Friday Finds: December 9

I am finding that I am constantly inspired by the colors of nature, and I want to share more lovely browns with you today!

First, this gorgeous mahogany brown leather journal from theorangewindmill. Who doesn't need an amazingly beautiful leather journal. Perfect for those long winter days by the fire, or to record your summer adventures!

Next, these beautiful vintage woven grass baskets from redemptionart. What a fun way to carry things to and from the gazebo in the summertime or to your dinner table year round.

Now I'm loving this fun sage green polka dot headband from chickyds. My daughter would think this was adorable too!

Last, this sweet bridal shower gift pouch from kcdragonfly. What a fun thing to put another gift in or keep for beautiful things of your own.

If you're an Etsy artisian looking for a great group of people to help you grow and support your work, check out the BESTeam.

Friday Finds: RedemptionArt

I'd like to introduce you to Connie Haskell from redemptionart featuring vintage, handmade, and upcycled art from Volcano, Hawaii.

Come learn more about Connie with me...

Introduction
In my shop you will find things from all over the globe that have somehow made their way to my beautiful island home. I am the queen of redeem! I find complete satisfaction re-cycling, up-cycling and redeeming! Those who know me know my mantra: "it can't be that hard to wash out a can and remove its label!" Little did I know that one day I would be "redeeming" my professional life and that it would be the economy that would dictate this redemption.

Name one thing that not many people know about you.
I have 4 tatoos...hidden well!

How did you get your start on Etsy?
I just took the leap almost a year ago pretty much on my own, after being an etsy shopper for about 6 months.

How did you choose your shop name?
My name RedemptionArt is a statement of my spiritual and physical lifestyle. .I am a believer that everything and everyone can be redeemed.

What does a typical day look like for you?
Prayer, feed animals, make coffee, do basic housekeeping, check emails, facebook, twitter, hive, list new products, re-list products, work on art projects and so much more....especially play with my grandkids.

What's your favorite season of the year and why?
I love Christmas! Because it celebrates redemption! Because everyone gets together, a chance to spend time with my adult neices and nephews.

What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?
divorce?

What do you consider your best personality trait?
I genuinely love people, especially the chance to encourage someone.

What's your birthstone? Do you wish you had a different one?
My birthstone is a garnet and I wouldn't trade it! Love the dark red color.

You can also find Connie on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and her handmade shop.

Friday Finds: MossyCreekSoaps

Meet Michelle Rhoades from mossycreeksoaps, a certified soapmaker with the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild in Warner Robins, Georgia. She and her husband make natural herbal handcrafted soaps from scratch with olive and sunflower oils enriched with shea butter that are deliciously scented with essential oils of lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, and spearmint.

Sit down and grab a cup of tea as we get to know them better...

Tell us more about you.
My husband and I started soap making together when a direct selling company that I really loved when out of the direct selling business. Instead of starting all over with another company with a new product and I started making my own. Which means I have complete control over what goes into my soap. I love to cook and I thought well... soap making cannot be that much different? Right? It's true.. there is something so amazing creating, designing and formulating soap.

What's so special about homemade soap?
Well the answer is short... It's plainly better for you with out all the fillers of commerical soap. My soap is made with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Lye and water. Basically thats it! You can add fragrance, you can also add color..but it's in the simplicity of the recipe that keeps most people coming back for more. I do believe most people do not know that their favorite beauty bar is not really soap? It's a detergent.. similar to the one you wash your dishes and clothes with. Allthough it may be mild and filled with lotion...it's not SOAP. Soap must be made with Lye in order to be called soap.

Name one thing that not many people know about you.
I used to be an airline flight attendant.

How did you choose your shop name?
I also own a Soapmaking Studio in town where I teach soapmaking. My business name came from a local creek that runs through my county.

What does a typical day look like for you?
There are no typical days for me..I could be running around town delivering wholesale orders, shipping out orders or making soap in the studio. Or I could be teaching a class, working on the internet, or doing nothing & enjoying my family.

What's your favorite season of the year and why?
I absolutely love spring because after a long winter I get excited about watching everything in the garden come back to life.

What do you consider your best personality trait?
My ability to teach others through compassion and understanding. I am a very passionate person concerning something I whole heartily believe in. For me it's total immersion which gives me the ability to teach others.

You can also find mossycreeksoaps on their website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Creating the Hive.