I have been busy playing in the studio and working on a limited edition of soaps -
I just love being creative and making soaps that are a little outside of the box!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Why Does Aromatherapy Work So Well?
Our brain develops memories with the aid of our five senses. When you relive a memory, you are remembering the things that you have seen, touched, heard, tasted and smelled. In this way, memories can be triggered by scent.
Aromatherapy can distract a person from their stress, induce positive memories or emotions or treat an emotional state. When aromatherapy is used in conjunction with massage, a bath or other aromatherapy treatment, the positive response of well- being and relaxation is even stronger. Aromatherapy is able to affect conscious thought and emotional reactions.
These are only a few of the positive effects from aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy affects other systems such as the hormonal or endocrine system, which in turn stimulates the nervous system. Stimulation of the hormonal system can influence stress levels, digestive system, circulatory system, insulin production and appetite. These are all powerful systems in our body that are affected by aromatherapy.
These are only a few of the positive effects from aromatherapy.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Whats New
I have been trying out some new fragrance oils and some new essential oil oil blends to see where I would like to take the next step in my small soap biz. There may be a whole new luxury line of soaps in the works real soon, so be sure to check back soon.
Tuscan Herb will be available soon in sample and the 6 oz bar size
Lime Soap will be available soon in sample and the 6 oz bar size
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Mad Hatter Costume
My son asked for my assistance in creating a costume for a party, a friend of his is throwing, he told me he thought that a Mad Hatter costume would be fun, so let the sewing and crafting begin.
Every thing is recycled or reused, the only purchase was the dye to color the clothes. Everything else I had in my studio of eclectic gatherings...
Off to work we went, dying the clothes green, taping the pants for the pin stripes once that was done we sprayed dye on them in a darker shade and grunged up the jacket as well, I sewed lace to the lapel and added a few trinkets and that part was done, very little sewing was involved and that mad me a happy camper.
The hat was fairly simple, for that we used poster board and an old cowboy hat, the material is from an old valance, the feathers are from an old duster we also made the hat pins and so on…… whala the made hatter! Over all it took us about a total of 4 hours not counting the dry time for the dye, and the costume was a big hit at the party.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I was in the Etsy Storque Inspirational Palettes: Spectrums of Green
I wish I could have gotten a better shot! My soap Bamboo Zen made it!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Baby Cakes - Handmade Soap cakes
How about some chocolate cake to shower with?
Or maybe a baby cake?
This was a special request for a baby shower, The cake is cold process soap made from scratch, it has a swirl on the inside in yellow and green, All of the decorations are made from soap and the baby in the center is made from a silicone mold I made of a vintage piano baby..Oh how I wish I could have cut it before shipping out!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Solitude
Solitude does not equal loneliness. Although, for many of you, the two words mean the same. Your modern world generally shuns solitude. If you're not a social butterfly, there must be something wrong with you.
It's quite the other way around -- a society, a world who do not understand or value solitude do not understand themselves. We know many of you reading this often crave solitude, some "alone" time. But do you take it? And, if you do, do you feel guilty about it?
The most valuable time you will ever spend in this lifetime, friends, is the time you spend alone. But not only the time you spend alone -- but the time you enjoy spending alone. All of you, no exceptions, need this time alone. Yet many of you deprive yourselves of it. And everything and everyone in your lives suffer as a result.
You cannot be in and of the world in any positive, productive way unless you are willing to take the time to also be apart from the world. You don't have to divorce the world. In fact, that would not suit most of you. But you do have to take the time regularly to be alone in joyful solitude.
You all probably know someone who seems to need constant interaction with other people. Maybe that someone is you. And if that someone doesn't have another person there, he/she turns on the television, or the radio, or the computer.
It's almost as if you're scared to death of yourselves. Solitude has become a lost art. Solitude is good, friends. We're not telling you to abandon your responsibilities to others. But we are telling you to honor your responsibility to yourselves.
If you are not able to be fully present in the moment with only yourselves -- and feel good about it -- you're probably not able to be fully present with others. Including the divine energy you came from.
It all starts at home, within yourselves. Alone and in solitude
It's quite the other way around -- a society, a world who do not understand or value solitude do not understand themselves. We know many of you reading this often crave solitude, some "alone" time. But do you take it? And, if you do, do you feel guilty about it?
The most valuable time you will ever spend in this lifetime, friends, is the time you spend alone. But not only the time you spend alone -- but the time you enjoy spending alone. All of you, no exceptions, need this time alone. Yet many of you deprive yourselves of it. And everything and everyone in your lives suffer as a result.
You cannot be in and of the world in any positive, productive way unless you are willing to take the time to also be apart from the world. You don't have to divorce the world. In fact, that would not suit most of you. But you do have to take the time regularly to be alone in joyful solitude.
You all probably know someone who seems to need constant interaction with other people. Maybe that someone is you. And if that someone doesn't have another person there, he/she turns on the television, or the radio, or the computer.
It's almost as if you're scared to death of yourselves. Solitude has become a lost art. Solitude is good, friends. We're not telling you to abandon your responsibilities to others. But we are telling you to honor your responsibility to yourselves.
If you are not able to be fully present in the moment with only yourselves -- and feel good about it -- you're probably not able to be fully present with others. Including the divine energy you came from.
It all starts at home, within yourselves. Alone and in solitude
Monday, January 25, 2010
Market Your Handmade Soap Business
I found this great artical written by Kristie.Leong.M.D and wanted to share it with you!
If you have your own soap making business, you know it can be a challenge to find new markets for your handmade soap. It may surprise you to learn there are a variety of low cost and even free ways for you to market your soaps. Here are some ideas:
1. Design a business card that really plays up your soap making business. Include a photo of your handmade soap right on your card. Nothing attracts the eye and promotes a desire to buy better than a photo. Include useful information on your business card such as "5 Reasons Why Handmade Soap Is Better". Make sure your website address and contact information are clearly displayed on your card.
2. Give your business card out everywhere you go. Place one into fishbowls at restaurants and post them on bulletin boards in libraries, grocery stores, and schools. Give one to your hairdresser, dentist, and tailor. Do it consistently and you'll see results!
3. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and network with other members. Your local Chamber of Commerce probably offers monthly meetings where you can meet other small business owners. At these meetings, you'll likely find retail store owners who would love to carry your handmade soaps in their stores. Retailers are always looking for something unique they can offer their customers. Take lots of business cards with you to the meetings!
4. Design a knock out flyer. Again, be sure to include an eye catching photo of your handmade soap on your flyer. As with your business card, give people useful information on the flyer and let them know how your soap can make their life better. If your soaps are all natural, emphasize the fact that there are no synthetic chemicals to cause health problems. Are your soaps super moisturizing? Let them know how their dry skin will improve. Post your eye catching flyers on every bulletin board you come across.
5. Get some free publicity. Learn how to write a good press release and send it to all the local papers and magazines in your area. Local newspapers and journals would love to publish the story of a local, handmade soap making business. Let them know how you got started and what makes your business unique. Be sure to include your website address in your press release. A good story in a local journal can bring in a ton of business!
6. Write articles about handmade soap and soap making for local and online publications. Let people know how handmade soap is different from the soap they get at their local supermarket. Talk about the handmade soap making process and about the different options for adding scent and color to handmade soaps. By educating your potential customer about handmade soap, you inspire her to want to buy your products. Always include a link to your website in your online articles and display your website address clearly in any print articles you write.
7. Donate a soap gift set to a charity auction. This can generate alot of positive publicity for your soap making business. Plus, it gives the winner a chance to try your soap and spread the word about your unique product to her friends. Again, include contact information in the packaging of the gift set.
8. Give out free samples of your soap. Make a batch of small, travel size soaps to give away at work, at crafts shows, and other events. Include a business card with every sample you give out.
These are just a few of the many ideas for marketing your soap making business. Stay tuned for more articles on how to make your handmade soap business a success!
If you have your own soap making business, you know it can be a challenge to find new markets for your handmade soap. It may surprise you to learn there are a variety of low cost and even free ways for you to market your soaps. Here are some ideas:
1. Design a business card that really plays up your soap making business. Include a photo of your handmade soap right on your card. Nothing attracts the eye and promotes a desire to buy better than a photo. Include useful information on your business card such as "5 Reasons Why Handmade Soap Is Better". Make sure your website address and contact information are clearly displayed on your card.
2. Give your business card out everywhere you go. Place one into fishbowls at restaurants and post them on bulletin boards in libraries, grocery stores, and schools. Give one to your hairdresser, dentist, and tailor. Do it consistently and you'll see results!
3. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and network with other members. Your local Chamber of Commerce probably offers monthly meetings where you can meet other small business owners. At these meetings, you'll likely find retail store owners who would love to carry your handmade soaps in their stores. Retailers are always looking for something unique they can offer their customers. Take lots of business cards with you to the meetings!
4. Design a knock out flyer. Again, be sure to include an eye catching photo of your handmade soap on your flyer. As with your business card, give people useful information on the flyer and let them know how your soap can make their life better. If your soaps are all natural, emphasize the fact that there are no synthetic chemicals to cause health problems. Are your soaps super moisturizing? Let them know how their dry skin will improve. Post your eye catching flyers on every bulletin board you come across.
5. Get some free publicity. Learn how to write a good press release and send it to all the local papers and magazines in your area. Local newspapers and journals would love to publish the story of a local, handmade soap making business. Let them know how you got started and what makes your business unique. Be sure to include your website address in your press release. A good story in a local journal can bring in a ton of business!
6. Write articles about handmade soap and soap making for local and online publications. Let people know how handmade soap is different from the soap they get at their local supermarket. Talk about the handmade soap making process and about the different options for adding scent and color to handmade soaps. By educating your potential customer about handmade soap, you inspire her to want to buy your products. Always include a link to your website in your online articles and display your website address clearly in any print articles you write.
7. Donate a soap gift set to a charity auction. This can generate alot of positive publicity for your soap making business. Plus, it gives the winner a chance to try your soap and spread the word about your unique product to her friends. Again, include contact information in the packaging of the gift set.
8. Give out free samples of your soap. Make a batch of small, travel size soaps to give away at work, at crafts shows, and other events. Include a business card with every sample you give out.
These are just a few of the many ideas for marketing your soap making business. Stay tuned for more articles on how to make your handmade soap business a success!
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