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.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SOUTHERN PLEASURES

I'm delighted to welcome Tenisha and her shop SOUTHERN PLEASURES as a featured Etsy shop out here on DZFANTASY. Everyone loves soaps, and I continue to be amazed at all the variety and shapes offered on Etsy. Be sure to visit SOUTHERN PLEASURES to see what delightful soaps are available for your enjoyment! SOUTHERN PLEASURES offers Essential Oil Soaps, Fragrance Oil Soaps, Lip Balms and more!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I first became acquainted with handcrafted soap when I was a member of a popular message board on the net for women. One of the members there started a thread about some Christmas soaps she had made. I remember looking in awe at the beautiful soaps she created and started to question if she really made them. I honestly thought soap was something only major companies were capable of doing. From that point onward I became very interested in learning how I could also make soap. Reflecting back on this, I was looking for something to occupy my time as I had just moved to a new city and didn't know anyone. Soap making seemed like it could be a fun process to pass the time. In several months, I did a lot of research on how to make soap while I made batches. A lot of what I did in the beginning was really a lot of trial and error with many failed batches as a result.

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

Once I got the basic skills down, I started to research advanced techniques and tried to implement them. The more I practiced what I was learning, the better my skills became. I always wanted to swirl soap because it looked really cool. What I failed to realize at the time it's not an easy task initially. Eventually things started to flow on their own as I gained experience. Lately I find myself inspired with texturizing soaps to create interesting patterns.

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

I love designing soap with many bright colors just as much as I enjoy creating essential oil blends to scent the soap with. There are just so many limitless combinations one can do. Plus colorful soaps in my shower keep me happy.

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

Soap making to me can be compared to a bowl of grapes. No matter what season, you can almost always find fresh grapes to enjoy. Soap is a personal care product that is always in season because it's a basic necessity. The grapes on a vine resemble all the different varieties of soaps one can create for others to enjoy.

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

Definitely an art museum. I say this because there are so many talented soap makers in the world who blow my mind with their creativity with colors and patterns. Many have shattered this industry and gone beyond the norm when it comes to conventional soap making. I have surprised myself within the realm that I have progressed to within the past couple of years. Soap to me is a major art form while at the same time still being functional.

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

Continue to support handmade items and their creators. Much time and planning has gone into the creation of their items. Handcrafted soap is truly a luxury. If you haven't tried it at some point you really are missing out!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Always strive to create the best product or item you possibly can. Don't cut any corners to sacrifice quality. Believe wholeheartedly that your product is the best of the best. Have confidence in yourself, don't be afraid to take a risk to try something new.

Thanks, Tenisha, for sharing your thoughts and wonderful products with us. Don't forget now....pay a visit to SOUTHERN PLEASURES by clicking on the links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - GREENFIELD SOAPS

Black Raspberry Vanilla Handmade Soap

Don't you just love the names of the different soaps that you see out on the shops on Etsy. It makes one want to eat them!! Melanie said the above soap is one of her best sellers, and I can see why...the name itself makes you want to have it. GREENFIELD SOAPS is the first "soap maker" I've had out here as a featured shop, and I'm very happy to welcome Melanie and her GREENFIELD SOAPS.

OK, Melanie, tell us a bit about how you got started on this venture and what keeps you motivated.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Well, everything started when I first started making candles about 8 years ago. I loved to burn them, but they were too expensive, and I was never happy with the way they smelled or burned. So I started to learn candlemaking, and joined several helpful forums. Many of the girls over there made soap as well, and I became interested. I spent months reading over thier notes and gathering as much information on it as I could. Finally I got up the nerve to make my first batch. I used ingredients I had bought from the grocery store, and poured it into a baby wipe container. From there I was hooked. I quickly over ran my house, my friends and my family with bars of soap. My confidence grew and I knew it was time to start selling. Four years later, soap, candles and bathbombs are my full time job. Even thousands of bars later, I still get excited everytime I remove a fresh log of soap from the mold.

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

Well most of my soaps are made from Olive, Coconut, Palm, Palm Kernal and Soybean oil. I chose these because it creates a lasting bar of soap that lathers wonderfully, and leaves your skin feeling soft and clean. For my bathbombs, I spend a lot of time playing with the oil combination. I hated soaking in the tub, then stepping out only to feel greasy. I finally started adding Shea butter to the bombs, and Wow what a difference. I love it because it leaves you so soft and the greasy feeling is gone. Usually once someone tries a bomb, their hooked.

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

An orange, pretty to look at or display in a nice dish. Smells wonderful. A little challenging to get into at times, but the end result is so worth it.

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

I love working with fabrics and wools. My grandmother taught me sewing, knitting, crochet and counted cross stitch. Whenever I'm at my machine, or stitching away I still feel close to her even though she is gone. I also find these crafts relaxing. It's a nice way to take a time out after the kids are in bed.

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

I don't really know if my soaps or bombs have a message. I love watching people pick them up, admire them, smell them. I like knowing that they are going to enjoy using what I make.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Stick with it. Even if your craft seems challenging at times, even if things don't seem to be going right, you'll never get any better if you just walk away. If your looking to turn your craft into a business, it can be challanging at times. Learning the ins and outs of running a business can be harder to learn then the craft itself (and not nearly as fun), but I love being able to spend my day creating, I love working with customers, and I love the fact that it gives me the freedom to be so involved in my kids lives.

Melanie, thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas with us. Great interview. Be sure to visit GREENFIELD SOAPS to see what other flavors and products that Melanie creates.

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