FEATURED ETSY SHOP - Amy's Soaps N Things

Mandarin Tiki Soap

by AMY'S SOAPS 'N' THINGS

Amy's Soaps 'N' Things is my first featured shop for the new year!  When you pay a visit to Amy's shop, you will find soaps, body wash, and lip balms all with wonderful sounding names like...China Rain, Hawaiian Breeze, Spiced Lavender and more!  Great prices also!

Large Spiced Lavender Bar - $4.00

Lavender flowers mixed with an array of other wonderful aromas makes for this sweet and spicy fragrance.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I needed the money, I've always loved fragrances and I can't seem to get hired at Bath and Body Works.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

Well actually soap isn't my first choice, fashion design is, but I haven't had the money to start up my fashion shop yet.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

Definitely the fragrances. I love finding new ones.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable to describe your art/craft, what would you choose and why?

Hmm, I'd say Strawberries, because they are super fragrant, sweet and really good for you.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be and why?

Well I already mentioned fashion up above so I'll say making beaded jewelry. I like making earrings.

What message, if any do you want to convey with your art/craft?

ALL PROCEEDS ARE GOING TOWARDS MY COLLEGE FUND!!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

 Have patience. Starting a business takes a ton of time and money to get it established. I'm still working on that myself.

Thanks, Amy, for taking the time to share your thoughts and your products with everyone!  Wishing you a lot of sales in 2010, to build up that college fund!! 

To see more of Amy's products, visit her Etsy shop, by clicking on the links below.

WEB PAGE

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ELEGANT ROSE BOUTIQUE

Headache Relief Balm - Full Size and Travel Size
by
ELEGANT ROSE BOUTIQUE

I was just browsing through Melissa's Etsy shop, ELEGANT ROSE BOUTIQUE, and loved reading about and seeing all the delightful bath and beauty products that are offered there. I don't think there is anyone that doesn't like to pamper themselves with a beautiful, handmade natural soap, lotions or any other bath product. Melissa offers essential oil soaps, headache/lip balms, lotions, bath fizzies, gift sets and more, so be sure to pay ELEGANT ROSE BOUTIQUE a visit.

SUNNY DAY GARDNER'S SOAP - All Natural

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I bought some homemade soap from someone a few years ago that was going out of business and the rest is history!

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I have been using essential oils for the past 8 years for health issues, like headaches, stomach aches, etc, so using essential oils in soap was an easy progression.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I really enjoy creating new scents for my soaps and body care products and also love taking the photos.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

In addition to soap making, I enjoy sewing/quilting and making cards, I have always enjoyed working with my hands and creating things.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I don't know if you would call it a message, but I would hope that people would realize how many chemicals they use daily and try to minimize them. Most don't think twice about their toothpaste, deodorant, or soap. Usually you can't pronounce most of the ingredients, let alone know what they are.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Make sure you enjoy what you do or find something else!

Melissa, thanks for being a featured shop here on DZFANTASY. I think your products are wonderful, and couldn't agree with you more as to the advantages of using products made with natural ingredients.

To learn more about Melissa and her wonderful bath and body products, be sure to visit the links below.

ELEGANT ROSE BLOG

TWITTER

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - NICKI LEIGH Bath and Body

MIDNIGHT POMEGRANATE - Creamy Bath Whip

WECOME, Nicki and her delightful looking and sounding bath and beauty products, which she sells in her Etsy shop, NICKI LEIGH BATH AND BEAUTY. You can also purchase Nicki's products in her ARTFIRE shop by clicking on the link below the interview.

When you visit Nicki's shop you will find creamy bath whips, body balms, lip balms, soap and more. Be sure to pamper yourself with one of Nicki's products.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I lost my job last April and could not see myself sitting at home, so I started planning and long story short, I got to where I am now.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

It was not the first thing that came to mind. I had been painting for years, but the market was falling. So I looked into making candles. I got pretty far, but after spending a good amount on supplies and testing, I soon found that was not for me either. Bath & body was next and is where I now stay.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love getting to play the mad scientist. Whenever I make a new product, I cannot ever be sure of the outcome. Even with a "simple" bar of soap, anything can go wrong. You learn early on to keep very detailed notes about everything you make and do.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

An orange. You can smell the lovely aroma before getting close to it and once you peel that tart skin away, all you are left with are the juicy insides. I also love oranges. It is also a fruit that can be used in many different recipes, such as bath & body. There are so many different kinds of products, that it is hard to just settle on one or two.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

My artwork. I actually do this as well, though I have not marketed it nearly as much as my bath & body shop. My artwork is a way for me to just let go. I do not take part in drinking or smoking, so this is my way to "deal" with whatever may be troubling me. I may also be having a very good day. Thing is, I can only paint when I have a very strong emotion.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

That it's okay to try new things, and as the world becomes greener and we all are looking to natural alternatives, it is possible to get great quality at a reasonable price.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Please, please research as much as you can about your craft as well as permits before you even consider selling your products. Be sure you follow all the FDA guidelines, especially for those who work with food and bath & body products. There are very strict guidelines for many crafts and it is best to know ahead of time what flies and what does not. Also, make sure your chosen name is not trademarked. Once you pick your name (if it is not your legal name), register a DBA (doing business as). That is what I did for my business. I was legal even before I started making bath & body products. I knew what I wanted to do. After reading everything I could, including how to do my own taxes, I was certain this is where I wanted to be.

Nicki, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to be a featured artist here on DZFANTASY, and sharing your wonderful products and ideas with everyone.

If you'd like to learn more about Nicki, be sure to visit the links below.

ARTFIRE

BLOG

TWITTER

FLICKR

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SOAP THAT MAKES SCENTS

Karina of SOAP THAT MAKES SCENTS has some very delicious looking and sounding products in her Etsy shop. There you will find a wide variety of vegetarian soap bars, solid perfumes, shea butter lip balms, and much more to delight your senses! Be sure to pay SOAP THAT MAKES SCENTS a visit.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I got the chance to go to England with my husband on a business trip. In between conventions and banquet dinners, the wives were starting to get bored hanging around the hotel so we found out about a soapmaking class and gave it a try. After that, I never looked back.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

Soap is something everyone uses and everyone needs. It'll never go out of fashion, or be a lost trend. I sell worldwide online, and meet many, many customers at shows. I truly believe that once you try handmade soap, you'll NEVER go back to store-bought soap again.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

Discovering new fragrances and essential oils. Everytime I get a shipment in of oils, I can't wait to rip open the package and inhale all of the goodness..and then I write down my thoughts and feelings for each scent in my soap journal (yeah, I'm a geek) and what combos I might like to try out. Scents do SO much for us. They invoke feelings and memories..think back to cookies baking, or the smell of pine...it just made you remember or "place" that scent, didn't it? That's what I want to do..I want to create a slice of life in every single bar.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

I'm loving these questions!! Wow..hmm...that's a hard one. I'd have to say an apple. Because it's fresh, invigorating, clean, comes in many colors, and is a very versatile fruit to work How'd I do? Ya liked that, huh? lol

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

Honestly I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather be doing. I know that sounds cliche, but it's the truth.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

That a lot of people stink in the world and we should all do our part to help clean them up...no, seriously. Really. Buy my soap for yourself or give it to someone who stinks.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Don't be afraid to go for it. If you see an opportunity to strengthen your shop, or get your name out there more, then take it. Do whatever you can to promote yourself without stepping on anyone's toes. "Ignore the hesitation that binds your hands. Use your imagination and take a chance. Why should we wait for some better time? There may not even be a tomorrow." ....is a lyric from a song written by Richard Marx. And it's so true. A lot of his songs have inspired me to be where I am today and to keep on going. I constantly have his music going in the background while I'm working.

Great interview, Karina! I loved your answers! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas with everyone.

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