Galena Candle & Bath Company

2011-04-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is a great time to reflect on what our Moms have given us. My Mom is especially celebrated on this day and this year we actually will be spending the day together! This is a rare occassion as we live 21 hour drive apart. My mom was and is an amazing women. She not only raised (with my great Dad) 5 children, but also attended to our every need. She did all the normal "Mom" things but the most important gift she gave me is my Catholic faith and my relationship with God. Thanks MOM for all you have done for me and all that you continue to do. I LOVE YOU! Celebrate your Mom on May 8th!

2011-01-25T13:21:00.001-08:00

I believe Valentine's Day is a day to show all of those you love how much you appreciate them. I don't think it is just for couples. Make a friend's day by doing something nice, getting a card for them, grabbing some coffee (or a diet coke, my personal addiction) sending a little note in your kid's lunchbox. Do you have any other ideas to share on how to share your appreciation on Valentine's Day?

Instead of Candy or Flowers, stop by our website and grab a quick candle or gift set, so easy, so fast and will surely last longer than candy or flowers.

http://www.galenacandle.com/

Living Windows

2010-12-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Galena hosted "LIVING WINDOWS". The weather was snowy (really picture perfect). Most of the stores in town did something fun in their window with "live" people. Here is a picture of our little elfs making pretty pictures for the window.

Goat's Milk Soaps

2010-12-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

NEW Goat's Milk Soaps - handmade with raw milk from farm fresh goats. Soften your dry or sensitive skin with this incredible natural moisturizer. Our most popular fragrance is sandalwood/patchouli. Check it out on our website:

www.galenacandle.com

2010-03-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! a BEAUTIFUL Day in Galena. The parade starts at 5:30 and we are ready with our picture in the window (illustrated by my son). We are starting to see some familiar faces as we get into the "season". Stop by the store when you are in town....we have lots of fun new items from shampoo bars, whipped ice cream soap, shower fizzies, and a new line of goat's milk products. Hope to see you soon :)

2010-03-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

Does he look like a deer caught in the headlights?

He is my co-owner, co-parenter, co-habitator, husband Todd. I tend to get most of the "credit" when it comes to our business, but really it is Todd who is the brains behind our business and our life path. There are some days when I question, prod, and just downright nag him (he gives me the same look as this photo)..but we do enjoy what we are doing. I have often thought that a reality show on start-up companies who happen to be married would be interesting and maybe a little disturbing.

Here's to my other half, the one who dreams, imagines things bigger than I can, the one who drives our business to the next level....while I hang on and enjoy the ride!

January Shows

2010-01-30T08:25:00.001-08:00

Hi all:

When the store slows down in January, we don't take a vacation or just relax...oh no, that would be too easy! We headed to Atlanta, Minneapolis and Chicago for gift shows. And we don't just go to see what new products are out there that would fit into our store....that would be too easy too! No, we set up a booth and present our eco dotz candle creation stations to other retailers who may be interested in this concept for their stores. We had a great month and met so many nice new people. We did well too and sold lots of lots of accounts. Thanks in part to our new reping company Beth Bingham and Co. who is helping us get ourselves established in this gift industry.

Thanks also to my great sister Julie who attended the Atlanta show with us. So much fun catching up with her and picking her amazing brain about how to structure our brand, and channel strategy. Her input has been instrumental in our growth plans.

So, now the work begins! We are busy getting the orders together and shipped to all of our wonderful new accounts. Check out our eco dotz website for more information about our new wholesale divison. www.ecodotz.com

Do you have an Artifical Christmas Tree?

2009-11-30T08:33:00.000-08:00

OK...we did away with the real tree a few years back and I miss the smell of the pine! So, what do I do? I light our Christmas Tree candle (aka Pine Forest) and enjoy the holiday fragrance in my home.

This candle is really amazing and we sell cases (and I mean cases!) of this particular scent during the holiday season.

2009-11-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

Went to a memorial service this morning for one of my son's teachers. It was beautiful and inspirational. Loved what those close to her had to say about her full and giving life.

"Find something beautiful everyday to be thankful for"

On the way into the store after the service my drive looked just like this picture. I can sure find many things each day to appreciate!

New Eco Dotz Candle Creation Station

2009-10-27T10:46:00.001-07:00

Here is our new eco dotz creation station. Now available for wholesale accounts. We went to the Chicago show in July and it has been a whirlwind since! Shipped all account in the last month and are already getting reorders.

This is so much fun for our customers. They can come in and make an eco dotz candle in just a few minutes by mixing up the little dots in our custom designed candle jar. We even started a re-cycling program where you can re-use the jar by buying re-fill packages and wicks. You never have to throw away a nice candle jar again!

Check out our ad in the new Galenian

2009-10-27T10:43:00.001-07:00

Recognize Anyone? Beth and Amanda working the store!

2009-07-19T12:08:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of our booth at the Chicago Show. We hope to write lots of orders today!

2009-06-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

Here is our bath bead bar! We have new shaped bath beads including frogs, pigs, cats, and whales....oh my! And new fragrances.

Just $4 for 10 beads in a handy tube. Each bath bead contains fragrant oil that makes bath time fun and very fragrant.

June is Here!

2009-06-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah, June is finally here and things are starting to get busy! Our kids only have 1 day left of school and then it's time for Summer Fun! It is always so great to see the families coming to Galena and into our store. They gravitate to our candle making station and like to mix, sniff, and play with the eco dotz...and we encourage it! Hope you all can come see our new store layout this summer (bring the kids) or just come for a relaxing getaway. We promise to provide some fun while you are in Galena!

2009-05-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Galena hosted the Annual Triathlon/Duathlon this past weekend. It was a great race despite the 60 degree water temperatures and high winds. I sincerely thought I was going to have a heart attack when the water hit my face. But I finished the race and felt a great sense of accomplishment for doing so. Fortunately, all of these althletes patronized Galena's downtown district while in town. Our store had a fabulous weekend and we met so many of the athletes. Congratulations to all those who participated.

We are anticipating a fun filled Memorial Day weekend~ the official start of our season. Remembering all those who have served our country this weekend. We fully support our troops out there right now and those who have served in the past...THANK YOU!

2009-04-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend at the store. Galena hosted the Boy Scout Pilgrimage weekend and town was filled with close to 3,000 cub scouts and boy scouts. My son was one of the many who hiked, ate, and shopped in the soggy conditions. He was exhausted at the end of the day, but sure had fun! Some even came in for Mother's Days gifts and enjoyed picking out something personalized for their Moms.

Remember Mother's Day is May 10th...why not pick out a nice gift basket for her? Just shop on-line and mention in the comment field that you would like it in a gift basket and I will make sure it is all wrapped up for you!

Spring in your Step

2009-04-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Spring is finally here and we are sooo happy to have some nice weather. Galena's main street is beautiful this time of year as all the stores start opening our doors and coming out of our winter cocoons. We have done a remodel to our store (actually Todd is responsible for this...he always says..."do you have a mouse in your pocket"...when I say "we"). I really like how it turned out and I think it is easier to shop. We are loaded up with new inventory so if you are in the area, come check it out!

And if you mention you read my blog, I'll give you 10% off your purchase!

Back on Track

2009-04-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

I am hoping to blog more often now that life has settled down a bit. We'll see how I do. We closed our Dubuque store in January and are now concentrating our efforts on our main store in Galena.

We are super excited to be launching our eco dotz candle making station to the gift market in July @ the Chicago Gift Market. Tons of work to do from now until then, but a very fun project! I have wanted to go into wholesale since we started the business almost 4 years ago...this has been a constant source of "discussions" between my husband (and co-owner) and I. Hoping that I can give him the famous "I told you so" line after the show!

We have new items on the site and hope everyone has a chance to check them out. If you have any suggestions for other items we should carry, PLEASE tell us!

Holidays are upon us!

2008-12-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

Hi all:

The snow is flying and we are in the midst of a holiday season! Now, I am definitely not a cold weather person...I think my blood thinned out during my time spent in North Carolina...I still think about heading south with the birds every winter! BUT, the holidays are truly a magical time, especially with 2 little ones. We look forward to cozy evenings at home and our favorite winter pastime...SLEDDING (my little Lily goes outside to sled just so she can get the hot cocoa afterward).

Things are heating up inside as we head into the last few weeks before the big holiday. Both stores are doing well, parties are being booked and we are filling internet and wholesale orders with quick turnarounds.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and have the chance to reflect on 2008!

NEW FALL SCENTS for Candles!

2008-09-13T16:59:00.001-07:00

New Fall Scents now available. Ready for shipment now!

In our Poured Candles:
Pine Forest
Pumpkin Spice
Cranberry
Hazelnut

In our Eco Dot Candles:
Hot Apple Cider
Cranberry Clove

New Baby Line

2008-08-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

We introduced our new Baby Line this past week at our 2nd store location. These ultra gentle, all-natural products are specially designed for baby's sensitive skin. The line consists of a baby lotion a baby body wash and a baby massage oil. We scent these with a combination of lavender and vanilla to calm and soothe your little one. Check out the website for further details.

2008-06-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

We are slightly delayed in getting our new bath line up and going. The last set of proofs for the labeling didn't meet our standards so we are going to spend a little time re-formating the packaging to ensure that we have everything exactly how we want to present it (and brand consistent). Look for further details in the next month (hopefully we will have everything completed soon!).

If you have any input on products or party ideas we can implement in our store or on-line we would love to hear from you! Email us at: info@galenacandle.com

New Bath Line

2008-06-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

We are working on the final packaging concepts for our new bath/body line. It looks great and we can't wait to get it out there for all of you to see! It will consist of a shower gel/bubble bath and a all-natural lotion. We will offer 5 refreshing fragrances with a fun packaging concept we hope you'll like. Stay tuned for the official launch later this month!

2008-05-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

Well, a little over a month at our new store and things are going great. We are booking parties galore and had a group of 22 girl scouts here last week. Each girl got a sugar scrub, hand massage, and finger nail painting. They also each decorated a rubber duckie (our theme) and each made their own unique sparkle lotion to take home. We have booked numerous parties to date, but this was the largest. Our flagship store is doing nicely as well, especially on the weekends now that we are into the "season" in Galena. We have booked a lot of bachlorette and bridal showers at this store.

My first entry

2008-04-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all:

1st time blogger and excited to get started! We opened our 2nd store this past weekend and we are excited about the response to our concept. Our 1st store is located in Galena, IL and our 2nd store is located at the Kennedy Mall in Dubuque, IA. We are offering all-natural bath and body products that are custom scentable along with a party room where girls/women of all ages can have a custom scenting spa party in our store. It is a fun, interactive environment featuring environmentally conscious products. Stayed tuned for stories about our stores and the people we meet!