Bonghi Natura: Bath and Beauty Products: Soap, Body Scrub, Lotion, Sea Salt

We've Moved....

2008-11-27T16:05:00.005-05:00

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.

2008-11-24T11:05:00.011-05:00

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

2008-11-23T01:13:00.003-05:00

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......

2008-11-18T12:47:00.008-05:00

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.....

2008-11-01T23:32:00.004-04:00

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

2008-10-11T09:56:00.006-04:00

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

2008-10-10T08:21:00.005-04:00

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

2008-10-01T11:55:00.005-04:00

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

2008-09-30T09:29:00.006-04:00

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

2008-09-26T10:26:00.004-04:00

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.....

2008-09-23T23:20:00.006-04:00

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

2008-08-15T00:00:00.001-04:00

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......

2008-08-10T10:30:00.012-04:00

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

2008-08-08T23:45:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-01T10:39:00.004-04:00

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

2008-07-29T18:32:00.004-04:00

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

2008-07-25T11:56:00.003-04:00

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

2008-07-22T08:49:00.004-04:00

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

2008-07-19T08:52:00.004-04:00

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

2008-07-18T07:40:00.003-04:00

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

2008-07-17T11:08:00.007-04:00

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!

2008-07-16T16:29:00.003-04:00

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

2008-07-15T22:34:00.006-04:00

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

2008-07-11T08:06:00.005-04:00

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

2008-07-01T21:13:00.006-04:00

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

2008-06-29T22:35:00.009-04:00

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...

2008-06-25T07:49:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to our contest winners!

Dolls123

Maryjane

thedeadelily

Primavera - Rose and Honey Exfoliating Bar

2008-06-23T20:31:00.002-04:00

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

2008-06-20T09:08:00.003-04:00

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

2008-06-18T11:24:00.002-04:00

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

2008-06-16T09:30:00.003-04:00

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

FRIDAY FEATURE - TINALINA

2008-06-13T09:31:00.003-04:00

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
I created my shop a little over 7 months ago. I had been stamping cards as a way to relax and heard about Etsy though a friend from high school. She helped me put a shop together a the rest is history.
Everything in my shop is hand-stamped. I used all kinds of rubber stamps, but more specifically Stampin' Up images. The goal main goal I have for my shop is to help people reconnect with family and friends in a personal way. Email and texting is great, but I feel it kind of takes the intimacy out of the relationship. Plus, receiving cards and letters in your mailbox is pretty fun!

How did you select your name?
About 7 years ago when I was applying for college I had to come up with a new email address. At the time I was ready for a change, so i asked a friend (the same one who helped me create my shop years later) what my new address should be. She looked at me smiled and replied, "tinalina!" She used to call me tina, a nickname only a few were allowed to call me) and it just seemed to fit. The name stuck and it seemed only right to use it for Etsy too.

What makes your shop unique?
This is a hard question. Maybe the simplicity of my cards? I think that sometimes we get caught up in the intricacy and details of things. I like my cards to be simple, pretty and fun; not too detailed, but not bland. I hope I reach that goal.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
No, currently I am strictly an Etsian. I mean, once in a while my mom or a friend will just tell me what they want and I'll make it without using Etsy, but not often.

How long have you been making your craft?
I've been working with paper for many years (I used to scrapbook). But as far as stamping, only a little over a year or so.

Is it your full-time job?
No, by day I am a 7th grade Geography teacher at an Orlando middle school As of now my cardmaking is somewhere between hobby and very small business.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
Right now its pretty easy to balance everyting. My husband is in seminary, so when he is studying or writing papers I'm stamping or on Etsy. We don't have any kids yet, so that allows a lot more free time to work on my craft.

What is your favorite material?
Well, cardstock paper is a must in cardmaking. I love using rubber stamps. I cannot draw at all, so they allow me to create images without doing the actual drawing!

What inspires you?
I get random spurts of creativity so lots of things inspire my cardmaking. It could be the color scheme in a magazine, a friend's outfit or other pieces of art. Right now I'm intrigued by a blue and plum color scheme I saw somewhere on Etsy and am wondering if it will look as good on paper and ink.

Click HERE to visit TinaLina 's Shop

Tuesday Tips - Soap Savers

2008-06-10T11:37:00.005-04:00

How to Get the Most Out of Your Soap!

Do you want that handmade soap to last longer? Get a soap dish that drains and allow your new handmade soap to dry out. When your soap sits in water and gets gooey you waste precious soap and it just rinses right down the drain every time you lather up ! Get the most out of your soap and let it drain and dry out, it will stay harder, last longer, and save you money!

Blog Hiatus

2008-06-09T11:00:00.003-04:00

It's seems like forever since my last blog post! In the past few weeks I have moved been packing, moving, unpacking, and getting settled into the new place. Now that things are finally started to get settled down I hope to start working on some new products and get my blog started back up shortly. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for new products coming soon!!

Treasury Feature

2008-05-27T20:40:00.003-04:00

Friday Feature - Designs By Melissa

2008-05-23T10:33:00.006-04:00

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
I found Etsy one night while I was online looking for Christmas presents. I loved the items I was finding on the site, so I made some purchases. Then, after Christmas I was helping my boyfriend's daughter make some jewelry from a kit we had gotten her, when I realized I was enjoying myself more than she was. I was addicted! So, I started selling my creations on Etsy.

How did you select your name?
Since I had already signed up as a buyer, I had already selected my name. I didn't think at that time I would become a seller. Melp1979 is my address, but "designs by Melissa" is my shop name. I chose "designs by Melissa" because my name is Melissa, & I wanted to leave the name open enough to allow any of my creative items to be sold under one name. I also do floral arrangements, although, I don't have any listed in my store on Etsy.

What makes your shop unique?
I believe my shop is unique because I make many different styles. My designs reflect my mood for the day. I like for each of my pieces to have a very "unique" look to them as well.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
I currently only sell on Etsy.

How long have you been making your craft?
I have been making my jewelry for 5 months now. It sounds like a short time, but I have ate, drank, & slept jewelry for those months! I have learned so much & have seen a great improvement in my craft!

Is it your full-time job?
Etsy is not my full-time job. Other than making jewelry, I have a full-time job, an internship at another place, & I go to school.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
I am a very hardworking & dedicated person. I throw myself into everything I do. I don't really have any "me" time. When I'm not working, in class, or working on projects, I am creating new jewelry pieces!!

What is your favorite material?
I would have to say my first love is buttons!! Add a button to anything and it is adorable!! I also love the look of wire, especially oxidized sterling silver.

What inspires you?
There is inspiration in everything. I am an Interior Designer by day, so I am constantly surrounded by colors, textures, & patterns. I also find inspiration from nature & people I meet.

Click HERE to visit Designs By Melissa

Product Review

2008-05-21T17:20:00.002-04:00

One of our contest winners from our blog giveaways was kind enough to write a product review on her blog about the sample she received. Check it out!

http://texastesla.blogspot.com/2008/05/product-review-verde-soap-by.html
THANKS!

Friday Feature - DippyLuLu

2008-05-16T12:20:00.005-04:00

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started.
I create and sell fun and unique paper products which are often bought as gag gifts. I became fascinated by Etsy and watched it develop through the blog Design*Sponge. From buying it became apparent that maybe I should start selling too.

What motivated you to open your shop?
I was a buyer on Etsy for a long while and then suddenly thought well, I could do some of this selling type stuff. I collected ACEO's and so my first products were ACEO's, two of which sold within 20 minutes of listing. At that point I was hooked! The idea of Farty products came to me because we have matches all over the house for *ahem* a certain purpose. I’m so obsessed with farts that I have extended my line to include Stinky Lites, Lady Lites, Veggie Lites (coming soon!) and a Deluxe Fart Kit (and if you believe that explanation, I have a sub-prime mortgage to sell you).

How did you select your name?
They are the combination of two nicknames. I was called Dippy at school, and LuLu at work. DippyLuLu sounded like it fitted my products perfectly so here I am.

What makes your shop unique?
The fact that most of it is based around farts and other bodily functions! I also try to create fun and unique designs and packaging.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
Etsy is my only outlet at the moment.

How long have you been making your craft?
I've been making paper and graphic products since I was a kid really, and then it developed once I got into art school. I am always coming up with fun stuff for birthdays and parties. I love it!
Is it your full-time job?
Creating ideas is my full time job, and I like to think that is what my shop is about too. I am a freelance art editor/graphic designer when not being an Etsy seller.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
Sometimes with great difficulty! But, I don't let it rule my life. My job and home come before Etsy. I need a balance and I think I have found it. Though it does help that I have a spouse who works right next door to a post office!
What is your favorite material?
Any kind of paper and a scalpel to cut it with!

What inspires you?
Milton Glaser, Neville Brody & Saul Bass. They are my design heroes who never fail to inspire me. I also love typography, amazing ideas-based graphic design (hard to find these days), and Pantone swatch books.

Click HERE to Visit DippyLuLu's Shop

Tuesday Tips -Getting The Most Out of Your Mascara

2008-05-13T11:25:00.005-04:00

There are a few basic things you can do to make the most out of whatever mascara you are using:

Replace your mascara every 3 months - old mascara doesn’t go on smoothly, making your lashes dry, short and clumpy looking. If you are on a budget, try to find a great drugstore brand.
Get a hand mirror - when you apply your mascara, hold the mirror down by your nose and look into it. This will allow you to see the root all the way to tips of your eyelashes and gives you the best length possible for application.
“Wiggle and Pull” - wiggle the brush back and forth to ensure your lashes grab the most mascara possible from the wand. It’s great for volume and length.
Go Slow - practice your mascara application technique and take time out of your makeup applying routine to devote to applying your mascara. Great lashes make a big difference!

More tips from http://make-up.lifetips.com/

Friday Feature - Alison DuBois

2008-05-09T10:09:00.006-04:00

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
Alison Du Bois Original Fine Art Photography is a labor of love. I joined Etsy on January 2, 2008 as a New Year’s Resolution to begin to market my art work. It has been an incredibly fun experience. Within a few hours of posting my first 8”x12” photo I had an interested customer! She wrote to me to see if I could enlarge that photo and she then spent the next few days at a photography show in Los Angeles and came home and bought my Sedona Reflection in a 16”x20”! From that moment on I was hooked on Etsy. I have met some interesting people and made some new friends in this great community.

What motivated you to open your shop?
I was motivated to open a shop because my family and friends kept telling me that my photography was saleable and that I should find a way to let other people know about it so they could enjoy it. I am more motivated to share my art with the world than to make money, but by selling my photos I can afford to buy the equipment that I desire, and to travel to new places to discover a unique perspective of our planet.

How did you select your name?
Well, it is probably pretty boring, but I thought it was important to use my real name as my Etsy name so that eventually when I become better known if people are searching for my work they will find my Etsy shop easily. (As an aside, I often get asked if I am the famous Medium, Allison Du Bois – alas, I am not!)

What makes your shop unique?
I believe that my shop is unique because I am passionate about the world around me and I think that it shows in my work. I have a pretty wide variety of landscape photos, macro photos, and some interesting black and white work. I am branching out and selling a coffee table book that includes 81 of my photographs and am happy to report that I just sold my first one! Additionally, I am adding some of my original art work in the form of ACEOs. I will be adding cards in the next few weeks.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
To date, I have mostly sold by word of mouth. Last fall I was invited to join a group of artists in the Palm Springs, California area called “Rare Artisans” and my photography, jewelry, and artwork are on their website at www.rareartisans.com. (They also have a shop on Etsy)

How long have you been making your craft?
I started taking photographs about three years ago and I was thrilled to find that my unique way of seeing was able to be translated to film. I usually start with just enjoying what is around me and really absorbing the energy of the scene before I begin to photograph it. I think my composition is very good, and I am learning more each day about the technical aspects of how to capture what I see. I find that digital photography allows me the opportunity to start big and work my way in to a scene to draw the viewer in further – sometimes the best photos are the first one I take, sometimes it is the 10th. It excites me on a daily basis. Most of my photos are as they come out of my camera, I do very little adjusting in Photoshop.

Is it your full-time job?
At this time, full-time photography is still a dream. I just love to dream, don’t you?

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
I am currently pursuing an education in gemology at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California. I use a formal “balance wheel” – a physical reminder of the things I wish to accomplish each day that helps me find time to stay fit and healthy, stay fiscally responsible, and work on my artistic side. (If you want more info on how to set one up, please email me at alison.rareartisans.com)

What is your favorite material.
I love crafting and I have been doing it all of my life. My Mom was an artist and she inspired me to be creative from an early age. I love to experiment with all kinds of materials and I love to learn how to do new things. I guess I still haven’t decided what I want to be when I grow up – a photographer, a seamstress, a jewelry designer, an artist…a ?

What inspires you?
My boyfriend, my children, the beauty around me, and other artists inspire me. I am a proud member of the POE (Photographers of Etsy) team and am inspired by and learning from the other members. I am always finding beautiful things on Etsy (usually looking for an item for a Treasury) that starts my mind working in an unexpected direction.

Click HERE to visit Alison DuBois Shop

And the Winner is....

2008-05-08T10:05:00.005-04:00

1 place Winner of $10 Prize is (And My Simple Life)
The Taffy Box

2nd place Winner of a Free Item from Bonghi Natura- Ink Spot Work Shop
Ink Spot Work Shop

Winner Of Free Samples Include

Punky N Munky

Blender Beach

TexasTelsa

De Lavande

I will be contacting everyone shorty for contact info! Congrats on winning our give away! Check back soon you never know when another great giveaway might appear!!

LAST Day - Don't Forget to Enter!

2008-05-07T08:50:00.002-04:00

Today is the last day of our blog giveaway! Don't forget to enter by midnight tonight for you chance to win!! Click HERE for rules on how to enter!

Tuesday Tips - Eyes Shadow For Every Eye Color!

2008-05-06T10:33:00.005-04:00

For Blue Eyes:

1. Tried and True: taupe, gray, violet, purple, deep blue (a darker shade than your eye color makes your eyes really blue), black (mix it with bright blue for a smoky effect)
2. Funky Favorites: silver, turquoise, fuschia (brightens any shade of blue)

Green or Hazel Eyes:
1. Tried and True: brown, apricot, purple, plum, deep khaki or forest green (because they are in the same greenish family, they brighten green eyes)
2. Funky Favorites: gold, lime-green, really light green, bright purple (super modern)

Brown Eyes:

1. Tried and True: copper, bronze, champagne (soft pink with a touch of apricot), brown (for a doe-eyed look), beige, and khaki-green (lighter shades add highlight)
2. Funky Favorites: tangerine, royal blue, hot pink, lime-green (the contrast adds punch to brown)

All Eyes:

1. Tried and True (Classic): navy or charcoal base to define and a powder-blue shadow for highlighting (it brightens your brow bone so any eye color pops)
2. Funky Favorites: silver-sparkle shadow makes all eyes look edgy.
Click here for the Article from Junita

Friday Feature - Nature Manipulated

2008-05-01T22:06:00.004-04:00

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started.
Nature Manipulated's visual and wearable art is designed to reflect upon nature and all of its elements. At NM we believe that EVERYTHING holds a piece of nature. Everything is nature manipulated.

What motivated you to open your shop?
Approximately four years ago, I bought a pair of cute earrings at a pretty pricey boutique. After returning home, I examined the earrings and realized there wasn't much to making them so I thought I would give it a try. I went to the bead shop and bought tons of supplies. Way more than I needed for a beginner designer. I started making more and more earrings, and then necklaces.

After feeling comfortable with my work and assured that I produced quality work, I spread the word to my family and friends. A few people bought some stuff and suggested I open my work up to a bigger customer base. I taught myself html and designed a website for Nature Manipulated. Then, by chance, I found out about Etsy. I thought the site was incredible, competitive but incredible. It was just the site I wanted to immerse myself in. I opened a shop and have been selling ever since.

How did you select your name?
As mentioned before, I believe that everything contains a piece of nature, whether its a book, a building, a car, etc. I take objects of nature, stone, paper, wood, metal and manipulate them to reflect upon the world from which the objects came. Everything, except nature in its purest sense is nature manipulated.

What makes your shop unique?
I don't think my shop is any more unique than the next shop. Everybody's work is unique because whether it looks like something someone has made or not, it is made by a unique person, and the inspiration behind somebody's work is never the same for everyone. What makes my work unique, is that it is made by me, and MY thoughts, MY experiences and MY inspirations make their way into every piece.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
My work is also available through my website http:www.naturemanipulated.com
I am toying with the idea of redesigning my website and linking my Etsy shop to it.

I also have a blog, http://naturemanipulated.blogspot.com, which features other Etsy shops, provides helpful information for new Etsy sellers, offers tutorials, and of course, every so often delves into my thoughts and creations.

How long have you been making your craft?
I started creating jewelry and beaded accessories approximately four years ago. As for photograpy, I have always been drawn to the camera, and started truly taking pictures 13 years ago.

Is it your full-time job?
Being the artist, designer and owner of Nature Manipulated is a full-time job, but it is not my only one. I also work in the biotech industry.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
Balance? What balance? There is no such thing. On weekdays, I spend at least nine hours at the office. During my lunch break, I run to the post office or do some advertising/marketing work for Nature Manipulated. Then nights and weekends I do everything else, sleeping not more than five or six hours a night.

What is your favorite material.
In terms of jewelry-making, I really like turquoise, carnelian, horn and wood.
In terms of photography, I really like taking pictures of old cemeteries. I think they are one of the most peaceful places in the world and contain so much history. They are a timeless place and often esthetically beautiful places.

What inspires you?
Everything inspires me. Different landscapes I encounter traveling, the weather, peoples faces, emotions, historical events, nostalgia, ... EVERYTHING.

Click here to visit Nature Manipulated

Introducing.... Some of my Newest Soaps

2008-04-30T16:22:00.003-04:00

I've been working on some new soaps that I will be listing through out the next week here are a few.

Mandorla Soap - 5.5oz - Almond and Honey

This huge 5.5 oz shea butter soap has enticing aroma of bitter almond essential oil and the sweetness of honey. Bitter Almond has warm aroma, very similar to "almond extract". Honey has wonder emollient properties that soothe, protect, and moisturize the skin.

Verde - 4.5oz - Lime and Peppermint

This refreshing 4.5 oz shea butter soap has the uplifting aroma of crisp clean peppermint, and sweet citrus lime. This light fresh fragrance is great for summer time.

Treasury Features

2008-04-26T09:13:00.003-04:00

Here's one of the treasuries I was featured in this week!

Don't forget to enter in my contest for a chance to win $10 to spend in my shop or FREE soap . Click here to see how to enter!

Friday Feature - SmuTopia

2008-04-25T08:58:00.005-04:00

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started.
When I was planning my wedding, I just couldn't find the right jewelry to wear for my big day. Being the crafty girl that I am, I bought some beads and started designing my own. Thus began SmuTopia! I was hooked and haven't stopped making jewelry since.

What motivated you to open your shop?
After several years of desiging and creating jewelry for family and friends I entered an online contest for 'best unknown jewelry designer'. Well guess what--I won! The prize for first place was an online feature and link to my shop on the contest organizer's website. I had already created an Etsy account and the shop link prize got me motivated to set up shop!

How did you select your name?
My full name is Jessica Smutek, so SmuTopia is really a play on my last name. Whenever I'm feeling especially silly, I like to come up with new "Smu" words---Smu-pendous is my favorite but SmuTopia seemed like a better shop name :)

What makes your shop unique?
My shop is an expression of myself--and I am far from ordinary! :)

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
In addition to Esty, SmuTopia has recently debuted in the Raleigh, NC craft show scene at the Designers Downtown Market. I plan on selling at several more NC craft shows this summer, as well as the NC State Fairgrounds.

How long have you been making your craft?
Although I have been crafting my whole life, I only began making jewelry about 4 years ago.

Is it your full-time job?
My dream is to make SmuTopia a full time job, but there is a lot more work to be done to make that dream a reality. For the present, SmuTopia is more of a hobby/second job that provides me with creative and personal satisfaction. In my daytime life I work 40 hrs a week as a receptionist and office coordiinator.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
Life can really be a constant juggling act. Since opening my Etsy shop I have gotten very good at squeezing in a few minutes of computer time whenever I can--when I first get up, on my lunchbreak, while dinner is in the oven....I'm sure I can only keep up with it because I enjoy Etsy so much :) I also have to give a ton of credit to my incredibly supportive husband--I couldn't do it without him!

What is your favorite material.
I love all beads, but my favorite material to design jewelry with is freshwater pearls. Many of my favorite designs custom orders over the past few years have featured freshwater pearls in a variety of colors.

What inspires you?
Nature is my main inspiration, especially the ocean. I have my Mom to thank for my love of nature--we spent a lot of time outdoors in my childhood and that love of nature is deeply ingrained in my personality.

Click here to visit Smutopia's shop

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME AGAIN!!

2008-04-23T14:09:00.005-04:00

I will be running a contest on my blog from April 23 - May 7th, 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 - $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 .

2nd Prize - A free bar of soap, any bar of soap or exfoliating bar you choose.

I will also choose 3 additional people to receive a free soap sample.

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)
Winners will be chosen at random on May 8th, so don't forget to check in and see if you've won!!

Tuesday Tips - Breast Cancer Prevention

2008-04-22T09:02:00.008-04:00

To go along with our new Speranza Soap "hope" and our recent post on Pink Ribbon products, I decided to this weeks Tuesday Tips on ways to help reduces your risk of Breast Cancer. This Info is courtesy of Breast Cancer Prevention Fund.

According to Breast Cancer Prevention Fund an average of about one out of every 8 women will get breast cancer in the course of a 90-year life span. Knowing what can increase or decrease your risk for breast cancer is important, so here are some tips to help you live a healthier life.

What Can Make Your Risk for Breast Cancer Go Down?	What Can Make Your Risk for Breast Cancer Go Up?
Eating a healthy diet Losing extra weight Regular exercise Reducing alcohol use Quitting smoking Minimizing/eliminating extra estrogen Preventive measures for high risk (surgery, medication)	Personal or family history of breast cancer Smoking Excessive weight Prolonged estrogen exposure Abnormal breast cell growth First full-term pregnancy after age 30 Never having a full-term pregnancy Heavy alcohol use Early start of menstruation Late menopause

Can Breast Cancer Be Prevented?

Although we know some of the risk factors linked to breast cancer, we do not yet know what causes most breast cancer. It could be that a woman of average risk for breast cancer might lower her risk somewhat by changing those risk factors that can be changed. These include giving birth to several children and breast feeding them for several months, not drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, and staying slim. It is also important for women to perform monthly breast self-exams.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Breast Cancer Prevention Fund. This site is full of a lot of excellent info, I definitely recommend checking it out.

For The Cure - Breast Cancer Awareness

2008-04-20T15:39:00.014-04:00

Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer is a serious issue that is very close to my heart. My "Nana" is a two time survivor. She was diagnosed with breast cancer about 10 years ago. After going into remission for a few years she found out it was back. She has had two mastectomies and has been cancer free for about 7 years now!! I also lost my great grandma almost 6 years ago to breast cancer that was so advance there was nothing they could do for her. Going through this in my family so many times I know how important it is that people become educated about Breast Cancer, especially if you know you have a high risk. I do my best to educate myself by reading and researching everything I can find, at the bottom of this post I have linked to some great articles about prevention and treatment that I think everyone should check out.
In an effort to help support the cause recently decided to make a new soap and donate 50% of the proceeds from it to Breast Cancer Research. ( Although I must give credit to my aunt for coming up with the idea.) I will be making the donations to Susan G. Komen, but if any one is doing the Breast Cancer 3 day please contact me as I would love to help you reach your goal!

Speranza Soap - "Hope"
This 4oz bar of Shea Butter soap has a balancing and soothing aroma. The combination of Palmarosa essential oil which has a rosy geranium scent and calming Lavender essential oil will relax your mind, body and soul.

Simply Twisted is another etsy artist supporting the fight for the cure.

This yarn is a beautiful subtle varigated pink super soft sock yarn. $15 of this purchase will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Check out these Etsy Shops for more Pink Ribbon Items

Casa Di Bella Jewelry

Licia Pots

Little Worms

Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Click here for information on Mammograms, MRIs and Breast Exams

Click her for information on Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Click her for information on Types of Breast Cancer

Click here for information on Breast Cancer Treatment

Click here for general information on Breast Cancer from Health Central

Friday Feature - House of Six Cats

2008-04-18T08:50:00.010-04:00

"I use photography as my artistic outlet, and I really enjoy showing everyone how I see the world around us. Through my art I try to find unseen beauty and elegance in the ordinary and pedestrian. I have been told that I see the world with an eye of hope, I think that was the best compliment I have ever recieved."

What motivated you to open your shop?
The constant nagging by my friends to do something with my photography. I have been taking photos since I was a teenager, many moons ago, but never tried to sell it. I feel that Etsy a great place to start selling it.

How did you select your name?
I wanted something unique and memorable, at the time we had six cats, so I thought it was a clever name.

What makes your shop unique?
Well, I like to think that my images have a style that is distinctive to me. And I also offer creations made from my images that I don't see in other photography shops.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
I also have images on www.redbubble.com, and I hope to have stuff in some local brick and mortar shops this summer.

How long have you been making your craft?
For about 25 years.

Is it your full-time job?
No, I still have a day job.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
I have the ability to pimp on the forums from work, and I try to work on my photography in the evenings. But it is very hard, there is never enough hours in the day.
What is your favorite material.
Well, I guess it would be the shrink material I use to make my night lights from.
What inspires you?
Everything, I walk around and try to find unique ways to see the world.

Click here to check out House of Six Cats

Gift Guide

2008-04-18T00:06:00.002-04:00

My Rosa Soap Made it into a Gift Guide!

Click here to check out more of the Gift Guide

Friday Feature - Lake Erie Beach Glass

2008-04-11T09:16:00.003-04:00

LAKE ERIE BEACH GLASS "offers ONLY authentic sea beach glass that has been tumbled by nature's wind, surf, and sand! We create beautiful jewelry designs from the pieces that we pick up off the shore just as they were found!"

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started.
Lakeeriebeachglass.etsy.com is stocked with handmade artisan jewerly that uses genuine sea beach glass as its main element. Sea Beach glass is old glass that once served a purpose as dinnerware, tableware, apothecary, medicine, and poison bottles. It may have been used as fruit and canning jars, or even whiskey and liqour bottles. Whatever their original purpose, they have found their way into the oceans and lakes where nature tumbled it for several years into smoothly frosted little gems. They are depostied on the shores where my family and I collect them and make unique wearable pieces of art with them.

What motivated you to open your shop?
I opened a shop on Etsy after hearing about the site from a fellow artisan at a local festival.

How did you select your name?
Selecting a name proved to be very difficult, actually! I had tried to come up with something catchy and unique but since I started my business during a time when sea glass was barely known, I decided that I should go with a name that links it to what I do.

What makes your shop unique?
I think my shop is unique in several ways. I am able to take something that was once considered trash and give it new purpose by making it into something new. I try to reach a wide variety of buyers as well by offering designs made in simplest form to classic and even off the wall unique!

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
I actually started out on eBay and have participated in a few craft shows. I currently am featured at Pure Art Gallery in the Cayman Islands, at Glass Growers Gallery in Erie, Pa. and at The Kada Gallery also in Erie Pa. I am an active North American Sea Glass Association member and will be participating in the Sea Glass Festival this year in October at Lewes Delaware on the University Campus.
How long have you been making your craft?
I've been collecting and using sea beach glass in my creations for the past 7 years now.

Is it your full-time job? How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
I quite my secular job only 4 years ago after having my 3rd child. I currently have four children ranging from age 2 to 15 years of age. I run my business full time, homeschool my children full time, and run a household full time. How do I manage? I sometimes wonder that myself!:) It is difficult to explain but I DO try to have an organized daily schedule of activities. I HAVE to be flexible enough in the schedule to allow for my childrens different needs by age. They too are also a part of my business and enjoy taking breaks down by the beach!
What is your favorite material.* I love using sterling silver and copper!
What inspires you?
I am inspired by different things daily! I sometimes call myself the moody jeweler! I can receive a magazine in the mail that will have an awesome picture on the front using a unique color scheme and that will inspire me. My walks on the beach and viewing our Lake Erie sunsets will inspire me. Hearing the children play, laugh, and giggle will inspire me. My inpsiration comes from all around me and it effects my mood. My mood determines what I will produce for the day.

Click here to visit Lake Erie Beach Glass

Treasury Feature

2008-04-09T14:50:00.003-04:00

I was featured in this treasury last week!!

Tuesday Tips - Home Hair Care Recipes

2008-04-07T23:10:00.005-04:00

Healthy Hair

1. Choose the right shampoo and conditioner. Shampoo washes away dirt, dust, and other particles that don't belong on your hair. Because hair, like skin, tends to become less oily with age, choose a shampoo formulated for dry or normal-to-dry hair. Shampoo gently rather than vigorously, and concentrate the lather on your scalp, carrying it down to the drier ends.

Frequent shampooing will not cause any problems, but be sure to use a conditioner. Although many of the commercial claims for conditioners may be exaggerated, a conditioning rinse can coat the hair with a lubricant that replaces the sebum (the covering that protects the hair's outer layer, called the cuticle) stripped off by shampoo. By doing so, it enhances shine and makes hair more manageable. You don't need expensive products with exotic ingredients unless you like the way they smell or feel.

2. Treat wet hair with care. Use a towel to blot your hair dry rather than rubbing or pulling, and untangle it with a wide-tooth comb. Don't use a brush on wet hair, and avoid hot blow-dryers. High heat on wet hair causes the water under the cuticles to form bubbles like those in boiling water; these bubbles stress and break hair. Set your dryer on the low or medium setting, and keep it moving so that air circulates through the hair rather than concentrating on one spot.

3. Buy good hair tools. Look for combs and brushes with smooth, rounded teeth or bristles. If they feel scratchy when you run your hand over them, they can tear your hair. Brush your hair only enough to style and groom it. The old 100-strokes-a-night rule you may have heard about is left over from the days when people shampooed their hair with soap and had to brush out the resulting film.

4. Don't overprocess your hair. Too-frequent use of perm, coloring, or straightening agents -- or scheduling these processes too close together -- can literally dissolve hair strands.

5. Avoid excessive sun exposure. Sunlight can break down the hair's protein structure, leaving it vulnerable to breakage. Lighter hair (either naturally light or chemically bleached) is most vulnerable because it has less protective pigment. Hair sunscreens have not been proven to prevent damage, but a hat or scarf does a good job of shielding your hair from the sun.

Tips from reader's digest

Here are a few recipes/tips you can make at home.

Fly Away and Static Control

Ingredients
Natural hand lotion

Directions
Apply a small dab of natural hand lotion to the palm of your hand. Rub hands together and apply to roots of hair.

Frizz Control for Curly Hair

Ingredients
1 small aloe vera leaf

Directions
Snip off end of leaf and apply a dollop of aloe vera gel to palm. Work through hair to ends.

Jojoba Hot Oil Treatment

Ingredients
2 teaspoons jojoba oil

1 teaspoon soybean oil

Directions
Combine ingredients then warm gently on low heat. Test temperature on inside of forearm. Massage mixture into hair.Wrap hair in a hot towel or cover with shower cap or plastic wrap for 15 minutes. Shampoo & rinse out. Recipe may be doubled for very long hair.

For More Hair Care Recipes Check out Long Locks Hair Care Cookbook

It's been a crazy week!

2008-04-07T13:06:00.007-04:00

We have been absolutely slammed this week, here's some pics of what I brought to the post office this morning!
I had family in visiting for the weekend and kindly recruited them to help me package up all my orders! We're us until 1 am packing everything up so it would be all ready for me to bring to the post office first thing this morning.

Friday Feature - Jennifer Ladd

2008-04-04T08:52:00.004-04:00

Jennifer Ladd

Handmade purses, bags, accessories, and baby items

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started.
I make handmade purses and bags - each is a one-of-a-kind piece with special attention to the details. My goal is to make a bag that is not only useful, but CUTE too.
I also make handmade items for baby (baby booties, bibs and burp cloths, diaper changing sets). I make them stylish for today's "hip" baby with bright colors and funky designs.

I just quit my "real job" as a French teacher to take on a much more important role: a stay-at-home-mom to my little daughter. I have always said my "dream job" was to run my own business and sell my handmade items, and when I quit being a teacher to stay home with my girl, I realized I would now have the time to do it. I gave it a try, and it's worked!

What motivated you to open your shop?
I have always said that if I won the lottery, I would start my own business and sell my handmade items. I never actually thought it was practical or possible. My husband, though, never saw it as a dream. He told me over and over to quit teaching and give it a try. When we made the decision that I would quit teaching to stay home with my little girl, I decided to make the leap and try opening a shop.

How did you select your name?
I had a more creative name picked out, but someone gave me the advice to use my own name so that when I sold off of Etsy, people would recognize the handmade nature of my items. I'm not sure if they were right (I loved the name I had picked out), but at least it's easy for me to remember!

What makes your shop unique?
I try to make my store bright and funky. I use bold patterns, usually not the typical, pale baby pastels. Each of my purses is designed by me and is a one-of-a-kind original.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
I sell at two boutiques in Milwaukee, WI (The Paper Boat Boutique and Fasten Collective) and at one in Madison, WI (MoCo Market).

How long have you been making your craft?
I have been sewing since as long as I can remember (my mom says I started when I was 3 - I think she's exaggerating!!). I learned to sew by watching my grandma and then copying what she did to make clothes for my dolls. I never stopped sewing but I hasn't been until recently that I've started selling my craft.

Is it your full-time job?
No, I don't use this as dependable income, but that's what makes it fun. I quit my job as a French teacher so I can spend my days raising a smart, caring, thoughtful daughter. I don't want to take my time away from her. She is my "full-time job" (the best I've ever had!!) I work on my projects in the evening when my husband is home and is able to have some "daddy-daughter time" with her while I work.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
Some days it is tough to be sewing while I hear my husband and my daughter playing and giggling in the other room. I know that time will pass so quickly and I want to enjoy every minute of life with her. Luckily, I do spend all of my day with her and I do really enjoy my evening sewing time (a little mental break for me). Also, she usually spends the evening playing at my feet, anyway! She has started to have a lot of fun playing with my sewing scraps and supplies (a very cool thing for me to see since I, myself, used to do the same thing at my grandma's feet!)

What is your favorite material.
Fabric. Bright, funky, beautiful.

What inspires you?
Pretty colors and pretty patterns. When I see beautiful color combinations, my brain does a happy dance.

Click here to visit Jennifer Ladd

Treasury Features!

2008-04-03T22:40:00.004-04:00

I made this treasury this week " Simplicity"

I was also featured in this treasury today, Thanks Samantha

New Soap - Great For Men and Women

2008-04-03T10:47:00.005-04:00

Terra Soap - 4oz - Patchouli, Vetiver, and Ylang Ylang

Patchouli, Vetiver, & Ylang Ylang

This 4oz bar of soap has a deep earthy aroma. It contains musky patchouli; woody vetiver, and sweet ylang ylang. This bar of soap also contains bentonite clay which is derived from volcanic ash sediment. This clay has excellent oil absorbing properties, and is thought to remove acne causing toxins from the skin and revitalize tired skin.

Legno Soap 4oz - Sandalwood Bergamot Benzoin

Sandalwood, Bergamot, & Benzoin

This 4 oz bar of soap has a warm rich aroma. The combination of musky sandalwood, sweet bezoin, and fresh citrus bergamot create a soothing bar to balance your sense.

Energia Soap 4oz - Bergamot, Basil, Lime and Grapefruit

This 4oz olive oil base soap is a combination of bergamot, basil, lime and grapefruit, that has a sweet, citrus, fruity scent with a slightly spicy undertone. This refreshing aroma is uplifting and energizing and will give you a jump start in the morning.

Tresury Features

2008-04-02T08:34:00.005-04:00

Two of my soaps were featured in treasuries this week!

Thanks Anne Julie!

Thanks Backwood Sophisticate!

Tuesday Tips -Healthy Skin

2008-04-01T10:55:00.003-04:00

Here are some great tips on ways to keep your skin healthy and prevent sun damage.

Daily Preventive Skin Care

The following are some daily measures for skin protection:

Don't wash your face too often with tap water. (Once a day is enough.) It strips the skin of oil and moisture. In addition, chlorinated water, particularly at high temperatures, poses special risks for wrinkles.
Wash your face with a mild soap that contains moisturizers. Avoid alkaline soaps, especially with deodorant.
Pat the skin dry and immediately apply a water-based moisturizer.
Always apply sunscreen, even if going outdoors for short periods.
Avoid drinking alcohol within 3 hours of bedtime. Alcohol increases the risk for leaks in the capillaries, which allows more water in and causes sagging and puffiness. Capillary leakage increases when one is lying down.
Lie on the back when sleeping. This helps offset the effects of gravity.

Avoid Sun Exposure

One of the most important ways to prevent skin damage is to avoid episodes of excessive sun exposure. The following are some specific guidelines:

Use sunscreens that block out both UVA and UVB radiation. However, do not rely only on sunscreen for sun protection. Wear protective clothing and sunglasses in addition.
Avoid exposure particularly during the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM, when sunlight pours down 80% of its daily UV dose.
Avoid reflective surfaces, such as water, sand, concrete, and white-painted areas. Clouds and haze are not protective and in some cases may intensify UVB rays.
Ultraviolet intensity depends on the angle of the sun, not heat or brightness. So the dangers are greater the closer to the summer-start date. For example, in the Northern Hemisphere, UV intensity in April (two months before summer starts) is equal to that in August (two months after summer begins).
The higher the altitude the quicker one sunburns. One study suggested, for example, that an average complexion burns in 6 minutes at an altitude of 11,000 feet at noon, compared with 25 minutes at sea level in a temperate climate.
Avoid sun lamps and tanning beds or salons. They provide mostly high-output UVA rays. Some experts believe that 15 - 30 minutes at a tanning salon is as dangerous as a day spent in the sun. People should not be misled by advertising claims of "safe" tanning or promotions offering unlimited tanning.

Read This Entire Article from Health Central

Check out Tan Central for some great tips on how to apply self tanner, and reviews on products.

Cherry Blossom Festival - In Full Bloom

2008-03-30T09:41:00.009-04:00

Yesterday we spent the day walking around D.C. looking at all the beautiful cherry blossoms!

Looking across the Potomac at the Jefferson Memorial.

SO many people........

Cherry Blossoms, on the Potomac.

Friday Features - Julia Belle Vintage

2008-03-27T23:38:00.003-04:00

Julie Belle Vintage - "I find inspiration in all things vintage."

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started?
My shop is all about using old items to make something new and wearable! I've been a member of etsy for a long time, but didn't start selling until August 07. One day I just decided to go for it!

What motivated you to open your shop?
I was wearing a lot of my own jewelry, and getting tons of compliments. I finally decided to take a shot and see if others would feel the same way about it. I'm so happy I did!

How did you select your name?
Julia Belle Vintage is named after my daughter, Julia Belle! My username is actually myhools, which I never would have used if I knew I'd be a seller one day! We call our daughter Jules, which somehow turned to hools. So myhools is actually my daughter.

What makes your shop unique?
I like to think that I use vintage, everyday materials in a new and interesting way.

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
Yes, you can find my work at a sweet antique/resale shop in Ridgefield, IL called To Market, To Market.

How long have you been making your craft?
A few years now. I love it!

Is it your full-time job?
No, etsy is just part-time. I work full time at a publishing company during the day.

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
I definitely have trouble doing this well! Somehow I manage...just don't judge my housekeeping skills at the moment.

What is your favorite material.
Antique book pages, postage stamps, any old paper!

What inspires you?
Books and old photos, mostly. I just love finding an old item that I can turn into something new. I love thinking about the life it had before it came into my possession.

Click HERE to visit Julie Belle Vintage

Tuesday Tips - Benefits of Exfoliation

2008-03-25T08:05:00.005-04:00

Our skin naturally sheds the top layer of skin on a regular bases.
This can result in a build up dry flakes which can leave your skin looking dull. This dry flaky skin mixed with your body's own natural oils can cause clogged pores which blocks moisturizers from penetrating into your skin. This makes it impossible to achieve the smooth beautiful skin we all desire; instead you're left with dry dehydrated skin. One simple addition to your morning routine can turn all this around, exfoliation.

Benefits of exfoliation include:

* Improve the texture of your skin, making it more vibrant.
* Help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
* Reveal healthier-looking skin below.
* Remove pore-clogging dirt and skin cells shed by your body.
* Help prevent acne outbreaks by keeping skin healthy.
* Allow moisturizers to penetrate your skin more deeply.
* Helps maintain your tan when you exfoliate before applying sunscreen.

Espresso Italiano Body Scrub

AND THE WINNER IS......

2008-03-24T08:46:00.006-04:00

The winner of our FREE soap giveaway contest is

1st place winner is Petits Bijoux

The winners of the the free samples are:

Vanessa Cavaco

New England Quilter

Inki Handmade

Last Chance!!!

2008-03-23T22:31:00.002-04:00

Don't forget to enter in our drawing for a free exfoliating bar! See post below for details!! Winners will be drawn Monday morning!!

Friday Feature - Two Bees In A Pod

2008-03-20T17:28:00.012-04:00

Two Bees In A Pod

"I make cards that you can't go in the store and pick up. The quality, love, and hard-work put into my cards is unbelievable."

Give us a summary of your shop, and how you got started.
Well my shop name is Two Bees In A Pod, because it is a mother-daughter run operation. I couldnt do it without my mom! Even though i am the one that is dealing with everything, she helps me with every order. You can also see that she knits, and i have her scarves on my website. She only sold one though, we started etsy at the wrong time apparently, end of January and missed the christmas rush!

What motivated you to open your shop?
I made christmas cards this year for my whole family, and then got motivated by all the great things people said about them, i was like its time to get on ETSY.

How did you select your name?
My mom and I were brainstorming one day about what our name should be...and she said "two peas in a pod" and i thought she said "two BEES in a pod"..and the name stuck.

What makes your shop unique?
I make cards that you can't go in the store and pick up. The quality, love, and hard-work put into my cards is unbelievable. You can buy a great handmade card for the same price, even cheaper at my store. What else is better than that?!

Do you sell anywhere outside of etsy? If so, where?
No i currently don't, i am trying to get myself into some craft shows this summer though!

How long have you been making your craft?
Only since the end of November... so not long at all, but i have been scrap-booking forever!

Is it your full-time job?
No, but I wish it was! I am currently still in school for my Elementary Education degree. So all the money goes toward student loans that i have building up! :]

How do you balance work, and/or your shop, and home?
You mean how do i balance: work, school, your shop , and home. Its insane! I am a busy person, but at the end of the day it all falls into place.

What is your favorite material.
PAPER! :] I LOVE THE DIFFERENT PATTERNS. I go crazy!!

What inspires you?
Of course nature does, but i also love looking at all different kinds of magazines, the pictures and colors really inspire me, and i can go home and immediately know what i want to create!

Click here to check out Two Bees in A Pod's Shop

Don't Forget to Enter My Contest!

2008-03-20T08:58:00.005-04:00

Make sure you check out my "Dual Action" post and leave a comment for your chance to win one of the featured soaps! See the post below for details.

Dual Action Bars - For the Girl on the Go

2008-03-19T10:37:00.013-04:00

We all know exfoliating helps maintain smoother, healthier, younger looking skin. The problem is we don't always have the extra time in the morning to do this, so I've been working on a dual action bar that cleanses and exfoilates. In addition to being a time savor, they are cleaner and easier to use then traditional scrub. Traditional scrubs are great, and I still recommend you try to use them once a week, but the dual action bar gives you another quicker easier option and is gentle enough to use everyday. Here are a few scents I've been working on with more coming soon!

Delizioso Soap 6.5 oz

Orange Spice

This 6.5 oz bar has the sweet citrus scent of orange, complimented perfectly with high notes of cinnamon and clove and warm earthy undertones of ginger and nutmeg. This is a dual action bar with sweet brown sugar to help exfoliate away dry skin while the rich creamy lather cleanses the skin leaving you feeling silky smooth.

Buy Delizioso Now

Mattino Soap - 6.5oz

Oatmeal, Almond, and Honey

This 6.5 oz bar of shea butter soap is full of soothing ground oatmeal as well as walnut husk to gently exfoliate your skin. The honey adds extra vitamins, minerals and emollient properties to keep your skin feeling hydrated all day long. This is all brought together by the sweet scent of almond essential oil.

Buy Mattino Now

Conforto Soap 6oz

Vanilla and Brown Sugar

We all know exfoliating helps maintain smoother, healthier, younger looking skin, but we dont always have the time. So this 2 in 1 bar is perfect for the girl on the go. This is a gentle exfoliating soap bar, so you can exfoliate while you cleanse. This super soft bar has warm fragrance of vanilla and sweet brown sugar that is comforting and soothing.

Buy Conforto Now

Cappuccino Soap 6.5oz

Espresso and Vanilla

This 6.5oz cappuccino bar will give you a morning boost, and help you start your day off feeling energized. The bottom layer is coffee scented and full of ground espresso beans and brown sugar to help scrub away your dry flaky skin without the oily residue. It will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean. The top "frothy" layer has a subtle vanilla scent and a rich creamy lather.

Buy Cappuccino Now

Now it's time for a FREE Giveway! Any person who leaves a relevant comment to this post from today Wednesday March 19 - Sunday March 23, will be entered in a drawing to win one of the soaps featured above. Each relevant comment will receive one entry in the contest, the winner will receive their choice of Cappuccino, Mattino, Conforto, or Delizioso. Names will be electronically chosen at random. A second and third place winner will also be chosen to receive a free sample. So get posting and check back Monday March 24th for a list of the winners!

Tuesday Tips - The Perfect Manicure

2008-03-18T12:54:00.014-04:00

Material you'll need to get started:

nail clippers
nail file
shallow bowl for soaking
cuticle pusher
cuticle nippers
cuticle cream or oil
lotion

Follow these simple steps for a perfect manicure.

First start out by clipping and filing your nails. It is important to file your nails before your soak because wet nails can become softer and tare more easily. Never seesaw file your nails as this can cause peeling and split. After you have achieved your desired length and shape fill your soaking bowl with warm water and antibacterial soap, for extra dry cuticle add a few drops of oil to your water. Soak your hand for approximately 5 minutes. Next gently push back your cuticle. If you wish your can put a cuticle remover/softener on prior to pushing them back, you can then use a nail brush dipped in water or rinse and towel dry your fingers before moving to the next step. After pushing back your cuticles you may cut any loose dead skin, take care not to clip live cuticle as this can cause infection (this step is completely optional). You can now buff your nails with a 2 way or 3 way nail buffer, this helps smooth out ridges and provides a great shine, which unlike polish will not chip and can last for weeks. Next massage cuticle oil or cream into your cuticles this step is important to do every day as it helps prevent hang nails and cracked cuticle. Finally you should apply lotion to your hands and arms. If you are apply polish place a small amount of nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to a lint free nail wipe or paper towel and remove to oil from each nail. This step is very important because polish will not stick to an oily nail. Apply a base coat two coats of color and a top coat. Follow this procedure 2 times a week for healthy beautiful nails and hands.

Check out this great manicure box by Sparetime Crafts, this box comes in many colors and patterns, with custom orders available.

Artist Spot Light - TheGoofyTooth and Lotus Tree Designs

2008-03-17T18:39:00.009-04:00

I've been scouring through Etsy looking for artists for my "Friday Features" section that I will be starting this week. In this process, I have found some great items from Etsy sellers with five sales or less and have decided to create another way to showcase them by starting the Artist Spot Light. I will post a few items from different artists randomly, so keep checking back. Who knows - the next Artist Spot Light could be on you!

TheGoofyTooth

TheGoofyTooth shop, based out of Fort Worth, Texas opened it's Etsy doors on March 12, 2008. They sell tooth-shaped pillows with a convenient pocket in the front for your children to store their teeth in. This way the tooth fairy can find the teeth fast and she knows where to put the cash.

The tooth-shaped pillow comes in a variety of patterns and colors. They are also accepting custom orders with these available patterns. Fabric List 1 and Fabric List 2.

Lotus Tree Designs

Lotus Tree Designs started on Etsy on December 31, 2007. These featured earrings are dark blue freshwater pearls, dark blue metallic Swarovski crystals, and black glass drops. All twisted together with plated silver wire. These are 100% handmade and each piece is one of a kind.

They are also offering a free gift with a purchase to the first five sales. So go check them out!

Now lets take some time to support our fellow Etsians and take a look at these shops. If you would like to be considered for the next Artist Spot Light, please send me an email or convo me through Etsy.

Try This Simple Bath Soak Recipe at Home

2008-03-16T21:10:00.008-04:00

Here is a quick and simple recipe for a basic unscented bath soak you can try at home. This can be made with ingredients found right in your kitchen, and customized to fit your personal preferences.
Simply mix:

2 parts salt ( sea salt, epsom salt, or a combination of both)
1 part baking soda

Mix together well, and pour under warm running water, swish around to dissolve.
This can be stored in a zip lock bag for later use. (dry ingredients only)
It's that easy.

Mix in additives to customize this simple recipe to fit your needs. For a moisturizing bath, add a tbs of base oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or even olive oil to the bath water (be careful tub will be slippery). You may also add any combination of essential oils, or dried flowers and herbs that you like. For dry skin you can mix in some ground oatmeal which is soothing to all types of skin. You may also float thinly sliced pieces of orange or lemon in the tub for an uplifting citrus soak. Another option would be to add whole dried milk (powdered milk) which has skin softening lipids and is good for all types of skin. You can make this as simple or be as creative as you like, the sky is the limit. Have fun, relax, and enjoy!

Coming Soon to Bonghi Natura

2008-03-14T11:31:00.012-04:00

Cinnamon Lip Scrub is a new product I've been working on for weeks, I am proud to say I have finally found a formula that I love. The last step I'm working on is the perfect packaging to go with it. This scrub helps prevent cracking, and eliminate dry flaky skin on your lips. Here's a sneak peak, look for Cinnamon Lip Scrub coming soon to http://bonghinatura.etsy.com

New and Exciting Upcoming Features

2008-03-13T21:15:00.004-04:00

I have some very exciting things in the works for Bonghi Natura "The Blog". Here are a few things you can look forward to in the up coming weeks. In addition to the release of new products, I will be writing some special weekly posts, as well as random promotions. Some of the posts I'll be starting next week will be Tuesday Tips. These posts will feature beauty tips and articles from myself and others in the industry. Another fun thing I will be starting is Friday Features where I will show off another artist's work. I'm looking forward to showcasing some very talented artist, as well as expose you to some great new products. I will also be posting random promotions and give aways, so make sure you keep a look out. You wont want to miss this!

What's in our name?

2008-03-12T12:54:00.012-04:00

I've had many people ask me what does Bonghi Natura mean, or how did I come up with it. Well here's your chance to find out! It was my husband who actually came up with name. Bonghi is a family name, this was the last name of my husband's great-grandfather, who immigrated to America from Italy in 1911. Bonghi was changed on the immigration records for what we can only assume was a misunderstanding, or an attempt to sound more "American". This name signifies the beginning of a new generation in America, and it's because of it's roots that we were inspired to give our products that "Old World" Italian flair. Natura simply means nature. So there you have it, a little history on how we came to be called Bonghi Natura.

Our Focus & Improved Branding

2008-03-10T11:36:00.025-04:00

We want to be different from the majority of bath and body sellers, but yet still appeal to the masses. We feel our new branding and products achieve this goal by offering our customers an old world Italian inspired feel, yet keeping the luxurious and classic spa quality feel at the same time. I'm working on creating a line of products that are fun, versatile, and affordable. Here are a couple new products:

Romanza Sapone
Nutmeg and Ylang Ylang with a hint of cinnamon and clove

This 4.5oz goat milk soap contains a sweet intoxicating aroma of nutmeg & ylang ylang, with a hint of warm, exotic cinnamon and clove. Indulge your self in the luxurious moisture of goat milk soap and the romantic aroma of nutmeg and ylang ylang.

Buy Romanza Sapone

Rustico Sapone
Sandalwood & Black Pepper

This 4oz massage bar of soap has a combination of sandalwood fragrance oil and black pepper essential oil that provide a deep, woody and masculine scent. The shea butter provides a creamy lather that helps moisturize and purify the rough skin of a man.

Buy Rustico Sapone

More Posts and items coming soon!

Dual Action Line: Soap/Scrub Combos for the girl on the go!

Getting Started!

2008-03-05T17:24:00.004-05:00

After working in day spas since 2004 as a nail tech and waxing specialist, I decided to start Bonghi Natura in September 2007 after becoming pregnant with my daughter. I decided that developing my own line of spa products would be the perfect way to stay in the industry that I love and be home with my daughter. I've been working on new products for a few months, and I am steadily working on getting them listed. I'm also working on selling my initial inventory so I can make room for new ones. In addition to working on the new products I've given my whole shop a face lift, new labels, new logo, and new packaging. I also hope to have my new website up and running very soon. I currently sell my products at http://bonghinatura.etsy.com so come by and check it out - I'd love to hear any feedback you have.