Carrie Atkins

There are so many fun ways to pay homage to the biggest game nights with good friends, family, and the Kansas City Chiefs. From betting the bracket to sampling some of the finest craft beers Kansas City has to offer, we have some NFL football party ideas that are sure to blow your mind.

Everything included in this list is Kansas City created!

1. Betting The Brackets

Betting the Brackets. Whether you are betting with cold-hard cash, raffle tickets, or chocolate bars – betting on the NFL Playoffs is always a football party favorite event. Download our FREE NFL Playoff Bracket Worksheet HERE & 2021-2022 Team Cut-Outs HERE. You can download the 2-page 2021-2022 PLAYOFF BRACKET WORKSHEET / TEAM CUT-OUTS HERE.

Instructions: Our NFL Bracket worksheet is just a little bit different than what you are used to downloading in the past. Our worksheet is similar but we have added a TEAMS CUT-OUT sheet that you can use scissors to cut out each American & National team included in the 2021-2022 playoffs and then place them on the brackets as you choose.

3. Kansas City Chiefs Party Favors 

4. Kansas City Chiefs Player Stickers 

5. Kansas City Chiefs Garland 

6. Kansas City Chiefs Candles 

Kansas City Chiefs Candles – Manifest a Kansas City Chiefs WIN with a Chiefs Candle! Let’s Go Chiefs!!! ❤️🏈💛

Eden & Dorsey Wax Melting Pot Review

At that time, I was only selling around 2-5 candles per week and it suited my needs PERFECTLY. A couple of years later, I upped my retail game to about 10-15 candle sales per week.

Wholesale Candle Making Time

The biggest change at this time was my entry into the world of wholesale and private label candles. I had a couple of Kansas City local breweries reach out and ask me to make them some custom craft beer candles to add to their merch list. Soon thereafter, a couple turned into nearly a dozen. The 12 pounder had to go! I needed an upgrade and fast. I purchased the Presto 18 lb Wax Melting Pot with spout. I had this melting pot for a few months and soon realized it just wasn’t enough. I contemplated purchasing 2 to keep up with my retail and blossoming wholesale candle orders but my studio just wasn’t big enough to accommodate the space needed for multiples.

Handyman + Airplane Mechanic + My Boyfriend = Candle Making Innovation

Around this time, I met a man whom was very good with his hands. That sounded not as I intended it to sound, but it is very true. From time to time, he would visit me in my candle studio. During those times, he would very gently suggest adjusting my order of production to better expedite my flow. In other words, he chose his words very carefully as to not offend me. The biggest issue he observed in my studio was the size and capabilities of my wax melting pot. He thought the spout and handle were pretty cool but, as a handyman and former aviation mechanic, knew he could do better. I knew he could too.

My Genie In A Wax Melting Pot

He started by asking me about what I liked about the pot. I told him how much my production had changed already from when I used to melt wax on the stove in a double-boiler to the Presto Melting Pot. The “all-in-one” capability it offered as well as the integrated & adjustable heating source functionality was a game changer. Then the conversation became more granular. He wanted to know what I would change or add to my existing melting pot to better improve my candle making process.

Next Level Candle Making Ahead

I really had to think about this. I thought my process was already pretty awesome. Then he started asking me questions. Would it be helpful if I had a thermometer that was integrated into the pot? I was like, hell ya…that would be amazing. After that, I started brainstorming. What would I change about my Presto Wax Melting Pot if I could make all of my candle making wishes come true? The Presto was super light which sometimes created issues. It Maybe not due to any construction or mechanical issues but solely on my daily fight with gravity and grace, I somehow managed to knock the pot over more than a few times (don’t judge). The integrated heating source was great but oftentimes it heated up so quickly that I scorched the wax. With my first Presto, I had to replace it because the heating source stopped working. With my second, one of the legs became disconnected. I lived with it for a while but it posed a safety concern. This has nothing to do with the actual construction of the Presto pot but it was a regular occurrence to drop the thermometer into the hot wax. Yeah, ouch. To answer his first question, it would be so cool to have a thermometer that was integrated into the pot!

The PERFECT Candle Wax Melting Pot

It took Todd a few go-rounds but he did it. He decided to go with Cast Iron because the wax needed to be heated evenly…on all sides. With the heat source on the bottom using a griddle, the heat is transferred from the bottom of the pot evenly up the sides. Using a griddle also eliminated the need to replace the entire pot if it malfunctioned. The replacement cost of a griddle compared to the cost to replace the entire melting pot was not only environmentally friendly but also saved money.

Onwards & Upwards

Soon thereafter Todd had given me my new wax melting pot, I got my first wholesale order of 500 candles. Wowza! Perfect timing right? How long did it take me to make 500 candles? 3 days. How much time would it have taken me to pour this many candles with my Presto? Forget about it. Me, all by myself, pulled off pouring 500 candles in 3 days!

Onwards and upwards!!!

Now You Can Get One Too!

Todd had never intended on selling his creation but after some coaxing, he made a few more and is now selling them at Eden & Dorsey (his official website) and on Etsy. Yes, he is my boyfriend and I think he’s pretty cool but all that aside…the Eden Wax Melting Pot is next level. If you are a candle maker or soaper, this is a “must have.” It is the first and last wax melting pot you will need.

Top 5 Summer Candle Scents

What are the best-smelling summer candle scents? Barley & Hops Craft Candles is excited to roll out our ALL NEW summer candle collection for 2021! If you didn’t know, all of candles in our Signature Scents collection are borrowed from moments in time…scents that give you that nostalgic, “take you back” kind of feeling. 

Our Signature summer scent collection is no different. From one of my new favorite songs to summer horse-riding camps, this feel-good candle collection has something for everyone!

1. Pure Passion IPA Candle – A tantalizing fusion of citrusy cascade hops, passionfruit nectar and juicy mango slices with notes of lemon zest, rome apple and plumeria. Pure Passion IPA is a fantastically delicious summertime scent, with an upbeat and sunny aroma.
2. Texas Sun Lemon Whiskey Candle – Refreshing lemon zest with notes of cask whiskey, sweet caramel, creamy vanilla and dry woody undertones. Inspired by the Leon Bridges song Texas Sun. “You say you like the wind blowing through your hair. Come on, roll with me ’til the sun goes down Texas sun.”
3. The Stable Candle – The Stable starts out very green – smells like grass, dandelions, weeds, and hay. Over time it changes to an aged leather with some subtle notes of soft earth, sandalwood, and molasses. 
4. Stoked Hawaiian Tropic Candle – The Barley & Hops “Stoked” candle is our version and smells exactly like the famous brand of tanning lotion known as “Hawaiian Tropic”. An awesome coconut nectar with an ever so slight hint of banana. The perfect summer candle!
5. Lunar Tide Candle – Clean, powdery, fruit and spicy floral notes are anchored in with deep woody notes of sacred Palo Santo. Topaz is thought to cleanse emotions, thoughts and bring joy, love and peace. Sacred Palo Santo is purifying and cleansing, clears negative energy and restores tranquility and calm. Imagine sitting on the beach, toes in the sand, salty ocean breeze lightly kissing your face, and the glow of the summer moon caressing your soul.