Congratulations to Ardent Reverie!

I would like to give a big shout out to Ardent Reverie and their big win at the RAWards in April. RAWards is based on community participation and Ardent Reverie won "Accessories Designer of the Year".  See their spotlight here: http://www.rawartists.org//fashion.  

Ardent Reverie, the inspiration behind the brand are two sisters Meghan and Melanie who share the same passion for Handmade Jewelry and Craft Items. Through music and support from their local underground network of artists, they are inspired to create something that is truly a piece of unique artwork that you can wear. Located in San Diego, Ca, they opened their Etsy Shop in Oct of '09. See their shop here ArdentReverie.etsy.com Some of their items include jewelry for your hair, your neck and your ears!  I just love their twist on texture and color.    

Ariel Necklace

                                 

 Zip Me Up Necklace

                              Emilie's Garden Flower Clip

If you are getting ready for those summer nights and you need something special to add to your wardrobe of accessories..you should really think of adding a gorgeous piece from the Ardent Reverie Collection.

You can also follow them on their blog@ http://www.ardentreverie.com/

Sometimes we just get busy....

Most of us are pretty busy right about now with the kids getting ready to be out for school soon, maybe you have a graduation to go to or maybe you're one of the lucky ones getting ready to leave out of town on your own vacation.

Since my niece has come to live with us, I have been busy as well.  It's kind of funny how a teenager can have such a busy social life...but here I am in middle of it.  Most people get to build up to this point, not us.. we kind of jumped right to the year 15!  My own daughter is only 10... so I kind of missed 5 years of getting ready for this point.  So needless to say... I am getting the quick version of it.  

I find my self needing quicker ways of doing the things and because time is an issue today I have found someone else to make my handcrafted cards for me on Esty!  Creativitybugs~ http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativitybugs, she makes some fabulous handmade cards that you can pair up with those all those graduation gifts you know you'll need to get. 

I firmly believe in handmade way over store bought any day, but I personally don't have the time to make them.  So there she was~ Creativitybugs helping me solve my dilemma for a beautiful expression from the heart in the form of a handmade card.   

She also has a blog as well.. Stop by to see her  http://creativitybug.blogspot.com/.  

If I don't see you until I get back from Miami.... Have a Happy Memorial Day!

Just in Time for the Beach!

Since I've joined Etsy, I am completely thrilled to meet so many talented people. Everything from couture children dresses to stunning jewelry pieces. I have even made a few treasuries with some of my favorites.  This is a whole new world to me from trying to build up my own website to instant sales here on Etsy. So far I am impressed and thrilled to have some sales under my belt already...Thank you to all my new customers!


I have also joined a few Etsy Teams as well, one in particular is called BESTeam. This team is pretty fabulous for a few reasons because all though we have quite a few members, we also have a stringent acceptance policy.  I feel pretty good that have accepted my shop! If you would like to learn more check us out here....http://www.etsy.com/teams/5645/besteam-boosting-etsy-shops-team


I want to introduce you to a team member and her shop...http://etsy.com/shop/tiltcreations.    Tiltcreations hand makes all sorts of handbags, backpacks and these too cute creatures called Plush Monsters. I am excited because soon I will be leaving for the HANDCRAFTED Soapmakers Conference in Miami.. And I am in need of a too cute beach bag just for this trip.  Let me know what you think of them???


See some of her designs here.... and stop in her shop to see all of her goodies 1st hand.



Large Hand Painted Tote in Tropical Iota Pebbles with Pink and Green



Red and White Floral Anna Backpack



Blue Daisy Karen Handbag

You can also visit her blog as well.. she blogs about many things involving her life, even recipes where she can mix up a mean Breakfast Frittata!  http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/

Have a Beachy Good Time!

For All Things Great & Small~

Happy Earth Day...

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did.  So often we go about our own lives and we forget about the wonder and the aw of this wonderful world we live in.

Bubble Me Happy

Bubble Me Happy Gift Basket

Not too late to send it for Easter...  

I can shipped it out tomorrow~

Go see my Gift Baskets Available for Purchase now and for

Mothers DAY!

Mossy Creek Soap Gift Baskets

Organic… What does it really mean?

The term “Organic” has been used loosely in recent years, so I thought I would discuss what it really means and who can use it in the cosmetics, body and bath products..  First, the term organic cannot be used the same way as “All Natural” or “Natural”.  Organic is a term which is certified by the USDA National Organic Program. The USDA-accredited organic certifying agent must certify the company before they can use the term “organic” and use of their symbol. There 4 different types of organic classifications which are:  “100%  Organic” which include the organic label, “Organic” which means is comprised of at least 90% organic ingredients, “Made with Organic Ingredients” which is comprised of at least 70% organic ingredients (may not display the organic symbol) and “Less than 70 % organic ingredients” which mean organic ingredients are listed on the label (may not display the organic symbol).  Anything under 70% cannot bear any such claim to organic. The civil penalty is $11,000 for each claim that is not certified by the USDA National Organic Program and knowingly sells/labels their products as such.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004443&acct=nopgeninfo 


 To learn more about what these labels really mean see. ttp://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5078591&acct=nopgeninfo.

I also want to add that just because a product is listed and certified to use the “Organic” label does not mean that it is safe to use for you.  There are NATURAL plants and ingredients that can contain TOXIC  substances and can cause allergies in individuals who use them.  Check out the poisonous plant database for more information…http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/plantox/index.cfm.




Submitted by Michelle Rhoades, Mossy Creek Soap and Mossy Creek Soap Studio.  If you would like to learn more about other items concerning Soap, Soapmaking, Candlemaking or any other business related items... Follow us on our blog @ http://mossycreeksoap.blogspot.com/

Clear, Transparent or Opaque?

At recent craft show I was asked do I carry Glycerin Soaps? And the question got me thinking about how everyone views glycerin soap.  Since I love teaching others about soap and the craft show biz~  Naturally I went into details.  My customer didn’t realize she opened Pandora’s box.  First to clarify “all handcrafted soap is Glycerin soap”, but the one she was referring to was transparent soap.  Let’s go back to the question… yes.. I carry glycerin soap and I also carry transparent soap.  You ask...what’s the difference? Let’s first define what the terms are.

Glycerin- Is a humectant which is the by product from mixing oils/fats with lye.  It loves water and when used will draw moisture to your skin. Glycerin is used in many products including food, lotions and medicines. It is hygroscopic which means water loving and draws water to itself. It is colorless, odorless and has a somewhat sweet taste.

 

Handmade Soap- This is a soap that is made by a soapmaker that combines oils and fats with alkali such as sodium hydroxide (lye) or potassium hydroxide (potash use to make liquid soap).

Commercial Soap- This is a soap made on a large scale using the hot processed method and then using a salt in the end to separate the soap from the glycerin.  Commercial soapmakers can make more money from the glycerin by product than the soap itself.  Therefore commercial soap has no glycerin in their soaps. Most commercial soaps are not really soap at all.  If your grocery store “soap” is labeled as a beauty bar or something similar….it’s not soap at all. To read more about this go the FDA here.  Soap is regulated by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.  It would need to be regulated by the FDA if it is advertised to be moisturizing or to cure certain aliments. 

Transparent Soap- Is soap made from a melt and pour base that has extra alcohols and sugars in it to make it clear.  Because natural soap is opaque it is not naturally clear.  We love things that look clear and it looks natural but it unfortunately it has more ingredients in it to make it clear  (namely alcohol which can be drying).   So the next time you consider buying a clear soap make sure you understand that just because it’s clear and you can see right through it…That in itself does not mean it is better for you. But on the same note you can designed them into some beautiful works of art!