Etsy Shop Feature + Giveaway

Today's Featured Seller is Scratchandsniff, a shop full of adorable dog silhouettes made using creative and fun paper.

The Frosted Button:
How long have you been crafting?

Scratchandsniff:
Michael's has been my favorite store ever since I was little. All of my birthdays I wanted to have some sort of crafts for everyone to make and go home with. In college I was a photography major and currently am a pet photographer. I took my love of pets and put it in craft form now with my vintage and unique paper dog silhouettes!

TFB:
What is your favorite thing to make?

scratchandsniff:
Cupcakes, not exactly a "craft" but I love desserts and the fact is that I can enjoy the benefits of making this in my tummy afterwards. hehe. I do love making the dog silhouettes in my etsy shop though, I can't help but love making the dachshund ones because I own a lil' doxie myself.


 TFB:
When did you first become interested in your craft?

scratchandsniff:
It seems I always get new ideas all the time. It's just taking that idea and bringing it to life that is the hard part. I just started really revamping my etsy shop over a month ago though. I'm so happy to finally find a craft that people want to buy and can cherish forever.

TFB:
What inspires your creations?

scratchandsniff:
My dapple dachshund, Scratch, is my HUGE inspiration. He is my best friend. I work from home so he keeps me company and because he has such a unique personality it made me want to also make pieces that are unique to other people's pets. That's why I love to do custom pieces. You can tell me the breed of dog you have and also something about the dog that is unique and I can try to find something that relates... plus it's no extra charge!

TFB:
Is there anything else you would like to tell my readers about yourself or your craft?

scratchandsniff:
I really want others to see what I do in my shop and tell their friends! Word of mouth is the best way to recommend something.. I just want to have my pieces in hundreds of homes where people can even pass it on and give as gifts. It makes me really happy to see that others are happy. So I'm just spreadin' the love to all the dog owners out there!

Thanks so much for sharing your lovely shop with us!

Now for a giveaway! Scratchandsniff is giving one of my readers any 8x10 inch piece from the shop! It can even be customized! Isn't that exciting??

Here's how to enter:

Visit Scratchandsniff , then come back here and tell me which item you would choose if you won (don't worry, you can change your mind after you win.)

For Extra Entries:

 Please do each one separately!

1. Heart  Scratchandsniff  on Etsy ( 2 entries)

2. Buy an item from Scratchandsniff (10 entries)

3. Follow this blog ( 2 entries)

4. Blog or Tweet this giveaway (2 entries for each you do)

Please leave a way for me to contact you if you win. If you put your e-mail, please spell it out to prevent spam (i.e. giveaway {at} gmail {dot} com)

Giveaway ends next Saturday, October 9 at 12 noon Central Time. The winner will be announced later that day.

Have fun!

Natural Skincare- Honey

Honey- that delicious golden yellow liquid that so many of us enjoy on breakfast foods and in teas. Who knew that you could actually put honey on your skin, not just your food!
Yes, that's right! Honey is an all-natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial substance that can do wonders for your skin!
Several years ago I became interested in making my own natural skincare products. I got a few books from the library and started doing some research on all-natural skincare products. During my reading, I found quite a few different recipes that called for honey. At first, it sounded, well, a bit gross to actually put that sticky stuff on your face! And I admit, when I did try it it felt a little weird. But trust me, that benefits are worth it! Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture, making it excellent for tired, dry skin. Honey is also acts an anti-irritant, making it suitable for those of us with sensitive skin.
One way to get the full benefits of honey is to apply it directly to your skin. You will want to use 100% raw honey, which may or may not be found at your local grocery stores. You can find raw honey at either health food stores, or by buying locally from someone who raises bees (the best source!). Before or after showering, clip hair back away from your face. You do not want any of that sticky stuff in your hair! Then apply a few teaspoons of honey directly onto your face. Let the honey sit on your face for a good 10-15 minutes, allowing it's wonderful properties to really sink into your skin. After 10-15 minutes, rinse the honey off with first warm (not hot!!), then cool water, thus closing your pores. Ahh, doesn't your skin feel better already? You will notice that your skin is softer and more evenly toned after the honey mask. Use the mask up to 3 times a week to get the full skin toning benefits.
While a plain honey mask is the fastest and easiest to prepare, here is other recipe you might like to try:

Honey and Sugar Scrub

3 t. ground oats
1 t. sugar
honey, just enough to moisten mixture

Mix all ingredients together and smooth onto face in a circular motion. Leave on face 1 minute; rinse with warm, then cool water. Pat dry and apply your favorite facial moisturizer. This scrub will leave your skin super soft and glowing!


Still don't have time to make anything? Then hop on over to Etsy.com and check out these wonderful products full of honey!

Goats Milk Oatmeal and Honey Soap

Sugar Bomb Scrub- Oatmeal and Honey

Oat and Honey Cleanser






Honey Lip Balm




Honey-Almond Soap Set








Honey Bear Liquid Soap

I hope you enjoyed my first post about natural skincare! There are so many wonderful herbs and natural products out there that are wonderful for the skin and hair!

I plan on writing more posts on this same topic on the following herbs and natural products:

Lavender

Milk

Chamomile

and more!!

Giveaway #4- Winner!

Well, today was the last day of my 100th post celebration giveaways! Wasn't that fun? I am going to try to have weekly giveaways/ Etsy shop features, just because this was so much fun!
Now for the winner of the bobby pins from AllureByU!

Congratulations to......


jc

I've have contacted you and you will have 478 hours to respond before a new winner is picked. Thanks so much to everyone who entered my giveaways! I gained many new followers, and I'm sure the featured Etsy shops appreciated the extra hearts and views, too!

Giveaway #3- Winner!

The winner of the Serenade Floral necklace from Beadpod is.....

MO!

Congratulations!! I have contacted you via e-mail and you will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is picked.

Giveaway #4

Today's featured shop is AllureByU , a shop full of unique, nature inspired jewelry!


I love this lovely birdcage necklace. It has a wonderful Victorian feel, and I especially love the pistachio, raspberry, and opaque bead cluster at the top.




Allure's ring are sure to add a pop of color to your outfit! These rings are offered in a variety pf colors, from this beautiful turquoise to a deep amethyst color.









Isn't this bracelet unique? The leaf accent and lovely dark turquoise speckled beads would make this a perfect fall bracelet.












Now for the giveaway! AllureByU is giving away this pretty pair of mini chrysanthemum bobby pins to one of my readers!

Here's how to enter:

1. Visit AllureByU, then come back here and tell me what you favorite item is from the shop.

Extra Entries

Please do each one separately!

2. Heart AllureByU on Etsy (1 entry)

3. Buy an item from Allure's shop, then come back and tell me what it was ( 10 entries)

4. Follow this blog (2 entries)

5. Blog about giveaway (3 entries)

6. Facebook/Twitter about the giveaway ( 4 entries if you do both, 2 entries for one)

Please leave your e-mail in each comment so I can contact you if you win. Feel free to "write" out your e-mail for security purposes.

This giveaway will end on September 23 at 12 noon Central Time, and a winner will be announced later that day.

Have fun!

Giveaway #2- Winner!

Sorry I'm late in announcing the winner for giveaway #2!
The winner of the fingerless gloves from SheepishKnitCrochet is....

asku!

Congratulations!! I have contacted you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is picked.

I was so excited about this giveaway- it was my most popular yet with over 260 entries! Thanks everyone!

Giveaway #1 - Winner!

The giveaway from PoppiesPoshPixels ended today and a winner was picked!
Congratulations to.......




PoppyLand!

I have contacted you and you will have until Monday to respond before a new winner is picked.

More winners (and giveaways!) coming up this week!

Giveaway #3-CLOSED

Today's giveaway is from Beadpod, an Etsy shop full of feminine and dainty jewelry.

I have so many favorites from this shop! The rings at left are so delicate, and have a almost Victorian feel.






These earrings are a new edition. Aren't they pretty? They have a Oriental-Vintage feel that would go perfectly with a black dress!












Besides selling many jewelry pieces, this shop also has some lovely hair accessories, all for a very reasonable price.







Now for the giveaway! Beadpod is giving away a lovely floral Serenade necklace to one of my readers!

Here's how to enter:

Visit Beadpod on Etsy, then come back here and tell me what you favorite item is from her shop.

Extra Entries:

Please do each one separately!!

1. Heart Beadpod on Etsy ( 1 entry)

2. Buy an item from Beadpod's shop ( 10 entries). Please tell me what you bought in your comment.

3. Follow this blog (2 entries)

4. Blog about this giveaway (2 entries) Please leave URL in comment so I can visit!

5. Facebook/ Twitter about the giveaway (2 entries for one, 4 if you do both)

Please leave your e-mail in your comments so I can contact you if you win.

Giveaway will end September 16 at 12 noon Central time. The winner will be randomly picked and announced later that day.

Have fun!

Giveaway #2- CLOSED

Time for giveaway #2!

Today's giveaway is from SheepishKnitCrochet, an Etsy shop run by a college student who loves knitting!

The colors and items in this shop are perfect for fall- doesn't that scarf look so cozy?








SheepishKnitCrochet sells a wonderful variety of items, from cozy scarves and hats to functional, yet stylish, fingerless gloves.









There are some cute little i-Pod cozies, too!







For today's giveaway, SheepishKnitCrochet is giving one of my readers the following pair of sock monkey fingerless gloves!!

Aren't they cute? Here's how to enter:

Visit SheepishKnitCrochet , then come back here and tell me what your favorite item is.

Extra Entries

Please do each one separately!

~Heart SheepishKnitCrochet's Etsy shop (1 entry)

~Buy and item from SheepishKnitCrochey (10 entries) Make sure to tell me which item you bought in the comment.

~Follow this blog (1 entry)

~Blog about this giveaway (2 entries) Leave blog URL so I can check it out!

~Twitter or Facebook the giveaway ( 2 entries)

Please leave your e-mail in each comment so I can contact you if you win.

Giveaway is open to everyone! Giveaway will end September 13 at 12 noon Central time, and the winner will be annouced later that day.

Have fun!

Working on Buttons

I'm in the midst of designing a button for my blog. Do you like this one or should I keep trying?