Friday, August 16, 2013

Felted Soap


Felted Soap
The chaos continues.  Once again I think I have a great idea and I want to make something different.  Sometimes it would be better if someone would just sit on me and hand me some chocolate to distract me.  Oh well, I am always up for a challenge.  I decided that it would be cool to make soap pouches.  I figured how hard could it be to sew some terry material to make a pouch to slip your soap bar in?  Then you are always armed with your soap and wash cloth at the same time.  Brilliant!  Of course!  One problem.  I don’t sew.  I have a sewing machine that was handed down to me a long time ago but I still don’t even know what to do with it.  When I was a really young I remember sitting with my Grandma as she made Barbie doll clothes for my dolls.  She was showing me how to make them and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world.  Unfortunately, I was not blessed with the talent or ability to replicate.  I pull out the old machine, my fabric, etc.  Did you know that it is not very easy to sew terry material?  Maybe it was just me but every time I tried the machine became very angry and ate of the thread like a hungry beast and spit it all back out in a huge knot.  It was mocking me.  This is when I discovered soap felting.  Now this I can do!  I started making wool felted soap bars.  What a great idea.  You still have your soap and the cloth together.  It was fun and easy.  The kids can even help with this one.  So long story short the pouches may be buried in the back yard but the warrior felted soap bars live on!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Tingley Feet




Tingley Feet Peppermint Foot Spray
You know that funky smell when your husband takes off his work boots?  Or your teenager removes his basketball shoes?  Stinky Feet!  You cannot run or hide fast enough.  First , you grab the room spray, powders, anything to get that smell out.  This war prompted me to find a better quick solution.  Something that would tame the serious nose assault.  We worked with some different ideas until we found a good mixture that uses tea tree oil and peppermint oil.  TA DA!  It was amazing the smell calmed and the victim’s feet were left feeling refreshed and cooled.  It leaves such a great feeling especially in the Summer with hot, tired feet.

Tingley Feet Cream
 Tingley Feet Cream is a refreshing, moisturizing foot cream. We all love to wear sandals for the Summer but are dry, cracked feet would be better off hiding so we won't scare off small children or animals.  Sometimes they are so hideous we shutter at the sight of our own feet.  This lovely hydrating cream with soothe those dry feet and leave them a little less monstrous.  It could even help with your husband's scary feet!

Order now and save yourself!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Traveling




For those of you that don’t know, I travel to Texas every month for my little shop in Canton, Texas.  As you would imagine there is never a shortage of comical stories related to the travel experience.   Many times of course you forget important items at home.  Hopefully of course, not your ID, because that is always a way to miss your flight.  I know because I have missed them before.   Don’t judge me, you would be absent minded too running around like a chicken with your head cut off.  Wait!  That may have been a little graphic for some people to handle.  I am sorry. (Deal with it) ;)

Airport Security.  Need I say more?  I see more and more people that have never been through security which becomes comedy you can’t even make up.  People seem to lose all common sense and intelligence due to Airport Security Fear.  You would think they were being placed in front of a firing squad because they forgot to take their water bottle out of their bag.  Dozens of scared people removing their shoes and piling their belongings on a conveyor belt then proceeding through XRAY machines as if they are terrified that alarms will go off and they will be wrestled to the ground.

My son traveled with me for this trip as he often does.  Sometimes it is a good thing and some times it is a pain.  He is the shady character pictured above.  We missed our friend the wonderful skycap that always puts a smile on our faces.  We took a much earlier flight this trip so he wasn’t there yet.   We were worried that this was a sign we were going to have a rough trip.  We were relieved when we had a pretty uneventful flight.  We actually got to miss the crazy person that usually sits next to us.   This kid was actually polite and quiet.  We have had plenty of experiences with loud and unruly passengers.  And I am not just talking about us.  We have also experienced the person that insists on talking to you even if you don’t speak their language….the whole flight.  Nodding and smiling just isn’t enough…LOL

We decided after a long day of traveling to jump in the pool for a little swim.  Of course, that was more exciting than I was expecting.  My son decided to jump in and hit his nose on the pool floor?!?!  As you can imagine, this was a bloody, chaotic mess.  He is ok, no broken bones.   I must say the jokes at his expense about dragging his nose on the bottom of the pool are abundant.  We gave him all the standard excuses to start.  You are tough.  Chicks dig scars.  We also told him you need to come up with a story about jumping off the roof and landing on your nose in the pool to make you sound like a tough guy.  To add insult to injury after he was ok and everything was good, he slipped and fell on his knee. It was definitely time to call it a night.  We had to get to bed before he accidently lost a limb and he wouldn’t be much help at the show on crutches.  ;)

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Lotion Adventures




Success?  Sometimes it takes a while to reach success but we don’t ever want to give up.  I always tell people about my lotion making stories.  Not quite like the stories from your parents when you were growing up about walking through the snow to school uphill both ways.   More like the hysterical drama of failed slimey first products.  Our lotion is an amazing and lovely product now.  But, before it become a lovely product it was a slimey, greenish yellow, oily mess.  I swore back then that my hands would never be dry or non-greasy again.  Through trial and error and lots of long days success was achieved.  It is exciting to create something and then carry through to success.  Each new product represents this rare challenge that can be met much like a pie eating contest that you know you can win.  Of course how can you say no to pie?  Thanks of course to all the wonderful “victims”  that were so great about trying the products during product development no matter how bad they looked.   
You guys are great, crazy, but great!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Wool Dryer Balls

-->


Wool dryer balls.  These things are really cool.  They safe money and energy.  They are also chemical free.  What could be the downside?  We enjoy making them but I must say it is comical to watch as you are rapping them and all of a sudden your fingers slip and it goes flying out of your hand.  The funny part is chasing to try and stop it before it completely unrolls and you have to start all over!  Which seems to happen a lot for me since I have clumsy hands.

Our wooly dryer balls are a great replacement for dryer sheets.  Unlike dryer sheets, our dryer balls do not contain any harmful chemicals.  They are great for softening your clothes and reducing dryer time.  Plus they can be fun to toss around.  Except when the dog thinks you are trying to play fetch and then you might have a fight on your hands.

Get a set to start making your laundry fluffy without all of the chemicals.  Maybe an extra set to play fetch or even juggle!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

DANGER - Soap Making

-->

Soap making.  The joys of soap making.  I enjoy making soap so much but it doesn’t go without it’s challenges.  When I first started my biggest fear was using lye.  We have all heard the horror stories.  So, I put on my goggles, mask, huge gloves and measure out the lye.  Ok, no explosion.  Second, I add it the water with my eyes focused and body tense.  Nothing.  I begin to stir….nothing.  I am feeling pretty good now since that was the scary part.  I feel as though I just conquered the dragon and now all that is left is the celebration.  I mix the lye mixture with oils and bring it to trace.  Now it is time to cook it out.  SPOILER ALERT.  Do not turn your back on the soap when it is cooking.  I stand and watch for a little bit and start to get bored.  I start to perform other tasks to get other products ready.  All of a sudden I see out of the corner of my eye, a soap volcano oozing out of the crockpot everywhere.  Of course, I had taken off my gloves and gear while performing my other tasks.  As I frantically try to get them back on to stop the lava overflow I of course drop them a couple of times.  I turn off the crockpot and grab a spoon.  My dragon battle was just starting.  I am stirring and flipping and trying to keep anything around from being ruined.  After all lye is dangerous or so we have all been warned.  Finally after a long, fierce battle the lava settles and now all that was left was the cleanup.  Out comes the vinegar!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Enchanting Origins: My Story

Enchanting Origins: My Story: Everyone has a story.   Some are more interesting then others.   I can’t say that mine is interesting but it has been full o...

My Story


Everyone has a story.  Some are more interesting then others.  I can’t say that mine is interesting but it has been full of twists!  I used to be a Project Manager in construction.  I spent lots of time on construction sites arguing with boys.  Yes, I said boys because if you have ever spent a long period of time on a construction site then you know they are boys.  Full of pranks and silliness.  Our economy took such a hit that so many of us were left looking for different jobs and careers.  Coupled with that and health reasons I took some time off to be with my family.  Just so you know when you cut your income in half things change a little.  So, I was on a mission to do things better and cheaper for my family.  I started making laundry soap.  Yes, I said laundry soap.  It may sound silly but it sure helped with allergies and it was a cheaper alternative.  I was so excited I couldn’t stop bragging about it.  As you can guess, not everyone was as excited about laundry soap as I was.  Next came personal care products.  No more expensive creams, scrubs, etc.  I started making them all and trying to find better ways.  The deeper I got the more I loved the challenge and satisfaction.  Then the fateful day came that my husband always tells everyone about.  The day he came home from work and I sat him down to let him know I would not be returning to the workforce.  The good man that he is, took a deep breath after his heart began to beat again, and said ok.  As I continued making more products the interest peaked in my family and friends.  Thanks mostly to a very supportive sister that would kick me in the pants anytime I tried to back out.  Before I knew it Enchanting Origins was born.  I know it all sounds glamorous but I am here to tell you it was more hard work and chaos than glamor.  There are days I left the kitchen looking like I was rolled around in powder and splashed with oil.  Lots of oil.  I looked like bride of Frankenstein on a good day.  If only the guys from the site could see me now?  They would have a field day.



Monday, June 24, 2013

Enchanting Origins: Natural Cleaning Products

Enchanting Origins: Natural Cleaning Products: Natural Cleaning Products  Are you tired of worrying about all the chemicals you bring into your house everyda...

Natural Cleaning Products


Natural Cleaning Products


 Are you tired of worrying about all the chemicals you bring into your house everyday just to clean?   I know I have been worried about this for a while.   Especially as the kids become teenagers I have to wonder if the chemicals were what made them teenagers! EEK! 

We have been working with our own handmade cleaning products for a while.  In our house we use homemade laundry soap, dishwasher soap, dryer balls, cleaning solutions, window cleaners and weed killer.  Pretty much anything you need we make at home.  The kids sometimes feel like they are living in an apothecary. 

Some of these products are easy to make some take a little more time.  I have found that these products end up being well worth the time.  Our family has a lot of experience with skin allergies.  We have tried many products over the years and I am now finally happy with our concoctions.  I feel better knowing the products our family is using are safe and effective.  So, we are expanding our beauty line to include a home cleaning division.    These products will now be available to you and your family.  The following are just a few of our first cleaning products available.


 Natural Laundry Soap
Our laundry soap is a natural, laundry soap with no fragrances, dyes or harmful chemicals.  The clothes come out smelling fresh and ready to go.  I like to use a vinegar rinse instead of fabric softener.  Just a splash will do!

  
Wooly Dryer Balls
Our wooly dryer balls are a great replacement for dryer sheets.  Unlike dryer sheets, our dryer balls do not contain any harmful chemicals.  They are great for softening your clothes and reducing dryer time.  Plus they can be fun to toss around.  Except when the dog thinks you are trying to play fetch and then you might have a fight on your hands.



Natural Dishwasher Soap
Our dishwasher soap is a natural dishwasher soap that works hard cleaning your dishes but is still safe for your family.  I like to know the utensils that go into our mouths aren’t full of chemicals.  No one wants to be radioactive.  Just add vinegar to your rinse cup instead of the expensive rinse agents.  Sparkly, clean dishes!

Order Your Natural Cleaning Products Now!