Once Upon a Time... my amazing grandmother and mom started a cake & candy supply store called "Sweet Beginnings." The store sold supplies for making custom cakes, chocolate, Gertrude Hawk truffles and tons of candy molds. It was an amazing place to spend time, especially as a little girl. I spent a lot of time during my first ten years of life at the store, learning not only how to interact with customers, but also how to make some pretty delicious treats. When my mom and grandma were younger, with more energy (and before I came along), they did tons of really creative things. They offered lots of hand-made products, taught classes, dabbled in flower arranging and tried to constantly innovate and find the best products on the market. I wish some of that had continued as I grew up; I often wish I knew some of their secrets.
A few weeks ago, in my mom's basement, I stumbled upon a suitcase. What I thought were a lot of old books turned out to be my grandma's recipes. A lot of them have never been made by anyone else, besides my mom, and I know this is something special. This suitcase is now my personal treasure trove and one of the few direct connections I have to my grandma. A lot of the recipes are in her own handwriting; I find myself talking to her as I work in my kitchen today. I want to make her (and my mom) proud. I look forward to opening that box and really delving into those recipes and ideas. Expect good things from that suitcase!
So a few months ago, I decided that, rather than get a second job to provide supplemental income, I'd start making candy on the side. I'd start with my friends and co-workers, and allow myself to expand as the opportunity arose. That was when I was just kidding. I didn't think anyone would want what I was making, well, besides my brother! He knows about the good stuff too! I'm not really kidding anymore. People have started to realize that I can make some really yummy stuff and that their gifts, if purchased from me, can be really unique.
So today, I'm taking the first steps to really do this thing. For tonight, a new gallery of photos. They showcase the first stage of my Valentine's Day candy line. They aren't the world's greatest photos, nor do they include every single thing I'm making this month. They do include the options for packing materials I have available. I want to improve my photography, showcase more options, but for tonight, this will do. I want to add prices, showcase "basket options," but for tonight, this will do.
I'm going to celebrate this step... for tonight, this will do. Valentine's Day Product Photo Gallery!
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