Vintage Handmade Soaps Feature & Review (with Giveaway Link)

My family and I recently  had the opportunity to try out several varieties of handmade soap made by Heather from Raising Mighty Arrows. We love it! Not only does it sud so nicely, smell wonderfully, and leave your hands feeling clean and refreshed, you can also rest assured that this soap only has quality ingredients that are good for your skin.

Heather has recently started up a home business making and selling her wonderful soap. Now those of us who either don't know how to make soap or simply don't have the time, can enjoy the benefits and blessings of homemade natural oil soap with natural essential oils or fragrance oils. Vintage Handmade Soaps are made in the comfort of home, mixed by hand, poured into molds, hand cut, and cured for at least four weeks before every batch is tested to ensure satisfaction guaranteed.

And now I am delighted to introduce you to the sweet lady who makes this beautiful soap!

How and when did you become interested in your craft?
I first used handmade soap last year and fell in love with it.  I knew that I never wanted to use store bought soap again, although I have.  I have used handmade soaps from a few different makers and have enjoyed it all. 
 
What inspired you to open your business?
I wanted to be able to do something that would bring in extra money for our family; to somewhat lift my husband's burden.  Since I enjoyed using handmade soap so much and didn't know of anyone directly in our area that makes them, I decided to try my hand at making them.  I knew right away that this was something I wanted to get into not only making and using, but also selling for others to enjoy.

 
Have you taken any courses or classes?
Everything that I have learned has come from books, the Internet, and asking questions of other ladies that make soap.

Is there something that you do differently than other people in your craft?
I use Silk Milk in my soaps and haven't seen much of that elsewhere.  The Silk Milk has added vitamins and minerals and adds a creamy, moisturizing effect to the soaps.

What is your favorite item in your shop?
The Sweet Orange is my FAVORITE, as is the favorite for a lot of my customers.  The Chocolate/Mint is also another favorite.

Why do you do what you do?
I love knowing that the soap my family is using is not only safe for our skin, but is also beneficial in that it has cleared dry, itchy skin. 

How do you make time to craft?
I usually try to make soap in the evenings when my husband is home and can tend to the children.

What advice would you give someone just learning your craft?
Read everything you can on soap making before diving in.  Be sure this is something you're ready to try and PRAY before you do anything, as well as seek the advice of your husband (or parents if you're not married).

Aren't they lovely? They smell just as good as they look too. :) I especially love the ones made with essential oils! The mint ones are my favorite so far!

Come check out Vintage Handmade Soaps for yourself! You can also find Heather on Facebook, and I'm told that there is a coupon code just waiting for anyone who "likes" Vintage Heritage Soap.

You don't need to have a Facebook account to find a coupon code though. Heather has sweetly offered my readers a coupon for 20% off their purchase! Just use the code joyfulservice at checkout to receive your discount.

Would you like the opportunity to win a $15 gift code to Vintage Handmade Soap? My good friend Anna who blogs at Feminine Adventures is hosting a giveaway right now, so hurry on over and enter!

5 Day Lilla Rose SALE

I received an exciting e-mail in my inbox this morning

Lilla Rose is retiring some select Flexi Clip styles and has put them on sale! For 5 days (Feb. 25-29), you can get 30% off these select styles.

There are only limited amounts of these flexi clips though, so if you're interested, you'll want to order soon!

Spring is Coming!

  

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

FREE Shipping at Tropical Traditions TODAY ONLY

Today ONLY, Tropical Traditions is giving their customers another opportunity to receive FREE SHIPPING on their orders! I love free shipping, don't you? :)

I haven't had the opportunity to try very many of the Tropical Traditions products yet, but I have tried their Virgin Coconut Oil and their Raw Honey, and I love them both! The honey makes the most delicious peanut butter and honey sandwiches (even better than pbj sandwiches!), and I love using the coconut oil in my baked oatmeal to replace the butter. It gives it a really yummy light coconut flavor!

Another couple products I'm hoping to try soon are their Shredded Coconut, and their Organic Oats. If I had all of these TT ingredients, I'd want to go mix up a batch of Coconut Oatmeal Muffins! :)

And the Winner is...

I'm a little late posting giveaway winners this time. Sorry about that. I've been swamped with custom orders, and it's hard to find time to fit everything else in. :)

Out of the 157 entries for the Red Toddler Pettiskirt from Plume de Nikola, the randomly chosen winner was #113. Congratulations, Dianna!

And the very last person to enter the Nonpareils Designs giveaway for the Horse Rubber Stamp, was chosen as the winner! Congratulations, Naomi.


Thanks again to everyone who took the time to enter these two giveaways. Don't forget you can still take advantage of the coupon code for both of these shops even if you didn't win the giveaway.

NEW Lilla Rose Flexi Clip

The February Flexi Clip of the Month has just been released - Sweet Hearts!

"Sweet Hearts can Be Yours this Valentine's Day. Enjoy the darling hearts with a special red crystal heart dangling from within, along with the brilliant ruby red aurora borealis beadwork to sparkle in any updo. This sweet Flexi Clip is saying Be Mine!"

Isn't it pretty? It will only be available for a short time though (while supplies last), so if you want one, make sure to purchase it soon. :) Other new flexi clips will also be available soon, so don't forget to check back often.

Plume de Nikola Coupon Code

Just 5 more days to enter the giveaway from Plume de Nikola and Nonpareils Designs. If you haven't done so yet, check out the cute little red pettiskirt and the beautiful horse rubber stamp that are being given away!


I was also reminded that in posting the feature and giveaway, I forgot to include the coupon code! If you've been thinking about making a purchase from either shop, now is the perfect time to do it.


Use the code JSBLOG10 to receive 10% off your order total. And remember, any order you place will get you extra entries into the giveaway!

Reasonable Ribbon Coupon Code

Do you need some ribbon or trim for a special Valentine's Day project or gift? Reasonable Ribbon has just released a new coupon code!

Take a look at their HUGE variety of ribbons, trims, and more then use the appropriate coupon code to take advantage of these special savings.

 Now through Thursday, February 9th, the more you buy the more you save with the new promo codes! If your order totals $39.99 or less, use the code CREATE10 for 10% off your purchase. If your order is $40.00 or more, use the code CREATE15 to receive a 15% discount.

Happy Shopping!

You Can Make This (YCMT) Coupon Code!

Just in time for Valentine's Day,has issued a new coupon code!

I love being able to purchase patterns made by independent designers. Not only can I use most of the patterns I find on YCMT to create clothing to sell, but at the same time I'm also supporting other small business owners!

Use the code VALENTINE at checkout to receive 14% off your entire purchase. This coupon expires February 9th. Plus if you purchase $30 or more, you'll also receive a Valentine quilt pattern set for FREE!

Half Price Girls Corduroy Peasant Skirt

Once more I have a pretty, but not quite perfect, girls peasant skirt to offer to my readers for half price! This skirt is a medium weight dusty purple corduroy peasant skirt in a girls size 6/8.

A few weeks ago when I was working on so many corduroy skirts, I pulled this purple fabric out of my box to turn into a nice warm skirt and discovered that the fabric had been folded up so long that there was a discolored line all the way down the center fold. I didn't want to just toss out the fabric, so I decided to go ahead and make a peasant skirt out if it anyway!

The skirt turned out really cute (as well as nice and warm), and the discoloration doesn't show too much. It almost looks like another seam. You can see one of the lines in the picture below (by her hands).

If you're looking for a sturdy, warm, handmade and inexpensive skirt, this skirt might be just the thing for you. Although this skirt isn't in perfect condition and you probably wouldn't want to wear it for dressy occasions, it would be a wonderful skirt for everyday wear this winter!

The skirt is a girls size 6/8 and measures 24" in length with an elastic waist of 21". The elastic can be adjusted on request. All seams have been professionally finished with a serger. A matching fabric headband also comes with the skirt.

I am selling this skirt for half price - $15 plus $5 shipping. That makes the skirt $20 postage paid. If you are interested in this skirt, please e-mail me: joyfullysewn at gmail dot com.