Product Review: All Natural Sugar Scrub by wttilcock

(Note:  This review is an unsolicited review and I'm not being paid to write it.  When I find a quality product I enjoy sharing it with others. )




Even though I make my own bath and body products I do on occasion order them from others. I prefer the homemade kind with all natural ingredients to the ones you can buy in the store simply because they are better for your skin and do a better job.


I ordered some All Natural Sugar Scrub from wttilcock on Etsy.  They offer their Sugar Scrub in many different scents and I picked Vanilla, of course!  My Sugar Scrub arrived today and I couldn't wait to try it out, so I went to take a shower.  I fear that all work has ceased for the day now. LOL.

The scrub came in a wonderful little jar, sealed and bagged to prevent leakage, with a cute little 'Thank You' note hand written and attached to it.  I am a sucker for the handwritten thank you's that come with orders from small business owners... it makes me know that they really appreciated my business.

But on to the good part!  The scrub itself.... it is the perfect consistency making it easy to use.  The ingredients are mixed equally so that each one did their job.  After using this scrub my skin is wonderfully exfoliated and the oils that the sugar is mixed with left my skin feeling soft and smooth all over.  This scrub did not leave behind a sticky residue at all, which many that you buy in the store do.

If you like luxury bath products that are all natural and healthy for your skin, then I definitely recommend you get some of this scrub!   You can order directly from their shop here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/81726485/all-natural-sugar-scrub?ref=pr_shop

Christmas Wishlist

This year I decided that I am only buying Christmas gifts from small businesses. Along with that I thought it would be good for me to put together a list of items I want for Christmas from small businesses as well. Below is the wishlist of things I want from shops on Etsy. I have picked shops whose owners are in STATTEAM with me. STATTEAM stands for Self Taught Artists Treasury Team. I encourage everyone to consider buying from local and online small businesses this year. There are many unique handmade items on Etsy that would make great gifts!! Go look around, make your own wishlist (sign in to your account and make a treasury) so that you will have a link to one page with all your items on it to give to friends and family. If you have any questions on how or where to make your wishlist please let me know, I'd be glad to help you get going! ~Mary

The Red, White and Blue

In honor of Veterans Day I made this Red, White and Blue Treasury List. Many things in this collection would also make great Christmas Gifts.

The Bold and the Beautiful

Looking for that perfect gift or stocking stuffer? Have to get something for someone that LOVES bold colors? Check out the new treasury I just made. If you have an Etsy account please favorite the treasury and leave me a comment there, favorite your favorite items too... THANKS!

Yarn Review: Bernat Pipsqueak

I wrote this yarn review back in August as a note on our Facebook Page.  You can view the afghan made with this yarn here:  Crocheted Candy Girl Afghan

I just finished a baby/toddler throw using Bernat Pipsqueak yarn.  This yarn comes in 100g/3.5 oz skeins and is 100% polyester.  Pipsqueak is a bulky yarn requiring larger hooks/needles.  The first thing I enjoyed about working with this yarn is that it is softer than any other yarn I've ever seen!  The second thing I immediately noticed is how quickly this yarn crochets up.  The finished afghan was a good weight and warm, it didn't take long to make and it is soft enough to not irritate even the most delicate skin.
If you are a yarn crafter and have not tried this yarn you should!  I found the Bernat Pipsqueak at Walmart.  After looking for it online I learned it is a rather new yarn with a limited color range right now.  But given the softness and ease of working with it I fully expect them to incorporate more colors into the line. 
Bernat Pipsqueak

Yarn Review: Bernat Pipsqueak

Stones and Crystals Healing Properties

Many people throughout history have used gem stones and crystals for their healing properties.  Some people go by the color of the stone rather than it’s type, while others go by the type of stone rather than just color.  Here is a short list of stones that you could use to get started with using crystals and stones.

I’ve linked each stone name to the Wiki Article detailing it’s make up and scientific facts.  Below the list there are some links that I’ve found to be useful as well.

Amethyst: Promotes inner peace, strength and contentment.  It is also  said to enhance psychic and creative abilities. It can also used to support sobriety and help break other addictions.

Amazonite: A powerful gemstone for creative people, it encourages heartfelt communication with loved ones.

Amber: Amber, which is fossilized tree resin, is used to open up the crown chakra and increase physical vitality and energy flow throughout the body.

Bloodstone: Good for the heart, improving oxygen through the bloodstream and encouraging relaxation and reducing emotional stress.

Blue Lace Agate: Can be used to aid in the healing of bone and skeletal maladies. It is said to promote the healing of broken bones and fractures.

Carnelian: By helping to promote feelings of love and acceptance, carnelian helps to reduce feelings of fear, insecurity and anger. Also good for actors and those in the theater.

Citrine: Known as a "merchant" stone, citrine is believed to attract money and increase business. It also raises self esteem and warm feelings of hope.

Fluorite: Excellent for advancement of mind, greater concentration, meditation. Helps one to grasp higher, more abstract concepts. Facilitates inter-dimensional communication.

Garnet: The stone of love and commitment, garnet helps balance energy in and around the body and promote feelings of love for oneself and others.

Green Jade: Said to be a stone of good luck, green jade helps promote peace within and in the world around us.

Hematite: A gem said to encourage inner peace and happiness and increase focus and confidence.

Iolite: Encourages responsibility with money and eliminate debt. Also used to promote harmony in relationships.

Jasper: A gem of protection and nurturing, jasper is said to cleanse auras and provide protection against negative energies. It also promotes a sense of brotherhood and "green" outlook on the world.

Lapis Lazuli: The stone of royalty, known to increase strength and vitality. Also to protect its wearer from physical and psychic danger.

Malachite: The stone of transition, malachite helps balance and ground one's energy and stay on the right path. Also used in the treatment of swollen joints, broken bones and torn muscles.

Moonstone: Called the "traveler's stone," moonstone is a gem of good fortune and protection when traveling.

Obsidian: Known as the "mirror stone" because it helps one look within and address personal issues that need to be dealt with. Promotes forgiveness.

Onyx: Used to enhance the ability to make good decisions, encourage happiness and attract good fortune.

Peridot: Provides a shield of protection to block out negativity and helps to promote inner happiness and letting go of anger and jealousy.

Quartz: A stone of power, quartz is known to promote harmony and align energies within and around the body.

Rose Quartz: Helps calm energy, remove negativity and heal emotional pain. Good to have around chaotic environments.

Sodalite: Promotes psychic abilities and helps to calm and clear the mind. Also used to strengthens the metabolism and lymphatic system.

Tiger’s Eye: Encourages clarity of mind, enhances psychic ability, and promotes the attainment and management of wealth.

Turquoise: Good for creative expression and promoting open communication and friendship. Used in the treatment of lung, circulation and respiratory issues.

Unakite: Promotes emotional balance, also used to stimulate healthy pregnancies and babies. Also used to examine the underlying cause of disease.

Most Crystals and Stones used in healing are called different names by different users, which can ultimately become confusing. I found a good list HERE that helps decipher some of the names and lessen the confusion.  For Crystal and Stone Identification by color I suggest using this site:  http://www.crystalsandjewelry.com/stoneidentification.html

We offer several gemstone sets for healing and/or energy work in the Reiki, Chakra and Gem Stones section of our Etsy Shop.  If you need a certain stone or set of stones that we do not have listed yet, feel free to contact us to see if we can get the stone or stones you are looking for.

Please note that although I’m giving this information about stones I’m NOT telling anyone to stop seeking medical treatment or care for conditions.  This is only information and how you use it is on you.