I am so happy with my new jumpring maker! I started making chainmaille over the year and had a terrible time finding the right jumprings for my projects. So I just got this jumpring maker and cutter combo. I works beautifully. Expect to see a lot of chainmaille over this next year!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Jump ring maker
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The winner of the soap sampler giveaway is.....
My next give away will be for a pearl jewelry set and just in time for Christmas so keep a look out for when I post the details for it!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Just made a new batch of The Happy Hippie Solid Perfume Balm.
This wonderful perfume balm is made with organic hempseed oil, bees wax and patchouli essential oil.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Soap Sampler Give Away
I know I have been saying for a while that I would be having a give away well that time has come. I will be giving away a soap sampler. The sampler will include 1 full size bar of my rosemary & lavender hair & body bar, the happy hippie goddess patchouli & hemp bar, pure essentials unscented 100% olive oil bar and a moisturizing light sweet orange bar. Together it is around a $15 value.
Now what do you need to do to enter? It is simple just leave a comment on this blog post telling me what kind of skin care products are your favorite and leave me a email to contact you if you win. Only one entry per person. Entry ends Sunday the 27th midnight. Winner will be announced Monday 28th. Share my give away please the more that enter the more often I will have them. My next give away will be for a pearl jewelry set.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Hand Stamped Custom Orders
Monday, November 14, 2011
Some new soap
Yummy frankincense, rosemary and clary sage soap.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
5 Wonderful Thanksgiving Find
Give Thanks Sterling Silver with Amber Bead Necklace |
THankFuL Banner / Thanksgiving Banner |
Autumn Orange Plush Pumkin |
Robot Sculptures Pilgrim Couple - Thanksgiving Centerpiece - |
Sock Monkey Happy Thanksgiving card |
Monday, November 7, 2011
What's New
All Natural The Happy Hippie Goddess Patchouli & Hemp Soap |
All Natural Unscented 100% Olive Oil Soap |
Copper, Green & Red Beaded Wire Christmas Tree Ornaments set of 4 |
Thursday, October 27, 2011
5 Fabulous Treasuries
Monday, October 24, 2011
What's New
Red & Green Glass Beaded Icicle Ornaments Set Of 12 |
Blue & Clear Glass Beaded Icilce Ornaments Set Of 6 More ornament will be coming I am just getting started :) This is the first year I am selling bead ornaments but every year in the past I have made and sold paper mache stars. I will be making them this year as well. |
Friday, October 21, 2011
Hand Me Down Designs - Artisan Feature-
How long have you been doing your art/craft for?
What inspires and influences your work?
Where can you artwork/pieces be found?
What do you do when you're not creating?
What is your favorite piece(s) that you have created?
Why did you create this piece(s)?
What do you feel is special about your art/craft?
Are there other forms of art and crafts you would like to learn? And why?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
DIY Light Box
Now measure and cut the tissue so that they will fit over each of your 3 "windows" and tape them into place. I cut extras and put them up so I can replace them quickly if I rip one. Time to cut your back drop. I cut one strip snug enough that it stays in place. If yours does not stay in place you can tape it in place. Try not to tape onto the tissue. There you go you have made a simple light box for around $5.
Time to use it! I normally have two lights one on each side but my second light needs a new bulb so just one from above for now:) I place the box side to the window on bright days and use daylight (my preferred light!) Use your camera setting to match the kind of light. Tungsten for most indoor light, or florescent etc....
Monday, October 17, 2011
What's new in my shop- pamper your feet-
With the cold season here and just getting colder our skin pays the price! Keep your feet happy....
All Natural Whipped Lavender Tea Tree & Eucalyptus Foot Cream |
Lavender doesn't just smell nice it relaxes and helps pains including those caused by sore muscles, tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains. Regular massage with lavender oil can provide relief from pain in the joints.
Tea tree oil is a powerful yet natural antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal medicine (essential oil). It is used as a very effective first aid remedy and against countless skin ailments, infections, cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and and more.
Eucalyptus oil on the skin surface helps in getting relief from the pain. Eucalyptus oil is analgesic and anti inflammatory in nature. Therefore it is often recommended to patients suffering from rheumatism, lumbago, sprained ligaments and tendons, stiff muscles, aches, fibrosis and even nerve pain.
A complete list of whats inside- olive oil, sesame oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil, distilled water, cocoa butter, bee's wax, glycerin, lavender essential oil, tea tree essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, vitamin E
This Cream is also available in a kit sold with my Healing Tea Tree Foot Soak, pumice stone and moisturizing socks.
Foot Care Kit With All Natural Whipped Lavender Tea Tree & Eucalyptus Foot Cream and Tea Tree Foot Soak |
Soothes your achy feet at the end of a long day with a relaxing foot soak. This listing is for one envelope of foot soak 2-4 foot baths worth. Each envelope has two baggies with two tablespoon each of the soak blend. Depending on the size of your foot bath each soak takes 1-2 table spoon per foot soak. Tea tree oil is a powerful yet natural antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal medicine (essential oil). It is used as a very effective first aid remedy and against countless skin ailments, infections, cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and and more. Made with Dead Sea salts that is widely recognized for not only its relaxing & therapeutic effects, but also for its detoxifying, healing, and restoring properties. Epsom salt to sooth and comfort your aching muscles and joints, known to help draw toxins from the body and helps with many skin problems. I also use a blend of pure essential oils for their unique able to sooth and comfort skin and feet. Vitamin E to nourish and maintain your skins natural moisture. * I never use sodium chloride AKA table salt in my bath salts or foot soaks as it is known to dry out skin and offers little to no health benefits.
All Natural and Vegan
Chrissy-jo's all Natural Lotions and Potions in part of Kindred Images and Creations.You will always receive a fresh batch of lotion or creams from my shop. Because of the natural and handmade nature of my products there can be mild differences in color and scent from batch to batch. All our lotions & potions are hand crafted with natural ingredients often organic and are all our own unique recipes. All ingredients are listed.
* Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are for educational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult your health care professional with any health-related concerns, and for diagnosis and treatment.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Sharing-Between the Essence and the Scent: Traditions for All Seasons CONTEST
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Some very awesome Halloween art and crafts links
Halloween Art / The Official website of The Annual Halloween Art Exhibit
Halloween Artists
Halloween Crafts for Kids
Fine Art America/Halloween Art
Family Fun Halloween crafts
Halloween Howl
Etsy Maine Team Halloween Search
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Treasured!
And here is one I recently put together.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Why Buy Hand Made Cold Process Soap?
All Natural Lavender Hearts Cold Process Soap |
All Natural Comfrey and Tea Tree Oil Cold Process Soap |
All Natural Doggie Bar Cold Process Soap |
Monday, September 19, 2011
What's new in my shop
Friday, September 16, 2011
I've Been Featured...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
A few basics on listing product that I have learned the hard way!
My current out look about product photos
As I look over my inventory to see if I have listed them I find the same few errors in the ones I started out with. The jewelry pieces are nice... why haven't they sold? Well part of the reason might be photo that aren't neat and clean looking. Even my worst photos are at least visually clear(no blurry photo from this shutter bug!) but I went from nature photography to small indoor product photos.... and had no clue of how different it would be. Over the years I have found a solid color back ground normally black or white works best to show off your product. I normally do not opt for using props other then maybe a jewelry stand or something that helps give the product life or shows some thing about the product.. but always keep it simple as to not distract customers from your product. Plus if your photos look to busy they might just pass it by. I started of by just putting material down as my back ground and snapping away with or without my tripod. Now I have a light box that I made( I should make a tutorial for it one of these days!) I always use my tripod and I have found paper makes the best back ground for me. I put a lot of thought into the placement of the product in each photos to make sure the potential customer can see it from every angle. I try to show details in close to show, texture, color, pattern, and design. At least one shot from a distance(not to far but enough to see it as a whole or in use). It does not have to be expensive a point and shoot camera will work fine, a small table top tripod is only about $10-15 and the DIY light box cost me under $5 to make. Get to know your photo editing software and your cameras setting. That about the short of it.
What does your product description say about you and your product?
This is an example of a listing I am editing right now
3 strand braclet. Rectangle tube gem stone beads,. black stone, chinh hai jade and black & green serpentine Copper bar slide clasp.
Wow how creative and discriptive was that?(note my sarcasm!) If my awful photos didn't deter them away then my utter lack of enthusiasm and details surely did, not to mention poor grammar and punctuation! No wonder this bracelet hasn't sold. I did not even have the size listed. Now the updated description...
Earthy rectangle tube serpentine, chinh hai jade and black stone make this 3 strand bracelet the building block of a great ensemble. Adding to the natural earthy feel of this bracelet is the tiny copper leaf connectors holding it to the copper sliding bar clasp. Bracelet measures 8 inches long.
Things I have learned since I started. Give all the basic details in the beginning. If there is a story or some inspiration behind making it, add it in but after the basics. A lot people that buy hand made love to hear the who, what and hows of the piece they might buy but if they do not want to all that, the basics they need to know are right out in front. Always give the the size and dimensions, if they do not know if it with fit they will not buy it! Some might ask but chances are you just lost a sale. Give details of anything that touches the skin or can cause allergies(this comes from a personal experience I am allergic to many things so if I am unsure I do not buy it). Let costumers know if you offer something special like if you wrap it or package it special(offer pictures of it packaged as well if you can). Use key word( you can find extensive word list online) that attract buyers a few are unique, One of a kind, special, organic, natural etc but do not over do it and make sure it truly applies to your product. Do not list it as one of a kind if you have more very similar pieces. Be creative and let your own personal style shine through after all that is one of the best parts of buying and selling handmade!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Featured in
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Five Favorite Local Finds
Canvas Messenger Bag, Vintage Military Duffel
From dappermonkey
Canvas Messenger Bag, Vintage Military Duffel |
Monday, August 22, 2011
Whats new....
Comfrey and Tea Tree oil salve |
Doggie bath time soap made with essential oils that help repel fleas and other bugs |
Small size comfrey and tea tree oil soaps for problem area skin |
Lavender Solid Perfume Balm |
Love Potion Solid Perfume Balm Essential oil blend with jasmine and sandalwood |
Lavender Soap bars |
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Whats coming....
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Making your own simple and easy carpet powder
powering scents of the commerical carpet powders are no exception.
There are a few that do not bother me much but they are not scents I
care for. So decided to make my own. I first tried just baking soda
and it did the same as commercial powders do. Helped absorbed odors
and even helped loosen pet hair off the carpet. Next time I wanted it
to freshen up the house a little more so I added several drops of
essential oil and shook it without mercy:) My scent of choice
pathioli, aromatharpy for the house! My next try I made a powder mix
using 2 cups baking soda and a tablespoon of corn scarch and an
essential oil(this time using a blend of mints and citris). It worked
wonderfully and it is the one I am sticking with until I find
something else to experiment with. To find the best price on baking
soda check the cleaning section where you shop first. I found a large
box at walmart for $2.10, more the twice the size of a box of carpet
powder for around the same price. There is many uses for your powder
trash cans, pet bed, cars, I also like to just sprinkle small amounts
under the sofa cushions. So there you have it easy and inexpensive 1,2
and 3 ingredient carpet powder costum fragrance and easy on the
allergies! Posted from my cell so please excuse any typos:-P
Friday, July 22, 2011
Finally some new Product photos:)
Upcycled Cherry Wood Jewelry Box w/Lupine Print Top
Hand Made jewelry, trinket, stash box. Upcycled/recycled cherry wood salvaged and repurposed into this beautiful box. Every part of this box is hand crafted, the lupine image is an original photo from myself and covered with a thick layer of clear resin making it permanent. Box is hand rubbed with and antique oil finish. The bottom inside and the bottom outside are both felt lined, the hinges are high quality brass. Box measurements are 4 x 4 x 2 1/2 in. Would you like something different? Maybe with a latch, lock, no felt, different image from my photography? I still have enough of this beautiful salvaged cherry wood to make a few more boxes. You can have it made as you wish. I can even do an image of your own! Your kids, pets, friends and family! Make it personal or find a favorite image from my photography. For sale on Etsy HERE
I also have these two pair of earrings to show....
Rainbow Drop Swarovski Crystal Earrings
Beautiful, elegant and fun purple, topaz, blue, and green swarovski crystals catching and playing with the light with every movement. Hung on gun metal chain giving a playfully dark goth feel but still colorful and full of life. The earwire is oxidized silver plated. Earrings are 2 1/4 in long from the curve of the earwire. For sale on Etsy HERE
Wings & Things Steampunk Earrings Gears Wings OOAK
Lovely Simple Steampunk dangles. Want to add a little different look with out going all out? Or maybe add to you already Unique Steampunk style these earring are for you! Simple yet eye-catching. Two kinds of gears from watch parts and a wing charm dangles at the bottom ready to take flight at moments notice. Earwire are copper but can be changed to silver plated for no extra cost or Sterling Silver for $2. Earrings measures 1 1/2 in from the base of the earwire. For sale on ebay HERE