Aromatherapy Thursday - Lemongrass

These wonderful Lemongrass plants can be purchased from ETSY shop Allzeros at http://www.etsy.com/shop/allzeros?ref=seller_info

I have just become a proud owner of some Lemongrass plants.  A friend of mine has giving me some cuttings and they are sprouting like mad.  I love this herb because not only does it look pretty, it smells heavenly (just like lemons) and the aroma really uplifts my spirits in the gray winter months.  But not only is Lemongrass great for aromatherapy it is wonderful to cook with and in teas; this is one of the more versatile herbs that I have found.  Lemongrass is very mild and has a wonderful flavor of lemon that will pair very nicely with fish and chicken.  This herb is also thought to aid in digestion.

Topically Lemongrass has been used to treat large pores and improve scalp condition.  You can add a few drops of essential oil to your shampoos or body wash and mix well to benefit from these properties.  If you would rather purchase products that are rich in these oils and smell wonderful there are many available for sale at ETSY that are handmade. 

Its aromatherapy properties is known to help with nerves and to ease stress.  I personally find this to be true as I package my lovely Sunny Lemon Grass Sachet mix I feel more calm and relaxed.

My sachet mix includes lemongrass, citrus peel and lemon verbena along with other dried botanicals
and essential oils for a bright sunny lemon scent.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77902335/50-off-sale-handmade-sunny-lemon-grass

Aromatherapy can be as simple as adding a few drops of Lemongrass oil to a cotton ball to use in the car for travel or as complex as diffusing oil with multiple tones.  I like to keep things simple and often will use only one or two essential oils together.  Lemongrass paired with mandarin is a very refreshing and mood stabilizing fragrance.  Here are some other products from ETSY shops using Lemongrass that are handmade and absolutely beautiful.

As with any homeopathy and aromatherapy you should always consult your physician first, never use it in replace of medical treatment and do a allergy test before using.

Meeting Dolly Madison An Amazing Young Artist

I found Dolly Madison while surfing ETSY and fell in love with her sweet little buttons and characters.  She is a very talented young lady and has been very kind to do an interview for us. 
Her lovely little shop is also featuring a special discount, 5% off with coupon code BIRRCASTLE.  Please check out the interview and Dolly's wonderful creations.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DollyMadison?ref=ss_profile

Tell me a bit about yourself……
I'm sixteen years old, and I love to work with my hands, writing, reading, and crafting. My main focus of crafting is my Etsy shop, where I sell polymer clay items, mostly buttons, but also little decorative bears (mostly custom orders for those). :) I began working with polymer clay when I was eleven, and I opened my Etsy shop in May of 2010.

Apart from creating, what do you do?
Dear me, it depends on the day! I love to read, and I have several subjects that I pay most attention to, one of which is history. I'm a genealogist, and I love to find out about my ancestors! I found lots of Irish way back there, and so I now have what you could almost call a 'hobby', finding old Irish songs and artists. I love to buy books (that's mainly what I spend my Etsy profit on) that I can feel satisfied handing down to my children and grandchildren. I desire to glorify God, and as my motto says "To enlarge the glory of the gospel!" (quote from Richard Hakluyt, puritan).

What first made you want to create?
I'm just a creative person, I suppose. :) I've been crafting as long as I can remember, and when my grandparents gave me some polymer clay one time, I immediately latched on to it and began making rather crude figures. It wasn't till April that I found my Etsy niche, which is specialty buttons. I had one set that had been custom ordered, and didn't sell, so I listed them anyway. Then I began attending BNRs and BNSs on Etsy (a selling spree system, Buy and Replace and Buy and Stay, where someone buys your item in a treasury and then they in turn get featured in your spot), and my buttons sold, and re-sold, and sold again........ Ever since then, my button making has taken off, which is really nice. But it's funny that the thing that sells best for me is the thing that I never meant to make in the first place.

Describe your creative process?
It depends on the situation. Sometimes I just sit down with my clay and start making buttons without a goal in mind or even a conceived notion as to how I want them to be---I just pick out a few colors that all the sudden stand out to me and run with it. That is always a fun process. Other times I know exactly what I want, and I fall to making them......or they turn out completely different from what I wanted. It's an adventure, and it's a very fun one. :)

How are you promoting your work?
I don't have many ways of promoting yet. Mostly I attend BNRs and that really gets the word out because it's always a great crowd and great publicity. Otherwise just getting to know folks on Etsy is a great way to get business. :) Hearting other folks' items and shops have brought me several sales, not to mention hearts and circles (Now I have switched to Etsy lingo, haven't I? ;)

Where do you want to be in ten years?
The problem to me is getting too busy. Etsy is the only source of income I have right now, and I'm not really able to devote all of my time to it. So to answer your question, I don't know if I shall be around on Etsy in ten years. :) Since I am just beginning to get sales, I will have to see if it turns out to be something I want to pursue in earnest, and if the profit is worth the effort. But I intend to have a steady income by then from some sort of home business. :)

In Flight.....Again

So I am sitting in the airport waiting for my flight again....same airport a few days later.  So heres to all in the midst of travel may we all get there safely.

Curated Treasuries That Featured Postcards In The Attic

These beautiful treasuries where curated by my ETSY teammates.  I am honored they chose my items to be included.  Please Check them out and comment.  TY

Tuesday's Treasuries and New Listings

A treasury created by Halles House. 
They Were Soldiers
I am honored to have my postcard featured in this beautifully curated treasury.


Some new listings  and today's BNR treasuries. Please check them out. Thank you

Newly Added Along With Several More On My Site

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74713278/vintage-postcard-victorian-lady-in-hat

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74698859/vintage-postcard-barcelona-spain-the

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74698464/vintage-postcard-comical-kittens-series?ref=v1_other_2

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74698129/vintage-postcard-anglo-kid-series-dutch?ref=v1_other_2

Today's Treasuries

Saturday's Treasuries

Good Morning Everyone!!!  Here are a selection of treasuries that I have the honor of being featured in.  I am off to Turtle Bay Have a great day!!!


OPEN NO MINIMUM BNR MAGIC 16~



OPEN - BNR - BUY AND STAY /BNE TILL 16 SALES - BIG RAFFLE



Round 3 -OPEN NOW- All Weekend BNR/BNS ~ Friday 13th



OPEN BNR Designs Early Saturday - Sales Today ~ 5



OPEN BNS ~~Team bnr Uprising~~ Sales~7

Thursday's BNR and BNS Treasuries

I hope that you have a chance to check out these wonderful treasuries and meet all of us that are participating.  If you stop by make sure that you say "Hi Butterfly" in the comments.  I am hosting a little game tonight...

Be the first one to visit each of these treasuries then post a "Hi Butterfly" in the comments at each treasury.  While you are there make note of which item I have listed in each one.  Make a comment here with the list include your email address and you will win a coupon code just for you for $5.00 off any item (yes, even if it is only $5.00 then it is free with the exception of shipping.)  Contest ends 5/6/11 at 4:00am Pacific Time.

Can you find me in Girly Girl?



How about in Lovely?



And last but not least May Flowers?

My New Discovery on ETSY

I just discovered what they call BNR and BNS treasuries. These treasuries are wonderful fun for sellers and buyers alike. I have bought an item from each of the treasuries I am proud to post below and then they add one of my items to the treasury. I have purchased two pieces of jewelry, some homemade lip balm and some Lilac Soap. Please tweet, FB or convo these for me. Stop by each and leave a comment, I appreciate the support and I am sure the other shop owners will appreciate the feedback and sales too. I am really excited about this new opportunity (I am sure you can tell.) Hope to see you there.

Aromatherapy Thursday - Geranium

Many of us grew up with grandmothers and mothers running to the garden center every year to get their traditional red, white, or pink Geraniums.  I remember these plants as very lovely to look at but not having any smell.  Over the years I have discovered that there are many variations of this well known plant.

Geranium Window Box - Large 12" x 18" print of original watercolor painting frames to 18" x 24"
This print from Rhonda's Studio can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/fourteeneighteen?ref=seller_info

In aromatherapy most often oil from the stems and leaves of the Rose Geranium are used.  However, I have personally grown a Cinnamon Geranium and Citronella Geranium and both smell delicious.  

Geranium Rose Essential Oil found in ETSY shop Adamsboro Sundries

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AdamsboroSundries?ref=seller_info

I am particularly fond of how the Rose Geranium oil pairs with Rose oil.  I only use a small amount of the Geranium oil when mixing the two but it makes the Rose scent pop.  You can create wonderful bath salts, potpourri, message oils, and lotions with the Geranium as your main scent.  Rose Geranium not only smells wonderful but does have a reputation with the ladies.



It is noted in many books to help with a woman's premenstrual symptoms, including tender breasts.  This is one the only homeopathic tips I know that works for reducing that dreaded symptom many women suffer with every month.  For relieving this symptom mix a few drops of Rose Geranium with a few drops of Lavender in warm water and then soak a towel in this mixture.  Ring the towel out so it isn't soaking wet (of course) place on the tender area and lay another towel over the top and relax.  Leave this as long as you can, if you are like me it will be as long as it stays warm. 

Creating bath mixtures using the oil has been noted to help with premenstrual symptoms also.  Along with the therapeutic effects of the bath using Geranium Oil in a vaporizer or diffuser may help with those fluctuating hormones.  And the scent has an overall effect on a person's mood; it has been used to chase away the blues and can increase the sense of harmony and wellbeing.  This lovely scented oil has many wonderful properties and can be used in such a variety of ways that I personally see a benefit when using it.  Please note that pregnant women should not use Geranium oils due to the effect it has on hormones.



Geranium Rose Bath Tea found at an up and coming ETSY Shop Tree Of Life Botanicals
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TreeofLifeBotanicals?ref=seller_info

Geranium is can be used topically for balancing oily and dry skin.  Whenever using essential oils always mix with carrier oils such as sweet almond or vegetable oil.  The mix ratio for most oils is 5 drops of essential oil to 2 teaspoons of carrier oil (for adults only.)  Make sure to do a patch test to assure that there are no allergies to the oil/oils you plan to use.  To patch test; use a very small area of your body, your wrist works well, place a dab or drop of the mix on your skin and allow remaining there for 24 hours checking for any reaction. 

Please note that any aromatherapy should never take the place of a visit to your physician and to always consult with your physician before using any homeopathic product.

Here is a treasury that features ETSY shops that offer lovely handmade bath and beauty with Geranium oil scent.

I'm Exhausted and It's Only Tuesday - I'm In Need Of A Home Spa

So...I realize that it is only Tuesday but for some reason or another I am exhausted.  I can't drink enough coffee or smell enough peppermint to get myself going.  Along with those symptoms, I have a writer's block of sorts so I apologize in advance. 

I am dreaming of getting a spa treatment on a Caribbean Island but the reality is that I am freezing my tuchus off on a mountain.  So...what's the next best thing?  A home spa!   My treasury and featured shop include those home spa necessities.  I hope you can treat yourself to some of these yummy delights.

To start off my fantasy spa...Hana sent me a wonderful sample of her Detox Foot Scrub and Hydrating 101 Body Butter.  I really enjoyed the foot scrub but I especially loved the Body Butter.  It is thick, very creamy and absorbs right away leaving your skin feeling immediately softer.  Love it!!!  So, thank you Hana Essentials at  http://www.etsy.com/shop/hanaessentials?ref=pr_shop



Wonderful scent at Hana Essentials



Love how my skin felt after using this product A++ at Hana Essentials



Maybe this is what I need to wake up today found at Hana Essentials



Now to complete my fantasy home spa...My Treasury

If you are on a budget; fear not.  Here is a treasury full of spa-bath & beauty samples all $2.00 and under + Shipping. Treat yourself or treat a friend or maybe both!