Apple Valley Natural Soaps- Winner!

The winner of the soaps from Apple Valley Natural Soaps is....

Anna Faith!!!

Congratulations, Anna!

I have sent your contact info to Apple Valley and they will

contact you about picking your soaps.

Enjoy!



Winner of Print from Aldari!

We have a winner for the giveaway from Aldari!

The winner is.....

Olivia!!

Congratulations, Olivia! I hope you love your new print!



Handmade Friday Feature- SeaPinks

Today's featured shop is SeaPinks, a whimsical shop

that offers collectable handmade crafts.

The Frosted Button:
How long have you been interested in crafting?

SeaPinks:
As far back as I can remember I've been into crafting and drawing. My parents said when I was a wee one I showed little interest in usual toys but give me a pen and notebook and I was set.
When I was a little older my mother showed me how to sew and I was in love. It was like drawing or painting with thread!

TFB: Do you have a best seller?

SeaPinks:
 My best seller is my pink grapefruit pincushion. Something about citrus, bright yellow and pink, well it just brightens your day!

TFB: What are your inspirations?

SeaPinks:
 I've always admired the artwork of Tasha Tudor and Beatrix Potter so many of my designs are of things one might find in an herb, vegetable or flower garden. This would include things like birds, bees or even the occasional gopher or inchworm.

TFB: What are some tips you would like to share with others who have their own handmade/home business?

SeaPinks:
 I am so glad I opened a shop on Etsy as an outlet for my work instead of letting it collect on shelves! Although I still feel like I'm winging it, some valuable lessons I've learned are to budget your time and money wisely, and organize your workspace. It will make for a more relaxing atmosphere in which to create. Also, carry around with you a pocket sized journal or notepad as you never know when or where you might find your next inspiration!
.

Shops:

{SeaPinks}

{Bubbletime}

(a shop that offers adorable

stuffed animals)

 

Product Review + Giveaway- Apple Valley Natural Soaps

Time for more product reviews!

I love product reviews! It is so much

fun getting to try new things and finding out

about new products.

Today's review is of Apple Valley Natural Soap.

Later last month I contacted the company to

see if they would be interested in doing a product

review on this blog.

I was so excited to receive a "Yes!" just a day after I

contacted them!

 So many times companies will take a week

or longer to get back to you- I was very impressed

with the quick response.

For this review I was able to test several different soap samples.

I received the Bella Rose, Peppermint and Tea Tree,

Marshmallow and Aloe and Coconut Oil/Citrus

Shampoo Body bars, plus a sample size of their Neem Oil

facial soap, Almond Joy lip balm, and Gardener's Scrubby soap.

The shipping was very  fast- under a week, I believe.

All of the soaps smelled very fresh and natural.

I wasted no time in trying out some of the bars.

I first tried the Bella Rose Shampoo/Body bar on my hair and body,

and the Neem Oil Soap on my face.

Both were very refreshing to use and smelled great, too!

I love the fact that if I am in a hurry I can use the Shampoo/Body

bar on not only hair and body, but face as well without breaking out (I have sensitive/combination skin).

While I haven't used all of the samples yet, I am very impressed with the quality

of these products, especially the Shampoo and Body bars.

For the last year or so I have really struggled with having oily hair.

No shampoo I tried seemed to clean it well, even though I would suds up multiply

times, let it sit in my hair, etc. ( I have really thick hair)

I try to eat healthy and am overall a very health person, so I was baffled

about my hair problem.

When I received my samples I decided to try out the shampoo bar,

though I didn't hold out any hopes that it would help, since much stronger

shampoos didn't seem to work very well.

You can imagine my surprise, then, when after a few days I noticed

that my hair wasn't oily anymore!

After spending money on "name brand" shampoos for oily hair,

I was elated to find this shampoo that costs a mere $4.95 per bar

that works so much better than the costly shampoos I had been using!

I am definitely  sold on these shampoo bars!

Another great plus is that they are "Curly Girl" friendly, which mean

they can be used if you are Curly Girl Method

( which I have started for my naturally curly hair)

{My soaps! I received more samples, but didn't

get around to taking a picture until I had already

started using several of them)

The soaps came neatly packaged in small paper

bags with a cute label.

I kept my bags around so if I wanted to

save a sample and try another I could easily slip it bag

into the bag once it was dry and keep it until the next time I use it.

The samples were generously sized, and so far have lasted my nearly

a month.

You can read all about the soaps by going to Apple Valley Natural's Home Page

Thank you so much Apple Valley!

This was a very fun review and I look

forward to trying more of your products in the future!

*Giveaway*

One of my readers will have the chance to

win 2 bars of their choice from Apple Valley Natural Soaps!

{Mandatory Entry}

Visit Apple Valley Natural Soap

and take a look at the different soaps that they offer.

Then come back here and tell me

which soaps sound the best!

1 entry

{Extra Entries}

1. Follow Apple Valley Natural's Blog

2 entries

2. "Like" Apple Valley Natural's Facebook Page

3. Sign up for Apple Valley Natural's Newsletter

1 entry

If you sign up for the newsletter you will automatically

be entered in a monthly giveaway for free products!

4. Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway

2 entries for each you do

This giveaway is open to U.S. readers only.

This giveaway will run until June 26. The winner

will be selected using Random.org and announced

later that day.

***********

*Special Offer*

Any order of $25 or more (not including S/H) placed during

this giveaway will receive a FREE lip balm!

Just make sure to mention my blog when checking out

to receive this special offer.

Disclaimer:

{I was sent these item free of charge for the sole purpose

of giving them my honest review.

I was not asked to write this review, and all opinions are my

own unless otherwise stated}

And The Winners Are......

Can't you just feel the anticipation in the air??

The winners of my Fabulous 500 Follower Giveaway

are listed below!
It was so much fun picking all of the winners!

Before I announce the winners, I want to give a

big THANK YOU to my sponsors!

They donated some amazing prizes, don't you agree?

I also want to thank YOU for not only helping me reach 500 followers,

but going over that number as well! Right now I

have 87 more followers than when I started this giveaway! Yay!!

Thank you!

Now, let's see who won......

The $25 gift certificate to ProvidenceandGrace goes to.....

Holly!

The $25 gift certificate to PartyPoms goes to......

Lyudmila!

The pair of covered buttons earrings in red...

or blue goes to.......

Annie!

(from Daughter of His Grace blog)

(remember, if you don't have pierced ears these

can be made into clip -on's)

The lovely green card set from SewColorfulDesigns goes to.......

Peripatetic33!

This pretty blue butterfly necklace from

ajoeynamedrootoo goes to.......

Aldelei!

The yummy bubble candy from Pernillas

Something Sweet goes to....

ElfRenee!

The pair of chrysanthemum earrings

from SilverLotusDesigns goes to.......

Farmgirl!

The adorable charm pack

from onthegrain goes to......

Lindsay Conner!

Congratulations Everyone!

I hope you love your prizes!

Now to cut down on confusion on my part,

I  would like all of the winners to contact

me on THIS post with your e-mail

address, first name and what prize you won.

These comments won't be published.

This will help me when I send all of the contact

information to the various shops.

I hate getting things mixed up, so this will help a lot!

Thanks!

***Other Special Announcements***

isheshop (the shop who gave away the set of covered button earrings)
is offering 20% off any item from June 18-25!
This is a great offer, so you better go
get some earrings while it lasts!

And Ashlyn from Photography by Ashlyn

is having a Summer Giveaway!

Click the button below to check it out.

Handmade Friday Feature- Aldari

Today's featured shop is aldari, a fun shop

full of bright, colorful photographs and

illustrations.

I love this print! This is the print

that I first came across in this shop.

Isn''t it so fun??

This is another one of my favorite

prints from this shop.

It is so bright and cheerful!

Cute!

You can also purchase some really neat photography prints

in this shop, too. I really like this bike picture.

Where You Can Find Aldari:

{Etsy}

{Twitter}

{Blog}

{Facebook}

{tumblr}

For today's giveaway, aldri is offering one of

my readers their choice of any 8x8 or 8x10 print

from their shop!

There are sooo many different prints

to choose from- the winner will have fun!

Here's how you can enter:

{Mandatory Entry}

Visit aldari's Etsy shop and take a look around.

Then come back here and tell me what

your favorite item is from the shop.

1 entry

{Extra Entries}

1. Heart aldari's Etsy shop

2 entries

2. Add aldari to your Etsy Circle

1 entry

3. Fan/Friend aldari on

Facebook and/or Twitter

(2 entries for each you do

4. Blog, Facebook or Twitter about

this giveaway

2 entries for each you do

5. Add my button to your blog

1 entry

6. Follow this blog

2 entries

7. Follow aldari's blog

2 entries

*********************

This giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

Please do each comment separately.

Please leave me a way to contact you if you win.

Your e-mail or Etsy shop name is best.

If you would prefer to not have your information published,

just leave me a separate comment with your information

and ask me to not publish it.
I do this so it is easier to contact you if you should win.

The comment will be deleted once the giveaway ends.

This giveaway ends on June 25 at noon Central Time.

A winner will be selected using Random.org and announced

later that day.

P.S.

You have less than 24 hours to enter my Fabulous 500 Follower Giveaway!
Make sure to get any last minute entries in before noon Central Time tomorrow

Two Days Left!!

There is only tow days left to enter my Fabulous 500 Follower Giveaway!

Check out This Post to get links to all 8 giveaways.

Winners will be announced June 18, so make sure to check

back anytime after noon Central Time to see if YOU might

be a winner!!

Update on My Announcement.........

Several of you have asked about the URL for my shop.

Well, right now I don't currently have one set up (yet).

This shop is in the very early stages of being set up.

Once I get everything together and ready to go I will post the URL.

Hopefully that clarifies this for you. =)

Announcing.....

A new name.......

Lots of new items.....

A new shop....

Announcing my new Etsy shop

Cupcakes & Sprinkles

(tentative name)

After a year and a half selling under

the name "Emariecreations", I have decided

to open up a new shop with a new name that more accurately

portrays what I sell.

When I started up my shop I was the "co-owner"

with my sister.

So we collaborated together on a name that worked

for both of us.

Now she is on to more activities and less

crafting, and I am the sole owner and crafter

of Emariecreations.

I felt ready for a new beginning, so in just a few

short weeks I will be introducing my new shop.

Many of your favorites will be in this shop, plus

a whole lot of new and fun designs.

I can't wait!

I celebration, I am offer Free Shipping Worldwide

from today until my new shop opens.

Just use the coupon code "cupcakesandsprinkles"

to receive your discount.

{via}

Cupcakes show us that good things do come in small packages.

Handmade Friday Feature - Two Little Doves

Today's featured shop is TwoLittleDoves.

This shop offers a beautiful variety of necklaces, bracelets

earrings, hair accessories and more.

The Frosted Button:

What is your favorite piece to make?

TwoLittleDoves:

 Anything involving birds are always fun to make . People really like them too! Something about them resembles a certain peace and never seem to go out of style. They can symbolize many things. For example this necklace called “Come Home” features three tiny eggs in a sterling silver basket, with a mother bird flying to it. One customer said to leave a note to the receiver saying “Please come home.” It’s neat when a simple piece of jewelry can have an impact on someone.

{Come Home necklace}

The Frosted Button:

Do you have a best seller?

TwoLittleDoves:

Initials and lockets. People love the feeling of wearing something that’s very personal and unique to their personality. We have many necklaces that feature a simple initial. Whether it’s a tiny vermeil letter, or a stamped silver disk, there are even more customization options

with the many crystal choices that are available!

 Put a little picture of your kids, or dearly beloved, and the necklace is transformed into a truly unique piece.

                                        {Mini Custom Vermeil Letter and Crystal necklace}

{Tiny Vintage Locket}

The Frosted Button:

What are some tips you can share about selling handmade?

TwoLittleDoves:

Never give up. Giving up seems so easy as people may scoff at your handmade dreams, or online sales may be hard to come by. At first sales were slow for us. But as we kept  creating new items, being active in the community, and responding to peoples inquiries with a  positive and friendly attitude, we saw our sales grow little by little.  You also have to have confidence in your own work. If you wouldn't wear or use your own product, why would any one else? You must love what your doing. Believing in your work is essential to getting any one else to.  Everybody will travel a bumpy road, it’s just up to you, not to turn back.

The Frosted Button:

Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers about yourself 

or your products?

                   TwoLittleDoves:

  We put a lot of care into a single necklace. Our jewelry is all handmade with love. Honestly.  We  also love doing custom orders. Making a unique piece of jewelry for you, puts a smile on our face. Knowing that someone out there has a one of a kind necklace made by Two Little Doves is truly rewarding.

You have such a gorgeous shop!

Thank you for letting me feature you today.

{Links}

{Shop}

{tumblr}

**Special Discount*

TwoLittleDoves is offering my readers

a 10% discount on anything in the store!

Just use the coupon code twolittledoves4u when checking

out to receive the discount.

Have You Entered + Coupon Code

If you haven't had a chance to enter all

of my giveaway yet, here are the links to each one:

Day 1- Covered Button Earrings

Day 2- PartyPoms

Day 3- Butterfly Necklace

Day 4- Fabric Charm Pack

Day 5- Handmade Cards

Day 6- Homemade Candy

Day 7- Mineral Makeup

Day 8- Cabochon Flower Earrings

I will announce all of the winners on June 18, so make sure

to check back!

What was your favorite giveaway from the ones I did?

I like to know which ones were your favorites so I can

contact shops that sell similar items.

Also, remember the shop feature I did HERE on the Etsy shop HilaryCaroline?

Well, the owner of the shop, Hilary,  is offering a 10% off coupon to all of

my readers!!

Just enter the coupon code BUTTON10

to receive your discount!

Thanks, Hilary!

 Here

Fabulous 500 Follower Giveaway- Day 8

Today is Day 8, the final day of my giveaways.

I have had so much fun posting these giveaways for all of

you, and I hope that you had fun entering!

Today's sponsoring shop is SilverLotusDesigns.

This shop offers a beautiful variety of silver

and gold jewelry, plus some pretty colored jewelry, too.

This necklace is so pretty! I love the simple leaves.

~Beautiful, dainty gold earrings~

Another favorite necklace.

The miniature cherry blossoms on this

necklace are so lovely.

Now I did mention that this shop offers

more than silver and gold jewelry pieces.

There are some adorable cabochon flower

earrings in this shop as well, which you will

have the chance to win!

The winner of today's giveaway will get to pick out

a pair of flower cabochon earrings- your choice of color!

Here are just a few of the pretty colors you could pick:

Aren't those adorable? I wish I had my ears pierced so I could get some!

{Mandatory Entry}

Visit SilverLotusDesigns and take a look around, then

come back here and tell me what your favorite item is

from the shop

1 entry

{Extra Entries}

1. Heart SilverLotusDesigns' shop

{2 entries}

2. Add SilverLotusDesigns to

your Etsy Circle

{1 entry}

3. Blog, Facebook or Twitter about

this giveaway

{2 entries for each you do}

4. Follow this blog

{2 entries}

If you already follow, just let me know

5. Add my blog button and/or the giveaway button

to your blog

{2 entries}

6. Friend SilverLotusDesign on Facebook

*********************************

This giveaway is open Worldwide!

Please do each comment separately.

Please leave me a way to contact you if you win.

Your Etsy shop URL or e-mail is best.

If you would rather not have your contact information published,

just leave me a separate comment with your information

and ask me to not publish it.

The comment will be deleted as soon as the giveaway ends.

This giveaway will run until June 18.

It will end at noon Central Time and a winner

will be announced later that day.

Fabulous 500 Follower Giveaway- Day 7

Sorry that I didn't get a giveaway up yesterday.

I love doing these giveaways, but decided that I needed a day of rest

in there, too. =)

Today's sponsoring shop is ProvidenceAndGrace.

My sister first came across this shop about a year ago

when she became interested in mineral makeup (particularly eye shadow).
Both of us have tried different eye shadow samples from this shop and
are very impressed with the quality of this eye shadow.
My favorite color is Polished Silver, which is a beautiful silver
color that enhances your eyes without making you look overly made-up.
Another big plus is that many of the makeup options are vegan-friendly and
includes natural ingredients that won't clog your pores.

 Here is a sampling of the many products for sale:

~Beautiful Shimmery Eye Shadow~

~Solid Perfume~

~Mineral Makeup

Jen, the owner of Providence and Grace Cosmetics is offering

a $25 gift certificate to the winner of today's giveaway!

You can use it on anything in the shop, which includes mineral makeup, lip stick/gloss,

eye shadow, blush and more!

(check out the vibrancy of those colors!)

Here's how to enter:

{Mandatory First Entry}

Visit ProvidenceAndGrace's Etsy shop (or website)

and take a look around, then come back here

and tell me what item(s) you would most

like to try.

1 entry

{Extra Entries}

1. Heart ProvidenceAndGrace on Etsy

2 entries

2. Add Providence and Grace to your Etsy Circle

1 entry

3. Friend P&G on Facebook

2 entries

4. Follow Providence and Grace's Blog

2 entries

5. Follow this blog

2 entries

**************************************

This giveaway is open Worldwide!

Please do each comment separately.

Also, please leave either your e-mail or Etsy username so

I can contact you if you win.

If you would prefer to not have your contact information

published, just leave a me a separate comment with your information

and ask me to not publish it.

The comment will be deleted once the giveaway ends.

This giveaway will end on June 18 at noon Central Time.

The winner will be picked via random.org and announced

later that day.

P.S. Check out the HilaryCaroline giveaway to
see who one a $25 gift certificate to the store!!!

Fabulous 500 Follower Giveaway- Day 6

Today I have a sweet treat for you!

Pernilla's Something Swedish is a tasty little Etsy

shop that you don't want to miss.

I did a feature on this shop on my "old" blog

before I moved it over here.

You can read more about the shop by visiting

the link above and reading the feature.

This shop offers a wide variety of treats including.....

~Yummy, rich fudge~

~Healthy and delicious trail mix~

~Beautiful Jewelry~

....and more!

You can see more sweet treats in Pennie's
Artfire Shop

I really enjoyed work with Pennie (the owner) during her feature,
and when I decided to celebrate my 500 followers,
I knew I had to contact her again.
She is so helpful, energetic and nice- you can really
tell that she loves what she does!

Pennie very kindly offered to give away some
delicious looking Bubble Candy to one of my readers!
You can read more about the prize HERE

{Mandatory Entry}

Visit PernillasSS and take a look around then

come back here and tell me what your favorite item(s)

is from the shop

1 entry

{Extra Entries}

1. Heart Pennie's shop - 2 entries

2. Add PernillasSS to your Etsy Cirlce - 1 entry

3. Blog, Tweet or Facebook

about this giveaway

2 entries for each you do

4. Add my giveaway or blog button

to your blog sidebar

2 entries

5. Follow this blog

2 entries

6. Follow Pennie's blog

2 entries

*****************************************

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Please do each comment separately.

Also, please leave either your e-mail or Etsy username so

I can contact you if you win.

If you would prefer to not have your contact information

published, just leave a me a separate comment with your information

and ask me to not publish it.

The comment will be deleted once the giveaway ends.

This giveaway will end on June 18 at noon Central Time.

The winner will be picked via random.org and announced

later that day.

Faulous 500 Follower Giveaway- Day 5

**Special Notice**
A young lady who entered one of my giveaways alerted
me to the fact that my giveaway blog button doesn't work.
I'm sorry if you have all been trying to add it but are unable to.
I think I might have fixed it, but am not sure (I'm not very good at dealing with html!)
So, if you try out the button today and it works/doesn't work,
let me know.
Thanks!
*********************

Only 2 days left of giveaways! I can't believe how fast
this week has been flying by.

Today's sponsoring shop is SewColorfulDesigns, an Etsy

shop that offers a wide variety of handmade cards

for all occasions.

{card sets}

{birthday cards}

{best wishes}

{fathers day}

For today's giveaway, SewColorfulDesigns is giving away

this beautiful set of green notecards:

This set includes 4 handmade/sewn notecards with matching

embellished envelopes. They will come in a cute little crazy quilt fabric

pouch with button closure.

Here's how to enter:

{Mandatory First Entry}

Visit SewColorfulDesigns shop and take a look around.

Then come back here and tell me what your favorite item is

from the shop.

{1 entry}

{Extra Entries}

1. Heart SewColorfulDesigns shop

{2 entries}

2. Add SewColorfulDesigns to your Etsy Circle

{1 entry}

3. Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway

{2 entries for each you do}

Please leave the link back to the page in your comment

4. Follow this blog

{2 entries}

If you already follow, let me know

5. Add my giveaway button to your blog sidebar

{2 entries}

6. Enter any other of my current giveaways

{1 entry for each giveaway you enter}

Let me know which giveaway(s) you entered in the comment

***************************************

This giveaway is open Worldwide!

Please do each comment separately.
Also, please leave a way for me to contact you if
you win.
Your Etsy username or e-mail is best.
If you would rather not have your username or e-mail published,
just leave me a separate comment with your contact
information and ask me to not publish it.
The comment will be deleted as soon as the giveaway ends.

This giveaway will end on June 18 at noon Central Time.
The winner will be picked via random.org and announced
later that day.

Have fun and start entering!

Fabulous 500 Follower Giveaway- Day 4

Today's giveaway is perfect for the crafter and quilter!

onthegrain offers a beautiful variety of fabrics for today's quilters

and crafters.

This shop offers many colorful charm packs and fat quarters,

plus fabric by the half yard and yard.

I love this set of fabric scraps! Aren't the colors so pretty?

Cheryl, the owner of onthegrain is today's sponsor.

She is giving away 2 fabric charm packs to one of my readers!

The winner will receive this cute pack of fabric charms, which is a total

of 40 5-inch pieces, enough for a baby quilt!

These are the fabrics in this set:

{Mandatory Entry}

Visit onthegrain's Etsy shop and take a looks around.

Then come back here and tell me what your favorite item(s) is.

1 entry

{Extra Entries}

1. Heart onthegrain's Etsy shop -2 entries

2. Add onthegrain to your Etsy Circle - 1 entry

3. Friend onthegrain's Facebook page

4. Add the giveaway button and/or my blog button

to your blog sidebar

1 entry if you post one of my buttons, 2 if you post both buttons

5. Follow this blog - 2 entries

6. Are you a crafter or a quilter?

1 entry

*********************************************

Details

This giveaway is open Worldwide!

Please do each comment separately.

Also, leave a way for me to contact you if you should win.

Your e-mail or Etsy username is best.

If you would prefer to not have your comment published, just leave me

a separate comment with your e-mail and ask me to not publish it.

The comment will be deleted as soon as the giveaway ends.

This giveaway will end on June 18 at noon Central Time.

The winner will be selected via Random.org and announced

later that day.

Have fun entering!

**Don't forget to enter giveaways for Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3!

Fabulous 500 Follower Giveaway- Day 3

Today is the perfect summer day! Full sun, a few wispy clouds, 80 degrees.

Perfect.

Before I head out to enjoy the beautiful weather, I thought I should post

today's giveaway for all of you to enjoy and enter.

Today's giveaway is sponsored by ajoeynamedrootoo

( cute name, is it not?)

I came across this shop several months ago and

instantly fell in love with this beautiful blue butterfly necklace:

 Which you my dear readers, are going to have a chance

to win! This necklace would look stunning on a white or black T-shirt.

Here's how to enter:

{Mandatory Entry}

Visit either ajoeynamedrootoo's

jewelry shop or their bath and body shop ,

then come back here and tell me what your favorite item(s)

is.

1 entry

{Extra Entries}

1. Heart ajoeynamedrootoo's jewelry shop

2 entries

2. Heart ajoeynamedrootoo's bath and beauty shop

2 entries

3. Add either shop to your Etsy Circle

1 entry for one, 2 entries is you add both shops to your Circle

3. Follow this blog

2 entries

4. Add the giveaway button to your sidebar

2 entries

5. Tell me what you love about summer

1 entry

6. Enter any other of my giveaways

(see sidebar for links)

1 entry for each giveaway you enter.

***********************************************

Details:

This giveaway is open Worldwide!

Please do each comment separately!

Also, leave a way for me to contact you if you should win.

Your e-mail or Etsy username is best.

If you would prefer to not have your e-mail published, just leave

me a separate comment with your e-mail

and ask me not to publish it.

The comment will be deleted once the giveaway ends.

Giveaway ends June 18 at noon Central Time.

The winner will be announced later that day.

***Don't forget to enter Day 1 and Day 2 of my giveaways**