TheSpottedBox of February

This month's TheSpottedBox was a great box and there were so many delightful goodies! I'm never able to use everything in it, but everything always finds a good home. I've already started trying out some of the samples.

Not having a good health week and I don't have the attention span to list out everything that was included (I'm sorry!), but I'd be more than happy to look up anything that catches your eye and see who contributed it. I will, hopefully, be able to get some reviews of my favorites up in the coming weeks.

If you click the compound images, you'll be able to see them in greater detail.

TheSpottedBox

A few months ago, I decided to join up with the Spotted Box. I liked the eco-friendly, family-oriented focus and LOVE the great communication and involvement of the community. I just got my 'free' box yesterday, and I'm even more in love! Not only did everyone send in some fabulous promos, but I learned a TON about what good packaging is. I got a few ideas to give my promos a bit of mmph next month, too.

Here are some pictures from my Spotted Box experience. I've put text saying what and where things are from that aren't immediately obvious on some of the pictures. You should be able to click them and get better detail, if you'd like. I apologize for funky formatting ahead of time. :)

I can't wait to start trying things out!

Ginkgo -- Pt. 2

I found so many amazing things while searching etsy for ginkgo, that I couldn't just do one post. Here are today's ginkgo finds.




westernartglass is now one of my new favorites. I love that this artist is recycling bottles and turning them into beautiful pieces of art. Check out these great ginkgo earrings.











This lovely drawing of a ginkgo leaf by AKJapan immediately caught my eye. The colors and simplicity really appeal to me.







And now for a YOWZA! This lovely pillow has great, bright colors and it really makes for a fascinating look. Even cooler is that cottageindustrialist designed all of the fabrics!

Ginkgo -- Pt. 1

I was pondering some fresh ideas for spring, one including the lovely ginkgo tree, and I decided to see who else had been inspired by this striking dinosaur.



To start us out, I thought I'd share one of the many lovely works by the artist of ginkgo. I love the little bunches of copper leaves so delicately hung. Simple, yet striking.







And now, the lovely, pure silver ginkgo charm by the equally lovely MeridianStudio. All of her pieces are individually crafted, never cast, so you know you're getting a one-of-a-kind piece every time.







Next, the amazing filigree carved ginkgo gourd by trestella. This gorgeous piece definitely speaks for itself! The colors and textures are just wonderful.

I'm back! -- and eggs

As you may be able to tell, I'm back from our quick, Thanksgiving jaunt. I packed up five orders today and they'll all be going out Monday to their new homes.

I spent some time shopping around Etsy today, and decided to go for two eggs from SwedishDesign. I got a Santa and a Snowman, and I can't wait to get them! They're wonderful illustrations and will make excellent gifts for my sets of parents.

I spent a lot of time going through some incredible work by several very talented egg-workers, for lack of a better term. I thought I'd share some of these amazing creations with you.



Here's a wonderful pysanka ornament by doreseggs. The colors and patterning are captivating.









This artist, PysankyPanky, has too many incredible pieces to pick a favorite from, but this one is at the top of my list!










Here's a little wonder by 1eggman. This artist has the most amazing carved eggs I've ever seen!




Check out my favorite items and favorite sellers for more incredible egg artists!

Dog 'poo!

Being the handmade soap addict that I am, I decided to check out Etsy when my last jug of dog shampoo ran out. I shopped around and found several products that I was interested in, but I was a bit concerned about the moisturizing effect of these soaps.

I know most people love dogs with soft hair, but I've got a wire-coated dog with a thick, oily coat. I asked a few sellers about whether they'd consider their dog 'poo to be conditioning, and only one came back to say that they couldn't claim the soap to be conditioning. Score!

(forgive the hair on the bar -- I took the pictures post doggie bath!)

Well, my girl needed a bath a few days ago, and I got to try out wwizebody's dog soap. I must say that I'm QUITE impressed with it!

What I love:

1. Size and shape of the bar make it easy to hold on to when wet.
2. Amazing lather made it a quick job to soap up the dog. A few swipes was all it took! The liquid shampoo concentrate I normally use doesn't suds up that much and takes a lot of work to get distributed.
3. The fresh smell wasn't overpowering but still managed to compete with the wet dog smell. It's been three days, and she doesn't smell like dog, yet! The fragrance from the soap didn't held in her coat, but she's not supposed to be an air freshener. :)
4. The great cleaning power! My pup's coat is shiny, clean, harsh, and not grubby feeling. No second wash needed with this stuff!
5. Less waste, if nothing else, makes this bar a great choice. Usually, I use about a cup of diluted, harsh-coat concentrate each time I shampoo my dog because the lather isn't very good. With this bar, the edges are barely rounded, and I don't have to worry about accidentally spilling the bottle!
6. It rinsed out easily and cleanly. 'Nuff said.
7. It's not conditioning, but it doesn't seem to dry out skin. No itching, no scratching, and no flaking. Hurrah!
8. The convenience. Usually, when I go out of town, I carry a premixed bottle of 'poo for her, in case she gets skunked, rolls in something nasty, or just gets filthy. There's nothing worse than finding you haven't mixed enough or having to clean up the ruptured container. Now, with air travel like it is, the liquid is pretty much impossible, and it's equally impossible to find in most locations. This little bar is a great size and it's SOLID -- perfect for travel.
9. The price. I have no doubt that this bar will last many more washes and be much more affordable, in the long run, than the concentrate I normally purchase.

Puffball or not?

I found this lovely outside today and was extremely excited. I'm not a mycologist, but it looks like a puffball to me! My grandmother used to sautee what I think this is and make the most delightful yumminess.

Tell me what you think. I'm not allowed to eat it, so I won't be taking your advice if you tell me it's edible. :)