share with everyone that I've adopted a new kitty and brought him home last night! He's 3-1/2 months old, all white with two tiny smudges of grey near his ear and a real snugglebug - all he wants to do is cuddle with me. :)

He loves being held on his back like a baby and lets me pet his soft pink belly and play with his little paws! He's going to be a great cat and a good companion for my other beloved kitty, Malia (once she gets used to him, of course! lol).

Not sure what I'm going to call him just yet.  I figure I'll get to know him and let the name come to me so that it will suit him.

Here are some pics - not the best shots, but I made the mistake of taking them this morning when he was full of pent-up kitty energy after a long night instead of taking them last night when he was cuddly! lol

EXTREME close-up (he's really not as big as he looks here, it was just hard to get him to hold still for the picture!)























































Isn't he beautiful?  :)

November 26, 2009

Special Black Friday - Cyber Monday Sale!

Just a quick announcement of my first ever sale - a special Black Friday to Cyber Monday sale at my Etsy and Artfire shops!
  • 0.35 oz Perfume Oil Roll-ons will be on sale for $6.00 (15% off)
  • 9.5 oz Cleansing Sugar Scrubs will be on sale for $11.00 (15% off)
I will mark the prices down in both shops so the sale price will be reflected when you check out (no need for any adjustments afterwards or any special coupons or anything).

Sale starts 11/27 and ends at midnight 11/30/09.

Etsy Shop
Artfire Shop

Hope you have a terrific Thanksgiving!

November 9, 2009

Updated blog layout & winter LE sample scrubs

Hello! Look...an updated blog layout! I'm in the final stages of design/building of my own website/shopping cart & wanted to update this blog to match. What do you think? :) I'm working night & day trying to get everything online before the holidays, so keep your eyes open for updates...

My website (can't wait till it's done!!!):


























Also, the sample pack of all 4 winter limited edition scents in now in my etsy shop, so stop over if you'd like to see them:


November 5, 2009

Winter LE's are here



Hi all!  Sorry I didn't update when the shop re-opened...lots going on!

The winter LE's are in the shop now - well, the perfume oils and butter creams are at least.  I'm finishing up the pictures of the scrub samples and full-size scrubs so they'll be listed by the weekend.


LIMITED EDITION SECTION on etsy


Keep your eyes peeled!

I'll be having some sort of giveaway or promotion (details to follow very soon).  :)