Sweet Sally's Soaps News

Win $25.00 Store Credit

2011-11-01T09:25:00.001-04:00

It has been quite a while since my last blog post. Life just gets busy! I am back today with a great contest where you could win not only a $25.00 credit from my Etsy Shop, but also $25.00 credits from 8 other Etsy Shops! Sounds great, right! All you have to do is visit 10xNine check out the great shops, pick a favorite item, post a comment and you are entered to win a $225.00 Shopping Spree.

Don't wait, you have until Monday 11/7/11 at 2pm EST to enter. 10xNine

Etsy Treasury Team's Featured Artist of the Week

2011-02-25T09:08:00.001-05:00

This week's Etsy Treasury Team's featured artist is Fuchsia Bloom Studio. Rebecca has a stunning array of necklaces, bracelets, and my favorite earrings! I'm a bit of an earring junkie, just can't have too many earrings and at Fuchsia Bloom Studios there are so many beautiful earrings to choose from. Rebecca makes her lovely jewelry from sterling silver, gold, gemstones, crystals, and vintage components.

Simplicity Earrings

Garnet Vintage Sterling Necklace

Olive Pearl and Sterling Earrings

Lavender Glass and Antiqued Sterling Earrings

Apatite Rondelle Citrine Teardrop Necklace

One World One Heart Giveaway Winner!

2011-02-21T08:54:00.000-05:00

Just a little late in announcing the winner of The One World One Heart Giveaway! So with no further a due the winner is Dot from Speedie Beadie! Congratulations Dot and thanks to everyone who entered. It was another great year for this blogging event!

One World One Heart Giveaway

2011-02-05T14:40:00.002-05:00

One Heart One World is an International blogging event I am participating in for the second year. Last year was great fun. The event was started by The Whimsical Bohemian in 2007 as a giveaway to bring bloggers around the globe together. So here is how the event works, I am hosting a giveaway and so are all the other bloggers participating in the event. Click HERE to see all the other participating blogs. All winners will be announced on February 17th.

For my giveaway I am offering one of my 9 Half Bar Sampler Sets giving the winner a wonderful selection of handmade soaps to try. The set includes 9 half bars of Sweet Sally's Soaps. The soaps included are Coconut Milk, Lime and Shea, Patchouli Vanilla, I Love Coffee, Clove, Charcoal and Tea Tree, Rosemary Mint, Patchouli Orange, and Dead Sea Mud. For detailed information about each soap see listings in my etsy shop. Sweet Sally's Soaps

I have been making soaps for the past 6 years. Last year I gradually made the shift to using organic oils in my soaps. Organic products have become a very important issue to me. I try to feed my family as much organic food as I can afford and use organic products for skin care and cleaning.

To enter my giveaway please leave a comment at this post before Midnight EDT February 16th and make sure to leave contact information so if you win I can contact you. The winner will be announced February 17th. Good luck to everyone and have fun blogging around the blogging World!

Etsy Treasury Team's Featured Artist of the Week

2011-02-04T08:32:00.001-05:00

This week's Etsy Treasury Team's featured artist is Kim of The Apple. Kim makes an eclectic array of fun and colorful jewelry using traditional and nontraditional materials. She makes rings, bracelets, necklaces, and my favorite earrings (can't have too many earrings) from precious metals, semi-precious stones, colorful epoxy beads, whimsical charms, and old typewriter keys.

Typewriter Key Tie Tacks

Translucent Grass Green Earrings

Ruby Red Swarvoski Crystal Earrings

Cocktail Ring

Deep Coral Flower Earrings

Vintage Corona Typewriter Key Ring

Kim also has a second shop called Kim's Crafty Apple where she sells heirloom quilts, fabric art, fashion bags, and kids clothes. So take some time and check out both of Kim's wonderful shops, your bound to find something you will fall in love with.

Etsy Treasury Team Challenge

2011-02-02T10:21:00.001-05:00

Every month the Etsy Treasury Team has a challenge to make a treasury on a specific topic. January's challenge was to make a treasury that shows your life story, designed to help team members get to know each other a little better. so I thought it would be fun to post mine so my reader's could get to know me a little better. Hope you enjoy it!

My Life

Esty Treasury Team's Featured Artist of the Week

2011-01-28T10:10:00.003-05:00

This week I am featuring a very talented photographer from the Etsy Treasury Team, her shop name is Leapinggazelle. Lauren's nature inspired photographs all have a soft, romantic, dreamy quality to them. I have been a fan of Lauren's even before joining the Etsy Treasury Team. Her floral pictures have a rather unique quality, almost reminiscent of antique botanical illustrations. I also really enjoy her sea shell series. Please take some time to browse through Lauren's lovely shop!

Back to Blogging and a Feature

2011-01-21T10:31:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone! I know I'm a little bit late with this but I have been on a blogging hiatus. I had an amazing Christmas season and I hope everyone else did too. But it left little time for blogging. The beginning of the New Year is always a time to regroup, rethink, and reorganize for the coming year and that is just what I have been doing for the last couple of weeks.

Last September I joined a wonderful Etsy Team called the Etsy Treasury Team. The main focus of the team is to create beautiful treasuries and help promote your fellow teammates. I am really happy that I joined this team because all the team members are so supportive of one another plus I have learned quite a bit about promoting, making treasuries, and SEO.

Since joining the team I wanted to start a weekly feature on my blog spotlighting a different member each week. I thought the best person to start with would be Lynn of Midnight Coiler our team founder and leader. Lynn's Etsy shop is filled with hand-carved gourds, coiled baskets, and an array of other amazing items all crafted from natural elements. She is not only a talented artist, she is also a fantastic team leader.

Coiled Gourd Bowl Basket

I really enjoy Lynn's work and I hope you do too!

Black Friday Sale

2010-11-26T08:37:00.000-05:00

I am having a BLACK FRIDAY to CYBER MONDAY SALE in my Etsy Shop! Everything in my shop is 15% off for the duration of the SALE. The sale will run from November 26th until November 29th.

Coffee Butter Sugar Scrub

Lemongrass and Sage Handmade Soap

Handmade Soap Gift Basket

Visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetSallysSoaps

Exciting News From Sweet Sally's Soaps

2010-11-08T14:40:00.000-05:00

After much contemplation, I finally decided to take the plunge and make some major changes in the production of Sweet Sally's Soaps. I am now making all of my soaps with organic base oils. The base oils for all of my soaps are olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil.

I have been using organic sustainable palm oil in my soaps since the beginning of this year. My decision for switching to organic sustainable palm oil was based on environmental issues. Late last year many articles about clear cutting methods used to harvest palm oil were brought to my attention. I became aware of the devastating effects this had on the environment. At first I thought to stop using palm oil in my soaps but the results were less than satisfactory. So instead I found that one of my major suppliers offered organic sustainable palm oil. My suppliers reputation is very good and their organic oils are certified and they also supply information on harvesting techniques of their sustainable palm oil.

My decision to switch my other oils to organic was more of a health and value issue. As we hear over and over lately that produce grown without pesticides is better for us it is also true for products we put on our skin. I try to eat as much organic food as I can afford so I thought it only right that the products that I produce should be as organic as I could afford to make them. So by making all of my base oils organic this makes my soaps roughly 80 to 85% organic depending on the soap. I feel that my change not only offers a healthier product for my customers but also adds value to my soaps in that the customer is getting a better product for their money.

I have been working on this change for the last few months. I wanted to make sure I had sold most of the soaps made with non organic oils before I started advertising my soaps made with organic oils. I am now working on changing ingredients on labels and listings on my website and Etsy shop.

I am very excited about this change and I am hoping my existing customers and all of my new customer will be pleased with the new and improved Sweet Sally's Soaps!

September's Soaps of the Month Winner

2010-10-02T05:53:00.000-04:00

The winner of September's Giveaway is Beth of BPR Designs. Congratulations Beth!

September's Soaps of the Month Giveaway!

2010-09-21T14:34:00.001-04:00

I missed having a Giveaway last month because I was just too busy! I am trying to get back into the swing of things with blogging. I actually have lots of new things to talk about but just haven't' had the time to write. Anyway on to September's Soaps of the Month Giveaway!

The Soaps of the Month for September are Carrot and Lavender Swirl. Lavender is a rather traditional soap where Carrot soap might not be so traditional.

The Carrot Soap is one of my very favorite soaps. It is made with nourishing carrot juice, packed full of Vitamin A, oatmeal, lavender, frankincense, and carrot seed essential oils. It is very moisturizing and makes a wonderful face soap.

Carrot

Lavender Swirl is scented with everybody's favorite (or almost everybody) lavender essential oil and has a beautiful purple swirl.

Lavender Swirl

OK, now you know what you can win this month, now here is what you need to do to enter!

PLEASE leave separate comments for each entry. (This makes it so much easier for me to count up entires at the end of the contest.)

1. The first way to enter is to visit my etsy shop and tell me your favorite item, come back and leave a comment on my blog. SweetSallysSoaps Please make sure to leave a way I can contact you if you are the winner.

2. The second way to enter is to follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you did so.

3. The third way to enter is to become a fan of my Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment on my blog.

4. The fourth way is to follow me on Twitter and tweet about my giveaway and leave a comment on my blog.
5. The last way to enter is to make a purchase from my Etsy shop (during the duration of the contest) SweetSallysSoaps and it will count as 10 entries. After you make a purchase come back here and leave a comment telling you did so.

The contest starts today and runs until Sept. 30th Midnight EST. Winner will be announced Friday October 1st. The winner will be picked by a random number generator. Good luck everybody!

August's Featured EtsyBlogger

2010-09-01T07:55:00.001-04:00

I am sneaking August's featured EtsyBlogger in a wee bit late, but better late than never. August's featured EtsyBlogger is Patch and she has three Etsy shops. A jewelery shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/patchfirstshop featuring some very lovely Swarovski crystals and bridal jewelry.

Elegant Pearl Necklace

Patch's second shop features some wonderful vintage clothing. http://www.etsy.com/shop/patchvintageshop

Vintage Blue Flora Linen Blouse

And her third shop sells crafting supplies. http://www.etsy.com/shop/patchsupplyshop

Back to School

2010-08-27T12:37:00.000-04:00

This month's EtsyBlogger's Blog Carnival is about back to school memories. Yesterday my 16 year old son went back to public school for the first time since second grade. I felt both anxious and melancholy all day. I pulled my son out of public school at the end of second grade because he was having a great deal of difficulty learning to read and the school system really had no answers for his problem. We home-schooled from 3rd grade until 8th and in 9th and 10th grades he did cyber school. A mutual family decision was made that public high school would be the best for his last 2 years of school.

I know my son was both nervous and excited when he left yesterday morning to go to school. Fortunately I had a very busy day of work, otherwise I would have probably sat around worrying all day. I sort of felt the same way a parent feels when they first send their kid to kindergarten. When he finally got home in the afternoon I was relieved to hear he had a pretty good day.

EtsyBloggers 3rd Anniversary Weekend SALE!

2010-08-13T08:49:00.001-04:00

EtsyBloggers Team is having a big WEEKEND SALE! The Team is celebrating it's Third Anniversary, so what better way to celebrate than having a great big SALE! Over 50 team members are offering some kind of sale in their ETSY shop. Check out our team blog for details on the SALE. http://etsybloggers.blogspot.com

Here are just a few samples of shops participating.

Blackbird72

Gilliauna

joeyandaleethea

My shop is offering FREE SHIPPING on anything in my shop! SweetSallysSoaps

July's Soaps of the Month Winner!

2010-08-09T13:04:00.000-04:00

I'm a little bit late posting the winner for July's Giveaway, but better late than never! The winner is Jenny B. Congratulations Jenny!

I will be posting about about some exciting new changes at Sweet Sally's Soaps very soon. I will also be listing a bunch of new products.

July's Soaps of the Month Giveaway

2010-07-27T09:39:00.000-04:00

Summer is such a busy time for me that I almost didn't have this month's Giveaway. I sell my soaps at 3 farmer's markets a week all summer long plus craft shows and internet sales so my blogging time becomes very limited.

July's Soaps of the Month are Mint Swirl and Green Tea. Since I have started this month;s give away so late the deadline for entering will be extended until August 6th.

Mint Swirl is the perfect summer soap. It is scented with peppermint and spearmint essential oils which leave your skin with a tingly cooling refreshing feeling and it also is quite beautiful!

Mint Swirl

Green Tea offers a more meditative scent and the amazing benefits of green tea. It is made with brewed green tea and green tea extract and an abundance of grapeseed oil to make it super moisturizing.

Green Tea

OK, now you know what you can win this month, now here is what you need to do to enter!

PLEASE leave separate comments for each entry. (This makes it so much easier for me to count up entires at the end of the contest.)

2. The second way to enter is to follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you did so.

3. The third way to enter is to become a fan of my Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment on my blog.

4. The fourth way is to follow me on Twitter and tweet about my giveaway and leave a comment on my blog.
5. I decided to add one more way to enter this month. If you make a purchase from my Etsy shop (during the duration of the contest) SweetSallysSoaps it will count as 10 entries. After you make a purchase come back here and leave a comment telling you did so.

The contest starts today and runs until August 6th Midnight EST. Winner will be announced Saturday August 7th. The winner will be picked by a random number generator. Good luck everybody!

Winner of June's Giveaway

2010-07-01T17:54:00.000-04:00

The winner of June's Soaps of the Month Giveaway is blackroze. Congratulations! The winner was picked by a random number generator. Thanks to everyone who entered and keep an eye out for July's giveaway it's just around the corner.

June's Soaps of the Month Giveaway!

2010-06-17T16:14:00.000-04:00

It's time for June's Soaps of the Month Giveaway! The summer sun is heating up, so it's a great time to enter this month's giveaway featuring 2 great summer soaps. The soaps are By the Sea Salt Bar and Cocoa Orange Swirl.

By the Sea Salt Bar is perfect for the summer months. It is made with a high content of sea salt which makes your skin feel amazing. It is scented with a mixture of essential oils and kelp giving it an oceany scent.

By the Sea Salt Bar

Coca Orange Swirl is made with an abundant amount of rich creamy cocoa butter. Cocoa butter always reminds me of sun tan lotion so I think it makes a wonderful summer soap.

Cocoa Orange Swirl

OK, now you know what you can win this month, now here is what you need to do to enter!

PLEASE leave separate comments for each entry. (This makes it so much easier for me to count up entires at the end of the contest.)

2. The second way to enter is to follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you did so.

3. The third way to enter is to become a fan of my Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment on my blog.

4. The fourth way is to follow me on Twitter and tweet about my giveaway and leave a comment on my blog.
5. I decided to add one more way to enter this month. If you make a purchase from my Etsy shop (during the duration of the contest) SweetSallysSoaps it will count as 10 entries. After you make a purchase come back here and leave a comment telling you did so.

The contest starts today and runs until June 30th Midnight EST. Winner will be announced Thursday July 1st. The winner will be picked by a random number generator. Good luck everybody!

New Father's Day Soap of the Month Club

2010-06-08T11:27:00.000-04:00

Father's Day Soap of the Month Club

I am introducing a new Soap of the Month Club just in time for Father's Day! This version of Soap of the Month Club is dedicated to the men in our lives. All the soaps included are either manly scents or gender neutral. I know there are lots of guys out there who would love to get this for their Father's Day gift.

Just like my other Soap of the month Clubs you get 2 soaps each month of the year. Here is a list of the scents that you will receive:

January: I Love Coffee Soap and Juniper & Sage
February: By the Sea Salt Bar and Patchouli
March: Peppermint Chunk and Citrus Scrub
April: Mint Swirl and Cocoa Orange
May: Dead Sea Mud and Tea Tree & Eucalyptus
June: Charcoal & Tea Tree and Patchouli Cedarwood
July: Beer Soap and Lemongrass & Sage
August: Green Tea and Rosemary Mint
September: Lime & Shea and Oatmeal and Honey
October: Basil & Lime and Pomegranate
November: Sea Breeze Goat and Calendula
December: Clove and Fir Needle Scrub

June's soaps are Charcoal & Tea Tree

and Patchouli Cedarwood

This will make a great gift for any soap loving Dad. Available at my Etsy shop SweetSallysSoaps

May's Featured Etsyblogger

2010-06-01T08:31:00.001-04:00

May's featured Etsyblogger is Sandi of HandmadeBySandi. Her shop is packed with all kinds of goodies from crocheted cowls, hats, and cup cozies to handmade jewelery and aprons.

Crocheted Scarf

Sandi also has a second shop, Sandi's Stash where she sells supplies for other crafters, mostly fabrics.

Shells and Sand Fabric

Sandi also has a blog www.sandists.com/Wordpress
So take a little time and visit all theses great sites!

Winner of May's Giveaway

2010-05-29T20:42:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to lilyk, she is the winner of May's Soaps of the Month Giveaway. The winner was picked by a random number generator. Thanks so much to everyone who entered, it was another great month. Don't forget to check back for next month's giveaway!

I'm Hosting Etsybloggers Blog Carnival

2010-05-24T10:07:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the May 24th, 2010 edition of the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival!

1.Tell about your gardening plans for the upcoming growing season.

2. Or show me your all time favorite piece of art and why you find it inspiring.

MagdaleneJewels presents Carnival Blog: Happy Mother's Day! posted at MagdaleneJewels's Blogs.

julie marriott presents Etsybloggers Blog Carnival for May posted at Welcome To My World.

Liz Howell presents My Stray Flowers posted at Liz's Wares.

Patch First Shop presents Inspirations.. posted at PatchFirstShop.

Lily presents EtsyBloggers Team May 21, 2010 Blog Carnival posted at Fusion Art Jewelry.

Clare Dempsey presents My 1st Blog Carnival with Etsy Bloggers: Memories of Mom posted at Cricutcraftyclare, saying, "I am a newbie, and this is my 1st carnival. Please let me know if I need to make corrections. Thanks!

Clare"

Sarah Buckingham "Finding Charm" presents EtsyBloggers: May 10 Carnival posted at Finding Charm.

Rose presents inspiring art posted at The Beadings and Buttons of Randomcreative.

BunnyKissd presents BlogCarnival: May 21st posted at Diary of a Crazy Rabbit Lady, Too.

Sheryl Owen presents Change of Address: Top 10 House Warming Gifts posted at Change of Address.

J o e y & A l e e t h e a presents seed bomb fun posted at J o e y & A l e e t h e a.

GirlyGirlsCrafts presents Color My World posted at Crafty Horror.

storybeader presents Etsybloggers Carnival - May 21, 2010 posted at Stroll Through Storyland.

Athena Workman presents May 21st Etsybloggers Blog Carnival: A Garden Tour posted at the weblog of artist athena workman.

dizzydragonflies presents Knitting podcasts and stash busting posted at dizzydragonflies.

Laurie Jackson presents Where Dreams Come True posted at Indulge Your Shelf.

Vicky presents The Garden posted at Shore Debris' Handmade Creations.

Erika presents Inspired Art posted at NICO* Designs.

BeadedTail presents Picture Purrfect posted at beadedtail.

cindy devine presents An herb garden posted at Devine Designs Jewelry.

Brittany Wende presents John, James & H.Stern posted at - B.W. SILVER -.

TiLTcreations presents Etsyblogger Carnival: Gardening Plans posted at Crafts, kids, home and life.

Jen presents Patio Garden posted at Mama's Magic.

Lois presents I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for "The Scream" posted at Foxy G's Den of i-KNIT-quity.

Beth presents To Garden or Not to Garden... posted at Sunshine Daydreamz.

gilliauna presents An Appreciation for Nature posted at The Meandering Musings of a Consummate Shopper.

mickeyscreations presents Adding a Little Art to Your World posted at Living the Crafty Life.

Sandi Myers presents How Does Your Garden Grow? posted at The T-Shirt Lady.

Missie presents EtsyBloggers Carnival Post posted at Sykin's One Stop Etsy Shopping Guide.

Alicia Mae presents Grow garden grow posted at Crafts and Cooking.

Patti presents New Perennial Garden posted at peacoxcreations.

Sarah Wagner-Ranes presents Garden Plans posted at Sweet Sally's Soaps News.

Linda Pruitt presents Garden plans??? posted at Pruitt Handcrafts.

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Garden Plans

2010-05-21T21:03:00.000-04:00

This month, for the first time I am going to be the host for the Etsybloggers Blog Carnival. That also means I choose the topics for the carnival. The two topics are show me your favorite piece of artwork and why you find it inspiring or tell me about your garden plans for the upcoming growing season. My post will be about my plans for the upcoming growing season.

Right now plans are about as far as my garden has gotten. I do enjoy gardening but the last couple of years I have been finding it hard to squeeze it into my schedule. I like to grow herbs for cooking, which I grow in front of my house in two beds. I have lavender, sage, oregano, lemon balm, lambs ears, and chives (as shown in picture above) that come back year after year. Today I bought some tiny basil plants, which I plan to get in the ground in the next couple of days. I also plan to plant rosemary, cilantro, and some tomato plants in my front garden. Last year was the first time I planted tomatoes in the front of my house. I planted very late but I had tomatoes from my garden up until Christmas.

I have a larger garden in the back of my house, but between the squirrels, the walnut trees, and too much shade from other trees it has become very problematic. Certain things thrive but many vegetables will not grow. I have an abundance of calendula, which I do use in my soaps, and things like lettuce and spinach do nicely. So I have gotten to the point where I just don't fight it any more and just go with what grows easily. I will probably plant some more flowers in my back garden. Hope everyone has a happy gardening season.

May's Soaps of the Month Giveaway!

2010-05-13T22:44:00.002-04:00

It's time for May's Soaps of the Month Giveaway! I am a little late getting this started this month because I had a big craft show last weekend. I did the Tulip Festival in Albany NY. It is always a great show for me.

May's soaps of the month are my two newest soaps, Dill and Lemongrass and Pink Grapefruit. The Dill and Lemongrass I created to celebrate the "Herb of the Year" dill. It has a clean fresh scent and the dill is not to overpowering.

Dill and Lemongrass Handmade Soap

My Pink Grapefruit soap has the sweet scent of juicy pink grapefruits, not to mention it is very pretty.

Pink Grapefruit Handmade Soap

OK, now you know what you can win this month, now here is what you need to do to enter!

PLEASE leave separate comments for each entry. (This makes it so much easier for me to count up entires at the end of the contest.)

2. The second way to enter is to follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you did so.

3. The third way to enter is to become a fan of my Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment on my blog.

4. The fourth way is to follow me on Twitter and tweet about my giveaway and leave a comment on my blog.
5. I decided to add one more way to enter this month. If you make a purchase from my Etsy shop (during the duration of the contest) SweetSallysSoaps it will count as 10 entries. After you make a purchase come back here and leave a comment telling you did so.

The contest starts today and runs until May 28th Midnight EST. Winner will be announced Saturday May 29th. The winner will be picked by a random number generator. Good luck everybody!

EtsyFriends Team Spring Giveaway

2010-05-05T17:08:00.001-04:00

EtsyFriends Team is having a giant Spring Giveaway! We are giving away a gift basket filled with 20 handmade items valued at over $230.00

Please visit EF Promotions to enter. The giveaway runs until midnight May 7th. There is 20 different ways to enter, so hurry over and get your entries posted.

Featured EtsyBlogger Pam of MagdaleneJewels

2010-05-01T00:06:00.001-04:00

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is MagdaleneJewels. She has two Etsy shops, her first shop features lovely earrings, necklaces, and bracelets with Swarovski crystals. http://MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com

Topaz Swarovski Crystal Necklace

Her second shop features a wonderful array of knitted and crocheted baby items, scarfs,and neckwarmers.

http://MagdaleneKnits.etsy.com

Crocheted Baby Red MaryJane's

Pam also has a wonderful blog http://magdalenejewelsblogs.blogspot.com Please take the time and visit both of Pam's shops and her blog.

Winner of April's Giveaway

2010-04-24T20:31:00.001-04:00

Once again I am very pleased with the amount of entries the April Giveaway received, over 300. The winner this month is TheBudgetBride. Congratulations to you! The winner was picked by a random number generator. Don't forget to come back and enter next months giveaway!

Also I am putting April's Soaps of the Month on sale for the rest of the month. So if you didn't win you can still take advantage of this special discount. Both soaps will be offered at a 20% discount making the price $4.80.

Please visit my Etsy shop to enjoy the special sale pricing!
SweetSallysSoaps

Birthday's and Astrology

2010-04-23T07:33:00.001-04:00

This month's EtsyBloggers's Blog Carnival theme is special birthdays or astrological signs. Now I can't say I am a huge believer in astrology and I certainly don't plan my life according to my horoscope but there does seem to be some relevance in the characteristics of each astrology sign. I was born in February which makes me a Pisces. In many ways the descriptions of Pisces fits me pretty well.

Pisces Strength Keywords:

- Compassionate
- Adaptable
- Accepting
- Devoted
- Imaginative

Pisces Weakness Keywords:

- Oversensitive
- Indecisive
- Self-pitying
- Lazy
- Escapist

I am definitely oversensitive and sometimes indecisive but I don't think I am lazy.

"Pisces does not take well to a position of leadership or high business person, they are too sensitive and lacking in self-discipline and lacking self-confidence for a positions such as that. What they are good at is is writing, acting, poetry, or being musicians. Pisces are excellent at anything that tugs at the heart strings and mystical/spiritual. They are extremely creative and can use their skills of creativity and their understanding of people to inspire others. Unfortunately, most Pisces take the easy way out in life and never attain the degree of fame that they possibly could, they have to stop self-doubting themselves because they are capable of being good role models and leaders to others, people do look up to them."

A lot of this fits me and I work to overcome especially self-doubt.

Last Day to Enter April Giveaway!

2010-04-22T17:16:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow is the last day to enter this month's Soaps of the Month Giveaway! All you have to do to enter is visit my Etsy shop pick out your favorite item and come back here and leave a comment. Follow this link for other ways to enter.

The winner will be announced Saturday April 24th. The winner will receive one of each of the Soaps of the Month, one Rose and Rosehip and one Patchouli handmade soap. Good luck to everyone!

Patchouli Handmade Soap

April Soaps of the Month Giveaway

2010-04-09T10:20:00.002-04:00

Time for April's soap GIVEAWAY! This month's featured soaps are Rose and Rosehip and Patchouli.

Rose and Rosehip

Patchouli

Rose and Rosehip makes a wonderful facial soap because it has added rosehip oil which is great in helping to reduce wrinkles and premature signs of aging. My Patchouli soap is a favorite among patchouli lovers simply because it has that true earthy patchouli scent.

OK, now you know what you can win this month, now here is what you need to do to enter!

PLEASE leave separate comments for each entry. (This makes it so much easier for me to count up entires at the end of the contest.)

2. The second way to enter is to follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you did so.

3. The third way to enter is to become a fan of my Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment on my blog.

4. And last but not least is to follow me on Twitter and tweet about my giveaway and leave a comment on my blog.

The contest starts today and runs until April 23rd Midnight EST. Winner will be announced Saturday April 24th. The winner will be picked by a random number generator. Good luck everybody!

Featured EtsyBloggers DizzyDragonflies

2010-03-30T12:03:00.000-04:00

This month's Featured EtsyBlogger is Vicki from DizzyDragonflies. She has two wonderful Etsy shops DizzyDragonflies and KnittingDragonflies. Her shops have beautiful hand dyed yarns and things she makes from the yarns. She also has a very interesting blog where she writes about her craft.
http://knittingdragonflies.blogspot.com

JulesArtwear $50.00 Bead Buck Giveaway

2010-03-29T20:38:00.001-04:00

Jule Hanford of Jules Artwear is having Giveaway on her blog to celebrate hitting 600 fans on her Facebook page. She is giving away $50.00 in Bead Bucks. All you have to do to enter is visit Jule's blog at http://julesartwear.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment. Don't forget to visit Jule's Etsy shop too and see all the beautiful jewelry she has to offer. http://www.etsy.com/shop/JulesArtwear

Dangly Spirals in Silver

Sterling Silver Interchangeable Earrings

Winner of First Monthly Giveaway

2010-03-20T10:33:00.002-04:00

Good Saturday morning! I am very pleased with the response I have had for my first Monthly Giveaway for Soaps of the Month. I had over 200 entries. I picked the winner by using a random number generator. The winner of this months Soaps of the Month is Kat c. Don't worry if you did not win because I will be having a Giveaway every month, featuring that month's Soaps of the Month.

Also I am putting March's Soaps of the Month on sale for the rest of the month. So if you didn't win you can still take advantage of this special discount. Both soaps will be offered at a 20% discount making the price $4.80.

Dead Sea Mud I Love Coffee

Thanks everyone for entering and keep an eye out for next month's Giveaway!

Last 2 Days to Enter Giveaway!

2010-03-18T08:23:00.002-04:00

Friday March 19th is the last day to enter my first monthly Soaps of the Month Giveaway. But don't fret if you don't win, I will be doing a Giveaway every month for the featured soaps of that month. All you need to do to enter is visit my Etsy Shop pick out your favorite item come back here, post a comment, and follow my blog. You can also get an extra entry by becoming a fan of my Facebook page or following me on Twitter and tweeting about the giveaway.

Winner will be announced Saturday March 20th. Good luck everyone!

I Love Coffee Handmade Soap

Dead Sea Mud Handmade Soap

It's Almost Spring

2010-03-12T22:57:00.001-05:00

Next week is the official first day of Spring. This week in central Pennsylvania we had beautiful weather which is so rejuvenating after a long cold snowy winter. This month's Etsyblogger's Blog Carnival is about Spring and how we are celebrating the season with items in our shops.

I am currently working of four new soaps. The first one is by popular request. I can't count how many times I have been asked if I have Lilac soap, so it is number one on the list. Next is Pink Grapefruit and I am making this mostly because I like the scent but I think it should be popular too. The third soap is Lemon Dill which might be a little offbeat but I am making it for The Herb Festival I will doing in April. Every year there is an herb of the year and this year it is dill. You don't see a lot of bath and body products with dill essential oil but I thought lemon and dill would be an interesting combo. Lastly I want to make a lime salt bar because my By the Sea Salt Bar has been very popular.

I also am planning on adding to my shop perfume oils. I have been playing with scent combination's and I have come up with some pretty interesting things. But I am not going to disclose any more on that for now.
Enjoy the beauty of the season!

Treasury West

2010-03-11T14:45:00.002-05:00

I made a new treasury last night at Treasury West, it's called Lines and Circles.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=90760

Friday Finds "On A Whim"

2010-03-05T11:47:00.001-05:00

This week for Friday Finds I made a Spotlight of some wonderful whimsical finds.

Soaps of the Month Giveaway

2010-03-04T15:15:00.060-05:00

Time for a Giveaway! Starting this month I decided to do a monthly giveaway. Each month I will be giving away the 2 featured Soaps of the Month. This month's featured soaps are I Love Coffee Soap and Dead Sea Mud Soap.

I Love Coffee Soap Dead Sea Mud Soap

These are both really great soaps. I Love Coffee Soap is made with both brewed coffee and coffee grounds and is scented with orange and peppermint essential oils. It makes a wonderful kitchen soap because coffee acts as a natural deodorizers, so it washes garlic and onion smells right off your hands. Some people expect this soap to have an intense coffee scent but it doesn't because of the added essential oils. It is also has added cocoa and shea butters for skin conditioning.

Dead Sea Mud is rich in minerals and is especially beneficial for people with acne, eczema, and psoriasis. This soap is scented with a blend of lavender, patchouli, and clary sage.

Now that you know what you can win, here is what you need to do to enter.

1. The first way to enter is to visit my etsy shop and tell me your favorite item, come back and leave a comment on my blog. SweetSallysSoaps Please make sure to leave a way I can contact you if you are the winner.

2. The second way to enter is to follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you did so.

3. The third way to enter is to become a fan of my Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment on my blog.

4. And last but not least is to follow me on Twitter and tweet about my giveaway and leave a comment on my blog.

The contest starts today and runs until March 19th Midnight EST. Winner will be announced Saturday March 20th. The winner will be picked by a random number generator. Good luck everybody!

This giveaway is listed at All Things Bloggy.

Where Do You Want to Go?

2010-02-26T23:43:00.001-05:00

This month's Etsybloggers Carnival question is If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? My immediate thought was a warm tropical island to escape this long cold snowy winter but then I thought a little more. I am totally fascinated with the thought of going to India. Maybe because I just watched the movie "The Darjeeling Limited" which takes place in India or maybe spiritual aspects draw me to it. Whatever the reason I would love to go.

The colors, the foods, the scents. I can just imagine the way a busy market place would smell, all spicy and wonderful. All kinds of exotic foods and spices to sample and buy.

Probablly one of my main interests in going to India would be a spiritual journey. I would love to learn more about the life of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. To understand more about the path to enlightenment. One little bit at a time. Maybe someday I will be able to take this trip.

Essential Oils 101 Part Four

2010-02-25T12:49:00.003-05:00

It's time for another installment of Essential Oils 101. Today's featured essential oil is patchouli. Patchouli has the reputation of either being well loved or absolutely hated. Patchouli has a very strong, earthy, musky scent alone but makes an excellent base note in many mixtures. Patchouli is also well know from its abundant usage during hippie days.

Patchouli is a native plant to many areas of Asia. It was first introduced to western cultures in the early 1800's when the British started importing Indian fabrics scented with patchouli oil. Patchouli is a bush like plant with furry leaves and purplish white flowers.

Like other essential oils patchouli has a fairly impressive list of properties. Know properties include being an antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and an astringent. It has been widely used in the East to prevent the spread of disease and as an antidote for snake bites. Psychological uses include inducing peace of mind, rejuvenating, and help with depression and anxiety.

I will be offering a 15% discount on all patchouli soaps in my Etsy shop. Sweet Sally's Soaps

Patchouli Handmade Soap

Patchouli Cedarwood Handmade Soap

Patchouli Orange Handmade Soap

Patchouli Vanilla Handmade Soap

Friday Finds "Hint of Spring"

2010-02-19T08:51:00.003-05:00

As I was walking my dog yesterday morning, to my own disbelief I spotted the first true "Hint of Spring". There popping their lovely little heads out of the piles of snow were the highly anticipated first crocus of the inevitable approaching spring. I was delighted with my find and quite surprised because here in the Northeast it has been cold and dreary. So this week's "Friday Finds" I am celebrating my find the crocus.

rite of spring...purple crocus fine art photo by leapinggazelle

Purple Crocus- Lucite,pearl, and antique copper finish earrings by EternalEden

Crocus fine Art Photograph Note Card by JudyStalus

Crocus business card holder case by Sutekidane

Spring softly 8x8 Fine art Print by urbandesign

Etsyblogger Tilt Creations

2010-02-18T10:08:00.004-05:00

February's Etsybloger of the Month is Tilt Creations. Theresa has two etsy shops and two blogs. Her first shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/tiltcreations features handmade handbags and backpacks. She has a great assortment of handbags, clutches, backpacks, and duffel bags in brightly colored fabrics. In her second shop she sells destash patterns, fabric and supplies. http://www.etsy.com/shop/tilttoo

Make sure to not only visit Theresa's etsy shops but also visist both of her blogs.

http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com

http://tiltcreationstoo.blogspot.com

And the Winner is......

2010-02-16T00:02:00.001-05:00

Tonight marks the end of the One World One Heart International blogging event. This was my first year of participating and I am looking forward to doing it again next year. There were 1088 bloggers participating representing 40 countries around the world. I didn't get to every single one but I did read quite a few. It was great fun visiting so many different blogs.

Now for the winner of my giveaway. I had 443 entries and I used a random number generator to pick one number which happened to be #440. The winner was Kate from Organic Odysseys. She is the lucky winner of my 9 Half Bar Soap Sampler. Congratulations Kate!!

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T09:59:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

WEEKEND SALE

2010-02-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

I am having a sale in my Etsy shop this weekend. When you buy any 3 regular priced soaps you get a 4th soap for FREE!

Peppermint Chunk Handmade Soap

Charcoal and Tea Tree Handmade Soap

The sale will run until midnight Monday February 15th. Shipping for US orders will not exceed flat rate $4.95. Please visit my etsy shop to see all the wonderful scent available. http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetSallysSoaps

Friday Finds "Sea Glass"

2010-02-12T10:57:00.002-05:00

I love Sea Glass! I love every thing about it, the texture, the colors, the shapes, and of course all the beautiful jewelry people make out of it. So today's "Friday Finds" features sea glass treasures I found searching through Etsy.

Top Drilled Sea Glass Pendant Size

Sea Glass and Recycled Glass Octopus Mosaic

Moonstone Pearl and Protect Charm Necklace

Sea Glass Organic Chunky's

Navy Cornflower Ultra Rare Blue Earrings

Three Sister's Sea Glass and Beach Stone Necklace

New Soap of the Month Clubs

2010-02-11T16:29:00.004-05:00

Calling all SOAP ADDICTS!!! ( I know there are lots and lots of you out there, I've met so many of you at craft shows!) You need to join one of Sweet Sally's Soaps Soap of the Month Clubs to supply your habit. I have just listed in my Etsy shop 2 brand new versions of my Soap of the Month Club. Both of the listings are called Soap of the Month Club Basic because they don't include all the extras you get with my Deluxe Soap of the Month Club. You can choose either a 6 or 12 month subscription and you will receive 2 wonderful handmade soaps each month. This is a great way to experience a wide array of new soaps and you don't have to constantly reorder all the time.

Soap of the Month Basic 12 Month Subscription

Soap of the Month Basic 6 Month Subscription

But of course let's not forget the original Deluxe Soap of the Month Club which comes with all sorts of extras. On your first month you will receive 2 beautiful soaps, a wooden soap dish and a natural fiber washcloth. Month 7 you get a lovely mini gift basket with 2 soaps and other goodies. Along the way you get coupons and sample sized products to try out.

Deluxe Soap of the Month Club

Friday Finds "Hearts"

2010-02-05T08:34:00.002-05:00

For this week's Friday Finds I decided to go with the Valentine's Day theme of hearts. Searching through Etsy I found so many hearts of different sizes and shapes, all kinds of styles, every medium you could imagine, poetic interpretations, literal hearts pumping blood, to downright scary hearts. I picked a few of my favorites, I hope you enjoy looking!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39473755

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34769148

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35418557

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36841706

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32984972

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39937456

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40051311

My First Etsy Treasury

2010-02-01T19:03:00.003-05:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=110281

Friday Finds

2010-01-29T13:35:00.002-05:00

Today I am starting a new series called "Friday Finds". I will be featuring 3 to 5 great etsy shops that I really like. I haven't decided if I always want to have a central theme but for today's picks I do. I am very drawn to things with tree themes whether it be photographs, paintings, or jewelry. So I thought what a great way to start this series. Enjoy all these beautiful items and be sure to look around their shops.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38143727

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8402904

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39266241

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39565580

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38495973

One World One Heart Giveaway

2010-01-25T09:26:00.010-05:00

One Heart One World is an International blogging event I am participating in for the first time. The event was started by The Whimsical Bohemian in 2007 as a giveaway to bring bloggers around the globe together. So here is how the event works, I am hosting a giveaway and so are all the other bloggers participating in the event. Click on the above event logo to see the list and enter all the giveaways. All winners will be announced on February 15th.

The overall theme of this years event is riding the Magic Carpet, so I thought for my giveaway I would offer one of my 9 Half Bar Sampler Sets giving the winner a wonderful selection of handmade soaps to try as they ride the Magic Carpet around the World. The set includes 9 half bars of Sweet Sally's Soaps. The soaps included are Lavender Swirl, Jasmine and Shea, Patchouli Vanilla, I Love Coffee, Carrot, Lemon Poppyseed, Green Tea, Patchouli Orange, and Dead Sea Mud. For detailed information about each soap see listings in my etsy shop. Sweet Sally's Soaps

To enter my giveaway please leave a comment at this post before Midnight EDT February 14th and make sure to leave contact information so if you win I can contact you. The winner will be announced February 15th. Good luck to everyone and have fun on your Magic Carpet ride around the blogging World!

First Blog Carinval 2010

2010-01-15T14:01:00.003-05:00

The topics for the Etsybloggers Blog Carnival this month are:

1) Now that 2009 has come to a close, what will you remember most about last year?

2) Now that 2010 is here, what do you have planned/look forward to/hope to accomplish this year?

I have already addressed most of this in a previous post but I would like to add a list of concrete goals I have regarding my #1 goal for the year. As I mentioned before my biggest most important goal for this year is to increase my online sales. I n the last couple of weeks since Christmas I have seriously contemplated this issue. So here is my list of things to do to help me achieve my goal.

1. Organize work area so each task has it's specific area for example shipping, billing, supplies needed etc.

2. Redo existing website to make it more user friendly for me. (which also includes new banner and avatar for etsy, artfire, and blog)

3. Blog on a more regular basis.

4. Do some advertising off of etsy.

5. Improve etsy and website SEO.

6. Always make the best product possible!

7. Add new products regularly.

8. Stop worrying about what other people are doing (if someone is selling total junk and making tons of money it doesn't matter) and focus on what I'm doing. This one is going to use some work!

9. Focus, FOCUS, FOCUS!!!

10. Enjoy what I do because I really do love what I do.

Featured Etsy Blogger NicoDesigns

2010-01-10T09:04:00.001-05:00

The first Etsyblogger to be featured in this brand new year is Nico Designs. She sews up a lovely assortment of handbags, accessories, and the most adorable baby shoes you have ever seen. She also has a blog with some very interesting tutorials. http://designsbynico.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to visit her etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NicoDesigns

Where Does Our Food Come From?

2010-01-08T12:42:00.004-05:00

Have you ever wondered where the food you are eating comes from. Recently I watched the documentary "Food Inc." It is an eye-opening account of the food industry in present day America. This film documents how factory farms, fast food chains, use of pesticides, and genetically engineered food have led us, as a nation, down the road to an unsafe food system causing sickness, obesity, and horrible working conditions.

I personally think this is a very important issue. I am a big supporter of Buy Fresh Buy Local programs. I know this time of year for those of us who live in cold climate it is hard to buy locally grown produce but I think we all should make an effort to buy as much locally produced food as possible.

Here is a link to Food Inc. website. There is a petition you can sign to help the cause.
http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-film.php

Plans for the NewYear

2009-12-29T12:43:00.000-05:00

As the Christmas rush comes to an end and New Year's Eve rapidly approaches I find myself pondering the coming New Year. It's time to think about things that worked well this year and things that need improvement. Two things that immediately pop in my head in the improvement category are TIME MANAGEMENT and ORGANIZATION! These are both skills (according to my husband) that I dearly need to work on. Time management is partially a problem because of things like an old computer, that I use to print my labels, moves at the speed of a sickly slug. I will solve this problem with a new desktop publishing program for my new computer. Organization is only a problem when I get busy, but as my husband would say you are always busy. So, I guess this area needs a little work.

Summarizing 2009 I did 25 craft shows, 5 of which I would say were great, 9 of which were good, 6 were OK, and 5 which were terrible. Through the summer I did 2 to 3 farmer's markets a week depending if I had a show on the weekend. My best market was in Eagles Mere where I consistently did good week to week. I sold my work on 4 online venues, Etsy bringing the best results, my own website offered consistent sales, and Artfire and 1000 Markets which both lagged way behind.

This coming year I plan to do less shows mainly because we will be moving sometime in the summer. This means a lot of organization and planning because we live in a very old house that has been in our family for over 30 years. Various family members have lived in and owned the house over this time period and they have all left stuff here, so guess who has a massive sorting job on their hands?

My number one goal for this year is to increase my online sales. I am even planning on opening a second Etsy shop with a line of specialty soaps that I am not going to reveal just yet. My other hope is to spend some time on my photography. I do miss photographing and being in the darkroom. Maybe I will have an Etsy shop for my photographs. So much to plan and think about. I wish everyone a wonderful New Year and good luck with all of your projects and plans!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T09:26:00.000-05:00

Favorite Gift

2009-12-16T11:04:00.000-05:00

Etsyblogger's blog carnival question is "What was your favorite gift?" Well, I would have to say my favorite gift was not a Christmas present but a birthday gift from my husband 5 years ago. He secretly got me a puppy. A couple of weeks before my birthday we lost our dog of 15 years. Although Auggie had a long and happy life it is always traumatic loosing your family pet. I must admit I was in a vulnerable state. My son and I went in our local pet shop and the pet store lady starts putting puppies in my arms, one of them being the most adorable little red husky with one blue eye and one brown. That's all it took, I was in love!

I went home and told my husband all about this wonderful little puppy. Of course he said NO! Too expensive, too soon after loosing Auggie, huskies are known to be difficult dogs, pet store are not the place to get a dog. I started reading about huskies and yes they can be challenging dogs. They are smart and can be very willful. And I agree that pet stores are not the best place to get a dog. I know adopting a homeless dog is a great thing to do but pet store dogs need a good home too. But he still kept saying no, my spirits were crushed!

This all took place a couple of days before my birthday. On my birthday my son and I went back to the pet store to see if the puppy was still there. He was but the pet store lady said he was SOLD. Oh what a sad day. I have had some rotten birthdays in the past but this seemed like the absolute worst. I moped around the rest of the day.

Late that afternoon my son calls me to come out to my husband's workshop and to my great surprise there is my puppy. My husband had secretly went and bought the puppy early that morning. My son and the pet store lady were in on the secret. My birthday went from being one of the worst to being one of the best. I was so happy! Oh yes my husband was right about huskies being challenging. Sitka is beautiful and very smart, a little bit willful (ok a lot bit willful) and he definitely has a mind of his own, but we love him very much.

Featured Etsyblogger CalKat

2009-12-09T19:52:00.004-05:00

This month's featured Etsyblogger is CalKat, the combined efforts of Kathy and Carrie. They have not just one etsy shop but 4 shops all featuring different aspect of their creativity. http://calkat.etsy.com This shop is mostly jewelry. http://Ametista.etsy.com This shop has an interesting array of bottles and boxes. http://theclayshoppe.etsy.com The ClayShoppe is stocked with lots and lots of molds and other things used with polymer clay. http://YogaFairies.etsy.com And last but not least is YogaFaries which has all these great little yoga fairy figures in different yoga poses. So takes some time and check out all their shops and don't forget to look at their blog too! http://calkatthejewelryjunkie.blogspot.com

New, New, New!!!

2009-12-08T08:15:00.003-05:00

I have added lots of new products to my etsy shop just in time for last minute Christmas shopping, I have new Sugar Scrubs, Solid Perfumes, and Christmas shaped goat milk soaps. I also have added a Gift Basket that you can customize by choosing which soap and lotion you want. So don't wait until it's too late, take a look at all these great new products. http://sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com

Essential Oils 101 Part Three

2009-12-02T19:18:00.000-05:00

Today's featured essential is lemongrass. Lemongrass essential oil has a wonderful citrus aroma, but it is not in the citrus family. It is instead a tall perennial grass that is native to India. The plant is used extensively in Asian cooking. Like some other essential oils lemongrass essential oil has a whole host of beneficial properties, including being an antiseptic, analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial and even has antidepressant effects. The oil is used in the treatment of athlete’s foot, acne, skin rashes, excessive sweating, stress, and muscle pain.

Lemongrass essential oil is also used in natural insect repellents. It has an astringent quality so it can be helpful to people with oily skin. But my favorite quality of lemongrass is it's ability to promote the feeling of emotional well being. It has a relaxing effect and can even help with anxiety and depression. A relaxing massage with lemongrass essential oil is indeed a treat.

I currently have 4 soaps that have lemongrass essential oil in, Lemongrass and Sage, By the Sea Salt Bar, Lemon Poppyseed, and Oatmeal and Honey. I will offering all of these soaps at 15% off in all of my shops.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetSallysSoaps http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetSallysSoaps
http://www.1000markets.com/users/sweetsallyssoaps

Cyber Monday Special

2009-11-30T10:04:00.000-05:00

My Cyber Monday Special is buy any three soaps and get the fourth one FREE. Take advantage of this great offer at my Etsy shop http://sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com

Holiday Sales

2009-11-26T23:03:00.000-05:00

I am participating in two Etsy Team Holiday Sales starting Nov 27th and running until Nov 30th. My shop will be offering FREE SHIPPING on anything in my shop. http://sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com Below are spotlights of both of my teams, first Etsybloggers and second Etsyfriends.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/etsybloggers

http://etsyfriends.blogspot.com/

My Favorite Holiday Film

2009-11-20T12:52:00.001-05:00

This month's Blog Carnival asks the question what is your favorite Holiday Movie? I guess my very favorite holiday film would have to be Miracle on 34th Street, the original 1947 version of course with Natalie Wood. There is something about that movie that gives me that warm squishy holiday feeling inside, that internal optimism that if you believe in something strong enough it will really happen. If you haven't seen the original version of this movie I suggest you check it out.

Essential Oils 101 Part Two

2009-11-18T23:35:00.001-05:00

Today's post is about another very important and rather popular essential oil, Tea Tree. Tea tree grows in the wild in Australia and thrives in marshy areas. It is a tree or shrub with needle-like leaves and yellow or purplish flowers. Twigs and the spiky leaves are what the oil is distilled form.

Tea tree essential oil has a rather medicinal scent but has some very impressive characteristics including being an anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial. The oil is used for the treatment of acne, burns, blisters, cold sores, warts, athlete's foot, sunburn, herpes, and insect bites.

Today you can find tea tree oil in many popular products in your health food store from shampoos and soaps to salves and shower cleaners. I use tea tree oil in two of my soaps, the first being one of my soaps of the month, Tea Tree & Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus, also from Australia has it's own powerful characteristic including being an antiseptic and antiviral. The two essential oils teamed together not only make a wonderful scent combination but also make for a powerhouse of healing properties.

Link

My other soap with tea tree essential oil is my newest soap Charcoal &Tea Tree. Here the powerful characteristic of tea tree are matched with activated charcoal which clarifies and detoxes your skin of impurities. This is a great soap for acne prone skin.

Link

These two soaps will be 15% OFF in both my Etsy and Artfire Shops.

http://sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com

http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetSallysSoaps

Featured EtsyBlogger Fab Miss B

2009-11-17T08:12:00.000-05:00

This month's Featured Etsyblogger is the Fab Miss B. She has two fabulous etsy shops, one featuring unique vintage items for you and your home and the other shop has vintage inspired chenille pipe cleaner ornaments and wonderful cards featuring reproductions of the Fab Miss B's original watercolors.

Take some time and check out both of these charming shops and don't forget to also visit her blog!
http://thefabmissb.etsy.com
http://beckykazana.etsy.com
http://thefabmissb.blogspot.com

Essential Oils 101

2009-11-09T17:24:00.007-05:00

Today I am starting a new series on my blog called Essential Oils 101. I will be posting weekly about the benefits of essential oils in our everyday lives. I realize many people are not aware of the difference between an essential oil and a fragrance oil, so this is a great place to start. Essential oils are the real essence extracted from a plant, a wood, or a resin. Because essential oils come from living plant matter they contain all sorts of wonderful properties such as being anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antiviral and antiseptic. On the other hand fragrance oils may smell nice but they do not contain any of the healing properties of pure essential oils. They are synthetic version and often times made up scents that do not exist in nature.

Essential oils are grouped into three categories, top notes which are the most volatile (meaning they evaporate the quickest) have uplifting and invigorating qualities, middle notes are stimulating and regulate the main body system, and base notes which are the least volatile and are used for their calming and sedating actions. Examples of top notes are citrus, juniper, and mints, examples of middle notes are rose, lemongrass and pine and examples of base notes are patchouli, cinnamon, and vetiver.

According to many aromatherapist if you could only have one essential oil, your choice should be lavender. I thought this would be the best oil to start our discussion on essential oils. Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils and has been used as far back as ancient times for its calming qualities. Lavender can help with depression, insomnia, stress, headache, burns, acne, sore muscles and nervous tension.

Lavender is also many peoples favorite scent, it is showing up everywhere these days from dish washing liquid to room sprays and even in Comet for scrubbing your sink. Lavender blends well with many other essential oils including bergamot, clary sage, patchouli, rosemary and rose.

I scent most of my soaps with pure natural essential oils. I sometimes use fragrance oils if the essential oil is cost prohibitive to use in soapmaking. Essential oil prices differ radically from scent to scent, some of the most expensive being rose, neroli, sandalwood, and vanilla. As part of my essential oil series I will be selling my soaps with that essential oil at 15% off the regular price. Below you will see some soaps that are mostly lavender and some that are part lavender, but they all contain the wonderful therapeutic qualities of lavender.

Please take advantage of these savings at my etsy shop and enjoy the marvels that nature provides.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetSallysSoaps

November's Featured Soaps

2009-11-08T15:43:00.001-05:00

This months featured soaps are Oatmeal & Honey and Tea Tree & Eucalyptus. Oatmeal & Honey is wonderful smelling soap and is scented with lemongrass essential oil, made with pure honey that helps your skin maintain moisture, and oatmeal which is soothing to all skin types. Tea Tree & Eucalyptus is made with an abundant amount of Tea Tree essential oil which is used for easing many skin problems including acne, rashes, insect bites, and athlete's foot. Pairing tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils makes for a delightful smelling soap. Green clay is also added which makes your skin feel extra clean.

Check out the savings available at my different sites and don't forget about Sweet Sally's Soap of the Month Club for your upcoming Holiday shopping.

Take advantage of the great savings throughout the month. Sweet Sally's Soaps Soap of the Month Club is available at http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.com/ and http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com/ Specially priced soaps are available at http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com/, and soon will be available at http://www.1000markets.com/shops/sweetsallyssoaps and http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetSallysSoaps

Etsyfriends Team Wide Sale

2009-11-01T09:03:00.004-05:00

Etsyfriends Team is having a TEAM WIDE SALE to kick off the Holiday Shopping Season. Take a look at our team blog for all the shops and what they are offering. http://efpromotions.blogspot.com/ Sales start today November1st and ends November 7th.

Sweet Sally's Soaps is offering FREE SHIPPING on anything in my shop. http://sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com

Handmade Craft Show

2009-10-28T23:36:00.004-04:00

Here's a great idea, an online virtual Handmade Craft Show. This is a fun way to shop online reminiscent of a traditional craft, without the hassles, no worries about rain or wind or 95 degree heat. Aisles and aisles of an amazing array of handmade goods from talented artists and crafters.

If you are an artist or crafts person looking for more exposure for your shop Handmade Craft Show offers you several different options at with very reasonable pricing. You get your own booth, just like a traditional craft show, which includes links to your shop, 5 photos of your work, a description of your work, and most importantly all the benefits of the marketing efforts of the Handmade Craft Show through their syndicated network of popular handmade craft sites and online social networks.

I am looking forward to having a booth at Handmade Craft Show just in time for the upcoming Holiday Season. Hope to see you there. Also check out there blog at Handmade Craft Show Blog.

Just a Touch of Red

2009-10-23T18:04:00.001-04:00

Hers is another spotlight of FFEST artist. If you have an interest in our group check out the group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113391211629 or the team blog at http://facebookfansonetsy.blogspot.com/

Pumpkin Soap

2009-10-22T08:15:00.018-04:00

I have added a new goat milk soap to my line just in time for Halloween and the beautiful fall season. My Pumpkin soap is made with real pumpkin puree and pumpkin powder and smells divine. It has a warm spicy scent of vanilla, clove and cinnamon.

Pumpkin is excellent for your skin because it is high in Vitamin A (skin healing), C (anti-oxidant) and Zinc, and the pumpkin soothes, and moisturizes.

The Pumpkin soap is available in several different styles. Large and small rounds, Jack-o-lantern shaped, which unfortunately I am already sold out of, and large rounds with a loofah embedded in the soap.

The loofah embedded soap otherwise know as Pumpkin Scrub is a great for exfoliating. Gets rid of all that dead skin and leaves your skin soft and smooth.

Take a look at my new Pumpkin soaps in my etsy shop sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com also in my 1000 Market shop http://www.1000markets.com/users/sweetsallyssoaps

October's Featured Soaps

2009-10-14T21:25:00.011-04:00

October's featured soaps are Juniper and Sage and Patchouli Cedarwood. Juniper and Sage has a rustic woodsy scent making this an ideal soap for men or anyone not wanting a flowery smelling soap. Earthy patchouli induces peace of mind while cedarwood promotes spiritual balance. A great woodsy scent for the men.

Check out the savings available at my different sites and don't forget about Sweet Sally's Soap of the Month Club for your upcoming Holiday shopping.

Take advantage of the great savings throughout the month. Sweet Sally's Soaps Soap of the Month Club is available at http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.com/ and http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com/ Specially priced soaps are available at http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com/, and soon will be available at http://www.1000markets.com/shops/sweetsallyssoaps and http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetSallysSoaps

Letchworth State Park

2009-10-13T17:21:00.011-04:00

I spent Columbus Day weekend at Letchworth State Park in Northwestern New York. I participated in a large craft show that takes place in the park and draws thousands of people. Sales wise the show was pretty good even though the weather was rather on the chilly side. Saturday the place was packed, I barely had time to sit down all day.

Letchworth State Park is a beautiful setting for a craft show. At one point in the park there is a spectacular waterfalls, which I have never had the time to go see. The area of the park I was in has a deep gorge lined with trees wearing their warm fall colors.

This show always amazes me by the amount of people that come to such a remote area. The first time I did the show I was totally overwhelmed when people started arriving 2 hours before the advertised show hours. Mind you I am not complaining, I just was not prepared. So this year I promised myself I would be ready, but things don't always go as planned. We made a slight wrong turn on the way to the show which put us a little behind schedule. Of course there were people already there but I managed to get the booth set up and open for business in a relatively short time. All in all the show went well and I plan to return next year.

FREE SHIPPING

2009-10-09T10:44:00.003-04:00

Sweet Sally's Soaps is offering FREE SHIPPING on any item in my Etsy Shop, through Columbus Day Weekend!

http://sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com

MadebyMelissa

2009-10-06T11:16:00.004-04:00

This month's featured Etsyblogger is MadebyMelissa. She creates all kinds of fun beaded jewelry and crocheted items. She even has some special Fall and Halloween themed things.

Please take a look at her Etsy shop and her blog.
http://madebymelissa.etsy.com
http://madebymelissa.blogspot.com

FFEST Got the Blues

2009-10-02T14:26:00.003-04:00

I recently joined a new Etsy Team called FFEST. The common link amongst us is we all have Facebook Fan Pages and have Etsy shops. Today I made a spotlight of some of the talented artist in the FFEST group. If you have an interest in our group check out the group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113391211629 or the team blog at http://facebookfansonetsy.blogspot.com/

Show Your Face

2009-09-25T01:05:00.007-04:00

One of the themes for this months Etsy Bloggers blog Carnival is Show Your Face. Let's see the person behind the work. Well here is a picture of me making soap in my somewhat messy workspace. I must admit I am not the most organized person on earth. I have struggled with the issue of organization over the years and I am coming to the the conclusion that I waste too much time trying to be organized. I think I am far more productive when I just relax and stop worrying that my environment doesn't look picture perfect. If my workspace functions well and I produce a great product that is what is important. So my lesson for today is relax, be productive and stop trying to be something your not. Clutter lives on!

DesignsbyVanessa

2009-09-22T07:44:00.009-04:00

September's Featured Etsy Blogger is DesignsbyVanessa. She has a really cute Etsy shop with many of her items having a birdie motif. She works with paper and makes lovely jewelery too.

Please take a look at her shop and her blog!
http://designsbyvanessa.etsy.com
http://designsbyvanessa.blogspot.com/

September's Featured Soaps

2009-09-19T21:32:00.006-04:00

This months featured soaps are Lavender Swirl and Carrot. Lavender is of course an all time favorite of many people. My Lavender Swirl has a beautiful purple swirl with added wheat germ oil to nourish the skin.

My Carrot soap is made with natural carrot juice packed with vitamin A, oatmeal which is soothing for the skin and a mix of Lavender, Carrot Seed, and Frankincense essential oils. It has a wonderful clean smell and makes a great facial soap.

Check out the savings available at my different sites and don't forget about Sweet Sally's Soap of the Month Club for your upcoming Holiday shopping.

Take advantage of the great savings throughout the month. Sweet Sally's Soaps Soap of the Month Club is available at http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.com/ and http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com/ Specially priced soaps are available at http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com/, and soon will be available at http://www.1000markets.com/shops/sweetsallyssoaps and http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetSallysSoaps

Featured Etsy Blogger Memoriesforlifesb

2009-08-18T22:44:00.006-04:00

This month's Featured Etsy Blogger is Memoriesforlifesb. She enjoys crafting with paper. In her shop you can find scrapbooks, albums, and greeting cards.

Please take a look at her Etsy shop! http://memoriesforlifesb.etsy.com

Tai Kwon Do Summer Camp

2009-08-14T08:55:00.006-04:00

Every summer my son and I go to Tai Kwon Do Summer Camp. My son has been studying Martial Arts since he was 6 years old. He is currently preparing to test for his 4th Degree Black Belt. Unfortunately we missed Friday night camping because of rain and Sunday morning workout was cancelled due to rain.

Saturday night we always have a big water gun battle for the kids but usually adults join in the fun too.

All in all camp is a lot of fun and very exhausting.

Etsy Bloggers Mega Giveaway

2009-08-13T12:09:00.005-04:00

Etsy Bloggers - Mega Giveaway

Celebrate with Etsy Bloggers on their 2nd Anniversary by taking part in a MEGA Giveaway.
The EtsyBloggers MEGA GIVEAWAY starts Sunday August 9th, 2009 and ends Friday Aug 14th, 2009 @ 11:59pm EST. All winners will be announced on: Saturday August 15th, 2009. Go to http://etsybloggers.blogspot.com/ to enter. Over 2 dozen handmade items will be given away. Their are 10 ways to enter and the total giveaway value is almost $300!!

Sweet Sally's Soaps is giving away a Handmade Soap Gift Set which includes 2 soaps of your choice and a wooden soap dish and a natural fiber washcloth. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27105277

So hurry over to http://etsybloggers.blogspot.com/ and enter before Friday August 14th 11:59pm EST. Good luck!!!!!!

Soap of the Month

2009-08-06T18:57:00.018-04:00

Sweet Sally's Soaps Soap of the Month Club is a great way try different soaps each month of the year. As a member you not only get two different soaps each month you also receive added goodies along the way. The first month you will get two soaps bundled together with a wooden soap dish and a natural fiber washcloth and month 7 you will receive a mini gift basket.

As a new feature to compliment Sweet Sally's Soaps Soap of the Month Club I will be highlighting the 2 soaps you would receive as a member. The 2 soaps will be available together, at my various shops, at a special discount pricing.

August's soaps are Rosemary Mint, a great refreshing morning shower soap and Lime and Basil, a zesty mix of essential oils that are uplifting and good for stress reduction.

Take advantage of the great savings throughout the month. Sweet Sally's Soaps Soap of the Month Club is available at http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.com/ and http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com/ Specially priced soaps are available at http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com/, and soon will be available at http://www.1000markets.com/shops/sweetsallyssoaps and http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetSallysSoaps

Miesmama's

2009-07-29T21:49:00.009-04:00

This months featured Etsy Blogger is Miesmama's. She creates all sorts of fun items with fabric, yarn and buttons, including headbands, pins , key rings and felted bags. Please check out her Etsy shop at http://miesmama.etsy.com.

Free Shipping For Mother's Day

2009-05-02T18:43:00.006-04:00

I am offering FREE shipping on everything in my Etsy shop until May 7th for Mother's Day Gifts.

http://sweetsallyssoaps.etsy.com

Herb Festival and Dream Garden

2009-04-27T07:44:00.013-04:00

The weekend before last I attended the Pennsylvania Herb Festival. Sales for me were better than last year, so I can't complain about that. While at the Herb Festival, amidst all these wonderful herbs and plants I conjured up in my mind my DREAM garden. I would love to have bed after bed of beautiful blooming flowers in every color of the rainbow. Flowers would be blooming all through the season ready for picking and making into sumptuous bouquets. Of course I would also have an amazing vegetable garden with all my favorite veggies including tomatoes, eggplant, arugula, and shell peas. Abundant herbs would be tucked in amongst the flowers and vegetables, both medicinal and cooking.

But alas reality strikes. My dog would probably dig up most of the flowers, our resident neighborhood squirrels always have a hay day with the vegetables, and oh yes that little factor of time that we all seem to run out of. Oh well for this year I guess I will stick to my little herb garden and my meager veggie patch. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24037740

Celebrate Etsy Day

2009-04-24T09:43:00.003-04:00

Brighter Days Ahead

2009-04-10T14:32:00.009-04:00

Well I have been to two more shows since last we spoke and they were definitely a little brighter than the last. Two weeks ago I attended a Women's Conference sponsored by Bloomsburg University and it was quite a nice little event. Women at these sort of events always seem anxious to spend a little money on a quality local product. Last weekend I did a craft show in Harrisburg, PA at the Central Dauphin High School. The event had a good number of exhibitors, the attendance was strong, and sales were not bad for an early spring show.

Next weekend I will be at the PA Herb Festival in York, PA at the fairgrounds. I did this show last year and I am looking forward to this years event. I enjoy attending this show because I love learning more about herbs and all of their uses. And of course I will probably have to buy some herb plants for my garden. I have even made a new soap, Lavender and Bay Laurel, to celebrate the herb of the year bay laurel.

Below are some new items I have added to my Etsy shop.

Slow Start to the Year!

2009-03-21T19:10:00.032-04:00

Well, my first craft show of the year did not start off with a bang. Spring craft shows are traditionally a little on the slow side, but this was well beyond a little slow. I spent the last two weekends at the Maryland Spring Crafts Show, a show that I did last year and did fairly well. This year was definitely a different story. My sales were pro bally about half of what I sold last year. The economy, the weather is too nice, the weather is too bad, other events happening same weekend.................if there is one thing I have learned doing arts and crafts shows is that
exhibitors always have a million reasons why things aren't going well. I think this show was a reflection of our poor economy. All I can do is hope the rest of the year will be a little brighter.

As always at craft shows you get to meet a lot of people. Slow shows you usually have a chance to get better acquainted with other exhibitors. I had 2 very nice neighbors, to my left was Sassy Sweets http://stores.sassysweets.net/StoreFront.bok a gentleman from Virginia who sold handmade chocolate goodies. My son and I bolstered his weekend sales by buying and eating way too many chocolate covered pretzels. Very yummy!

On my other side was Mitzi Hall of Mosaic Mitzi, from the Pittsburgh PA area. As you can see from the pictures she does a vast array of mosaics ranging from very cute small items to stunning large pieces. Mitzi is fairly new to the craft show world, this being only her 4th show, but she is not new to mosaics. She has been making mosaics for over 10 years. she also does stained glass work which has been doing for 25 years. Mitzi told me she started making mosaics because she had so much left over glass pieces from her stained glass work, making mosaics seemed the perfect answer.

Saturday evening Mitzi told me she was a little disappointed in the show, but by the end of the day Sunday seemed to have done fairly well. At least she sold more than most people. If you would like to see more of Mitzi's work take a look at her shop http://www.mosaicmitzi.etsy.com/

On The Road Again

2009-03-05T11:05:00.002-05:00

I have been very busy getting ready for my first craft show of the year. No matter how much work I do regularly I always seem to be in a dead panic the days preceding a show. There are always so many little details to take care of. I will be at the Maryland Spring Craft Show in Timonium, MD. http://www.slprod.com Check out their website for all the details. The show actually goes two weekends in a row, which is nice because I can leave my display set up for both weekends.

Take a look at my website http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.com I am running a promotion of FREE SHIPPING for the entire month of March. My main website is still a work in progress but I will be adding all my lotions, scrubs, bath salts, and lip balms very soon. Keep checking back!

Time to get back to work. I will report back after the first weekend of the show.

Proud to be From PA

2009-02-27T22:43:00.014-05:00

Welcome to Sweet Sally's Soaps News! This is my first post on my very first blog so here goes!! First I guess I should tell you a little about myself and what my main purpose is for this blog. As you might have guessed from the title I'm from PA and I'm a soapmaker and a photographer. I am part of an Etsy team called the HIP Team (Handmade in PA). We are all blogging on why we are "Proud to be From PA" and at the same time all offering promotions in our Etsy shops.(see links below) By the way my promotion is buy any 3 soaps in my shop for $15.00, more on that later.

I was born and raised in PA, lived in several other areas of the country including Florida and Arizona, and moved back to PA to be close to family. I have to say since moving back to PA I have met more talented artist and craftsmen than I have anywhere else that I have lived. I am an advocate of supporting local and regional business's especially when it comes to handmade and local grown foods. In the summers I sell my soaps at farmers market so I have become very interested in the Buy Fresh Buy Local food movement.

My main purpose for this blog will be to list and review craft shows and events that I will be attending. I hope to interview fellow artisans about their experiences at these events. My first craft show this year is coming up next weekend at the Maryland State Fairground in Timonium. The show is the Maryland Spring Craft Show and it runs for two weekends March 6-8 & 13-15.