We've Moved....

We've move our blog to http://blog.bonghinatura.com so come check out, and don't forget to add us to your blog roll.

Come by and visit our etsy shop at http://bonghinatura.com

Shea Butter - Benefits for your skin.

Shea Butter is rich in Vitamins A, E, and F and nourishes the skin . Vitamins A and E help maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy. They are extremely helpful in treating sun damaged skin as well as, helping to prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines. Vitamin F acts as a skin protector and rejuvenator. It soothes rough, dry or chapped skin and restore moisture to the skin. Also, Shea Butter easily penetrates the skin allowing the skin to breathe and not clogging pores. Shea Butter also has high levels of cinnamic acid, which is a natural sun screen. it provides some degree of protection from the sun. Shea Butter is also anti-inflammatory making it useful in treating rheumatism. .

Here are some benefits of shea butter for the skin

- Leaves skin smooth, supple and soft.

- Helps provide stretch mark prevention and healing

- Helps heal scars, burns and bruises

- Prevents ashy skin, chapping, and skin rashes.

- An ideal hair dressing that protects the scalp from sores and rashes and prevents dandruff.

- Helps prevent weak hair from breaking, fading, or thinning out.

- Fortifies cuticles and nails.

- Helps bruises to heal.

- Helps drain toxins from sore muscles: perfect for sports participants.

- Helps prevent skin irritation for babies: used for generations to help babies sleep better.

- Use after shaving to prevent irritation and restore skins natural luster.

- Ideal for dry skin, dermatitis, eczema, sunburn and athletes foot.

- Rejuvenates skin pores and adds elasticity to skin.

- Firms up aging skin and helps clear wrinkles.

- Massage shea butter into areas affected by arthritis, join pains, or other muscular ache.

- Soften Tough Skin on Feet especially heels.

This is list of possible benefits of shea butter, and should not be used in place of medical advice. Please consult you physican with any skin complications.

Lavanda - New Lavender Soap

This 5.5oz shea butter soap is for all the lavender lovers out there. Lavanda is made of sweet, crisp lavender essential oil and dried lavender flower buds for a wonderfully relaxing aroma.

Lavender has a beautiful floral scent and is said to be very calming, and soothing to the senses. This bar would be a great way to unwind after a long day.

http://bonghinatura.com

New Release......

Autunno - 4oz Pumpkin Spice

"Autumn"

This 4oz bar has a comforting spicey aroma reminiscent of pumpkin pie. This soap is perfect for the holiday season get one for your self or to give as a gift.

And the WINNERS are.....

The Winners....

1st Prize - $25 - Valerie2356

2nd Prize - $10 - quitecontrary1977

3rd Prize - Free Bar of your Choice - De Lavande

I also randomly selected 3 people to receive sample bars and the winners are..
abby
carolyn
mom2boys

I will be contacting all the winners this week with more information. Congrats winners, and thank you to everyone who entered. Don't forget to check back, I will be running another Christmas give away very soon!

Enter to Win Free Bonghi Natura Products

It's giveaway time again, and it's our best one yet! With the holidays coming up I thought it would be the perfect time for a giveaway, so I will be having one now and one closer to Christmas so stay tuned. The contest will run from October 11- November 1st.

The rules are simple go check out my shop, BONGHI NATURA, come back and leave a comment on my blog with a link or the name of your favorite item from my shop!

1st Prize - $25 to spend in my shop on anything you like, may be used towards total purchase price, including shipping. $25 must be used all in one purchase any remaining balance will be forfeited .

2nd Prize - $10 to spend in my shop on anything you like, may be used towards total purchase price, including shipping. $10 must be used all in one purchase any remaining balance will be forfeited .

3rd Prize - Free Bar of Soap of your choice

I will also be giving out free samples so even if you don't win the top 3 prizes you still may get some samples!!

One entry per person. I will allow one additional entry per person to any one who links to my blog or contest on their blog, or to any person who is either donating to, or has breast cancer awareness products for the month of October. (Please let me know in your comment or via convo if you qualify for an additional entry)

Winners will be chosen at random on November 1st, so don't forget to check in and see if you've won!!

Friday Feature - FancifulForm

What is the best way to describe your shop, and what makes you unique?
http://fancifulform.etsy.com is my escape from the everyday for me. Sometimes I will get frustrated with a painting or a drawing I am working on and I need something I can do to relax while I wrap my head around whats bothering me. The only way I know how to relax is to create so when everything else I create gets overwhelming I turn to my pendants for balance and support.


How did you select your name?
When I first joined Etsy I agonized over the name of my shop. I wanted something that would allow me to have multiple kinds of items. Paintings, Prints, ect. I had the word "Fanciful" stuck in my head for some reason and after pondering that for a while I decided on "FancifulFlair" for my art shop. I wanted my Pendant store to be similar as it is more defined I decided on FancifulForm.


When and how did you first get started in your art?
I started creating as a child. I don't honestly remember the first time I took toilet paper and made papier mache or the first time I smeared paint all over a Christmas ornament.


Do you sell outside of etsy? If so where?
So far I only sell on Etsy. I was accepted to HandmadeFusion but I don't really know anything about them yet. I have my own website http://LaurenKnuckles.com Which showcases my artwork and is capable of selling through paypal but I haven't set it up yet.

Is this your full time job?
No, This is my part time job. I have been working for my art teacher off and on trying to get her studio organized and when I am not doing that I run my two etsy shops. I'm also a full time college student.


What is your favorite material?
Oh goodness. I dread this question. lol
I could start a list that would never end. They are all my favorites! Probably my very favorite right now is fabric. Any scrap fabric at all. I collect mountains of scrap fabric even when I don't need it because someday I might.


What do you enjoy most about creating your art?
The zone. You know that place. Where you suddenly find that you've spent eight hours on a project you meant to sit and spend fifteen minutes on. Where you realize that you're so hungry you may feint because the kitchen was just too far away from your desk to grab a snack. Thats where I am the happiest.

Where do you find inspiration?
Most of my inspirations comes from experimenting with mediums. I'll try something I have never done before and depending on how the finished product looks I'll either scrap it or delve deeper and try a different ratio or poor it over fabric or add beads to it. I'm inspired by trial and error.

Click HERE to visit Fancifulform.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A few months ago I started making a soap, for Breast Cancer Awareness, for each bar sold 50% of the proceeds is donated to Breast Cancer. In honor of breast cancer awareness month 10% of all regular sales will be donated to breast cancer.

Click here to visit our etsy shop!

To read other post about breast cancer please check out the links below!
http://bonghinatura.blogspot.com/2008/04/for-cure-breast-cancer-awarenss.htm
http://bonghinatura.blogspot.com/2008/04/tuesday-tips-breast-cancer-prevention.html

Tuesday Tips - SKIN CARE A-Z Continued

Here are tips r-t from "Your Everything Guide to Skin. All you need to know from A-Z." These tips come to you from an article in Elle Magazine. This is a post I started back a few months back, but I have been so busy I haven't even had time to post to my blog. I finally have a free minute so I thought I would give a a few more of these great tips!

r. - RETINOIDS: These chemical compounds are derived from vitamin A and assist in regulating cell growth. Avaliable over the counter (Rentin - A is the prescription version), retinoids are often used to reduce the appearance of lines since they're so effective at getting skin cells to rebuild collagen and elastin. This rapid turnover can sometimes trigger sensitivtiy, however, so most doc suggest starting with retinoids every other night until the skin adjusts to the new ingredient.

s. - SLEEP: Most studies recommend seven to eight hours of shut-eye per night for optimal health and beauty benefits. This is a time for full-body regeneration and skin repair, so derms often tell patients to apply treatments such as retinoids and pigmentation-reducers before bed, giving ingredients like glucosamine, which treats spots and lines, the ideal conditions under which to work their magic.

t. - TEA: Wheather brewed as a soothing beverage or added to a daily skin cream, these antioxidant superstars (the most potent include green and white teas, along with Argentinian yerba mate) also contain large amounts of polyphenol. a known antiager. These types of tea have beed sceintifcally proven to defend against the formation of certain types of cancer when sipped daily, and there's evidence that they fight free radicals, minimize UV effects, and repair damaged cells when applied to the skin.

u. - UV BLOCKERS: The best lotions provide full-spectrum coverage by shielding against UVA and UVB rays. Look for labels listing avobenxone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.

v. - VITAMINS: Just as a rainbow-color diet supercharges your energy level, your skin requires a full range of vitamins to keep up it's glow. When mixed into your favorite treatment, vitamins play a major role in important skin function such as speeding up healing, minimizing hyperpigmentation, and booting collagen.

The final post with tips w-z will be coming soon , don't forget to check back for these final skin care tips!

FRIDAY FEATURE - Flirt Buttons

What is the best way to describe your shop, and what makes you unique?
I sell mostly designer fabric covered pocket mirrors, bottle openers, buttons, magnets jewelry and hair accessories. My uniqueness is due to my choice of fabrics and trends.


How did you select your name?
My other business is called Bad Girlz Beads. I wanted something toned down from that, but still fun and girly.

When and how did you first get started in your art?
I have been an artist all my life. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Masters of Science degree in textiles. My profession is textile design, mostly area rugs and carpet. I also teach fashion marketing and design at the college level.

Do you sell outside of etsy? If so where?
I sell at art/craft fairs and to friends and family.

Is this your full time job?
I am making it my full time job. I have a 9 month old at home and I do not plan to go back to the corporate world.

What is your favorite material? actually it is glass, I also do handmade lampwork glass beads and jewelry: www.hare.etsy.com


What do you enjoy most about creating your art?
For my buttons I like going out and collecting all the fabrics and papers. I bring my little view finder to see what will look good on a button.

Where do you find inspiration?
everywhere, as an artist it seems everything is inspiring.

Click HERE to visit Flirtbuttons.

On vacation.....

It's been very busy around here, and my blog has been been getting no attention at all. Things are finally starting to calm down and get back to normal so I've finally found some time to post. I recently took a trip out to San Francisco for the first time with my husband and daughter. It was such a beautiful city, we had so much fun. My only complaint, it was so cold!

FRIDAY FEATURE - Jennifer Squires Productions

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
I've been photographing professionally since 1996 and I opened my Etsy shop in February 2008. My work covers a broad range of categories, from shopping carts to gerbera daisies, but I always find that I focus on the details of life.

How did you select your name?
I use my name for my shop name and business name, so I guess it comes from good ole Mom and Dad.

What makes your shop unique?
My photographs are fresh, contemporary, and very professional, complimenting a wide range of decor styles.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
The prints exhibited on Etsy are only available through my Etsy shop, however I can be commissioned for private pieces through my website: www.jennifersquires.ca

How long have you been making your craft?
I've been taking pictures my whole life, but I began to study photography in high school and continued through college.

Is it your full-time job?
I am very happy to say that photography is my full-time job, and has been since 2001.



How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
I restrict blocks of time throughout my days and weeks that are specifically for work and specifically for play.

What is your favorite material?
My favourite materials are found objects and paper.

What inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by the world around me and I use photography to search for simplicity and meaning in the beauty of the everyday.

Click HERE to visit Jennifer Squires Shop.

On vacation......

All last week I took a little vacation, while we had a friend in town visiting from Rome, Italy so that I could take her around Washington D.C and Northern VA. She left yesterday morning for Chicago, and will be traveling across the US for the rest of the month, so it's back to normal around here and I thought I would share some of our adventures

The National Monument, view from the the Lincoln Memorial.

The Luray Singing Tower contains a carillon of 47 bells, and was erected in 1937.

The Luray Carverns.

The Caverns were first discovered in 1878.

Skin Care A-Z Continued

Here are tips p & q from "Your Everything Guide to Skin. All you need to know from A-Z." These tips come to you from an article in Elle Magazine. I have company in town this week from Italy so this is just a quick post, but make sure you check back for more tips soon!!

p. - PH BALANCE: Harsh cleansers and sugary snacks are just a few of the factors that can upset the skin's normal ph (4.0-5.5), causing flaking. To hit the reset button, forgo intense acid peels chomp green veggies, and rehydrate with lotion.

q. - QUICK FIX: Make up artists know how to wake up lackluster skin in minutes without a drop of foundation. Apply a moisturizing mask (or just a rich cream) with a gentle, three minute facial massage. The process relaxes the muscles, accelerates microcirculation, and plumps lines to create smoother surface and a temporary - but convincing - glow.

There are only a few more tips left in the series and you don't want to miss them, so make sure you check back for the rest of Elle's Skin Care Guide.

Friday Feature - V Silcox Designs

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
answer: Back in 2001, and right after September 11th, I made a life changing decision. On that day, I was sitting in a high rise building in downtown Los Angeles when the news came. Of course we evacuated, and on the long drive home I had pleanty of time to think, specifically about how valuable my family was to me, how sad I was for those who were lost, and what choices I had made for my life.

I gave up my 20 plus year career in construction, to persue my passion for art. All my life I had toyed with pen and ink...and I suppose charcoal as well, but I had always envisioned painting glass, wine glasses specifically, so I figured....why not go with the fantasy. And here I am.


How did you select your name?
Answer: I wanted my pieces identified with a person, not a company name. Hence, V Silcox Designs.

What makes your shop unique?
I'm not sure that I'm all that unique, although I have found my own style of painting, which so far seems to be mine alone.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
I usually average about 35 to 40 art and high craft shows per year, so I'm on the road constantly...from here in Southern California...to the San Francisco Bay Area...to Arizona.

How long have you been making your craft?
Answer: I started toying with glass painting in 2001 and practiced for well over a year, trying to perfect a clear transparent painting method, which would resemble stained glass. I didn't show until 2003, and it's been non stop ever since.

Is it your full-time job?
Answer: Absolutely! I average no less than 9 hours per day painting.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
Answer: Well, the studio is in my home, so it's convenient. I have a fabulous husband, who handles a lot of the running around. The hardest thing for me is to stay off the Etsy site, in order to get things accomplished!

What is your favorite material?
Answer: Well, of course glass and enamels. But after that, I love fabric painting, charcoal, pen and ink, and over the past year, have started to dabble in graphic design.

What inspires you?
Answer: Light refraction....sounds weird...but it's the absolute truth.

Click HERE to visit V Silcox Designs

SKIN CARE A-Z CONTINUED

Here's is " Your Everything Guide To Skin. All you need to know from A-Z." Continued. This is a series of post I started last week from article I read in Elle Magazine, so if you miss tips A-L make sure you go back and check them out! Here are tips M-O, enjoy!

m. - MINERAL: Big news in makeup, mineral formulas consist of natural substances like zinc oxide, ultamarine, and titanium dioxide. Sine the particles don't penetrate skin they offer cover with low risk of irritation.

n. - NIACIN: A derivative of vitamin B3, niacin helps the digestive system convert food to energy and assists nerve function. But skin care gurus love it because niacin breaks down into nicotinic acid, which stimulates the release of leptin, a hormone that's been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation. Applied twice a day, a niacin-enriched product could fade brown spots and other discoloration over time, and since it's gentle niacin is well suited for delicate faces.

o. - OIL: When it comes to creating the perfect skin cream, water and oil truly do mix. It's the ratio of these two ingredients that makes some textures feel thick and other slip on the light and airy. But not all oils are created equal. Occlusive versions such as mineral oil lay on the skin to create a protective barrier, while lighter formulas like jojoba seep into skin's cracks and crevices

Make sure you check back for more skin care tips, everything you need know from a-z coming soon!

FRIDAY FEATURE - Expressions By Devin

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
My shop is comprised mainly of hand made greeting cards and some other gifts that come to mind while working in my studio. It got started a couple of years ago when I began making cards for family and friends and then just expanded when someone asked me if they were for sale.


How did you select your name?
Expressions By Devin is the name of my business. It just started as something that sounded good and not too cheesy.

What makes your shop unique?
I like to think my shop is unique because I hand stamp, color, and design all of my cards. I refuse to use stickers. My cards you definitely can't find at the store.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
I sell my cards in my aunt and uncle bakery ,plus i have a website www.expressionsbydevin.com. I also try to set up at any fall craft fairs I can find in my area.

How long have you been making your craft?
For 3 years

Is it your full-time job?
I certainly wish that it could be. I own my own cleaning business.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
After work, I spend much of my time working on items for the shop. My husband is my business adviser and does a lot of work with me. My dog Lovie likes to hang out in the studio with me also.

What is your favorite material?
Do clear stamps count? I absolutely love using clear stamps. My current favorites are the vintage stamps I found on vacation.

What inspires you?
I find inspiration from lots of places. I love classic art. When I get stumped for new ideas I put on the radio and let the music give me direction.
Click HERE to Visit Expressions By Devin

Tuesday Tips - SKIN CARE

Here is a special addition of Tuesday Tips, this the 3rd post out of a series of post on skin care I started last Thursday from an article I read in ELLE Magazine "Your Everything Guide To Skin. All you need to know from A-Z." Tips J-L, Enjoy!

j. - JUICE: Greapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes, make more than thirst-slacking vitamin packed beverages. Fruit acids, part of the alpha-hydroxy family have also been proven to be brilliant exfloiants (citric and malic acid are two popular varieties.) Unlike scrubs, which pyshically slough off the dead tissue, fruit acids break apart the bonds holding together old cells in surface-dulling clumps. This action also encourages the formation of new cells, which not only makes the complexion radiant and fresh but also evens tone and minimzes hyperpigmentation.

k. - vitamin K: Found in dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, vitamin k helps build strong bones. Applied topically, it repairs broken blood vessels, zapping dark circles and accelerating bruise healing.

l. - LINE FILLERS: From Restylane to CosmoDerm to Zyderm, fillers (made respectively, of hyaluronic acid, lab produced human collagen and bovine collage) are injectedunder the skin to erase lines and restore fullness. Needle-phobes should opt for creams and cosmetic that mimic the look with optical light diffusers.

Make sure you check make for more skin care tips coming soon!

Skin Care A-Z Continued

I started a series of posts on Thursday from an article I read in ELLE Magazine "Your Everything Guide To Skin. All you need to know from A-Z." Here are tips E-I for the 2nd part of this series on skin care, Enjoy!

e. -ESSENTIAL OILS: Plant-derived oils such as sandalwood and rose can create the aroma behind your beloved eau de perfum an offer countless remedies: De-stress instantly in a lavender infused bath; dab on tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, to banish breakouts.

f. - FAT: It may be loathsome when you're trying to squeeze into your skinny jeans, but facially speaking, fat is a major ally in turning back the clock. When injected the springy cells plump up the complexion, pushing out wrinkles, and lifting sagging skin (plus, doctors harvest the fats cells from the butt and thighs - a win-win situation.)

g. - GRAPES: Grapes are the main source of the antiaging powerhouse resveratrol. When taken internally, this ingredient triggers health effects similar to a low-calorie diet and is believed to help prevent diseases including diabetes and cancer, as well as ward off weight gain and increase endurance. Found within the skin and fruit, resveratrol offers several complexion benefits when applied topically - amped-up collagen production, protection from from UV damage, and defense against loss of eleasticity.

h.- HUMECTANT: By drawing water from the air and the skin's surface, humectants keep the underlaying cells bouncy and moist. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most widely used; others include glycerin, urea, and panthenol.

i.- ICE: Sure, it soothes a twisted ankle, but ice - or a chilled cloth or a straight-from-the-fridge mask -is also the best way to calm overstressed skin ( and depuff undereye bags). Cool compresses constrict capillaries , forcing clood redness and inflammation away from the skin's surface.

Coming Soon tips J-M, you don't want to miss these!

FRIDAY FEATURE - Diva Loves Silver

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
Hi, this is Gina from Diva loves silver. We feature silver flower pendants, silver bracelets and silver cross pendants, as well as silver animal pendants and lovely silver earrings, just to name a few of our unique silver jewelry.
We opened this Etsy store in May of 2007. All the jewelry in our store is designed by my sister Jane who is in Australia working as an artist and hand-forged in our studio here in Toronto. We have a small boutique store located in Toronto which opened just 2 years ago in 2006. Basically, we made jewelry from our studio and then sell them through our boutique store. Eric is the artisan in our studio and also my boyfriend. ^_*
It was sometime in 2006, at the Ebay’s seller forum, I saw few people talked about how good Etsy was in a thread. I was curious and wanted to see how it looks like. And that’s it; I end up selling in Etsy a year’s later.

How did you select your name?
We don’t like fancy name, actually. We all believed store’s name must be straightforward. It must point out directly to the customers what we are selling. So we came out this name “diva loves silver”.

What makes your shop unique?
Each piece of jewelry in our store is an Original creation designed by my sister Jane. Many of our jewelry pieces are one-of-a-kind. Most of pieces are inspired by Asian and western art (She took art program in university).
For Jane, making jewelry is a way of expression of herself. She wants to make unique jewelry that can mean something very different to each person.


Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
Yes, we sell them through our own boutique store here in Toronto.
How long have you been making your craft?
We are in this business for around 2 years now. But our Etsy store is still new.


Is it your full-time job?
I will say it is a part-time job for me, I am a musician. But for Eric and Jane, it is a full-time job.
How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
Eric helps me out in the boutique store, so I can just focus on our ETSY store, doing promotion and posting stuff. It is all about time-devotion (less TV and less entertainment). ^^

What is your favorite material?
925 silver

Click HERE to visit Diva Loves Silver.

Skin Care A-Z

In the mail the other day I got my Elle Magazine, and in this month issue was a great little "tear out" section titled "Your Everything Guide to Skin. All you need to know from A-Z." It had a lot of great tips in it so I thought I would share them with everyone in a series of posts. For the first set here are tips A-D

a.- ANTIOXIDANTS: The Pac-Men of skin care, antioxidants - such as vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and those within green tea and grape seed - gobble up the free radicals produced by factors like sun exposure, pollution, stress, and cigarette smoke, neutralizing their skin-weakening powers. Dermatologist trumpet the virtues of the face saving ingredients, both as a part of a healthy diet that reinforces tissue from the inside and as a key step in a daily skin care regimen.

b.- BODY BRUSH: An age- old cellulite buster, a dry natural-bristle body brush raises blood flow to the epidermis, revs up lymphatic drainage, and exfoliates dead cells.

c. - COLLAGEN: Along with elastin and hyaluronic acid, collagen provides the mesh framework that keeps skin plums, lifted, and wrinkle free. A strong, fibrous protein, collagen is multitasking antiager. In addition to preventing collagen breakdown by diligent daily application of SPF, you can help your body generate more of the good stuff by using topicals: Ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C are proven collagen builders.

d. - DHA: The active ingredient in self-tanners, DHA (dihydroxyacetone, if you want to get technical) reacts with the uppermost layer of dead skin cells, turning them brown, Results last about a week - less, if you exfoliate.

Make sure you check back Saturday for E-I. All tips courtesy of Elle Magazine " Your Everything Guide to Skin. All you need to know from A-Z."

Something For The Guys!

Foresta Soap - Sandalwood, Cedarwood, and Sea Clay
This bar of soap has a deep earthy aroma. It has a very masculine scent combination of dry-woody, smokey cedarwood,and warm, musky, sandalwood. The aroma is very elevating and uplifting, yet comforting. This earthy fragrance is perfectly complimented with sea clay which is thought to remove acne causing toxins from the skin and revitalize tired skin.

Click HERE to visit Bonghi Natura

A new summer time soap

Gioioso Soap - Grapefruit and Tangerine

This soap has the sweet citrus aroma blend of grapefruit and tangerine that is refreshing and uplifting.
You will find that this invigorating soap is the perfect way to start your day as the scent of grapefruit is both stimulating and energizing.

Click HERE to visit Bonghi Natura

FRIDAY FEATURE - Lemon St. Photography

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
Lemon St. Photography is Dean and Erica, partners in life and in art. Erica started her Etsy shop, Sierra Pelona Crochet, in February 2008 and things are going rather well. She suggested we try this. And since Dean wanted to find a good on-line venue for his photographs, we decided to give Etsy a try.

How did you select your name?
It was chosen mostly at random. It sounds like it means something, but it doesn't really. "Lemon St. Photography" could mean anything, which gives us some flexibility in terms of the kind of imagery we choose to display.


What makes your shop unique?
Dean's 21 years as a commercial photographer lends his images a polish that many people find very appealing.

We are also experimenting with a different product offering beyond simple photographic prints. We offer ACEO's, and we just recently started producing a line of refrigerator magnets that are a lot of fun and guaranteed to peg out your cute-o-meter.



Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
Dean sells some of his images through a stock photo agency, in addition to his commissioned commercial work.


How long have you been making your craft?
Dean has been a photographer for 21 years. His first job as a photographer was taking baby pictures in K-Mart department stores. He was surprised to have gotten the job because he had never picked up a camera before until then. Erica has been a hobbyist photographer since her father showed her the basics during her childhood.


Is it your full-time job?
Dean has been self-employed as a professional photographer since March 1992.


How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
It's a real balancing act! Developing flexibility and going with the flow are important skills to keep it all on an even keel. Communication is key to agreeing on what the priority is at any given moment, and working together on that particular goal.


What is your favorite material?
Dean says, "Dawn light." Dean's favorite time to shoot is at dawn. The world is fresh and new and things are so quiet. You can hear yourself think and appreciate the wonders of the emerging day. Erica prefers the rich light of evening before night engulfs it.


What inspires you?
Dean says: Architecture. Line. Form. Plane. Flow of energy. Erica says: Flowers. Nature. Color. Texture.

Click HERE to visit Lemon St. Photography.

Sweet Orange and Ginger Creamy Sugar Scrub

This gentle sugar exfoliant is made with shea butter which is highly emollient with skin softening properties. It also contains a combination of sweet almond oil and apricot oil to help moisturize you skin This creamy scrub has the sweet citrus aroma of oranges and spicy ginger. Aromatherapists regard sweet orange as empowering, and ginger root is believed to be stimulating and refreshing, making this scrub the perfect way to start your day.

Click HERE to Visit Bonghi Natura

Bonghi Natura Introduces New Body Lotion

Bergamot, Lime and Ylang Ylang Body Lotion 8oz

This is a shear luxurious lotion. It absorbs into the skin wonderfully leaving you feeling smooth without feeling greasy. The sweet citrus blend of bergmot, lime and ylang ylang essential oils is cool and refreshing.
This lotion contains evening primrose oil which is said to have many benefits to the skin which include:




* Rejuvenate Your Skin
* Help Smooth Out Rough Skin
* Help Hydrate Terribly Dry Skin
* Create What is Needed to Produce New Skin Cells
* Give Your Skin Better Elasticity
* Reduce Blemishes and Noticeable Redness by Creating a Better Skin Coloration.

This lotion will compliment Energia Soap, or can be paired with a Bergamot, Lime and Ylang Ylang Creamy Sugar Scrub.

More Scents Coming Soon!

The Winners Are...

Congratulations to our contest winners!

Dolls123

Maryjane

thedeadelily

Primavera - Rose and Honey Exfoliating Bar

This is a 6.5 oz exfoliating bar. The feminine floral aroma of rose is perfectly accompanied by sweet honey to create a delectable combination that will entice your senses.

The exfoliating bar will buff away you dry dead skin and leave you feeling silky smooth. This bar is gentle enough to use every day and keep your skin looking fresh and vibrant. Honey is full of vitamins and minerals and has wonderful emollient properties. Emollients make the skin feel softer and smoother.BONGHI NATURA

FRIDAY FEATURE - SOB DOG Frames

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
I make sassy classy frames for all the beasts in our lives (four legged or two--you choose your star). My shop started when I was at a loss as to what to get my sister for Christmas a couple years back. She has a pug that she adores (even though he can be a major pain in the butt) so I figured I'd make her a frame for him. Well, needless to say, my slightly twisted sense of humor surfaced while making her gift, and voila! SOBDOG was created.

How did you select your name?
My boyfriend actually helped me come up with it. It's pretty self explanatory if you know what I sell, but it still sounds cool even if you don't.

What makes your shop unique?
We've all seen the "Best of Friends" and "Family" frames with cute or profound sayings surrounding your precious photos. But rarely (if ever) do you see captions like those on good ol' SOBDOG products. If you do, let me know. I might just buy one.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
Not yet, although I've thought about contacting some local pet boutiques.

How long have you been making your craft?
The first SOBDOG frames were made in December 2006, although I didn't list them on Etsy until this past January.

Is it your full-time job?
Nah. I'm a graphic designer. It's not a bad gig, but I too wish to live out the dream of one day supporting all my bad habits with income from my crafts...

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
I work from home so I don't have to worry about commuting or anything like that. When I'm finished working at 5pm, I can simply walk into my craft room and start working on my next project. It's a pretty sweet deal, I know. And trust me, I used to commute in the DC area, so I definitely appreciate what I have now.

What is your favorite material?
I don't really know. Maybe paper? I know I love using my labeling machine... Try stealing my casserole dish now!

What inspires you?
My animals, color combinations, funny sayings, things from my childhood. Ooh, and music, big time. During college I used to listen to a lot of Tim Buckley while working on projects. His stuff still gets my creativity flowing.

Click HERE to visit SOB DOG frames.

GIVEAWAY CONTEST

It's giveaway time again, this time we're giving away three 4oz Scrubs. Winners may choose either Creamy Sugar Scrub (any scent) or Espresso Italiano. The rules are simple leave a comment containing your favorite scent combination/aroma. (does not have to be one carried by Bonghi Natura).Winners will be chosen at random on June 25th!
One entry per person, any one who links to my contest or blog on their blog receives an additional entry. (Please let me know in your comment or via convo if you have posted a link)

New Soap Release

Tranquillo - 4 oz- Clary Sage Bergamot LitseaThis 4oz soap is a balancing blend of sweet clary sage, fresh bergamot and calming litsea essential oils. The aroma of this soap is rich and warm, with spicy undertones and citrus herbaceous top notes. This relaxing soap will soothe your mind and body