Cherry Blossom Festival - In Full Bloom

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

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

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......

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!!!

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

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!

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.