We are proud to say that the Adventures in Bloom team has received our training Certificates of Completion from Count On Me NC! Count On Me NC is a public health initiative that empowers guests and businesses to help keep everyone safe from COVID-19. Our training covered all the best practices on keeping our staff and clients as safe as possible during the pandemic.

Some of the practices we've adopted include: required masks for staff and clients, multiple hand sanitizing areas, social distancing, and using disinfecting cleaners between clients. If you'd like to participate in a stamping class, we currently offer private reservations for up to 6 guests. You can book your personal stamping appointment here. As always, we offer many items on our website that you can order for curbside pickup or have shipped. Virtual shopping appointments are a great solution if you'd like to 'look around' while in the comfort of your own home - you can book your virtual shopping appointment here.

Our current shop hours are:
​Wednesday-Saturday 11-4pm

Thank you for your continued support of our shop!
​~ Laura and staff

Have y'all missed us as much as we've missed you? Now that North Carolina is moving into Phase 2, we wanted to give you all an update on our reopening plans. Our main objective with reopening is, of course, the health and safety of our customers and staff. That's why we've had such a cautious approach to reopening. With that being said, we've decided to reopen officially on June 3rd with limited hours.  

We've also made some modifications to our normal operating procedures in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.

• We are limiting store capacity to 8 people at one time, including staff.
• Masks are strongly encouraged. Our staff will be required to wear masks while customers are present. We will have hand sanitizer available at the door and we will ask that you use it upon entering.
• We will have hand sanitizer available, as well as access to hand washing.
• Private stamping parties can be booked, but they are currently limited to 6 members of the same household/family. We will ask that each guest wears a mask and washes their hands prior to the class.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and patience as we navigate this new normal.  Private and virtual shopping appointments are still available and can be booked here.  

We can't wait to see you!
~ Laura and staff

​As Always, we appreciate your continued support and we miss you!
~ Laura and staff

Did you hear our amazing news?  We are so honored to be in the Top 4 of IndyWeek's Best of Triangle in the 'Best Place to Buy Local Art' and 'Best New Business' categories!  IndyWeek hosts this annual competition based on their readers' nominations and votes.   Receiving this recognition is extra exciting as we celebrate our 1st anniversary on May 1st!

Now we need your help - it's time for the final round of voting.  Click here to vote for us in both categories!  Voting runs through May 4th.  ​As always, we appreciate your continued support (and your votes!).  

This is a super simple way to help us make sure we will survive after the shutdown. Another really awesome way to help us out (for free) is to leave us a Google review or a Facebook review! This is true for any small business you love-so try to write one review a day and lets keep all our local favorites supported!
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- Laura and staff

​1.       Tell us about your business in 3 sentences.
I make and sell 100% soy wax candles using phthalate-free fragrances. I started my business to create a safe candle for everyone in the home at a price everyone can afford. Soy candles burn up to 50% longer than paraffin candles and produce much less soot and other toxins than paraffin.

2.       How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have always been interested in candle making and wanted to make gifts for friends back in 2011. I started my business in 2017 after friends and family asked to order more each holiday season. I’ve always loved the ambiance candles provide and scents that are not too overpowering. I wanted to make candles that achieved a healthier environment for my family.

3.      Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I am from the Chicago suburbs and I have a Masters Degree in Higher Ed Administration but I’ve never used it.

4.       Where do you draw inspiration from?
What’s going on in the world around me— Season, holidays and the Bible

5.       What is your productivity routine?
Productivity? What does that mean? Haha just kidding. I try to set aside a couple of hours during nap/rest time to devote to candles— whether it’s updating my website, making candles, fulfilling orders, planning for markets, etc., those hours are precious time for me to get things done. And with 3 kids and a newborn, let’s be honest— sometimes productivity looks like taking a nap.

6.       If you were a pizza, what toppings would you have on you and why?
I would be a Plain cheese Chicago Style pizza cause my sauce would be on top— I am an open book and sometimes I find the greatest joy in the simple things.

7.       Tell us about an experience that left you feeling like you had succeeded        with your business.
I was featured on WRAL’s Go Ask Mom blog last holiday season. I love encouraging other moms and locals to shop from women owned businesses. It was such an honor to be a part of that and to be interviewed for it.

8.      What's your favorite craft that isn't YOUR craft?
I love to make baby mobiles! I pretty much love trying all crafts but over the years I have made a mobile for each of my kids.

9.       What’s next?
I am hoping to continue to generate good online sales so that I can step back from doing as many markets. I love markets though so I am working on ways to still collaborate with fellow makers and crafters— I love the small business community in Raleigh! 

We are so excited to be one of the collaborators for Light is Love's newest product - the Box of Sunshine!  Check out the online shop at Light Is Love to learn about all of the products included.  You can get yourself a treat, or send one as happy mail to a friend or family.  

As Always, we appreciate your continued support and we miss you!
~ Laura and staff

​At this point we've all seen a million news stories about Covid19, braved the lines at Costco for toilet paper, and joined in the 'will they or won't they' debates about school cancellations.  As of today, all K-12 schools here in NC will be closed for the next two weeks.  In the interest of our clients' and staff well-being we've made the proactive decision to close the shop for the next two weeks.
We will be closed starting Wednesday, March 18th and will plan to reopen Wednesday, April 1st. We will be continually re-assessing the situation and just want to keep y'all safe!

​So now, the big question we all have - how are we going to keep these kids entertained at home for two weeks?  We've done some research and put together a quick list of easy craft projects that you can create with items you already have around the house!

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Rain Sticks - This fun craft only requires three materials (plus anything you'd like to decorate the sticks with) - one paper towel roll, aluminum foil, and rice/birdseed/any similar material.  Visit Happiness is Homemade for step by step directions, and let your kiddos enjoy the soothing sound of rain.

Do you have a favorite home craft project for your kids?  Share it below in the comments - it looks like we are going to need as many entertaining ideas as possible for the next few weeks.  As always, we appreciate your continued support of our Shop. ​

​Crafts Made By You is a multifaceted business that offers so much to the other makers in the community.  She will be carrying vinyl of all types (and she has some of the absolute cutest designs!), all kinds of blanks (wine glasses, thermoses, tumblers, etc), and teaching classes (both for beginners and those already familiar with Cricut/Silhouette machines). ​

We would love to see you at the Crafts Made By You Launch Party THIS Friday 3/6 from 6 - 8:30pm.  There’s going to be bubbly, hors d’oeuvres, and swag - what could be better?  Elyse will be onsite to share all the fun details of the business and we will have info on all her upcoming classes!  Hit the RSVP button below and come celebrate with us!

Hey ya’ll! My name is Victoria, owner of Victoria Essie Studio, and manager of Adventures in Bloom.
​
Growing up I loved to get my hands messy and craft with my mother. We did everything - crocheting, polymer clay, painting, royal icing cookies, canning… you name it and we probably attempted it. Crafting was our favorite form of bonding and it also allowed us to get creative. 

It wasn’t until 2018 when my mom started her own paint and sip party business, that I realized I could also be in the art business. And from there everything fell into place...

I was working for a private after school at the time and I had plenty of free time to create! When I started posting my art on social media I realized I already had a group of friends in the art community in Greenville NC and they helped me find a studio and gallery to be apart of. Having that connection and mentorship definitely motivated me to pursue a career in art whole heartedly. 

Once I was in my studio space I got to it! I started playing around with polymer clay and making jewelry, and also started to get more people reaching out for commissioned watercolor paintings. Knowing that someone wanted something I made impacted me like no other job had before. 

                                                   But what inspires me?

In 2014 I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and went through the worst spiraling depression I have ever had to go through. I was a junior in college at that point and decided that I wanted to study mental health. Not just out of curiosity but also as a way to helping me cope with what I was experiencing. I still use mental health awareness as a muse in several of my paintings. I feel like show casing it in an artist light helps others see the beauty in something that can be very ugly. 

My goal is so create art that serves a purpose. Either a really cute pair of earrings to give as a gift. Or a painting that hangs on a wall because it embodies some emotion in the eye of the beholder. I want to leave behind the impression that emotions are real and they can lead to amazing things.

The last couple months my kids (and lets face it, my entire family as well) have been absolutely amazing. 

They put up with my long hours, my stress, my anxiety and not being around as much as I used to be....you know, normal stuff when opening a brand new brick and mortar retail store...

Madeline even confided in her daddy that she was worried I wouldn't be able to make it to her Mother's Day Tea put on by her preschool.

**Insert ugly cry** 

I never want to miss things like this! And I made sure that I was there for both my girls and the events they worked so hard on. 

This where it gets tricky. I had a third child this year. Adventures in Bloom now requires my full attention as well. My girls will always come first, but what I love even is that they are now helping me raise Adventures in Bloom.

Yesterday we set up at The Mill Market in Fuquay, NC. Madeline got up early, helped me set up and then sat with me ALL morning. She helped bag up earrings and hand out flyers to customers. This was the first time she even wanted to come with me and I had my doubts that she would make it till noon.....but she surprised me and was amazing the whole time. 

Annabelle is only 3 (and a half) and her level of patience has also surprised me. She loves helping me around the shop, sweeping, watering the flowers.....

This is not to say either child is perfect. HAHA They don't always love the fact that mommy is busy all the time. But they do know that I love them and I love my business and I LOVE that they can co-exist so beautifully.

Also, I can NOT forget to wish my own mom Happy Mother's Day!! 

I rely so heavily on both my parents and my mom is always there for me and my girls. Happy to watch them when I'm working, happy to sit at a festival all day with me in the heat, happy to give whatever and wherever she can. She has always set the "mom bar" really high and I have a lot to live up to.

**insernt more ugly crying**

And now that you've read through all my sappy nonsense, here is your reward!

I am giving 20% off everything on the website till 5/13/19! Classes, jewelry, your choice! Our metal stamping classes make a great gift for moms of all ages! Join mom for an experience you'll never forget! 

Coupon Code: MomsRock
Expires: 5/13/19