After two years of sharing booths at craft fairs, I convinced him to set up shop on Etsy to sell his photo cards and prints.

If you’re looking for some last-minute Christmas cards or prints for gifts, consider stopping by his Etsy shop (http://timkantphotography.etsy.com). I’m sure if you placed an order before Christmas and live in the area, he would find a way to get them to you!

He’s running some specials, too!

Photo Greeting Cards for the Holidays or Any Day – Free Shipping on all photo card orders.

LAST MINUTE SALE: Prices on photo cards are reduced through December 31. Order no later than Sunday, December 20 for USPS delivery by December 25. I cannot guarantee delivery to Canadian addresses by December 25 but I’ll try my best.

GRAND OPENING PROMOTION: FREE GIFT TO MY FIRST 5 CUSTOMERS — See the “Welcome” section of my Shop Policies for details.

I’ve added a few to my Artfire and Etsy shops. Check them out!

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Each week (or more frequently) I will feature an artisan here on my blog. If you would like to be considered for my spotlight, please send an e-mail to amykant [at] gmail [dot] com.

First up is Rebecca of Rebecca’s Soap Delicatessen. Rebecca first caught my eye when she mentioned her special blend of soap for dry skin and eczema. This time of year, I have a lot of problems with this, so I of course wanted some more information.

My dry skin soaps are a spin off my original recipe. I’ve taken out the coconut oil which, because it is a very cleansing oil that creates a rich lather, some people with more sensitive skin can find drying. In it’s place I’ve used palm kernel oil, added cocoa butter, and used more of both olive and rice bran oils. The result is a gentle, moisturizing bar, that unlike olive oil only soaps known for their moisturizing properties, actually has a nice lather. (I’ve found olive oil only soaps don’t lather much at all.) Many of my customers, adults and kids alike, have told me my soaps for dry skin has cleared up their eczema as well as dry skin caused by chemo treatments for cancer.

I am definitely considering a purchase of either the Falling for You or Lavender Mint soaps. *hint hint for anyone wanting to buy me a present!!*

Moving on…

Rebecca’s Soap Deli features quality, cold processed shea butter soaps, lotions and milk baths. She has been making and selling her soaps since 2001 and sells her goods both on Etsy and at her local farmer’s market. Rebecca likes selling at the farmer’s market because it’s easier for her to answer questions and interact with her customers.  She adds, “It also gives my customers a chance to smell how wonderful my fragrances in my products are and give my lotions a try.” Rebecc’as local sales are general 2-4 times more than her sales online.

When asked why people should buy her soaps, Rebecca says she uses her own unique recipe to create a bar of soap that produces a wonderfully rich lather. “My soaps are perfect for washing your face, body, and even hair and are also great for shaving. All of my soaps contain skin loving ingredients like shea butter, rice bran, and olive oils.”

Rebecca’s favorite product in her shop is her new Lemon Verbena Salt Bar. She says it works well and keeps her skin from breaking out without drying it out.

This experienced artisan has some advice for anyone starting out in the business:

Do your research before you dive in. Keep detailed records and open a separate bank account for your business. Put money aside for self employment tax just in case. While most people don’t make a profit in their first year, you never know, and this will save from scrambling for funds at tax time should your business take off right away. (In the future an accountant can help you set up quarterly estimated tax payments for state and federal taxes.) Promote promote promote. You can’t make money if you’re not willing to spend money. Advertising goes a long way to building your business.

Learn more about Rebecca at Soap Deli News or browse through her Etsy shop.

You can find it in my Etsy shop here.

And, don’t forget I’m running a sale through Labor Day, September 1st! There are quite a few items 10-35% off!!!

Well, what are you waiting for? GO CHECK IT OUT!

Meet my new friend, Edith. You can see her and all her friends at Fairy Davis. As I mentioned yesterday…

Fairy Davis and Friends is a site created and ran by the talented Tammy Tutterow. She has been gracious enough to let me contribute some images, and I’m excited to be a part of this new site!

I made a home for Edith in a cute, altered 4.5 inch square frame I bought at Michaels. Her photo is 2.5×2.5 inches, printed on a tan cardstock base and sprayed with a crystal clear glaze (Krylon).

After attaching the image to a piece of cardboard for mor durability/thickness, I set it aside.

Next, I used the Therm-o-Web mounting adhesive to attach the Pink Paislee Paper to the frame. I trimmed edges with my craft knife.

Using a variety of my vintage-inspired stamps, I stamped the frame with Distress Ink in Walnut Stain. Then, I inked the edges using one of my colorbox inks.

I attached some Basic Grey fibers around the inner frame and then cut a one-inch thick peice of a striped Pink Paislee Paper. I attached it to the frame in the upper corner, after inking the edges with the Distress Ink.

I topped it off with a couple gold leaves and a K & Co embelishment. Finally, I put the photo of Edith in the frame. And, viola! a cool, inexpensive wall decoration! I plan to make a group of three frames with photos of some of Edith’s friends, and hang them in a vertical row on the wall. In the meantime, you can purchase this frame (including the image of Edith) on Etsy. Click here to check out my Etsy store.

Well, what are you waiting for? Head on over to Fairy Davis and get started living the fabulous vintage style!

Supplies:

Frame: Michael’s
Paper: Pink Paislee (Office Lingo )
Ink: Colorbox, Distress Ink
Stamps: Hampton Art, Rubber Stampede, PSX
Leaves: Decorative Accents
Fibers: Basic Grey
Adhesives: Thermoweb Mounting Adhesive, Zip Dry Paper Glue
Embelishment: K & Co.
Image: www.fairydavis.com

Just type FIREWORKS in the memo to seller box and I’ll send you a paypal invoice for the adjusted amount.

Next, is a similar frame. It’s more green and features more flowers and less gems. Click here to view the Etsy listing.

Finally (for tonight), we have a Scrapbooking/Paper Craft Kit, featuring items from the Basic Grey Line of products. Click here to view the listing on etsy.

A big thanks to my dad for letting me use his Nikon D50 SLR!!! the pictures turn out sooo much better than when i use my busted Canon Powershot A630.

I took photos of a few more items I need to post on etsy and will hopefully take care of editing photos and posting them on Friday.

I’m very tired now, so I’m off to bed.

One set (pictured below) features blue/green/tan-ish Basic Grey paper with sage green raffia flower and tie. Click here to view the item listing.

The next two sets include a brown and light blue polka-dot paper and blue raffia flower ties. (I can’t recall what line the paper is from, sorry!) Click here to view the listing.

Finally, I have two sets of five brown and light blue paisley-patterned paper with blue raffia ties (same paper line as above… but the name escapes me). Click here to view the listing.

If you have a specific gift card color scheme/design you’re looking for or would like them in a larger quantity, please send me an email (amykant-at-gmail-dot-com) or convo me on Etsy.