My weekend

As you might know, my husband and I own a professional archery shop in conjunction with my skin care product business. We sell bows and archery equipment, as well as service bows for customers.

This past weekend, we displayed at an outdoors event in Oshkosh, Wi. The event had been going on for years, and had a great turnout. We decided to vend and sell apparel representing the bow manufacturer that we retail. We paid our booth fee expecting to bring in much more in sales. This was our first show, and we had high expectations. The show reportedly brings in 70,000 during the 3 day event.


We set up and were ready to go, having lots of help on hand to assist with the sales. I almost got a whole book read. Yep, you guessed it, we flopped. Other repeat vendors told us that this year's attendance wasn't even one fifth of the past years. We didn't even break even. With the cost of the booth, extra insurance for the event, and the purchase of additional apparel items for resale put us in the black.

Many vendors even packed up and left after the second day. It was that bad. So, is this the norm all over the country, or is it just in my area? I really don't know. I do know that most folks were not buying. They were picking up the freebies and walking out with literature. Very few bought anything from anyone.

I was bummed. I was hoping to really get a good following. We did get our name out to the community by having the booth. There is no way to know how many people will actually come in to purchase at a later date, but I know we did let a few area people know that we are here. That is a great thing, but it sure makes for expensive advertising.

What do you think? Is this a nation wide symptom of a slow economy or is it different where you live? We would love to hear your comments.

How can I forget my own soap?

Ok, so I sometimes forget my own soap when I go away overnight. Yes, that is absolutely ridiculous, I know, but I always have more soap than I know what to do with, so why would I think of packing it?

So, anyways, when I forget my wonderful soap, I end up with my own eczema flare ups. I don't think of myself as having eczema just because I rarely have any problems. I only know that I have eczema because when I go to a hotel and forget my soap, I have to use the gross stuff that I find in the bathroom of the hotel.

When I use that soap, I start to dry out and my skin flares up in little red patches on the inside of my elbows. It started out as just the inside of my right elbow, every time I used soap that wasn't my own. More recently, I have been finding that my left elbow also starts to rash up and itch like crazy.

I kick myself when I forget my soap, but once I get home and start using my own soap for a few days, it is all gone again until the next time I have a brain fade and forget my soap. In the mean time, I can't stand the itching.

What I like to use to soothe the itching is plain shea butter. It is great stuff. I carry the unrefined shea butter so it has all the good properties to it. It is good for relieving itchies, rashes, and even bug bites. I rub it on my lips for lip balm when I find that I am parched.

So, that is my shameful admission for the day. I can't imagine what you all must think of my silliness, but I usually just have so much else to get ready that I barely get enough socks in my suitcase for three kids, one husband and myself.

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Fall Candles

Fall is just around the corner. A few weekends ago I went canoing and we saw some of the trees losing their green, much to my surprise. I am not ready for it, but it is on its way.

So, that means that I am starting to make more fall and winter scents. Candles are the first things that I am working on. Pumpkin Spice and others are richly scented with warm, soothing notes. They are sure to delight you in a variety of sizes.

I even have some lovely Blackberry Tea candles poured in one of a kind pottery containers, hand made by a local artist, Pottery by Angela. There are a limited number of these available, and when they are gone, there might not be any more.

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More Makeup Helpers

We have once again formulated a natural makeup remover, and a makeup setting spray. Both of these products work great and actually improve the condition of your skin.

Erase the Day makeup remover contains jojoba oil and vitamin E, both of which are fantastic for the skin. Even sensitive skin types love this product. Non-greasy, no preservatives.

Our makeup setting spritzer sets your makeup in place. After applying all of your makeup, spritz a couple of sprays onto your face. Then, for a completely finished look, brush a light layer of foundation over the top and you are ready to go.

Both products are in a small container, easy for traveling and storage. A little goes a long way, and smaller containers stay fresh.


Get yours today.

New Items in today

We just got in a shipment of bath accessories that everyone can use.

We have always carried our wonderful cedar soap dishes, but when I saw these, I thought that they were cute and functional, so we got some in. She is a scraggy head soap dish.

THREE, count them, three different kinds of nail brushes. I know I can use one of these, since I am always getting stuff under my fingernails. That is where most germs hide. Even with good washing techniques, germs can hide under fingernails unless you wash under them with a soft bristle nail brush.


We have some colorful plastic brushes, tan wood brushes, and brown wood brushes. They are reasonably priced and ready to go.

Need a gift for someone? Make it a basket by choosing a bar of soap, a soap dish, a nail brush, and a lip balm. Everyone can appreciate these kinds of gifts. Stop in the store and we can send you home with a free gift bag with your purchase.

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Mineral Makeup helpers

This week, I will be formulating and producing more of my fantastic makeup remover and makeup spritzer. I have had these products in the past, but have been coming up with improvements to offer to you.
Again, these will be all natural, with no parabens, harmful chemicals or toxins. There will be only good ingredients for your skin. Nutrients to nourish and restore, vitamins and other additives that are sure to make the best of your beautiful skin.

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New Facial Creams to knock the age off...

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there. It may be a bit too late to suggest some Mother's Day ideas, but you don't have to wait for a special occasion to give Mom a treat.

I have created three new facial moisturizers for you to enjoy. They are in addition to the other two facial creams that I already carry.

24 Karat Gold Cream - you have asked for it, and now it is here. A wonderful anti aging cream for your face. Super moisturizing and full of nutrients for your skin. There is no magical cure in this jar, but it does work. As skin ages, it becomes damaged. This cream fills the skin with the nutrients it needs to heal and protect the skin from further damage, reversing those signs of aging in the process. It is not an overnight cure, but rather a gradual change with regular use.

Vanishing Cream - a creamy moisturizer that helps to eliminate discolorations like age spots, freckles, and uneven coloration. This cream contains a product that eliminates the production of melanin causing the discoloration. Because this product prevents melanin production, (melanin protects skin from the sun) you will need to make sure you are adequately protected with a sunscreen. HINT: our mineral makeup fits this bill for protection.

Amazing Cream - Do you suffer from under eye circles and unsightly bags? A lot of times this can be caused by allergies, as well. Researchers have found that "puffy eyes are due to fluid build-up caused by poor drainage, fragile capillaries, and loss of elasticity. Fluid leaks into surrounding tissues and produces "bags". [Amazing Cream] targets all three conditions by improving drainage, reducing capillary fragility, and reducing irritation and skin slackening while increasing skin firmness and elasticity." Regular use results in healthy, beautiful results.

Best of all, you can mix all three in the palm of your hand to apply together. Or, spot treat the areas you would like to use it on. At any rate, you will love the results.

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