Hello everyone!

I’m very excited to bring you a new type of post today! I’ve had the idea of writing Small Shop Saturday posts for a few months now because one of my favourite things about this community is all the small businesses that are creating amazing, fandom-based products. I wanted to find a way to introduce the shops that I love to more people and to also get to know the people behind the products better. These Small Shop Saturday posts are going to be a mix of my interview with the shop owners, and my gushing about how amazing their products are. I also want to note that I am not being sponsored or compensated by any of the shops that I feature in these posts and that I’m writing these posts because I genuinely want to help as many small, bookish businesses as I can.

The first shop that I’m highlighting is TimelessprintsCA! TimelessprintsCA is a Canadian shop owned by Mina, that and creates bookish candles, bookmarks, and prints! I’ve made a few purchases from this shop before and I’ve absolutely loved everything I’ve purchased. The prints and bookmarks are high quality, and the candles smell amazing. I’ve known Mina for about a year now, so I felt comfortable reaching out to her to ask her a few questions about her shop, our interview is below.

1} When did you open your shop?

I opened my shop on January 19th, 2018.

2} What inspired to open your shop?

See the thing is I studied business, but I never knew what I was going to do with it. I discovered bookstagram via Christine @xenatine. I stumbled upon her picture which led me to a whole world of people who love books just as I do. I’ve seen so many shops with art, and I love bookmarks! I think they are truly so pretty, especially when they have a cute or inspiring quote on them. So, I decided to make my own bookmark for a book I love very much, The Edge of Never, which is a romance. Then I made a few more for other underrated books that I enjoy. My brother one day, said to me “Why don’t you sell them? They look really good.” The next thing I know, I created an Etsy account and put up my bookmarks. And just a few days later I began to get orders. From that, I eventually branched out and made Candles my absolute obsession. After Beauty and the Beast of course. Which leads to your next question…

3} Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

Oh, there most certainly is. As a young girl, I loved Beauty and the Beast. I adored the relationship between Belle and Beast, and what the “Enchanted Rose” represented. You see, the way I see it, the Rose is not just a daunting element in the story, but a double-edged sword. A rose may be marred with thorns on the outside, but it’s the beauty on the inside that counts. Hence the line “Beauty is found within.” The Rose is so much more than it is. The Rose may be counting down time, but if you really look the words, Roses are Timeless, and so is love. This Disney movie truly is “A Tale as old as time.” That’s how I came up with my shop name. “TimelessprintsCA” {CA = Canadian which I am proud to be}

4} What is the first product you made?

I believe I answered that in question 2.

5} What made you decide to add Candles to the shop?

Before Bookstagram, I had an unhealthy obsession for candles. I constantly spent 100’s of dollars monthly just on candles. I love the warm and cozy feel they give when reading or doing homework or pretty much everything. They just add this comforting touch. 

When I found out that there were candles that were inspired by my favourites books and fandoms, it dug a huge hole in my wallet. Candles were twice as expensive, so I began to make my own, eventually adding them to my shop. I even added an Aromatherapy line for people who just want to wind down after a long day. I expanded my shop even further and added mugs!

6} What’s the inspiration behind the boxes?

Similarly, like the Candles, I love the thrill of opening-up goodie boxes with my favourite fandoms. I usually pick a theme based on the season as my boxes are Quarterly for now. This will be a test to see if I will be continuing it the new year or changing it to every other month!

 

 

So, for my latest box, the theme was “Across the Seven Seas.” I chose 7 fandoms that best describes this theme: Empire of Storms, Siege and Storm, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Moana, Daughter of the Siren Queen, Wicked King, and To Kill a Kingdom. I even did something different that I have never seen another candle company or book box do! I even made up a game where I borrowed the song of the merpeople {from the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}, and I hid a note inside the dragon egg made by @whimsicalspruce. They would have to use the bath bomb and note will pop up saying “Walk the plank you scallywag” which means you didn’t win or “You’ve found the treasure chest” which means you won and would have to DM me to claim the prize. I think it’s important to enjoy your box experience beyond just the product inside.

 

7} What are your favourite fandoms to base products on?

I love Beauty and the Beast {of course}, Harry Potter, Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses. Oh, I mustn’t forget Lord of the Rings!

8} What’s your favourite product in your shop?

I would have to say my two favourite candles “Enchanted Rose” {Based off Beauty and the Beast}, “Iron Rose” {Based off A Curse so Dark and Lonely, also a Beauty and the Beast retelling}

9} What is your most popular product?

Candles are my most popular product.

For Fandoms, I’d say: Throne of Glass or Harry Potter!

For Aromatherapy: But First, Coffee

10} Are there any upcoming products that we can look forward to?

Definitely! I’m currently working on a new item. Experimenting and figuring out designs! Possible to place to hold your pins and enamel pins! 

11} What countries do you ship to?

I ship to Canada, US and Europe!

 

If you want to learn more about Mina and TimelesspagesCA, you can find her and her shop on Instagram, and if you want to buy her products, you can check out her website here!