Tuesday Tips - SKIN CARE A-Z Continued

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FRIDAY FEATURE - Flirt Buttons

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Click HERE to visit Flirtbuttons.

On vacation.....

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

FRIDAY FEATURE - Jennifer Squires Productions

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

Click HERE to visit Jennifer Squires Shop.

On vacation......

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

The National Monument, view from the the Lincoln Memorial.

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

The Luray Carverns.

The Caverns were first discovered in 1878.

Skin Care A-Z Continued

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

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

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

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

Friday Feature - V Silcox Designs

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click HERE to visit V Silcox Designs