As we begin the New Year, we give thanks!

As we are tying up 2011 and looking forward into 2012 we wanted to thank everyone who's supported our little local business!  We've had a super successful year in the Studio with the edition of our Private Soapmaking classes made custom just for you~ http://www.mossycreeksoap.com/private-soapmaking-lessons/  and our new Edition of Etsy:  mossycreeksoaps.etsy.com.

We have a fabulous line up for Spring in the Studio!  Take a look at our new Liquid Soapmaking Class and Herbal Glycerin Soapmaking http://www.mossycreeksoap.com/classes-workshops/

And in our Mossy Creek Soap Etsy; Web Shop we'll have a whole new line for you beginning with our new Valentine Bath and Body line .  Look for a release in the Middle of January~

Happy New Year and Many Blessings

Michelle

CYBER MONDAY SOAPMAKING TOOL DEALS

Good morning Everyone!

If you are still looking for Soapmaking Tools to make your soapmaking kit complete~  Here are some deals for you!  No excuses anymore~

Most Places have FREE Shipping today!  Take advantage of the savings~

Target has an immersion blender for $19 see it here: 

http://www.target.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/p/Oster-Immersion-Blender-Black/-/A-13697391

http://www.target.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/p/Presto-Saladshooter-Slicer-Shredder/-/A-10674608

The salad shooter is fantastic for shredding soap for handmilling~ $34.99

The scales I use can be found over at Bed Bath & Beyond!  The 2 scales work fabulous and measure in both lbs and grams.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=16210315

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14816640

These are just a few things to help you get started!  No more excuses! 

And if you have not taken classes from us yet, sign up or if you know someone that would LOVE to learn, we also have GIFT CERTIFICATES for classes!  

See more information here: http://mossycreeksoap.com/certificates.htm

Thank you and HAPPY SHOPPING DAY!

It's Up!!! Our Coffee soap is on the Foodnetwork.com Website!!!

I am so excited!!!! Our Coffee Mocha Soap is now up on the Foodnetwork.com's Website!!!  See it here:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/about-us/gifts-for-her-christmas-and-holiday-gifts/pictures/index.html

To purchase this soap you visit us here: 

 http://www.mossycreeksoap.com/clearance-soap/coffee-mocha-soap/

Great Video on Soapmaking.. Part 3 Trace

It's been a while since I've shared a soapmaking video with you guys. Today, I am including Part 3-  Mixing/blending your soap to trace.  This is a Great video to watch and see exactly what trace looks like~

Enjoy your soapmaking with our videos on You Tube!  See them all here:  http://www.youtube.com/user/MossyCreekSoap

Peacock colors are in this year

Welcome to the middle of October!  I love this month because here in the south it means the temps will finally come down to a manageable 60-70 degrees.  This is the time of year for us to once again go outside and enjoy throwing open the windows because it's no longer a sauna outside.  I thought I would share some of my team mates gorgeous finds from Etsy. All in my favorite colors.  I've noticed that they're very popular right now.  I recently got a request from someone asking me if I could make my soaps in the peacock colors for her wedding.

This week I am featuring Las Flores Del Sur on Etsy, her name is Marisa from Montevideo, Uruguay.  She makes these way cool fabric flowers that can be used on anything

You see can this gorgeous Poppy Pin Brooch Fabric  here on Etsy

Our next shop we are featuring is JewelryByJaynemarie on Etsy, Jaynemarie Crawford is a jewelry designer from San Francisco, California.

Check out these fabulous earrings in Blue and Teal which can be found on Etsy here.

Moving right along... our next Feature is on Handmade Jewelry By HeadpinWear on Etsy.

Czech Glass Beads, Blue, Yellow & Green Earrings can be found in her Etsy Shop here

Our last shop for this week is AbsolutelyKismet out of Spearfish South Dakota.

The Turquoise Colored Memory Bracelet can be found on Etsy here.

Las Flores Del Sur 

Esty: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lasfloresdelsur 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Las-Flores-del-Sur/126539847362890

JewelryByJaynemarie 

Etsy http://www.etsy.com/people/JewelryByJaynemarie

Facbook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JewelryByJaynemarie

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/JewlryJaynmarie

Blog: http://jewelrybyjaynemarie.blogspot.com/

Handmade Jewelry By HeadpinWear 

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/people/HeadpinWear

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/HeadpinWear/387155153437

Blog: http://headpinwear.blogspot.com/

AbsolutelyKismet

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AbsolutelyKismet

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AbsolutelyKismet

Thank you for Stopping by~

If you are interested in finding out more about our team that helps Etsy Shops with marketing support by featuring each others team shops each week. If you are on Etsy with a shop then you should thinking about joining a group!  Check ours out here:  BESTeam on Etsy.

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OUR soap is Featured in the NEW Soap Guild Calender!

Thank you to Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild for choosing our soaps to be in your new 2012 calender!

Have a GREAT DAY!!!

My Earthy Crunchy Gifts List

This week at the Mossy Creek Soap Studio we've been busy making soap for you and since you see soap from me all the time I thought I would share some of my favorite shops on my BESTeam on Etsy.  BESTeam is a team that helps Etsy Shops with marketing support by featuring each others team shops each week.  I can honestly say it's a great group and my stats have improved since I joined this team.  If you are on Etsy with a shop then you should thinking about joining a group!  Check ours out here:  BESTeam on Etsy.

This week I am featuring 4 shops with everything from crocheted wine bag holders to this beautiful Vintage Rosary Cross Pendant cross with Redemption Art.   You can follow them on their blog as well at www.islandbuzzy.com.




The next shop featured is gmaellen on Etsy.com.   She made this wonderful Ecru Cotton Crochet Wine Carrier.  I can sure think of a few people on my Christmas list that could use something like this!



The 3rd shop in my line up this week is Our Home to Yours (my fellow Hive MEMBER) and her beautiful Crocheted Skinny Scarf, these are so popular today with the climate getting cooler..this would make someone very happy and they can stay in style and be warm all at once!  You can also follow her on her blog where she is offering her friendly advice and featuring shops on etsy for our team too!  Follow her here www.ourhometoyourscrafts.blogspot.com

The last shop for tonight is Knitful Dezigns and her whimsical Muddy Delight Headband.

You can visit her on her active blog at www.knitfuldezigns.blogspot.com for all kinds of fun updates on her

home, new make up she's testing out and a little insight into her style.. 

Drop by, follow her and tell her that Mossy Creek Soaps said HI!

Thank you for stopping by this week~  

Colorful, Charming and FUN!

Every week I feature shops on etsy and this week on our BESTeam.. I have the pleasure of sharing 3 shops featuring Colorful Charming Jewelry!


The 1st is Absolutely Kismit and her colorful shop: AbsolutelyKismet.etsy.com.  from South Dakota. A lovely color piece that will match just about anything~ I can see a little Bohemian in this one~ Don't you?

Multi Colored Memory Wire Bracelet

The 2nd shop is Blue and White Wear Jewelry which can can viewed here: 

bluewhitejewelrywear.etsy.com

Two of my favorite colors~Blue and Brown. This is a gorgeous combination.

Turquoise and Tiger Eye Necklace

The 3rd shop Sandy Vern from Stamford, CT... you can find her wonderful goodies here: 

sandyvern,etsy.com.  I found this too cool Halloween Charm Bracelet.  Just too cute!!!  I think this will make some little girl very happy!

Halloween Charm Bracelet

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT WEEKEND!!

BESTeam Feature

Just wanted to give a few of my team mates a shout out!  

Turquoise Angels

All my favorite Tutu's

See this one here

Ardent Reverie

For Her Stunning Designs using Feathers

Savannah Feather Earrings

And

Ms Formaldehyde

Audrey Hepburn inspired, Hollywood Glam, Green rhinestone feather fascinator, Guinea feather accent.

Thanks to all of you...

Please visit their shops and tell them that you saw them here!!

If you are on Etsy and are looking for a way to increase you sales you should think about joining our team... BESTeam

Thanks and Have A GREAT DAY!

Natural Ways to Help Control Psoriasis, Eczema and Other Autoimmune Skin Disorders - Beauty By The Batch

My Naked Soap without fragrance happens to be a big seller for parents with kids that have sensitive skin. Fragrance has been known to be the leading cause of skin allergens~ Check out this fabulous article about natural remedies to control allergic skin conditions. Natural Ways to Help Control Psoriasis, Eczema and Other Autoimmune Skin Disorders - Beauty By The Batch

BESTeam Feature of CKsilver on Etsy

I want to introduce you the mother and daughter team of CKsilver, Cindy and Marilyn. They love creating pieces of Jewelry that you'll proud to wear anywhere. Based in Chelan WA, the have been creating little works of art that are well balanced and elegant- something that you would enjoy wearing.  You can clearly see this in this beautiful sterling silver pendant below~

Sweetheart Wire-Wrapped Sterling Silver Pendant

Cindy the Mother part of this creative team loves sterling silver, pearls, semi-precious stones, and Swarovski crystals. Inspired by nature and and focusing on ocean colors she has managed to capture that wouldn't you say?

  In this gorgeous piece below you can see her stunning  Dewdrops Peridot Bracelet.

Marilyn, the daughter part of this duo, loves wearing Silver so it was natural to start designing with her mother.  So if you want one of a kind pieces of art you can wear. Then look no further than CKsilver!

Turquoise Dream Swirl Earrings on Etsy

You have not seen the last of this perfect duo and if you would like to purchase any of these fabulous items please visit them on http://www.etsy.com/people/cksilver

Or check out their blog:

http://cksilver1.blogspot.com/

Have a Great Weekend and if you have a shop on Etsy you should think about joining our group called BESTeam..  Boosting Etsy Shops Team..

:http://www.etsy.com/teams/5645/besteam-boosting-etsy-shops-team

One way to feel better about the economy...Buy Local!

While on Facebook today I had a friend who posted this cool website http://www.independentwestand.org/ and this website is promoting buying local in your own community.  All you have to do is enter your zipcode to find businesses that are in your local community and if YOU ARE a BUSINESS you can add it to the list.

For instance I wanted to see the impact on my Community of Warner Robins Ga and this is what it said:

If Every Family Spent An Extra $10 A Month Locally, We Would All Feel Better About The Economy.

Just think. If every family in the country spent an extra  $10 a month with a locally-owned, independent business instead of a national chain, over $9.3 billion* would be directly returned to local economies. That means better schools, better roads, more support for police, fire and rescue departments and stronger local economies.

Find out what kind of economic impact you could make by doing the same in your metro area.

If every family in the Warner Robbins metro area spent just $10 a month with a locally-owned, independent business instead of a national chain, over $4,306,114* would be directly returned to the Warner Robbins community. That means better schools, better roads, more support for police, fire and rescue departments and stronger local economies.


Try it out for yourself and post your response..it would be cool to see how much of a difference we can make!

BESTeam Feature on Beader Bubbe

Meet Agnes,from Brooklyn New York, she is a jewelry designer with 5 kids and count them…six grandkids! I just bet those grandkids keep her busy dreaming up new projects for them to do. But her one steady passion is Jewelry making and her Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeaderBubbe.

Butterfly Necklace by Beader Bubbe on Etsy

An avid blogger too…http://beaderbubbe.blogspot.com.  She loves to keep it interesting with recipes, tips and my personal favorite a little glimpse into her life. I don’t know about you but I absolutely love to find out about the person behind art~  

Unakite Accent Bead Bracelet by Beader Bubbe on Etsy

You can also follow her on Facebook www.facebook.com/beaderbubbe  Or on Twitter: www.twitter.com/beaderbubbe   Right Now she's offering FREE SHIPPING for all new orders!

Have a Great Weekend and if you have a shop on Etsy you should think about joining our group called BESTeam..  Boosting Etsy Shops Team..: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5645/besteam-boosting-etsy-shops-team

I believe in Holistic Medicine.. Do you?

Holistic Medicine is defined as the art and science of treating the whole body rather than treating conditions and symptoms.  I personally had to venture down this path many years ago when I developed carpal tunnel. It was a dark period in my life but I managed the pain with traditional medicine and then tried acupuncture. What I found comforting was the fact that the Acupuncturist took an entire 2 hours with me to determine the best course of treatment. I felt that this had to be the way over traditional procedures for pain management. I soon began to heal and because of this my entire lifestyle changed. Because my experiences, I believe in Holistic Medicine and Aromatherapy is one of them. Aromatherapy is defined as the practice of applying the healing benefits of essential oils. Have you smelled something and then immediately it brought back a memory attached to it?  Do you know that your sense of smell can detect over 10,000 different odors and many of which can certainly be mood altering!  Check out the http://www.senseofsmell.org/index.php for some fun facts and to understand why odor can be mood altering..

Or you can just go see an aromatherapist such as Lilly DelValle K, of Ancient Oils.  She formed the company Ancient Oils back in 2009 and is a master of Metaphysical Sciences from the Metaphysical Science Institute in California.  Her shop on Esty is called Ancient Oils, she carries many Essential Oil blends which you can view here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AncientOils.

She is also a Holistic Life Coach where she can help you focus on integrating mind, body and spirit. And help guide you to overcome self imposed barriers and be the best person you can be.  Some of which includes aromatherapy both to help calm you down and energize you when you need it. On her Etsy Shop she features some of these fabulous blends.....



This one helps to calm and bring peace with Lavender, Chamomile, a hint of Tangerine and Peppermint.  Sounds lovely doesn't it?  You can view it here:  Peace & Calming Roll-On

Or try this one which will help your sinus and uplift your spirit with peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary. You can view this one here: Breathe Deep Roll-On 

My personal Favorite Dead Sea Mud~  Do you know that the Dead Sea contains the greatest concentrations of minerals than any other Sea? This mud infuses the skin with minerals providing a better looking and feeling texture.

You can view it here: Dead Sea Mud 9oz

I hope the next time you are not feeling your best and traditional medicine isn't working for you?  Try going Holistic... It just might help you too.

Thank you once again for stopping by and you can hire Lilly as a 

Holistic Life Coach on her website @ http://www.livingvibrations.co/, 

visit her blog on LivingVibrations.blogspot.com, 

On Facebook @ www.FaceBook.com/AncientOils

Southern Flowers

In the south we have many southern flowers~ Magnolia, Dogwood, Peach Blossoms..all with a sweet scent that reminds me of home. I just changed my logo to reflect that as well... so when I tell you that there is another creative artist by the name of Las Flores del Sur with an awesome shop on Etsy! You'll be happy to know that Las Flores del Sur really means southern flowers in Spanish~

A graphic artist and web designer from Buenos Aires, now living in Montevideo, Uruguay. The woman behind Las Flores del Sur, Marisa Kraiselburd, is a true creative spirit that has been creating since she's been a little girl. She has a few shops on Etsy I would love to share with you: The main on today will be Las Flores del Sur but I would love to mention she also has another one called Crafts and Pixels where she offers PDF beading tutorials. Stop by her shops to purchase these lovely items~

Autumn Shades Bracelet

Double color felt bouquet 

Green-Violet-Fuchsia Ribbon Rolled Hair Pins

Thank you once again for stopping by 

Please stop & shop at www.lasfloresdelsur.etsy.com for these beautiful  works of art

visit her blog at lasfloresdelsur.blogspot.com/.

The Face Behind The Art

Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items (often with symbolic significance) in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions and intellect. (according to Wikipedia) But what is it exactly? Who creates art? I firmly believe it is the sole expression/creation from an individual who has the need to express their inner fire and soul.  Haven't you ever noticed how two pieces can look very similar but one is much different than the other? You can see a small piece of their soul in each piece... It's what connects us to their creation and what better way than for us to share these wonderful Artists with each other.

I would love to introduce you to another one of my BESTeam members from Etsy.. Her name is LeAllyson Meyer from Colorado, she creates beautiful works of art in Jewelry in her Etsy Shop Plum Beadacious. I am a big fan of her earrings and the crystals she's chooses to create her works of art with. She wears many hats~ "A Jack of All Trades".. Besides creating the gorgeous pieces below she also has designed her own website and works as a risk analyst by day.  It was her daughter that shared her passion of Jewelry making that got her interested in designing her own pieces of art. Her jewelry is a wearable piece of artwork that you can enjoy all the time.

Aqua Necklace with fresh Water Pearls

Blue Green Mother of Pearl Earrings

Contemporary Modern Silver Earrings

In this gorgeous piece she has used Czech Glass Crystal which are attached to silver ear wires. 

Can you see the graceful curve of the wire and elegance that it eludes? 

Stop by her Etsy Shop Here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/plumbeadacious

Her Blog: http://beadaciouslyyours.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/PlumBeadacious

BESTeam Feature of MsFormaldehyde

Meet Kelly Formaldehyde, a designer of handmade accessories for Vintage Bridal Couture and gothic accessories. "Formaldehyde"~Love her name!  A girl after my own heart after all everything in life revolves around science and chemistry.

I love this one... Below...  As you will see she has the uncanny ability to combine gothic and couture!

Tropical Green Cream Skull Barrette

True Blood Fascination

White Gardenia Wedding  Bridal Head Piece

Double Yellow Orchid Clip

 Kelly, who is a native to San Diego California, loves to create gothic jewelry, lotita pin up and dita burlesque accessories. You can see her flare in all of her designs..  Not your everyday items and since she only creates a small amount of each design you can rest assure that you WILL NOT find someone else wearing the same thing.

You can shop for all these fabulous finds on her shop at Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/msformaldehyde   and Follow her on her blog @ msformaldehyde.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT week!



  

Stitch Markers by Sandy Vern (A BESTeam feature)

I absolutely love my new Etsy shop for one reason because I have met so many new people.  It has opened a new an interesting door for me.  One of those people are Sandy Vern and she has a too cute shop on Etsy sandyvern.etsy.com.where sells soap (my personal favorite), stitch markers and earrings. Since I don't crochet or knit, I was asking my self what are stitch markers? At 1st I thought they were charms.  But from what I understand these markers can mark an area that when you are knitting that you cannot tell where one ends and the other begins or to mark increases or decreases.  They just adorable!

Stitch Markers for Sale on her Etsy Page

Currently Sandy is living in Connecticut  although she is a native to Massachusetts originally, she spends her time in her pet sitting business, she loves to make soap, knitting and is an avid reader.

Another favorite of mine is Sandy's Breast Cancer Awareness earrings and the patriotic earrings.. Beautiful aren't they?

Breast Cancer Awareness Earrings

Patriotic Earrings

Sandy is an avid soap maker as well..check out this brown sugar scrub soap below!

 

Brown Sugar Scrub Soap

Stop by her shop on Etsy:  sandyvern.etsy.com

Follow her on her blog: theadventuresofsandyvern.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by~  Have a GREAT day!

10 Tips To Help Parents & Teens On Facebook

Until last year, I had thought facebook was a tool for just teenagers and young adults.  They grew up with technology that we (40’s-ish) cannot comprehend.  Before I got the “aha” about facebook, I thought that it was for people who wanted to vent about their day.  To our teens it’s so much more than that- It’s about identity (their own and everyone else’s).  Their facebook page is an extension of their personalities, with games, pictures (and lots of them), status, friends, a place to vent, likes and dislikes. 

 What we (40’s-ish) do not understand is how to protect them.  They have so much information out there on the net that it could come back to haunt them one day.  So I began to look into this and this is what I found:

1)      A Teen’s (ages 13-17) posts and pictures will not show up in public searches (according to facebook) another way to do this it to make sure the “enable public search” remains unchecked,  which can be found in the privacy section of facebook, under the apps, games & websites section- toward the bottom of the page.

2)      Become their friend on facebook but don’t become stalker mom or dad, what you need to know is how they are interacting and to monitor.  What you should not do is to pop in unannounced. It’s ok to banter with them but not in their personal conversations with their friends online.  (if you have a problem with what they are posting please bring it up them face to face OFF line)

3)      Respect them but also let them know they can come to you if they have problems online and if you are a facebook user then you’ll understand the problem.

4)      Encourage your kids to not post personal information such as which school they attend, class schedule, what time they get home, going out places..etc..without privacy controls in place (they have the ability to limit who see’s their information by choosing a customized setting in the privacy section).

5)      Also know that you should operate in the secure HTTPS mode over the HTTP mode when on facebook so that none of those crazy APPS your teen is downloading can be eavesdropping on your conversations, collecting data and getting your account hacked.  How you find out is look at your web browser bar… if it begins with HTTP:// then you are NOT secure.  You can just type it into your web browser the next time you sign into your account. If you frequent the games, apps..etc.. you will need to do so in the regular HTTP:// mode because most of these will not work in the secure mode… (Hmmm I wonder what information they are collection from us???)  Just keep that in mind the next time you play Farmville online.

6)      Also to encourage them to not click on any link or video without checking it out on snopes.com first.  Many people unknowingly spread virus’s on facebook to their friends because they just clicked on a link.  Check it out first and be sure your child knows this.. Otherwise their account could be hacked.

7)      Also encourage them to only friend people they know… put limits on those they do not know well.  What I like to do is create a list of people such as: friends, family, co-workers, and extended friends.  Then you can just post pictures or information to just friends without everyone being able to view them.  Go to your friends section, create a list and place your friends in them.  It also helps when you are viewing your own news feed to only view your family for instance. Also you can control any pictures of you that other people tagged by un-checking the tag and by editing the settings in the privacy section.

8)      Remember you can block or delete any comment that is left on your front page.  Also if you are sharing private data do so as a message rather than posting it on their front page.  When you post, click on the lock button to control who’s able to see that post.

9)      I also have to add… I really don’t like the checked in feature because it lets everyone know where you are and that you are not at home.  They’re calling it the “People here now” button.

10)   And lastly secure all of your photo’s…Otherwise everyone has access to them.  You can do this by going to your customized section and go to “edit privacy settings for existing photos and videos”.   This feature allows you to be able to designate who can view each album.  For instance:  I only allow family to view my family pictures. 

Facebook is not going away anytime soon and it’s grown to over 750 million, the average user has 130 friends and people spend on average 700 minutes a month on facebook.

Be Safe, Be Secure but HAVE FUN!