Thursday, February 24, 2011

Hot Processed Soapmaking

Hot Processed Soapmaking Pictures

Just after a full trace....





It's getting there......


Almost.........




Done! This one is ready to put into a mold! 

 


We have a class coming up on March 19,  Cold Processed Soapmaking in the morning and Hot Processed Soapmaking in the afternoon.  For More information you can go to http://mossycreeksoap.com/item_201/Hot-Processed-Soapmaking.htm.  If you have never taken any classes from me, I would suggest to do both the classes for a GREAT Deal of $100 for both!  
That's a savings of $18.00.

Thanks for checking us out! Hope to see YOU in the Soap Studio Soon!

Check out all of our Fabulous Photos @  www.facebook.com/soapmaking.classes!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Is your Child a Bully?

It has been brought to my attention that my child has been and currently being bullied by another child in our neighborhood for some time now.  What surprises me now is that I did not understand the meaning of bullying and the ways of being bullied.  I thought I would share this article because like me.. you may be surprised to know that girls bully in different ways than boys. 

This website really opened my eyes to the signs http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/  I am blogging this article in it's entirety from the website~

Bullying Among Children and Youth

What is bullying?

Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting, kicking, threatening others, teasing, name-calling, excluding from a group, or sending mean notes or e-mails. A child who is being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself. Often, children are bullied not just once or twice but over and over (Olweus, 1993; Roland, 1989; Smith & Sharp, 1994).

How much of a problem is bullying?

Unfortunately, bullying is very common during the elementary and middle school years. In one study of fourth through sixth graders, 25 percent of students admitted to bullying another student several times or more often during the school term (Melton et al., 1998). Another study found that 80 percent of middle school students reported engaging in some form of bullying during the past 30 days, with 15 percent doing so frequently (Bosworth et al., 1999). In a national study of more than 15,000 students in grades 6 through 10, 17 percent reported having been bullied “sometimes” or more often during the school term, and 19 percent reported bullying others “sometimes” or more often (Nansel et al., 2001).

Isn't bullying just part of growing up?

Perhaps this attitude is why bullying is still common in American schools. There is a lot of research that shows that being a victim of a bully can affect students' self-esteem and how they approach school (Juvonen & Graham, 2001). Students who are often bullied by other students may have serious levels of depression and anxiety, and they are more likely than other students to think about suicide (Austin & Joseph, 1996; Grills & Ollendick, 2002).
Victims of bullying also are more likely than other students to report that they do not want to go to school because of fear of being bullied (Slee, 1995). Some children who are bullied decide, in turn, to bully others. For all of these reasons, it is important that schools address the bullying problem in their school.

Where does bullying happen?

Most bullying happens at school and on the school bus to and from school (Hoover, Oliver, & Hazler, 1992). Bullying also can take place when kids walk to and from school, but this is not quite as common. Bullying is more likely to happen when large groups of students are supervised by a small number of adults, including during lunchtime, recess, physical education, and when kids change classes (Espelage & Asidao, 2001; Olweus, 1993). Students also report being bullied in the classroom when their teacher's attention is diverted (e.g., when the teacher turns around to write on the board or is distracted helping other students).

Do boys and girls bully in the same ways?

Both boys and girls bully, but there are some interesting differences in how they bully. Boys tend to be bullied by other boys, whereas girls are bullied both by boys and girls (Melton et al., 1998; Olweus, 1993). The most common form of bullying for both boys and girls is verbal bullying (teasing or name-calling). Boys are more likely to say that they are physically bullied. Girls are more likely to report being targets of rumor-spreading and sexual comments (Nansel et al., 2001). Both boys and girls engage in what is called relational aggression (Knight et al., 2000). Individuals who use relational aggression tend to exclude students from a group activity (e.g., a game on the playground or a party) or they might threaten to not be someone's friend unless he or she does what they say. Girls are somewhat more likely than boys to bully each other through social isolation (Olweus, 2002)

Who takes part in bullying?

Bullying often involves groups of students picking on another student (Craig & Pepler, 1997; Espelage & Asidao, 2001). Within these groups, there often is a “ring leader” and a number of followers. In addition, many students observe bullying but do not necessarily take any action–they neither engage in the bullying nor help stop the bullying. Children and youth are often reluctant to try to stop bullying because they are afraid of being bullied themselves, because the want to be part of a popular group, or because they simply are not sure how to help.

Who is bullied?

Any child can be bullied. It is important not to blame or look for faults in children who are bullied, because nobody deserves to be abused by their peers. However, understanding some common characteristics of children who are bullied may help adults identify children who are likely targets of bullying and help protect them from abuse. Research indicates that children who are bullied tend to be more socially isolated than other children (Espelage & Asidao, 2001, Nansel et al., 2001). These children may seem to be easy targets for bullying because they have few friends to help protect them. They also may be shy, sensitive, or insecure children (Olweus, 1993). Boys who are bullied are often (though not always) physically weaker than their peers. Educators, parents, and others should be especially watchful for bullying of children with disabilities, as these children are often bullied by their peers.

What causes a student to start bullying?

There is no one single cause of bullying among children and youth. Rather, there are many factors in a child's environment (his or her family, peer group, classroom, school, neighborhood, and society) that can contribute to bullying behavior. Students who bully are more likely to witness violence in their home, have little parental supervision, and lack warmth and involvement from their parents (Olweus, 1993). Children who bully also are likely to “hang out” with others who bully and feel that they gain their popularity or “coolness” by teasing other students (Pellegrini et al., 1999). Bullying thrives in schools where faculty and staff do not address bullying, where there is no policy against bullying, and where there is little supervision of students–especially during lunch, bathroom breaks, and recess. Negative models of bullying behavior are also prevalent throughout –especially in television, movies, and video games.
What can be done to reduce bullying in school?
The good news is that much can be done to stop bullying in our schools. A single school assembly, PTA meeting, or social studies lesson on bullying won't solve the problem, however. What is needed is a team effort by students, teachers, administrators, parents, and other staff to change the culture or climate of schools. Many schools are meeting this challenge. To learn more about bullying and what your school or community can do to address bullying, visit www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov.

References

  • Austin, S., & Joseph, S. (1996). Assessment of bully/victim problems in 8- to 11-year-olds. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 66, 447-456.
  • Bosworth, K., Espelage, D. L., & Simon, T. (1999). Factors associated with bullying behavior in middle school students. Journal of Early Adolescence, 19, 341-362.
  • Craig, W. M. & Pepler, D. J. (1997). Observations of bullying and victimization in the school yard. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 13, 41-59.
  • Espelage, D., & Asidao, C. (2001). Interviews with middle school students: Bullying, victimization, and contextual factors. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 2, 49-62.
  • Grills, A. E., & Ollendick, T. H. (2002). Peer victimization, global self-worth, and anxiety in middle school children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 31, 59-68.
  • Hoover, J.H., Oliver, R., & Hazler, R.J. (1992). Bullying: Perceptions of adolescent victims in the midwestern USA. School Psychology International, 13, 5-16.
  • Juvonen, J., & Graham (2001). Peer harassment in school: The plight of the vulnerable and victimized. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
  • Knight, G. P., Guthrie, I. K., Page, M. C., & Fabes, R. A. (2002). Emotional arousal and gender differences in aggression: A meta-analysis. Aggressive Behavior, 28, 366-393.
  • Melton, G. B.. Limber, S. Flerx, V. Cunningham, P., Osgood, D.W., Chambers, J., Henggler, S., & Nation, M. (1998). Violence among rural youth. Final report to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
  • Nansel, T.R., Overpeck, M., Pilla, R.S., Ruan, W.J., Simons-Morton, B., & Scheidt, P. (2001). Bullying behaviors among US youth: Prevalence and association with psychosocial adjustment. Journal of the American Medical Association, 285 (16), 2094-2100.
  • Olweus, D. (1993). Bully/victim problems among schoolchildren: Long-term consequences and an effective intervention program. In S. Hodgins, Mental Disorder and Crime (pp. 317 - 349). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Olweus, D. (February, 2002). Personal communication.
  • Pellegrini, A.D., Bartini, M., & Brooks, F. (1999). School bullies, victims, and aggressive victims: Factors relating to group affiliation and victimization in early adolescence. Journal of Educational Psychology, 91, 216-224.
  • Roland, E. (1989). A system oriented strategy against bullying. In E. Roland & E. Munthe (Eds.), Bullying: An international perspective. London: David Fulton Publishers.
  • Slee, P.T. (1995). Peer victimization and its relationship to depression among Australian primary school students.Personality & Individual Differences, 18, 57-62.
  • Smith, P.K., & Sharp, S. (1994). School bullying: Insights and perspectives. London: Routledge.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

My daughter loves her new friend!

Bridget Nolte, Wynd Swept Acres who made this fabulous Doll should be so proud!  I have been waiting since January to give her to my Daughter.  I thought I would share the experience~









I think we HAVE a winner!!!!  Thank you Bridget for all your hard work and love you poured into our Mermaid.  She's Beautiful and one of a kind!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Signs of Life~

Signs of life after the cold hard winter~  Spring is something we can look forward to.  Here are some pictures I took of the Tulips my husband got for me~





Enjoy the day of warmth~

Monday, February 7, 2011

Are Your Buying Habits Ruining Your Own City?

There is a new movement happening, anything handmade and local are hot items these days. You can see this happening online at Esty.com, your local craft shows during the holidays and your local farmers markets in spring.  Who wouldn’t want something grown or made/crafted with skilled hands from a neighbor?  I know I do!

I have to ask the big question?  Do you buy local? Or just grab something from the big box stores? I ask this because since I’ve opened my own Soapmaking Studio, some of the comments I’ve received are:  “We don’t get anything like this down here and usually don’t last?”, “WOW, I am so excited to see that you’re here” and “You make all this yourself?” The answer to those questions may surprise you.

The first question I have to address is the most important one I think~ “We don’t get anything like this down here and they usually don’t last?” this happens for a few reasons. For one, lack of advertising (not the kind that you have to send a thousand dollars on), I cannot stress enough how important it is to get the word out to as many people as possible because it takes someone 3 times seeing/hearing something before the even go…”Hmmmm, that’s sounds like something I would be interested in..let me call and find out more.”

Another important reason is that too many people have the misconception that something made in a factory is cheaper, better and has prettier packaging would fit their needs better.  But here it is in layman’s terms: if you don’t shop in your local community, your neighborhood businesses will no longer have a way support themselves and disappear. Leaving you without community camaraderie. Many community businesses that sell handmade local items spend their own money in the community (which may support you with a job), contribute to local school programs, church programs, shelters and are generally active within your own community. I cannot stress how important it is to shop local especially right now when we are losing funding for all our programs, the government can only support us IF we can support our selves.  

What’s happened is we’ve become so dependent on big bother that we cannot see our own way out of this downward spiral. Let’s go back to the times when we shopped at our local farmers markets to get our vegetables made with local farmers, purchased our plants for our gardens from local nurseries, enjoyed our local Jam made from your neighbor that knows just right amount of sugar that it needs to taste good, went to our local hardware store who knows our name because we’ve managed to run over that sprinkler head with the lawn mower too many times and support our consignment shops who recycle those baby clothes that we received for our kids that they outgrew. Make a promise to buy local this year and support your community.  Let’s stand on our own 2 feet instead of depending on someone to gives us handouts.

 Let’s address the next question: “You make all this yourself?”, Yes, I do make it all mostly from scratch, with methods I’ve learned on my own because I didn’t have anybody near to learn from (many soapmakers are afraid to share their secrets for fear of losing the small market share of the population they currently sell to). If you want to learn how to make your own soap & candles.. stop by and see us at the Mossy Creek Soap Studio. (ok so that’s enough of my plug).
 If we have a community that supports our local craftsmen and women, we would have thriving businesses with friendly faces who know us. So make a pledge to start, continue and support your local businesses.

Here’s a few of my favorites: Next Month we’ll spotlight different companies to help you choose to shop local!

Advertising: Call Chris Ford with The Warner Robins Patriot 478-923-3416
                     Call Olya Fessard with Georgia Family Magazine 478-471-7393
Coffee Shop:  Bare Bulb is a fantastic place to just hang out.. Good Coffee & Food 478-787-3482
Consignment (children’s) Shop:  Baby Country on 1102 Russell Parkway 478-923-5535
Flamingo Follies:  Gena carries local handcrafted items made locally 478-225-9856
Health Foods/Vitamins:  Murdock’s Herb Pharm   478-953-7404   Cece or Michelle
Music/Lessons: One Small Stone speak to Rick or Carlyn they teach any instrument 478- 953-1749
Sign Company: Signs N More speak to Ritchie Pate  478-922-2700
Volunteer Opportunities: COPE Farms Mike Rutherford www.copefarms.com