New Soaps

The new year brings up-coming festivals and making new soaps.  Sadly the last few festivals have rained either one or both days.  But that doesn't stop me from making soap and coming up with new ideas for products to include in my shop.  I love making soap and always thinking of new ideas for this one or that one.  Sometimes I will wake up from my sleep with an idea for a new soap, how sad it that, lol.  this year will mark me making soap for almost 7 years.  I can't believe it has been that long.  I can still remember my first batch and last year I used the last of it.  Who would've thought that I would love doing what I do.  I am still holding out on my dream to have an actual store and I have a vision of the design and layout and dying to see it come to fruition.  I will continue to strive and work towards that goal.  In the meantime, my presence will continue on-line and social media.  Here are some of the soaps that I have made in the last few months. 

Lemon Berry Ice Cream Soap

Appollo for Him with Poppy Seeds

Strawberries and Cream Cupcake Soaps

Unscented Goat's Milk Soap

Banana Facial Bar

Fresh Linen

Opening My Door to Another World

It has been a busy year for me this year and I really can't see many accomplishments.  Last year I began working for the EF Foundation as an IEC (International Exchange Coordinator).  I find host families who are willing to host an exchange student from another country.  Students come from Germany, Norway, Taiwan, Sweden; just to name a few.  I hosted a student this year; Aron from Germany.  Aron came to us in August of last year, he attended school with my son Ryon and we have grown attached and love him dearly.  He will be leaving us soon and I hate to see him go, but I'm very sure that his mother father and siblings will be so very happy to see him.  He has changed so much from when he first came here, they are not going to recognize him.  We've been though good times and bad, and I wouldn't change any of it for the world.  Aron was able to experience some of the American culture, like fast food, country living, Disney World,  high school (prom and sports) Southern hospitality and so much more.  He made many friends and all the girls were crazy about him.  He has such a charming personality and if he read what I was saying, he would be embarrassed.  It will be failry quiet without him and I know that Ryon will be lost without his "brother" being here.  He has made a friend for life and had new experiences that he will treasure.  Aron, we love you and are going to miss you dearly.  Thankful for Skype and Facebook so that we can continue to stay in touch. 

Soccer

Playing Soccer

Halloween Party

Aron and Tabitha at Prom

2012-2013 Exchange Students

Happy New Year!!

Well, how is everyone doing?  I know, I know, it has been a while since I have posted and I say that I am going to do better.  Well, as you can see, I haven't been doing so well.  I have been so looking forward to this year in hopes that it will be bigger and brighter for everyone.  Last year was an emotional roller coaster.  My son has been in the service for a year now and in December, he deployed to Afghanistan and will be there for nine months.  It was our first Christmas apart and boy did  I have a heavy heart; and still do.  I finally got to speak with him over the phone a couple of days ago and he sounded so good, it truly set my heart at ease and I can sleep a little easier at night.  As long as I am able to communicate with him, I am happy.  I was out of work for five months to tend to my mother while she was recovering, so getting back into the swing of things at work took some time, lol.  I've lost loved ones last year and heard of so many others who have lost loved ones.  It truly causes you to re-evaluaate your life and definitely not to take things for granted.  I have an exchange student from Germany and he will be with us until June. He has been wonderful while he has been here.  He and my son get along and we have learned alot from one another. 

On the business side of things, I have been disappointed with the lack of sales over the past year and I have been wresting with whether or not I should just close up shop and count my losses.  I know the economy is having a big impact on us small businesses everywhere and that I am not the only effected.  I made the decision to try one more year and see if things will improve.  Financially, it has been a strain; but I am thankful that I have a full-time job to keep me afloat.  I participated in several craft fairs and festivals in Georgia and Alabama and for the most part, I did fairly well.  There were a few shows that were truly disappointing.  I've done better in Georgia than I did in Alabama and not quite sure why that is.  I've branched out with some of my products and added handmade pendants, altered art and more handmade greeting cards.  Let's hope for a prosperous new year and let's see what it brings to my personal and business life.  Hope to see you around.

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.