Holiday Sales have begun!

That's right, the holidays are fast approaching and what better way to celebrate then with a sale, or should I say sales.  I will be posting sales over the next few weeks so you need to stop by.  Right now, I am running a sale on my craft cafe shop Earthern Magic Essence for 35% off all items.  Now until November 21st.  Use coupon code "peanut12" to take advantage of this sale.  This is the first of several sales to come and each one will be different and offer great deals.  If you woud like to shop from my website you do so as well.  send me a message of the products you want to order and I will send you an invoice with the discount since I am unable to automatically do a discount on there.  I have listed several new items and will be listing many more so be sure to check back often at each site.  If you have any questions, you can email me at info@earthernmagicessence.com.  Hope to see you there and thank you for your support.

The Artisan Group

I've mentioned that I am a member of The Artisan Group where handmade artisans have been selected to participate in gifting celebrities.  I have had the opportunity to give three different celebrities that included Christina Hendricks of Mad Men and Vanessa Lachey.  They provide opportunites for artisans to display their wares at large events like the Golden Globes.  I am proud to be a member of this group and having the opportunites I've had to allow someone famous to try some of my products.  The Artisan group has gifted Tori Spelling, Rachel Raye, Tyra Banks, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, just to name a few of the celebrities.  I hope to be able to particiapte is some of the bigger events and have my products in more celebrities hands.  Here is a picture of what I gifted Christina Hendricks. I gifted her an emulsifed sugar scrub in Pink Grapefruit and a Dead Sea Mud Facial bar with Dead Sea Mud, Rice Bran Oil, Walnut Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Rosemary Powder and Sea Kelp.  I have one bar left from this batch and will be making some more so if you are interested, stop by my shop.

Christina Hendricks Gift from Earthern Magic Essence.  Emulsified Sugar Scrub and a Dead Sea Mud Facial Bar

My Craft Cafe Shop is now Open!

In time for the holidays, I have been listing new items and will be posting more over the next few days.  Why not stop by and have a look at my shop.  Are you interested in opening your own shop on-line and not have to pay all those extra fees.  Craft Cafe is where to go.  It is a new selling site for handmade artisans to display and sell their wares.  For one low monthly fee you can list as many items as you want and there are no extra fees.  They also have a yearly rate if you do not want to be billed montly.  Come stop by my shop and then have a look around at all the other shops that are open.  We'd love to have you come browse and show your support for small business owners and shop handmade.  Here is the link to my shop Earthern Magic Essence,  Hope to see you there!  Here are some of the items that I have recently listed.

Pumpkin Spice

Elf Sweat

Fresh Fallen Leaves

Glycerin Guest Soap set.

And we have a winner!!!

Watch the video to see who the winner is.

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Enter the Giveaway Here as well.

It seems that Facebook is giving problems with rafflecopter showing up so I am going to try posting the link here and see if it works. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where Does Time Go?

Well it's been one year ago today that my son left for Basic Training.  I can't believe that it's been that long ago.  Heck I can't believe that I have a 23 year old!  Yup, he turned 23 in September.  Where does the time go.  It seems like only yesterday that I gave birth to him and here he is a young man.  We have had our ups and downs but he is my first born and he was on my hip from day one.  I hated to leave him when I went back to work and I worried that he would think that my mother was his mother but my mother assured me that was not the case and from time to time he let me know that he knew who his mother was.  He was facinated with police cars growing up and look where he is now.  A soldier serving our country and becoming a man.  I am so proud of what he has become and who he is.  He doesn't like to show a lot of affection and that's ok, because his brother definitely makes up for the both of them. 

When I got pregnant with De-On I freaked out and didn't know what I was going to do.  I was 23 not married and his father wanted nothing to do with me after he found out I was pregnant.  It was a struggle being a single mother and raising a boy, I knew nothing about boys as my brother was 9 years older than me and my father left my mom when I was three.  But you know what, I'm proud of what I did accomplish.  I had my mother's support and Lord knows where I would be without her and of course, having God on my side.  My two young men have made their mother proud.  I love you both so much!

Handmade Cards

I really don't know how I find the time to do all that I do; but I know that outside of my regular job, I love crafting and creating.  Well here are some of my lateast cards that I made in the past couple of weeks.  They range from Sympathy to Christmas, Maternity to graduation.  I have many more ideas floating around in my head so I sketch them until I get a chance to create again.  Each one of these cards has a sentiment printed in them except for the lingerie cards and those you can personalize.  Thank you for looking. 

 

 

Giveaway is Now Open!!

Yes that's right, we have reached another milestone on Facebook.  1300 likes and counting.  I was getting kind of worried becasue FB had decided that they knew who really liked your page and who didn't so I started losing likes and didn't know why.  I'm not sure how they figure out who is real or not real or who is interested or not interested but I lost about 30 fans when I was only about 15 away from my goal.  Well Business Among Mom's had a Taggin Tuesday and within one day, I reached my goal.  So for all that hard work, you now have a chance to win a large gift basket full of many of my handmade items, to include soap, lotion, sugar scrub, facial mask, foot melts, shampoo bar, conditioner, perfume, room spray and much more.  Valued to be at least $75 so who doesn't want a chance to win that.  If you were present for any of my prior giveaways, you know that I make it worth your wild.  So come stop by www.facebook.com/earthernmagicessence  or follow this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/313966191996949/#!/earthernmagicessence/app_204684816209053 to enter,  Just follow the instructions to enter.  Winner will be announced here on my blog on Sunday, October 21st.  I am using rafflecopter so winner will be drawn at random through there.  I look forward to seeing you there and thank you all for your support.

I will be hosting a give away on my Facebook page!

Yes, that's right, once I reach 1300 likes, I will be doing another give away for a basket of my products.  Those that have participated in the past, know that I definitely make it worth your wild.  Spread the word and tell your friends.  Natural handmade products to Pamper yourself with.  If I reach my goal in the next couple of weeks, it will be fall/holiday themed.  So come join the fun and a chance to win a basket full of goodies!

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Flash Sale going on Now!

I am having a flash sale on my Facebook page.  www.Facebook.com/earthernmagicessence.  Items are limited and today only until 8:30 pm tonight.  Come check it out.

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Updates and More

I know that I keep saying that I am going to be here and update my posts more often and it just doesn't seem to happen the way I want.  So, what has happened since my last post?  A whole lot!  Let's see where do I want to begin?  I guess I will continue with some of the newest products I have made beginning with some other soap cakes that I made.  I made two more and I want to try my hand at a wedding soap cake so that is in the future.  The two I made was a birthday and a baby girl shower cake.  I had so much fun doing these and I have to admit that they are addicting.  I also have to admit that I am not the best cake decorator out there but practice helps one to achieve better results. 

Kumquat Birthday Soap Cake

Rice Petals and Shea Baby Shower Soap Cake

I have gotten many comments about my cakes and am always asked if they are real or not.  I love how I can get people to question whether my soaps are soap or food, lol.

My Latest Creation!

For some reason I have this thing about making soap look like desserts.  I've made Popsicle soaps, cupcake soaps and bath fizzies, ice cream soaps and even chocolate covered strawberries bath melts.  I've also made soap bundt cakes; but I wanted to make a soap cake with layers and looked like a birthday cake.  I had been looking for some round silicone molds and the other day, my dear friend Malene had gone to an estate sale and bought a ton of silicone molds.  In the lot that she purchased were two round ones and she gave them to me!  I was tickled pink and couldn't wait to start experimenting.  How hard could it be? 

Well, let me tell you, it was no easy feat.  First the layers came out perfect, but I forgot that I had put goats milk in them, so they started to gel.  I realized this as I was almost finished with my whipped soap that I was going to ice them with.  I had to rush and put them in the fridge to stop them from gelling.  So time stood still for a while and my whipped soap was starting to set up.  Well, I couldnt let it go to waste so I got the layers back out, still partially gelled, but I continued on.  I think it kind of work to my advantage to a certain extent.  It really was like icing a cake!  I wanted to used more colors;  but time was not on my side so I had to make do.

So from that experience, I now know what to do and not do, so I'm anxious to make my next decorated cake.  I have several ideas going through my head for some other cakes and can't wait to get busy.  Here is a pic of the completed product and maybe I can video myself making the next one.  I am conflicted on how I should fragrance my cakes.  Should I go with a bakery scent or just a scent that I like.  This one is fragranced with Cool Water for Her and smells devine!

Layers before being iced.

Completed Cake!

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Packaged Soaps for an Order I had.

I have gotten a couple of large orders recently and this was one if the orders and how I wrapped them.  I must admit that I am happy with the way they turned out.  The packaging matches the soap inside.  These are Green Springs and Goldie Dreadlocks.  Going to deliver them today and will let you know what she thinks.

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Meet the Newest Graduate from AIT

Well my son graduated from AIT from Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  He will be heading to Savannah, Georgia to begin his career.  I am so proud of him and where he is going and of course he will want to strangle me for posting this but as a mother, I can't help but be proud of him.

Private De-On Gibson

My two handsome young men.

Some New Products

Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner, what better way to "cool off" then with some ice cream cone soaps?  I also have Popsicle soaps that I've yet to take pictures of (I know, got to get on it, lol)

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Updates and More

I know that I haven't been posting as often as I would like to and I am working on doing better.  I thought that I would update you on what has been going on.  First, if you follow my blog, you would know that my mother had another stroke back in October.  I have been out on Family Leave since November to care for her.  She is doing better and with each day, she has more determination to become independent again.  Currently she is still staying with me but is anxiously waiting until she can go back to her own home.  That in itself has been a lot for me to handle.  Taking her to doctor's appointments, rehab and any other appointments she has as she is unable to drive.  She gets frustrated that she has to depend on someone to take her where she wants to go and I truly feel for her. They say that determination goes a long way and my Mom defintely has determination.  I admire her tenacity, she doesn't like to hear the word "no" and doesn't like the word "can't".  My prayer is for her to see her dreams once again become a reality.

Then my oldest son left for the Service back in October as well.  He came home for Christmas for two weeks and that was a wonderful surprise.  Although it had only been several weeks since he had left, it was great to have him home for Christmas.  He graduated from Basic in January and went on to AIT.  He graduated from there on March 15th and was able to be home for two weeks to do home recruiting.  He will soon be leaving for Savannah, Georgia.  I don't know how long he will be there or when the next time I will see him; so I cherish those moments that I do have with him.  I am so proud of where he has gone and where he is going. 

My youngest son is into sports, mainly basketball and he definitely keeps me busy running him to games or practice.  It's not enough that he played for the school, he had to play on the community team as well as some AAU Team that travels to Huntsville and Birmingham.  His dream is to one day play for the NBA and hope that he can fulfill his dream.  He eats, sleeps, drinks, dreams basketball.  You can't stop a child from dreaming.

So that's what's been going on in my personal life and as you can see it's been kinda busy, lol.  On the business side, I continue to put my business name out there and plug away.  I have officially been in "business" for three years.  The first year, was very slow and discouraging.  I refused to let it get me down.  Last year, I made it my business to work even harder in getting my name out there and last year was better than the year before although still slow.  I admit that there have been times that I wanted to just throw my hands up and say forget it, but I'm not a quitter and my family continued to support me and urge me on.  Christmas of last year, I did fairly well and was happy to see that my efforts were paying off.  It's still slow and not where I want my business to be but I will not give up. 

I became a member of Sampler Village where I join a few times each month and send in samples for Traci to box up with other handmade samples from fellow "Villagers".  I also joined Business Among Moms, where I am a member of other mothers who have their own business.  I am a member of several soap making forums where I  have a met a great bunch of fellow soapmakers and continue to learn from them.  I also found several soapmakers on You Tube and figured I would join them in making my own soapmaking videos.  My channel is earthernmagic, and there I enjoy seeing what other soapmakers are doing and getting to know them better.  I have a Facebook business page where I keep my customers and new customers informed of what I am up to and show off the newest batch of soap or product that I am working on at the time.  Then there is my website and my ArtFire Shop.  To be honest, there are times when I feel like I can't keep up but my dream is to one day have a brick and mortar shop as well as to have some shops carry my products.  Soapmaking is a work in progress and like my son, I eat, sleep, dream, think about making soap all the time.  I think that my family and friends may get tired of me talking about soap all the time, but they love when they get free samples to try.  I love what I do, and I won't lie, it is hard work but with each new year, I see more rewards from my hard work.  I recently bagged an order for 125 soaps for a wedding and just yesterday, I received an order for 25 soaps.  It's nice to know that people are beginning to recognize me when they see me as being the "Soap Lady". 

What are some of my best sellers?  Well, my emulsified sugar scrub is one.  I have customers who will purchase 2-3 at a time.  I have had customers come to me and tell me how much better their skin is since they started using my sugar scrubs.  Definitely puts a little pride in my heart to hear them say that.  Another best seller are my smelly jelly room fresheners, there isn't a craft show or event that I am at that I don't usually sell 1-2 cases of them.  These also bring in repeat customers for me.  Then of course there are my soaps that do well.  I am always looking  at how I can improve on the lather, making it more conditioning and moisturizing as well as pretty.  I love making my soaps look like food and have fooled many a person with my cake soaps and cupcake soaps.  They keep telling me to quit making my soap look like food because it makes them hungry, lol.  Oh and lets not forget my stain remover and laundry detergent.  I will swear by my stain stick.  I have had stains on some of my clothes that I have tried everything to get them out and nothing worked.  I formulated my stain stick and used it and with one use, I was able to get many of the stains out that had been on some of clothes for months.

I will continue to work hard to put my name out there and offer quality, skin loving products to my customers.  I love to hear their input and always open to suggestions on what I can change, improve or add to my line.  I want to thank everyone who has stood by and supported me, been a repeat customer as well as my fellow soapmaker friends that I have met on my journey.  They are all a wonderful group of people and glad to have them in my life.  Of course I must also thank the good Lord above for giving me motivation, the talent to do what I do and with Him, all things are possible and I will not give up!!

Tornado Season has Begun!

Well, its that time if year again and things are not looking so good.  Last year in April 27, 2011, several states were hit and many were killed.  Today I woke up to tornado warnings and learned that a couple hit close to where my brother lives in Madison, Al.  I tried calling him and couldn't get him, but GW finally called to say that they were ok, thank God!  Well it's now after 7 pm and we are still under warnings.  The last I heard that there have been at least 40 tornadoes today in several states and the warning for here us in effect until 12 am.  That means that I won't be going to sleep while its in effect.  I pray for everyone's safety today and tonight, whereever you may be.

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Saying Good-bye

My oldest son joined the Service and left in October.  Close to Christmas, I got news that the soldiers would be able to come home for Christmas.  Well, my son kept saying he wasn't coming home bc he had things to finish up.  I was disappointed and I knew that he had only been gone for six weeks, but I was hoping that we could be together for Christmas.  I had accepted the fact that he wasn't coming home, when he surprised me a few days later!  It was a wonderful surprise and I could see a change in him already.  He was more talkative, smiling more and spent quality time with us.  Having that time with him and my youngest son, caused me to reflect on life and truly realize how blessed I am.  Not to be bragging; but my sons haven't gotten in trouble, they want something out if life and making it happen.  I'm proud of both of them.  Well, yesterday he had to return, so we dropped him off at the bus station.  He didn't want us to stay and I understood.  It was a sad but happy moment.  My son is a man, going out in the world and far from home.  I want nothing but the best for him and want him to follow his dreams.  Here is one of two pics that he let me take.  He hates having his picture made but let me take this one.  I love you De-On!

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Welcome 2012

Well, we are in a new year, good riddance to 2011!  I think a lot of people feel the same way.  I don't know about you, but it was a trying year for me and a lot of changes.  I lost family, friends, dealt with illness, my mother being sick and having her live with me, my son going into the service just to name a few.  Well, I have always been told that I am a strong woman and I take that to heart.  Today is the first day of a new year and a new outlook for me.  I have made resolutions in the past and I am not going to do that this year.  This year I am claiming my life and my rewards.  A side-note; not everything was bad, I do have some good memories to take with me.  I did better this year in sales, my son came home for Christmas and we have gotten closer and my mother is still here, so I am happy.  I have a positive outlook and am going to make things happen this year.  I am going to work harder with my business, make changes in my lifestyle to be healthier, happier and less stressful.  You only have one life and you have to make the best of it.

I want to wish each and everyone of you a very wonderful, prosperous, healthy, happy new year!  Go for what u want, make things happen, cherish the times you have with one another, make new friends, follow your dreams!  God bless you all and continue to follow me on my journey.

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