Autumn Updates

It's now Fall and the leaves are starting to change here in North Carolina. This is my favorite time of the year. Pumpkins everywhere, warm tones in orange, yellow, and red, cooler weather, and delicious scents both for food and skincare.

I must say though that while everyone else is gearing up for the change in seasons and the holidays, I am gearing down in a way. With the start of a new journey at a different college, I am placing more emphasis on my schoolwork and less focus on new products. Of course I will make a couple of holiday soaps and restock soaps that are selling, but I will be slowing down on the new product formulations and releases to focus on my studies. In fact, unless there are orders or dire restocks needed during the week, I won't be doing much with my soaps except on the weekend. While I desperately want to open my own shop one day, it's not practical to place all of my efforts on something else when I am trying to push forward with my Accounting studies and career. The handmade soap industry is flooded right now. That means the market is full of talented soapers and competition is tough. Not everyone is going to like your products, and just because you have likes on your page doesn't mean people are buying anything and vice versa. With all of this being said, I am still holding on to my soap shop dream. However, my Accounting career is within real distance while my soap shop dream is further away. I am hopeful that I will get there eventually, but I still have a family to feed and bills to pay just as everyone else does.

So, here is what I've been up to lately.

For those wondering where the Psoriasis & Eczema soap is in my shop, I have made more bars so they will be restocked this week. No more messy petals on top and the Hazelnut Oil has been eliminated due to the shelf life of the oil.

We have also reformulated our Herbal Setting Spray. It's got plenty of natural skin loving ingredients that are known to help with rosacea, acne, scarring, uneven skin tone, spots, and blemishes.

 We've got a restock and new look to our famous Lemongrass soap. Made with all natural colorants such as Green Tea powder and Titanium Dioxide (yes, it is a natural colorant), I am very satisfied with the design of these gorgeous bars. They're are also made with Goat's Milk for a creamy lather. They'll be in the stores this upcoming week!

 The Apple Pumpkin Crunch Cake smells absolutely delicious with a mix of cinnamon, brown sugar, pumpkin, and crisp apple. The scent screams Fall. It's topped with gold melt and pour embeds, and black and orange pumpkin embeds. The tops are also sprinkles with a little red mica to add a bit more color. These will also be in the stores this upcoming week. Note that these are seasonal, so once they are gone, they will not be available again until next year.

 A new scent I have made is the Lavender & Lemon. It's fresh, but floral and little bit herbal. Made with Goat's Milk, Lavender Essential Oil, and Lemon Essential Oil. It has the creamy lather you'd expect from a Goat Milk soap and a light scent of Lavender and fresh Lemon. Coming to stores at the end of this month.

 Our new whipped soaps are creamy in texture but create lots of rich, fluffy lather. They are great for showering, bathing, and shaving. However, I do not recommend guys using our whipped soap for their face. I have just created a men's shaving soap which will be available in stores in October. The whipped soaps come in Apple Toffee, Sweater Weather (Vermont Maple), Soft Cashmere, Peppermint Bliss, and Buttercream. Perfectly delicious scents for Fall! These are already available in our Etsy store and will be available at An Artisan's Emporium within the next couple of weeks.

 I am working on a comfort line that will help people through cold season as well as through times when they just need a bit of comforting and no one else is around. People get down and out and they need some comforting which is why I am working on comfort pillows that have replaceable Lavender sachets. You can sleep with these at night, or just hold them close and breathe in the Lavender for soothing your tempers and emotions. The pillows will not contain essential oils. I currently have shower steamers available in Lavender for relaxation and Spearmint Eucalyptus for sinus and cold. Check them out!

 I am in LOVE with the new Patchouli soap! This Patchouli is replacing my previous Patchouli soap. This batch is made with Cambrian Blue Clay which is very cleansing but not drying. It draws out impurities from skin but also nourishes skin, heals damaged skin, and works wonders on wrinkles and splotchy skin. It is also made with Patchouli Essential Oil, Blood Orange Essential Oil, and Lavender Essential Oil for an earthy scent with a hint of sweet citrus and floral.

 So, I was hoping these Black Velvet soap bars would be more black than cream, but I used a fragrance that accelerated trace and I wasn't ready for it. I think they turned out fantastic still. Scented with a mix of fresh powder, perfumy floral, and sweet, ripened berries. I love love love this fragrance mix. However, these are seasonal, meaning that once they're gone, they're gone until next year. They'll be ready for sale near the end of October.

 My sweet love, Vintage. I love the scent mix with this too. Front notes of fresh floral with a back note of zesty citrus. I love the scent of these. They are also made with Hibiscus Flower powder, Lemon Peel Powder, Carrot Powder, and Titanium Dioxide for the colorants. I'm happy with the swirls. These will also be ready for sale near the end of October.






I sold out of these at the last craft show I attended. So, I will be making a restock of these within the next couple of weeks. People gave great feedback on the fragrance which is a mix of Lavender, Bergamot, and Amber. It's got a darker scent and it goes with the colors. It is a favorite with men as well as women.






Now, so far as events are concerned, I've got a very busy October scheduled.

• Sunday, October 9-- Tractor Supply in Roxboro, NC
• Saturday, October 15-- Warren Family Store in Prospect Hill
• Saturday, October 22-- Carrington Middle School in Raleigh, NC

My last craft show I've got set up is in November. So, that will be my last craft show until Spring. With the weather and the holiday season, Spring through Fall are the better times for me to attend craft shows. I'll be posting as much information as I can with regards to events, news, and products.

Until next time,

Kristine

New Items and Sneak Peaks

Rose Water Setting Spray
Photo taken by: Kristine with Earth N Moon

Good afternoon! Hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday!

My daughter is taking a nap right now, so I have some time to get my blog posts done and inventory done. Yes, I religiously keep up with my inventory. Since I am constantly making new products and get in-person sales, I take a complete inventory twice a month. Once at the beginning, and once at the end.

This post features new items I have added to the Etsy store as well as sneak peaks of new items that have either been made and not added yet or items that are still in the planning stages.

My first new item is the Rose Water Setting Spray. It is 100% all natural and made with red rose petals, lavender buds, distilled water (always distilled water in all of my products that require it-no microbes!), Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera, and Tamanu Oil. This is a quick-dry setting spray. After you apply your makeup, just spray all over your face and allow it to dry. Lasts all day!

Black Diamond Eye Shimmer
Photo taken by: Kristine with Earth N Moon

The next item on my list is my new Black Diamond Eye Shimmer. It is a dark gray that is close to black with shimmers of gold, pink, silver, and slight undertone green shimmers. It is the perfect eye shimmer for smoky eyes with a hint of reflective shimmer. Use it with or without an eye primer, it's totally up to you. Washes off easily, but lasts throughout the day.

I do have some more eye shimmers that I am getting ready to put on the site. I am hoping to get those ready before June so they can be included in the June Sale event on the 17th through the 19th.

I get asked all the time if I use my own products, and the answer is absolutely! Why wouldn't I? I make a separate sample for myself to try. If I don't like it, I don't approve it for sale to the public. I also use my own products on a daily basis. Yes, I use the soaps, skincare, and cosmetics because if I can't use anything else. I have noticed a huge difference in my skin's improved complexion, texture, and the overall appearance of my skin. Plus, any product I use that is not handmade or natural dries my skin out really bad. Now, a lot of people mistake all handmade products as being natural products which is not necessarily true. Natural handmade products are products that contain ingredients obtained from nature. In other words, the ingredients are made by nature, not man. Handmade products may be made with natural ingredients, but are not necessarily 100% natural. Some of the items I make are indeed 100% natural like the Rose Water Setting Spray, Antibacterial Spray, Clear Skin Spritzer, Tea Tree Lip Balm, Original Lip Balm, Lemongrass Lip Balm, Lip Butters, Sea Weed Clay Mask, Wheatgrass & Olive Leaf Face Mask, and most of the Eye Shimmers. Check out the Etsy store for individual listings.

Antibacterial Spray
Photo taken by: Kristine with Earth N Moon

The Antibacterial Spray is also a new item in which is made-to-order meaning that it will take approximately two weeks processing time to ensure that I have the bottles and materials ready. Since it is a natural antibacterial spray, I would prefer not to keep these on hand and just make them to order. I also offer rush shipping after the product is made if customers require a faster shipping method than USPS. Normally it does not take two weeks, but I allow myself the specified time just in case something happens. The Antibacterial Spray comes in 1 oz, 2 oz, and 4 oz sizes. Check the Etsy listing for pricing.

On to sneak peaks! We have already made and are packaging the following items which will be at the Virgilina Summerfest in less than two weeks.
We will be introducing:

• Watermelon Lip Balm-This is a tinted lip balm with the flavor of juicy, sweet watermelon. Perfect for starting the Summer off just right!
• Lip Tints-I have already made 4 starter shades that will be introduced along with the Watermelon Lip Balm.
• Raspberry Lemon Fizz Soap-Smells just like raspberry lemonade and made with our Goat's Milk formula for soft, smooth skin.
• Springtime Soap-Scented with Clover & Aloe for a fresh, clean way to start your day.
• Black Raspberry Vanilla Soap-Delicious black raspberry with a slight hint of vanilla. These will come in generous 4 oz. bars. I wanted to see how people would respond to a larger bar. They are $8.00 each which would be the same price for 2 2oz. bars.
• Hot Pink Soap-Scented with a sweet tropical fruit blend and topped with lime. A perfect addition to Summer scents and soaps.

Thank You!
Photo created by: Kristine with Earth N Moon

Wow! That's a lot of new stuff! So, if you have time, check out the Etsy store, and if you are planning on coming to the Virgilina Summerfest on May 28th in Virgilina, VA, come by and see me!

Oh, I also wanted to mention that we have hit the big 100 for followers and fans! Thank you for all of your love and support! 

Check back with me as my next post will feature a recipe for basic cold process soap.

Cheers!

Kristine

Successful Event!

So, if you have been following me or at least reading my blogs, you'll notice on the Blogger site that the events I attend are listed on the left-hand side of the screen.

Earth N Moon booth at the Apr. 23rd Person County Crafter's Market

Today I attended the last Person County Crafter's Market as there will be a permanent store set up instead. I think we did rather well. I was super excited to talk to people and get my name out there to those within the community and those visiting. The last event was successful as well, so I have opted to put an application in with An Artisan's Emporium to display my products in the store. I think that will be a great move for me, or at least I imagine it will with all of the in-person success I've had lately. Most were repeat customers, so I'm very grateful that they are enjoying their goodies.

The Seaweed Clay Mask did phenomenal! I completely sold out of that so I need to make some more of that plus I am going to start experimenting with lotions, antiseptic sprays, and soap cupcakes. Yes, you read correctly, soap cupcakes. No, they're not edible, but they will be food-scented soaps in the shape of cupcakes. As I am typing this, I'm getting kind of nervous about the idea of soap that smells and looks like edibles, so I will definitely make sure to put my caution labels on these!

So, nothing is set in stone yet because I have to submit my application and be approved, but I am hoping to become apart of An Artisan's Emporium where my items will be on display for the whole town to see! I'll post updates as available. I will say that there will be two lines of my products (if my application is approved)-one line exclusively for the store and a separate line of different items for other venues.

My next post will be a continuation of the Professionalism section. So, keep an eye out for that if you enjoy reading my blogs.

Hope to see you again.

Cheers!
Kristine