1. What products do you make that are your main focus? What are the main ingredients you use in those products?
My favorite product to make is cold process soap. There are endless variations … base oils, fragrances, colors and texture additives.It never gets boring. My favorite recipe uses Rice Bran Oil, Palm & Palm Kernel oils, Shea Butter & Avocado Oil.
2. How did you get started? When?
I'm a reference librarian and way back in 1996, one of our patrons requested a recipe for handmade soap. I thought it was a little strange at first. Why would anyone want to make soap when it's so easy and cheap to buy it at the grocery store? I started searching books and magazines as well as the Internet and found some recipes for my patron. Then I kept on researching handmade soaps and natural skin care products on my own. I founded Two Rivers Soap Company in 1999.
3. Why do you do what you do?
It’s a compulsion.I can’t stop making soap! I love the creative process of dreaming up new soaps.
I love working with my hands and creating things that are useful as well as beautiful.I love being my own boss and meeting my customers in person or online.Yes, it’s a bit of an obsession…
4. Where else do you vend your products?
Besides Etsy, I’ve been selling on my own website since 1999 and the Des Moines Farmer’s Market since 2000. I wholesale my soaps to several retailers and I opened my retail “brick and mortar” shop this spring in Norwalk, Iowa.
5. Where do you live?
Des Moines, Iowa.
6. How long have you been selling on Etsy – advice for any?
In 2005.I donated several items to Craft Revolution who sold them on Etsy as a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina. I believe they raised over $10,000. Etsy was brand new then. I didn’t open my Etsy shop until 2007 though. Hmmm, my advice would be to try to read all the wonderful advice located in the Storque and work on your photos.Photos are everything on Etsy!
7. What is your favorite scent?
I can’t choose just one… But my all-time favorites would have to be Black Raspberry, Apricot Freesia, Margarita, Sandalwood Vanilla, and Bergamot (think Early Gray Tea).
8. What oil do you enjoy most?
I have a new favorite-Plum Kernel Oil.It smells awesome, a bit like Almonds and is a great non-greasy moisturizer.
9. What do you do for fun?
I love to read, go to movies and plays, dabble at mosaics, bake, and hang out with my boys and our dog Chevy.
In the world that we live and with all the warnings that certain foods or products are not very good for us, we can never really be too careful. And this also applies to the products that are going on your skin.
With all the chemical processing that takes place when it comes to the food cycle or production of clothes and also with the manufacture of skin care products, it is just no wonder that people have said NO to such goods have turned organic.
But if you take your lipstick for instance: is it really made from mint, home grown ingredients and other so called flower petals?
Whilst this is may not you may be thinking when you think of something that has been classed as organic. You think of something that has had zero human intervention. But even the products that are classed as organic still have traces of synthetic ingredients, although much fewer, there is no real reason to actually panic. And in fact some certain synthetic ingredients such as a preservative are actually needed in order to produce quality skin products.
The are certain differences between a product that is man made and something that is organic. Ingredients that are organic are generally plant based and are not man made. If however these ingredients undertake or king of process, they are still actually considered as organic. An example of this is corn.
It is dried and then taken off the cob and then milled in order to create corn flour. Here is an example of a change that is needed in order to create something else.
On the other hand products that are synthetic are artificial and are usually acquired through different reactions between various chemicals. But having said this, there are items which are man made and created through various processes that are still considered to be natural.
An example of this would be salt which comes from sodium and chlorine can be created by people with some ease. But you can find natural salts all over the world. What is the salt that you find in the sea? Is this the same salt that you find in a bath soak? Unlikely.
It can be difficult finding products that are totally natural or totally organic. Creating a lotion with nothing but organic ingredients would not be practical as the ingredients would go off after a few days and so the product would need to be discarded. So having synthetic ingredients is not all a bad thing, but actually needed.
This weekend, select EGCG members will have treasure chests hidden in their Etsy shops. Find the treasure chest and save big!
Here's how to participate:
Browse through the list of EGCG shops below and search their listings for the hidden treasure chest graphic. When you find it, you may take advantage of that seller's special offer listed in their shop announcement and/or the product listing where the graphic was hidden. The promotion runs from Friday, June 26 at 12:00 pm EST to Sunday, June 28 at 11:59pm midnight EST.
And don't forget about the extra bonus! For each purchase you make from one of the participating EGCG shops shown below, you will be given one entry into a drawing to win a $15 gift certificate to the participating shop of your choice. Winner will be drawn and announced on Monday June 29th. **Please include the code word “treasure” in the Notes to Seller at checkout so we can count your purchase as an entry**
Back in February we published Part One and yesterday saw Part Two of this series on Roses. Today we are back with Part Three. As mentioned in the previous posts, many of the gals from the Etsy Green and Clean Guild, (EGCG), use different aspects of the rose in their glorious handmade creations. Here are a few more roses to add to your expanding bouquet:
Shower Treat Soap brings you fresh cut roses in each bar of her generously rich creamy, Vegan soap. Laura hand infuses dried roses from her garden into olive oil. These petals are then left in for an incredible scent and texture. Shower Treat Soap offers those with allergies and sensitivities offers wonderful options like pure Essential Oil and Unscented Soap.
Sweet Creek Herbs - Kathleen brings us a Natural Body Elixir with pure Rosa damascena absolute in the golden liquid wax called Jojoba oil. If you really enjoy the scent of fresh roses, then this is a must have, carrying you through the long dead of winter. This lovely precious absolute smells even better when combined in Jojoba. The 1/6 fluid ounce bottle has 10 drops of this precious oil. Even when used daily, it should last through most of the year.
Check out the seductive Sugar Scrub made by Lindsay at Body Language Soap. Inspired by Jezebel the ultimate temptress, this scrub facilitates the unleashing of your wild womanly side with a fragrant combination of Berries, Roses, Coconut milk, Egyptian Vanilla, and Amber Musk, The gentle exfoliating properties of sugar mingle with moisture enriching Shea Butter and Rice Bran Oil. Lindsay has made this sugar scrub with special emulsifiers to cut down on the oiliness not only on your skin, but also in your tub. Leaves a lotion like feel when rinsed with water.
Chemically sensitive Stephanie K adds Bolivarian rose to her Sage Bergamot Bath Salts. These luxurious bath salts are the perfect way to relax away your cares and pamper yourself. Dissolve these in a hot bath and detoxify while nourishing your skin with minerals. The natural color of the rose and Alaea salts turn the whole blend a beautiful speckled pink!
The Pixie in Plymouth, Massachusetts brings us Rose Hip soap begun with really strong Rose Hip tea, chalk full of vitamin C and adds a fantastic color. Pink Clay was added and is great for normal skin and can be beneficial for dry and sensitive skin. It is soothing, cleansing, hydrating and detoxifying. Rose Hip Oil was the finishing touch. The healing benefits of Rose Hip Oil include: hydration of dry skin, restorative repair of skin cells, eczema and scars (including acne scars), reduction of wrinkles and great on sunburns. This item is vegan-friendly.
Jussara, of SpaTherapy Works offers us the enchanting aroma of roses and chocolate in two delicious, hand crafted items. Who, but a native of Brazil, could indulge us with such treats! The Roses & Truffles soap relaxes & romances your body. Talk about a bath that just makes you feel spoiled! This mild soap is chock full of skin pampering goodness. Rich cocoa powder, virgin olive oil and sweet almond oil wrap your body in luxury, while creating a bubbly lather with wonderful moisture retention. It leaves the skin feeling pampered, soft and clean. This vegan delight weighs approx. 4.5oz and comes wrapped ready for gift giving! The second Cocoa rich item in this duo is the Roses and Chocolate Cocoa Butter Bath Melts. Submerse yourself in a nourishing luxury, skin softening, soak with the positive feel-good effects of the scent of chocolate topped with a wonderful rose fragrance for extra allure.
Cathy of Jovia Soap, located in beautiful British Columbia, offers “Romance” handmade soap. This enticing, 4 oz bar is made with a pure essential oil synergy featuring the heady floral notes of exotic Ylang Ylang, rich, warm Rose Geranium and juicy Sweet Orange. These delightful essential oils combine to create a scent that begs to be inhaled again and again. Each bar of Jovia Handmade Soap is crafted in small batches and contains quality ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil and shea butter. These soaps turn a regular mundane activity into a mini moment of bliss, an opportunity to stop and smell the roses without interrupting the flow of our busy lives.
Visit Leslie Ford of Aroma Herbals for two sensuous Rosy treats, her Fragrant Bath Salts and Lavender Rose Clay Mask both feature the use of Rhode Island coastline wild roses. Read more about Leslie and these products from this previous blog post. Leslie’s Fragrant Bath Salts contain wild crafted roses which she infuses into salt and with the addition of pure Rose otto. A heavenly scent for a luxurious aromatherapy bath experience.The Lavender Rose Clay Mask contains a potent blend of two important beauty/complexion florals with extractive Kaolin clay. Kaolin clay creates a calming, deeply cleansing facial treatment. Natural clay draws impurities from the skin as herbs add soothing, calming properties. For dry to normal (balanced) skin types.
Back in February we published Part One of this series on Roses. Today I bring a bit of my personal journey with the native rose of California and the enchanting spell she wove on me.
“I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.”
~ Emma Goldman
The fifth perfume in our series celebrating the aromatic landscape of the State of California is Rosa. Inspiration for this fragrance came when my friend Meghan took me over to the Theodore Payne Foundation and introduced me to the native rose of California. Up until that moment I had no idea that there existed a native rose. The botanical name for this wild rose is Rosa californica, a five petal deciduous shrub important to local wildlife.
In the book Introduction to California Chaparral the authors write "As a group species of chaparral roses are tough, resilient, woody survivors of an ancient vegetation that covered much of the western United States millions of years ago." (page 81) Meghan shared with me that the upright, straight stems of were utilized by the Native Americans for the creation of their arrows.
Shortly after the Fragrant Alchemist workshop in Los Angeles I began creating accords. The first two accords I formulated were a wood and a rose. The wood accord was utilized in the perfume devoted to the native oak, "Q". Where as the rose accord was admired by many as a perfume on its own, but took several years before it found a home in this new fragrance. The accord features two of the main notes found in a complex pure rose, such as geraniol (Rose geranium) and citronellol (Citronella). To the accord I added a very fresh Rose otto from Turkey and a deep, resonant Rose bourbonica absolute from India.
Interesting bits and the Rose otto and Rose bourbonia
This Rose otto comes from a family owned farm in the agricultural and rose district of Isparta, Turkey. The family is very conscious of caring for their plants to produce the best product available. Harvesting of the delicate blooms begins in May continuing on through June and July depending on the climate and yield of bloom.
The Rosa damascena plants can live for up to 40 years, are approximately 3 1/2 feet high and pruned every year. Each charge of a still is packed with approx 500 kilos of roses. 1500 kilos of water yields approx 3.3 ounces of rose otto. The rose water byproduct of the distillation is re-distilled (cohobation) and the resulting rose essential oil from that is combined with the rose oil from the initial distillation to create the recognizable rose otto which is sold.
According to David Crow:"Rosa bourbonica, also known as "Edward rose", is organically cultivated outside the holy city of Pushkar, beneath the mountaintop temple of the goddess Savitri. The flowers are freshly distilled in the fields in traditional alchemical vessels over low heat, giving the oil an extraordinarily high content of Damascenone molecules, which give roses their fragrance."
The perfume Rosa also contains a Leather accord, Vetiver and woods including the treasured Agarwood. The top notes are primarily from the essences that provide hints of citrus. There were many versions of this fragrance, the one I expected to release was just a bit over the top on the earth aspect. I might incorporate aspects of it into the solid incarnation of Rosa. Rosa botanical perfume is an earthy, warm, woodsy rose that develops into a rich rosy bouquet over time. It literally blossoms on the skin of the wearer.
The fossil records for roses go back into ancient time, perhaps 35 to 40 million years ago. Looking back into history we have all parts of the rose (petal, leaf, fruit and root) being utilized in medicine, ritual, literature and scent applications.
Symbolically we see the rose associated with the love, beauty, the heart, and joy. Scientific documentation shows that the aroma therapeutics of a pure steam distilled essential oil of rose contain anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and cell regenerative properties. This is where one can see the value of perfumes made with pure essential oils. Keep in mind that the cost per drop of a true Rose essential oil can run between $2 and $4!
As I mentioned above this is the fifth perfume in the Californica series and Rosa californica has five petals. The fifth element, in the film by the same name, is love often symbolized by the rose.
During the mummification process in ancient Egyptian culture the major organs in the human body were removed. The organ that was valued the most was the heart, for they believed that a humans mind was in the heart. The brain was the least respected organ and was tossed aside. As science now proves that indeed there is brain matter in the heart, I encourage you to dive deep into your own heart center for answers to important questions.
A quarter ounce bottle of Rosa arrives in a French glass flacon contained in a hand crocheted pouch. We also offer 1 full gram of this perfume extract and sample with two other perfume extracts of your choice.
Oh, wonderful coffee! Not only does it taste amazing, but it has some very beneficial uses in skincare. One of coffee’s best-known functions is absorbing not-so-pleasant odors. This makes it a great addition to products like kitchen soaps to help remove garlicky or fishy scents. Check out Alchemic Muse’s Gourmet Soap for all of the avid chef’s in your life:
Coffee is also naturally full of antioxidants, making it a good ingredient for body exfoliants. Finely ground beans massaged into the skin can help remove dead skin cells, allowing healthy new cells to surface as well as absorb moisture better. It’s also thought that the dehydrating properties of caffeine help to firm and tighten the skin, and may even reduce the signs of cellulite. Visit Spa Therapy Works for her luscious-looking Turkish Cafe Exfoliant:
Coffee also works wonderfully in facial care products. In addition to its firming and antioxidant properties, caffeine also works as a vasodilator, which means that it constricts blood cells. This can help reduce the signs of redness and puffiness. The natural oils in coffee also offer protection from ultraviolet light and are rich in phytosterols, which work to retain moisture.Face cream below by DressGreen
There have also been recent studies showing that drinking coffee may help act against skin cancer. Scientists at the University of Washington have found that caffeine helps kill off skin cells damaged by ultraviolet light, one of the main causes of several types of skin cancer. While there aren't any recommendations going out about increasing your coffee intake, definitely do check out some of the freshly roasted beans themselves, available from these great Etsians!
Ah, summer...warmer temperatures and time spent outdoors, playing in the sun. And with all that, sunburn, bug bites and the bumps and bruises of playtime. Maybe it's time to have a few helpful remedies* on hand for these irritations of summer. You don't need to run to the local pharmacy; here are some recipes that you can easily make at home.
After-Sun Soother 1 oz Aloe Vera gel 1 oz Lavender hydrosol 1 oz Roman Chamomile hydrosol 10 drops Lavender essential oil 2 drops peppermint essential oil
Combine and shake well before using. Especially refreshing if kept in the refrigerator.
Bruise & Boo-boo Balm 2 oz beeswax 1 oz cocoa or shea butter 1 oz of arnica or comfrey infused jojoba oil 3 drops Lavender essential oil 3 drops Tea tree essential oil 3 drops Calendula essential oil 4 drops of Vitamin E
Melt beeswax and butter in a double boiler. Blend in the oil and essential oils and Vitamin e. Pour into jar or tin and let completely cool.
Bug Bite Soother Try a paste of baking soda and water to soothe the itch. Alternately, crush (or chew) plantain leaves and apply directly to the bite.
* The statements shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. The advice presented here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Those seeking treatment for a specific disease should consult a qualified physician.
1. What products do you make that are your main focus? My main focus are Goats Milk soaps and soaps that are made with different type of Oils. Each of my recipe is different.
2.What are the main ingredients you use in those products? Goats Milk for my goats milk soaps, and for my Oils soaps the main ingredients are Olive Oil and Shea Oil.
3. How did you get started? When? A friend introduced me to making soaps. She is my distributor. About 7 years ago.
4. Why do you do what you do? I like to be a scientist, to try different things and see what the out come is.
5. Where else do you vend your products? At craft shows, Fiber Festival, and Museums.
6. Where do you live? In Illinois
7. How long have you been selling on Etsy – advice for any? I have been on Etsy with my other Knitspin account since August 2005, and JBSoaps started on Oct. 27, 2007. My advice is to continue making new product and listing as often as you can. Don’t get discourage, you just have to work a little harder to get your name out there. Do a lot of Promotion outside of etsy, hand out Business cards.
8. What is your favorite scent? Cherry Blossom
9. What oil do you enjoy most? Different types, each of my recipe is different, but I think that I enjoy the most is Shea Oil for the smooth and silk feeling.
10. What do you do for fun? I spin yarn, take son to play video game. But my most fun is going to the water park.
I thought today would be a great day to start the week off with some gorgeous candle containers finds that mimic nature in its design. Bring the outside in when you use them to enhance your next bathing experience!
Daydreem Design's has many gorgeous hand-etched glass containers that house your favorite candles. I've personally bought a few of the leaves design votive holders and they're just as pretty in person as in the photos. Great craftsmanship! And these mushroom votive holders are just so intricate.Pirillinca does absolutely beautiful paper flower work and has used them to dress up glass holders for candles. Talk about adding a touch of color and 'freshness' to your bathing experience!
I really LOVE the rugged look of this candle holder from sticmanart made of copper and a river rock. The contrast in color is really nice and I could see a few of these accenting a bath area surrounded by nature (think outside gazebo style bath).
These candlesticks are just so interesting in texture, I had to add them to today's list. Plumablanca did a really beautiful job with these holders made from banksia seed pods. They remind me of the ocean and more specifically of an octopus. Perfect for those who love to decorate with ocean themes!
And to end it all, I had to do so with these fabulous goldleaf candle containers from FTGlasstudio. There are three to a set with one green, one red and one gold leaf accent. Really neat touches for bathroom with earthy hues. Adds just a touch of sophistication and of course some candle light!
1. What products do you make that are your main focus? What are the main ingredients you use in those products? My main focus for the business is S O A P! Though I never thought it would be when I first started this business over 7+ years ago. I also offer a wide variety of candles, bath, body, massage, salon & spa products. I use a combination of pure essential oils as well as synthetic fragrance oils because there are some scents that you just can't get in nature. I incorporate clays, micas, oxides, fdc's & ultramarine pigments for coloring. As for the main ingredients, I use oils/butters that are high in EFA's (essential fatty acids) in just the right proportions to give me a hard bar of soap that lasts long and produces a rich, thick, creamy lather.
2. How did you get started? When? I started my business as a result of having a private massage practice, back in 1999, but legalized the business in 2002 after I knew I was ready to start selling the products that I had been making & using in my practice. (I'm a licensed neuromuscular massage therapist). I was using creams/oils/lotions on my clients that I purchased from large massage suppliers. The problem was, I had NO idea what the ingredients were in these products that I was putting on my clients' skin. If I couldn't pronounce them, should I really be using them? Afterall, I was in a "healing" modality career. It just didn't feel right for me to do that. So, I began reading....ALOT! I must have every book known to man on herbalism & aromatherapy. I already had extensive training as a massage therapist in anatomy & physiology....so I was well aware of the importance of taking good care of your skin. I took more classes on related subjects, joined as many forums, groups, guilds & associations as one can count....and just read, researched & studied till my eyes felt like they were bleeding.
3. Why do you do what you do? Because I love to help people. I got into massage therapy because I wanted to help people achieve a relative state of homeostasis and improve their health & well being via holistic modalities. I started my bath & body care business for the same reasons. I wanted to help people improve the condition of their skin, get away from using harmful, toxic chemicals and just improve their well being overall. The greatest gift in the world is educating people, helping them improve their lives and seeing what a difference you've made to help them do that.
5. Where do you live (area not specifics)? I live in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania
6. How long have you been selling on Etsy – advice for any? I first opened my shop on Etsy in August of 2007, but I really didn't have any idea of exactly what the site was or how it could help my business grow...so it just sat there, empty....for 4 months. Once I did some more research on the site itself and listened to other successful etsians, I started to stock my shop with items. I had my 1st sale in January of 2008 and I've been steadily increasing the flow of traffic/sales to my shop since. I am no expert at selling on etsy, but if I had to give advice, I'd say to just stick with it if you're serious. Follow the suggestions made in the stork about how to set up your shop properly so that it's "buyer friendly". Be competitive in your pricing, offer disounts when/if possible. Treat your buyers like they are someone very special and appreciate the fact that they CHOSE your shop to purchase from....because they ARE special and you ARE appreciative of their business. Do what you do best, keeping your head held high. "The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed" - chines proverb
7. What is your favorite scent? My favorite scent is and always has been "Stress Relief". It's a mix of Lavender, Anise, Sage & a hint of peppermint and it's the very 1st blend that I used in my massage practice, it's the very 1st herbally infused massage oil that I ever made, and it's my best seller in soap, lotion & massage oil.
8. What oil do you enjoy most? It may sound simple, but Canola Oil. Why? Because it is CHOCK FULL of EFA's (essential fatty acids, containing 74% oleic acid). I have always used top quality (not the stuff that you buy in the grocery store) canola oil in my massage practice as it is, bar none, the best oil for your skin, hydrating & nourishing like no other. Avocado oil is a close 2nd, containing 58% oleic acid, but it's way too heavy for alot of the products that I make. 9. What do you do for fun? I enjoy spending time with my family, no matter what we're doing. We go out to dinner once a week with our entire family (in-laws and everything), we see movies, we go to theme parks, we enjoy the beach, camping, etc. You name it, we love just going out & enjoying each other's company when we're not working. Children grow up too fast. Enjoy them while they're still agreeable to spending time with their parents.......haha
Warm weather has finally arrived in the northeast---Yay! Of course that still changes on a daily basis, but it'll be here for the summer duration any day now (I say hopefully, with fingers crossed). With all this warm weather we have lots of botanicals blooming and our local world has become much more colorful. It is also the time of year when the wild roses are in bloom, and they grow rampant along the Rhode Island coastline. I look forward to picking the rose petals every year. The roses will bloom throughout the summer, but the best time to pick them is in June. I rode my bike (though it’s a short walk) to the beach from my sister's home on Sunday and was rewarded with wild roses aplenty! The rosehips will follow and by late August—early September, will be ready for picking.
Rose petals have long been used in beauty rituals for their scent and beautifying properties. Rose water has a long history both as a tonic for the complexion and to perfume the body. It is reported
that Cleopatra favored rose oil and used it to capture the love of Mark Antony.
Ready for picking!
The bounty--- they smell wonderful!
Once the petals are picked and dried, I use them (ground) in my Lavender-Rose Clay Mask, and layer them with a blend of coarse sea salt and Dead Sea minerals for my Wild Rose Bath Salts with Dead Sea Minerals, where the salts will absorb the wonderful scent of the rose petals.
I’m a huge fan of shopping through Etsy’s extensive Vintage selection. To search Vintage items on Etsy from the main page, just change the drop-down menu on the lefthand side of the search box from Handmade to Vintage. Alternately, you can go directly to the Buy section and click on the Vintage categories.
While this soap dish sold out, I really love its unique look – and I’m a huge fan of wall-mounted soap dishes, especially with this open design. It allows the soap to fully drain, although I’d say it’s pretty important that you can mount this so that it drains over a sink and not your countertop!
I’m a big collector of Milk Glass – it’s been made since the 1500s, and comes in a variety of colors. Besides the classic white, you can find lovely pinks, blues and greens.
With an almost limitless variety of styles of Vintage Milk Glass available on Etsy, you can easily build up a lovely collection and you’re certain to find the perfect dish to highlight your handcrafted soaps.
Another gorgeous Vintage style is transferware. It’s very collectible, and there are oodles of transferware ceramics on Etsy in a fantastic array of colors.
A pure white bar from Magic Hands would be a darling companion to the dish.If you’re in the mood for something much more unusual, Vintage Kitch is totally the way to go.
This little guy can hold all sorts of fun things, including solid perfume!
My current soap dish (and she has three left) is this awesomely shabby chic, heavy wrought iron dish. The detail on the dish is lovely and I’m planning on stripping it and repainting a shiny white to match my bathroom.
Get to know the artisan behind the product: "The Interview"!
1. What products are your main focus? What is your main ingredient?
Our specialty product is soap in all it's forms. I started with bar soaps, then learned to make liquid hand soaps and body wash.
Eventually we added whipped soap, dish soap, powdered laundry soap and even a natural dishwasher detergent. Olive oil is my very favorite ingredient to use, I love the way it feels on the skin and that feeling carries over into the soap.
2. How did you get started? When?
My mom sent me a natural bar of soap for Christmas in 1996. I had young children at the time, the shower was the one place in the house I could be alone, LOL! That bar of soap pampered my body and my soul, the creamy lather, wonderful herbal scent, the smoothness and richness of the bar. We lived in a very small town and it was pre-internet, I couldn't find anywhere to buy more soap! My first batch of soap came from a library book and a wooden spoon. I still have a bar of my first successful batch- Orange Spice.
3. Why do you do what you do?
I never planned on developing a business, it just kind of evolved over time. Most soapers will tell you that making soap gets into your blood, which is so true! Soon I was turning out way more soap than we could use, and I wanted to make more. Friends and family got more soap than they wanted, they started passing it on to friends and soon people were calling asking for soap! Turning the soap into a business fit perfectly into our lives; it was a way for me to make some income and still be home with our children. Since then it's become one of my greatest joys; I love everything about making and selling our products.
4. Where else to you vend your products?
We sell locally at 2-3 farmers markets, as well as on Etsy and our own website, www.showertreatsoap.com. This year we've done a few fundraisers for the local schools in support of the music program. Our products are also available at one of the health food stores here in town.
5. Where do you live?
We're located in rural Southwest Michigan.
6. How long have you been selling on Etsy? Do you have any advice?
We opened our shop on Etsy in 2006, but didn't tend it seriously until 2007. My advice for Etsy shop owners? Do what you love, do it well, or don't bother to do it at all.
7. What is your favorite scent?
Rosemary and lemongrass essential oils, blended together are simply wonderful!
8. What oil do you enjoy most?
Olive oil- there's nothing like it on skin.
9. What do you do for fun?
I am passionate about knitting, especially with wool. All winter long while the local soap business calms down I'm knitting felted wool handbags to sell the next season.
I've been slowly learning to spin my own wool yarn from roving, very exciting!
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), the pot marigold, is an important herb for skin care, perhaps having the longest history of use in this way of any herb.Even though its name is marigold, do not confuse it with the other ornamental marigold commonly grown which is the genus Tagetes. Calendula is most widely used for skin and digestive issues, but also for menstrual symptoms.
The useful components of calendula include a volatile oil, carotenoids, flavonoids, mucilage, resin, polysachharides, aromatic plant acids as well as saponins, glycosides and sterols.Extracts of calendula can include an infused oil, alcohol tincture, water soluble tea, or distilled and used as essential oil or watery distillate (hydrolate).
The water soluble polysaccharides and saponins have been used as a tea to heal stomach ulcers as well as in a compress for various types of skin damage. These benefits can be reaped by using calendula as a tea to either drink or to use as a wash for the skin.If you have calendula flower you can use it as a compress on a wound or as a tea to wash the skin. Applying a poultice directly to a wound can help stop bleeding.
Calendula is probably best used for chapped and otherwise irritated skin. The oil soluble components including the essential oil seem especially good at stimulating wound healing. Scientific studies have found that extracts of calendula can speed the healing of skin wounds and burns. Calendula ointment has also been used to decrease dermatitis following skin irradiation for breast cancer.
The hydrolate or distillate of calendula can help with skin irritations and rashes. Used as a distillate it can be sprayed directly on the skin or can be substituted for any or all of the water portion of a cream or lotion. You can also use it for mouth sores and hemorrhoids. This distillate contains minute amounts of essential oil as well as organic acids.
Calendula petals are a great addition to soap because they maintain their color imparting an orange color to the soap. The petals are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and immune stimulating. These properties are useful for treating various types of dermatitis such as eczema.
Much of the healing properties of calendula are because of its high levels of carotenoids (vitamin A like compounds). Because these compounds are oil soluble, an infused oil is a good way to go. Calendula also contains oil soluble sterols that help plump the skin and keep it thick. An infused oil is easily made by filling a jar with dried calendula flowers and covering the flowers with a carrier oil of some type; almond oil, olive oil, etc. You can get more out of the flowers by macerating the mixture in a blender. Let this oil set (infuse) for two weeks or more shaking it periodically to help extract the properties from the flowers. When ready to use filter the oil through cheesecloth. You can use this oil directly in a balm or as part of the oil portion of a cream or lotion. This infused oil can help with skin regeneration, diaper rash, sunburn, bed sores and various inflammatory conditions. Do make sure that your calendula is dry and that the oil completely covers the plant material to prevent mold growth.
As an edible flower the petals can be used in a salad, dip or rice. I find the flavor a little too resinous though. Although rare, there are cases of people having allergy to calendula when used in skin care. Always be aware that a person can have an allergy or sensitivity to anything and usage should be stopped immediately if any reaction occurs.
Cindy Jones, Ph.D. grows herbs on her farm in Colorado and uses them for making skin care and wellness products. Her website is www.sagescript.com and she blogs at http://sagescript.blogspot.com.
Duran, V., et al. Results of the clinical examination of an ointment with marigold (Calendula officinalis) extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Int. J. Tissue React. 2005 27(3):101-6.
Pommier, P., et al. Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared to trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer. J. Clin. Oncol. 2004 22(8):1447-53.
Get to know the artisan behind the product: "The Interview"!
1. What products do you make that are your main focus? What are the main ingredients you use in those products?
My main focus is my bar soaps. They’re my favorite product to make and gives me the most pleasure even though they call for patience while they cure they’re still my fave. The main ingredients I use are olive oil, sweet almond oil, soybean & canola oils. I also include shea and mango butters in almost every batch. I will omit the butters if I’m making a simple kitchen soap. Then there’s the silk & kaolin clay that I add because I love the way they make the soap feel on my skin.
2. How did you get started? When?
I started making soap 9 years ago back in 2000. My niece had terrible eczema and I felt so bad for her because she couldn’t use regular soap like her siblings and had to bathe in special powders prescribed by her doctor. I decided that I wanted to try to make something that she could use in the shower that wouldn’t dry out her fragile skin. I purchased a couple of soapmaking books and studied them for at least 6 months before getting up the gumption to actually make my 1st batch of soap. I’ve been addicted ever since!
3. Why do you do what you do?
Well it all started because of my niece but as she’s gotten older and her skin is all better, I don’t seem to be able to stop. I recently discovered that my deceased grandmother who I never knew was a soapmaker also. Maybe that’s why I do what I do – it’s in my blood!
4. Where else do you vend your products?
I sell to all my family & friends locally as well as those who live ½ way across the globe. I also have products listed on ArtFire and Handmade Fuzion.
5. Where do you live? Currently I live in Connecticut.
6. How long have you been selling on Etsy – advice for any?
Next month I will reach my 2 year milestone as a seller on Etsy. It’s been an awesome time. Advice? Make what you love with love. Your customers will see it in the finished product and to me, it makes all the difference.
7. What is your favorite scent?
Ooooh – there are so many favorite scents. If I were ever banished to exile island and could take just 1 fragrance with me, it would have to be Gardenia!
8. What oil do you enjoy most?
Olive oil because growing up in the UK, we didn’t consume olive oil. It was sold in drug stores in teeny tiny bottles as a health & beauty aid. When I first came to the USA I was shocked to see it sold for consumption but quickly realized why and have since fallen in love with the taste. Whenever I use olive oil now in my products, the smell reminds me of my mom rubbing olive oil on our little arms & legs to combat dry skin.
9. What do you do for fun?
I like knitting and when the mood strikes me I love to read too. I recently got over my fear/disgust of worms and since then I’ve become a serious gardener. Now if only I could be cured of my fear of snakes, all would be right with my world
Spa Therapy Works has just introduced a line of Exfoliating Body Cleansers!
Removing dead skin cells and revealing soft, smooth skin are great ways to have a beautiful summer skin. So get your skin ready for summer with these new foaming body polishes!
No more oily, messy jars! These incredible oil-free foaming scrubs have a souffle-like texture to polish, cleanse and moisturize your skin, leaving you feeling clean, silky soft and happy! A great all-in-one bath product for summer.
* With 40% of pure glycerin, this scrub provides superior moisture replenishment without any oily feeling.
* Sugar cane contains glycolic acid, one of the natural alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliates the skin. It improves your skin's appearance and texture.
Summer Smoothie is our exclusive tropical fruity blend of juicy strawberry, ripe mango, fresh papaya, creamy coconut and sweet peaches; perfectly blended to cleanse and polish your skin from head to toe! A fruity treat for your skin.
Turkish Cafe is a decadent blend of fresh brewed coffee aroma with hints of vanilla and chocolate. Tantalizing!
Frozen Margarita: Enjoy our version of the ultimate happy hour cocktail. Crisp, fresh and full of refreshing Lime citrus and lemongrass. This instant-party body scrub will transport you to white sandy beaches and clear blue skies while smoothing away bumps & flakes and creating a glowing, healthy, soft skin.
* If you spray tan, an oil-free scrub is recommended as a pre-treatment for best results.
Get to know the artisan behind the product: "The Interview"!
1. What products do you make that are your main focus? What are the main ingredients you use in those products?
My sugar scrubs are my main focus. I feel like I have more room for creativity there…I can add herbs or spices or flower petals or colored sugar or sprinkles…I feel like I can create a piece of art in a jar and that thrills me! I dumped 5 different colors of sugar into one and let it sit for a few months and when I went back to it and opened it, the sugar had sort of dissolved and created a rainbow like pattern, it was awesome!
The main ingredients are sugar, an organic liquid soap and a blend of carrier oils that I believe complement each other while being similar to the skins natural oil production. From there I add my additional exfoliants & scent blends. 2. How did you get started? When?
I got started in 2003, after I started working as a massage therapist at a small local day spa. I’d previously worked at one of the larger spas on the Strip and everything we used in the treatments came out of big 5 gallon or larger, barrels; everything was premixed & prepared. When I went to the smaller day spa, the owner had what she called a “fresh menu” and every morning she’d stop & pick up fresh fruits and vegi’s. She was a retired massage therapist & aesthetician and had worked on an island resort, so she brought with her years of experience & shared it with us. We were taught which fruits to combine to create a treatment that was similar to an acid peel, but it wasn’t so harsh. I was intrigued and couldn’t get enough, so I started reading everything she recommended and I absorbed and picked her brain!! I started with sugar scrubs & bath salts; my husband built me a garden & helped me plant the herbs that I wanted to use.
A few years later I started teaching Massage & in order to maintain my certificates, licenses & teaching credentials, I had to take continuing education classes. Naturally I started studying herbal medicine, which led me to Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Thai Massage and Aromatherapy. Using essential oils was something that was already a part of my life & household; my continued education was just another avenue to utilize them. Many of the techniques & practices I’ve applied to my massage business as well as The Bath Project. 3. Why do you do what you do?
After the initial learning at the day spa, I started to realize that I could create a product that I could & WOULD use on myself. Up to that point, I couldn’t use body products without some sort of rash or irritation; even makeup was a hassle. I remember being little & having the pink Mr. Bubbles bottle in our bathroom and I couldn’t use it. My little brother got all the bubble enjoyment. I was determined to create a product for me, that I could enjoy again and again. Once I was able to do that I figured that I wasn’t the only one who had been denied the joys of a bubble bath or a scented soap or lotion. It became my goal to provide that.
4. Where else do you vend your products?
My website is currently being built (yay!), so that’s coming soon. I sell occasionally at the local farmers market, usually before the intense heat that causes things to melt & sweat (including me)! The Bath Project is carried in a day spa in Utah and in Washington (thank you Kim).
5. Where do you live?
Las Vegas, NV
6. How long have you been selling on Etsy – advice for any?
About 2 and a half years. My advice is to be true to you, to the reason you started. Don’t worry about what everyone else is making, find your groove/niche and run with it. Directing your energy into your brand is the best way to grow; it feels natural and when you talk about it, others pick up on that.
7. What is your favorite scent?
Oh wow, this is a tough one! My favorite essential oil is Tangerine, especially with a few drops of Patchouli! My favorite scent blend…right now its my Ice Cream Party blend and my Island Getaway blend. If you ask me when I’m getting ready for the holiday season, I’m sure it’ll change ;o)
8. What oil do you enjoy most?
Hands down Hemp Seed Oil.
9. What do you do for fun?
Read! I usually have 4-5 books going at a time; depending on my mood will decide which one I pick up in the evening. I also enjoy going boating & fishing with my husband & our boys; when it cools off definitely heading out to the sand dunes and riding! I’m really a tomboy at heart, so any opportunity I get to play in the mud & sling sand, I’m happy!
Enhance your backyard gatherings with this gorgeous design that was highlighted on MSN Lifestyle yesterday. The article was originally published in Martha Stewart Living in July 2006. According to the article, “Bars and buffet tables must be adequately lighted, but they’re often located far from electiral outlets. An easy, inexpensive solution is to gather clear apothecary bottles and fill them with lamp oil and wicks. Arrange the bottles under a large hurricane for protection; we set these on a study glass cake stand (make sure the bottles are evenly balanced on the stand).”
Expand on this idea to create your own unique lighting by using colored lamp oil, colored bottles of various shapes and sizes, different glass hurricanes, etcetera. The creative possibilities with this lighting suggestion are boundless. These beautiful bottles also make great table centerpieces and are wonderful additions to your patio furniture decor.
I started in natural perfumery as an alternative to regular perfume; I'm chemically sensitive but the naturals allow me to enjoy and work with scents.
I'm also a graphic designer. When I started college I wanted to study 3D animation, but I found I really loved graphic design and web design instead. I do freelancing work as well as creating the graphics for my various websites.
My first website I made at the age of 15. It was a fansite for ReBoot, the first cartoon to be totally 3D animated. That was a cool show, yall.
We have a fuzzy black gerbil named Anubis. He looks like a large black mouse. Watching Anubis eat is incredibly entertaining to me. It's the cutest thing ever.
I'm not a great cook by any means, but can make a mean lasagna.
Favorite Food: Italian! Pasta, sauces, cheeses, veggies, hot bread, ahh... I also really Indian and its diverse intense flavors and aromas. Yum!
When I was little, I told my mom I would never, EVER have a garden when I grew up. Cuz plants were boring.
I've collected pretty glass bottles even before getting into perfuming. My glass collection includes glass bowls, vases, and a few figurines and ornaments.
I live in Texas. I'm from Amarillo originally, and that is where I am staying for the summer. After my dear sister's wedding in August, I plan to return to the San Marcos/Austin area. While going to Texas State I totally fell in love with Austin! So if you're ever in town, please hit me up because I love meeting Etsians!
So, let’s face it, most of us have a bathroom that could do with a bit of decorative intervention. You have your bevy of luxurious soaps and scrubs and creams and whatnot, now you need a place to use them in style! This week (or month, as the case may be) on Bathroom Decorator Extraordinaire, we search out a few awesome Etsy sellers that can take your bathroom from blah to earthy natural retreat in a matter of seconds (not accounting for shipping time, of course).
First up, we have ParadiseHillDesigns’ Organic Shaped Tealight Holders. These guys are made by hand from reclaimed boards, supposedly from a barn, no less. How cool is that? These would be perfect for creating the proper atmosphere for, say, a relaxing bath with a cool glass of fresh veggie juice (remember, we’re being earthy and natural here). Or, just place them in strategic places around your bathroom to create that aura of organic driftwood charm.
Next? Well, nothing screams nature like a plant. The Butter Cream Birdhouse from greenwaredesign features a handmade planter complete with a tillandsia airplant. What the jimmybob is an airplant, you ask? Well, apparently they don’t actually require any soil. This particular one comes nestled in a bed of moss—think tropical plants growing up in the canopies of a rainforest—and who doesn’t want their bathroom to be like a rainforest? The best part? Rainforests and bathroom happen to be a very similar type of environment. Apparently these awesome looking plants thrive on the warmth and humidity left in the room post-shower! Finally, for something a bit more on the practical side, check out this toothbrush holder and soap dispenser set from dkpottery. With its brown and cream glaze, it’s just the perfect thing to complete your bathroom’s newfound foresty charm. Soap dispensers are a perfect way to reduce waste by buying your liquid soap in bulk. Plus, the toothbrush holder has a neat little whole in the bottom for drainage. Happy bathrooming!
MEMBERSHIP TO EGCG IS CLOSED AT THE MOMENT. WE WILL ANNOUNCE HERE WHEN WE RE-OPEN IT.
Thank You! - The EGCG Team
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About EGCG
Etsy Green and Clean Guild
EGCG is short for Etsy Green And Clean Guild, a street team for Etsy sellers who specialize in soapmaking, perfume, cosmetics, herbal products - delights for your body and spirit. We have banded together to help educate the public about the merits of well-crafted products from small businesses who care about their customers, as well as to promote Etsy in general. We also serve as advocates for Truth in Advertising and full ingredient disclosure for bath and beauty makers.
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