Wicked Faire 2013

It's Official!  I will be vending at the 2013 Wicked Faire: The Revenge Of The Renaissance Faire.  It will be held on Feb. 15-17 in Somerset, NJ in TWO hotels – now with a unique, interactive Time Traveler’s Resort & Museum – a delight for Steampunks AND for every Rennie, Geek, Goth, Pagan, or otherwise unique individual!.  You can find info about the event as well as tickets and places to stay on their website and Facebook.  Here's a shot of me from this year's Steampunk Worlds Fair - I'm hoping I won't need the giant parasol in February...

I will be vending with my friend Linda of Antonette's Masks.  She handcrafts beautiful and intricate masquerade style masks.  Just have a look at the photos of her fine work on her facebook page!

See you in February!

New Lip Balm flavors coming soon!

Facebook, Twitter (@AkimaBotanicals), & my blog followers are the first to know! I'll be adding 3 new lip balms to my Etsy shop very soon: Orange Cinnamon, Peach Cobbler, and Chocolate Strawberry! Http://akimabotanicals.blogspot.com

Special blog coupon code!

Looking for stocking stuffers & gifts under $15? Visit akimabotanicals.etsy.com and use coupon code BlogAB for 15% off your order! Expires 12/25/12

Happy Thanksgiving...Ready to Shop?

I hope everyone is having a lovely & drama free Thanksgiving with their friends & families.  But we all know what's right around the corner, right? BLACK FRIDAY, SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, AND CYBER MONDAY!

Visit Akima Botanicals on Etsy and use coupon code BLACKSMALLCYBER for 15% off your entire order.

Saturday I will be vending at the Artmore Holiday Gift Fair in Ardmore, PA alongside almost 80 other artists and crafters.  You'll be shopping for a great cause, supporting a non-profit dance company and Hurricane Sandy relief.

The End of Market Season

Whether you are a shopper or vendor of farmer's markets, you know the season is coming to a close very soon.  My local weekly market, the Lansdowne Farmers Market, closes for the season on Sat. 10/27.  While I love vending at markets and seeing all the regulars, it's a bit of a relief to be finsihed.  Being caught up with weekly inventory demands, loading and unloading the car, taking up a large chunk of garage space... all while maintaining a full time day job takes a toll after a while.  It will be nice to have a break.  The LFM does host several special winter markets, the first being 11/17 (I will be vending!)  There are some other markets, holiday gift fairs, and festivals for which I am awaiting vending approval.   I also hope to teach some classes on making bath & body gifts during the holidays.  I intend on staying fully active during the "off-season" in vending and working hard on my business. 

My fall/winter business plans are:
~Refine my hot process soap recepies - and make lots more soap!
~Create new perfumes in specially themed lines
~More internet promotion, marketing, networking & eCommerce
~Marketing to local retail shops, and networking with local business owners
~Tweak & finish www.akimabotanicals.com
~Research and possibly venture into making incense cones, bath bombs, bath salts, massage & aromatherapy oils
~Blog more frequently

What are your "off-season" plans?

Cemetery Perfume Oil & Spray

Our Cemetery scent is now available as a perfume oil on Etsy.  It was previously only offered as a room spray and body spritz. Just in time for Halloween! 

 

Cemetery perfume oil by AkimaBotanicals on Etsy

Cemetery is simple and too the point: Moist earth, freshly manicured plots, and the smell of roses freshly laid on the graves. It is a bittersweet scent reminding us of the peaceful resting place of our loved ones.

 

Cemetery room spray/body spritz by AkimaBotanicals on Etsy

New Harmony Vegan Chinese Restaurant, Philadelphia

I found New Harmony Chinese Restaurant in 2008 or 2009 when I worked in Center City Philadelphia.  Being just blocks from Chinatown I often walked through, and one day I just stumbled upon what would soon be one of my favorite places for eats in Philadelphia.  Located on 9th St. between Arch & Race, everything on their impressive menu is vegan & kosher (see the certified letter from Rabbi Roth in the back of the menu).  Even the air & water is filtered for purity.  Here are pictures of their Sweet & Sour Tofu and Lemon "Chicken", respectively:

Lately I've been ordering the Sesame Beef with a special "mayo" sauce... it blows my mind.  Make sure you try the veggie pancakes - they have the same "mayo" sauce.  Fried yes, but vegan which makes it ok, ha ;P.  Freshly brewed tea comes with every menu, as does a greeting & smile from owner Ming - our buddy.  New Harmony has a devoted following of those vegan and meat-eating alike.  No matter what you eat, you can't deny how delicious their food is.  Oh yea, and all you can eat Dim Sum buffet on Sundays!  Save room for dessert!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Harmony-Vegetarian-Restaurant/192359379755