Artisan Feature - Carvel Country Soaps

It is important to show the world the charm of handcrafted items, and I plan to do this one artist at a time. Today I feature Carvel Country Soaps from Alberta, Canada. Below you can find her interview:


1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

I remember as a child, being no more than 6 or 7, helping my mom's friend sew doll clothes for my cabbage patch kids. I remember being thrilled to choose the materials for each outfit from her scraps and then see those scraps become something. It was very fascinating for me.

2. What are some of your favorite past times?

When I am not making soaps and things, I enjoy reading, golfing, curling, and scrapbooking.

3. What do you specialize in?


I specialize in handmade, paraben free bath and body products.

4. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

Let's face it, those of us with shops on Etsy are there to sell, I saw opening up my shop as a way to get my products more exposure. The friendships and daily chats are an added bonus, I've met so many fantastic people because of Etsy.


5. How did you choose your shop name?

Carvel Country Soapworks- I live in a rural setting near the hamlet of Carvel & I make soap and other goodies. I love my shop name, it really ties everything together.


6. What are your hopes for the future?

Over the past few years I have seen tremendous growth in Carvel Country Soapworks both locally and on Etsy & I hope this trend continues. I am hoping to expand my product lines as well as add additional wholesale accounts.

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

I love custom orders! I offer a number of fragrances and colors and will gladly put custom orders together. I have worked with a number of customers for various events such as baby showers, weddings, birthdays as well.


8. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

Bright, Spacious, my escape.

You can visit Carvel Country Soaps' Etsy Shop here:

http://www.carvelcountrysoaps.etsy.com

And you can send Krysta a message via the Etsy Convo system or an email to soapworks@cruzinternet.com

Krysta is also offering a 10% discount for my blog readers! Just enter the promotion code: "BLOG" in the comments to seller at checkout. Just in time for the upcoming holidays! It is not too early to buy your loved ones gifts - and you can't beat handmade either!

Featured Items:

JUMBO Crayon Soap Set
Coconut-Lemongrass Bath and Body Bar
JUMBO Goat Milk Soap Bar

All available at http://www.carvelcountrysoaps.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading!

-
Christina
__1337 Art

Great Finds - Novelty Soaps!

Today we wanted to show you some great novelty soap that we discovered! It's never too early to shop for the holidays...now is the perfect time to shop!

The first soap weighs 6 ounces and sports a clever brown dog with his paws wet. He is made with goats milk glycerin based soap. This could be a unique stocking stuffer or inspiration to get your younger ones excited to take baths.

You can find this dog soap for sale at JBSoaps:

http://jbsoaps.etsy.com

The second soap we have to show you features a lovely pink rose. A perfect gift for her or a nice feminine accessory for your bathroom. It is made with vegetable based glycerin.

You can find this rose soap for sale at GentleSuds:

http://gentlesuds.etsy.com

The third soap we wanted to show you features...pizza! They are made of goats milk and glycerin, and they smell of tomato leaf! Who wouldn't want to enjoy pizza in their bathroom or kitchen sink?

You can find this pizza soap for sale at SunBasilGarden:

http://sunbasilgarden.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading! We hope you have enjoyed these novelty soaps. The best way is handmade--all three featured soaps are handcrafted!

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more!

Custom orders are accepted.

Etsy Artist Feature 13: crazytimescandles

It is important to show the world the charm of handmade items. I plan to do this one Etsy artist at a time. Today I feature crazytimescandles. This husband and wife team have a wonderful selection of bath and body products.

I have personally tried their coffee scrub (delicious!) flower pot candle (mmm!) and a couple of other items.

If you're looking for a unique and useful gift, crazytimescandles has something for you.

Below you will find their interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

That is a tough question, but for me I would have to say making hand prints and pencil holders in clay back in kindergarten and first grade. I always enjoyed that even though it got quite messy.

2. What do you specialize in?

High quality hand poured candles and handmade soap and bath & body products.


3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

Etsy is a great community for people who enjoy handmade products and we wanted to be a part of that. We had looked at Etsy back in October of 2007 briefly and set up an account but didn't add any items to our shop until January 11th 2008.


4. What are your hopes for the future?

We hope to continue to expand our business at a steady pace where we can end up with a fairly large wholesale account base as well as attending more craft fairs / shows in the future. We are considering the possibility of a brick and mortar store in the future as well depending on which way we grow faster.


5. What are some of your favorite past times?

We really enjoy camping in the summer and visiting with family and friends.

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

Our workspace is our basement. Every wall has shelves, and there are tables everywhere each with it's own purpose.

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

We love working on custom orders. We do a lot of custom colored candles especially for weddings and parties. I really think that people like the ability to get a lavender scented candle colored green to match their room for example.

Contact crazytimescandles:

Our website: http://www.crazytimescandles.com
On Etsy: http://crazytimescandles.etsy.com
By e-mail: erin@crazytimescandles.com

Thank you so much for reading! It is very much appreciated.

Christina
CM Designs
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart.

**Featured images include:

Coffee Sugar Scrub
Sweet orange essential oil goat milk soap
Custom color chunk pillar set