Why do bloggers disappear

I often wonder what happens to bloggers when they stop blogging.  You follow along, enjoying all that they share and then BAM.  Nothing.

Not being a blogger by nature I don't feel too awful for walking away from it for a whole year.  The hiatus was necessary.  It was one less thing I had to focus energy on.

What do bloggers do when they don't blog?  I spent 2012-2013 living in a perpetual construction zone.  There were so many projects and changes going on all at once, I was drained and had zero desire to get on here and talk about it.  The remodeling made it impossible to focus on working and creating new things.  Which meant I didn't have anything to share anyway.  I still struggle with how personable to be on this blog, there's this strange little line between the work I create (aka-job) and my personal life.  I don't know why the line is there, it just is.  

Returning to blogging is a whole different ball of wax.  The blogging world feels so different, layouts changed and what is seo again?  Heck,  I can't even remember how to upload an image.  And while I'm at it what's the deal with all this Instagraming stuff and Pinterest and Facebook feeds and twitter tweeting chirping updates that are integrated in to my posts now?  Was it always there and I never noticed before?.  And, am I mobile friendly?  I don't know, but it sure seems important.

It's amazing how much can change in 12 months.

But I'm here, and I'll be sharing again in the new year.  I hope you all have a wonderful December.

old world Santa candles

What's winter with out a white as snow reindeer?

A less stressful one.

These may be beautiful but those antlers are fragile and I break them off on a regular basis when de-molding.  They are difficult to package and ship as well.  As much as I love them I honestly don't see them in next years production.

I've been having so much fun making these old world Santa candles.  I started making these back in May..I think.  Pouring cores and storing them until the holiday season.   They take a long time from start to finish.  There's a lot of hand painting going on and over dips in the antiquing finish has to be at the perfect temperature so at not to alter the paint.  

Planning a candle studio remodel

In my non candle making part of life our family spent most of 2012 remodeling our kitchen, dining room and living room.  It was an interesting experience and I'm glad to be done with it!  We lived in perpetual dust for months

2013 will by my studio's chance to get it's make-over.

I'm beyond excited to get started and I want to share a little of what's planned.

The goal is to have a light, airy room where the clutter of candle making can be easily stored out of sight but readily accessible.

Finished product can be stored and retrieved quickly.  

Ikea has a useful 3d computer program for designing kitchens and with it's help I was able to layout the entire room minus the main pour tables, packing area and the office.

The photo above shows half of the room, the other half is the office which is competed.

Pinterest was my favorite friend during the planning stages, where I found cleaver ways to organize the items I use most often.   Pinterest also led me to several amazing bloggers who shared how they created and organized their craft rooms.  I am eternally grateful to them

 Still haven't picked out the dates of our closure, I'm hoping for Jan but knowing us it'll be Aug and 118 outside.