Sandyvern "Soaps" the Halls of Hogwarts - A BESTeam Feature

Sandy's Handmade Soaps and Things is a great little shop run by Sandyvern! She loves making soap from scratch using the old-fashioned cold process method of combining various oils, butters, and lye in very small batches. After curing for four to six weeks, these luxurious soaps are hand-cut and individually packaged. Sandy also makes molded soaps using a combination of quality goat milk and shea butter bases, and oatmeal and honey bases. Molded soaps are great as party favors or wedding or shower favors.

A native New Englander and a self-taught crafter, Sandyvern was born and raised in Massachusetts, spent her young adulthood in New Hampshire and has been living in Connecticut for the last ten years. She runs a pet sitting business and in between taking care of her customers’ animals she crafts. “I love the mixing of the ingredients and the process of making soap from scratch using the cold process method,” she says. “But I love the artistic details of doing the 'melt and pour' soaps.”

Sandy is person to her own little menagerie including Brandon, a Border Collie/Australian shepherd mix, two cats (Ms. Spencer and Oreo), one ferret (Sammy), two parrotlets (Rory and Logan) and three bearded dragons (Harry Potter, Weasly and Hermione). When she’s not making soap or taking care of animals, Sandy’s either knitting or dabbling in jewelry making.


Speaking of jewelry, here's a special kind just for knitters. Ravenclaw House Stitch Markers a beautiful way to embellish or mark your place!

Gryffindor values courage, bravery, loyalty, nerve and chivalry. Its mascot is the lion, and its colours are scarlet and gold. This Gryffindor House Soap is made of a shea butter base soap, colored a light red (of course!) and scented with a Blue Bonnets.

Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and now owls? Holy Hogwarts, Harry! Am I sensing a THEME here?? :-) This Owl Soap could be modeled on Hedwig! All of these items are perfect for the Harry Potter fans in your life from age eight to eighty.

Aromatherapy, anyone? These Pink Grapefruit Bath Bombs are the ultimate fizzy luxury at the end of a hard day! Throw them in your bath or shower and luxuriate in the lavender scent! Great gift for anyone who likes to pamper themselves. Or, to give someone YOU want to pamper!

These Pastel Pink Jolly Rancher Earrings really resemble the little hard candy treats! They're made from frosted square beads and various Czech glass beads in pastel pink with surgical steel fish hooks. They're so lovely! Perfect for a new graduate, bride or bridesmaid!

I've saved the best for last! (Drum roll, please.) My favorite is the Watermelon Soap Popsicle! I honestly don't believe I could even stand to get these scrumptious-looking little morsels wet! They are just too cute! But for those of you who have better sense, soapsicles are a great way to get kids in the bathtub and an even better way to keep them in there. Each soapsicle the size of a standard popsicle and made from a gentle, vegan-friendly glycerin soap base. Each soapsicle comes shrink wrapped and decorated with a ribbon.

Whether you're a Harry Potter fan or not, you can certainly find something to love in Sandyvern's shop! Please take a flue trip over to her blog at http://theadventuresofsandyvern.blogspot.com/ and get a glimpse of her inspiration!

And speaking of inspiration, are you an inspired blogger on Etsy? Well, WE WANT YOU! The BESTeam is looking for inspired bloggers to join our ranks! So stop by and see what we have to offer!

All the best!


Patrice
http://www.designsbymayanna.etsy.com

From Desert Sands on Mystic Wynd: A BESTeam Feature

     When you own a business, there’s nothing like having a grip on who your customers are “In my case, it was obvious,” says Mystic Wynd owner/operator, Karen, “everyone!” Indeed, Mystic Wynd sports a large and eclectic mix of handmade jewelry and gift items designed to appeal to just about everyone.
     An artist and poet Karen has one basic philosophy, "An awareness of peace and love rose anew, As the spirit found truth and the Mystic Wynd blew..." a line from a poem she wrote, Karen embraces the idea of being true to oneself and not worrying about the opinions of others.
     Currently based in Scottsdale, AZ, this transplanted Chicagoan’s creations “are designed in the hopes of igniting that special spark of uniqueness that lies within us all," she says. "Some things are elegant, some are fun, some are outlandish, some are colorful, some are calming - but the great thing is that I know there is someone out there who will recognize something that just makes them feel good about themselves!”
     Karen’s designs take in other factors besides style. She’s designed a number of necklaces with easy to close clasps and front closure that are fashionable and unique to meet the needs of customers who have trouble with clasps. She also creates earring designs that easily convert to non-pierced style. Rings at Mystic Wynd are either adjustable or can be created to size.
     Whether your style is simple or bold, classic or trendy, elegant or glitzy, Mystic Wynd has something for you at a price you can afford. And speaking of mystic, hear's one of my favorite stones, Botswana Agate, in Mystic Wynd's Gemstone Necklace Botswana Agate, Onyx, Mookaite - Earth Expressions. Did you know Botswana agate is said to bestow insight, wisdom and guidance to the wearer?

 

     Here's another lovely classic retro piece just right for evening. Karen created this stunning Black Czech Glass Necklace and Earrings Set - Ebony Brilliance with Black AB bicones and tiny gold seed beads.

     I'm a bit of a nut for purple so this purple floral piece really caught my eye. Purple Rose Necklace w Pearl, and Glass Beads - Reverie in Indigo is a lovely vintage style necklace with glass pearls and purple glass foil beads.

      Karen also maintains a dynamic blog so stop by and see what she has to share. Or become a fan on Facebook or follow her on Twitter. Please be sure to see her shop on Etsy and check out her fabulous array of handcrafted goodies at prices you can afford!

     All the best!

Patrice
http://www.designsbymayanna.etsy.com