Monday's Maddness

My blogging has been spotty at best lately. I need to keep things moving but I am never sure where to start. I think part of my problem is I am not sure what kind of direction I want to take with this blog. After a few years of keeping this blog you would think I would have some clue as to my blogging goals. But the beauty of being me is I tend to wonder and I am eager to do new things and master new skills. This can make it hard to follow a dependable schedule. I will be taking some time to work on my blog and find the right direction for it and wake it up from it's vacation.

What's new with me....

I nearly have my basement ready to really start turning it in to my studio. I will be painting most of it over this week and there is a few big things I will need the hubby to help me move. But it is coming together. It is taking for what seems like forever but that is only because I only want to set it up once. I am trying my hardest to make sure I put everything together the way I want it.

Monday's Madness

It is Monday again. It is the start of a new week, a new month and Fall is here. The leaves are starting to change color and we up here in Maine  are starting to feel that chilly night air and nice cool days.

Things as always are moving fast here. I have a to do list that seems to be impossible to find an end to... maybe it is, lol.  But I will be working my way through it and all of you are welcome to join me through all of my post. I want to start doing more post with what I working, what cool new things I find and I would like to start adding some tutorials as well. With the holiday shopping season nipping on our heels I am not sure how much I will actually accomplish. But I will give it a go!


So What's new? I added this lovely blue freshwater pearl and blue dolomite marble. It is made using my twisted crochet. It is adjustable starting at 16.5"- 20". It is lively and fun and it has a fresh dew drop like allure.

Click here to visit Sprinkled With Morning Dew Crocheted Necklace

Monday's Madness

Today has been a whirl wind of busy chaos... but yet some how I managed to get very little accomplished. I am in the process of putting together a bead order. For any of your bead addicts out there... you yeah you! You know how hard it can bead to say yes to some but needing to say no to so many other wonderful beads and beading supplies out there. This will be my big getting ready for Christmas bead order... yikes! I am talking about Christmas in August. But all you  entrepreneur out there you know it is never to early to start planning for the next big selling event. But that does not mean I will be selling ornaments in my shop in a few weeks. It is just time to start planning and making enough inventory for my online shops and for my last craft show this year in Nov. SO I need to look through project get inspired list materials to add to my bead order. I find it so hard to to feel inspired by Christmas this time of year. But the practical business person in me tells the creative you must do this! and my creative side appeases my practical side. So yes the simple task of choosing beads becomes an internal struggle, lol.

I also had to make a decisions about some negative feedback I  got a while back. I strive for 100% satisfaction. Normally I am commended for my customer service. I try to take the extra step so that shopping with while most done online still feels personal. After all I make and decorate each thing with my own hands and passion. So when I got negative feedback a while back I waited for the customer to come to me and tell me. But time went by with just the permanent scar of my shop record. Now I will forever have 99% positive feed back it does not matter if I sell to 1000 more customer that all leave positive feedback.... that scar is there a reminder of my unhappy customer.So today I mailed out a replacement (hopefully to there liking) without ever having them confront me of there negative experience.  The scar on my shop is annoying, but knowing that somewhere out there a customer from my shop was really unhappy with a purchase from my shop bothered me more. SO I hope, even if I do not hear from them, that they like the replacement.
 

Monday's Madness

I know I know I did not post at all last week! I was getting ready for a art/craft show for last Friday. Sadly it was a bit of a wash. I made just enough sales to cover the cost of the spot, But it was fun. I had a chance to chat with the other vendors. My next show is in Nov so I have plenty of time to get ready. As long as I get in to it of coarse! That I hope to find out for sure this week.

My helper sitting at our booth waiting for customers 

Since this last show was so slow I have all kinds of All Natural lotions & creams that need to be sold soon so it looks like a sale is in the near future!

Monday's madness

Not much really going on this week. I am focusing on creating enough product for the craft shows over the summer. Also I need to start making a few batches of soap so a week. I always make small batches of 9-12 bars of soap at a time.

I am brain storming ideas for products for men. Men seem to be a bit left out sometimes in the crafty world. The handmade product on my shop are targeted towards female shoppers.

I am also in the middle of inventory for all my jewelry that I have on hand ready to sell. Nearly half done and around 250 pieces so far.

Here is my latest batch of soap freshly poured cold process. Scented with essential oils of cedar wood, juniper and lemon eucalyptus. Plus vitamin E & shea butter for extra moisturizing. Out has a nice masculine scent.

Monday's Madness

It has been a week of rain up here in Maine. Flood warning every where.... it was wet, wet, wet! But today looks great.

I will be in my first crafts shows over this summer one in July and one in August. I am very excited but very nervous too! They are small shows that are part of the Brunswick Art Walk and are just about in my back yard! They had one on Friday last week but it was a wash, literally! They started setting up at 3 in the afternoon I watched as they set up since I can see the location from my computer desk. It was overcast and growing dark. By the time everyone was set up at 5 it was starting to rain, shortly after it was thundering and lightning out. No customers in sight Every one packed up their booths and was gone by 7 even though the event was from 5-9. Last year they had a good crowd.... so I am hoping the next ones will be in good weather so the people will be out and about. I would be devastated if my first show was a flop!

I am nearly finished with the girls homeschool portfolios and will be focusing on getting enough product together for the shows this summer!

Monday's Madness

So things have been busy and will be all this month. My girls homeschool portfolio reviews are all due by the end on this month. So in short I will be going through and sorting out a lot of school work. This coming year I need to organize better and I plan to!

New Alchemy- I am working on a few new product for my lotions & potions. Conditioning hair oils. One each for dry, normal and oily hair. The normal hair one is being tested now so I can tweak it  and get a good recipe down. I have already started using on the girls and my hair. I must say I am very happy with it so far. It has taken my rather damaged over dyed hair and brought it back to life! As always it is all natural and made with top quality oils and essential oils. I have been researching to make these for a few months now, but the idea has been in my mind for a little over a year. After I have one made and properly tested I might start on one for dandruff. What do you all think? Would you buy and use these kinds of hair products?

One more Question anyone bloggers out there want to test and/or review some of my new products?

Monday's Madness

I hope everyone is enjoying the last day of the long weekend here in the US. And Happy Monday to all my readers worldwide! I have had a great weekend and plan to enjoy a few from the grill treats later today. 

Have you had a chance to enter my latest giveaway? If not here is a link to it  200 sales giveaway!

Good luck to all. The giveaway end on the 29th(tomorrow).

I have two brand new all natural products in my shop

All Natural Perk Up Perfume Balm Notes of Sweet Orange & Peppermint Great Aromatherapy Benefits 

Perk up your body and mind through out the day. The sweet citrus of the orange is uplifting and sure to brighten your spirits. Peppermint helps to boost your mood and relieve feelings of sadness as well as enhance mental performance and feelings of happiness. Together this sweet minty citrus scent can help perk you up! 

Solid perfume balms give a long lasting scent that does not over power or fade easily. Made with top quality essential oils, grape seed oil and bees wax combined to make this wonderful scented perfume balm. Filled in a 1/2 oz tin with an image of oranges and mint leaves. This listing is for 1 tin. Looking for a special scent or essential oil blend? contact me and I will make you your own custom natural perfume!

What's inside- Grapeseed oil, bees wax,cardamom essential oil, sweet orange essential oil, lemon essential oil, peppermint essential oil

* Some citrus oils including orange & lemon have been known to cause Photo sensitivity. Avoid direct sunlight while using this product.

* Some people with sensitive skin might have problems with using peppermint on their skin.

All Natural Blemish Free Balm Stick Great for Adult Acne Rashes & Other Skin Conditions

This is my all natural pimple zapper but it is great for many other things beside pimples and acne. This wonderful balm works wonders on many skin problems including acne, adult acne, rash, diaper rash, boils, bug bites, sunburns, eczema and more. This listing is for one .15 oz tube/stick wonderful for quick application, great for teens to stash in the backpacks. I also have 1/2oz tins available in my shop. Larger sizes are available upon request.

Complete list of ingredients- Grapeseed oil, bee's wax, jojoba oil, tea tree essential, lavender essential oil, chamomile essential oil, geranium essential oil, patchouli essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil

Why is it in there?

Tea tree essential 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, boils and more. 

Lavender essential oil- can be used to treat a number of skin problems such as acne, burns, dry skin, eczema, itchy skin, sunburn, seborrhea, and skin inflammation. Lavender essential oil has very powerful antiseptic properties. Applying it to wounds can not only increase cell growth causing the wound to heal faster, but it also decreases the appearance of scars. The oils anti-microbial action protects scrapes and wounds from infection, while allowing them heal.

Chamomile essential oil- Chamomile benefits also include soothing skin rashes, including eczema and acne. It can also help ease minor burns and sunburn. It can be used as a lotion or added in oil form to a cool bath; chamomile also reduces skin inflammation. It may also speed healing and prevent bacterial infection.

Geranium essential oil- Geranium Essential Oil helps balance both dry or oily skin by regulating sebum production. This is a wonderful oil for combination skin. It acts as a natural astringent, causing skin tissue to contract resulting in firmer younger looking skin.It promotes skin cell regeneration, improves elasticity and circulation to the surface of skin making it ideal for anti aging treatments. Skin appears more radiant and youthful.

It naturally cleanses and has antibacterial properties that aid in healing which can be of great benefit if you suffer from eczema or acne prone skin. It can also be used to heal burns, wounds and even shingles.

Patchouli- There are many skin benefits with patchouli. It regenerates skin cells, which makes it useful for hastening the healing of wounds and to fade scars. Because of patchouli’s anti-inflammatory properties, it helps calm skin problems like sunburn, acne, eczema and other forms of dermatitis. It regulates sebum production which helps treat acne and dandruff. Its anti-fungal properties make it useful in combating athlete’s foot, jock itch and fungal problems of the skin such as Candida.

Eucalyptus essential oil- its has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating, and other medicinal properties. Eucalyptus essential oil is a good antiseptic owing to its germicidal properties. On its exposure to air, ozone is formed which is a well-known antiseptic. Hence eucalyptus oil is used for healing wounds, ulcers, burns, cuts, abrasions and sores. It is also effective on insect bites and stings.

Bees wax- to thicken the lotion, help provide a protective layer on the skin that still lets the skin "breath", it is also known to have mild antibacterial properties. 

Grapeseed oil & Jojoba oil- Both are great carrier oils for all skin types offering wonderful moisturizing while absorbing quickly leaving very little to no oily residue on the skin

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Monday's madness

It was a beautiful weekend here in Maine. It was sunny and summertime warm! The girls and I had a picnic by the sea and enjoyed the still cold ocean water on our toes. Very wonderful if I must say so myself!

I finished my Egypt series ACEOs. Here they are. I have them listed on my Etsy shop but if anyone is interested in trading ATC/ACEO I would love to see what you have for cards!

Isis

Pyramid

Nekhbet/Vulture

Queen Nefertiti 

Eye Of Horus

Anubis

Scarab

Monday's madness

I had a great mother's day. We went out for chinese food then I shopped at some of my favorite craft stores. I picked up some new paints and other goodies including the green wire for my latest chainmaille bracelet.  We finished off with a few drinks and a movie at home. Great day. How was your mothers day?

Here are a few ACEO/ATC I have been working on for an egyptian card series I am working on.

Monday's Madness 5/7/12

I had a great weekend! We took a nice hike up Morse Mountain..... which is not really a mountain it is more like a really big hill. But the kids were able to keep up so it is a great family hike. Sadly my camera's battery was dead:( So no photos.... bummer, right.

I have a busy week ahead of me. I want to get many things accomplished over this week both here in the house and behind the scenes on my online shops and websites. I will be finishing up spring cleaning which I have stretched out over a few weeks now. I think I have the blog all updated I just need to go through my blog roll. What do you think? Do you like the changes?

Just realized I had forgotten to post the winner of my last blog giveaway! The review & Giveaway of Kat's Herbs Knitting incense is Roxanne Marie Coffelt! She has already been informed and her shipping info was given to Kat's Herbs Knitting! Congratulations Roxanne!

Here are a few new item in my shop from last week.

Gothic Black Agate  Skull & Chain Dangle Earrings

All Natural Frankincense Rosemary & Clary Sage
 Body Lotion Unisex scent

Monday's Madness 4/30/12

I had a great time over the past week! The weather has been nice and my mood has been pretty good. I also managed to get a lot accomplished:) I finished up designing and making a bunch of labels for new products, got some product photos finished up and listed new products on my Etsy shop. I still have a ton of product photos to do but that is normal.

I did have one bummer this past week. One of the local shops that normally buys a big jewelry order from me every spring before opening might not be selling jewelry this year:( Total bummer for me since it is one of the big sales for spring! But that is just the way things go sometimes. She still is not sure. She says the store just doesn't move enough jewelry. I think the problem is she has a hard time displaying jewelry. I did buy 6 revolving jewelry racks and jewelry cards to hang my jewelry from them. I mostly bought them to use at craft fairs & flee markets but I offered to let her use some in her shop. So we will see... after all she is not sure yet.

Some of the New Items in my shop.....

Love Potion Solid Perfume Balm

Be Electrified Lightning Bolt Earrings

All Natural Blueberry Shimmer Lip Balm/ Cocoa Butter

Monday's Madness- Help Brainstorm to win a PRIZE 4-16-12

Things have been busy! I love it when business picks up. I have been shipping orders pretty steady over the last week. It is a welcomed change from March's trickling of sales. I have been preparing mother day baskets to post in my shops. I love making, giving and receiving gift baskets of handmade goodies. My biggest problem is finding an attractive way to present them. Baskets are nice but the really nice ones can be pricey and adds to the bulk of shipping. What is an affordable, attractive and reusable way to display gift sets? If you have any ideas please share. What kinds of gifts have you received with really cool packaging? What made it special?
If someone comes up with an idea That I end up using I will send you a free product from my shop up to a $10 value with free shipping in the US. This offer is good until May 1st. If some ideas are more or less the same I will pick the first one to post that idea.

What to do for a chance to win....

1.  post your idea in the comment section below with an email address. You can also send me a message with your email if you wish to not share it publicly but don't forget to still post your idea in the comment section here, too. my email is 7kindred9@gmail.com
2. More then 1 person can win because I could like more then one idea! So post each separate idea you have in its own separate comment.

It is that easy! Lets have fun and brainstorm together!

Monday's Madness 4-9-12

Wow is it already Monday? Things have been so crazy here for me. I have started spring cleaning and it is going along fine enough but I have not touched my Studio area or my craft storage closet..... My closet scares me! It undoubtedly contains an abundance of forgotten treasures that are sure to ignite creative inspiration, but at what cost? I could vary well get lost for ever in it never to be seen again, lol. It is not all that big mind you about a 5x5' space that  contains a top shelf, a 3 draw filing cabinet and way to much stuff for any small space! Over the years I have out grown my crafting spaces. Up stairs in my bedroom are rubbermaid bins full of sewing & scrap booking paraphernalia, in our attic storage are boxes of yarn (I crochet & knit) and yet more material. My studio area which is in a room that is shared by my hubby as music room and as a teaching area for my girls homeschool is consumed by small totes of product and materials, shelves of tools and books and tons of storage containers full of stuff waiting to be created. There is not a room in the house that does not somewhere have my crafting & art stuff stored in it.... well the 2 bathrooms being the exception. I have my work cut out for me but organizing is again near the top of my priorities. So please share any organization tips or DIY projects.

So busy, busy, busy and now back to work!

Monday's Madness 4-2-12

I made it to 200 likes on my facebook fan page so I will be doing another giveaway soon. I plan on putting together a sampler of my All Natural Lotions & Potions for the giveaway. It will be packed full of sample & trial size products. I should have the giveaway ready this week so keep your eyes open!

The samples that will be in the giveaway are

• Healing Tea Tree Foot Soak
• Eucalyptus & Lavender Foot Cream
• Blissful Hands Hand Cream
• Violet & Blue Chamomile Eye Cream (one of my personal favorites)
• Rejuvenating Green Tea Face Cream
• Comfrey & Tea Tree healing Salve
• 1 Full Size Bar of Ylang Ylang with Vitamin E Soap (Limited Mothers Day Special!)
• Hemp & Cocoa butter  Body Cream (NEW PRODUCT not even listed in my shops yet!)

You will not want to miss out on this awesome giveaway sampler so be sure on the look out of my Facebook Page for your chance to enter!

Violet & Blue Chamomile
 Eye Cream 

Rejuvenating Green Tea
 Face Cream 

Healing Tea Tree Foot Soak

Eucalyptus & Lavender
Foot Cream 

Comfrey & Tea Tree
 healing Salve 

Blissful Hands Hand Cream

Monday's madness 3/26/12

Wow another week has gone by. I have been so busy hanging out with my sister while she has been up here from Maryland that I barely made anything. I did make the lovely green and copper helms weave chainmaille bracelet & necklace. I am ready for another week to indulge in creativity.