Besteam feature on Mossy Creek Soap

Today I'm featuring the shop, Mossy Creek Soap, run by Besteam member Michelle Rhoades.  I first met Michelle on Creating the Hive,  a fun social site for us crafty types.  When Michelle opened her Etsy shop a few months ago, she posted a question on the Hive about promoting her Etsy shop, and I told her about this team, the Best Etsy team ever! :P  I am so glad she checked us out and now I want y'all to check her out.  As I'm sure you've been able to figure out, Michelle makes and sells soap.  She has had her own Mossy Creek Soap site before joining Etsy, so she is an accomplished soap maker with tons of knowledge and experience.  Let me show you what I found in her Etsy shop.

Ok, so of course the first item I fell for is....ORANGE, lol.  Now, it's not orange flavored, but it is full of grapefruit, coconut, and lime.  The perfect soap to take on your next beach vacation.  Or to use at home when you just need a mini-get-a-way.  Calgon has nothing on Mossy Creek. :)  This soap is appropriately named Grapefruit Delight.

Michelle also makes body cream.  Oh, I got the munchies while reading the description of this Cocoa Body Butter.  ummmmm, milk chocolate whipped body butter.  I'll eat just about anything covered in chocolate, but I never thought of rubbing it on myself.  LOL. 

At Mossy Creek Soaps you can also find great gift items, like this Serenity Creek Basket.  Here you'll find soap, a soap mitt, a soap dish, and lotion.  Much nicer than those cheapies you'll find at Walmart during the Christmas season.  Michelle is a certified handcrafted soapmaker and creates all her items in her studio located in Georgia.

Michelle has a great blog where you can get to know her better, and to learn more about the art of soap making.  I love reading the blogs of shops I purchase from, it's nice to get to know the people behind the crafts. If blog reading is not for you, try her facebook page where you can sign up for lessons given at her studio.  And don't forget to follow her on twitter to keep up with the latest in the soap world.  So click on any highlighted link above to see Mossy Creek Soap for yourself.

If you are an Etsy artisian that like to blog, check us out here.

If you are a blogger that sells on Etsy, check us out here.

Besteam feature on Ancient Oils

When you are feeling down and under the weather, where do you go?  I first and foremost turn to my Lord in prayer, because He is my Healer, but I also know that He gave knowledge to people to use in keeping our bodies healthy.  In fact, a large portion of the Old Testament is just instructions on hygiene and what to use to keep our bodies healthy.  So I was pleasantly surprised to find the following items in the Etsy shop of my Besteam feature for this week: Ancient Oils by Lilly DelValle.  Ancient Oils was started by Lilly in 2009, with a 100% positive customer feedback.  So you'll know that you will get essential oils and creams of the utmost quality.

Dead Sea Mud

Per the description, this natural Dead Sea Mud is enriched with minerals and aloe vera, and for use on your whole body to improve blood circulation, ease pain, and relax muscles.  Sounds wonderful after a long work week.

Frankincense and Myrrh resin

If you've ever been in church that uses incense, you have probably smelled Frankincense and Myrrh.  It is almost indescribable, so wonderfully rich and pleasing to the senses.  Ancient Oils pacakages theirs' in a beautiful handmade pouch, ready to give as a gift, or keep for yourself.

Holy Anointing Oil

And this last item is something we keep in our own home, Holy Anointing Oil.  This oil is created by mixing Myrrh, Cassia, Cinnamon, Calamus, and Olive Oil, and they all have special properties to heal and sooth.  Just a few drops in your bath water, and it's much better than Calgon.
You can follow Ancient Oils on facebook, and her blog, Living Vibrations.

wordless wednesday a day late

plus, I just can't keep quiet.  So this is actually a talkative Thursday.  And I thought I would share some fun family moments.  Last month, my tootsies were tired, so I decided to have a spa night.  Not to be left out, Hannah and Owen joined me.  It was going great till they decided to make waves, lol.

please meet le petit reve

Selena is the creator of this great new shop on Etsy, le petit reve. Just opened in September of this year, she already had 13 sales with 100% positive feedback, and that's a good thing! As a new mother of a baby boy, Selena fills her shop with great items for your baby; salve, blankies, and toys. Here's some I found to share with you.

Here we have some "baby cheeky bum salve". It contains all natural and organic ingredients to help sooth the tender bottom, and any parts with dry itchy skin. (Made for both baby and mommy).

This is just one of several receiving and swaddling blankets offered in the shop. Completely organic knit jersey, this particular swaddler blanket looks warm and soft, and comes in a pair of 2, with several color choices.

And of course, toys. Every baby needs something to carry and cuddle, and this owl is just way cute, for your child of any age. Her name is Henrietta the hoot owl, and she is eco-friendly, and waiting for a new home.

Right now she is having some great deals on shipping during the Christmas holiday. Since she is based in Toronto Canada, we yanks can get free shipping on orders over $75.00. Selena also writes a blog, full of shopping, recipies, and everything in between. You can follow her on twitter and like her facebook fan page. Now be sure to stop by and say hello!

oh my aching feet, welcome back Artestia!

**I first wrote this blog in August, but Artesia was on vacation. Now she's back, so here it is. **

I love, love, love flip flops and sandles and open toes shoes. (The ones above I made and are for sale in my Etsy shop.) I love shoes so much that this past summer we took a trip to NY for a nieces wedding, and I had packed a rubbermaid tote with 14 pairs of shoes for a 2 week stay, lol. Now all the other shoe lovers out there will agree when I say, sandals can be hard on your feet. The bottoms get stained and dark, especially when I cut grass in my sandles, and the heels get rough, and there's not much arch support. Well, quite a few months ago, I purchased some products from Artesia on Etsy, and one of the products was the Winged Sandals Foot Soak. I finally used it last night. WONDERFUL! The soak made the water bubble, and my feet tingle, and if felt soooooo good. When I was done soaking my tootsies, I discovered that the bottom of my feet were smooth and clean. It was great! I also purchased their Sublime lip balm, and use it alllllll the time. Artesia has been on vacation all summer, but now she's back, YEA!!! She is starting to fill her shop again, and I'm just waiting for some more foot soak. And her customer service is great. So if you're looking for great handmade and NATURAL body and bath supplies, you need to check out this shop. You won't be sorry.

Debbi

Artesia

If you're into all natural skin care, you must check out Artesia on etsy. Marie Jones, a besteam member, hails from southern Nevada and makes all her skin and bath products from our earth's own natural plants and minerals. And she does not test on animals, only on her family, LOL. Marie feels so strongly about the world we live in that she donates 10% of her gross sales to Water 1st, which grants funds to communities to establish sustainable safe water systems. How wonderful is that!!! The shop grew out of a family Christmas tradition of exchanging homemade gifts. The recipients of Marie's gifts encouraged her to sell her homemade all natural skin care products, and viola, Artesia was born. If you want to test the waters first, they offer trial sizes on many of their items. Here are a few of my favs, visit her shop and discover your own.

Colored bubble bath, sounds like great fun!! It only changes the color of the water, and will not stain your skin.

Here's some great lip balm. Lime flavored with a hint of vanilla, yummmm.

And after a long day on my feet painting and playing, soaking my tooties in this winged sandal foot soak souns like heaven. This come in trial and regular size, so you can relax as often as you like.

Marie also has a wonderful blog at myartesia.blogspot were you can find great stories of her favorite things. So stop by and say hello to Marie from Artesia.