Big SAFE Team Weekend Sale

If you love bath and body products, you won't want to miss the HUGE weekend sale going on over on Etsy.com. SAFE Team artisans have all gotten together and joined hands for a weekend sale spectacular from Friday, June 19th through Sunday, June 21st.

Here is the link to the SAFE Team Blog to find out all the details and the list of participating shops:

http://etsysafeteam.blogspot.com/

Our shop, The Skin You're In, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5216308, will be offering 15% off everything! Stock up now for the warm summer months ahead and keep your skin happy!

SAFE Team members are committed to the art of soapmaking and safe manufacturing practices. SAFE stands for Soap Artisan Friends of Etsy. Each and every member of this fabulous group are experienced and knowledgeable artisans. SAFE Team is an eclectic group of wonderful, skillful, kind and loving people who are passionate about making the best bath and body products you can find.

To Celebrate a Life

The soapmaking community lost a most dedicated member recently and it is fitting to honor her memory here today. Below you will find a message posted on one of the many soaping forums that so many of us are a part of.

It is with a sad heart that I make this announcement.

Patrice lost her battle with cancer on May 28, 2009. Her husband, Bob, told me:

“With her last breath came a look of complete calm and just the faintest most perfect smile.
Her smile, her laugh, her bright shiny eyes, her incredibly curly blonde hair ... were all
sights to behold and yet none of these defined her. Her love, support and passion were limitless.”

Patrice was incredibly talented … as a soap maker, scent blender, formulator, and teacher. She
freely shared her knowledge, and helped many of us learn so much. She impacted many people in many different ways because of the woman and friend she was.

Patrice fought hard to win her battle, and never gave up hope that she would be victorious.
Elixir Botanicals was her dream, a concept and business that she loved and was very passionate
about. Part of her “battle plan” was getting the warehouse, creating the website and Yahoo
Group, and stocking multiple extracts rather than just doing buys. She fully intended to
resume business as usual with Elixir Botanicals once she had won.

I ask that you honor Patrice’s memory by emulating her example … seeking and sharing knowledge, helping others learn, being passionate about what you do, and giving your love and support to those who need it.

We cannot be Patrice because she was a unique individual, but we can be like her in
everything we do, letting her inspire us each and every day.

I know she will be very much missed by so many of us.

Patrice asked that in lieu of flowers," please perform a random act of kindness in my memory".


Carol Barber
DP Naturals

******

The following quotes came from Patrice's husband Bob, as her final thoughts...


"Do not be sad that I have passed, celebrate that I lived." ...Patrice


"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave" ...Patrick Henry


Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm.

~ Publilius Syrus


She will be missed!

In Loving Memory.....

William Clayton Dixon was born on October 4, 1922 in Louisiana. He was a sweet and wonderful man and we loved him dearly. He was my father-in-law. Dad was 86 years old and on Monday, March 30th he joined his loving wife, Helen and the other members of his family in Heaven.

This is in your honor, Dad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnm-4kSLKdI

And this is for Dad and Mom. One of their favorite songs in Church:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13eBCf1gIgc

Luck of the Irish

St. Patrick's Day is Tuesday March 17th and will you be wearing your green? We'll be having a wee bit of a sale on St. Patrick's Day to help you keep a little green in your pocket. How does free shipping on all products sound to you? Good, cuz that's what St. Paddy wants and that's what St. Paddy gets!


Even though my maiden name is Campbell, which sounds pretty Irish to me, my heritage is actually Scottish and German, with a dash of Irish and French to round us off. Here is a little history of St. Patrick's Day:

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity's most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling.

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years.

On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

To help you celebrate the occasion, here are a few Irish toasts:

May your fire be as warm as the weather is cold.

******

Health, and long life to you
Land without rent to you
The partner of your heart to you
and when you die, may your bones rest in Ireland!

******

As you slide down the banisters of life may the splinters never point the wrong way.

******

May you get all your wishes but one,
So you always have something to strive for.

******

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

******

Here's to your coffin...
May it be built of 100 year old oaks which I will plant tomorrow.

*****

May your neighbors respect you,
Troubles neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.

******

May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.

******

An old Irish recipe for longevity:
Leave the table hungry.
Leave the bed sleepy.
Leave the bar thirsty.

Irish Soda Bread with Raisins

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 cups all purpose flour
5 tablespoons sugar, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons butter, chilled, cut into cubes
1 cup buttermilk
2/3 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 8-inch-diameter cake pan with nonstick spray. Whisk flour, 4 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in large bowl to blend. Add butter. Using fingertips, rub in until coarse meal forms. Make well in center of flour mixture. Add buttermilk. Gradually stir dry ingredients into milk to blend. Mix in raisins.

Using floured hands, shape dough into ball. Transfer to prepared pan and flatten slightly (dough will not come to edges of pan). Sprinkle dough with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.

Bake bread until brown and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool bread in pan 10 minutes. Transfer to rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

5 pounds corned brisket of beef
6 peppercorns, or packaged pickling spices
3 carrots, peeled and quartered
3 onions, peeled and quartered
1 medium-sized green cabbage, quartered or cut in wedges
Melted butter (about 4 tablespoons)

Place the corned beef in water to cover with the peppercorns or mixed pickling spices (in supermarkets, these often come packaged with the corned beef). Cover the pot or kettle, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 hours or until tender, skimming occasionally. During the last hour, add the carrots and onions and cover again. During the last 15 minutes, add the cabbage. Transfer meat and vegetables to a platter and brush the vegetables with the melted butter. Serve with boiled parsley potatoes, cooked separately. (The stock can be saved to add to a pot roast or stew instead of other liquid.



And what could be better than a good ol' Irish drinking song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tguqJMUcSGI&feature=related

(Warning: May be a little risque to some...but very funny)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We're Having a Sale!

Not just a Cyber Monday sale, but a Cyber Week-Long Sale and you get to choose your discount! Would you like 25% off your shopping cart total or free shipping anywhere in the continental United States on either our website at http://www.theskinyourein.com/ or our Etsy Store at http://www.theskinyourein.etsy.com/.

Isn't it nice to have choices!

On Etsy you'll find two different Gift Baskets. One is a beautiful basket containing a 4 ounce lotion, your choice of a 2 ounce Olive Cleansing Oil or 4 oz Dry Facial Masque, two soaps of your choosing, delicate single use Rose Petal Soaps, one Lip it Up Lip Balm in your choice of flavors and a very nice body powder in your choice of fragrance. You can mix and match your fragrances or stick with a single fragrance theme.

The larger Gift basket is called Happy Holidays Build a Basket. You tell me what you want in your basket and I'll put it together for your and customize it as you wish.

Build A Basket for Him:
2 Soaps, any men's scent(s) you choose.
1 - 8 oz. Skin Deep Lotion in corresponding scent or different scent.
1 - 8 oz. Foaming Body Polish..yup, men love this too!
1 - 4 oz. Body Spray in corresponding scent or different scent.

Build A Basket for Her:
2 Soaps, any fragrance. You choose from our available soaps.
1 - 8 oz. Skin Deep Lotion, any scent you choose.
1 - 8 oz. Foaming Body Polish, any scent you choose
1 - 4 oz. Body Spray, any scent you choose

Scent Suggestions:
Green Tweeds
Cherokee Creek
Sandalwood
Beer Soap for Him Fragrance Blend
Beer Soap for Her Fragrance Blend
Pomegranate Passion
Heavenly Heather
Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Fragrance Blend
Goat's Milk & Lavender Soap with Lavender & Vanilla Essential Oil Blend (Limited Soap Quantities Available)
Frankincense & Myrrh Essential Oil Blend (Soap will be available first week in December)
Baked Apples & Spice
Oatmeal Milk & Honey Essential Oil Blend


Lip it Up Lip Balm Gift Set


Here is another really cute Holiday gift idea. This is a five pack of Lip it Up Lip Balms tucked inside a cute little purse that a friend made for me. You pick the lip flavors you want included in this gift set. Great for stocking stuffers or a thoughtful gift for someone special on your gift list. So far these are just listed in my Etsy Shop, but tomorrow they will be listed on the website too. I will also have some available in bright non-holiday theme colors. The are listed for $8.95...what a sweet gift!




"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

Martin Luther King

It's Sunday Night

Sunday night! Those used to be dreaded words when I had a full-time job away from home. By Sunday afternoon I'd start getting that feeling in the pit of my stomach and those words would start flowing through my mind, "I really don't want to go to work tomorrow!"

I'm very blessed that I don't have to say those words any more! I do work at home though and sometimes this work is harder than any day job I ever had to deal with. Harder, yes but never hated! My days now consist of medical transcription or entertainment transcription if there is work to be done. Next comes checking email for orders on either the website or the Etsy store and fulfilling those orders as soon as possible which usually entails making up any lotions, creams, scrubs or lip products that are ordered. I make the lotions and creams usually about once a week or once every two weeks depending on orders ensuring that these are always fresh and always available. Sugar Baby Body Polish is the same...made to order so it's always fresh.

Orders are packaged and mailed usually within 48 hours and packaging supplies are always re-used from supply orders I've received. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Newest Goodies

This beautiful soap stamp was designed by John and Anhoki of Anhoki's Place. I love this new stamp and just had to show it off!

This is one of the newest soaps we've had fun with. It's called Irish Tweed...I think! Not sure exactly what to call it yet but I'll get to that part sooner or later.

We sure have fun creating new soaps. Don't really know what comes first, the chicken or the egg? What skin benefits do I want from this soap? Sometimes an idea for a soap springs from the fragrance I want to use or the herbs and clays I want to play with. Other times I see something that entices me, like fresh fruits or a beautiful ripe avocado. Sounds funny, but avocado is very good for your skin and it makes a beautiful green soap that is creamy and delicious.

Lotions are the same for me. I love making lotions and creams or anything emulsified. Emulsified is when a certain type of wax is added that helps to bring the water and oils/butters together. We all know that oil and water don't mix, so we add an emulsifier to bind the two together. There are so many "goodies" you can add to a lotion or cream to make it so beneficial to your skin. This is the fun part to me. Investigating what additives can be added to help certain skin problems, such as acne prone skin, dry or mature skin types.