Spring!

While it has actually felt like spring for awhile here in Hampton Roads, it is actually only the second day of spring today. It makes me fearful of summer. So humid already, and the pollen. I can just imagine all of it suspended in the damp air. Gross, and aaaaachooo!
I did a few St. Patty's inspired flavors for the Tasting at Let's Talk Wine, as well as stocking the case at Live•Love•Paper. The Laphroaig whisky was, I am so pleased to say, a hit!! The Bailey's flavor is always popular, so I am always excited to see some of the more unusual flavors well received.
I had quite a few wrinkled noses and questioning looks to the Mazara, which is fresh rosemary and a Sicilian olive oil. I have been tinkering with olive oil and chocolate off and on for awhile, so when it finally came together in a pleasing way to me, I was almost afraid to bring it out, I am so glad I did.
I am quite a traditionalist with regards to chocolate flavors,but, I have so much fun experimenting! Thankful my loyal chocolate lovers are willing to come along for the ride.
I am about to come up on year 4 of being an actual business, so it is interesting for me to look back on the changes that have come to pass. When I started making chocolate we were living overseas on a small military base in Germany. I was determined to not waste my time over there! As a self taught baker I was immediately taken in by the sheer amount of baked goods, and how similar but different they were in each country we visited. I had the best time over there, as an art and history addict, I was in heaven on earth, everywhere. The way everything just melds together in to this idyllic version of life. Work to live, not live to work. Taking 2 hours to eat lunch in a romantically old area, surrounded by amazing architecture, eating food that all came from the same region. I would go back in a second, obviusly! It was always my intention to wrap all those things that I love into each and every piece of chocolate I make.
It was on a trip to Glastonbury that the name Cocoa Nouveau came to me. It was a few months after my chocolate time in France and I was just so eager to get started. I came across these tiny notecards that were embossed with these amazing Art Nouveau style tiles, from a museum. My day at Musee d' Orsay came back to me like a montage in a movie. I loved the flowing lines, the feminine forms, I loved the inspiration of nature, it was perfect, and I really, really loved that the whole Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts movement was basically thumbing their noses at the industrialization of everything. Everything I do with my chocolate is done by hand, by me, unless my friends are feeling sorry for me (or wanting chocolate) and they offer up some help! Cocoa Nouveau was absolutely my perfect fit. I get to bring my love of art, architecture, history, travel and food together. So, if you have ever wondered wher I come up with some of the names of the chocolates.... now you know!

experimenting

It has been so gorgeous outside, blue sky, cool temperatures and all the trees in bloom. I love it! 


I went in to panic mode yesterday, in need of new flavors. I have been so busy experimenting with the gluten free treats that I put off the chocolate experiments.  I took a wander in the backyard. Some of the herbs are just breaking out of the ground, but the rosemary was so healthy and gorgeous I had to do something with it. I also still had 3 lemons on my Meyer lemon tree. I am not putting them together, as much as I love them together with chicken, I can't imagine them translating well to chocolate.


Hubby is out of the area again, so soccer practice and all other things household had to take precedent over the chocolate, which is frustrating, but also one of the blessings of working from home. I still have  4 full days until the event at Let's Talk Wine. 


2 batches of chocolates to cut, about 100 more transfers to go then a few loads of laundry!

Change

For those of you who have been with me from the beginning, I am sure you have noticed a few changes lately. The most obvious change is to my packaging. The source if my boxes has discontinued my packaging! I am trying to take advantage of the opportunity instead of stressing out, it is tough though after hearing "building a brand" so much over the years! I am investigating more eco friendly packaging as well as ultimately lowering packaging cost. While the price of chocolate keeps going up, and the fuel to move it around the world there has to be a way to keep other costs down.
I have also made a change that I am hoping is not noticeable at all, the chocolate that I used to hand dip the pieces. It was a long, arduous journey tasting so much chocolate (I do have a rough job!). Again, rising costs were a big factor, but also, i needed a way to streamline my process. With the addition of a permanent retail space plus all other events, it was getting to chaotic and stressfuk. I finally found a chocolate that made me happy on all counts; flavor neutral (I didn't want the shell to compete with the centers), ease of use, consistent availability, great cost and it is processed in the U.S. There was one compromise I had to make though, and that is that the beans are not Venezuelan in origin. I have to say that I am very happy with my choice of E. Guittard though, their ethics and sustainability standards are high, as is their quality.
More changes coming, or additions really. The vegan community is vastly underserved in this area, so I am working on a line of vegan chocolates, marshmallows and caramels. I have received quite the education on what is required for vegan foods. Many thanks to Sue for being a trailblazer on this front. It isn't just about the dairy or meat, sugar, due to the way it is processed, is a problem. That line will be starting soon. I am also adding some small sweets that are gluten free. Another under served population, that I am looking into for health issues of my own.
I am working on fine tuning things at Live•Love•Paper, growing pains and meeting market needs. Never a dull moment! As soon as I get it all figured out, it will be time to change again!

March!

I love spring! Even though we seemed to skip winter this year.

I survived the Valentine's Day craziness. It was so much different this year. I had to stock and fill orders for Live•Love •Paper, Integrative Manual Therapy and Wellness, The New Leaf, and a tasting at Let's Talk Wine. I made over 2,000 pieces of chocolte. It was definitely a crazy few weeks! I am so happy to be a part of the celebrating! I had one sweet couple that came in separately (and secretly) to buy chocolates for each other! So sweet!! I ended the day with flowers and a husband cooked dinner, very kind, then a wicked 4 day migraine. I have decided I need helpers from November through Valentine's.

There are somany great things about working from home (mostly), but it is so nice being able to be available for my boys. They all enjoy coming out and helping in the chocolate room from time to time, it is precious time I wouldn't get if I was doing this out in a kitchen.

After the migraine came the stomach flu, for the majority of my household, including myself! Never a dull, or easy moment. Needless to say, there hasn't been much chocolate made, especially given that Valentine's Day used up 99% of ALL my supplies. I did get to paint the chocolate room (again). The chocolate arrived 2 days ago, so.... As soon as the room is put back together I will get out there and start creating fun flavors. Ok, after my son's 11th birthday which includes cupcakes to school, then our "family" party, then a house full of boys on Saturday with a sleep over and video game marathon. Did I mention the soccer practices, crew practices and a currently out of the area hubby? Oh, and also, I am expanding my product line! Vegan chocolates and caramel and a few gluten free baked goods here and there.

I am now 7 months into having set up shop in Live•Love•Paper. I have met some remarkable people and I have the most loyal chocolate customers! I do wish I could be in 2 places at once though! I am glad to be able to help out Sharon by being the morning shopkeeper! New businesses are tough, especially brick and mortar small, local businesses. Keeping my website up and running has been hard enough, thankfully have met an amazing, talented young graffic artist who is taking care of that for me!!!

I will post some chocolate photos soon, but the sun is shining and the trees are blooming, i just want to get outside for a bit!

The January calm

It is my January calm before the Valentine's Day storm. I was completely wiped out at Christmas, all the chocolate, packaging, labels.....everything, so restocking has been my main focus.

I have had my chocolates regularly stocked at a storefront (Live Love Paper) for about six months now, it has been a great experience so far. I have learned alot, mostly to expect the unexpected. I also had no idea it would be so hard to sell chocolate, still, going into my 4th year in business. Is it because I started as the economy was crashing. Is it the Hampton Roads area? Am I just no good at my job? I am told that reflection and questioning is a normal part of business, thankfully.

I am so lucky to have such amazing, loyal customers. There are times I think there must be a better way of serving my community, my family, my planet. But then I drop off chocolates to someone and their face lights up and says I have made their day, then I feel that what I am doing is enough. I am not curing cancer or ending famine or war by making chocolate, but I am bringing joy and what an awesome thing!

Inspiration is found in the oddest places at times, but I am thankful that it comes, none the less. It is time to get creative, so I should stop reflecting about my place and start seeing the inspiration in it!

2011 in retrospect

I guess it is completely normal at this time of year to look back on the past year, personally, professionaly or both. 2011 has been a busy year for me! Shoulder surgery, including down time and rehab seems to have taken up a big chunk of the year, and I have been playing catch up ever since!
July found me with an amazing opportunity with a friend's new business. It has been so much fun at Live•Love•Paper so far. I have met the most amazing people and have been blessed with loyal chocolate supporters!
Early December put me in NYC for a Seal Foundation event, which was amazing in and of itself (Dennis Leary as an mc....amazing). I took some time in the big city to see what the big names in chocolate are doing. I have to say, I was quite nervous. Not in the spirit of competiton or anything, i just wanted to see. I have to say, I felt so much better leaving each and every shop! I don't have a factory or an army of helpers and everything I do is completely hand crafted. So, while my cuts may not be as straight and sometimes I find a bubble or two, I kick ass for just me! I drove back to VA completely happy with every aspect of my product that I can control. Now, I did see a few geat ideas for packaging, packaging is the bane of my existenxe. Sourcing packaging as a small business (or am I a micro business) is tough, trying to have as little environmental impact makes it even tougher. Plus, people want options!!! How can I make everyone in the Hampton Roads area happy??? How do I keep my costs low and make an awesome product that looks as amazing as it tastes?? Where can I get oompa loompas?
Sorry, I think I may have gotten off track there! All in all I am so pleased with all that has happened in 2011. I am so hopeful that 2012 will be more of the same. Word of mouth is getting out slowly, I am doing more special events and corporate functions and I love just chatting with everyone about chocolate! Maybe 2012 will be the year for my tasting club and more chocolate pairing seminars with Let's Talk Wine. Who really knows what the next year will bring? I sure don't, but I am excited for it none the less.

April

Thanks for all the recovery wishes! Thanks also for chocolate requests.

I am at 4 weeks post shoulder surgery and the rehab is on schedule. I am hopeful that I will be able to make chocolates for Mother's Day, so keep posted for the particulars.

It has been frustrating being one armed for a month, but I am so thankful that I was able to have the surgery and that I will get the use of my arm back. Not everyone is that lucky. I had hoped to get so much done in this downtime, all the admin things that I can never seem to get to. It didn't work out that way, when does it ever?

As many of you know, I am on a quest to find a new dipping chocolate, due to delivery issues and cost increases. It is a very difficult task, because I am quite picky. I am looking at 2 different American artisan produced chocolates. I am really hoping to keep everything Venezuelan because of the flavors I love, but it is proving difficult. I am not opposed to using other countries of origin if I must, I just have to start tasting. I know, what an awful job! The problem is that I live in an area where these chocolates just aren't available, so it is off to chocosphere.com!

During this forced vacation I have also been pondering the possibility of moving into a retail location. The pro/con list is evenly distributed. How sad is it that the first pro is that I can stay in my pjs with no make up if I stay home based??

I am beginning to get a bit of cabin fever. The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and my mind has turned once again to the flavor of lemons. Hopefully I will be able to use both arms soon!