Sometimes life just gets in the way to a point where you have to make decisions about what you are going to allow to be put on the back burner. Unfortunately, for me, one of the things that I had to put on the back burner this year were my blogs. Over the last couple of months things have just not been going the way I would have liked them to go exactly, and rather than rant and be all depressing in my very public forum, I just decided to take a bit of a break.
Admittedly, though, it feels pretty good to be back in a frame of mind that is allowing me to start sharing again. Since this is my first blog post in a long while I want to take some time to introduce you to my new businesses and my new vision for my little spot on the web. I also wanted to share thaat I fully intend on beginning to post recipes "From my Family Tree" to my other blog Homemade Hunky ~ Recipes from my Family Tree in the very near future. I have to get some other things in my life in order, but once that is accompolished, I will be able to get going again in full swing.
So without further ado ~ now I get to share a little bit about my new businesses and also share what has happened with Ahni & Zoe. I will begin with the sad news. On August 21, 2014, Ahni & Zoe, along with it's parent company, Creative Memories ceased to exist as we had come to know it over the last 25+ years. As I shared last year, Creative Memories entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2013. Though they attempted to reinvent themselves and reopened with a "soft" opening in November 2013 and the full relaunch in January of this year, unfortunately, they just couldn't reinvent themselves enough to survive the growth of the digital age. Traditional scrapbooking as originally introduced by Rhonda Anderson in the 80's has seemingly fallen by the wayside ---- or has it? I really didn't stick around long enough to find out what was happening with the company after it was announced that CM had been sold off to a new investor. Rumors are flying that the new owner has no intentions of continuing the CM business plan of using Independent Consultants to bring their high-quality memory preservation products to the masses. I guess we will just have to wait until sometime next month to see what the new business will be. One thing I do know for sure is that I currently don't have any intention of representing that company - other than maybe buying their products again!
One to bigger and better things...
As the news of Ahni & Zoe's sale became more and more of a reality, I went on my own mission. I wanted to find something that I loved. Something that I had a passion for and something that would truly be interesting to a larger group of people As I started thinking about my goals and my failures with Creative Memories/Ahni & Zoe, I had to think about what I wanted in a new opportunity. The biggest thing was I wanted success. I wanted to work for a company that truly had a SMART business plan. I got so lucky that I found TWO.
I am very happy to announce that I am now an Independent Consultant with Jewelry in Candles! JIC is a relatively new kid on the block. Based in Louisville, KY, they pride themselves on providing high-quality yet affordable candles & tarts. All products are made of 100% natural soy candles, with safe, non-toxic fragrance oils that also include natural essential oils. Everything is hand poured out of their manufacturing facility located in Kentucky. What I love most is that each product contains a surprise piece of jewelry. You get to choose the category - ladies ring, men's ring (select fragrances only), necklace or earrings. If you choose a ring, you also get to choose the size. The surprise comes because you have NO IDEA what your piece of jewelry will look like until you complete the "reveal". After years of making my own soy candles, I can say that I was elated when I discovered this company and saw what a high quality their candles & tarts are for such an affordable price. Click the logo above to learn more.
The other great company I found was Simply Aroma - 100% certified pure therapeutic essential oils. Oils which I am in love with. I have found that there are a lot of people out there that just don't believe in the healing properties of natural oils, but I can tell you - I have tried them. My husband has tried them. They work and they work great. My husband has been using the Peppermint oil as a natural pain reliever on his knees. Three years ago he was told that he needed a double knee replacement. However, because of his age, we could not get the insurance company to authorize the surgery. He spent every day in pain; having a very hard time being able to perform a lot of the physical activities he did in the past. But along came SA Peppermint oil. We massaged a few drops into both of his knees and almost immediately he reported relief. With that, I had to give it a try. I was told that tea tree oil could also relieve pain. I mixed up a bit of tea tree oil with some coconut oil, massaged it into my shoulder which I have had constant pain in for almost a year. Within 20 minutes the pain had nearly gone away and within an hour - I was able to rotate my arm and lift my arm completely above my head. Something I hadn't been able to do in at least 9 months. It was then that I knew - without a shadow of a doubt that this was something I could stand behind for years to come.
And so I am sharing these companies with you. Not just because they are a source of my family's income, but also because I believe in them. I believe that these products will make your life happier and healthier. Whether its relaxing with a burning candle reading a book or using peppermint oil to relieve your aching bones - both companies are amazing. I hope one day you will try them!
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