I get emails and comments all the time asking how I do the photographs for Candy Blog. So I thought I’d show you my home studio (yes, I cleaned up for the photo).

My Equipment:

My Tools:

I store most of these underneath the table, which means that they’re always readily available.

The Tac ‘n Stick is indispensable stuff. I used to have a bunch of yellow stuff (I don’t know what brand) but switched when I found the white/gray stuff at the drug store a few months ago, since it blends in better with the background.

It’s completely moldable. I pull out little bits for propping up chocolate eggs or roll out a teensy string to put behind spherical candies like malted milk balls. I have a large wad of it on an old votive candle on both the base to keep it from slipping and on the face of it to stick the back of packages to, this gets them to sit up straight.

It’s probably the best $2 you can invest in your tools.

I also have a bunch of props and prop-em-ups sitting around. I have little glass vases, a selection of brandy snifters, wine glasses and ramekins. They don’t make it into the shots very often, but sometimes I like to play.

I usually keep a few small dishes ready too. As I’m photographing, as you may have observed, I take a bite out of a lot of things. I usually just set the rest aside on a plate or put it back in the package to finish later. But there’s usually a dish of leftover items for my reviews that I munch on later that day or the next.

Stay tuned for a tutorial on getting that white background look in photos.

Related Candies

1. The Traveling with Candy Balancing Act
2. This Week in Candy - Too Hot
3. Disneyland for Candy Bloggers
4. Candy Shopping in Los Angeles
5. Browse the Candy Blog Photo Archive

National Licorice Day is on Saturday, April 12th. Why licorice only gets a day when peanut butter gets a whole month is beyond me. (Here are some more candy days.)

In recognition of this Red Vines contacted me a few weeks ago offering up some prize packages for Candy Blog readers. I’ll be giving FOUR (4) of these prizes away. (Rules below.)

Here’s what’s inside:

Plus you’ll also get a hat, tee shirt, sticker, water bottle and three temporary tattoos!

So, if you’re a Red Vines lover (or haven’t tried it before and would like to experience a representation of their line of products) just follow these simple directions:

If these odds aren’t good enough for you, Red Vines is also running a contest on their website, too for actual scholarship or travel money.

(Other fine print: Red Vines are made with wheat and are not suitable for those with wheat/gluten sensitivities. Above photo was provided by Red Vines, not taken by me.)

UPDATE: Four lucky winners were drawn and their packages shipped out this week. They should have them in their hot little hands right now. The winners were Tara, Shelley, Kim & Paul. Congratulations!

Related Candies

1. Kookaburra Licorice
2. Organic Finnska Soft Licorice
3. Licorice Assortment
4. Good & Plenty (Fresh from the Factory)
5. Dutch Licorice
6. Salted Licorices: Djungelvral and Dubbel Zout
7. Haribo Licorice Wheels

Here are some new candies that will be hitting store shelves soon:

Name: Jones Carbonated Sours
Brand: Big Sky Brands/Jones Soda
Release Date: out now
Description: Spiked Punch, Limes with Orange, and Electric Lemonade flavors are offered.
Notes: Like the Jones Soda program where customers can submit photos to appear on the labels, sour fans are encouraged to send in pictures of themselves making a sour face ... and maybe end up on a future tin.

Name: Revved-Up Cinnamon Mentos
Brand: Mentos (Perfetti Van Melle USA)
Description: The bold flavor of Mentos Cinnamon is getting even bolder. And Perfetti Van Melle, maker of Mentos, has redesigned the product’s packaging to let consumers know just that. Package graphics for Mentos Cinnamon roll candy now depicts red-hot flames so consumers will be clear on the fact that they’re in for a hotter treat than ever before. 
Notes: I have nothing against the idea of a flaming hot cinnamon chew, but Mentos has chosen to introduce this instead of devoting more resources to support the European version of Pink Grapefruit Mentos, which are now discontinued.

Name: Wiley Wallaby Australian-style Licorice
Brand: Kenny’s Licorice
Description:  Soft-chewing gourmet licorice, available in four flavors—red, black, watermelon and green apple—the product packs in 10-ounce stand-up reclosable metallized bags.
Notes: There’s a lot of Australian licorice out there, I have my doubts they can distinguish themselves from all those other companies.

Name:Ritter Sport Peppermint
Brand: Ritter Sport
Description: Known as Pfefferminz in Germany, this bar is not usually available in the USA. Will make a limited appearance for the holidays in 2008.
Notes: The German Ritter Sport site is just fun to play with, even if you don’t speak German.

(images courtesy of the respective manufacturers)

Related Candies

1. Candy Tease: Edition Four
2. Candy Teases: Edition Three
3. Candy Teases: Edition Two
4. Candy Teases - New Products

Happy Easter from Candy Blog ... here are some fun Peeps-themed postcards you’re free to share with your friends:

(source image from Marie Tess via a cc license attribution/non-commercial)

(source image from ~david via a cc license attribution/non-commercial)

(source image from viajar24h.com via a cc license attribution/non-commercial)

(source image from viajar24h.com via a cc license attribution/non-commercial)

Related Candies

1. The Adventures of Melted Chocolate!
2. Peeps inside a Milk Chocolate Egg
3. Peeps Chick & Bunny Candy
4. Peeps Monster Mash Ups
5. Peeps Spooky Friends
6. Peeps Mash Ups
7. Peeps
8. 2006 Independent Food Awards
9. Candy Mash Ups - Marshmallows & Chocolate

No, I was not in some sort of sugar-shock. Just a little site difficulties today with some nasty spammers clogging up the works. My apologies to anyone who was trying to visit earlier today and had trouble reaching the site.

I’ve disabled a few things while I wait for it to abate, so I’ll turn comments back on soon and the search will be back shortly after that.

Many thanks to the folks at Nexcess.net and Travis at Hop Studios talking me through the problems from the airport on his way back from SWSX!

All I can say is that I really, really want some chocolate now. (The photo is of some organic gummi worms ... it’s intended to reflect how I felt about my recent spam infestation and in no way reflects my affection for the actual candy.)

Vosges graciously sent me a full set of their adorable and tasty chocolate rabbits. Unfortunately, my UPS driver must like to drive my packages around in the hot sun all day before delivering them. The included dry ice was completely gone ... and the precious little rabbits were melted & runny.

But I’m ever the optimist and improvisationalist ... so I did another Peeps Mash Up with the pre-heated fondue!

(See even larger here)

Suffice to say, they all made my Peeps taste much better, I really enjoyed the Barcelona, which has little bits of sea salt and smoked almonds in it. The graininess of the Peeps crust and the sea salt bits made for an interesting texture and riot of activity on my tongue with all that creamy chocolate and spongy marshmallow. Guanduja was my second favorite with the only drawback being the sweetness, followed by the lemon and peppercorns of the Amalfi. The Red Fire with its dark chocolate and smoky chili flavors was great on its own but didn’t match my high hopes for the fondue (not that it was designed for that!).

Someday Vosges will open a shop in Los Angeles and I’ll be happy to stop by and pick them up in person. Until then, I think I need to swear off chocolate deliveries at home unless UPS starts guaranteeing they’ll use a refrigerated truck.

Related Candies

1. Peeps Monster Mash Ups
2. Peeps Mash Ups
3. 2006 Independent Food Awards
4. Candy Mash Ups - Marshmallows & Chocolate

I have a roundup of new jelly beans and some overlooked classics: Smarties Jelly Beans, Wonka Nerds Bumpy Jelly Beans, Jelly Belly Dark Chocolate Jelly Beans, Gimbal’s Gourmet Jelly Beans.

Related Candies

1. Gimbal’s Gourmet Jelly Beans
2. Smarties Jelly Beans
3. Good and Fruity
4. Wonka Nerds Jelly Beans
5. Jelly Belly - All Natural
6. Blueberry Hill Spice Jelly Beans
7. SweeTart Jelly Beans
8. Organic Surf Sweets
9. Jelly Belly - Full Line

That’s right, I’ve got all my eggs in one basket known as “this week”.

Related Candies

1. Nestle Creme Eggs
2. Lindt Lindor Truffle Eggs
3. Peeps inside a Milk Chocolate Egg
4. See’s Hollow Eggs with Novelty
5. Princess Marshmallow Eggs
6. Russell Stover Eggs