A Festival of Smells

Perusing Etsy, as I do from time to time, I ran into a listing for lip balm. Lip balm?  

It surprises me the things that are sold on Etsy. I guess my imagination is limited. It doesn't occur to me to look for things that I use every day. Why buy the same things everyone else buys from faceless corporations when you can find individuals who make the same things with a lot more care? 

I searched a category I had never paid much attention to before--Bath and Beauty. (Click on the pictures to get to the item listings. A link to the shop is in the captions.)

What is a bath without soap? (Psst, Sue. What does hemp mint beer smell like?)

Hemp Mint Beer Soap by The Skin You're In

Ah, lavender grapefruit. I bet that smells divine.

Lavender Grapefruit Artisan Soap by Pacific Paradise Soap

And I'm such a sucker for chocolate in any form.

Chocolate Heaven Cupcake Soap by Joy Soap Works

Then I found the body butters. I love body butter. And in lilac.

Lilac Scented Body Butter Cream by Bee Perfect

And this one also has lavender essential oil in it. (She's got a bunch of balms and salves as well.)

Velvety Soft Body Butter by Tanza Botanicals

And the thing that started it all--lip balm. This sounds like an interesting formula. I bet it smells wonderful.

Masala Rose Chai Lip Balm by Gwendolyn Rose Botanicals

I've been talking a lot about how these must smell, so of course I had to include something that's all about the smell--perfume.

Natural Perfume Roll Ons by JoAnne Bassett

Make sure to check out the Bath and Beauty category. I was surprised by what was there. You might be too.

This post contributed by Liz from Zizi Rho Designs, who is on a mission to find beautiful aromas. At least this month.  

We're Road Trippin!

I thought it would be fun to explore our team geographically, so we are going on a road trip.  Each month I'll explore the shops in a different region of the state.  We are going to start at home base, my home, and explore Etsy shops here on the Central Coast. 

I'm always amazed by the talent here in my own area.  I'm happy to showcase that talent for you.  These artists are from Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, Santa Ynez, and Santa Maria.

Gentle Flowers Baby Balm from GwendolynEvaRose



Bamboo Roving by SilverSunAlpacas



Bulls Eye Ring by leandogpottery

Embroidered Tea Towel by peggradyart

Felted Soaps by PoppySoapCompany

Growing Pink print by cineloh

IPurse in Amy Butler Fabric by handcraftedbooks

Morro Rock Handmade Card from UniquelyYoursStudio



Shimmer Swimmer from studiomusings



Teal Vinyl Wallet by mpwallets

Tree of Life from maggiepickering

Vinyl Record Cuff by leasha1824

Infinity Eternity Ring by SeaBabeJewelry

Next month, we'll head north and see what we can find!

Cheers!
Amber Long
This Little Bird

Happy National Pie Day in the UK

Contributed by Melissa Kojima Artist in LA LA Land

I think a lot of Americans are hoping to get in on this UK holiday where they celebrate the heritage of pie.  There are all kinds of contests for the best pies and lots of pubs make special pies for this day, January 23.  Below are some delicious looking pies to help you celebrate this day.  All of them are created by the talented Californian Etsians.

Pumpkin Pie Necklace

Bite Size Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Zip Pouch Pieces of Pie Print

Lemon and Green Tea Cold Processed Artisan Pie Soap

Let's Party Cake Platter Artisan Soaps

CCCOE Member Studio Tour: Featured Artist: Pacific Paradise Soap Company

Dead Sea Bath Salt Soak Scrub

Custom Order

Tell us a little about yourself and how it all began.

I have been a very creative person my entire life. For fun, I took a soap making class with 2 Chemist friends from a lady on a farm out in the country more than a decade ago. The 3 of us would get together and make soap for Christmas presents over the years. Last year, after 23 years as a Senior Scientist, I experienced a Company wide lay off. A few friends & relatives suggested I should start a Soap Company. I thought working from home would give me more flexibility with my hours & allow our Son to not be in daycare. I’ve always been organized & really motivated to excel at whatever I do. I surely do not miss the hour and a half daily commute! Working from home is really a lifestyle. I really love what I do & it’s a good thing because I’m almost always working. That’s how Pacific Paradise Soap Company was born.Soap Rack and Soapmaker Where do you work? Show us your space please! Anita labeling her soap While vacationing last summer my Brother-in-law asked me “Where in the house do you make your soap?” and my Husband quickly interjected “Everywhere!”. I was shocked! But after I thought about it for a bit I realized he was right. Soap has taken over the house; the office, the spare bedroom, the hallway, the garage, the laundry room, the kitchen…one entire room in the house is filled with drying racks, flowers, lavender my Mom has grown, colored paper, boxes, ribbons, bags, salts, and soaps. I label soaps on the counter in the hallway where you are suppose to fold laundry. When I’m making a batch of soap I take over the kitchen, the laundry room & the garage. My husband can no longer park his truck in our 3 car garage because of the racks of soap. I also keep butters, oils, shipping supplies, molds, essential oils, fragrance oils, wooden bowls, gift crates, colorants, the gazebo & tables for craft fairs & farmers markets. The laundry room also has shelves of fancy molded soaps. 12 soap bar cutter What is your favorite tool? My favorite tool is the log cutter my Dad & I made. He assembled a 3 sided square with smooth wood & drilled 2 holes that I put a guitar string through. This tool makes the first cut that reveals the beautiful end result of my labor of love. I also really like my 12 bar cutter & my edging tool. What time of the day are you the most productive/inspired? I am most productive while my Son is in school for obvious reasons.3 Bar Soap Sets What inspires you? I wake up inspired with so many new ideas pouring out that I now keep paper & pen on my headboard. I am always thinking of new products to add to my store. I am inspired by Mother Nature. Sometimes I am inspired by customers needs or something said in conversation. How do you promote yourself and your shop? I promote myself, my shop & my team by communicating in the forums on etsy, Flickr, Team Blogs & at Craft Fairs. How long have you been on Etsy? I have been selling on etsy since October 2008. What else do you enjoy doing other than creating? I also enjoy gardening, doing yoga, making cards, aqua aerobics & going to the beach. What would you like to see happen/change with CCCOE? I would like to see more people buying from CCCOE. What is your favorite thing about CCCOE? My favorite thing about CCCOE is all the support & camaraderie. I also love the monthly challenges. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is chocolate J I also really enjoy ethnic foods like Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican & Italian. Favorite book or movie? My favorite book is The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood. My favorite movies are The Thomas Crown Affair & National Treasure. One thing you absolutely cannot live without? I absolutely cannot live without happiness Lastly what piece that you have created is your favorite and why? My favorite piece is a Fancy molded soap that says “Love” in a wooden dish. My Dad turns wooden bowls & platters on a lathe & I use them for my fancy molded soaps. I think Love says it all. Thanks so much to Anita of Pacific Paradise Soap for sharing her space and her work with us! Be sure to stop by her shop to treat yourself.