Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Boxes - New Site Launch

Back in October 2008, we posted a message here about a "secret project" that would be revealed. We said, "We have been busy (for months) working on something super-special to make our online community even better. Only a few of our diva members know what it is (because they were the ones who requested it - lol). As for the rest of you, we can't spill the beans yet or even give away a few tiny hints. Sorry. But, we WILL tell you that it is something that all of you divas will absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!

We are very excited about this and are working verrrrrrry hard to have everything ready by early 2009 - when we make our "big announcement". Until then, our lips (and the lips of our diva members) are sealed. This project is top secret."

Well, the time has come for us to share the news (that we've been keeping secret for almost a year). We are proud to announce the launch of our new sister site, Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Boxes.



This site offers a unique avenue of advertising for independent business owners, in Canada and the USA, and promises to be one of the most fun and effective bi-monthly promotional campaigns on the web today. Best of all, it is free for e-tailers to participate. All you have to do is send in your samples and let us (the Delightful Divas) take care of the rest. These boxes are filled with approx. 10-15 (sometimes more) sample-sized products and will be mailed directly to the front door of hundreds of consumers, who otherwise would never have known about your business. We know the importance of good promotion and advertising and that is why we are committed to helping other entrepreneurs build their businesses, reach their goals, and get the recognition that they deserve. At Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Boxes, we cater to a targeted audience and put your products into the right hands. This helps to drive more traffic and potential sales to your site.

Are you a trendy gal who loves to try before you buy? If so, then this box is definitely for you. You'll be able to sample unique handcrafted items, from a variety of contributing online businesses, before committing to the full sizes. How great is that! You'll receive sample-sized bath and body products, candles, jewelry, fashion accessories, and more. If it's glam, girly, and gorgeous.....it'll be be found in the Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Box. Take one peek inside and you'll know why we call it “Divalicious”.

Join us for our debut in March '09! There are lots of companies already signed-up to participate in the first-ever Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Box.....and yes, boxes will be going fast! Promote independent businesses and be a part of the ever-growing “Diva-Movement” by purchasing a box or by being a contributor. Don't forget that when you buy a box, your name will be entered into a draw to win a sample box from the next campaign. Woot!

This grand opening event is going to be huge! So, don't miss out. For more information, please visit our new sister site or stay tuned to our blog, Delightful Divas In Business, for continued updates.

Divas *heart* handmade!

The Today Show

There was a quick segment about Holiday shopping on The Today Show this morning. Did you watch?

They were talking about how 80% of consumers say that the single biggest motivator for shopping online (during the Holiday season) is FREE SHIPPING.

If you are an e-tailer who is looking to bring in more sales during the Christmas rush, then free shipping is obviously something to consider offering at your shop. Who knows. You just might hear a few extra "cha-chings" before the year is out!:)

On This Cyber Monday....Shop Indie!

The crowds. The pushing. The shoving. The stampedes. The rage. The injuries. Ugh! Black Friday. It just doesn't make any sense.

After listening to some of the Black Friday horror stories on the radio and watching the coverage on practically every news channel, we were left shaking our heads. Why would anyone want to risk their life just to save a few dollars? Why would anyone want to be a part of this FRENZY year after year?

As you can probably tell, we want no part of it. The same goes for "last minute" Christmas shopping. We prefer to shop early (like September and October) to avoid the hustle and bustle of the season. The department stores are practically empty during the autumn months. That means that there is waaaaay less stress involved. This makes for a more pleasant, satisfying, smooth, (and yes, much safer) shopping experience. For smaller items, such as stocking stuffers and novelties, we like to wait until Cyber Monday. We purchase from a variety of independent businesses on the web and take advantage of any SUPER sales and discounts along the way. The searching, the finding.....oh, it's great fun!

On this Cyber Monday, we would like to share a little advice: Shop Online....Shop Indie! Need we say more? It is soooo worth it. There are gazillions of independent businesses on the web, offering fabulous items. Soaps, candles, jewelry, handbags, apparel....you name it, they've got it! Best of all, you can be sure that every item is handcrafted with plenty of TLC. Look around the web. You'll be surprised at how much you can get for your money. Show small business owners some love on this Cyber Monday and all during the Christmas season. Shop indie and support "Delightful Divas In Business"!

Happy December, happy Cyber Monday, and happy shopping! (p.s...We'd love to see some of your online "indie" finds for Christmas. Feel free to share them with us...)

The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin

Event Release!
The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin
Independent designer, craft & fine art showcase

Event Name: The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin

Date: Saturday April 18, 2009

Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm

Location: Saengerrunde Hall, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Tickets: in advance $8, at the door $10.

Website: www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com

Contact: info@TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com

Event Info:

The Bearded Ladies Production Co. is set to produce its first show in Austin, Texas. The 2009 event will be a craft fair, fine arts festival, and independent designer showcase all wrapped up into one. By featuring the best vendors in Austin, The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin will provide shoppers an opportunity to find one of-a-kind gifts, unique accessories, fashionable attire, home decor and more. Shoppers can browse the work of talented artisans who buck the trend of mass-production by offering handcrafted goods that are finely constructed and very unique. These independent entrepreneurs are locally based, but also come from surrounding areas to participate in what is sure to be a fun family event filled with items you can’t find anywhere else. The first thirty shoppers to arrive at the event will receive a goodie bag stuffed with great giveaway items from vendors and local businesses. Shopping begins at 11:00 a.m., and admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door; parking is available near Saengerrunde Hall.

The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin is currently accepting applications for vendors. All local crafters, independent designers, and fine artists that want to broaden their customer base are invited to apply. Let all of Austin know what you have to offer and join The Bearded Ladies Present: Shop Austin!

To apply go to: http://www.TheBeardedLadiesPresent.com/apply_here.html

Fabulous Four: Colours Of Autumn

Orange, brown, red, gold, yellow, green…

The colours of Autumn are popping up in indie shops all over the web! It is so exciting to find handmade items that are offered in seasonal fragrances, colours and themes. During one of our recent hunts for items to feature in our “Fabulous Four” segment, we discovered this attractive Autumn Leaf Card by Heather's Handmade Creations. The warm, rich colors on the outside are accompanied by the simple but very thought-provoking words: “A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer's wave goodbye.” The inside of the card has been left blank but you can actually have the shop stamp something on the inside at your request. Isn't that a great option? A warm card like this could definitely take the chill out of Autumn! The card is $3.50.

And look at this Pumpkin Spice Scented Cupcake Soap by Doctor Sweet Tooth! Looks almost good enough to eat. Reminds us of the bright-colored cupcakes mom made every Halloween when we were kids. Yum yum! This one-of-a-kind soap has aloe and olive oil in it to soften your skin and the frosting is made with a special mixture of whipped shea butter soap. This baby is $6.00.

Keep your pup looking fashionable this season. Check out this adorable Festive Fall Dog Kerchief that we found for only $6.00 at The Vacationland Dog. This seasonal fabric is reversible. One side shows falling leaves and pumpkins and the other side is a solid orange colour. It's "dog-gone cute"!

And look at these sparkly, orange beaded earrings from Heart In Hawaii. They are called Cute Little Pumpkins and are only $15.00.

The shop says that they are handmade from sparkly transluscent, opalescent orange delica and seed beads. There is a pumpkin pendant and charm also available. These earrings would be great to wear on the weekend with your jeans and a cozy sweater or would look fun and fab with your little black dress. The possibilities are endless.

New Season....New Ideas!

With the Fall season now upon us, it's time to introduce some fresh new ideas for our blog. In addition to our Featured Diva Interviews, we are now showcasing "Fabulous Finds" in our left side panel. They are items that we've recently discovered on Etsy (at some of the cutest shops on the web!) and we simply had to share them with you. We'll be updating this section whenever we find something that we are totally smitten with.

We will also be on the lookout for items to feature in our other new blog segment: "Fabulous Four". We'll be searching for four handmade items that share a similar theme and seem to go together. This is going to be a fun challenge for us. We've already got some cool themes in mind. Stay tuned.