Spring has Sprung!

Hi there!  I know it's been a while and I promise I didn't just up and vanish.  We have been busy here at GLC not only with business to do's but with the daily tasks that starting a homestead bring.  It's Spring so we have been working hard to get the garden tilled and the veggies planted, we are working on the workshop remodel (more info coming soon), and planning the chicken coop build!  Busy...Busy...Busy.
But we did get into the kitchen and make some new Spring Soaps and Candles!
But today we are going to talk photography...

For anyone trying to sell they're wares; photography is one of the most important things in your small business arsenal.  In this day of Internet shopping, Instagram, Facebook, and twitter...a good photograph can speak a thousand words...or followers.  And we love followers!

I have this beautiful wood platform that my handy father built for me to initially serve as a soap display.  It didn't work on the table as a display so I re-purposed it into a photography prop.  It took good pictures with the natural wood look, but I wondered if I could make it even better.

I took some ebony stain and applied it with a rag and immediately wiped it right off so the light wood grain would show through.



A simple project that took me literally five minuets to complete gave me a total transformation on my prop.  Now both the light and the dark colored soap stand out with this new background, and it's much more dramatic.
 The dark wood stands out and looks incredibly rustic.  I LOVE how this project turned out and can't wait to take more pictures on it.

I also played with using some botanicals as props to add interest and depth.  I don't usually add extras to my product photography.  I tend to be a minimalist..and frankly a little plain.  I have totally been missing out!  This soap was created to be a little plain, but by using botanicals I can add some interest and portray that this soap smells like Rosemary.  Bonus that it adds that rustic look to my photography that I LOVE.  I will definitely be experimenting with more props in my photography.

Now I am cheap (I'm sorry frugal), so I won't be heading out tomorrow to the local craft store to buy a bunch of props for upcoming photo sessions.  I will wait and see what I can pick from my garden.  I think the mint would be pretty fresh, and of course I have lots of dried botanicals I use every day for soapmaking.  I will keep my eye out for shells or pretty rocks at the beach, and look for stuff the next time I go junkin.

Do you use props in your product photography?
I'm sure I will find lots of Photography Inspiration on Pinterest!
Happy Soaping!





Stay tuned for more....I can't wait to show you all the workshop we have been working so hard on!  It's been a wildly fun re-purposed ride!  That's right...most of the workshop is being remodeled with re-purposed materials! I was going to wait until it was finished to do a series of blog posts...but I may give you all a sneaky peak!!!

Putting things back together

It's been a while, and things haven't really gone perfectly to plan (let's be honest, do they ever?) but we are finally putting the pieces back together and finding a new routine at our new place.

We have been here 2 months now, and even though we are not exactly completely settled; we are getting there.  

The boxes are slowly disappearing, the house is starting to look like home, and the kids are loving the newly found freedom that comes with having acreage to roam.  

I have been itching to get back in the Green Lady Lab and get creating, but that is one item that has not been completed yet.  The designated workspace will need some work before it will be ready to produce in.  But I am a crafty girl...and I need to keep busy.

Thankfully our new place was a blank canvas; and I have been busy painting walls, cabinets, tables, and anything I can get my paintbrush on. 

My first DIY project was downsizing my computer desk.

We have moved in to a much smaller house, and with that comes purging and downsizing furniture.  Out with the big and bulky...and in with the small and compact.  

The local Habitat for Humanity store has been my go-to place for finding smaller furniture, as well as local thrift stores, flea markets, and good old garage sales.  There is something magical about finding that perfect piece.  

Add some elbow grease and a little creativity and you can turn something boring into something fantastic.  

On this desk I used a dry brush technique...and it worked like a charm!

 After sanding and priming the piece I use a dark espresso bean brown for the first two coats.  This gave me a nice dark base.  I then used a light ocean blueish green color to provide a nice contrast.

Using a inexpensive brush, I dipped some paint onto the tip and then took most of it off by brushing the excess on a paper plate. 

Using short strokes I painted the top coat lightly over the darker base; allowing the contrast to show through.

It turned out AMAZING!

It took some patience on my part, but I really had a blast painting it; and now I have given myself the painting bug.  Since this project I have done 3 more painting projects for the new house that I will share with you!

In addition to painting I have been working on a multitude of crafy projects, adding gardens and green to our new space, as well as discovering things once beatiful that have been overgrown around the new home.  Stay tuned for our next crafty project...and as always Have a Fantasic Day!

.  

Don't look back ....

...your not going that way.

As I mentioned in a previous post there are many changes happening here at GLC.  The big one is that we are MOVING.  Yes that one word that can instill excitement, fear, stress, and a sense of adventure at the same time.  

As I pack up our home of 12 years, I must remember how wonderful this new opportunity is; reminding myself daily that change is good, change is necessary; and sometimes things fall apart so better things can fall into place.  

Thankfully we are not going to far, just an hour and half north to beautiful Skagit County.  I Love it up there.  Of all the places in Washington; this area is top on my list of places I would move to.  It has sprawling open spaces, yet is close to major shopping, restaurants and amenities.  After living in a city that is 20 min away from a just slightly bigger city and almost 1/2 hr away from any major city; I look forward to being closer to fun activities and shopping.  

But I'm not a city sort of gal, so I love that you can still feel like you are out in the country without having to actually be so far from everything.  

It has one of my favorite festivals every spring, the breathtaking Tulip Festival.  I try to check out the blooms every year and look forward to getting my camera out and strolling along the tulip rows in the Spring.

And best part of all....it has my sister.  While the reason for our move is a job opportunity for my husband, I would be lying if I said I wasn't overjoyed at the fact that I will be just minutes from my big sis.  

But moving of course is not fun, nor is it easy; and moving not only your family, but your business is even harder.  I am working hard to make this change as easy as possible, although I am sure that as this process goes on there will be some things that are more challenging than others.  

First and foremost I have found that it is incredibly challenging to sell a house that you also raise your children in, and run a business out of. Not that's a totally different kind of adventure.



I appreciate your patience and support during this process and for allowing me a little extra time to complete orders.  

As I always say....you...my customers....are simply the BEST!

Thanks for letting me share this wonderful journey with you!  

New Year....New Ideas!!!!!

We have been working hard in the Soapy Lab the past few weeks to get all of our soap restocked from our busy Holiday Season.

As we restock bestsellers like; Mountain Man, Stormy Ocean Seas, Sparkling Sea Glass, and Lavender Goat's Milk. We also have some big ideas for a few new fragrances and styles to work on.

We played with some wonderful new RUBY RED Glitter (a freebie from one of our suppliers).  We used a basic white soap with a simple cocoa line (chalk line) for the design with a beautifully bright Gardenia fragrance.


We ordered in 12 new Soap and Bath & Body fragrances to play with this year.  Some of my favorites right out of the bottle are:

• Oatmeal Milk & Honey:  I have been meaning to order this one for ages....now I wish I hadn't waited so long.  It's absolutely incredible.
• Bamboo & Lotus:  This one will replace our cucumber & aloe.  It's fresh and clean; with just a hint of brightness that makes it oh so good.
• Cashmere & Silk:  This fragrance is a bit tricky to explain; it's soft, sensual, with just a touch of musk. 
• DeLish: I am in LOVE with this fragrance.  I am not going to give it away...but I promise it will be worth the wait!

We also have some new colorants to play with as well as a few new design techniques we would like to try this year.  I am dying to try a peacock swirl, but that one will have to wait until I can get my new mold that I want.  (an 18 bar flat mold with dividers).  For now I do have a few ideas up my sleeve for my standard loaf mods.

More Stripes are in our plans this year as well as playing more with squirt bottles, spoon swirls, and cocoa powder chalk lines.  I would also love to try out a Mica Glycerin swirl this year as well.

We also have a few other new things we can't wait to play with.  We will be experimenting with liquid and cream soaps as well as bringing our newly updated lotion back as well as a few Facial items we can't wait to share with you.

And that is just the beginning...we have many wonderful new Candle Fragrances that are currently in testing as well as a brand new Line of candles coming this year!

If you would like to keep in touch with us...you can also follow us on Facebook

Long time no blog.....

It's been a while since I have taken a moment to blog.  I sincerely apologize for the delay.   I am in the soapy lab later this week so I look forward to sharing some of my new Ideas with you all.

In the meantime.....

We spent August through November exceptionally busy with our son's first Youth Football year.  It was a crazy busy summer filled with daily practice, weekend games in the pouring rain, and amazing memories that will last forever.

Football was a wonderful experience for not only my son, but for the whole family.  My husband helped coach and found something he is passionate about, my son learned the value of hard work and commitment to your team, my shy daughter got out of her comfort zone and finally met some new people; and as for me....well I learned that even though the house is messy, the chores are not done, and dinner is something super easy (like Subway),....life is about the memories you make doing things you love.  

And I Fell in LOVE with Football.

And after a busy football season...which our team went all the way to playoffs...then I was back in the lab gearing up for our busiest season.  We sold out of our seasonal soap Peppermint bliss as well as our Peppermint bliss gift sets. 

We celebrated one Full Year at the Grow Washington Store in Sultan.  (If you are ever headed East over Steven's Pass I highly recommend stopping in for a moment to the Grow Washington store)

It was a Great year for Green Lady Creations, and we want to say thanks to each and every one of you for your continued support.  We have a few changes coming in 2014 and lots of new things we will be working on in the next month.

Here is a sneak peak of some of the new things we will be working on.....

We have been working on Herbal Salves....with a few new salves on the way.

and

we will

be experimenting with

Liquid soap this year!!!!!

Gearing up for July's festivals

July is upon us and it's time for our yearly summer shows.  This year we have decreased it to just two in July:  The Sultan Shindig, and Gold Dust Days.  After which we will be taking a much needed little vacation from outdoor events to gear up for the Holiday Show Season.

(Don't worry I have a few fun projects in mind for the down time)

We do have some wonderful news....Starting July 16th you will be able to find your favorite Green Lady Creations soy candles and home fragrance products at the Grow Washington store in Snohomish, WA.  

We joined the Grow Washington organization last year, and have seen great success with our products at the Sultan location, and we are very excited to see them in downtown Snohomish.

Now for some new products now available:

Check out our new Hand Rolled 100% Beeswax taper candles.

Perfect for your next party, wedding, or get together; these taper candles are unscented (they do have a honey smell to them from the natural beeswax) and have a beautiful honeycomb texture.  I love these...and must admit that I kept a few for myself!

Strawberry Shortcake is the newest edition to our Candle Fragrances.  Imagine fresh strawberries, sweet shortbread, and creamy whipped cream.  Yum!

Strawberry shortcake is available now and joins our previous new fragrances: Orange Blossom, and Black Currant Tea.

If you have a not so delicious aroma wafting around your space, then you need our new Odor Eliminating Home Fragrance Spray. Unlike other sprays and deodorizers which simply mask the odor, this advanced formula eliminates unpleasant and embarrassing odors.  Now available in 5 summertime favorites. (not yet available online)

So if your heading out this month come see us at the

Sultan Shindig (Sultan, WA) July 12th-14th

and

Gold Dust Days (Gold Bar, WA) July 26th-28th

Coming up next we have a soapy project in the works and another candle project coming soon! 

Have a Great Day!

Finishing up all the new labels!

It has been a long process...but we are almost finished with Green Lady Creations Wonderful new look!

The New Enchanted Collection labels are a hit Each Enchanted fragrance is custom blended and will transport you to the Enchanted Realm!











We have jazzed up our look with our wonderful new logo and some bright new colors!

We are not completely done with everything yet...but just about!

Thanks for your patience during our re-branding!

Now we can get back to creating some fun new things.....we have lots of fun ideas...our big book of ideas is practically overflowing!

Plus we will have some wonderful news next week!

Creepy Little Spider...

This weird looking spider was hanging out on my chives the other day.  Now normally I would not have had the courage to stop and shoot a photo of it...but it really was an unusual looking spider with pink...yes I said pink...spots.

After looking it up on Google it looks to be a 

Crab Spider

although the pictures I looked at make the markings look more like stripes rather than spots.

And if you know what kind of spider this is..let me know!

Soap is Art

I was inspired to be creative last week.  Not a standard variety creative (because what I do every day IS creative) but an over the top "I want to make art" creative.  Now I am not the pick up a paintbrush or pencil and draw kind of artist....my Right side of the Brain just doesn't work in that way.  The best sketching I can do is stick figures, squiggly lines, and one dimensional boxes.



The Inspiration:  Part One ~ A beautiful piece of art by "Art by Tara Houston" (HERE)  caught my eye the moment I saw it.  The beauty and wonderment spoke to me of the magic and cleansing power of the sea.  It sparked in me a desire to find a warm beach somewhere and meditate.

The Inspiration   Party Two ~ A fragrance that was just decent on it's own, but when blended with notes of sandalwood and baby powder became a magical blend that transported me to that warm beach.

The Colors & Design:  Beachy Blues with sprays of white crashing on the brown sandy beaches.

Thankful for a fragrance that behaved well I was able to have plenty of time to create this ambitious design

Working with multiple styles of pouring methods this design incorporates layers, swirls, and textured tops.

The results were a beautiful piece of soap art.  Which just goes to show you that just because I didn't pick up a brush.....doesn't mean that I didn't create art.

Enjoy the Soap Art as much as I enjoyed making it.... It will be a very limited edition summer soap with only 8 bars available in late June.

Happy Soaping
Green Lady

Photography + Handmade Soap = Eye Candy!

If you have been following along then you know that I love making soap....and I also LOVE taking pictures.  

Another thing you may not know is my go-to soap making supplier is Bramble Berry.  There are many things I love about Bramble Berry, but the top two would have to be their Customer Service...and the fact that they two are right here in Washington.  Just a hop, skip, and a jump North of me about a hour and a half.  Sadly it has been ages since I've been up to Bellingham...but am thinking a road trip is in order sometime soon!

The Soap Queen (Anne-Marie) has been my soapy Idol for many years, and I have always looked to her blog for advice and inspiration.  You can find her blog Here.  

A few weeks ago we were honored to be chosen for Bramble Berry's Facebook Photo of the week contest.  I could hardly believe it when we found out...I screamed..my husband came running and asked what the big fuss was all about.

After showing him the blog post (which you can find here)  

he joined me in a happy dance...and said "Isn't that the Soap Queen lady that you admire so much"  Um YES!!

Needless to say we were extremely honored to be chosen for the Facebook Photo of the week from Bramble Berry, and would like to say a big gigantic THANK YOU  to everyone over there.  

  There is just something beautiful about soap....(that statement may just be true for us soap-aholics)

Spring Break is over....now time to get back to creating.

It was Spring Break here last week and if you are a mom with younger kids...you know that getting things done isn't quite as easy with kids under foot.  So we took a little break from working hard and decided to play hard instead!  

We enjoyed the rare Spring Sunshine we were blessed with the first few days and got outside in the garden...There are signs of Spring everywhere! 

My lilies are already poking their little heads up, and my one lone tulip (thanks to a particularly nasty little mole last year) is struggling to make an appearance.  

Once the rain came back we were sadly driven back inside for the rest of the week and spent our days painting and building couch forts.  Nothing beats curling up with a good book on a rainy day...except curling up with that good book under a fort in the middle of the living room!

I did manage a few batches of soapy fun!

I had so much fun making this soap.  Normally each of my soap batches are planned from the colors to how I will pour them prior to even beginning a soapmaking session.  This one was different and is called a drop swirl.  It was so much fun because there was not a lot of pre-planning, no design to sketch out....just pour it and wait to see what happens! 

A new Purely for Him soap that has yet to be named.  

A Spicy intriguing blend of Vetyver, Patchouli, and Sandalwood.  This fragrance is my new favorite in our Purely for Him collection.

Hope everyone is having a great day...the sun has decided to come out now for a few seconds so I am going to go soak up as much of it as I can before it starts raining again! 

Happy Spring from all of us here at Green Lady Creations.

A NEW look

Green Lady Creations has a brand NEW look!

One of our Business goals for 2013 is branding our products together to create a cohesive look throughout our line.  The first step in accomplishing this was to create a unique Logo.  I have been working on a logo for some time now, and could never get it quite the way I wanted it, so I called in a professional to help!

In came Bonnita Graphics  to my rescue, who created something just perfect.  Plain, Simple, yet bold enough to get some attention.  Thanks Bonnita Graphics for a great logo!

Our next step of course is to get all of our labels re-designed and get this logo out for everyone to see! 

We have been working very hard at GLC, and are looking forward to another great year.  We have lots of new stuff on our testing shelves, and even more great ideas in what we call our "lets do this" bin.  

This year we are changing up how we introduce NEW candle fragrances.  Instead of doing a bundle of fragrances each season we have decided to make it more fun and have one NEW fragrance EVERY month! 

January's New fragrance was:

Egyptian Amber (not pictured)

A beautifully complex infusion of six essential oils including: orange, lavandin, copaiba, balsam, lemon, and grapefruit.  It's darkened with a rich base of vanilla, musk, and sandalwood, and balanced by lively top notes of jasmine, lavender, and orange.

February's NEW fragrance is:

Gentleman's Club

A daring blend of exotic spices and bay rum mingled with just a hint of salty sea air.

March's new fragrance is beautiful and your going to love it....but we won't spoil the surprise!

So keep you eyes peeled every month for the NEW fragrance announcement.  We have lots of ways you can follow us...

Facebook

Pinterest

Website

Google+

and of course right here on our Blog.

Thanks for following along!

Brand New Soaps

We have been very creative here at the Green Lady Creations Lab.  We have been busy re-stocking soap, bath and body, and lots of candles.  

One of my favorite new soaps is our Juniper Berry ~ a clean fresh pine and ozone fragrance with just a hint of berry.  

Or how about Cherry Almond ~ sweet cherries and delicious warm almond.  Perfect for Valentines Day.

If you like a more floral fragrance, you can try   our new Cherry Blossom Limited Edition soap.  A beautiful combination of Japanese Cherry Blossom, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, and Oriental Musk.

Everyone's favorite Energy soap is now back in stock on the website, and will be back in stock at the Everett We Do Art store next week. 

We have lots of other wonderful new things up our sleeve, including a Beautiful Brand New Logo, and new products coming soon!

My very late announcement...Good things come.

Oh my goodness....The new year has come and gone and has found us SUPER busy here at Green Lady Creations.  I am sincerely sorry for being so quiet in blog-land.  I have been working hard on new product ideas, and spring and summer fragrances.  

I am very late sharing my good news, because of which I was very busy this Holiday season.  So my good news.....You can now find Green Lady Creations products at TWO...yes I said Two retail stores right here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  

What stores you say....well let me tell you a bit about each one.  

Grow Washington is a not for profit organization designed  "To maximize the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses in Washington State, create an economically viable and sustainable environment for small business owners and generate social awareness through promotion, marketing and education"   

Green Lady Creations is proud to be a part of this amazing organization.  Our Candle and Home Fragrance products are now available at the Sultan Grow Washington store located at 403 Main St. in downtown Sultan.   The Sultan Grow Washington store also features many different gift items from over 14 different Made In Washington Artists and Artisans including; chocolates, jewelry, candles, soap, succulent planters...and many more.   So next time you are on your way either up or over Stevens Pass, make sure you stop on by this little gem of a gift store and check out all of the amazing Made In Washington items, and help support Growing Washington one Small business at a time.

Soy Candles by
Green Lady Creations

Beautiful Jewelry by
Haywire Ridge Jewelry

Salted Caramels by
Miss Maggie's Desserts

For more information about Grow Washington:

visit: www.growwashington.biz

You can also now find your favorite Green Lady Creations products at the We Do Art store in Everett, Washington.  The We Do Art store is a contemporary gift shop that celebrates local artists and fine craftspeople.  The shop has a wonderful array of different artists and artisan.  From cute eclectic mini gardens, soaps and candles, to beautiful mosaics, this little gem of a gift store is definitely One of a Kind.  

Located at 5612 Evergreen Way*Everett, Washington.

The We do Art store also participates in the Everett Art Walk, and has many Wine tasting events throughout the year.  You can check them out at www.wedoart.net

Soy candles by
Green Lady Creations

Those Two Sisters

Eclectic Treasures

For more information about We Do Art you can visit
www.wedoart.net
or find them on Facebook at
We Do Art

Great news right! We are enjoying watching Green Lady Creations grow and are looking forward to a new year and many more wonderful things happening for us.  Thanks for being a part of our incredible journey.

Fall is in the Air

The leaves are starting to change, and the air is growing crisp.  Hurray! Fall is finally here in the PNW.  Fall is my favorite season and to kick it off right I have 3 New candle fragrances joining my ever growing list of Fall Candle Fragrances.

Cranberry Apple Marmalade:  A festive blend of apples, oranges, spiced cranberries, cinnamon, clove and warm vanilla.

Apple Harvest:  A true, ripe apple fragrance combined with bright fruit notes and just a touch of spice.

Amish Harvest: This fragrance screams fall.  A exquisite blend of spices with just a touch of dried fruit notes.

We have been working on lots of other fun things for this years Holiday season. 

From beeswax candles to brainstorming some bath and body gift basket ideas!

Here are a few of our NEW items.

We have also been working on these adorable little travel sized tins.  These are perfect for small rooms and traveling. 

Just in time for your Harvest table: our brand new Hand-Rolled 100 % Beeswax candles.  Great for adding that special touch to your Harvest table or as the perfect hostess gift for your next holiday party.

Votives and Tealights now available in ready to give elegant Eco-chic gift boxes wrapped with a simple black raffia bow.  Votives are packaged in a pack of 4, and tealights are packaged in a dozen.

We have two amazing new soaps for fall:  Cranberry Citrus and Apple Jack

And as you can see our Pumpkin Spice Puree Garden fresh soap has darkened up perfectly now that it has cured!

We have lots of other wonderful stuff up our sleeve including a couple of craft projects and two up-cycle projects that we want to work on in the next couple of weeks.