iConvo

As anyone who has been around me since mid-April knows, I love my iPhone.

I find it interesting how many people will use the iPhone as a conversation starter. For instance, the other day I went to lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. I had my phone sitting out on the table, as I didn’t take a purse or my backpack in the restaurant with me, and I needed to keep track of the time. There was one other table with customers. That was it. Of course, that’s the norm when I go to lunch, as it is usually between 2-4 p.m.

After those customers left, the waiter noticed my phone sitting on the table. He asked if it was an iPhone. That was the beginning of a 20 minute conversation about iPhone, various apps and other cool things you can do with the phone. Granted, our conversation was interrupted a few times by a ringing phone. It was also slow at times due to the waiter’s heavy accent and us both having to work a bit to understand one another. Overall, though, it was a good conversation.

All because we both have iPhones.

At first glance, many might not realize that my phone is an iPhone. I have an OtterBox case on my phone. Goodness knows I’ve needed that extra protection, as I drop my phone at least once every two weeks. My black and pink case adds quite a bit of bulk to the phone, hiding the slim rectangle of the iPhone. Yet I’m amazed by how many see it in my hand or sitting beside me and ask, “Is that an iPhone?”

Does this happen to others, or am I just someone that everyone wants to talk to?






iPhone 3G photo from: http://www.macmend.com/archives/38

Otterbox case photo from: http://www.buyercheaper.com/buy-cheap-otterbox-defender-case-for-iphone-3g-3gs-blackpink-special-price/

Thursday Quote - knitted edition

The second Monday of the month is knit night for several of my friends. Several of them are quite accomplished knitters, completing such projects as socks and sweaters. Most of the group are admittedly yarn snobs, choosing the more natural fibers and blends over “squeaky” acrylic yarns. We all enjoy the camaraderie of working with wool and sticks.

I always look forward to these nights. While I rarely get much of note accomplished, my inability to correctly follow patterns reigns high when knitting around a group of friends, the wealth of knowledge around the table (or three) is wonderful. Plus, there’s the whole hanging out with friends.

I think that my issue with patterns and completing more complex knitting projects is all due to my being easily bored and distracted. This is helpful, though, when I want to take a small project or two – like a simple scarf or washcloth – along with me when I have to do some waiting. As the Yarn Harlot Stephanie Pearl-McPhee says in At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much:

Knitting is a boon for those of us who are easily bored. I take my knitting everywhere to take the edge off of moments that would otherwise drive me stark raving mad.

So true, Stephanie, so very, very true.

I’m a party girl…

Each time I do a candle party, I try to tailor the even to the host. If one likes games, I have a few we can play. If she isn’t fond of candles due to the flames, I focus on the products that are flameless. But, there are several things that I try to remember to do each time.

• Talk about how and why I became a Gold Canyon demonstrator
• Give the host her gift for having the party
• Mention the various lines that Gold Canyon offer (Candle lines, Suddenly Scented items, Homeology, Emerge, holders)
• Talk about candle care and why it is important
• Explain the catalog inserts (order form, customer info card, Deal or No Deal envelope and business card)
• Point out the Party Perks and other customer promos
• Offer three opportunities – To get the customer promo, To get free products (host a party), and To make money (become a demonstrator)

I will admit…there are times that I forget an item. Usually it is the three opportunities. I am getting better with each party, though.

Once upon a time, I was nervous about presenting at parties. Lately that has changed. I’m less nervous about talking in front of a group of mostly strangers. That’s one of the many great things about becoming a Gold Canyon demonstrator.

Tuesday Quote - scent memories

Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains; another, a moonlit beach; a third, a family dinner of pot roast and sweet potatoes during a myrtle-mad August in a Midwestern town. Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years. Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.


-Diane Ackerman

Do you have a particular scent that brings to mind a memory?

One scent that triggers memories for me is the scent of welding metal. Yes, it’s an odd scent! My dad is a steelworker. When I was younger, we would often bring him lunch at the foundry where he worked. I would go into the foundry to give him his meal. I didn’t realize that I had a scent memory until years later when my husband was working on a car and welding metal. Instantly I was brought back to that foundry in my hometown, walking into the building to bring lunch to my Daddy.

Quotable quotes

Twice a week throughout the month of August I will be sharing some quotes that I’ve enjoyed. These posts will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting tomorrow. Some I may expound upon; others will just be the quote. The topics will vary from one thing to another. Regardless, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Scent Recipes - Baking

Want to make your house smell like you’ve been baking all day? By mixing and matching your candles can make some great new scents for your enjoyment! For example, if you love the scent of Apple Pie a la Mode, try burning 1 each of Sugar Cookie and Warm Apple Crisp. Delicious!

Here are some other great scent combinations:

Chocolate Covered Cherries
Fabulous Fudge Brownie
Cherry Pie

Cinnamon Apple
Cinnamon
Apple Spice

Cinnamon Bun
Birthday Cake
Cinnamon

Candy Apple
Cinnamon
Apple

Snickerdoodle
Sugar Cookie
Cinnamon

Cherry Pie a la Mode
Cherry Pie or Warm Welcome
Vanilla or French Vanilla and Buttercream

Cherry Almond Pastries
Warm Welcome
Cake Batter
Cinnamon Vanilla

Grandma’s Kitchen
Mulled Cider
Sugar Cookie

Sweet and Smooth
Pomegranate
Sugar Cookie

Banana Orange Nut Bread
Banana Nut Bread
Fresh Orange

Boost Your Blog Challenge

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Lingering scent

It has been a while since I have lit a candle in my home. Don’t worry! I still have been scenting my home with great Gold Canyon products. I’ve been using my pod warmers and room sprays.

Last night I lit one of the 26 ounce Heritage candles I have (we won’t discuss how many I have). The scent is Cinnamon, which is a fairly strong scent. I had the candle burning for less than four hours. When I left for work this morning – about six hours after extinguishing the candle (using a wick dipper, of course), the house still smelled like the candle was burning.

Then I came home from work. By now it was at least 15 hours since the candle was extinguished. It still smelled delicious in the house – as if that same candle had been burning!

Wait. There’s more! It’s now been 21 hours since I put that candle out. I can still smell the cinnamon scent in the air.

Now that is what I call a high quality candle!

Prepping for Party Time

Last night I did a candle party at Marie’s new home. Her family just moved in about a week ago!

What fun! Marie made some delicious pepperoni rolls and had fresh fruit and other snacks for dipping in chocolate fondue. She had two outside orders already for the party, and everyone who attended ordered something. There are a few more orders still coming in, but already it is a very successful party.

I do a little prep work for my parties. Some demonstrators don’t do as much, having different styles for presentation and ordering. I just like to be as organized as I can. It is helpful for me and nice for my customers as well.

Catalogs
I put inside each catalog four things: an order form (stamped or stickered “Thank You” on the last page), a Deal or No Deal envelope (a booking party game), a Customer Information card (used for a drawing), and a business card. Depending on how many people are expected at the party, I often put the catalogs on clipboards. If there are more than a dozen people expected, I offer the clipboards at the party.

Products to display
Of course it is important to pack up products to show and tell! I try to have at least the following key items:

• Scent Pod Warmer, with both empty and new scent pods.
• Candle for Kids candle (Baby Powder).
• Essentially Soy Aromatherapy candle.
• Comforts of Home candle – usually Warm Welcome, as it is my favorite in that line.
• One box of tealights, plus one extra tealight candle to burn in the Polished Square Tealight Glass Candle Holder
• One box of votives, plus one or two extra to burn in the Straight Votive Glass Candle Holder.
• Apple Lantern Autumn Candle Holder and a 5 ounce Heritage candle to put in it.
• One each of the 8 ounce, 16 ounce and 26 ounce Heritage candles. Usually the 26 ounce candle is also one I use to illustrate the even wax burn of our candles.
• Crystal Candle Stands Candle Holders. These are great for showcasing items, as they lift them off of the table.
• Scentmate - one of our newer items, this was so popular that it went on backorder (for nearly a month) the first day it was available!
• Emerge Raise Your Hand Silk – so each customer can try it out.
• One item from the Homeology line. This varies, as I have several of the cleaners – all of which I use at home!
• Assorted items from the Suddenly Scented line, like Auto Air Fresheners, Scented Bookmarks, Room Spray, Linen Spray, or Diffuser.
• Candle Care items, such as a Wick Dipper and a Wick Trimmer. I also use these items on my candles while there.

Sometimes I have other items as well. I always ask my host if there is anything that she or he would like for me to focus on from the catalog.

Scent Samples

Of course I wouldn’t be a candle demonstrator worth much of anything if I didn’t offer a complete line of scent samples! Once upon a time I kept the samples separated by their type. I’ve since found that there are several great reasons to just put them in the containers however they will fit.

• If there isn’t much room to put out the containers, having the scents combined instead of separated by scent line or family means less containers to find a space to place!
• Children of all ages LOVE to check out the scents, but they rarely put them back in the correct spots. Since many of my hosts have young children, I try to set up my products to keep them safely out of the reach for little hands. However, the scent samples are something they are still drawn to. That’s OK. It is actually a lot of fun to share the scents with a little one. Also, who wants to get a candle that they think smells great only to have their child loudly proclaim that they don’t like it?
• It is actually easier for me to keep track of the scents. I now know that we currently have 100 scents available. If I am missing one or two, I can easily tell.

Other goodies

I do games at parties if they are requested. If not, I still do two – less involved – “games”: Deal or No Deal, and Customer Info Card drawing. Because of the drawing, I always bring a few prizes for the winner to choose from: Scented Bookmarks, Auto Air Fresheners, Wick Dippers, Polished Square Tealight Glass Candle Holders, and a few other fun things.

I also bring along the following:

• Host packets – for anyone who takes the Deal or No Deal offer!
• Fliers - to advertise my Party Perks, the Gold Customer Program (only available through me), the current and next month’s Promotions, and other important information.
• Extra order forms – in case we need more!
• Host Gift – always important. Sometimes it is something that I use as part of my display as well.

Seems like a lot, I know. It really isn’t though, and it takes just a small bit of time to put together. The items may vary, depending on the amount of space available and whether the host has any requests. The most important thing I bring, though, is my excitement for Gold Canyon and all of the products.

Dear Maven - Skin Care

Dear Maven,

With summer right around the corner and the winter clothes being shed I am gearing up for summer skin! My massage therapist told me that glycerin is the main ingredient needed to reach our sub dermal layer of skin. What is so important about this statement and is there glycerin in any of our EMERGE^® products?

You would be jealous of the great summer skin I already have—thanks to EMERGE of course! OK, I’ve got the gloating off my chest and now I can give you the 411.

Your massage therapist is on the right path, but what we really want to do is keep our skin in great condition overall. Glycerin is one of the excellent skin care ingredients and it has been touted by dermatologists and scientists consistently over the past 40 to 50 years. Glycerin still receives attention today for its positive effects and many of the EMERGE products contain glycerin as a key ingredient.

1. Raise Your Hand Silk™

2. Smoothing the Way™ Body Crème

3. Stepping Out™ Foot Crème

4. Ready to Shine™ Body Polish

5. Out on a Limb™ Body Lotion

6. Renew Your Soul™ Bath Soak

What’s so great about glycerin? Well, glycerin is one of the best humectant raw materials available.

(Humectants are something that attract water to the skin). Glycerin is also thought to have an effect on the skin barrier function, reducing the amount of damage soaps or detergent exposure might do to the skin.* Glycerin's ability to both attract moisture and mitigate damage potential from soaps and detergents is the real advantage of glycerin.

These EMERGE products contain glycerin, but with all of the EMERGE products you can expect to experience the nourishing benefit of living ionic minerals as well as antioxidant botanical extracts and beautiful botanical essences that all together create a renewing and nourishing experience.

Now that is good news for creating “summer” skin!

Your Summer Skin Expert,
Maven

Dear Maven is a column in our monthly demonstrator’s newsletters. I have not written any of these articles, but am sharing them here for your information.