Feeling Like an Island

Today, I have just really felt all alone.  My husband had a ton of errands today to run before he went to work, then my parents left within 5 minutes of my husband going to run his errands.  Even with the kids here, everything seemed so empty.  I tried to keep busy, but the feeling of being stranded in the middle of an ocean kept sweeping over me.  I tried getting online to chat with some of my fellow Etsians, but I felt like I was being left out of the conversation every time I commented.  I felt as if they were all rolling their eyes and sighing "Oh great, it's her."  I feel like I have been banished.

An ever widening sense of sadness and abandonment has loomed all day. Even now, writing this isn't helping as I thought it would.  I type on the edge of tears...maybe I'm just being hormonal.  That's just an excuse.

My phone never rings. I never receive anything in the mail that isn't a bill.  One might say, "Well, why don't you do those things for others and it will come back to you. You reap what you so, after all."  Guess what, I do those things already.  I call those I don't see in church on Sunday or Wednesday...email encouragement, post encouragement on Facebook, send little happies over text message and through the mail.

We all need encouragement from time to time.  And I am in bad need of some right now.

Minerva Rewards

Minerva Rewards: It's about time somebody came up with something like this! Brilliant idea. Totally awesome.

Week of 1/3/2012 Featured Shop

This week I am featuring Spirit Scroller

Meet Danny Knox, creator of Spirit Scroller

I discovered the scroll saw when I was about 27 years old. I played with it a bit here and there, but it wasn't until my 40's that I really started to get into it. it was also about that time that I was introduced to Jesus Christ and entered into a relationship with Him. I believe that God has given me a woodworking gift and I have an overwhelming desire to share the creations that come out of that relationship.

Thank you so much for supporting what I consider to be a ministry. I pray that these items will bless you and those you come in contact with. I hope to hear from you real soon.

Featured Shop of 12/26/2011

This week let me introduce you to Madison Street Beauty, a mineral makeup company from Etsy.com

Madison Street Beauty offers 100% natural mineral makeup, such as foundation, eye shadow, eye liner, blush, bronzer, lip balm and more! They guarantee our mineral make-up will never contain anything artificial or bad for your skin. Madison Street Beauty's makeup contains absolutely NO: synthetic dyes, fragrances, preservatives, chemicals, parabens, fillers, additives, fragrances or talcs.

About Madison Street Beauty:

Madison Street Beauty's cosmetics are handmade from scratch, all-natural and most items are also vegan. It's important to the makers of Madison Street Beauty to create a product that is safe and sustainable for humans, animals, and the environment. They are proud to say that we have never and will never test on animals.

*All of Madison Street Beauty's cosmetics are safe for sensitive skin and non-comedogenic. They strive to make a high-quality product that is intensely pigmented to last you a long time. All of Madison Street's mineral make-up will never ever expire! *as inorganic material, it can not support the growth of bacteria of any kind.

*All of Madison Street Beauty's items are safe to wear whilst you work out, swim, sleep and are all photo-friendly. The photo-friendly quality is achieved by taking special care when making formulas that include reflective minerals so that in photographs your makeup will always look natural and beautiful.

Here are some reviews and tutorials of our products:
http://www.youtube.com/MadisonStreetBeauty#p/a/f/0/T_BooFhkMJc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpXc2kZSDlo
http://mynuttylife97.blogspot.com/2011/11/makeup-tutorial-bonfire-night.html
http://jendeleon.com/business/madison-street-beauty-review/
http://mynuttylife97.blogspot.com/2011/10/makeup-tutorial-midnight-plum.html
http://jacketofblue.blogspot.com/2011/09/etsy-beauty-finds-madison-street-beauty.html
http://mynuttylife97.blogspot.com/2011/10/hello-bloggy-friends-remember-when-i.html

Please take this opportunity to see what Madison Street Beauty customers are saying by visiting their feedback page here http://www.etsy.com/people/MadisonStreetBeauty/feedback

~Join Madison Street Beauty on Facebook and meet our 8,000+ fans and get to take part in their  regular giveaways. www.facebook.com/MadisonStreetBeauty

Become a fan of Madison Street Beauty for samples, exclusive offers, discounts, giveaways, makeup tips, tutorials and more!

~Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/MadisonSBeauty

~Blog:  http://madisonstreetbeauty.blogspot.com/

~Youtube: www.youtube.com/MadisonStreetBeauty
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Please visit Madison Street Beauty's other shops as well
www.CuffandCollar.etsy.com
www.MadisonStreetVintage.etsy.com
www.MadisonStreetStudios.etsy.com

Featured Shop of Week 12/19/11

This week I am featuring Etsy.com shop EweniqueDesigns.

EweniqueDesigns' luxury soap is made using the cold process method of soap making, where sodium hydroxide is mixed with oils and butters resulting in a chemical reaction which produces soap. Only small batches are made at a time, and each bar is carefully cut by hand. EweniqueDesigns has developed recipes/formulas that result in soap that produces a silky, bubbly lather that gently cleans the skin. Each soap is made with fine vegetable oils and shea/cocoa/mango butters, scented with fragrance oils, and colored with body safe oxides and ultramarines or natural powders like spirulina or cocoa powder. Some may include extra additives like goat milk, oatmeal, calendula, or salt for an out of the ordinary soap. These soaps are different shapes and textures, and most will weigh a little over 4 ounces. EweniqueDesigns strives to create soaps that are a delight to the senses - fragrant, beautifully colored and textured.

The process of making useful handmade items that are both pretty and practical is enjoyable and satisfying. As well as being a soap maker, EweniqueDesigns quilts and knits. Over the years, EweniqueDesigns has made numerous quilts, knit afghans, patchwork bags and pouches. Now these items are being shared with you.

Featured Shop of Week 12/12/11

This week I am featuring Etsy.com shop waterscolorsNmore.

Meet Roxanne Tobaison, owner of watercolorsNmore:

I'm a lifelong Florida resident, and watercolor artist since 1979. My love of nature, bird life, scenery, flora and fauna is reflected in my paintings. Additionally, I love the rich heritage of my area and capture it in many historical landmarks works. I also like to dabble with jewelry using my skills with watercolor to create wearable art. It gives me great joy to share my God-given talents with others through my paintings.

In my shop one will find watercolor paintings, original, prints, ACEOs, note cards and glass tile jewelry and wire wrapped jewelry. My art is: FRAMEABLE, WEARABLE and COLLECTABLE.

Please contact me for additional info.
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/waterrox
Blog: http://www.watercolorsnmore.blogspot.com (Inactive at this time)

Featured Shop of 12/4/11

This week I am featuring Leah's Heart from Etsy.com

Meet Ginny Carlson, owner of Leah's Heart:

I've been sewing since I was a little girl and my neighbor showed me how to make Barbie clothes. I've grown up a bit since then, and my love of sewing has also grown up, but the joy I take in creating things has never diminished.

I love taking fabric that was used for other purposes and finding a new way to use it! I love figuring out how to do something new with fabric - something I've never done before. I love that I never really know how some of my items are going to turn out. This is especially true for my fabric bowls and Button Babes - they seem to have a mind of their own; always a surprise when the item is completed. Face it - I love fabric no matter what!

Oh - in case you are wondering where Leah's Heart came from, it's my middle name and I love it! This is one way I can honor the name my parent's gave me.