Talk on Herbal Skin Care

Good Day, friends.

First, how do you like my new Etsy finds? If anything here catches your eye, just click on the picture, and it will take you to the item you clicked on within their shop. I'm sure they would appreciate you stopping by to see them.

I'm a little late with this, but I took advantage of the great weather this last weekend and worked outside until I could no longer stand two days running. Oh, the work George and I did! I am so glad for this time together and time on my herbs and garden.

So, yesterday I played catch up, and today I am back to work. I was going to make shampoo bars today, but I thought I should start here with my promised blog, list some new items, and wrap some soaps to make room for the new ones.

Herbal Skin Care

I called my talk Herbal Skin Care. My partner and I cultivate an acre of herbs, as well as harvest (with a conscience) wild herbs. It is not by accident I live in an area abundant with a variety of wild herbs. So, I approach my skin care products with an herb point of view.

In my talk, I introduce my self by telling my group how I became interested in herbs, and then how that interest progressed to where I am today. A short history, so to speak. Sometimes, a talk becomes so involved, we have to go through the aids in a hurry. And, sometimes, the aids become the talk.

I like to include the herbs I use in skin care - at least most of them. This visual aid lets them see the herb, smell the herb, even touch the herb. I include exotic herbs I use but do not grow, too. Wouldn't you want to see what frankincense and myrrh look like? ☺

Butters always fascinates people. Oils have to be extracted, but natural butters have only to be scraped out of a nut shell. Shea butter is still an unknown, and I like to tell my groups all about Shea - origin, process, size of nut, etc. And, exotic oils go over well. I show Emu oil, vitamin e - dark and viscous, macadamia nut oil, etc.

And, I like to contrast oils and herbal oils.

And, oils! Ah, how to present oils. First, I used bottles with dropper caps. No, after a time, the rubber erodes. Second, I used caps on my bottles. No, after a time of taking cap on and off, the oil will leak. This is my best idea so far - a roll on. You do not risk spilling the oil, and people can try it on their wrist or arm without a mess, a win-win situation. And, they look very attractive, they cost little, and so far very practical.

You can use your own additives/herbs/powders, etc in the bags above. I think additives, like seeds, oats, pumice, kelp, and more would make interesting visual aids and topics in a soap talk.

The same can be said of the butters and oils. I showed some herbal oils that some soap makers do not use. But, some soap makers can show olive oil colored with annatto seed. That would make an interesting visual aid.

I find people just love it if they are able to use their senses to enjoy what you are talking about. Of course, I brought my product, too. But, the raw materials used today to make homemade soap represent the exciting aspects of soap making. And, they may be used to excite the imagination of your group, just as they are used in your daily excitement of soap making.

I hope this bit of information helps. You cannot write down a whole talk, because so much material comes from the groups themselves. The easiest talk is when you are allowed to answer questions. If you have an interested group, this will become the best part of the talk.

Thanks, as always for coming by. I am seriously considering writing a couple more blogs. I'm not sure if I should have my head examined over this, but I find a couple of ideas I would like to pursue...1) a blog on shampoo bars from the Soap Makers' perspective, and 2) a blog on craft shows/display set ups for soap and skin care vendors. I would love to hear what you think on that? :) Kathleen (and how about a blog on herbs - uh, uh, isn't my plate full enough?)

A Speaking Engagement

Good day, Dear folks:

I am feeling pretty good today.

But, for days preceeding a speaking engagement, I'm a mess. I cannot think of much else, and I keep wondering why anyone would want to hear what I have to say. Anyone can find out what I know, all they need do is look it up. :)

I guess the nicest thing about my engagment last night is that my audience seemed very interested in my story. The worst thing is the hour drive and the storm coming in from the south!!

The Topic was "Herbal Skin Care" and the group is an herb society in Kingsport. It was held at a place called The Exchange Place - a historic site that was used in the 1800's for exchanging goods. It has an old schoolhouse on the grounds. I wish I had taken pics of it. I do have a show coming up there at the end of this month, however, and I will then.

My camera's flash is not working anymore. So my pics of the talk are terrible. It was a great gig, because I had the floor to talk all about my products, then I was I allowed to sell what I brought (which wasn't much). The pretty packages are gifts for the ladies, and what was left over sold. None came home. Yay!

This weekend, I will blog about the talk in a proper manner. I will outline the aspects of the talk, show you what I used for visual aids, and give you tips you may not have when it comes to speaking to a group. I have good pics of the visual aids, and you are welcome to use any or all of what I use. ;)

Before I end this, I'd like to show you a couple more things. I've been working on swirling my soap lately. I feel I'm not up to par in this area of soap making. But, my latest makes me feel pretty good about my determination to make a pretty swirled soap.

It is curing now, but I'll take pics soon and show you the cut version.

And, I've listed some newly cured soaps in my shops this last week. You might like to check them out.

Oh, I almost forgot. I'm looking for some new etsy finds that are spring like, bright, and makes us feel good looking at them. I'm on the hunt. I hope to have that filled this weekend, too. Thanks for your patience with me. Lol Kathleen

Hello Friends:

I received an email that tells me today is “International Astrology Day”.

This brings back memories of my life a time ago. An interest in astrology was sparked in the fall of 1981. I began learning astrology at that time. I could put a natal, solar return, and horary chart together in no time by 1986.

It was in 1987 I found Dane Rudhyar’s library of books. I learned that my philosophy agreed with Mr. Rudhyar’s: that astrology is a tool to understand ourselves in a psychological manner; and I learned prediction is not the best way to use astrology. In 1988, I tried using natal and solar charts as psychological tools in a business way; but, nobody wanted to hear that. They want to know the future.

(The problem with astrology and the future is that astrology is only part of the picture. It does not take into account free will. It may show your tendency to be spontaneous, but it won’t tell me when, where, and how...not specifically, and usually, not even generally.)

I continued to accumulate books, knowledge, and practice merrily through 2003 when I rediscovered a book a friend had given me years before. I read it for the first time and learned that Western astrology uses a different ephemeris than Eastern astrology. Eastern astrology practices what may be called “real” time v. “symbolic” time of the West. What does this mean to me (or anyone)? Well, I’m not a Gemini in real time, I’m a Taurus. And, to tell you something, that was a relief for me. Because, if I am a Gemini, I am an awful slow one. But, if I am a Taurus, I’m right on. Like, whew!

In 2003, I redid everyone’s chart!!

In 2004, I lay down my astrology and picked up my soap pot. But, today, when I read that email (of course it was an ad), I was thrilled to remember that I dabble in astrology, and today celebrates it everywhere.

I just wanted to share that. Thanks, Kathleen ☺

What's Happening...

Hi friends and followers:

It's been awhile, and I would like to catch you up on my goings on.

First thing is first; I had several orders lately, and this is very, very good news. My Etsy store has crossed the 200 sales mark, which is pretty exciting for me. My Etsy shop is 6 months old this month, and I feel some sort of demand has been found. Whoopee! And, wholesale orders are picking up. All good stuff and very busy stuff! :)

And, I'm making new shampoo bars as they become more and more popular. They represent my biggest sale item at Etsy, too. Matter of fact, I've had my first sale today at Hyena Cart, and it was a shampoo bar, too. So, I've made several batches of shampoo lately, both standard and new varieties. One cured and listed is my Marshmallow Honey Almond. Some new ones curing and not listed include Marshmallow Mint, Marshmallow Bergamot, Marshmallow Clary Sage blend, and Rosemary Green Tea.

Also, if I were to name the month of March, I would have to call it the "Month of Give Aways"!!!!! I am giving away a total of 190 sample soaps to 3 different organizations for 4 different reasons. 1 and 2 are EGCG doings - the guild I belong to at Etsy called Etsy Green and Clean Guild. 1 is a Swap with other guild members (yay!), and 2 is a contribution to a Swag Bag the guild is offering from the EGCG Etsy shop. 3 is for ( ) and the donation is purely a marketing tool and 60 soaps goes here. I sent 80 + 10 to Delane Mazaheri of "Experience the Reality of Success" seminar being help in Las Vegas near the end of this month for their "party" bags. This is more like a true donation.

And, I substitute teach and have had more calls than usual. I have two more days scheduled next week. And, here comes Spring, and am I ready...no. The weather has been an obstacle in the path of my wanting to get to my pre-spring garden work. But, plants wait on no man (or woman!). :)

International Day of Women came and went and whilst so, I was packaging 80 soaps for Las Vegas all that day. This for a seminar of women who own their own small businesses and want to expand. And, using cello bags with the pink ribbon of breast cancer awareness and the red stretch cord of heart disease in women awareness, and WOMEN being the crowding theme of SUNDAY, March 8, International Day of Women. So, I did not blog as I had wished to do, but I did an act that honored the Day and all Women, in general.

I appreciate you coming by and sharing this with me. I'm wanting to do a little skin care writing as spring and summer come along; but there are so many fine skin care writers offered even here on my blog site, that I may just continue writing on so many other situations. We'll see! ☺

Until next time...Kathleen

Getting Rid of the Old makes way for the New!!!

Good morning from Eidson, Tennessee where it is 5 degree Fahrenheit this morning! A good morning to stay indoors finding things to do.

My husband has actually managed to begin clearing our herb beds for spring. I'm wondering when...was it when it was below freezing...raining...snowing...? When? ☺ But, it is starting to look good. I'll take pics when the temps get above freezing!

This is a short blog to share with you some glad tidings. Although I lost a store online (really, just not the right venue), I've gained three more.

1. Silk Fair is easy and difficult at the same time. I uploaded all my listings from Etsy, but it is a hard store to manage from behind the scenes. A little more experience, if you please. I am honored, though. I was notified that another shop marked me as their "favorite" shop. ♥

2. Shop Handmade is a little different. It is like I'm at a very, very nice Mall, and I must put on a nice display. So, this is a little slow going. But, I am enjoying the process a bit. Must be the Taurus side of me.

3. A very new (yesterday) shop where I have only begun to work out my categories. Hyena Cart, I must say, is an exquisite hosting site that seems both tasteful and vendor friendly. I will post more when I've made more progress here.

And, more news today...ByHand.me (http://www.byhand.me.com/) has named my Chocolate Mint soap as the Artisan Item of the Day. Please go check it out. And, then just below my item is a Voting Question. You may want to voice an opinion there. One that is very dear to My heart. ♥

Okay, enough for now. I want to blog later this week on the International Day of Women. How exciting. I just learned about this. Oh, and come be my friend on Facebook so that we may scavenger hunt together. Whee!

☺Kathleen

ps. I've listed the links to the new shops here on the upper right. Thanks!

The Artisan/Crafters' Directory

"simply elegant skincare by Sweetcreekherbs"

This is an awesome newly devloping site to bring artisans and fine craftspeople together in one place with which to advertise themselves and their handmade goodies.

They allow you to develop a profile, listing each and every place someone may connect with you from all your shops to all your social sites. If you click onto the title of this blog, you will see a spotlight you may put together that shows off your own items, or items with which you are enthralled by others. This spotlight resides in the directory where others may find you that may not find you any other way.

The people who put this site together are awesome! They are super friendly and will help with any and everything to help you manage their site. The forums have been a super guide for me.

And, customers from everywhere can go to one place and find an artisan of the ilk for which they are looking. It's great. Come on and see for yourself. Just click on the Title of this blog or go visit http://www.byhand.me/.

Thanks! Kathleen
ps. this enters me into a contest through this site for 8 bars of homemade soap I didn't make. How cool is that? :)

Sweet Creek Herbs is Leaving eBay!

Hi friends:

This is a little tough to write, because I made some real good customer friends at the first online store I had. But, I am up against the wall, and it is time to make a decision. It is a tough decision, but my eBay store has to go.

This little store costs me $30.00 a month to maintain and this is without one listing. Each listing is 3 cents that renews every 30 days, and I maintain about 90 listings. And, there is the 12% commission for what sells that is the highest online anywhere.

But, I am grateful to this site for giving me the opportunity to develop experience and confidence selling online. I learned a very lot, and I know this knowledge will help me always.

But, now I am at Etsy, Artfire, my own domain at http://www.sweetcreekherbalsoaps.com/. I'm looking at other handmade sites, such at http://www.madeitmyself.com/, http://www.shophandmade.com/, and others like these.

And, I am now developing a profile at http://www.byhand.me/. This is a new site developed for all sorts of artisans and handcrafters to develop a directory for their wares, and a site for those who would purchase handmade to have a huge selection of artisans and crafters from which to choose to shop. I am excited to be a part of this community.

My hope in all this is that I do not lose the dearest customers I gained through my eBay store. This is why I am blogging about this issue. When they look for me online, I hope they find this blog to explain my actions. My last day to be open will be February 28. March 1 will be no more eBay store for sweetcreekherbs.

Thank you.


Kathleen of SweetCreekHerbs


ps. My Chamomile Shampoo Bar was selected to represent sweetcreekherbs at the etsy storque bath and beauty voting polls. I would be so honored if you would go by this site and vote for my shampoo bar. I don't know what voting will do, but it might be fun! Thank you very much.


http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=32