A little slice of heaven

This little slice of heaven came to my door today, and I had to smile.

(This is the 6 half bar sampler set from Sweet Sally's Soaps)  Pin It


Have you tried handmade soaps?? They are my new addiction and guilty pleasure. I don't mind paying more for all natural hand crafted goodness that smells divine. It's one of those "me" things (and now the rest of the house goes along).

When I started eliminating toxins from our home, soap was one that had quite a few questionable ingredients, and is one habit that's easy to change (see here for information on ingredients in your own products). Plus, if you suffer from allergies, going with essential oils versus artificial fragrance can be a benefit. If you suffer from eczema, a goat's milk soap can be beneficial. We also switched to shampoo bars, but that's a whole other topic :)  Give handmade soaps a try - my guess is you won't go back!

Scentsy: a great gift idea!

I was introduced to Scentsy from my friend, Emily, who has become a Scentsy consultant after being won over by the product herself. I can see how it happens! I'm now hooked as well. These are great products, and they make great gifts (hint hint) for those "hard to buy for" people who have everything!

Basically, they are wickless "candles", and melt scented wax over a light bulb. They also double as a night light! Learn how they work here. My current favorite scents are Cinnamint, Sunkissed Citrus, and Christmas Cottage.

Here's what I love about them:
1. I don't have to worry about my house burning down
2. I don't have to use harsh chemical room fresheners
3. The scent permeates the whole room
4. The scents are easily changed out depending on my mood
5. I like how they look!

So, needless to say, I have 3 warmers in my house (2 of them are the plug-in version, which is great for small spaces because they don't take up counter room, and I can keep them away from the kidlets), and I think I might need one more. The Scentsy folks do tend to change the scent line periodically, so if you find something you love, you may want to stock up! If you are near a consultant, they have little samples of each scent that you can smell before ordering. Or, you can contact Emily and she'll be able to help describe them! You also don't need to have a "party" to get the product, you can just order directly!

Friday Favorite - Traci Bixby Illustration

It's been awhile since I've posted a Friday Favorite - but here's a sweet one: Traci Bixby Illustration! I know Traci from my "pre-kid" life, and she's opened up an Etsy shop, so I had to check it out. I ordered some of these note cards, and I LOVE them! (So much in fact that I hate to give them away).

I also ordered this little magnet for my friend's daughter, who I think resembles this fairy so much. She loved it! Very high quality, well packaged for shipping, and oh so adorable!

Friday Favorite - RsLangArtPottery & Butter keepers!

I received an email awhile back regarding butter and margarine...while it turned out to be an inaccurate email forward, it did get me thinking.  On my "green" list of things to do is to try to eat more natural foods. I decided for me, a tablespoon of butter every now and again is going to be better for me than something filled with chemicals. But I HATE trying to spread cold butter!!! 

My mother-in-law introduced me to the concept of butter bells - a way to keep fresh butter room temperature, without spoiling. After searching the commercial brands, I wondered if anyone made them on Etsy. Lo and behold, I found some! The one I settled on was from RS Lang Art Pottery - it holds much more than most of the others I found, and I liked the styles and colors.


This is the one I got - it matches our granite counter tops very well! I am VERY happy with my purchase! It fits well in my hands, keeps the butter soft and fresh, SUPER fast shipping, and great communication.

Friday Favorite - SKOY cloths

I stumbled upon these Skoy cloths during a blog giveaway somewhere, and LOVE them! They replace paper towels, and work so well. They dry quickly (be sure not have them crumpled or sopping wet), and work BETTER than paper towels because they are much thicker. I machine wash mine and air dry them, and have been using this set (pictured on right) for about 8 months. It's probably time to open up the new pack (pictured left), but these are working fine so far (though slightly stained)! I highly recommend them! We haven't bought paper towels in over 2 years (with a combination of using these and washcloths) - that's liberating!!!!

Friday Favorite - Buddha Bunz

Have you switched over to wool dryer balls yet? If you haven't...you should! No more chemical laden dryer sheets with fake smells, no more plastic blue pokey dryer balls that release chemicals when heated.. wool is all natural fluffing power! Dryer balls work to add extra tumbling power, getting clothes and diaper drier in less time, and adding softness and fluff (especially noticeable in towels and diapers!). It's true, they don't decrease static a whole lot, but I'll take static over the alternatives.

I just received my CUSTOM designed dryer balls from Buddha Bunz, and LOVE them! I chose a "tree of life" and then a coordinating solid ball. They are felted wool (not wool yarn), the colors are awesome, and the design hand made. They fit right in with my existing (tattered and old) dryer balls and spruce up my dryer, even when empty (which isn't often).

She's super busy, so you do have to be patient for your customs, but they are worth it! She has great customer service, and often has sales. Lots of other retailers carry them in-stock as well.

Friday Favorite - Piggy Paint

Since I started my non-toxic movement at our house, its been over a year since my toes have been painted. When I stumbled upon Piggy Paint, my heart leaped for joy! Is non-toxic, doesn't smell (it smells like art paints), and is kid friendly. I ordered some for myself and am happy with the results. One thicker coat has stayed on for about 4 days so far without rubbing or chipping off. I would have waited to do a more thorough review, but they are offing a great deal right now for facebook fans, so I wanted to spread the word! This is the set I got. I love the colors!

From what I have heard, the polish remover does not work to remove standard nail polish, but works great on the Piggy Paint (I know this because my 2 sons begged me to paint their toes, and I had to then remove it from before gymnastics class - he said he didn't want people to laugh at him. Ha!)

Friday Favorite: Buck 'n' Ear

I don't remember how I came across this shop - perhaps an Etsy Treasury....but I'm so glad I did. Her products are dainty and well made. I love that she has a sense of humor at her shop, and (quite honestly) I love the price - literally a buck an ear - that's $2 a pair! I bought earring for all of my family this past Christmas and was very pleased. It was hard to pick my favorites...and at this price, you are not limited to just one. Also, she combines shipping from her other shop which also has adorable jewelry.

Friday Favorite - Bodhicitta

I received these wonderful recycled glasses from my husband for my birthday - they are made from wine bottles!  The edges are professionally finished and they are just the right size. Plus, they're upcycled! Check out Bodhicitta's shop for awesome sets of these glasses, and support handmade.

Friday Favorite: Love and Laughter celebration banner

This week, I thought I would share this great banner I got from Love and Laughter on Etsy. We are using it for birthday party decorations and I'm sure I'll come up with other fun ways to use it. What a great idea! Re-usable, bright, festive, and cute! I like that it is something we can use as a tradition. Here it is at my son's party - can't you just feel the fun? :)

Friday Favorite: Etsy seller tools

As an Etsy seller, there are some things you need that Etsy doesn't quite do yet (granted, they're busy running the site...not a lot of time for enhancements). Some clever folks have found workarounds or "hacks" that get the job done. Some of them are AWESOME! And all FREE!!!

• Check out #!Etsy Hacks - there are some tools on here where I think "how did I get by without this??" I've just started using them today, but so far, zero complaints. My favorites so far:
•  sold orders plus (I can view orders by customer now rather than searching through sold orders or entering them on an Excel sheet).
•  bulk image uploader (upload more than one photo at a time to your listing)
• Next to try:
  -copy listing - how much time will this save??!!!
  -fast tagger - making going through my list of tags much faster!

• Another great one is Heartomatic go there to see your total shop hearts, new shop hearts, and ITEM HEARTS (can't see that all in one place on Etsy). Also if you have been featured on the Etsy front page recently. So awesome.

• Also, Craftopolis - find out if one of your items is currently featured in a treasury, or when a treasury is expected to open up.

I'm a little obsessive about stats, so I check these daily along with google analytics.

Friday Favorite: vinyl wall lettering

Vinyl wall lettering and decals - These are my new favorite decorating idea!

They are easy to put on, and removable. I have this one from Single Stone Studios in my laundry room, and I get a chuckle out of it every time I do laundry (which is quite often!!!). I have more I want to get for our entry way and family room. There are Etsy sellers who sell these (as well as more well known vendors). My favorite so far is Empressive Designs for price, quality, and quick turnaround. Theirs adorns my work area:

Friday Favorite - Mossopotamia terrarium

I am in love with these little jars full of life! I ordered one for my husband's office for Christmas and now need to get one for myself. Sherri at Mossopotamia was wonderful to work with, and even sent along a tiny golf ball shaped bead for me to put in, as I was trying to mimic a golf course. The terrarium came securely packaged, with easy to follow instructions. I love having a bit of nature inside (and MUCH easier to care for than a plant!).

Friday Favorite - shampoo bars

We've started using all natural soaps, and are loving them. My recent favorite though are shampoo bars...all natural, no plastic packaging to throw away, and they work great! If you've never tried them, give them a shot - your hair will be squeaky clean with no build up.

I've used a few, and right now my favorite is this White Birch Bark shampoo bar by Pink Parchment Soaps.  It lathers nicely, smells fresh and clean, and she ships quickly! Next on my list to try is a shampoo bar by Bar None. 

Does anyone else have any all natural soap or shampoo bar recommendations? I'm also looking for an all natural conditioner...

Friday Favorite - ZJayne

Today's Favorite is one of my most favorite Christmas gifts this year--a personalized pouch by ZJayne. It's beautifully made, unique, fun, and meaningful. I admit, this has been on my "wish list" for a while, but I never knew what to put on it. My husband snagged the idea for a gift, and came up with the perfect saying - "Momz" is what my boys call me :) He was happy with his shopping experience and I'm tickled with my product! I have no idea what I'll put in it....the options are endless!

Get your own, or check out her other awesome products from dryer sachets to market bags. All from reclaimed t-shirts! AND, she's a fellow member of the Eco Etsy Street Team!

Friday Favorite - Sewn Natural (and Sweet Greens giveaway!)

Today's favorite is a shop who has helped me in my quest to recycle!!
The story: I had a hard time just throwing out the leftover pieces of sweaters from my soakers and longies. I had quite a pile accumulated, but didn't know what to do with the smaller pieces (the larger ones I make into patchwork soakers). I offered the scraps to my fellow EcoEtsy team members. Jen, of Sewn Natural, was one who took some off my hands; and then she recently contacted me to see if I had more. "YES!!" I told her. I sent her 2 more pounds of scraps. It was a win-win for us both.

Look at these adorable felt hearts that she created!!! This is re-purposing at its finest...no part of that sweater shall go to waste! :)


The best part??? You can enter to win a set of these lovely felt hearts by visiting Sweet Greens during her 12 days of Etsy giveaways!!!

Friday Favorite - Baby Shea

If you are looking for THE softest blanket, you have to check these out! They make great baby shower gifts or loveys for your own children. I bought one for my son and it quickly became his favorite - he calls it "soft blankie".


Baby Shea also has the cutest hair clips and other baby shower gifts (burp cloths, onesies, pacifier clips).

The owner is a good friend of ours, and she inspired me and helped me get my Etsy shop started. We created a collaborative product as well, combining Baby Shea hairclips and Winkydinks fleece hats. Go check it out!

Friday Favorite: McCoy Toys

I bought this pull toy for my 2 year old last Christmas, and he LOVES it! This grasshopper is well made and too cute for words. My sons both still love pulling it all around the house, as fast as they can, to see his legs wiggle around.


From a great seller, with fast shipping and great communication, if you're looking for handmade toys this holiday season, check them out! And while you're at it, take the Handmade Pledge!

Friday Favorite - Blissful wallets

Another of my favorite Etsy purchases!



I found these wallets by Blissful and they were just what I needed. I love that I don't have to fold up my bills. There's plenty of room for my credit cards, a see through pocket for my license (or zoo membership card as shown here. he he). I was able to pick my fabric too and it was a quick turnaround time. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it and have gotten many compliments on it. Now I need one in black. And red. And blue...

Friday Favorite - Terbearco

I have bought so many wonderful things from Etsy, I decided to share them in a weekly post "Friday Favorite". Enjoy!

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I strive to be as green as possible when packaging my products - I don't use extra inner bags, tissue paper, or wrapping. I settled on using polymailer bags to mail my things for a few of reasons: 1 - they can be reused quite a few times, 2 - they are very durable, 3 - they look nice. I experimented using brown kraft paper but had to use so much tape to get it sturdy that it was no longer recyclable and couldn't be re-used.


So...I wanted to be sure my customer's know that my intent is for them to get the most out of the packaging and REUSE it! Many customers buy/sell/trade diapers and the polymailers come in very handy too.

I found the BEST rubber stamp seller on Etsy - Terbearco - with the perfect recycle themed products, and they do customs! Excellent quality and customer service.

Here's how mine looks!

Happy Recycling!!