Orchard Harvest Candles

Spring Sharing

2012-03-01T11:19:00.001-08:00

We want to reward you for helping us spread the news about Orchard Harvest earth friendly candles and products. All you have to do is like, fan, comment and share to enter. Here's how:

Leap For Joy...It's Free Shipping!

2012-02-28T08:25:00.000-08:00

Did you know that leap year has been a part of the calendar for thousands of years? Julius Caesar added leap year to the calendar in 45 BC.

History tells us that Sosigenes, Caesar's astronomer, developed the Julian calendar based on the fact that it actually takes the earth 365.25 days to circle the sun. Every 4 years that extra quarter day equals one whole day. Based on festivals, the Romans tacked the extra day on to the end of any month that suited their schedule.

In the 16th century, Pope Gregory standardized the calendar and now every 4 years, the extra day falls on February 29.

In celebration of this ancient tradition, we're inviting our customers to take a LEAP and order your favorite Orchard Harvest candles and products by offering FREE SHIPPING. The offer is good for February 29th only. Go to our website at Orchard Harvest Candles, fill your shopping cart to the brim and then enter the code: freeship0229.

Now you can spend your March surrounded by the warm glow of candles and your favorite scents.

Even better...order a candle as a special birthday gift for the Leap Year baby who only gets a birthday celebration every four years.

Doing Something New

2011-10-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

In 2003, I’m not sure what hit me but I sensed a change in my life and it made me uneasy. Then I discovered my younger sister Chrissy was diagnosed with a serious illness and I pondered day and night how I might help her.

Until 2003, my life was full and busy raising three children, working in the medical field as a Physician Assistant and living life. I was good at what I did. The medical profession was just perfect for me.

I often told my family that I must have been talking while standing in line to receive the artistic gene from my Higher Power because it certainly skipped me and science was my strength.

With my sister’s situation, I had to get serious about how I was going to adjust my life to help ease hers. That’s when the concept of starting my own business began and I focused on creating a line of all-natural wax candles.

When you are in the health profession, business classes are not in the curriculum. With the help of my family and friends, I plugged my nose and jumped in. I attended business seminars. I read books. I toured factories. I tested fragrances and learned about their properties. I delved into the intricacies of being a woman in business.

I ordered supplies, took my natural wax training in Iowa and Chrissy and I were on our way. These were baby steps but they were business baby steps and in October 2004, Orchard Harvest, LLC, all natural wax candles, opened its doors as an e-commerce retail business on the internet.

I was still confused about where this burgeoning artist in me was coming from. An artistic friend said to me, “Mary, you have just discovered the artistic side of yourself. You have opened up a part of you that was hidden for a very long time.”

Tapping into that hidden passion inside of me was what brought my business dream to fruition.

My nature inspired, earth friendly soy and palm wax blend candles are color free and do not contain petroleum. The candles are scented with either essential oils or premium grade fresh and earthy fragrances that stimulate but do not over power the senses. I also use cotton wicks that are soot free. You could say I was “green” before “green” became all the rage.

Like most contemporary women, my life is a delicate balancing act. I care for my family, support my sister, work as a care giver and I’ve unleashed my inner artist as I pursue my passion with Orchard Harvest. But I also came to realize the necessity of caring for myself. I’d like to tell you that if the well is dry then you don’t have water for all those that you nourish.

Starting Orchard Harvest taught me that I’m allowed to take a restorative moment for myself. I can sit down, prop up my feet, light one of my scented candles and metaphorically refill my well. It’s what I want for my customers so I began to allow the same for myself.

Orchard Harvest has also given me a new outlet to reach out and help others. The Orchard Harvest line can be used for fund raising and I'm personally dedicated to raising money to help our men and women in the armed services.

Now that you know a little about me, I'd love to know more about you. What inspires you? What is your journey?

Please share your comments with me and I look forward to sharing all kinds of things with you from decorating tips to why I select the ingredients and scents I use.

Candles have been used to light our world for more than 5000 years. I look forward to adding a little light to yours.

Wounded Heroes Fundraiser

2011-10-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

Our Freedom Is Not Free

Several years ago, I asked my son; Captain David Wisniewski, USAF a very simple question. David, describe what you do in the military? His response, “Mom, this is our job. It is what we do for a living...our mission is to keep you safe.”

That answer said it all for me.

We all know the extraordinary sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces make for us on a daily basis. I am extremely honored to say that I am the daughter of a Chief in the Navy, the wife of a retired Sea Bee and the mother of a son who is a Captain in the Air Force.

So it should come as no surprise that for quite some time, I have known that I wanted to accomplish something big for our military as a way to express my deep gratitude for their service.

Then I came up with the perfect idea. Orchard Harvest will sponsor a fundraiser, “Our Freedom Is Not Free” to raise awareness of the sacrifices made on our behalf and to also raise money for the organization, Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation.

EOD stands for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and is a joint service military occupational skill, which means that EOD Technicians serve within the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. On average, there are over 7,000 brave men and women serving as EOD Technicians within the four services. The Technicians are responsible for disarming, rendering safe and disposing of a variety or unexploded military ordnance and terrorist devices, normally called Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs. IEDs on today's battlefields are responsible for the majority of fatalities and severe injuries to our troops.

The Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation provides assistance to wounded EOD personnel and their families in the form of financial relief. These funds are above and beyond what the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs can provide in assistance.

So, here is how this fundraiser will work: The fundraiser will be for profit. If I could write a check right now for $10,000 to EOD I would. Unfortunately being a small business owner I have to pay for supplies needed for the fundraiser and to pay my staff.

I will donate 40% of my profits by selling a special candle designed specifically for this event. The candle will sell for $18.00. These 12 oz all natural wax candles are scented with Lemon Verbena or Mac Apple.

My goal is to raise $10,000.00. I know this is a big goal, but the sacrifices made on our behalf are huge. Together, I know we can do this.

Please visit www.orchardharvestcandles.com to support this fundraiser and purchase a candle (or two). These candles make lovely holiday gifts, birthday gifts and hostess gifts. And, these are gifts that give back in a big way.

Also, please go and learn more about the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation. Here is the link to their website: www.woundedeodwarrior.org

If you’d like to become directly involved, you may contact:

Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation
725 Jackson Street, Suite 216
Fredricksburg, VA 22401
(540) 373-2966