Handcrafted Soap versus Commercially Made Soap

Today, much commercially made soap is not soap at all. They are actually harsh detergents. Detergents are less expensive and easier to manufacture than soaps. Would you buy a bar labeled as a detergent? I would not, but then many people don’t really read the label on their bars of soap. If you have read the label on your soap bar you may have seen sodium tallowate listed as one of the first ingredients. Many of you may know what sodium tallowate is. For those of you who don’t, I will tell you or you may check with your favorite search engine. Sodium tallowate is a natural result made by combining sodium hydroxide (lye) with beef tallow (beef fat). Tallow has been used in soap making for hundreds of years. Commercial soap makers use tallow due to it being inexpensive, plentiful, processes quickly and produces a hard bar. Some people say that tallow clogs pores, causes blackheads, acne, irritates eczema and is not for people with sensitive skin. The pioneers had no choice but to use tallow. Today we have many vegetable oils readily available for our use in soap making. While vegetable oils are more expensive than tallow, they produce a superior bar of soap.

Some other ingredients you may see listed on the wrapper that are not desirable in a bar of soap are:

Pentasodium penteteate is an inorganic salt used as a water softener, emulsifier and dispersing ingredient in cosmetic cleansing creams, lotions and soaps.
Tetrasodium EDTA is a synthetic preservative - can be irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. Sodium isethionate is a synthetic detergent. It acts as a moisture absorber, surfactant and anti-static agent.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a synthetic detergent. It is an anionic surfactant, which means it reduces surface tension, making water ‘wetter’.
Trisodium etidronate is a preservative and possible skin irritant.
BHT - (butylhydroxytoluene) is a synthetic antioxidant to keep oils in the formula from going rancid. Sometimes used as a food preservative. BHT is sometimes used as a food preservative. When ingested, BHT has been implicated in tumor formation and liver enlargement in rodent tests.
Disodium phosphate is a buffering agent used to adjust pH in the soap.
PEG-6 methyl ether is a synthetic polymer made from oxirane (ethylene oxide) - used as a solvent.
Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid usually derived from tallow or lard and sometimes palm oil. Stearic acid contributes to a harder, more long-lasting bar of soap.

Much commercial soap has chemicals, fat, detergent and petroleum products. While these degreasers will cleanse your skin, they will also remove the natural oils leaving you with dry skin. Some people will say they do not want to use a soap made with lye. All soap has sodium hydroxide (lye) or it will not be soap. One difference in handcrafted soap and commercially made soaps is the fact that the handmade soap retains all of the natural glycerin. Glycerin is produced as a byproduct of the soapmaking process. The cosmetic industry uses glycerin in their products so it is removed from the soap and sold by the commercial soap manufacturers to the cosmetic industry. It is a profitable business venture for the commercial soap manufacturers but results in a less moisturizing soap and the use of harsher chemicals. Handmade soap retains all of the natural glycerin and results in a more moisturizing, superior bar of soap.
If you want to experience a “true” bar of soap with all of the natural, moisturizing ingredients– check with one of our many e-tailers that make their own soap. Soap makers have their own recipes and not all soaps are created equal (so to speak) but I have tried many of our e-tailers soaps and have not been disappointed with any of them. There are several different processes for soapmaking. We'll explore those later.

Give your skin a treat!

Here's a handy list of some of the e-tailers that create soaps:

A Woman With Scents, Candles and Woodcrafts, Country Keepsakes, Delightfully Wed, Ginger's Garden, Lathered Up, Laura's Lathers, Mrs. Sterlings, The Mom Lady, Tuxedo-Enterprises, and Uniquely Pampered.

Candles and Woocrafts has a sale posted on their website.

January Sample Box Info

If you are interested in being an e-tailer in the January Snowberry Creek Sample Box, the samples (or full-sized products) are due Jan. 15. You may choose to send sample-sized items or full-sized items, the choice is yours. The minimum is 10 - you may send any amount over 10 that you wish to send in. If you want to send in some items, please send us an email at snowberrycreek@hotmail.com along with your banner (not required) and a description of your products. We will get you added to the website, begin to promote your website and products. We will be happy to put you in the "e-tailer spotlight" or the "product showcase", if you are an e-tailer. This is a free service for our e-tailers.

Our boxes are full of goodies such as soaps, tarts, candles, bath teas, bath salts, lip balms, bubble baths, sugar scrubs, salt scrubs, wax melts, herbal teas, coffees, suckers, lotions, and many other wonderful creations. 99% of the items are handcrafted by independent business owners. We believe in supporting independent businesses as we are independent business owners, too.

If you are looking for a new product or a new place to shop, please visit some of our e-tailers websites. Many of them are having special promotions, deals, and discounts at this time. You won't be disappointed. I have personally shopped with many of them and I have been delighted with my purchases each time.

Our January boxes will be on sale Jan. 25th.

Visions of Sugar Plums Dancing in Our Heads

Wait! That’s not sugar plums – it’s lotions, gels, lip balms, bath salts, perfumes, tarts, candles, soaps, and all sorts of hand-crafted wonders. These e-tailers are offering specials, sales, promotions and discounts on many of their items. If you have someone left on your list and don’t quite know what to get for them, maybe one of these sites will be able to help you out. Who knows – you may find something for yourself.

We are starting a list of fantastic bargains for you. We will be updating this list as we receive more information. Check back often. Feel free to leave your comments, as we welcome any and all feedback.

Merry Christmas to all!

30% off with Promo Code DEC2008 through December 24, place your order NO LATER THAN December 12, so your order from Alaska will arrive in time for Christmas.

http://www.themomlady.com/























Free shipping on orders over $25 from http://www.gingersgarden.com/ Just use code GG123108 in the comments section of the shopping cart and your discount will be processed manually







http://www.lemonlollipop.com/


12 Days of Christmas FREE PERFUME GIVEAWAY! I'll draw a name from my subscriber list once a day for 12 days starting December 13th. Winner gets their choice of any one item!










http://www.mrssterlings.com/

Ultra Soy Body Cream 1 oz. $4.95 2 oz. $9.50 5 oz $19.95 (usually $24.95)
Fragrance Black Raspberry Vanilla

Ultra Soy Body Cream $19.95 (Usually $24.95)Buy one 5 oz size receive a 1 oz FREE Fabulous cream and the fragrance is irresistible.Paraben free and all ingredients are derived from botanical products.Fragrance - Black Raspberry Vanilla Most popular

Chocolate Covered Cherry Body Lotion $9.50 Buy one 8 oz. receive 2 oz Body Wash Free!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Body Wash $8.50 Buy one 8 oz. receive 2 oz Body Lotion Free!









http://www.lauraslathers.net/

Lotions; soaps; body sprays; all handcrafted and formulated with ingredients that are not only cleansing, but, great for your body!Don't forget to check my candle line also!

Free shipping on orders placed between December 9th and December 14th - on orders
totaling $25.00.



We are having a huge Teddy Bear Sweater Sale! We have teddy bear sweaters for every season!
These won't last too long! Save some money!
Plus we are having a Teddy Bear Sale! Save 25% off retail. Who doesn't love a teddy bear?
And our site is full of new Teddy Bear Clothes for your holiday shopping!
http://www.teddybearclothes.com/



Pink Papaya Parties at http://www.shop323.net/


Get Some GlamSpoil yourself or someone else with our sexy holiday eye & lip coordinated combos. Each set combines a dimensional eye shadow & mineral shadow (warm ~ blackened jewel & gold minx - cool ~ luminized & ink) luxe crème liner ( warm ~ brown sugar – cool – glacier) & liquid lustre lip lacquer (warm ~ plush – cool ~ pink kisses.) Receive a free mini flat liner brush & champagne quilted make-up bag!

Holiday Vacation SetLook sunkissed & glowing on your vacation or "staycation" without the damaging rays of the sun! Exfoliate first with our newly formulated paraban free ISLAND sweet sugar scrub and get a shimmering bronze glow with our paraban free Sun Glitzed, fortified with Vitamin E and botanical extracts. Purchase the Island Sweet Sugar Scrub and receive Sun Glitzed for $5.00

Holiday TreatsPurchase this combo to indulge a bestfriend or cross two people off your Christmas list. 100% soy candle will fill the room with our signature body & bath fragrances, perfect for the holidays! Combined with our three well kit of paraban free eye shimmering satin shadows in catwalk, sable, & shy to create a perfect gift for someone special.

Pretty as a PrincessSweet as candy and always a princess to you, this is a special gift for the princess in your life. Purchase our sterling silver Princess Necklace and receive our candy super gloss lip gel for $8.00. A perfect stocking stuffer.

Shop under the Specials tab from the online catalog

visit Pink Papaya Parties via www shop323.net

Black Friday

Many people can't wait for the Black Friday sales. They line up in the wee hours of the morning waiting for the stores to open in hopes of capturing the item they desire. We want to let you know of some Black Friday sales that you may shop from the comfort of your own home.

Here's a short list of some sales that our e-tailers are having. There are many others on the internet. Good luck and have fun!

SBS Teas 20% off
The Mom Lady 40% off
Busy Bee Candle Shop 20% off
Overall Beauty Free Shipping until 12/15
Lathered Up Free Flat Rate Shipping thru 12/15
Scent Peddler 30% off - clearance sale

We will post more sales from our e-tailers in the future.
Happy Holidays!

Sample Box on Sale Nov. 25th

Need some stocking stuffers? How about some small gifts for a few people? Or you could make gift baskets or bags from the items in this box. You will receive a variety of items....you may receive....candles, tarts, soaps, lip balms, lip liner, mineral eye shadow, herbal teas, bath salts, massage oil, lotion, shea butter, sugar scrubs, to name a few of the items that could be in your box. You will receive a box full of "goodies".....many are full-sized items. You may find a new place to Christmas shop. We have talented e-tailers and many of them are running specials at this time.


Come by and look around www. snowberrycreek. com or read the posts on our blog to learn more about some of our wonderful e-tailers and their products.

"Product Showcase" - The Mom Lady's Lotions

The Mom Lady’s Beauty Booty
Fairbanks, Alaska



Our lotions are as thick as a moisturizer and are said to lessen the itchiness of eczema, psoriasis, and skin allergies. All fragrances are formulated for sensitive skin and infused with healing waters from mineral hot springs in Alaska.



Choose from five fragrances (descriptions below) and three sizes: 8 oz., 4 oz., and 2 oz.





Luscious Lavender (lightly scented like an English garden)

Randy’s Rue (aloe-based with almost no fragrance)

Shea’s Buttered Buns (shea-cocoa butter formula—close your eyes and imagine yourself on a tropical beach)

Sweet Cheeks (smells like a freshly-bathed baby’s…well, you know!)

Veggie Fruit Fruit (cucumber-melon scented—is it a fruit? Or, is it a vegetable?)

Visit our website at www.themomlady.com to glance at our other products, including bath confetti, lip balm, and shower gel. In early 2009, we will be offering a variety of uplifting body sprays, too!


Use Promo Code DEC2008 to receive 30% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER from Nov. 1 – Dec. 24. (Orders should be completed by Dec. 1 to ensure delivery by Dec. 24) (Sale excludes Gift Certificates and shipping costs).

I know you don't want to miss out on this opportunity. The Mom Lady has wonderful lotions! They are thick, rich and make your skin feel silky smooth. This lady knows all about taking care of skin in harsh climates. Maybe your climate's not harsh, but I bet your skin need some pampering - rush right over and take advantage of this savings! The Luscious Lavender is luscious indeed! The small ones make great stocking stuffers.

October Mystery Prize Revealed!

Jessica of Iowa has received her mystery prize from the October mystery prize sponsor, Tuxedo-Enterprises. Now I can reveal the wonderful prize she received from Linda.


Jessica has won the Tuxedo Candle. This is a square pillar candle made of palm wax. This candle is hand-poured using two colors. The candle measures 3 x 3 x 3.5. There are many scent choices avaialble. You may view this candle on Linda's website at http://www.tuxedo-enterprises.com/pillars.html. Thanks Linda for being the mystery prize sponsor. Thank you Jessica for choosing Snowberry Creek Sample Boxes.

Soapbox Giveaway

Here’s a pretty awesome giveaway that Rachel from Weird Stuff In My Desk (you may know her from the bloggy carnival) found out about this week. She thought everyone would like to enter since she knows how much we love entering and winning prizes! So if you want a chance to win some great free items visit http://ismellgood.com/bonanza. You may follow the link or click on the banner.

You must to go each week and re-enter. It says you have 3 chances to win - I think that is 3 chances each week, if you take advantage of all 3 offers.

A new prize is posted every week (on the Mondays) for seven weeks! You can fill out the official entry form one time (each week) for each prize, so be sure to go back every week to enter the new giveaway. At the end of the Bonanza they will draw a winner to receive $100 in Soap Box Bonanza Bucks to spend at thesoapboxco.com! All accumulated entries from the start of the Bonanza (Monday, November 3rd ) to the end of the Bonanza (Sunday, December 21st ) will automatically entered to win The Soap Box Bonanza Bucks giveaway! If you enter each week you will have more entries for the Soap Box Bonanza Bucks. I saw lots of items to choose from, so I would have no problem spending those bucks!

I'm entering, I hope I win! If you win something, let me know and send a picture. I'll post it for all to see. Good luck to everyone!

Thanks Rachel for letting us know about this great giveaway!

Comments From A Winner!

Pat you are a winner in our book! We love getting feedback from our customers. The e-tailers love hearing that you are pleased with their products. Thanks for allowing us to post your comments.

Pat is the winner of a FREE Snowberry Creek Sample Box to be shipped in November. If you purchase a box you are eligible for the drawing for a free box and for a mystery prize gift. If you purchase two boxes, you are put in the drawing twice.

Here's Pat's comments:

Thank you so much. This is quite a surprise because I never win. I loved the first box, I'm sure this one will be wonderful too.
Thanks again,
Pat

Hi Debbie,
Please feel free to post my comments. I'm so glad that I found your website and ordered a box. It is exciting to open a box and my first one was wonderful. Thank you very much I feel like a real winner.........
Pat

Pat - we feel like a winner ~ having you choose Snowberry Creek! Thanks for being our customer! Hope you enjoy all of your wonderful "goodies" from all of the talented e-tailers and that you find a new company that has a product(s) you have been looking for.

Giving Back To Our E-tailers

We work to promote our e-tailers - to show you how much we appreciate you placing your trust and your products in our care. We don’t stop working for you once your samples arrive and we put them in the box. We are continually looking for ways to promote you. We strive to gain more recognition on the internet for you. The more links you have, the higher you will be in the search engines. The higher in the search engines you are – the more visible you are. The more visible you are – the easier it is for the consumer to find you.

When you decide to become a participant in Snowberry Creek Sample Boxes; you send your products in and email us a banner (optional) and a write up of your products. We will add you to the “e-tailers in the box” – this is your first link. You will have a link on our forum, on our blog and if you have a blog – we will add it, too. In addition to your product being in our sample box and getting into the hands of new consumers, we promote our website (and yours) at many forums, twitter and on our blog. All of these are free services.

We don’t stop there. We are featuring an “e-tailer spotlight” on our blog. Any e-tailer is eligible to be in the spotlight. Just drop us a note and we will be happy to feature you. You will be on the blog, you may offer a prize for a drawing for people who comment on your spotlight (this is optional). We will promote you on all of the blogs, forums, and other places that we are members or frequent. We are implementing a “product showcase” on our blog. This is another promotional tool for our e-tailers to showcase one or some of their wonderful products. If you are interested having an item in the “showcase” send us a note at snowberrycreek@hotmail.com and we will go about putting you up. Just send a picture and a brief write up of your product. We will promote your “product showcase”.

These promotional avenues are free to our e-tailers. These are some of the ways that we promote our e-tailers and their wonderful products. There are many small companies out there with fantastic products that just need promotion and recognition. We promote the ones that are e-tailers in Snowberry Creek Sample Boxes. We believe in taking care of our e-tailers.

The October Drawing Winners!!

Linda of Tuxedo Enterprises donated the prize for the October Mystery Prize. The very lucky winner of the mystery prize is Jessica N. of Iowa. She has been contacted and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her package. It will ship out tomorrow, Nov. 4,so she will soon have it. I can't tell you what wonderful item from Tuxedo Enterprises that Jessica has won. I don't want to spoil the surprise for her. But I will tell you that Jessica will be very happy with the item from Linda. Once Jessica receives her item, I will reveal what she has won and post a picture.

Drum roll, please! The lucky winner of a FREE Snowberry Creek Sample Box is Pat T. of Washington. Pat's sample box will ship out Nov. 24. She will get a box full of wonderful goodies to pamper herself or she may want to share some of the great products as gifts. Many of the items sent in by the e-tailers may be used to make up gift baskets, gift bags, stocking stuffers or small gift boxes filled with fragrant goodies. Anyone will be delighted with these aromatic sensations!

Thank you ladies for being Snowberry Creek Sample Box customers! We appreciate your patronage and are happy you are the winners. Our e-tailers hope you enjoy your products. Please go by and visit some of the e-tailers, leave feedback about their products, visit their blogs....they love hearing from you.

Haunted Bloggy Carnival is Here! Over 2300.00 in Prizes!

We are participating in the Haunted Bloggy Carnival. Join the fun - win prizes!
If you enter this contest - be sure to tell them that Snowberry Creek sent you! Read below to see how easy it is to win wonderful prizes from some great companies!


Haunted Bloggy Carnival is Here! Over $2330.00 In Prizes! International Too!

Special Announcement from Weird Stuff in my Desk. Please note - enter on WeirdStuffinmyDesk.com, NOT here!


Welcome to the Wierd Stuff In My Desk Haunted Bloggy Carnival Spooktacular event! The carnival starts at 8:00 am Central time October 27th ALL WEEK and ends on November 2nd at 11:59 pm Pacific time. Comments will be enabled at that time so you won't be able to post until then.

The winners will be contacted and announced sometime the week of the 3rd. You will have to give us some time to sort through all of the hundreds of entries. Thanks for your patience on this.

Hang on to your seats and keyboards because we have a line up of prize contributions like we have never seen before. Right now we have over $2317.00 in prizes up for grabs!! AND another $3700.00 in prizes at our sister site Bitten By Books! Check those prizes out here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1526. If we don't have enough prizes for your blood, remember to visit all of the other participating blogs at the main Bloggy Carnival page here.

Keep checking back here, because the list will GROW eerily larger as more companies join in on the Haunted Blog Carnival fun! If you would like to contribute a prize and promote your products, service, books or business, please email us through our CONTACT FORM.

Now I bet you are wondering just how you can win some of this spectacular loot! There are a TON of ways to win. Do to different states laws you MUST be 18 to enter. You do NOT have to have a blog to participate.

OH!! and if you like discount coupons, be sure to stop by our Discount Code Page!

****************************************************
CONTEST INFO

Readers, here's how to enter the contest. You can do ONE OR ALL of these things, and each one will give an additional entry and thus MORE chances to win. Check next to each contributors page to see if there are MORE ways you can get chances win.

1. Join the NEW Bitten By Books Community and start a page to talk about all things paranormal fiction! Meet authors, join in on upcoming contests an more! You can have your own blog where you can post about THIS contest (and that gets you an entry). You can start groups and chat in our forums as well as participate in live chat. Best of all it is FREE. Paranormal authors come and start fan page for yourself! Here's the link! Sign up and join in the fun!
http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/
You get 10 additional entries for joining our community!

2. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter here on the right hand side of the site. You MUST verify your subscription via the email the site will send you. Unverified subscribers will not be entered into the contest. This option is for new subscribers only.

3. Visit each of the sites who have contributed to our event below and pick ONE favorite item from each store and come post the LINK to that item or the page the items is on here in this post. You can do one or all of the sites, you get an entry for each business you visit and the ONE item link you post here. Try to combine all of your items into one big post. NOTE: Don't worry if your post doesn't show up right away or you get an error message, the spam filter on the site will catch it if there are too many links. I will approve your posts so no need to worry, if this happens please don't post your list multiple times. Check back later in the week to see if it is up.

4. Post this blog post in it's entirety with a link to our contest on your blog, groups, forums or websites and you will be given FIVE additional entries to win for EACH place you post. You MUST post the links where you have shared the info in one response here in this thread. The more places you post the event, the more entries you get, so spread the word! NOTE: Don't worry if your post doesn't show up right away or you get an error message, the spam filter on the site will catch it if there are too many links. I will approve your posts so no need to worry, if this happens please don't post your list multiple times. Check back later in the week to see if it is up.

5. Make a purchase between 10/27-11/2 from ANY or all of the retailers participating on our page (see list below) and send us a copy of the receipt for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces) for an additional FIVE entries. You get entries for every purchase you make. Be SURE to put WSIMD Contest Entry in the subject line so it doesn't get lost in our spam filter. NOT valid on past purchases.

6. Read through the Weird Stuff In My Desk blog and find your favorite product review and come back here and post the LINK to it. One favorite review per contestant please.

7. Add us as your friend on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks
8. Add us as your friend on Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436

9. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BittenbyBooks

Be sure to mention that you are friending us for this contest so we know to enter you! All of our WSIMD updates go through these accounts since we are sister sites. That's why the links say Bitten by Books. :)

10. Stumble, Digg or share the post with any social networking sites. There is a button right at the end of this post that says "Share" that you can use.

11. Twitter the URL for this event throughout the week: http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com/?p=176
12. Add Weird Stuff In My Desk to your blog roll or links page: http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com if you leave our link up permanently you will always be entered into our contests automatically. Just be sure to stop by each contest we hold and leave the link to where it is.

13. Invite ALL of your friends! If your fiends come and post here and say you sent them, they get TWO entries and you get TWO entries! They have to tell us who you are so we know who to give the entries to. You can invite as many people as you want and get all the extra entries!

Be sure you leave a valid email and your name AND COUNTRY when posting here so we can contact you if you are the winner. We will contact the winners and request your first/last name and a valid email which we will give to the retailer whose prize you have one. It is up to the individual retailers to award your prizes. If we do not hear back from winners within one week of contacting you, you prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be chosen. We reserve the right to delete any inappropriate or inflammatory remarks or comments. Bitten by Books is NOT liable for prizes that are not delivered, awarded or lost in the mail. It is the sole responsibility of each contributor to honor their prize obligation.

And last but certainly not least A BIG thank you to our fabulous contributors!!

Here is the list of AMAZING prizes you are trying to win!

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Glutenada - 2 -$65.00 gift certificates to their online store, two winners. Shipping to US and Canada only.
http://glutenada.com/Glutenada offers the very best in premium, just-like-homemade, gluten-free mixes and creamy, dreamy fudge in a jar - Spoonfudge!


Livin' La Vida Low-Carb - An AMAZING prize package including: a 12 pack Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Sugar-Free Raspberry Dark Chocolate bars, a 12-pack Dark Chocolate Sugar-Free ChocoPerfection bars,an autographed copy of paperback book "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year". Valued at $106.00. Shipping to US and Canada.
http://www.livinlavidalowcarb.com/Author of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year"
*** For an additional contest entry to win go to Jimmy's Blog and pick your favorite post, then come back and post a LINK to that post here. Only one choice is necessary.


Bin Hog Designs - 2 each $50.00 gift certificates to their online store, two winners. Worldwide shipping
http://www.binhog.com/Custom & Personalized luggage handle wraps

Lathers & Lights - $100.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.lathersnlights.com/Lathers & Lights is dedicated to producing quality skin care products and candles that inspire you to slow down, take a break, and pamper yourself from head to toe. You deserve it!

Beaded Hemp - 5 each $20.00 gift certificates to their online store, five winners. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.beadedhemp.com/Beaded Hemp carries hand milled soaps, bath & body products, and flameless home fragrance, with over 200 scents to choose from.

Meringue - A $100.00 gift certificate to their online etsy store. Worldwide shipping
http://www.meringueshop.etsy.com/Hands-free handbags for stylish women


Jessicurl - 4 each $25.00 gift certificates to their online store, four winners. Worldwide shipping.
http://Jessicurl.comYou Have the Right to Remain Curly!


Lathered Up - A $100.00 gift certificate to their online store. Shipping within the US only.
http://www.latheredup.com/
Lathered Up offers a diverse selection of pure and natural soaps, bath and body products for self-indulgence or wonderful gifts.

Just Right Candles - 5 each $20.00 gift certificates, 5 winners. Worldwide shipping though not included in GC amount.
http://www.justrightcandles.com/JRC offers you a SAFE wickless alternative to traditional candles. No Flame, No Soot, Just Scent.

Bitten by Books Review Staff - 2 electronic copies of the epic story "Nothing But Red". This is not a paranormal story, but it is a book with a collection of stories that impacts women worldwide. The review team of BBB would like to spread the word about this important work and encourage each of you to purchase your own print or e-book copy of "Nothing But Red" in support of woman and ultimately humankind. About the book:
"In April 2007, a group of men pulled seventeen-year-old Du'a Khalil Aswad into a mob. They proceeded to stone and beat her to death, a supposed "honor" killing for allegedly falling in love with a man of a different faith. Several camera phones recorded the entire incident from the front row, and videos later surfaced online. One month later, popular filmmaker Joss Whedon expressed his despair and outrage at the misogyny in all cultures on a fan-run blog. "Because it's no longer enough to be a decent person," he wrote. "It's no longer enough to shake our heads and make concerned grimaces at the news. True enlightened activism is the only thing that can save humanity from itself. I've always had a bent towards apocalyptic fiction, and I'm beginning to understand why. I look and I see the earth in flames. Her face was nothing but red." The arts anthology Nothing But Red was conceived as a way to raise both awareness of the issues he spoke of, as well as money for the charity Equality Now." Buy the book here: http://stores.lulu.com/nothingbutred
If you purchase a copy of this book and send us the reciept, you will get TWENTY additional entries!

Bauble Bath - One Holiday Gift basket valued at $75.00 with 3 scrubs (Candy Cane, Sugar Plum, Gingerbread). We three Kings bauble set (3 scented with Frankincense and Myrh). Holiday Candy Bauble set ( 8 mini baubles in a variety of "candy" fragrances ), Snowmen and Penguin bath melts. 2 soaps in cinnamon and Honey almond and 3 Lip Balms. Shipping to the US and Canada.
http://baublebath.com/Thick Creamy scrubs as well as bath bombs in indulgent fragrances.

The Ivy Keep - 3 each $25.00 (Canadian) gift certificates. Three winners, shipping to US, Canada and most international countries.
http://www.ivykeep.com/Everyone has the right to affordable luxuries: beautifully crafted handmade soaps to rejuvenate your body, gourmet loose leaf teas and exotic flavored teas from around the world to rejuvenate your spirits and luscious hot cocoa treats to pamper and relax you.


Moody Bee Beeswax Lip Balm - One prize package of 15 lip balms shipped to anywhere in Canada or the US - perfect for Christmas! Valued at $65.00
http://www.moodybee.com/All natural beeswax lip balm made by a Canadian beekeeper

Brenna Lyons - Brenna is offering PDF copies of every e-book release she has in 2009 to one winner (approx $50 value) and one signed print book of choice to a second winner (approx $15 value). Shipping to US and Canada only.
http://www.brennalyons.com/
"Brenna writes milieu-heavy dark fantasy, science fiction and horror books, straight genre through erotic romance; all winners of Brenna's materials should be age 18 or over."
*** For an additional contest entry to win go to Brenna's site and pick any book you would like to read, then come back here and post a LINK to that book. Only one book choice is necessary.


The Blue Raven Tea Co. - 3 each $20.00 gift certificates to their online store, three winners. Shipping to the US and Canada.
http://blueraventea.com
Let us delight you with our irresistible and fragrant teas. Every cup is a journey.

Crater Lake Company - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store.
http://www.craterlakecompany.com
Crater Lake Company specializes in providing all the luxurious necessities to transform the bathing experience into a joyful treat and soothing retreat. With a discerning eye to detail for the ingredients we use, a keen nose for unique fragrances and a finger on the pulse of the market, we are pleased to present a palette of superior products in a fun and exciting way so that you can create your own work of art in your bath!

A Woman with Scents - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://awomanwithscents.com/
Scented soy candles and artisan soaps.

Bad Girlz Bath Co. - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. US shipping only.
http://badgirlzbath.com/
"We're the Passionate bath & body company. Check us out. We're NOT your mothers bath & body shop, We're Lot's more Fun!!"

Overall Beauty - A prize package including 4 mineral eye shadows colors and one blush. $50.00 value. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.overallbeauty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=77
Offering pure natural mineral eye shadows and blushes we all can enjoy.

Kettlepot Soap - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. Shipping to US and Canada.
http://www.kettlepotsoap.com/
There's something magical about Kettlepot Soap! Natural, handcrafted products for skin care.

Ugly Duckling Designs - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.theuglyducklingdesigns.com/
We offer richly scented, hand poured candles, tarts and primitive designs.

TarotByArwen - Consultation with professional Tarot consultant, Stephanie Arwen Lynch, president of the American Tarot Association. Valued at $50.00.
http://tarotbyarwen.com
*** For an additional contest entry to win go to Arwen's Blog and pick your favorite post, then come back and post a LINK to that post here. Only one choice is necessary.


Destiny's Creations - 2 each $25.00 Gift Certificates to their online store. Two winners. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.shopdestinyscreations.com/
Handmade one of a kind art jewelry with fine silver, gemstones, and artisan lampwork beads. A modern mix of Victorian and romantic jewelry.

Ginger's Garden - A gift basket with handmade soaps and skin care worth $50.00 with your choice of fragrance. Shipping to the US only.
http://www.gingersgarden.com/Come visit Ginger's Garden for handmade soaps, skin and body care, gift baskets, toiletries, Zodiac Perfume blends, sculpted soap flowers and more.

Bovine Bubbles and Hogwash - 2 - $25.00 gift certificates to their online store. Two winners. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.bovinebubbles.com/ Uddlerly the best darned handmade products under the sun!

Lily Gulch Soaps - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. Free shipping with this gift certificate.
http://www.lilygulchsoaps.com/Handmade 100% natural cold process soaps, unique bath & body products and natural bath accessories.

Broken Teepee Designs - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping included with this prize.
http://www.brokenteepeedesigns.com/Beautiful beaded jewelry made in Montana

Pampertini - $25.00 Gift Certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.pampertini.com/
We offer a variety of pampering items for you to enjoy, whether you are a shower person or love to indulge in a tub of bubbles, come by for some ONE STOP SHOPPING fun!

Delightfully Wed - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store. Free shipping in the US with this gift certificate.
http://www.delightfullywed.com/
Visit us for your bridal shower, wedding, baby shower, party or birthday party accessories, favors and supplies. We specialize in western-themed items and handcrafted western Christmas ornaments.

Candles and Woodcrafts - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store with free shipping in the US with this gift certificate.
http://www.candlesandwoodcrafts.com/ We provide a wide array of items from wooden soap molds and displays to wax tarts, finished woodcrafts, clocks, lighted holiday items….way to much to mention in one line so come on over and take a look!


Snowberry Creek - A gift certificate good for one Snowberry Creek Sampler box with free shipping in the US. Valued at $22.95
http://www.snowberrycreek.com/A box full of luxurious, fragrant samples and full-sized items for your pampering pleasure!
*** For an additional contest entry to win go to the Snoweberry Creek site, find the past e-tailers page and pick any company that contributed to their box, then come back here and post a LINK to that company. Only one choice is necessary.


Chunky Butt Candle & Bath Co. - A $30.00 gift certificate to their online store.
http://www.chunkybuttcandles.com/
We specialize in wickless soy candles, soy melts, and bath and body.

Lindsay's Candles & Stuff - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store. Shipping to the US and Canada.
http://www.lindsayscandles.com/
Wonderfully pampering handcrafted candles, soaps and bath & body products.

Jojoelle - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.jojoelle.com/
Quality bath and body products available in over 400 scents!

Robed in Fantasy - 1 Custom Made Pirate Shirt Value $22.00. Worldwide shipping.
http://stores.ebay.com/Robed-In-Fantasy
Robed in Fantasy. Magical creations from the realm of imagination. We specialize in medieval reenactment/live action role play clothing, gothic inspired clothing, gowns, wedding attire and costumes. If you can imagine it, we should be able to make it. We offer custom and ready-made garments.

Sidhe Na Daire - One set of custom-made costume horns or cat ears. Valued at $15.00. US shipping only.
http://www.sidhenadaire.com/promoTM.htm
Celebrate the Launch of Danielle Ackley-McPhail's Long-Awaited novel Tomorrow's Memories, the sequel to Yesterday's Dreams. Also, see webpage for details on how you could win a replica Scottish Claymore.
*** For an additional contest entry to win go to the Sidhe Na Daire site, find the book page and pick any book you would like to read, then come back here and post a LINK to that book. Only one book choice is necessary.


Out Of The Box Sampler - 2 each sampler boxes to two winners. Valued at $20.00 each. Shipping to the US included in prize.
http://www.outoftheboxsampler.com/
We cater to finding you the best etailers in the business, all in ONE box.
*** For an additional contest entry to win go to the Out of the Box Sampler site, find the In the Box page and pick any company that contributed to their box, then come back here and post a LINK to that company. Only one choice is necessary.


Spa Secrets - A $30.00 certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://spasecrets.net/
Spa Secrets offers an amazing collection of luxurious bath and body, skincare, and aromatherapy products for your home spa needs.


Flying Needle Gallery - A $20.00 gift certificate to their online store. US shipping only.
http://flyingneedlegallery.com/
Gifts for the Body & Home

Designing-Diva Boutique - A $25.00 gift certificate for their online store. Worldwide shipping
http://www.designing-diva.com/
Artisan handcrafted silver and fused glass jewelry and home decor adornments for mortal goddesses everywhere!

Lemming Central - 1 Sampler box. Valued at $20.00. US shipping only.
http://www.lemmingcentral.com/
Lemming Central is the place for E-tailers to promote their products, so the consumers can find them! You will find all sorts of great new bath & body products, candles, tarts and even tea! Feed your addiction!
*** For an additional contest entry to win go to the Lemming Central site, find the Sampler page and pick any company that contributed to their box, then come back here and post a LINK to that company. Only one choice is necessary.


Things That Make Scents - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store. Shipping to the US and Canada
http://www.thingsthatmakescents.com/
Things That Make Scents is a Jersey Shore-based candle manufacturer offering superior customer service and a diverse menu of all-natural soy wax candles and scented wax bears. With many scents available, you are sure to find a favorite! Carrying candle accessories, gift baskets, jewelry and great gift items, its your one stop shop for your gift giving needs!

Manic Trout - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.manictrout.com/
Manic Trout has a wide array of baubles and bracelets that will add a funky finesse to your next outfit.

C.A.Milson - 5 e-books of his novel, The Chosen. 5 winners. Valued at $30.00
http://authorcamilson.blogspot.com/
*** For an additional contest entry to win go to Chris' Blog and pick your favorite post, then come back and post a LINK to that post here. Only one choice is necessary.

New feature for our E-tailers ~ Product Showcase

We have decided to start a Product Showcase feature on our blog to show off your wonderful, creative sensations! If you have an item you would like to have featured in the "product showcase" send me an email snowberrycreek@hotmail.com with a description of the product, the cost of the item, and a picture. This could be a new item in your line up, a new fragrance that you created or have decided to carry, or an item that is already on your website.

The holiday shopping season has already begun. Let us help you get your products before the eyes of the consumer. Hope you take advantage of this free opportunity - let's work together to make you more visible to the search engines and the consumer.

Just Right Candles Drawing

The lucky winner of a sample pack of wonderful aromatic wickless, sootless tarts from Amanda of Just Right Candles is Jus Char Designs.

Thanks to everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to read Amanda's "e-tailer spotlight", visit her website and return to leave comments for her.

Remember, the holiday season is quickly approaching, now is the time to be visiting all of these wonderful websites for some of the people on your list.

We appreciate your support and friendship!

I'm Grateful to Be Chosen

Raquel (House of Raquel) from the “http://houseofraquel.blogspot.com/" honored me with this brilliant award! Thank you so much - I am grateful. You and the Muse were the ones to encourage me to start a blog. You have been supportive, helpful and the best kind of friend a "girl" could have!

I didn't really know what to blog about. After looking around, I came to the conclusion to blog about our e-tailers. There are so many wonderful companies out there with great products. I wanted to let the world know about these hidden treasures. It has been fun for me to get to know our e-tailers - how they got started, how they continue in their businesses and what inspires them. I love posting about them and showing off the products they carry. Most of the products are handmade by the e-tailer. I truly believe that we should help one another to the best of our ability. I believe in "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" or as my Granny used to say "What goes around comes around".


Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:
~ inspires you
~ makes you smile and laugh
~ or maybe gives amazing information
~ a great read
~ has an amazing design
~ and any other reasons you can think of that makes them uber amazing!

The rules of this award are:
* Put the logo on your blog or post.
* Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!
* Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
* Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

Here are my nominations for the Uber Amazing:
http://countrykeepsakes07.wordpress.com/
http://havecoffee.blogspot.com/
http://recreationforall-marleetravel.blogspot.com
http://margaritabloom888.blogspot.com
http://kristenandrewsonline.blogspot.com/

"E-tailer Spotlight" - Just Right Candles

The “e-tailer spotlight” this week features Amanda of Just Right Candles. She doesn’t make your traditional wicked candles. Her expertise is in flameless, sootless, wickless candles filled with wonderful scents! When the candles are melted in an electric warmer to release the fragrant aroma throughout your house or office, there are no dangers from flame or any messy soot to contend with. Just Right Candles offers quality products and great customer service.

Some of the wickless options listed on Just Right Candles are: wickless jar candles, jumbo melts, mini melts, and air fresheners. Amanda offers warmers and gift sets. The product by scent category on the website is most helpful. You can go here to see which products are available in each scent. Just Right Candles sells wholesale, has an affiliate program and a gift registry.

Be sure to visit Amanda at Just Right Candles. Browse around and come back to our blog to leave a comment about one of her products or her website. One lucky person who comments will win a holiday sampler pack of wonderful, fragrant tarts. I happen to know for a fact that Amanda makes tarts with a great scent throw – she sent me a Country Berry Hotcakes – Yummy! My house smelled soooo good! The drawing will be Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2:00 pm (central time). Be sure and leave a comment at the end of this post to be entered.

Tell me a little about yourself and/or your business.
My name is Amanda Kennerly and I am the owner of Just Right Candles. My company makes handmade wickless candles. I love wickless because you can use them in places that you can not use a traditional candle. And the scent is must stronger and lasts longer.

How or why did you start your business?
I have always had a love of candles. Even when I was little and my mom would buy candles I would always be there poking at the wax or just watching the flame. As I got older, I still loved candles, but could ever find one strong enough. I would always say that I wished I could make my own candles. One day after saying this for the 50th time my husband said, “Why don’t you start your own business making candles”? That thought had never occurred to me. Once I started I was in love. BUT, shortly after starting our landlord told me that I would have to stop. No open flames allowed where we lived. I was crushed. I just started and already I have to stop. I didn't know what to do. I was on some candle making message boards and heard about wickless candles on there. Then it hit me. I can have a whole new market with just selling wickless candles. And Just Right Candles was born.

Do you carry handmade products? Do you make them yourself?
All of my wickless candles are handmade by me.

What’s your favorite product to make or create?
My favorite product would be making the tarts that are in shapes. Right now I have molds for cherries, strawberries, mulberries, blueberries, raspberries, roses, hearts, and a little birdy. I love to see how realistic they come out and how great they smell.

Do you have a storefront, sell strictly on-line or both?
I sell online and at craft fairs.

Website and email address.
My home website is www.justrightcandles.com.
My email is justrightcandles@msn.com.

Do you have more than one website?
I have a blog www.justrightcandles.blogspot.com and my space at www.myspace.com/justrightcandles.

Do you work at another job?
I have a 'day job' as a Children Services Coordinator at a group home here in Tucson, AZ. I work with kids that have been removed from their home by Child Protective Services due to neglect or abuse.

What or who inspires you?
My children always inspire me to keep going and to stay a kid a heart.
When I first starting researching candles, I came across Becky Howard of bizzysbcandles.com and I just love her work. She is also a graphic designer and her site always looks great. She has done all the graphics on my website.

Do you have a favorite quote or saying?
I would say that one of my favorite is "With God All is Possible" and of course "No Flame. No Soot. Just Scent."

What advice would you offer to someone starting their own business?
I would say to make sure you are organized. I do not know what I would do without my husband. Also to make sure you absolutely need it BEFORE you buy it. Starting any business is very expensive in the beginning. Always be prudent with your finances.


Just Right Candles provides your wickless no flame, no soot, safe alternative to traditional candles.

Don't Miss Out on the Haunted Bloggy Carnival!

Our friend Rachel, of Weird Stuff in My Desk is having a wonderful promotional opportunity, a Bloggy Carnival! Don't miss out! This is a great opportunity to get your products and your website in front of many potential consumers. In addition to that, you will receive many links and this will improve your search engine rankings. This carnival is happening at the best time, right before Christmas....people are shopping....Get noticed! Contact Rachel to be a part of the Carnival...join the fun...win prizes!

How Spooky Is It?? It’s Baaackkkk!!

It’s big, it’s bold, it’s totally scary!

Yep, that’s right folks! The Bloggy Carnival is back upon us only a few scant weeks away. Right now we have over $1695.00 in prizes up for grabs here at Weird Stuff In My Desk! AND another $2823.00 in prizes at our sister site Bitten by Books! Check those prizes out here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1364
Hang on to your seats and keyboards because we have a line up of prize contributions like we have never seen before. Below you will find a sampling of what is to come. Keep checking back, because the list will GROW eerily larger each day as more companies join in on the Haunted Blog Carnival fun! Details on the contests and how to win will be posted on Monday October 27th at 8:00 am! Until then, be sure to post on our blog http://weirdstuffinmydesk.com/?p=157 - tell us what your favorite items would be to win. Make a wish list! Who knows you may just end up with a treat this Halloween! Oh, and invite your friends! If you would like to contribute a prize and promote your books or business, please email us through our CONTACT FORM .

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

Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb - An AMAZING prize package including: a 12 pack Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Sugar-Free Raspberry Dark Chocolate bars, a 12-pack Dark Chocolate Sugar-Free ChocoPerfection bars,an autographed copy of paperback book “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year”. Valued at $106.00. Shipping to US and Canada.
http://www.livinlavidalowcarb.com/
Author of “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year”

Bin Hog Designs - 2 each $50.00 gift certificates to their online store. Two winners. Worldwide shipping
http://www.binhog.com/
Custom & Personalized luggage handle wraps

Lathers & Lights - $100.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.lathersnlights.com/
Lathers & Lights is dedicated to producing quality skin care products and candles that inspire you to slow down, take a break, and pamper yourself from head to toe. You deserve it!

Beaded Hemp - 5 each $20.00 gift certificates to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.beadedhemp.com/
Beaded Hemp carries hand milled soaps, bath & body products, and flameless home fragrance, with over 200 scents to choose from.

Meringue - A $100.00 gift certificate to their online etsy store. Worldwide shipping
http://www.meringueshop.etsy.com/

Hands-free handbags for stylish women


Jessicurl - 4 each $25.00 gift certificates to their online store, four winners. Worldwide shipping.
http://Jessicurl.com
You Have the Right to Remain Curly!


Lathered Up - A $100.00 gift certificate to their online store. Shipping within the US only.
http://www.latheredup.com/
Lathered Up offers a diverse selection of pure and natural soaps, bath and body products for self-indulgence or wonderful gifts.


Bauble Bath - One Holiday Gift basket valued at $75.00 with 3 scrubs (Candy Cane, Sugar Plum, Gingerbread). We three Kings bauble set (3 scented with Frankincense and Myrh). Holiday Candy Bauble set ( 8 mini baubles in a variety of “candy” fragrances ), Snowmen and Penguin bath melts. 2 soaps in cinnamon and Honey almond and 3 Lip Balms. Shipping to the US and Canada.
http://baublebath.com/
Thick Creamy scrubs as well as bath bombs in indulgent fragrances.

The Blue Raven Tea Co. - 3 each $20.00 gift certificates to their online store, three winners. Shipping to the US and Canada.
http://blueraventea.com
Let us delight you with our irresistible and fragrant teas. Every cup is a journey.

Crater Lake Company - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store.
http://www.craterlakecompany.com
Crater Lake Company specializes in providing all the luxurious necessities to transform the bathing experience into a joyful treat and soothing retreat. With a discerning eye to detail for the ingredients we use, a keen nose for unique fragrances and a finger on the pulse of the market, we are pleased to present a palette of superior products in a fun and exciting way so that you can create your own work of art in your bath!

A Woman with Scents - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://awomanwithscents.com/
Scented soy candles and artisan soaps.

Bad Girlz Bath Co. - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. US shipping only.
http://badgirlzbath.com/“We’re the Passionate bath & body company. Check us out. We’re NOT your mothers bath & body shop, We’re Lot’s more Fun!!”

Overall Beauty - A prize package including 4 mineral eye shadows colors and one blush. $50.00 value. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.overallbeauty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=77
Offering pure natural mineral eye shadows and blushes we all can enjoy.

Kettlepot Soap - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. Shipping to US and Canada.
http://www.kettlepotsoap.com/
There’s something magical about Kettlepot Soap! Natural, handcrafted products for skin care.

Ugly Duckling Designs - A $50.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.theuglyducklingdesigns.com/
We offer richly scented, hand poured candles, tarts and primitive designs.

TarotByArwen - Consultation with professional Tarot consultant, Stephanie Arwen Lynch, president of the American Tarot Association. Valued at $50.00.
http://tarotbyarwen.com

Destiny’s Creations - 2 each $25.00 Gift Certificates to their online store. Two winners.
http://www.shopdestinyscreations.com/
Handmade one of a kind art jewelry with fine silver, gemstones, and artisan lampwork beads. A modern mix of Victorian and romantic jewelry.

Ginger’s Garden - A gift basket with handmade soaps and skin care worth $50.00 with your choice of fragrance. Shipping to the US only.
http://www.gingersgarden.com/
Come visit Ginger’s Garden for handmade soaps, skin and body care, gift baskets, toiletries, Zodiac Perfume blends, sculpted soap flowers and more.


Pampertini - $25.00 Gift Certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.pampertini.com/
We offer a variety of pampering items for you to enjoy, whether you are a shower person or love to indulge in a tub of bubbles, come by for some ONE STOP SHOPPING fun!

Delightfully Wed - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store. Free shipping in the US with this gift certificate.
http://www.delightfullywed.com/
Visit us for your bridal shower, wedding, baby shower, party or birthday party accessories, favors and supplies. We specialize in western-themed items and handcrafted western Christmas ornaments.

Candles and Woodcrafts - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store with free shipping in the US with this gift certificate.
http://www.candlesandwoodcrafts.com/
We provide a wide array of items from wooden soap molds and displays to wax tarts, finished woodcrafts, clocks, lighted holiday items….way to much to mention in one line so come on over and take a look!


Snowberry Creek - A gift certificate good for one Snowberry Creek Sampler box with free shipping in the US. Valued at $22.95
http://www.snowberrycreek.com/
A box full of luxurious, fragrant samples and full-sized items for your pampering pleasure!

Chunky Butt Candle & Bath Co. - A $30.00 gift certificate to their online store.
http://www.chunkybuttcandles.com/
We specialize in wickless soy candles, soy melts, and bath and body.

Lindsay’s Candles & Stuff - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store. Shipping to the US and Canada.
http://www.lindsayscandles.com/
Wonderfully pampering handcrafted candles, soaps and bath & body products.

Jojoelle - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://www.jojoelle.com/
Quality bath and body products available in over 400 scents!

Robed in Fantasy - 1 Custom Made Pirate Shirt Value $22.00. Worldwide shipping.
http://stores.ebay.com/Robed-In-Fantasy
Robed in Fantasy. Magical creations from the realm of imagination. We specialize in medieval reenactment/live action role play clothing, gothic inspired clothing, gowns, wedding attire and costumes. If you can imagine it, we should be able to make it. We offer custom and ready-made garments.

Sidhe Na Daire - One set of custom-made costume horns or cat ears. Valued at $15.00. US shipping only.
http://www.sidhenadaire.com/promoTM.htm
Celebrate the Launch of Danielle Ackley-McPhail’s Long-Awaited novel Tomorrow’s Memories, the sequel to Yesterday’s Dreams. Also, see webpage for details on how you could win a replica Scottish Claymore.

Moody Bee Beeswax Lip Balm - A gift certificate for $30.00 which will pay for 10 lip balms, including shipping to anywhere in Canada or the US - perfect for Christmas!
http://www.moodybee.com/
All natural beeswax lip balm made by a Canadian beekeeper

Out Of The Box Sampler - 2 each sampler boxes to two winners. Valued at $20.00 each. Shipping to the US included in prize.
http://www.outoftheboxsampler.com/
We cater to finding you the best etailers in the business, all in ONE box.

Spa Secrets - A $30.00 certificate to their online store. Worldwide shipping.
http://spasecrets.net/
Spa Secrets offers an amazing collection of luxurious bath and body, skincare, and aromatherapy products for your home spa needs.


Flying Needle Gallery - A $20.00 gift certificate to their online store. US shipping only.
http://flyingneedlegallery.com/
Gifts for the Body & Home

Designing-Diva Boutique - A $25.00 gift certificate for their online store. Worldwide shipping
http://www.designing-diva.com/
Artisan handcrafted silver and fused glass jewelry and home decor adornments for mortal goddesses everywhere!

Lemming Central - 1 Sampler box. Valued at $20.00. US shipping only.
http://www.lemmingcentral.com/
Lemming Central is the place for E-tailers to promote their products, so the consumers can find them! You will find all sorts of great new bath & body products, candles, tarts and even tea! Feed your addiction!

Things That Make Scents - A $25.00 gift certificate to their online store. Shipping to the US and Canada.
http://www.thingsthatmakescents.com/
Things That Make Scents is a Jersey Shore-based candle manufacturer offering superior customer service and a diverse menu of all-natural soy wax candles and scented wax bears. With many scents available, you are sure to find a favorite! Carrying candle accessories, gift baskets, jewelry and great gift items, its your one stop shop for your gift giving needs!

And the Winner of A Woman With Scents Drawing is....

Debbie. Please contact Carol at sales@awomanwithscents. I don't have your email so we will not be able to contact you. Carol will be sending your 3 fall soap sampler set directly to you. Hope you get some of those yummy sound scents!

Thanks for everyone for taking the time to visit Carol's websites and come back to leave comments. I know this means a lot to her, as well as to us. We appreciate your support for us and our e-tailers.

Debbie, we hope you enjoy your soaps!

A Woman With Scents Drawing ~ Don't Miss Out!

Time is running out! Please read the "e-tailer spotlight" below featuring A Woman With Scents. Rush over to either of her websites www.awomanwithscents.com or www.awomanwithscents.etsy.com ~ then hurry back over to this blog and post a comment about one of her products on her "e-tailer spotlight". Please don't post the comment to this blog. Scroll on down the page and leave it under her "e-tailer spotlight" to be entered into a drawing for one of her wonderful fall sampler soap sets (it is a set of THREE soaps). Carol's soaps smell wonderful and have great lather! Don't miss out! We will draw Wednesday afternoon at 4:00. Good luck!

The "Perks" Of Being An E-tailer In Our Sample Boxes

I'm not real sure what other sample box companies offer their e-tailers for sending in their products. I purposely don't know, so that we are able to build our company without the influence of others. If we do something similiar to them, it is purely accidental. Maybe great minds think alike! I wish all entrepreneurs the best of luck in their endeavors. That said, I will continue listing our "perks".

You send in your wonderful, creative samples to us and we package them up to send out to our consumers. You may ask, "What's in it for me, as an e-tailer"? That is a good question. I don't know anyone that does this, but it is a possible scenario - the samples arrive - they are packaged - sent out - end of story. Well, that is not how we work.

Once your samples arrive here -

* You are added to the list of e-tailers "in the box"
* If you have been an e-tailer in the past, you are listed on that page of our website
* If you have decided to be a sponsor for the month - you have a page on our website to promote yourself.
* If you have decided to be the mystery prize sponsor for the month - you will be listed as such.
*you are added to our forum. You may go to the forum - visit and leave comments as often as you like. Your page on the forum is "your page". You may post specials, pictures of products, promote your website - whatever you want on this page.
*You will be listed on our blog as an e-tailer in the box.
*If you have a blog and send us the link - your blog will be listed.
*You may ask to be featured in the "e-tailer spotlight".
*If you are featured in the "spotlight" we will promote you on many forums, myspace and twitter.
*We are always looking for new places to promote your website (and ours). We will share any places that we find with you.
*Your website will have many links on the internet and we know that search engines love links. This will make your website more visible to the consumer.
*Once you have been an e-tailer with us, we will still contact you about forums to join, places to promote your businesses, and ideas for getting the word out. If you aren't interested - just hit delete.

Now, I know you are wondering, "What does it cost", "What is the catch"? It doesn't cost you anything other than the cost of your samples. And there is no catch. We believe there are many small indie business in this country with superior products. They are just out there waiting for someone to come along and discover them. We have found some wonderful products, great business women and men, with excellent customer service. Maybe they just don't know where to go to get the exposure they need or maybe they simply don't have the time that it takes. It is time intensive to find places to promote buisnesses and products that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. In these days of economic decline, small business don't have the money to shell out for anything extra and we understand that concept. This is our area of expertise. We have the time to search for new places for free or low cost advertising and promotion.

Our goal is to promote your business to the best of our ability. We will work hard to see that you are promoted and not just tossed in the box and forgotten about. We do want your products, but only so we can show the world "what you have to offer".

"E-tailer Spotlight" - A Woman With Scents

This spotlight features Carol of "A Woman With Scents". I love the name of her website. Carol is active on many forums and has been featured as Indie of the Week on Wickedly Chic. Carol offers handcrafted cold process soaps, as well as candles. Carol has a shop on the indie site "Etsy" www.awomanwithscents.etsy.com Check out Carol's many scents!

For the drawing Carol is offering a "3 soap fall sampler pack". If any of you haven't tried Carol's soaps - I can tell you they are wonderful! She sent me one (some time ago) - it was fabulous! Great swirls, lathered good, scented just right! The person who wins "3" of her soaps will indeed be lucky! We will draw next Wednesday, Oct. 15! To be entered - go to Carol's Etsy Store A Woman With Scents or her website www.awomanwithscents.com; look over her products; come back here and post your comments. You will be entered into the drawing. Good luck ladies! Thanks for your support of our e-tailers!


Tell me a little about yourself and/or your business. I've been happily married for 21 years, and have a nearly grown son. At the time I started my business, I was working around 50 hours a week outside the home and wanted to be more available for my son, who was into all types of sports.

How or why did you start your business? I figured if I had to work hard for the rest of my life, I'd rather be making the money for myself rather than someone else. Also, it was kind of a dare. I had too many people tell me it couldn't be done, so I set out to prove them wrong.

What kind of products do you carry or make? Pillar candles, votive candles, container candles, scent tarts, and soap. I also crochet some bath accessories like body poofs, soap savers, and bath mitts.

Do you carry handmade products? Do you make them yourself? Yes, everything I carry is something handmade by me.

What’s your favorite product to make or create? Pillar candles and soap probably allow for the most creativity, but I have fun making it all!

Do you have a storefront, sell strictly on-line or both? No storefront, but I do have local wholesale and retail clients, in addition to selling online.

Website and email address. http://awomanwithscents.com, sales@awomanwithscents.com

Do you have more than one website? Yes, I also sell on Etsy (awomanwithscents.etsy.com), and hang out on myspace and iEmporium. I try to keep everything cohesive between the sites I use, but use them all to create a larger web presence. I also have a blog at awomanwithscents.blogspot.com, but I'm not very disciplined with my blogging.

Do you work at another job? Yes, my family owns a steak house. When I'm not cooking up candles and soap, you can find me there...cooking steaks!

What or who inspires you? Mostly, my family. They've always been hugely supportive.

Do you have a favorite quote or saying? Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.

What advice would you offer to someone starting their own business? Never give up...never surrender!

Candles and Woodcrafts Drawing Winner!

Congratulations, Lady Lynn! You are the lucky winner of a set - soap dish/cold process soap from Julie of Candles and Woodcrafts. Please contact Julie at candlesandwoodcrafts@alltel.net with your mailing address so she can ship your prize out.

I hope everyone has enjoyed getting to know our e-tailers. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more about them and their products. There are many small business out in this world that make superior products. We will continue to "spotlight" our e-tailers. You just never know when you will find a product that you have been looking for.

Thanks to all for taking the time to visit our blog, the e-tailer's website and for leaving a comment. I know the e-tailers really appreciate your feedback.

We will be posting a new e-tailer soon!

Snowberry Creek's September Drawing Winners

Each month all of the wonderful customers that purchase boxes are entered into 2 drawings. These items are shipped free of charge. The lucky ladies this month are: Gina R. of North Carolina - winner of a Free Sample Box (to be shipped out Oct. 24) and the Mystery Prize winner is Tori R. of Illinois. The mystery prize for Sept. was donated by Candles and Woodcrafts. Sorry, ladies can't tell you what the prize is - don't want to ruin the surprise for Tori.

Hope you have enjoyed all of your "goodies this month". The Oct. mystery prize is being donated by Linda of Tuxedo-Enterprises. Wonder what she is sending in? All of our customers (each month) are automatically entered into each of these drawings!

Thanks for choosing Snowberry Creek Sample Boxes!

Products You May Receive in Our Box - Defined

Have you ever heard of product and wondered how it is suppose to be used? We will try to describe some of the items you may encounter. We haven't covered everything but we hope we have been a bit helpful.

Cold process soaps – Soap made from scratch from a variety of ingredients. Each soaper has a recipe they have perfected depending on their preference of oils and ingredients. No two batches will be exactly the same. Many people use wooden soap molds for molding the soap into loaves then it is sliced into bars. Cold process soap has a cure time before it can be unmolded and sliced.

Bath salts – This one is fairly self-explanatory. Some people use several different kinds of salts. These salts are blended with fragrance oils and sometimes herbs. Add to running bath water for an relaxing bath.

Bath melts - Bath melts are small solid shapes (cubes, rounds, cupcakes, etc.) of oils that melt when placed into a warm bath. The melts are filled with moisturizing oils and fragrance.

Bath bombs – Bath bombs or bath fizzies dissolves or fizzes when placed in bath water. The size may vary, some people make large bombs or fizzies, while others make small ones. The are fragrant, fizzy and may have some moisturizing oils or herbs added.

Sugar scrubs – Sugar scrubs are sometimes called sugar body polish. They are used as a gentle moisturizing scrub to exfoliate the body. Many people like to use them on freshly shaved legs.

Salt scrubs – Salt scrubs are also called sea salt scrubs or salt glows. It is a coarse salt to exfoliate dead skin cells, increase circulation and soften your skin. Bath scrubs are scented with oils.

Glycerin soaps – soaps made of glycerin. Most have added fragrance oils and dyes. This soap may be molded into shapes or bars.

Bath confetti - bath confetti is almost paper thin bubble soap with fragrance. When added to running water the confetti will foam. Or you may fill you tub, sprinkle them on top of the water – they will dissolve slowly. They are available in many different shapes and fragrances. Once ounce of confetti provide 1-2 baths.

Bath beads - Filled with scented, moisturizing bath oil. Bath beads will dissolve quickly in a warm bath. Bath beads are also available in a foaming variety and are offered in many shapes and sizes.

Massage oil - Aromatic and therapeutic massage oils are used for enriching the massage experience.

Aroma beads - small little plastic beads that can be colored or clear and contain fragrance. Some uses for aroma beads are: air freshener sachets for cars, luggage, closets, drawers, or any place you would like to freshen up. You may opt to use them as dry potpourri in a pretty glass dish. When placed in a warm area the fragrance is stronger. The aroma beads make great little favors when placed in organza bags.

Smelly jelly – this is a jelly-like substance filled with fragrance. These wonderfully aromatic air fresheners may be used in homes, offices, etc. They come colored or clear, in many fragrances and in a variety of containers.

Wax chips, tart melts, wax melts, candle melts, wax potpourri, candle tarts, scented tarts, wax candle tarts, scent chips, wax tarts and potpourri melts are all names for scented, wickless wax that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to be melted in a tart burner. You may opt to use an electric tart burner or a tea light tart burner. You home will be aroma filled.

"E-tailer Spotlight" ~ Candles and Woodcrafts

This week I would like to introduce you to a very special e-tailer. She is my friend and a partner in Snowberry Creek. This is one very talented lady (I might be a little prejudiced – but not really). If you need something made from a piece of wood, then you need her expertise. She is not limited to this avenue, she possesses many talents. She is a soaper, a website builder, banner maker and well-rounded crafter. At one time, Julie made candles, wax embeds and decorative items. While she still makes these, they are not her main focus.

Julie is offering a handcrafted wooden soap dish with a bar of her wonderful cold process soap for the drawing to be held on Tues. Oct. 7. Visit Julie's website www.candlesandwoodcrafts.com and return here - leave your comments on her products on this blog to be entered into the drawing. Good luck!









Tell me a little about yourself and/or your business.

My name is Julie and I own wood workshop where I design and create original wooden soap molds and displays along with decorative items, candle holders and cold process soap. I build websites and design and create banners, business cards, etc.

How or why did you start your business?

I started my business to stay home with my children and earn money at the same time. I started out making Christmas yard decorations 16 years ago. My business has evolved from this and has undergone many changes along the way.

What kind of products do you carry or make?

All my products are handcrafted in my shop. Some of the items offered are: wooden soap molds – several varieties-standard, pegged, hinged, hinged and pegged combo and coming soon a totally collapsible mold. You may choose loaf/log, slab, or multi-cell molds – double, triple or quad in any of the varieties offered.

What’s your favorite product to make or create?

Wooden Soap Molds are my favorite item to design and make because I love making soap.

Do you have a storefront, sell strictly on-line or both?

I sell strictly online.

Website and email address.

www.candlesandwoodcrafts.com
candlesandswoodcrafts@alltel.net







Do you have more than one website?

Yes, I have more than one website. I am a partner in Snowberry Creek Sample Boxes. My website offering cold process soaps will be coming soon at www.snowberrycreeksoaps.com.


Do you work at another job?

No, I don’t have time for another job. I stay very busy in my shop and building & maintaining websites for myself and others.

Do you have a favorite quote or saying?

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. ~Mark Twain

What advice would you offer to someone starting their own business?

Never give up ‘cause it’s not going to happen overnight.