Erin & David of Crazy Times Candle & Bath Co. tell NM about their business

Crazy Times Candle & Bath Co. listed their first items on Etsy in January of 2008, and in nearly four months had 310 sales. Incredible! Shop owners, Erin and David must be doing something right! Maybe it's that Crazy Times is always participating in the forums, in BnRs, and other Etsy games. Maybe it's that their items are reasonably priced, ranging from $2.50-$40, or maybe it's that their items look too good to pass up. How can you turn down a cupcake for your body or a bunny for your boo boo?

After chatting a few times in the forums with Crazy Times, Nature Manipulated decided that their shop and pleasant manner warranted an interview. I decided to ask Erin and David a few questions about their business. Here is what they had to say...

1. How would you describe your shop/business?

We are a home based candle and bath & body business specializing in artisan candles and soaps, as well as all natural Spa Bath & Body items.

Our passion is to create the best possible quality products for our customers. We truly enjoy what we do and reflect that in our work to bring others the same joy.

2. How long have you been making soaps/candles/etc. for?

We started playing with wax in 2002. The testing process was quite long, but we had fun doing it and would not be satisfied without being able to make the best possible candle.

Our soaps and bath & body line followed a few years later in 2005, followed by our business becoming official in June of 2006.

3. How did get into this line of work/hobby?

Our love of candle making began in 2002 when we decided to attempt to make a great candle that burned evenly, cleanly, and was scented throughout.

The bath & body and soaps came a few years later as an expansion to our candles to offer diversity and a natural option for those who enjoy products free of chemicals as well as for those with sensitive skin.

Our bath & body products were developed to be gentle enough for the most sensitive skin. Many of our current customers say that our soaps are great for their eczema or psoriasis.

4. Where does your inspiration come from? What sorts of things inspire your work? (Examples)

We like to look at each of our candles and soaps as a work of art. Each one is slightly different and has its own look.

Our main inspiration was brought by dislike for poorly burning, weakly scented commercial candles. After we were satisfied with our candle making skills we focused on developing bath & body products and soaps for our sensitive skin.

5. What is your favorite piece? Why?

It is so tough to pick a favorite, but I think we would say we really enjoy making the chunk pillar candles because they are so interesting and require a few extra steps to make. Plus it’s always fun to get ready to take them out of the molds because before they come out their true beauty is still hidden inside of the aluminum mold.

We really enjoy making these chunk pillars in custom colors as well. That adds a little extra fun to our work.

6. What do you like to do when you are not crafting?

We enjoy spending time with our children, friends, and family.

Additionally, Erin has found a new hobby in crocheting and I enjoy working on computers with maintaining our websites and graphic designs.

When the weather gets a little better we love to camp as well.

7. Are your items available anywhere other than etsy?

We have had a website for two years now.

Also, we do quite a few craft shows in our area in the summer months and have several wholesale accounts in Wisconsin and Michigan.

We are always open to adding new wholesale accounts.

Our products have recently been featured on Wickedly Chic

Website URL: www.crazytimescandles.com

Etsy URL: crazytimescandles.etsy.com

Blog URL: crazytimescandles.blogspot.com

Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/crazytimescandles

Myspace: www.myspace.com/crazytimescandlescrafts

Thank you so much Erin and David!

There is probably a lot of Etsians and business owners that can learn from Erin and David. I hope you post your questions for them in the comments.