Carol Ochs Arts - Soaps, Fantasy Art, Fiber Art!

Back From The Holiday Black Hole......

2012-01-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

(AKA - Blogging about why I don't always blog....)

Aye...woefully behind in blogging.

Holiday season sort of eats me up, spits me out, and then re-eats me again. And this year there seems to be a roll-over effect right on into Jan. I'm taking it as a good sign the economy is turning, at least a wee bit..hopefully for ALL of us! ::fingers crossed::

Then I wonder, ....does anyone even read my blog? If readers are like me, I have a long reading list of RSS blog feeds, full of really cool people I like, who inspire me, and want to follow....but little time to read & savor those blogs. I've had more than a couple people contact me, commenting that I never respond to *their* posts, ...or not so subtley say "Well, if you read my blog, you'd know about this." Guilty. I do read my blog list on occasion, but not as often as I'd like.... And social networking leaves me feeling like I'll never in a million years be able to adequately keep up with everyone, in all the ways I can possibly be in contact with them, and all the interesting people that there even ARE! Communication abilities are light years advanced now....but I can still only read/type at "X" mph.

Too, I've come to realize that the word "busy" means different things to different people. I literally get up each morning at 6:00 a.m. and am on a fast-track pace all day (7 days a week), hustling usually till 7:00 p.m. doing all my-have-to-dos. Part of the job-description for a chief-cook-and-bottle-washer business owner. When you "do it all", the buck stops with you and you literally have to "do it all". As in "ALL". This isn't a complaint vent...just making excuses I guess, or giving a peek into my real life. But same-person who grouched about me not reading her blog, went on to tell me how busy her "busy" is and I realized I'd love to have her "busy"...sounded like a day of relaxation to me! LOL! It's all relative.

I love it and wouldn't trade being my "busy"...but it tends to shine a light on how short the days get when ambitions are big, ideas abundant....all but for the time to accomplish them all. I'm a virtual guru at the art of multi-tasking, it's not that I don't work efficiently.....but I've come to realize you can get so good at multi-tasking, but due to human physical, anatomical and molecular physiology constraints, you can not take on one more thing, even though you *think* you can. It's both a curse and a blessing. Something has to get shelved. One of my shelvings tends to be active blogging.

Anyway, holidays over, so hopefully a return to a more normal scheduling, and blogging that is both interesting, useful, as well as reciprocal! ;) And as for more time....I DID afterall....paint that damn bench last year and place it invitingly so I can't ignore it each day! It is inscribed with two of my favorite sayings on the butt slats:

Sit yassen i' fae - "Sit with the faeries", (in Elvish).

And.....

Il dolce far niente - "The sweetness of doing nothing", (in Italian).

Must. Take. Own. Advice. ;)

~Carol

It's Holiday Time...Be Nice!

2011-12-02T11:45:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks! Me again. I don't want to come-off sounding Old Mother Hubbard scolding...but if you are a customer of mine, retail or wholesale, I strongly invite/encourage you to join our newsletter mailing list, this blog, or check my FB page for updates. I'm getting a LOT of people wanting to place "emergency", need-i...n-3-days for a special event LARGE ($500+) whlsl. soap orders, that I can't possibly accomodate on that timetable. It's holiday crunch time, Folks, and while I appreciate the biz tremendously, I've been posting reminders to "order early for specific need-by dates" since late August. Needless to say, when late-ordering customers "get scrappy & Scroogey with me", um, it's not appreciated.

I'm seriously thinking for next year, of offering a discount for customers who plan-in-advance and order large orders between specific dates (Oct.), to try to stalve off all this last-minute ordering Scrooginess I'm getting. As most of you who have been ordering from me for years know, I do my best to accomodate you quickly and courteously, you know Nov. - Dec. is crazy-time,.....some advance planning on your part is also part of the equation and much-appreciated. Thanks!

Links to ALL of our networking is available at our website at: http://www.carolochs.com/ :)

Halloween Eve

2011-10-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

Not sure which I enjoy more....Halloween, or the evening before, when my kids all come home for pumpkin-carving!

After consuming our traditional Carol's Famous Corn Chowder, and Chili, spiced cider, & pumpkin pie.......we set about carving the pumpkins!

Corn Chowder

Chili

My three kids.

Carving .

The resulting punks!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Off to work ....so I can quit early to get ready for Halloween! All must be ready and in-place before SUNSET---the most magical part of Halloween (for me) !

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL!
Be Safe!
The veil is thinnest.......
~Carol

Halloween Preparations.....

2011-10-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

Need a great/delicious/healthy/low fat and NATURALLY ORANGE treat for Halloween festivities? Hummus Dip! SO easy: 4 cans of garbonzo beans -rinsed & drained, 2 red peppers cored and sliced, 3 tblsp of olive oil, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 2 tablsp chopped onion, 1 tsp lemon juice, salt & pepper to taste...throw it all in the food processor and voila! Serve with blue corn chips for black/blue & orange appetizers!

Just finished another scarf in the wee hours of my crocheting evenings.....Black Witch Lace Crocheted Scarf! Fancy & fun to dress-up your outfits, doubles as a shoulder-cozy! I plan to wear mine with my witch outfit Halloween...but know I'll be wearing my own throughout holiday season! $40 @ http://www.carolochs.com/fiber-art.php

The Soap Workshop has been busily humming along with many orders! So happy to see so many stores anxious to stock their shelves with soap merchandise again! A wee turn in the economy! Art is, well....new art anyway is not getting done as much as I'd like to be doing it (as is usual this time of year for me), but our existing prints and gifts are available and selling! We hope to have a new holiday print available soon and available on gift items through our Zazzle store and for holiday cards! Look for that announcement coming soon!

This weekend is a special one! Halloween is always one of my family's favorite celebrations, starting the night before. All three of my grown kids come home and we imbibe hot spiced cider, enjoy dipping into great vats of potion (SOUP! My famous beer chili and corn chowder!), chunks of hot buttered autumn breads, a huge salad...and of course, pumpkin pie for dessert. There's also traditional plain brown doughnuts--round symbols of eternal life. And we pause to remember & reflect upon all of our dear loved ones and friends who have passed....feeling their presence amongst up.

Then on to the CARVING! Our BIGGEST pumpkin this year is 103 pounds! You have to carve largies like that very carefully though! Too large of cut-out parts and the whole face will collapse! Trust me....I learned the hard way...and many boxes of toothpicks and chopsticks later!

So after work today, I'll begin firing up the kitchen for prepartions! OH...and dusting off the costume!!

OH! And YES......preparing my favorite potion of ALL!

Then my work will be complete!

Mwhahahahahahahahahaha!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend, too!

POOF!

~Carol

Support Made by USA Hands.....Gifts!

2011-10-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

Featured "Gift Item" - Our Faerie Blessing Bottles!

Our soap pots are bubbling feverishly, ...yarn balls spinning wildly, ...art print printer humming---our busiest time of year! I know my fellow-crafters feel the same...it's like Santa's workshop!

With the approach of the holidays and inherent pinch & stress we're all feeling over the economy, I'd like to encourage everyone to consider doing at least some of your holiday shopping with crafters & artisans, specifically USA crafters & artisans to support our homeland economy. And I don't say this to serve just myself, but ANY crafter & artisan small businesses trying to eek out a living!

Sure, we all love our overseas-made techie gadgets that make life easier and connected......but consider making the conscious choice to support US small business folk as you plan at least some of your holiday gifts & stocking stuffers and hostess gifts!

Nothing is quite so special as a handmade item! A throwback to times when EVERYTHING was made by-hand and sold via the village shop or bazaar! Some children grow up today not even knowing what "handmade" is!

Only now it's so easy to stroll *online* village squares via your computer or other techie gadget!

Thanks for your consideration! And best wishes to all my fellow crafters in the coming season!

~Carol

Halloween-Wear!

2011-10-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

The last scarf I made sold pretty fast, so I made two more! One, the same dark gray & orange, and another in pure black & orange! All ready for YOU or your favorite Halloween-lover or non-costume-wearer who still wants to be festive! Six feet long x 8 inches wide, DOUBLE-THICK for a super warm scarf, or even doubles as a shoulder-cozy!

Can be shipped Priority Mail (2-3 days) for pre-Halloween arrival!

Purchase at: http://www.carolochs.com/fiber-art.php

And for those who keep asking when I have time to crochet.......I guess I have restless hand syndrome. My hands can never sit still! I crochet at night after my usual work day is done. :)

Luv, ~Carol

October Magic...

2011-10-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

October Magic....what *IS* it?

Anticipation of Halloween? Anticipation of cooler days?

I dunno....but I love it. Feels super-energizing!

I have more than ever to do each day with my holiday crunch workload but I spring out of bed, ready to tackle it all, and even the exhaustion at the end of the day doesn't slow me down. Hands can't stay still...must stay busy! I must be a to-do junkie.

Hence.... I'm back to crocheting up a storm at night! The cooler evenings make yarn feel good in my hands, especially on a breezy night, back porch, dogs curled up at my feet.

Here is a recent DOUBLE-THICK Halloween scarf I made and sold already...but it sold so fast, I made another one just like it and have another one in the works that is slightly different--black & orange (vs. dark gray & orange).

A great way to wear October all month, BEFORE costume-day! Many folks I know who are die-hard Halloween-lovers, are not the least bit hesitant to wear orange & black ALL year...of which I am one! This 6 foot long x 8 inch wide scarf can even double as a shoulder-cozy. Double-thick (two color strands used) it will definitely keep you WARM. Crocheted in Trinity Stitch in saffron orange and Edwardian dark gray, it has a rustic heirloom look to it! Keep for yourself, or give to your favorite Halloween-Lover!

You can order or PURCHASE HERE: http://www.carolochs.com/fiber-art.php

Got a new autumny art piece for ya, too:

"Summoning Sabbat Spirits"

Be sure to check out all of our autumn art!

"First Leaf Omen"

"Sweet Autumn Rain"

....and MORE @ http://carolochs.com/e-gallery-openedition.php

Our vitamin-A rich pumpkin soaps are on sale this month, 15% off--Samhain Spirit and Pumpkin Pazooties ! We take the discount off on our end, so don't worry if you don't see it on the shopping cart! And we now offer our Wylde Wytch Soaps in 5 different art labels to choose from!

Our recent annual family trip to Bates Nut Farm to pick our pumpkins!

My mom, son Chris, hubby David, Christine (<-Nick's girlfriend), son Nick, Daughter Steph, and our 104 lb pumpkin!

Hope you're enjoying your October...and feeling the magic!

Always,

~Carol

Practical Magic Blog Party GiveawayWinners!

2011-10-03T11:05:00.001-07:00

See this link (WordPress blog) for the winner announcement!
http://www.carolochs.com/blog/2011/10/03/practical-magic-blog-party-giveaway-winners/

~Carol Ochs :)

Practical Magic Blog Party 2011

2011-09-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hi! If you are arriving at this blog, looking for my Practical Magic Blog Party post, please go instead to my other (WordPress) blog at:

http://www.carolochs.com/blog/2011/09/22/practical-magic-blog-party-post-sept-24-2011/

(Blogger isn't allowing ALL of my images to appear for some reason. I've tried using an alternate browser, etc., to no avail. So I finally gave-up and just posted at my WordPress blog. If anyone has any tips, I'm all ears!)

THANKS!
~Carol Ochs
The Imaginative Arts of Carol Ochs
Handmade Old World Artisan Soaps (including Wylde Wytch Soaps), Fantasy, Fairy and Witch Art!

No response?

2011-07-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Blog Followers (Customers & Friends alike)...

I've had it brought to my attention by two people now that I apparently did not respond to emails they sent to me and they were either hurt or somehow offended by this. It occured in both cases near the end of June/early July. The only correlation I can come up with is some computer problems I was having at that time, although my email is stored at the server, so I dunno how this could really be an issue unless I somehow managed to accidentally delete emails without knowing I was doing so. I've been known to mysteriously rearrange things like my web pages too, and not know how in the heck I did so.

However, I'm pretty sure most of you know me well enough to know that my "usual practice" is to always respond to emails promptly, with courtesy, and professionalism, so if I did not respond to any emails you sent me, but please bring this to my attention....be assured it was not intentional. Thanks!

Sincerely & respectfully,
~Carol :)

Portal Pilgrimage

2011-07-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Dontcha just luuuuuuv it when the ONE record you need is in an OLD file box, which of course, due it's age, is at the VERY back of the shed and you have to wade thru this mess to get it? Argh! There goes my Sunday.... #$%&!!!!

P.S. If you don't see me around for a couple of days, send in a posse...with a winch! I may be lost in the bowels of ShedLand, or day-tripping in Narnia.... ;).

All American Arts XMAS!!!

2011-07-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

I dunno 'bout y'all....but I start my Christmas shopping right after the past Christmas! I sort of have to, so my wallet doesn't go into spasms if I wait till Nov./Dec.! So I'm in the thick of it NOW...crossing at least one person off my list per month.

Anyway...here's an idea. It's what I'm doing...and NOT just with my Xmas gift-giving. Consider ONLY BUYING American-made products for all your holiday gift-giving. Think how it will help our economy! You're going to spend anyway, why not direct it toward helping our own?

And I'm not saying this to try to get you to buy from me....just buy from any American-made company. Like everyone, I'm really tired of the downward slide we're all in, and even more tired of listening to politicians kabitzing! Time for turn-around......even in small bits! This is something we each can do! Join me!

Last Encounters & Wishful Do-Overs.....

2011-07-15T13:22:00.000-07:00

Oh what I wouldn't give to have do-overs for one particular afternoon last week......

I was in my usual mad-dash to get everything done in a typically over-booked schedule, ran into the grocery store for a few basic necessessities, and spied at the end of an aisle...an old friend & neighbor. She'd not seen me yet. Our typical run-ins usually involved a good 20 min. gabbing and catching-up session. Hmm....do I say "hi" and get caught up in "the usual way" with her? ...or do I quickly get what I needed, on my way, and on to the rest of my insane day? I opted for the latter. Sneaked on past to the next aisle and checked-out. I'm sure we've all done this a time or two or three.....

A couple of days ago, I learned that that same old friend & neighbor died suddenly of heart failure. She wasn't terribly old, I knew she had a heart condition, but typical for her---she always downplayed any ailments she suffered. Now I'm wracked with guilt that the last time I saw her, I was trying to avoid her. And the funny thing was, she's not the kind of person you try to avoid. She was always one of those people with "the right attitude" about everything! I considered her a mentor. I loved her.

Sooooo.....I've had a long heart-to-heart talk with her spirit, hope she heard me, and I know that she knows that my avoiding her had nothing to do with her, and everything to do with me being too-rushed a person. But still......I wish our last enocounter had been like our usual encounters...ended with a hug & kiss.

I miss you Joy...and I am dedicated to making my life less crazy and more flexible to seize those moments with friends rather than avoid them. I've learned the lesson and will share with others.....

New video!.......

2011-07-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

Summery batch of handmade SOAPS!

2011-07-10T14:02:00.000-07:00

What a *FUN* batch of soaps we have for you! SuMMer-UP your soap dish & bath with these lil' gems! Top row L to R: "Howlin' At The Moon Summer Soap", "Cucumber Honeydew" & "Dewberry". Bottom row L to R: "Strawberry Yogurt Soap", "Pikaki Blossom" & "Apricot Freesia Yogurt Soap"! Most of these are listed under our Treasure Chest Limited Edition Soaps on our website, "Howlin'" is under 100% Natural Soaps! Or, use the Google finder on our site, upper right-hand corner. Enjoy! www.carolochs.com/simplysoap.php

Roses, Magical Roses!

2011-07-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

Between my mom's and my own gardens, we have baskets and baskets of rose petals collected already from this summer's bounty! Wylde Faerie Herb Pouches, Faery Blessing Bottles galore! Find at: http://www.carolochs.com/gifts-woa.php If you're a customer, you've noticed we always sprinkle the bottom of your carefully prepared and handwrapped package with rose petals---a sweet reminder of our earth connections, a wee piece of my faerie garden to you! (Hopefully I don't trap any faeries in there as well! But if I do, please turn loose in your own garden!) :)
~Carol

New Fairy Art!

2011-07-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

We've added some new fairy art pieces to the gallery....

"The Green Fairy" -
Be careful when working your summer garden, weeding deep thickets, wandering a bit further than usual.....you never know what you may stumble upon peering out at you! A green fairy, perhaps!

and....

"Last Rays Of Fire" -
This is how us fae folk in San Diego "do summer"! One of our most magical rituals is sunset...catching the last rays of sun before they slip into the sea.

Available as open edition prints here: http://www.carolochs.com/woa-gallery-openedition.php

Both pieces are submissions into the Summer Art Show at: Fae Forum! http://www.faeforum.com/intro/ Come join in if you are an artist at Fae Forum!

Have you signed-up for our newsletter so you know about the current handmade soap sale going on? With the summer hot weather, you're going to want to stock up on this COOL soap! 15% OFF! Newsletter sign-up: http://carolochs.com/newsletter.php

Newsletter: http://ymlp.com/znRnpY

Till later..... ~Carol :)

7 Keys To Selling Art Online

2011-07-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

For fellow artists...this is a wonderful article! And it's FREE!
http://danturnerfineart.com/dan-turners-7-keys-selling-art-online-free-ebook-artists/#comment-83

Enjoy!
~Carol

Quick Production Update....

2011-06-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Quick Production Update....

Orders placed in the last week, I've likely already emailed you to let you know estimated ship dates. Well, um, I apologize, but it's going to be delayed by a few days most likely. I've been nursing an extremely ill four-legged furry child, my pup Codie, and have not been able to work the last couple days. But hopefully getting back to some organization tomorrow! If any of you have orders that are for gifts and you have a strict need-by date, please email and let me know faescribbles@aol.com. And again....I'm sorry for the delay. Duty calls et al....

Sincerely,
~Carol

June Newsletter

2011-06-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks!
If you're already subscribed to our newsletter, you already rec'd this. If not, here is a link to the newsletter with summer updates, a 15% off sale, and new art! http://ymlp.com/znRnpY
Thanks for your interest! :)
~Carol

May News, New Products, Faerie Soap Sale!

2011-05-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to our latest NEWSLETTER! http://ymlp.com/zsUYZ8

Thanks for your interest!

~Carol :)

HAPPY EASTER, WABBITS!

2011-04-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

Any art or soap orders that come to my inbox dated *4/24/11* (tomorrow-Easter) will automatically get 10% off...but only if dated 4/24! HAPPY EASTER DISCOUNT--Woot! Happy shopping! http://www.carolochs.com/

Made my annual Easter Bunny Cake! This year I think I'll name him Edgar...he looks like an Edgar to me for some reason. Anyway...it's easy-peasy to make, just two round cakes (one cake mix), icing, coconut, Red Vines and chocolate eggs to make his face! Ta-da!

Blessings on your holiday weekend!

Love,

~Carol :)

FREE Soap! Yup...FREE! Can't beat THAT with a scrub brush!

2011-04-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

P.S. Newsletter Subscribees!

::bonks self on head::: I FORGOT TO TELL YOU in the newsletter just sent out last night
http://ymlp.com/zfYyAr

PSSSsssT! From now thru Sunday (4/17) we're including a 1 lb bag of White Elephant Soap Scraps *FREE* with every order that wants one! You pay the shipping, but the soap is *FREE*! White Elephant Soap Scraps are odd end pieces off bulk blocks of soap, perfectly good soap, just a bit odd-shaped--subject to what we have available! We cannot always accomodate scent requests, but you can mention any in the Notes section of the cart. Also, please state that you WANT the soap, otherwise we will assume you are not interested in this offer! (Type "Soap Scraps Please!" in the Notes)

Happy Shopping! http://carolochs.com/simplysoap.php

We have scraps from ALL of our soaps, even some of our specialty lines...so ya never know what White Elephant goodies you're gonna get! :)

~Carol :)
The Imaginative Arts of Carol Ochs - www.carolochs.com
Handmade Artisan Old World Soaps, ...Fantasy Art, ...Fiber Art!

"Witching Hour"

2011-04-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

A new art piece completed for a project......

"Witching Hour"

Conjured in her crystal ball is a timepiece indicating the hour at-hand...the witching hour!

And this is an older art piece ("Amulet Peddler") that was sort of revamped.......

"Amulet Peddler" available as a journal, too!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71746643/writing-drawing-keepsake-journal-or-book

And another just-made journal - "Cottage Witch"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71746643/writing-drawing-keepsake-journal-or-book

Till next time.....~Carol :)

Throw open the windows!!!

2011-04-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

Windows are magical things, ya know. You never know what might blow in! I love nothing more than on rainy day like today, to throw open all the windows in the house, let the curtains billow wildly, and smell the loamy wet garden smells wafting in. AHHHHH! Heavenly incense!

Apparently Sophie agrees......

Mares eat oats, and does eat oats, and little goats eat ivy....

2011-04-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

Animal Lovers, fear not! Despite rumors that our popular Goatmeal Butter Bar is made from ground-up goats, this is not true. "Goatmeal" is merely a play on words - goat/oat. We never grind up goats nor harm ANY animal in the crafting or testing of any of our soaps! EVER! This most-emollient of all our soaps is however, made of high-percentage shea butter & olive oil, with added goatmilk and ground oatmeal, scented with rosewood, Bulgarian lavender, and sweet valencia orange! Butter your body in ultimate luxury! :) And......for the month of April, butter-up at a discount! 10% OFF! http://carolochs.com/goatmeal-butter-bar.php (we take the 10% off on our end--you won't see it in your cart).

Peeks, Hints & Reminders.....:)

2011-03-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

Reminder! Our Wylde Faerie Soaps Sale (10% off!) ends at midnight today (3/31)! Stock up on this popular line while the gettin' is good at a discount! Magically-botanical to enchant YOUR bath (and spirit)!

And PSSST!...you know, the Easter Bunny doesn't only deliver chocolate eggs! You can choose from our over 80 varieties of beautiful, skin-nourishing, naturally-made soaps! Something for EVERYONE! Men, women, children...and super-sensitive skin folk!

A new twig-design embellished with metal leaves on our popular forest image Whispers Only Sisters Understand" Journal! Inside the journal features a matching bookplate and bookmark! You can find this one here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/71188322/writing-drawing-keepsake-journal-or-book

We have our first (what feels like) SUMMER day today, due to hit 90 degrees! ::gulp!:: Feels funny to wear a sleeveless dress for a change! The garden is bursting with ...freesia, jasmine! Smells HEAVENLY!

A busy week soapin' and painting. I've been working on a fun series of themed art pieces which I'm kind of excited about that involves air and magic, & I hope to have ready to release by summer! I'll give you a wee hint of one of those pieces.....

But, I'm taking a break from that over the weekend to work on a piece I was invited to do to submit to a publication. I'd been away from painting so long over the winter, feels good to be back-at-it! It's sad when your paintbrushes collect dust bunnies on them!

A good end of the month to you....and watch out for those April Foolers! I have a family of tricksters so I'm always tippy-toeing about on April 1rst! GAH!

And to all of my followers...just want to say thanks for your interest!

~Carol :)

"Nobody cares if you can't dance well....just get up and DANCE...for YOU!"

Hoozah! For drum beats followed!

2011-03-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

I have a hard time working in absolute silence.....therefore whatever I'm doing all day, like many, I have either music or some DVD plugged in. You are, or can become, what you plug into your head...positive in, positive output ....um, right? Or such is what I believe ;) (Which I s'pose is why there is a whole lotta crazy singing by me coming out of my workshop all day! Because I've actually deluded myself into believing I can sing like Steven Tyler......lol!...but hey, my workshop, my mind, my delusion!)

I luv, luv, luv "the making of" type vids---so inspirational to me! I often like them better than what they are describing they made! Anyway, over the weekend I was on a "making of" jag, ......Lord of the Rings, ...Michael Jackson's This Is It!, ...Avatar........seeing that genius at work! It really struck me, the common thread..... how a visionary hears & sees a magic *something* in their head and then attempts to translate it into their particular art from....unswayed by outside input, they stay true to their own vision. I DIG that! And so relate to it........it calls to me in so powerful a way! And reminds me how little I see that around me sometimes.....even amongst creative communities, we can be such a community of sheep, following the latest trend or what we *think* will sell.........UGHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I never want to do that.

I've learned over the years how counter-productive it can be to step off your own path for even a second, even bother to ask others' opinions of your own vision. Many just "don't get it", never will...and even if you listened to their opinion and applied it to your path, it will only genericize you to being like them, like their visions...not your own. And who wants to be like everyone else???????

So anyway...here's kudos to listening to the crazy little voices in your OWN head and being brave enough to follow them! Opinions of others be damned!!! Hooozah!!!!!

P.S. Another thing I love about true visionarys.....they don't necessarily feel compelled to try to sell you on their philosophies and other BS....they let their work speak for itself! I call that b.i.t.c.h.e.n.

Faerie Soap Sale!!!!

2011-03-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

Don't forget our March-long 10% off sale on our wyldly popular Wylde Faerie Soap line! We take the 10% off on our end, so don't worry if you don't see the discount on your cart total...and if we forget, you get a free bar of soap!

Stock-up now and invite the fae into your bath with our botanical-rich soaps! Magical!

Enjoy!
~Carol :)

Key to the Day!

2011-03-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

There it is! Key to the day........ What will you do with it?

Same old routine?

Or will you bust out, follow a whim, a dream, an impulse, an inkling, an instinct.....

Maybe make only one wee little change today...

But it could be a change that starts changing your life....

And one silly little key can DO IT! Yup! The decision to follow an idea.....

Happy Adventures Today!

I will be soapin'....then painting later. Ta-ta!

Springing forth on a freshly washed Monday......

2011-03-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

Well heck, you'd never know it was Spring (butterflies & sunshine) to see our current weather (rain and more rain)! We was a STORMIN' last night! Whew! Hopefully all that rain and wind washed remnant Japanese radiation away from CA. Took me a half hour last night just to take down all my wind chimes....did I mention I'm a windchime freak? I only took them down because our neighbors get annoyed with all the chiming. (Party poopahs!)

*I* think it's magical music!

Last night I went to bed after watching the news (Libya, Japan, and on and on), thinking the world was about to blow-up......I'm on serious news/disaster/fighting overload! Vowing to keep the news off today, if only to regain some inner peace and equilibrium!

Off to pick out the most frivolous, silly, funny DVD's I can find to watch while I toil in the workshop today. For soap is best made when the soapmaker is in a happy frame of mind! It's about the intentions, ya know! It ALL gets stirred in!

Good Monday, to y'all!

~Carol

Man Blanket

2011-03-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

For my fiber art followers/pals......some show & tell!

Ever notice how you can get so busy making stuff/commissions for everyone else, that your own family kind of gets neglected of receiving THEIR fiber, too? :)

Well, I was feeling guilty because one day recently my sweet hubby noticed a blanket-project I finished for a college raffle give-away and commented on how nice it would be to have one like that - hint-hint.....

So I decided to make one for him! I chose colors that would look good on him all cuddled up on the couch. Dark black-ish-gray to match his hair and shades of green to match his beautiful green eyes - Lyon Brand Homespun yarn in "Edwardian" and "Herb Garden", using two strands, Trinity Stitch, with a big ol' "P" crochet hook, which is making a really thick, and manly colored blankie! (And it's big enough for two to cuddle under! - Yea, Baby!)

He sees me working on it every night, but hasn't asked yet who it is for...! ;)

I'll see if I can get it done before he asks, and then just lay it on him one night when he's snoozing on the couch! And if he's lucky, I'll snuggle up under it with him to break it in!

HAPPY SPRING! It's officially HERE! It's HERE!

2011-03-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Super Moon TONIGHT!

2011-03-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/16mar_supermoon/

Tonight's the night!

Mwhahahahahahaha!

ENJOY!

Plume-age

2011-03-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

Thumbs...err TOES up! A lovely St. Pat's had by all! Had all our kids over which is always special....so infrequent that we manage to gather all three together, at one time, one place!

Well, the Japanese radiation plume is reputedly upon us...as in literally here now in CA. The news is saying it's only as strong as one x-ray, or a trip to the dentist...but I dunno, call me a skeptic, but the news is getting their info from the govt, and isn't this the same govt that runs the FDA who approves so many drugs that five years later they are pulling off the market due to umpteem contraindications they discover AFTER they've guinea pigged the public for five years! Excuse me if I don't have a lot of faith. Prolly better than what the Japanese govt is saying...but still......huddled all the pets in and will likely be staying in today and over the weekend.

Been beefing up my own disaster preparedness supplies:
http://www.wisewomantradition.com/wisewomanweb/2011/03/surviving-radiation-the-wise-woman-way.html
http://beprepared.com/
http://majorsurplus.com/

Back to work! Soap to be made! Art to be painted!
Have a good weekend, All!
~Carol

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

Irish Sody Breads baking sweetly, ...corned beef in the cauldr--, err, crock-pot, ...and veggies waiting their turn. The house smells positively delish! Just gotta dig out the Irish tunes.....& DVD's. By tonight I'll have an Irish accent. But that may be the Jameson's talking..... ;) Have a great GREEN day, Luvs!

~Carol :)

My Famous Irish Soda Bread Recipe

2011-03-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

Those who have tried this...know! It's totally o'yum! I'll post the recipe today so if you need to get ingredients to make it tomorrow, St. Patrick's Day! It's best when eaten the same day, or preferably fresh out of the oven, slathered in butter! And note: my Irish Soda Bread is a bit less traditional--mine is sweeter, more flavorful, scone-like in texture, and no caraway added (unless you want it)......so if you're going for strict authenticity, this is not it. However I've had a professional breadmaker friend of mine tell me she likes this better than traditional Irish soda bread...and she's IRISH!

Carol's Irish Soda Bread

Preheat over to 375 degrees.

Sift into bowl:
2 cups sifted all purpose or cake flour (cake flour yields a somewhat finer texture)
1 1.2 tesp. double-acting baking powder
1 tesp. baking soda
1/4 cup sugar

Cut into flour mixture until it has the consistency of coarse cornmeal:
1/4 cup chilled shortening

Stir in:
1 cup dried fruit, chopped (I use a combo of apricots, plums, figs)
2 teasp. caraway seed (optional)

Mix together and then add to dry ingredients:
1 beaten egg
2/3 cup of buttermilk

Stir well and knead briefly. Place in greased (Pam'd) 10 inch round pie baking dish. Press dough down to fill bottom of dish evenly. Brush with milk lightly, sprinkle with sugar (I use raw sugar for the large crystal chunks), but regular sugar will do. Cut a bold cross over the top so bread will not crack in baking.

Bake 35 - 40 minutes until top is golden brown and inserted toothpick in middle comes out clean.

ENJOY! And Happy St. Patricks Day!
~Carol

De-victimizing Victims

2011-03-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

We all have them in our lives sooner or later....you know, people who fancy themself the Designated Victim. Everything *happens to them*, as though the powers that be conspire daily & directly to make their life miserable....just for the sport of it. It's like a mental disease!

Well, I have just one such person in my vicinity, not by choice, but more by geography...nothing I can do about it...except move. I found myself constantly (for years!) avoiding this person, actually altering my daily patterns to avoid the dreaded (and planned on their part!) *run-in* with this person, who I can be sure (and am never disappointed!) will dump another monster-sized load of whoa-is-me on me and attempt to guilt me into giving them something to ease their misery, if only a rapt ear for huge chunks of crying time.

Well, out of frustration and anger, I finally owned up to the reality that this person is OWNING me by doing this! And. I'm. exhausted. of. it. This is not a choice on my part to be a callous hardass or uncaring person. It's caring enough for myself, AND the other person, to no longer facilitate them not taking responsibility for their own life. Some people can become so into playing their "victim" games, and living out their *learned* pattern of interacting/suckering people who often oblige them by sympathizing and (yes, out of guilt) giving them things, that it actually floors Professional Victim when instead of joining in the pity-party, you WOW- suggest something productive they could do to remedy their misery, and then later ask them if they indeed HAVE done anything about it! EXPECT them to be accountable for helping themself! What a concept!

This has become my new weapon against all that I dread about this person: cheerily and happily suggesting productive things THEY can do to make their life better....not stopping long enough to get dragged into a time-consuming re-hashing of it. I want my freedom to move about, unaccosted by this person again!

We ALL have problems. Just because some of us don't talk about them ad nauseum doesn't mean we don't have them, or that they aren't as significant as something you think you are suffering. But what do you DO about them? Our thoughts and beliefs create and influence our reality...and it is up to each of us to make the best of whatever circumstances we create for ourselves, and learn the lessons in whatever struggles we encounter. If nothing is learned, we're destined to repeat them. Playing victim insults those around you, as well as yourself by *choosing* to play that role...especially in a never-ending lifestyle.

Anyway....it felt like a long overdue breakthrough to me, to break-out of old mindsets that were drilled into my head from youth that *you must help those less fortunate than you*. That really only works if the one who needs helping, helps themself. Otherwise you only create a dependent and Professional Victim.

But it's never too late to change that......by your own response.

Day by day, moment by moment, we create our own reality: our present, our past, our future.

Blogging anemia.....

2011-03-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

Seems I always make this whole-hearted vow to be a diligent blogger.....but then a few months later, I'm apologizing again for falling off the wagon. I honestly don't know how some manage to be so good at it. It's not that I don't enjoy writing per se......I just have a really hard time finding/making the time when I work so many hours most days and try to take care of everything else in my life, AND be *on* for always thinking of new brainstorms. I guess I tend to think how mundane my life would sound if documented over & over. And yet I take huge comfort in the mundane predictability of my life - the *knowing* how things likely will be tomorrow, and the next day. I love routine and ritual; what I'm expected to do, by others and myself, and the discipline to do it.

And then because so many ARE so good at blogging, I think "What do *I* have to say or share that could possibly stand out in the sea of blogs any person(s) want to read?" To be honest, I find so many blogs so me-me-me in focus.....I feel really self-conscious about writing in a manner that sounds that way myself.....try to avoid it. Here we are witnessing the hugest disaster ever - Japan - and to me, it seems so ridiculously miniscule to talk about the details of my daily goings on when there are such pressing needs for attention & focus elsewhere, so much bigger than anything I could possibly talk about. The disaster puts everything into harsh perspective.

Yet....I know, life goes on. You can only do what you can do to help others (contributions, etc.) and then keep moving forward in your own circle...... For me, work is my therapy for all things. To feel normal, or push-through disasters, to find some creative, positive kernel even in a storm of others' suffering....... Maybe I feel too sharply, worry too deeply and need to get over it. The ability to create somehow makes me feel alive and my senses heightened by the ability to still do so...... I dare say *creating* is an elixir to soothe all ills.......

Today I'm cutting, trimming and labeling a couple hundred soap bars to ship. A repetitve boring activity, to be sure......yet there's a soothing comfort in it as well, for each bar must be perfect and a representation of
*me* and my craft. And when I'm done I'll have some afternoon left to work more on a painting in-progress. The simple thrill of these predictable routines keeps me whole, keeps me sane - isn't that ......simple?

Yet it's enough for me.

~Carol

March Newsletter - Spring Sales! All things faerie!

2011-03-15T11:06:00.001-07:00

Check out our latest e-mail newsletter: http://ymlp.com/z23w4L

Feb. Newsletter & SALES!

2011-02-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

Come check out our Feb. Newsletter & SALES!

http://ymlp.com/zBhkuK

Thanks for your interest!

~Carol

The Imaginative Arts of Carol Ochs

Drippy, Gushy, Lovey Wishes......(and proud of it!)

2011-02-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

I admit it....I'm a hopeless romantic. Don't even mind "admitting" it, nor feel it's something to feel strange about "admitting", as though confessing to a defect. Afterall....what is wrong with people who aren't romantic? :)

How cold, drab, and generic the world be without .....

.....silly proud romantics who hang red & white lights, yards of silk roses and a heart wreath at their front porch entryway, heart flag flapping proudly in the breeze.....

..... long romantic dresses on "a regular work day", wearing saved wedding jewelry, fresh picked roses from the garden gracing the house, and DVD's like "Somewhere In Time", "Tristan & Isolde", "Letters To Juliet", "Chocolat".....

.....an early V-day celebratory dinner for all loved ones & friends, including artichoke HEARTS and lots of chocolate.....

.....a special lovers picnic "for two only" in the garden.....

.....reliving the passion in a glance, in a touch, in a smile....why you love who you love.....wanting them to know it/feel it as passionately as the day you first said "I love you"......

......and Marvin Gaye. ;)

And if you're really romantic, you won't wait till Valentines Day.....
(And even if you do not have a significant other, why not celebrate the luuuuv in your own lovely company?!?!?! Better with someone you LIKE than someone you're stuck with!)

Much love and many garden picnics to you all.......
Love,
~ Carol

Ahhh.....Slip into soak 'n' magic.....

2011-02-04T08:15:00.000-08:00

Been a long time since I took a bath! Don't worry, there's been showers in-between.....but I mean a REAL....long, soaking BATH! Dare I admit, *I* nearly forgot how mind-centering and therapeutic this feels...this luscious slice of me-time! ME! A soapmaker who has plenty of reason to test-drive my own wares! How could I omit BATHS??? Well, one gets busy, you do hygiene quickies (showers) to get on with the busyness of other things to get done.....that's how you stop taking baths.

Big mistake.

I am vowing not to neglect this ritual for so long ever again! I dare say, I may have lost my connection to me.....

Yesterday late afternoon I finished up work for the day, the house was empty of attention-usurpers, so I decided to indulge. Dang it, if I don't take some me-time, no one is likely going to serve it up to me on a silver platter. I took it and did not feel guilty! Mwhahahaha!

I heated-up the water,

added my favorite potions: baking soda and sea salt (for every mermaid needs her salt),

dribbled in some fragrant scent oils,

grabbed a bar of patchouli, cinnamon & hemp oil soap,

stripped down and dove in!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..........(shuddered at the exquisite luxury enveloping me!)

I took with me into my tub an edition (June 2010) of Faerie Magazine, and lo 'n' behold, in it was featured an article by Avril Tyrrell on "Thousand Islands" (how did I miss this eariler?)! "Imagine fragments of paradise scattered across a sapphire river flowing between verdant pastures. The native people who lived in North America for many centuries before European explorers discovered it, named this place "Manatoana" or Garden of the Great Spirit". This grabbed my attention because I grew up in NY, spent MUCH of my childhood camping at the 1000 Islands with my family. In many ways, I consider the place the birthplace of my imagination and fanciful directions. I loved nothing better as a child than to venture into the woods or shores there and act out Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel, be both lost within, and at one with the trees and forest spirits there! It is nothing short of *magical*!

Exerpt: Travelling through the region in 1848, years before development arrived, England's Rev. James Dixon described the islands as "...the most perfect fairy scene in the world." Situated in Ontario on a stretch of the St. Lawrence River...

I had a sudden pang of longing for and deep connection to my childhood haunts.....like I was 10 years old again, riding on a motorboat out to one of the islands with my Grandpa to fish, ...Grandpa in his bowtie and jacket even while fishing...."Throw out your line and see what you bring up!" he'd say, as sunfish after sunfish hit as soon as line hit water!

There are beautiful haunts everywhere.....you need only look a bit further, or find them hiding under rocks right in front of you! There may be magic in your own bathtub! Throw out a line and see what you bring up!

Have a magnificent Friday!

~Carol :)

My REAL New Year celebration!

2011-02-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

Well, needless to say, when Punxsutawney Phil announced "an early spring" yesterday, I'm sure the world guffawed and lost all faith in trusting sneaky groundhogs anymore! Not with all these inordinately raging winter storms still at-hand! But this morning I spied a bit of evidence that he may be right! My lilac bushes with BUDS! I got BUDS! Wee-haaa! Granted, I am located in San Diego, so I have an early advantage. But it is amazing how so small a bit of new life can lift the spirits and provide promise of good things to come! I share my buds with you and wish all of you in snow-country the arrival of spring SOON, too!

I finished my taxes yesterday - cause for celebration! Once done wih that chore, I feel like my REAL New Year begins! Holiday chaos behind, ...the have-to-do-ness of taxes complete...my mind and work table are free to be truly creative again.....an idea engine! My head feels like it's literally bursting with brainstorms!
Off to channel the blizzard in my head!

A good day to you all...and stay safe in the weather!

~Carol

Steel Horse Get-Aways & Stonehenge

2011-01-28T07:36:00.000-08:00

At least once a day, I hop on the steel horse I ride ::guitar strum::. My bike Ruby! And um, she's a bike-bike, not a motorcycle steel horse. But hey, a girl's gotta make due for her get-away vehicles...and off I go to get air in my lungs, and in between my ears! Meditation, and I always come home feeling infinitely at peace!

Yesterday afternoon while out toolin' on the Rubester I discovered a hidden secret place in the neighborhood, or at least new to me! A neighborhood church, located on a furthermost mesa, that juts out over a canyon, overlooking the freeway beyond, ....built into the hillside it sits on, there's now an outdoor area to hold services! Never knew that before! It's way tucked away, hard to see from the street! There's benches, and you can sit right on the edge of the mesa looking out...SO peaceful! To me (with a little imagination) it looks like a mini Stonehenge....lol!

So I plopped meself down to cool my heels, take-in the sunset, say a prayer or two to the Great Known and Great Unknown, and find that all is right with the world for the moment. This will be a seriously good fireworks viewing spot come July 4th! Ain't it purty?

So, after basking in my secluded "peace", I hop on Ruby, head toward home, and some gal pulls up alongside me going the same direction on HER bike, nearly identical to mine. She strikes up a conversation saying...

She: "Hey, same bikes! My husband got me mine for Xmas to help work off my baby weight."

Me: Same here!

She: Oh really? How old is your little one?

Me: My youngest is 20.

She: Really? Mine is 22 months! Do you live close? Maybe we could get our little ones together for a playdate or bike rides with baby seats!

Me: Um...mine is 20 YEARS!

STILL working off some baby weight! LOL! (:::snort:::)

Valentines Day is a comin'...are YOU ready?

2011-01-27T08:36:00.000-08:00

How better to say.....I'm SWEET on YOU!

...than with sweet soap cakes, handmade with love and simple, uncomplicated ingredients?! (And yay, no calories!)
Valentine Soaps

And from our Wylde Wytch Soap line....

Vampire-lovers! Don't miss our new soap line celebrating the immortal romance of Edward & Bella....

Twilight-Inspired Soaps!

Each soap scent matched to Stephenie Meyer's (book saga's author) luscious book descriptions.....and characters!

- honey lilac & sun

- freesia & lilac

- orange blossoms, rose, lilac & freesia

- balsam pine & musk

- tobacco & peppermint

Transport yourself to Forks, WA...if only in your bath and imagination!

TODAY ONLY (Jan 27th till midnight)! 10% off any Twilight soaps retail! We will apply the dicount on our end, you won't see it in your shopping cart total. If we manage to forget the discount, you get a free bar of soap!

Not sure what to give your Valentine??? Let them choose for themselves! Give a gift certificate!

______________________________________________________

~Carol

The Imaginative Arts of Carol Ochs

http://www.carolochs.com/

A wedge of Californy served up!

2011-01-26T09:37:00.000-08:00

January always makes me feel like buying new sheets and housecleaning, generally getting life (personal and business) *in better order*...I just function better when organized, feel mentally purified! Some call that OCD. I call it tradition! I come from a time when spring cleaning rituals always took place starting as early as Jan. and usually culminated by Easter---straightening closets & drawers, out with the unused or unnecessary, in with freshly-made new herb sachets to bring plant spirits and scent!

Place of work and residence aren't all that require proper order...so too, do personal rituals require an overhaul and pepping-up! And how better than with purifying LEMON! Not only is lemon a wonderful cleaner, but aromatherapeutically uplifting and mind-centering!

I was gifted with my own personal lemon tree when we moved into our house....so I use lemons for EVERYTHING! Even our lemon soaps contain fresh juice squeezed by hand!

If you're facing what seems like an endless winter...try a chunk of sunny California...lovingly made by hand, enriched with skin's best friend---virgin shea butter, lemon juice and marigold petals!

- Verbena Tangerina -

I'd also like to remind you about our fun White Elephant Soaps Scraps by the pound!

Odd end pieces of soap grouped in a bag, sold by-the-lb., (and my lbs are BIG lbs!) at a discount - $15.00 per lb.! Never know what you're gonna get! A great way to enjoy our soap at a reduced price! We can't guarantee scent choice for these, but if you list your fav scent types in the Notes section of the shopping cart, we will *try* to accomodate as close as possible for you!

Enjoy your day! MAKE IT sunny! :)

~Carol

The Imaginative Arts of Carol Ochs

http://www.carolochs.com/

Jan. Sales & Updates!

2011-01-25T11:14:00.000-08:00

Hi Readers!

I haven't figured out yet how to do my newsletters via my new website, so for now, they are kind of plain white background and blah. But I'll figure it out! You can check out our current sales and updates here:
http://ymlp.com/zYBDdX
Newsletter went out last week and I realized I forgot to post to my blogs. Sorry this is late.

Having major sympathy pangs for all our east coast customers suffering such severe weather! Check out our warm/cuddly fiber art under Handmade Crafts at our site!

Warm Scarves!

(Can be made extra wide to wrap up your face out in the elements!)

Be well and warm!
~Carol
The Imaginative Arts of Carol Ochs
http://www.carolochs.com/
Simply Soap
Wild Oaks Art
Enchantasies

Happy New Year 2011!

2011-01-03T08:24:00.000-08:00

Whew! Happy New Year, Folks!

What a busy and fast holiday season, ...hope yours was fantastic! For me, the break was much-needed, and I finally caught up on SLEEP! Eight hours per night for a week straight re-charged me like I never expected (and really need to make a habit of!!!) New vim and vigor for the biz, new ideas brimming, and a feeling of optimism for the year bursting forth! I received many gifts of books I hungrily scarfed up, too, and that always feeds my soul! If you are a creative type, might I suggest:

Walking In This World by Julia Cameron
(And for artists....)
Color & Light by James Gurney

I always feel guilty taking my end of year break because orders pile-up, ...but when I realize how much better I feel in getting that break, I know it's well-worth it! We all need to step back now and then....focus on family and fun! Hope you got to, as well!

For those of you who placed orders during our break, we're on it this week and will get those shipped ASAP!!

BTW....looky what Santa brought me! I named her Ruby! And she flies like the wind! And yes, that *IS* a Rudolph-The-Red-Nosed-Reindeer hood ornament and he plays the tune as well as has a spinning nose! So if you happen to be in San Diego and think you see a red blur go by, hear a Xmas tune whizzing past, it just may be me zipping by, stretching my fairy wings! Whoo-hooo! Ruby's been getting a real work-out!

We are back in business! We've received some inquiries about the holiday line of soaps....yes they are still available till in-stock varieties run out!

Blessings on your January!

Goethe told us: "Whatever you think you can do, begin it, because action has magic, grace and power in it."

~Carol :)

Link Correction!

2010-12-15T10:55:00.001-08:00

Sorry! Link Correction!
http://carolochs.com/newsletterpageupdate.php

E-Mail Gift Certificates--Quick, Easy!

2010-12-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

Check out our GIFT CERTIFICATES! http://carolochs.com/newsletterpageupdate.php
(We'll e-send them for you right up thru 12/25!!!)

If you're like me, it's *panic attack time* because Christmas snuck up so fast this year and you're realizing it's getting late to now trek to the mall, find, buy, and send something to those special someones and expect it to arrive on-time, especially to out-of-towners! And if you're REALLY like me, mall crowds, parking lots make you stark-raving claustophobic, crazy, and Scrooge-like!!! Or, maybe you thrive on procrastination. (???) We've got an easy *out* for ya! We're here to the rescue, and you'll come off looking like a genius gift-giver with excellent taste! So many of our new loyal customers each year come to us as a result of having been gifted for Christmas and they are hooked!

Send a Gift Certificate to use at our website for ANY of our luxurious handmade premium soaps, fantasy art, gift items, or crocheted fiber arts! Best of all, they can shop online at our newly re-designed website graced with fantasy & fun, choose whatever THEY want as per their tastes & preferences! Easy-peasy! One-click shopping for you and you're ka-done! Leisurely browse time for them with a vast selection to choose from!

We will email-send Gift Certificate orders right up through Xmas, so you can't miss with this easy shopping/quick delivery! Just be sure to include your gift recipient's name/email address in the Notes section of the shoppng cart, and any personal message or greeting you wish to attach!

Merry Christmas Blessings!

Sincerely,

~Carol Ochs

The Imaginative Arts of Carol Ochs

2010-12-10T16:16:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, and Merry Christmas!

We are now officially on our year-end break, which is a bit of a misnomer. We'll be working our elfy lil' hands to the bone at least through the next week processing existing backlogged orders! And THEN we can take a much-needed, collapse-y break! I'm already anticipating that long winter's nap the first day I'm really completely caught up! But of course, in truth,I'll be so excited about Xmas preparations, I won't be able to sleep! *wink*

You can continue to place orders till we return Jan. 3rd, however fulfillment of those orders will likely not take place till Jan. Gift Certificate orders WILL be fulfilled right up to Christmas! So if you're running late on Xmas shopping yet want to deliver a really cool gift ANYONE will love...you've got us here to fire off that Gift Certificate to your gift recipient's email addy!

Every year, I never cease to be amazed and deeply appreciative of all my wonderful customers who allow me to keep doing what I love....THANK YOU!

Very best holiday wishes to you & yours, and much hope for a healthy, prosperous, and magical new year!

Love,
~Carol

2010-12-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

New Website:
Yay! Done! We're excited to present our new website (http://www.carolochs.com/) that combines all three of our previously separate websites for soap and art into one for your shopping ease! Credit to friend April VanSickle who talked me out of my usual DIYer obsession and into hiring her to re-do-my-sites-into-one for me, recognizing that if left to my own timeline, it would likely never have gotten done! Many thanks, April!

In addition to it's nice new design, some of the handy new features we think you'll really like about the new site are:

* One shopping cart for all! You no longer have to bounce from one site to another to make separate purchases for soap & art!

* Easier soap packaging option choices on the cart!

* You can Google within the site to find anything or info you are looking for!

* All of our social networking icons are placed for easy reference for quick updates!

* Check out our new Twilight-Inspired line of soaps!

We hope you enjoy touring the new digs! If you happen to come across any link issues or problems, or just want to leave feedback, feel free to let us know! carolochsarts@aol.com THANKS!

********************************************

Quick Holiday Season Updates:

Our current production lead times are approx. 5-7 days for all orders to ship.

We will be closed for our year-end break Dec. 10 - Jan. 2. Any orders placed during that time will likely not be shipped until Jan. Please plan your Dec. orders accordingly with that in-mind. Thanks!

~Carol
The Imaginative Arts of Carol Ochs

Which includes: Simply Soap, Wild Oaks Art, Enchantasies
(Our old websites will remain funcitonal a bit longer and then re-direct to the new site only. )

Ceramic Ornament!

2010-11-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

"I'm Wyntyr....and I've Arrived!" ...fairy ornament

$11.95 - At Our Zazzle Store

http://www.zazzle.com/wyntyr_ornament-175743210495982839

Whack-a-doodle!

2010-11-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like going crazy with a knife! The holidays can do that to ya! Well GO FOR IT! Get holiday soap logs and go to town whacking away to your heart's content! For a very affordable $60 (retail), you can get a 12-bar log (ONLY $5.00 per soap slice!) and have a constant source of gift-giving! A lifesaver for the *unexpecteds* that invariably show up EVERY year, as well as for all the special people you want to remember with "a little something"!--you child's teacher, the mailman, the UPS Guy, the water delivery man, your neighbor who watched the cat when you're out of town! (Just be sure to keep some to reward yourself!)

You know how it happens...:

Knock-knock! It's Aunt Bess....who just stopped by with a holiday present and you had no idea she was even coming, let alone had a reciprocal gift for her! GAH! What to do? What to do? You

excuse yourself to go let the cat out and in the speed of a couple whacks and the tying of a couple bows in a back room, you've got a beautiful, thoughtful, and much-appreciated personal present to give back to Aunt Bess! HOLIDAY HANDMADE SOAPS! Ta-da! Slice-by-the-inch gift-giving and stocking-stuffing because YOU were prepared, you smartie-pants!

And soap is not just for the gals, my friend...no way! Let me let you in on a little secret! Men make up approx. 40% of all orders I fill! YES! Make their day with Blizzard Bar, Blue Cypress, Sierra Sojourn, Mint Menthol Whisker Bar, Clovosier, Orange Peel Spice, Pirate Spice, Frankincense & Myrrh---just to name a few of our favorite men's soaps! (But beware, they're going to like it so much, they WILL expect it every year once you get them hooked! My mailman and UPS Guy put in their orders early for their favorite scents now!-hehe)

A common kitchen knife is all you need! (And any wrapping you prefer! Tulle, fabric, cello bag, muslin sack, handmade paper....) Voila!

HAPPY WHACKIN'!

~Carol

http://www.carolochs.com/

Recycled Silk Sari Yarn

2010-11-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

Yarn, for me, is like walking into a candy store! Almost as good as an artist supply store! So many colors, textures...PROJECTS to be made!

I recently picked up a ball of recycled silk sari yarn at a farmers market, and now every time I go back, I pick up more. Still haven't made anything with it yet, but isn't it pretty!? It got me curious how it's made:

http://www.zanzibartribalart.com/MakingRecycledSilkYarn.htm

Good prices: http://www.shop.darngoodyarn.com/product/dgys-premium-recycled-silk-yarn

November Busyness!

2010-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Yup...it's November, alright! How do I know? Cuz I eat, breathe and sleep SOAP seven days a week! LOL! Despite it being my busiest season, the mad scientist in me *always* savors and enjoys the simple joy of making soap! Who can resist the sight and smell of these freshly-poured lovelies? And just wait until they are cured and ready to lather-up!

(Beneath The Sea Salt Soap, Vanilla Oatmeal Soap, Jasmine Orange Blossom Soap)

I can't complain about working weekends too much when I have my own personal guitar minstrel serenading me on the back patio as I toil in the workshop.....is he cute, or what?

And then to come into the house at the end of a long day of concocting and stirring, and realize he's made a candlelight dinner for us! Um.....

Nope...work's not so bad!

Happy November!

~Carol

http://www.carolochs.com/

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

Halloween was glorious, as usual!

All three of my kids (26, 22, 20) were home for at least awhile, which is always fun....and amazing to me if we manage to get all three, at one location, ...at one time! Unfortunately I didn't get a pic of them because I got so busy handing out candy and running patrol on who was coming up the sidewalk (he was blind in that giant head with tiny eye holes!) so I could warn the dragon whether to "be scary" or "be friendly", depending on the size of children approaching! Don't want to give nightmares to the wee ones! We had quite a batch of trick-or-treaters!

This is Dragon Dave, Witchy Me, and my Mom dressed up as a gypsy....in the dragon's foggy lair.

Dragon Dave

Me, kissing my pet dragon.....I just love old, scaly guys.....with BIG TEETH!

(...wish I'd gotten video of The Dragon dancing to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller')

(And I'm sure my neighbors' wish they got video of me riding my broom as I ran the dogs up the street for their nightly run, when all the trick-or-treaters were done for the night. But if it's not on video, it's not evidence of insanity....rrrright?)

Now.....I need to pack 10 boxes of Halloween props away and get back to WORK!

Happy Monday and All Souls Day...thinking of my favorite souls!!!

~Carol

Mwahahahaha!

2010-10-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

I got up extra early.....crept into the decoration shed,

...dragged out The Dragon,

..the fog machines,

...filled up the candy pot!

Nearly ready for Halloween!

Happy Eve of Halloween Eve!!!

Crunch time!

2010-10-26T08:22:00.001-07:00

My blogging becomes sparse this time of year....not enough hours in the day, as I'm sure most can relate to!   But we DO have lots in the works! .....

~ The new 3-businesses-in-one combined website is in the homestretch! The Big Unveil coming soon! (Thanks to the most incredible & patient web design person EVER!)

~ Filling LOTS of pre-holiday handcrafted soap orders, especially as retailers load their shelves & vending boothes for the coming shopping season!

~ Crocheting in every spare minute to fulfill commissioned pieces...and they are looking so beautiful! One particular Intention Shawl I'm making is for a beautiful maiden who lives by the sea in Cornwall, UK......and I've loaded her shawl with the most beautiful intentions to wrap herself up in! One of my greatest creative pleasures is making Intention Shawls!

--------------------------------------
I'm feeling bereft that I've had so little time to paint, but that is normally my plight this last quarter of the year. My head is literally bursting with ideas to illustrate, but no time to DO them! So I keep my trusty idea journal at-hand and jot & sketch furiously as brainstorms hit!   This is perhaps my biggest frustration in life.....much I want to do, so many irons in the fire.....never enough time!

All I know is, I look forward to what I hear so many older people talk about---where they need to sleep so much less than when they were younger, and find themselves waking and wandering the house at night!    Can I git me some of that ....like NOW??? ;)

Hope you're enjoying Halloween WEEK! I have all my spooky movies playing all day while I work and my orange lights a-burnin'! MAGIC!

~Carol :)

Flying Lessons!

2010-10-22T12:03:00.001-07:00

My newest Halloween decoration, a friend gave me - heh heh! My anti-Halloween neighbor is going to go bonkers when she see's this! Strangely enough though, as much as she is anti-Halloween, her kid is always at my door Halloween night looking for candy! How's THAT work?!?! (I always give her kid extra candy in hopes he takes it home to sweeten up his mother!) Muwhahahaha!

Earn FREE SOAP & ART!

2010-10-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

We have a fun new proposal for y'all!

Over the years, customers often ask "Why aren't your products in *this* store, or *that* store?" Or, "I wish you were in my local bath shoppe so I can just run to that store to buy soap bars or gifts while I'm out picking up dry cleaning."

The simple answer is....We would LOVE to be in more shops! You can help and earn freebies in the process!

If you have a store near you where you think our soap or art products would be a good fit, or you would like to be able to purchase our products local to you, please drop a hint to that store's management and give them our contact info. (below)! If that store goes ahead and orders from us and tells us that you referred them, as reward for your effort, we're willing to give you a 15% one-time commission compensation for THAT store, in soap or art! Your choice! We will email you a gift voucher.

Example: On a minimum $100 wholesale order, you'd get a (15%) $15.00 credit for product of your choosing! (That's like three free full-size plain bars of Regular Line soap, or one art print, or mix and match products you'd like!) That's the minimum you could earn!

The more new stores or valid retailers you expose us to who go on to place a wholesale order, the more commissions you can make! And the more they order on that initial purchase, the bigger your commission! But they must tell us YOU referred them! So in addition to you providing them our contact info, be sure to jot a note on that info instructing them to mention that SO-and-SO (YOU!) referred them, include your email address, so we can contact you back and you receive your referral commission! This offer applies to referring stores & valid retailers only if they've never ordered from us before. (This could include vendors at farmers markets, craft, renn, and other retail shows!)

Experience tells us, and we feel, our best reps are word-of-mouth customers who enjoy our products, so spread the word! And let us happily thank you for that with a gift commission! A great way to earn products for yourself, or earn gifts to give at holiday time and year-round!

~Carol :)

(This is a suggested template you can use to hand to store/vendor management! Feel free to print out and make copies to hand-out to stores!)

__________________________________________________________

I am a satisfied customer of the following, would like to see these products in your store, and am suggesting you check them out!

The Imaginative Arts of Carol Ochs include:

Simply Soap - A California Handcrafted Soap Co.

http://www.simplysoap.com/

simplysoap@aol.com

Wild Oaks Art - Fantasy, Fairy Mermaid Art & More!

http://www.wildoaksart.com/

wildoaksart@aol.com

Enchantasies - Bewitching Art!

http://www.enchantasies.com/

faescribbles@aol.com

If you decide to order, please let them know I referred you, as a happy customer!

REFERRED BY:_________________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________________________

Jack!

2010-10-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

LOOKY!

A giant green bean, from a giant green bean tree!

(I bet it's seeds are magical!)

::giggles::

Only 17 more days!

2010-10-14T09:00:00.001-07:00

Muwahahahaaaaa! What to wear? What to wear?

I've had my nose to the grindstone for so many days, I haven't looked up to have some Halloween fun! Today I will devote some serious time to deciding which witch costume to wear!

For those of you who also like to get into the spirit, and stir your own cauldron...here's our traditional Corn Chowder recipe I make every Halloween! Enjoy!

- CORN CHOWDER -

4 slices bacon, chopped

1 large sweet onion, chopped

3 medium potatoes, pared & diced

2 1/2 cups water

1/4 flour

1/2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 cans whole kernel corn (1 lb. each)

1 tall can evaporated milk

Cook bacon until crisp in large pot. Set aside to drain. Saute onion in same pot until soft. Add potatoes, 2 cups of the water, salt, pepper, cover. Simmer 15 minutes or until tender. Stir in corn & evaporated milk. Blend flour with remaining water and stir into chowder. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until chowder thickens and bubbles. Stir in chopped bacon & serve. 10 - 12 servings

Optional add-ins: 2 cups cooked chicken cut into chunks, 1/2 cup diced green pepper.

Delicious served with cornbread, and I always add whole kernal corn to my cornbread recipe! YUM!

Practical Magic Blog Party Follow-Up!

2010-10-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

I was the lucky winner of a drawing from the Practical Magic Blog Party and won the following from Caya Papaya, whose blog is located at: http://caya-papaya.blogspot.com/! THANK YOU Caya Papaya!

The quality of Deann's work is stellar, attention to detail evident in everything she creates, right down to the back of her ornaments & business card tag!

Deann sent me these BEAUTIFUL glass ornaments that represent Gillian and Sally (from Practical Magic). I will truly cherish these, Deann! Thanks again! ~Carol

Happy October!

2010-10-05T09:26:00.001-07:00

The drive is approximately 40 miles. We exit the freeway, wind the ancient oak-lined country roads, ...and then there's one particular bend in the road, and there, THERE....you see it! Hundreds of happy pumpkins!!! A most beautimous sight!!!

It's October, Folks!

Bates Nut Farm - Valley Center, CA

HAPPY OCTOBER!

Any of you who know me at all, know I ADORE this month! I LIVE for October!

For my family, it's the real kick-off to the holiday season! There's palpable *magic* in the air.....both the magic autumn brings on it's own, as well as the magic WE create! And by "magic", I mean the love and cherished time we celebrate together as family & friends! From decorating our house for Halloween as our fun-filled gift-to-the-neighborhood kids, ...to our annual trek to (the above) Bates Nut Farm to pick pumpkins and have a harvest-time picnic, ...to our competitive pumpkin-carving family night laced with hot spiced apple cider, traditional doughnuts and roasted pumpkin seeds, ...to our many preparations on Halloween Day---cooking great pots of soups and baskets of crusty dipping bread to share for any wanderers, neighbors and friends who stop by Halloween night to visit and savor the spookiness as we hand out candy--my husband as his usual fire-breathing (fog juice!)-dragon-in-his-lair, and me as my usual wit ch,.....to our acknowledging All Souls Day Nov. 1, remembering our many loved ones who have passed. I treasure that even though my three kids are all in their 20's now and off on their own, they still come home for our much-loved traditions! The month is chockful of celebration! What better magic is there than that?

In celebration of this favorite month, we're having a BIG SALE!

All of ur of Wylde Wytch Soap is on sale at 10% off -- ALL MONTH/October!

All of our Enchantasies Witch Art is on sale at 10% off -- ALL MONTH/October!

Join the October celebration and save!

As the month goes along, we'll share with you some of our favorite October recipes, too!

Love,

~Carol

Simply Soap - http://www.simplysoap.com/
Wild Oaks Art - http://www.wildoaksart.com/
Enchantasies - http://www.enchantasies.com/

Giveaway WINNER!

2010-09-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

We're happy to announce the winner of our Practical Magic Blog Party Giveaway (two witch art prints and herbal/botanical pouches) is:

:::drum roll:::

Renee Royka of

http://storybookforest.wordpress.com/

Congratulations, Renee! We hope you enjoy!

Visit Renee's blog and get to know more about her!

~Carol :)

Attracting Black Magic!

2010-09-29T10:54:00.000-07:00

I've come to realize that if you want invite or attract a lil' black magic in your life, all you have to do is set out a basket! Seriously! Put one out, and *POOF!*...something black and magical will jump into those baskets--magic catchers!!!

A beautiful Wednesday to ya's!

~Carol

Winner

2010-09-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

We drew a winner name for the Practical Magic Blog Party Giveaway...just waiting for her to get back to me. Couldn't locate an email addy for her so I posted notice on her blog...hope she gets it and emails me soon - faescribbles@aol.com! Check your blogs , Folks! hint-hint storybookforest

~Carol :)

THANK YOU Blog Party Attendees!

2010-09-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a fabulous Practical Magic Blog Party that was Sat. (and continuing...it's a party that just keeps giving)! Thank you Anna & Justina for organizing it! I'd never attended one before, but this certainly was a great first! What a wonderful chance to connect and find folk with a similar interest! And I was quite simply amazed at the fascinating spin everyone had on a theme! I just love that about creative people---their ability to adapt their vision to an idea and make it their own! You're all truly inspiring! Thanks too, for the kind comments so many of you left at my blog...greatly appreciated! I'm SO in a Halloween mood now!

I had much work to do this past weekend so I have only begun to work my way down the list of blog party attendees, but I intend to visit every one! Which is why this is a party that keeps giving!

I'm holding off on randomly picking/annoucing the winner of our Practical Magic Giveaway winner until this evening to give more folks (who like me, maybe haven't had a chance to hit all the blogs yet) a chance to enter to win! (*Enter the giveaway* by leaving a comment at my blog party post.)

Again, the prize is two art prints:

"Whispers Only Sisters Understand"

"More Than Who You Think You See I Am"

AND...

this collection of herb/botanical pouches to make your own concoctions or potpourris with! (Includes blessing seeds, rose petals, calendula petals, lavender buds, mugwort).

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE for a fun, fun blog party!

~Carol

Practical Magic BLOG PARTY! (Sat. Sept 25th!!!)

2010-09-24T20:43:00.000-07:00

There's a little witch in all of us.....

Welcome Witch Lovers, to MY celebration of the Practical Magic Blog Party! I'm Carol Ochs!
Thanks so much to the brilliant gals hosting this soiree! Wonderful idea!

I LOVE the movie Practical Magic, how it tells the story of the true essence of *magic*...it's LOVE! Sister love, aunt love, daughter love, friend love, garden love, man love, Halloween love.....I'm such a hopeless romantic! And The House---my God....I adore that house and garden--it's the home I dream of! And I also love the movie's emphasis on the gift of traditions (always there for one another despite their differences, gardening & herb lore, Midnight Margaritas, Halloween)! I try to keep the spirit of Practical Magic alive at my house year-round, and even on this blog of mine devoted to "finding the magic in every day". I welcome all new followers! Join on up!

I'm a full-time handcrafted soapmaker and a fantasy witch artist, so of course, what else will I be featuring in honor of Practical Magic but SOAP and WITCH ART?!
Like Sally and the aunts, I dabble in herbs and potions!

I make several soaps that are part of my Wylde Wytch Soap line and are an homage to Practical Magic! On Saturday September 25th (Practical Magic Blog Party day!) and Sun. the 26th, any of the following soaps ordered on those dates will receive a 10% discount if you mention in the Notes section of our online retail shopping cart, that you found us through the Blog Party! (retail and wholesale!)

Amas Veritas

Remember young Sally summoning a true love spell in the movie Practical Magic, a spell called Amas Veritas? We've created our own Amas Veritas with the passion-invoking essential oils of patchouli, sandalwood, rosewood, ylang ylang and star jasmine, with a sprinkling of crushed red rose petals throughout, and the entire bar enriched with rosehip seed oil---pricey oil, but nothing enriches and drenches your skin so luxuriantly in moisture! Bathe with this soap prior to love rituals and to attract love with it's fragrant and earthy aromatherapy benefits! Like casting a love spell!

Blessing Seed Bar

Nothing banishes negativity and protects like the potent magic of blessing seeds, also known as Nigella seed. This bar is also empowered with freshly ground burdock root and mugwort herb, ...herbs of protection, and scented with the curious essential oil of petitgrain (from the bitter orange tree leaf) and is known to alleviate depression and anxiety, as well as oils of clary sage and sandalwood...balancing for all skin types and soothing to mental clarity. Bless thy body with blessing seed!

Encantado

(means "enchanted")

Encantado (Spanish) is a soap that honors ancient ones before us, particularly the Curanderas, or medicine women, who practice their herbal magic and never mind when people call them "witch"---for they know well from the herbal teachings passed forth from Curanderas before them, that the poultices and herbal concoctions they make for the sick cure them and they are never called "witch" in a negative manner again; they become "healer witch". Encantado is filled with ground herbs of rosemary and lavender as well as the pure essential oils of both. The Curanderas are not the sole holders of this secret; green witches everywhere know of the cleansing, healing, and mental soothing power of antiseptic and skin-balancing rosemary and lavender....

"Keep rosemary at your garden gate,

Grow lavender for luck!"

Midnight Margarita Bar

"Put de lime in de coconut, and drink 'em both up." - Harry Nilsson

Who can resist the call to the margarita blender, especially in the Midnight Hour, as celebrated in Practical Magic? This soap was created to celebrate good times shared with your best coven or slumber party pals! Real coconut milk is added to this juicy lime scented soap that will positively make your mouth water at the tang, topped with epsom salts as salt on the rim and grains of protection. A special token gift to bring to all of your best friends and margarita lovers! So get skyclad, and Cheers!

Mint Oatmeal Shaving Soap

In Practical Magic, remember Sally lamenting to Gillian, ..."I was really, really happy. We were going to open a botanical shop. Michael'd get the ingredients. And I'd make the stuff. He really loved my mint-oatmeal shaving cream. He couldn't stop eating it."

As a soapmaker, as soon as I heard that, of course I simply had to MAKE IT...as soap! And so I did, and YES, it IS an awesome shaving soap, and an all-around soap, too! But I would not recommend eating it--you may burp bubbles! Loaded with skin-soothing ground oats, white clay (to help whisker or leg hair stand up to be shaved, and to extract impurities) and super-enriched with avocado oil, we're sure you'll love the skin-tingling magic of this bar! It's also an excellent idea to take a mint soap shower or bath to cool off overly hot skin, fevers, and mint aroma sharpens the mind prior to test-taking or activities that require acute mental clarity! An excellent wake-up remedy to use after a night of Midnight Margarita-ing.... *wink*

Verbena

In Practical Magic, Sally's charming botanical shop was named "Verbena Botanicals"....and the very word "verbena" conjures up images of bright mood scents, astringent citrus purification, and garden goodness! And so it is with our Verbena bar....a bright essential oil blend of lemon verbena, a touch of lemongrass, geranium, and clary sage---all mood elevating aromas, and deep-cleansing to the skin with antiseptic properties as well! Excellent for oily or acne-prone skin. Sprinkled with broken leaves of lemon balm herb, and freshly squeezed lemon juice from our own lemon tree, you can't help but have a smile cast upon your sunny face when using this happy soap! Spread the joy--it's MAGIC!

You can find these and several other Wylde Wytch Soaps at this link!

____________________________________________________________________

And, two art pieces I've painted that I think particularly capture the essence of Practical Magic are:

"Whispers Only Sisters Understand"

...and...

"More Than Who You Think You See I Am"

and again.....these two open edition art prints are available at 10% off if mentioned on the shopping cart that you found us at the Blog Party, on Sat. Sept. 25th and Sun the 26th!

You can also find other witch art of ours available at:

House photos taken from a site LOADED with all things Practical Magic: Amas Veritas! Visit it!

And...magazine pics of the photos taken of the actual Practical Magic House Set and published in Victoria Magazine.

I can't think of a more fun way to celebrate Practical Magic than this Blog Party! So hurray for Practical Magic and all you fellow witches and witch-lovers!

"....fall in love whenever you have the chance!"
(I DO! With the same man!)

I can't jump off my roof and fly on Halloween like the Owens',...but I have been spied kissing a real live dragon, on the ground, in my own front yard on Halloween! Seems I have the *power* to tame dragons....

P.S. We'll be having a random drawing for a giveaway of the above-shown TWO giclee-quality art prints "Whispers Only Sisters Understand" and "More Than Who You Think You See I Am"....(Together! A $28.00 value) for all entries who submit a comment here! And....

Also included in the prize will be five herb/botanical pouches for you to conjure your own potions/spells with! (Included: blessing seeds, rose petals, calendula petals, lavender buds, and mugwort). We'll announce/post the winner here on Monday and the winner will have the option of having their own blog featured/promo'd/linked by us, too!

Good luck!

Love & witchy hugs,

~Carol

:::clinks margarita glass:::

We'd love for you to leave a message of your visit here (and to enter the giveaway!) and be sure to visit ALL the wonderful blogs associated with the blog party link! Spread and share the magic!

Fellow Blog Party Participants: I've visited many of your blogs already and plan to visit you ALL...working my way down the list! I had to work this weekend though and haven't been able to do so yet....but I plan to! LOVIN' your stuff!

2010-09-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder!

Tomorrow is the Practical Magic BLOG PARTY!

Wooo-hooo!

All sites listed at this link below (including mine!) will have Practical Magic themed cool stuff on them...for all you magical folk to enjoy! Check 'em out!

And remember....

"Plant rosemary at your garden gate,

Grow lavender for luck!"

As Aunt Jett said.....

"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."

SEE YA THERE!

How BAD do I want tomatoes???

2010-09-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

Every summer I have a bunch of termater plants for fresh juicy tomatoes...yum!

This year, NOT A ONE OF THEM produced tomatoes! No flowers even!

Some are now dying, having produced NOTHING!

What is up with that?

Have the bees forgotten my garden? ::feels cursed::

So I go garden forum-hunting for answers, and this is some of what I found.....

"If they are flowering, your trouble is lack of a pollinator. Shake the flowers to try to get them to self pollinate."

"Tomatoes, as well as other members of the Solanaceae require a special kind of pollination to achieve proper fruit set. This form of pollination is known as "buzz pollination". Buzz pollination is accomplished by Bumblebees (Bombus), by gripping the flower with their legs and vibrating their flight muscles, honeybees (Apis) are incapable of doing this. In small gardens, bumblebee populations can be insufficient to properly pollinate tomatoes and related plants. Here's how to buzz pollinate your plants to produce larger fruits........"

"You will need an electric toothbrush with soft bristles. To pollinate the flower, turn on the toothbrush and gently and briefly touch it to the petals or stem of the flower, or flower cluster. Do not touch it to the face of the flower. That's all that is required, simply keep the toothbrush in with your garden tools and spend a few seconds each time you visit the garden, the results will be worth it."

"Never a bad idea to shake the plants to help the flowers self-pollinate. Some people use an electric toothbrush at the base of the bloom. I use a vibrator that I purchased."

A VIBRATOR??? People do that to their tomato plants, fer reals?
OK, I can picture myself sHaKiNg my plants a bit...but I'll be darned if I can picture myself out there electric tooth-brushing, or vibrating my tomato plants to make baby tomatoes! I own neither device (manual toothbrush user, and got a husband, what do I need a vibrator for?)...and I seriously doubt any vibrator store will believe me if I say "Pssst! It's for my tomatoes! Brown bag it, please!"

Holy COW! What happened to the good old days of bees, and tomato plants that nature-magically knew how to self-pollinate???

Come to think of it...I haven't heard many crickets lately either!

______________________________________________________

Seems the hot summer we never got in San Diego is arriving late, this weekend. I'm off to make soap, lots of SOAP!

Have a great weekend!

~Carol

Awesomacious!

2010-09-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

(For all of you who hate that word "awesome", this is one better)

1. awesomacious
def.: extremely or ultimately better than the usual, regular, or normal; greater than the state of being awesome.

There are people you are gifted to have enter your life, or you stumble upon, ...and you know it, you just KNOW IT! Your internal baraometer feels it. *CLICK!* It can be their personality, their natural talents or gifts, their intuitive cognition, their ability to relate or connect, or any of a gazillion combos of things about them. But they just are awesomacious to you, and you know you will know them forever.

I know this. And I feel really lucky to have peoples like this in my life.

My suggestion for the day? Look around yourself and tell those awesomacious people in your life that they ARE! Don't wait for their birthday, or Christmas, or some special occasion. Do it NOW! Today! For all you know, either of you could be gone tomorrow...so don't waste the chance! Make their day and remind them how important & valued & magical personal relationships are to you!

Go on now...git! :)

Love,
~Carol

Your Life IS Your Magic.....

2010-09-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

"To believe in magic as a viable way of enhancing our quality of life does require a leap of faith. We must see life in slightly romantic terms; recognize falling in love or growing a flower or even cooking a perfect pie as a demonstration of the magic of balance, of everything coming together in just the right way." - Titania Hardie

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Are you a chronicler of what's absent in your life, always seeing what's missing, rather than what's there?

You hit a certain point, or age milestone in your life and think about what you haven't gotten done vs. what you have?

In a free moment, drag out photos of yourself as a child. Look at them. Recognize your roots. Remember what you were doing, thinking, feeling in those captured moments. The world was your oyster! It still is....

Only now you're armed with WISDOM!

Have a great oyster!

~Carol

Early Morning Magic....

2010-09-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

Not EVERY morning, but 2 - 3 mornings a week, I get up earlier than usual and *own the morning*. I feel *I own it* because no one else is up but perhaps a few birds outside, and I want only their company. Even my sleepy pups lay snoring bedside, and only look up long enough to shoot me a "What are you DOING at this hour?" look, ...then flop back down with the single wag of a weary tail.

I hide in the front bathroom to stifle the loud whir of grinding coffee beans, start the brew, moving about the kitchen in the dim light, not wanting to break the peace with artifical glare. I bundle up in a thick shawl, take my steaming cup, and step out onto the back patio to snuggle up on an old chair in the morning mist floating by, and smell the smells of wet-garden.

I ponder the day ahead, mentally organize lists, let inspiration seep in to my freshly awake brain......and despite the rest of the day invariably getting away from me, for a fleeting bit of time, yes, I am Queen of my dominion..........I *own* the morning.

Those early-start days always run BEST!

Doors & Mirror Magic.....

2010-09-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

OK, that does it! New sign on my front door!

In the over 15 years I've been a home-based working person, I continue to battle one issue more than economic swings even. I really, really, really wish people would consider, afford courtesy, and treat home-working folks the same way they treat their peeps who go to an office building every day. (Do they just drop-in on them?) Seriously, for every chunk of time I have to drop everything to answer someone's desire to "visit", I have to add that time onto an already very long day to get my stuff done.

PSA for the day!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And on a positive note....

My *magic kernel* for today is:

One way to add a wee bit of inexpensive magic to your environment is with light! Reflective light! It works both day and night! For example, in my backyard, I've scattered 1" squares of mirror that I purchased here: http://kitkraft.biz/product.php?productid=5189&cat=265&page=1 all around my garden and picnic table to enjoy reflectve dancing light, both sunlight during the day, and candlelight at night when I set up votives burning or hurricane candles! The mirrors catch the sun or candle light and doubles the volume of light dancing about...*magical*!

Tuck mirror tiles randomly in amongst your garden and watch the light dance!

Is it light?

Or is it the faeries the light attracts?

Happy Monday!

~Carol

Meet our Autumn Soap Stack Winner!

2010-09-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

We pulled a name out of the pot and

Congratulations.....

Jennifer Seitzer

of Quakertown, PA!

Jennifer is the Owner/Creator of Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine (which she is currently in the process of re-vamping and readers will finally be able to buy hard copies of it.) and The Black Hat Society Network both online and locally through a Meet-Up Group. She is also the Author of Confessions of a Kitchen Witch Blog.

Thanks very much to all who participated in the soap giveaway, we'll have another one next month!

~Carol :)

Soap Give Away Drawing Tomorrow Reminder! (--> Fri. 9/17)

2010-09-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

We have an email addy winner, and with the recipient's awaited permission, I will post that name soon! This giveaway is now closed! Until the next one! Thanks, to all who participated! ;)

Quick reminder.....the Autumn Soap Stack Giveaway Name Drawing will be tomorrow....get your email addys entered to win! Details here: http://carolochs.blogspot.com/2010/09/free-autumn-soap-stack-giveaway.html

Inspired-ness...what inspires it?

2010-09-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

I received a kind email from a customer yesterday, and with her permission, I'm posting a portion of it here:

"Carol, I'm a struggling new soapmaker, found you on a soap forum one day a while back and you were the most helpful person there, having patience with my silly newbie questions. I have long admired your website and soap, was thrilled when you added art that's a style I enjoy too. I love to go to your websites just to take a break and feel inspired. I showed my husband your workshop and art studio online tour and I have finally felt the courage that if you could do it, maybe I could try too. He agreed and is now supporting me in trying to set up a bigger work area to work from home and grow my business. I really hope I can make this work, I really want to try. My question though is, how do you find the inspiration to do this every day in a bad economy and keep coming up with ideas? I often feel like my inspiration is dried up and I can't find it anymore. It's the only thing that makes me doubt if I can really make this business fly longterm." - Amy, North Carolina

To Amy, and anyone.....

I honestly do not know where inspiration comes from, or if it is indeed something that "just comes" at all, or you have to cultivate it. Sometimes I think you have to go find *IT*! But I'll share with you my spin.....

Like anyone, I have days where I wake up feeling divinely inspired (particulary after a really good night's sleep! Sleep really IS my magic elixir!) And I AM one of those people who keeps an idea journal at my bedside because I often am struck by an idea while dreaming, wake up and jot it down (then have to decipher my own scrawling or scribbly pictures in the a.m.!). I have idea journals laying all over the house, workshop, and in my purse (if away from home) because quite honestly, I get brainstorms and they can slip out of my head as fast as they enter! So writing ideas down is mandatory! (But that may be my age speaking...heh heh!) Brainstorming is and always has been a specialty of mine, and if you spoke with anyone who knows me personally, they would probably tell you that rarely is a conversation with me devoid of some new crazy idea. The ideas may not all eventually be employed, but I'm always thinking about them. Maybe it's a disease, or compulsion, but for every 10 crazy ideas I get, at least one is usually worthy. Point being, don't remain stagnate....keep *flow* happening.

Any person you see who seems to have inspired ideas....you can bet that they love their work and their work reflects them...their TRUEST passions and interests! It's cliche I suppose, about "do what you love and the money will follow"... perhaps the truest of cliches! Some invisible idea jar opens up in their head so easily when they are thinking about, dreaming about, imagining about what it is they love doing and you can never really close the idea jar again, it just flows eternally & naturally, paired with a fearlessness about trying new ideas untried before! And I think this is a direct extension of the "loving it" factor. I seriously doubt you'll find this with anyone trying to force doing a job or service who follows some formula they've seen work elsewhere, if they aren't feeling the passion themself, ya know? Passion is infectious. Others sense and know when you are passionate about what you do, and it makes them feel even better about aligning with or supporting that endeavor...a natural and inevitable direction toward success! So, the economy can be awful, but passion is not barometered by the downturn...in fact a passionate business will more likely rise like cream in an economy that is depressing everyone else who needs & craves seeing and feeling some hope and positivity again! It's so much easier to support a business and person that will not allow the economy to deter their mission, or who is living out that passion. Passion is what enduring American commerce was built on and will always be built on.

But yes....even when you love what you are doing, there is always the monotonous side of any life's work--the boring paperwork, the messes to clean-up (especially in a greasy, olive oil splattered soap work area!), the customers who are annoying just because it apparently is their personality trait to be, or they got up on the wrong side of the bed, and it feels like a chore just to have to call them back and speak with a smile on your face, turn their sour slant around. But this is life and part of the whole ball of wax. You deal with it and embrace it as "part of the joy, part of the challenge". If it was always easy, you'd be bored and never appreciate the truly all-fun days! ;)

When I have days that are out of balance, i.e. more stuff on the to-do docket that I DON'T feel like doing, than DO feel like doing.....THAT'S when I go seeking inspiration, because it's not finding me!

And my own recipe for that is:

Be the child you used to be. You know, before you became all jaded and opinionated by the world. Just be a kid again who sees all the possibilites and none of the limitations. Lose yourself in being silly if need be! Laugh sessions are highly under-rated these days as the best natural remedy to.....ANYTHING! SO WHAT if your neighbors hear you cackling like a hyena and they know on one else is home with you.....it's contagious! And all the wonderful endorphins released are quite curative of whatever ails ya. And opens that inspiration jar wider!

Even if you're surrounded by a lot of to-do stuff you don't like, drown it out with stuff you DO like! For me, music is a big part of that. Aerosmith generally rocks me out of any unsettled mood (play what rocks YOUR world)...or a favorite movie plugged into the DVD player in my work area. And I DO subscribe to making my work areas comfortable and catering to these diversions.

Avoid heavy concentrations of *the news* or elements that can have a depressing effect (take it from a reforming CNN junkie). Don't tune the entire world out (cuz you may miss something you really need to know!)...but control how much goes into your head. What we think about, is what we are and become. YOU control the *in* and *out* switch on that. Parents do this with their young children, but neglect to do it for themselves. Consider that aspect with the books/Kindle you read, and any info. or people that you subject yourself to to enrich your brain and overall direction! When you're around vampiric type people (people that suck the emotional life out of you) this can drag you down faster than cement blocks. Learn to say "no", not pick up the phone, and not faciliate conversations that suck the emotional life out of you. When vampires lose an audience, they generally change their ways, or at least go elsewhere to scavenge an audience, and leave you alone. This is a good thing. ;)

Sometimes people ask me if I have a difficult time "being alone" all day working, holed-up in my workshop or art studio, no (physical) contact with the outter world as an office or corporate world job would provide.

:::GIGGLES!::: HECK NO! I LOVE IT!

NOT having to deal with others in my workspace or face all day is specifically one of the things that IS most conducive (for me) to creativity and inspiration! I only have to answer to me and my critters! I can wear whatever I feel like, listen to whatever I feel like, take a break whenever I feel like it...BUT, this environment does require self-discipline. Some can't handle the freedom or needing to discipline themself to work under these conditions. I can. I've always had a very strong work ethic, instilled by my parents I'm sure. But I've seen and known many others over the years who long-craved having their own home-business, and then upon achieving that step, fail miserably, mainly because they could not discipline themself to develop a work schedule, a to-do list of goals to get done every day, under their own direction and self-expectations. Many struggle with this. Many see the opportunity of it. Only you really know this about yourself and can use it to it's max capacity to achieve!

A strong work ethic is valuable, but it can also be a deterrent to a balanced life...and lead to murdered creativity and inspiration. I tend to be one of those who will get absorbed with a project, or a self-created, overloaded to-do list, and work till I drop...literally. This is neither smart or healthy, nor condusive to success. If you don't take time to nurture all areas of your life, all the areas of your life WILL suffer. One is dependent upon the other, yin and yang and all that. When I work too much, I get majorly cranky and out of sorts, and start losing my passion. So while I sometimes have to choose to force myself to take a break, NOT feel guilty about it (you'll notice on my blog posts that I am working on taking guilt-free breaks!), it always pays off in the end! For most people, like me, you are not "just" your work passion. I am also a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, peer.....and it's important to me to succeed at all these roles for my life to be fulfilling. All areas of your life successes nurture the work-passion part;... if you are not a caring listening spouse or parent, ...chances are you won't be a caring, listening business owner to your customers.

And on that note of well-roundedness...take care of yourself. You can't give what you don't have. It's so true that if your own well is empty, you won't be able to draw on anything to give to your loved ones, your business, or any endeavor. You'll be flat out empty! Don't go there. Make taking care of yourself as mandatory a part of your day as taking a shower. As part of my exercise regime, as well as when I am feeling "empty", I take a walk with my pups, get out of my usual environment, see a bit of the outside world, get some blood pumping..and man, the ideas just start flying again! Voila! Inspiration! It works! Costs nothing. There for anyone who can walk.....

This post is starting to sound like I'm a positive thinking guru...which I am not. ;) The only real point I wanted to answer to and make is, inspiration is there for any of us to grab and nurture, it's what you choose to do with it. I don't think any of us are more-gifted with inspiration than others, but I do think some are more inclined to listen to and follow those in-our-head whispers. This is not schizophrenia, it's being open to and embracing, and trusting in your own imagination. Follow it! Even if it takes you to strange and sometimes dead end places, at least you've journeyed in the process!

I'd rather do that, than not! ;)

"The biggest mistake people make in life is not trying to make a living at doing what they most enjoy!"

- Malcolm Forbes

P.S. When I began offering my fantasy art for sale publicly, due to some negative comments I received, it made me wonder if I'd alientated people who think fantasy, fairies, or witches are weird, something they erroneously are not, or just not their cup of tea. I admittedly felt bruised at being judged & labeled negatively. But I quickly realized that as soon as I stop being true to my own inspirations and callings and try to "follow a formula" for what I "believe" general populace others will accept or not accept, it's the kiss of death to your own passion and individuality. YOU no longer own your creativity and inspiration, you will have handed that over to whomever you're trying to sell to, and you will forever be beholdin' to them. Are you willing to give that away???

If people are of a sort inclined to judge & label you, I now see that as perhaps a very normal and natural weeding-out process of people, who you are likely better off not having in your circle anyway, both for their rejection of you for following your own inspiration, as well as for being judgemental, ...period.

When you are true to yourself, your soul is free, your passion flies! Be inspired for *you* first, and success, and most-importantly HAPPINESS will follow...along with a never-ending flow of inspiration!

Best wishes! And have a magical day!

~Carol

Spirit of an Old Fashioned Gal, Stuck in A New Fashioned Land

2010-09-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

I'm a throwback. For sure. I don't think I've ever, in all my years, felt completely comfortable living in this time zone. I belong sometime in the past. I can't explain it, don't know why, ...it just is.

There are some inherently backward issues with this...like...why would I want to live in an earlier time, when day-to-life life was a lot harder, diseases more prevalent, social and sexual equality out of balance, conveniences less....bathtubs that had to be filled by-hand with buckets of water heated over an open wood fire kind of thing...and hopefully you got to be the first one in using the "clean" water. Who would want to go back to that?

I think perhaps my callings to an earlier time are simply a desire to be more connected to things that are real, of nature, and worked-hard-for....when hard worked seemed more appreciated. I LIKE a hard day's physical work! I identify easily with movie characters like "Ruby" in Cold Mountain....that girl could plow a field like any man. That is so me! I may not be quite so un-squeamish about yanking the head off a rooster....but I'd have that field plowed & sowed alright and feel damn proud of that hard work...fulfilled. That plowed land would feed me and my family. That is power, to me.

Yet...I'm equally drawn to long flowy, romantic dresses and and an eager recipient of all the gentlemanly overatures and courting my Knight In Shining Armour can bestow upon me. I EXPECT that door to be opened for me, and cherish his every act of chivalry. I like a man who is a strong (in body and opinion) man, and I like being a real woman...whatever exactly that is. I've never thought I had to *act man* to get anything I wanted in life. A subtle, confident, un-shrill woman can command whatever she desires.

"I don't believe make-up, clothing or hairstyle alone can make a woman beautiful or strong. The most radiant woman in the room is the one full of life and experience and confidence." - Sharon Stone

So as backwards as it may sound, I'm not reticent about taking pride in good old-fashioned ways and keeping them alive in my own life. I LIKE to take care of my home & hearth. Sure, it's hard work to keep a home up, but we worked very hard to be able to buy a home, and I consider it "part of our investment" to keep it up! But mainly, I just like having things look nice and clean and comfortable "for us" to enjoy each and every day as our sacred space!.....

I love to cook for and feed my family. One of my favorite pleasures is to visit the local farmers market and wander the stalls, sniffing and choosing the most flavorful, colorful veggies, and then making a huge pot of soup to serve up with huge chunks of crusty bread and salad. Best meal ever!

I love fresh flowers in the house .....all the time, not just special occasions.....and take special pride in flowers grown in my own garden.

When time permits (admittedly this is not often, with my schedule) but I love to line-dry sheets and towels for that sun & fresh air scent! You simply cannot replicate that with any scented dryer sheet! And it sends you off to DreamLand like nothing else......

I love to set the stage for a very romantic evening alone with my husband and lure him into my lair, let him know yet again, he IS the center of my universe, my other half.

Holidays are times to build memories, continue rituals and must be followed devotely in the name of "it's our tradition"!

And I love to keep old habits & arts alive, pass them on to my own children, to hopefully someday pass on as remnants and memories of other influential lives, earlier times, that connected us together.

So many old arts, traditions, and plain old wise woman knowledge is lost over the years & generations, by the sheer neglect of no longer re-telling things, as people used to do so commonly around kitchen tables or backyard lawn chairs . I think THIS is what I miss from the throwback past I imagine myself in...that personal connectivity. Perhaps it CAN be revived via today's social networking through "cyber kitchen tables"....not exactly "the same"...but likely will have to do.

http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Spells-Bantam-Discovery-Addison/dp/0553590324/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284573345&sr=8-1#_

I picked up and am reading a recommended book...Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen and it's feeding my need for some good old fashioned charm. If you liked Alice Hoffman's "Practical Magic" you'll likely enjoy Garden Spells! And it's reminding me too, of the seemingly ignored tradition of growing/using edible flowers! My personal favorites are nasturtiums, roses and violets! And lavender butter cookies--the best! So my contribution today, to dip into the past to revive old traditions and Magic-Up your menus.....

Edible flowers and their associated flavor they taste similar to!

Allium                        Onion
Lilac                           Floral
Rose                          Sweet
Tulip                          Cucumber
Marigold                    Spicey
Lavender                    Floral
Borage                       Cucumber
Calendula                   Peppery
Carnation                   Spicey, clove
Bee balm                    Lemon, mint
Cornflower                 Sweet, clove
Daylily                        Sweet, crunchy
Nasturtium                  Peppery
Geranium                    Taste varies
Squash blossom          Sweet
Sweet violet                Sweet, floral
Pansy                         Sweet or sour
Anise, hyssop             Sweet, licorice
Johnny-jump-up          Sweet

A great edible flower recipe book:

http://www.amazon.com/Edible-Flowers-directory-varieties-photographs/dp/1903141656/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1284574099&sr=8-3-fkmr0

Enjoy!

"Your possessions and traditions express your personality. Few things, including clothes, are more personal than your cherished ornaments & rituals. The pioneer women, who crossed a wild continient clutching their treasures to them, knew that a clock, a picture, a pair of candlesticks, a bar of soap, a bathing ritual, a prayer, meant home, even in the wildnerness." Good Housekeeping, August 1952

Mess Conjuring!

2010-09-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Some of us are just BORN to make messes.....and I'm one of 'em!

But unlike some mess-makers...ahem...who just make messes for the sheer pleasure of making messes....

I sort of NEED a mess to function productively...

Out this chaos and disorganization...

And gooey, sticky and greasy ingredients.....

COMES THIS!...

MESS JUSTIFIED!

Now if that isn't magic.... I dunno what is!

::curtsies::

(Magic shows take place daily!)

Gotta LOVE Magic Mondays!

2010-09-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

Most people hate Mondays....I LOVE them!

WHY? Cuz my life tends to be in-reverse. While most people look forward to a break and downtime over the weekend, my weekends tend to be not only my usual work schedule (one of the hazards of a home-based business--it never leaves you!), but lots of other stuff to boot! So when Monday morning rolls around and everyone leaves for the day and the house is blessedly quiet......WOOO-HOOO! YAY Monday!

Problem is.....even when Monday comes, as an admitted work-a-holic, I feel GUILTY enjoying some peace and quiet! GAH! What is WRONG with me? I feel like I'm *stealing* it! So I am taking steps to rehabilitate myself and take more moments to enjoy the peace, guilt-free!

Me and my best friend had tea! Catnip TEA! OK, so my best friend is a cat (and it gave her more of a jolt, than me)...

I put on my fanciest shawl...

Picked fresh lavender for myself...

Lit candles in broad daylight...

Ate my sweet Irish Soda Bread (yes, I'm a carb consumer)

...and by God...I had PEACE (for 15.5 minutes)!

Damn, that felt good!

Now back to work!

Good Monday to y'all! Even Mondays can have magic!

~Carol:)

Blog Post Frequency? Opinions?

2010-09-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

To anyone who wants to respond.......

Any opinions on what's a happy balance on how often to post/read blog updates???

I was recently going through my own blog reading list, weeding out some dead blogs, making sure I kept ones who post often, because, personally, I LIKE bloggers who blog frequently and with new stuff! Since I started getting active with this blog, I've had a couple emails from folks saying they are glad to see me gittin' busy wit it again...and I got an unsubscribe saying "Too many updates!"

Just curious what is generally considered a happy-average.......??? I don't want to OD anyone, nor fall off radar......THOUGHTS? :))))))))))))))
Thanks!

~Carol

Feeling Friday.....

2010-09-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

The weekend upon us...but not just any weekend, .....the 9th anniversay of 9/11.

Prayers.

________________________________________________________

From The Art Studio:

A tiny faery, on a tiny leaf, ...afloat on a

Sweet Autumn Rain.....

(Ahhhh...to be HER!)

________________________________________________________

From The Soap Workshop:

Not all soap is just about suds & scent...there can be a world of history and tradition behind it!

We receive requests constantly from troubled-skin-sufferers, desperate for a soap to use that won't aggravate their condition. Every person is different, every skin condition unique to the person who has it, and even the mildest and most pure products don't always work...but we have received wonderful feedback re: several of our soaps designed specifically to aid sensitive skin. We also supply some of our lines to dermatologist offices.

I'd like to introduce you to one of our Ancient Alchemy soaps.....

African Black Magic

(also known as "African Black Soap")

This traditional African soap is made following the practices of the village women of Ghana and other regions of west coast Africa who make this soap by-hand and have for generations!

They use a mixture called "black soap powder"; the powder (made into a paste) is created of burned palm leaves which are added to cocoa pod husks, burned plantain skins, African honey, and virgin African shea butter--one of nature's most potent skin-nourishing butters! The soap is always unscented. The color of the soap is determined by how long the plantain leaves are burned.....(don't be fooled by imitation ABS - African Black Soap, that is merely soap colored with a black colorant!) In true ABS, the plantain skins are the key ingredient and what creates the dark color of the soap! From hand-pressing the oils, to burning the leaves, to forming black soap into paste for soap- this African black powder is handmade by age old tradition. Every African family has their own secret method passed down each generation. The finished soap is reknown for helping to heal lesions and alleviating many skin irritations and conditions.

Here at Simply Soap/(Ancient Alchemy line) we have studied, mimicked, and recreated African traditional methods, adding some of our own (for a soap not crumbly like most ABS's directly from Africa), and offer you this bar to soothe your skin, whatever it's condition, and to honor the black magic of this wonderfully pure soap tradition that originated in Africa!

For more information on how we developed and have recreated many of our ancient-reciped soaps, read our Ancient Alchemy Story!

Other UNSCENTED sensitive skin specific soaps we make: Bar None, Soothe & Smooth, Wylde Faerie - Hawthorne, Feverfew & Daisy Soap

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How do YOU view the world?

In 1633, the aging Galileo was taken before the Roman Inquisition, tried and convicted of heresay, and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison. His crime? He endorsed the idea previously proposed a century earlier by the great astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, that the earth is NOT the center of the solar system, that the sun sits at the center. This idea was viewed as being in opposition to Holy Scripture. Galileo was forced to publicly recant his views. His book, Dialouge Concerning the Two Chief World Systems was banned. His sentence commuted to house arrest the rest of his life where he eventually went blind. Still, he persisted with his experiments. Albert Einstein, three centuries later, called him "the father of modern science".

I don't know why I posted that.....I guess it just makes me think.....at a time this world needs some new ideas! :)

Have a great Friday, Peeps!

~Carol

FREE AUTUMN SOAP STACK GIVEAWAY!

2010-09-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

We have an email addy winner, and with the recipient's awaited permission, I will post that name soon! This giveaway is now closed! Until the next one! Thanks, to all who participated! ;)

Feeling SPICEY? Luscious spicey scents of the season! Stack of five soap bars from some of our various soap lines....ALL spicey!! ($35.00 value!).

Includes:

Pumpkin Pazooties

Orange Peel Spice with Rhassoul Clay
Apple Cherry Cider
Spellbound
Samhain Spirit

Enter your email address below (at our website) to become eligible for the free soap! Winner picked September 17th! (If you win, we will email you for your shipping address! Non-USA participants welcome!)

http://www.simplysoap.com/Free%20Soap%20Drawing%20Submission.htm

GOOD LUCK!

~Carol

Simply Soap's Secret to Scent Blending!

2010-09-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

I often have customers (or other soapmakers) emailing me to ask "WHERE do you get your scent oils from? Your all natural blends smell so natural! Your fragrances, like peach, smell like no other peach I've ever smelled before!"

Firstly, I don't usually reveal my oil suppliers, ...proprietay info and all that....a soapmaker has to have SOME trade secrets. But I will say this.....when I find a good supplier of quality oils, I am loyal as the day is long! And secondly, rarely are any of my soap scents just one *out-of-the-bottle* scent. I mix a little of this, a little of that, and strive for a pleasing balance of base, middle and top notes that create olfactory nirvana! And after 15 years in this biz, each and evey one of my over 80 soap recipes are committed to memory from constant making and re-making of soap batches. So it's in the diversity of my mixing that I come up with the scents that I do! We DO offer some single note scents such as lavender--there are simply some soap scents that remain old standards that everyone gets requests for, even though you can get it from darn near any soapmaker on the planet. But in the case of straight scent soaps like lavender, I search for the best lavender I can find anywhere!

I've also spent countless hours (and books) and continue to educate myself on the art and science of scent blending. There are a myriad of great books on the topic, but by far, my all-time favorites have been:

Essence and Alchemy by Mandy Aftel

http://www.amazon.com/Essence-Alchemy-Book-Perfume-ebook/dp/B001T9OKQ6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1284048438&sr=8-2

Galaxy of Scents: The Ancient Art of Perfume Making by Mary Lynne

http://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-Scents-Ancient-Perfume-Making/dp/1564594580

So let's establish...there's no substitute for a good perfumery education and a thorough understanding of the oils (and safety & quality issues of oils) you are using. We use both essential oils and fragrance oils...moving toward a line of fragrances that are all pthalate-free!

But if you want to know how I come up with some of my most-commented-on soap scent blends.....

PSSSST! HERE IT IS!........

I usually accumulate a number of soap bar slivers at the bottom of my tub or sink. It's one of the perks of being a soapmaker...I have tons of soap to choose from..literally, and pick a bar for any given shower depending upon my mood. My husband calls it Spoiled-Soaper-Syndrome.

When I'm showering and smell some of these delightful mixed scents wafting up to my nose, I take some of these slivers, wet them with hot water, and SQUISH!

Then...SNIFF!

VOILA!

The Simply Soap Squish n Sniff Method of scent blending!

(It's honestly how I've come up with some of my best-sellers! *wink*)

____________________________________________________________

On scent.......

"One finds an ancient flask, and from it's spout

A spirit, now restored and much alive, pours out.

A thousand slumbering thoughts, dismal chrysalids

Within the shadows trembling like new butterflies,

Which set themselves to fly, as crumpled wings unfold

In tints of azure, frosts of rose, and flakes of gold."

- Charles Baudelaire, "The Flask"

____________________________________________________________

Have an exquisie day, Ma Lovelies!

~ Carol

Sacred Space---Got IT? Make it!

2010-09-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

Have you got sacred space? What IS sacred space?

It's a place, ANY place, where you go to chill, veg, get inspired, pray, meditate, talk to yourself, study, feed your brain with info. or solitude, soak in silence...a place in general for you to have all to yourself in any given group of moments, to be uninterupted and un-bothered.

THE KEY BEING.....when you are at that place, everyone one who could possibly happen upon you there *knows* that you are off-limits and not to be interupted! You have to be the one to set the ground rules. (Well, for me...pets are allowed!)

I know *I* need sacred space!!! Desperately! And, my own most inspiring moments involve nature. Nature is where I feel most at-home, at one with the universe. But with my schedule, I don't have time to trot of to find a forest every day, and I'll be darned if I'll wait *till I DO have time* to grab sacred space. So I've made sacred space in random places in and around my own home where I also work....and these places usually have some bit of plant life around to make me feel connected to nature. You can do this too! One should not have to hide in the bathroom to get quiet time! (although a hot bath makes wonderful sacred space too!) An old chair and a potted plant can be amazingly close to nature!

The point being...this place is YOURS. Decorate or surround it as you please, with things or comforts that make you feel most open to inspiration or meditation and claim it, use it, make it a tradition EVERY day!

These are a few spots that I've made mine in my home and garden patio:

My art studio daybed.....the breeze that comes int that window is absolute heaven! A breeze that stirs a hundred ideas!

My sacred spaces usually involve a cuddly shawl, sketch pad or books....(and if it's evening, a glass of wine!)

And when I REALLY want to go Incognito Invisible....there's the secret garden on the side of the house all tangled in vines....

Shhhhhhhh! I'm off to my sacred place!

"You must have a room or a certain hour of the day or so where you do not know what was in the morning paper...a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are, and what you might be. At first you may find nothing's happening. But if you have a sacred place and use it, take advantage of it, something WILL happen." - John Campbell

A lovely day to you!

~Carol

Feelin' the spirit!

2010-09-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

OK, so I emerged from the bowels of the decoration shed with just enough orange to say "autumn", but not yet quite "Halloween". I'll save the full-on decorations till at least the last week of Sept...maybe, but my Halloween bones ARE itching! *wink*

And from the Soap Workshop:

Samhain Spirit Soap (<-click link)

One of our many soaps of the season! A delectable blend of all autumn's favorite scents--autumn leaves, cinnamon spice, pumpkin, cherry tobacco! Not only a rich-lathering soap, but grated or chunked-up in bowl, makes a wonderful harvest-blend potpourri for any room in your house or office! Available in our regular parchment label, or in our Wylde Wytch Soap label!

$5.50 plain bar (no label)

$6.00 regular label

$7.00 Wylde Wytch Art label

$60.00 12-bar log (to slice up yourself, and share with your pals!)

And from the Art Studio:

"First Leaf Omen" (<--Click link)

It is said that to catch the first autumn leaf you see fall, before it touches Earth, is a very good omen! This witch is sure to have an especially magical Halloween season!

Open Edition print $14.00

Thanks for stopping by!

~Carol

"Put yourself into life, never lose your openness, your childish enthusiasm throughout the journey that is life, and things will come your way." - Federico Fellini

2010-09-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

THERE! At the veeeery back of "da shed", HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS! Woot! Now I just have to wade thru St. Pats, Easter, Uncle Sam and fishing poles to GET THERE! (If no one hears from me in a day or two, send a rescue posse..... ;)

*wink*

~Carol

In the interest of general kindness.....

2010-09-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

Every week, I usually receive no fewer than a dozen email requests from newer soapmakers, for info or help about how to start a soapmaking business/or make soap/or basically seeking general encouragement that yes... it can be done. Due to my hectic schedule, it sometimes requires a day or two to get back to all, but I happily oblige, offer whatever personal experience I can share to help them out or point them in a direction to info that will help them. Most askers act positively shocked that I even bother to help them! I guess this amazes me.....and bothers me.

Back when I first started making soap, the internet wasn't even born yet (Yikes! Am I *dating myself" or what? LOL!) But cool yer heels there, those quick to think me *ancient*...that was only the early '90's.
: Þ But seriously, back then, there wasn't NEARLY the amount of info easily available NOW, especially via the internet! I actually had to special-order my first soapmaking book from EUROPE, and when it arrived, all brown-paper-packaged, and six weeks later, I coveted that thing like it was GOLD! Point being, I know what it's like to desperately seek info and find it hard or valuable to obtain. So it comes easy for me to put myself in the place of *one needing to know* and feeling a pay-it-forward desire to help others out.

Every one of us, ....yes, EVERY one of us....has something that we are excellent at! Yes...E.X.C.E.L.L.E.N.T. at! When you take the time (which is usually small) to help another out, it comes back to you threefold, via networking, contacts, good karma....and just good will. Leaders are needed in every facet of every industry. BE that leader. Not just in experience, but in heart.

I have endeavored to conquor talents in fields other than soapmaking, all my life. I can say from experience, when you find someone willing to help you out...it feels as though you have struck gold. Now, I'm not talking about silver-platter-hand-outs of proprietary info here....I think we all recognize when someone is being too lazy to do the hard work of educating themself. Specifically, because there IS so much free info for the taking online these days, I have to admit, I get annoyed and feel disrespected when people ask me silly questions like "How do I become a soapmaker?" It is quite likely, a request such as that will earn you a response from me, such as....."LEARN, like the rest of us do!" I mean seriously. ...have you not heard of Google? Do you really expect me to outline an entire blueprint for you...in my free time? If someone does not have the tenacity and work ethic to do some research from the git-go, and expect another to just give you that business plan, there's no way they will make it as a business person.

But I've learned over the years to identify those looking for free hand-outs, and those either stuck at some crossroads, or needing much-needed encouragement. Most I encounter just really want to hear a peer say..."You can do this, and it's worth all the hard work! I will cheerlead for you." I love helping these type people out. I feel it's a gift that I can help them, and an obligation to give back......an homage to all who so generously helped me along the way.

I'm jus' saying......I would love to see this in all walks of life and endeavor. I've come across industries where the accomplished or successful seem to covet their hard-earned info like it was the Holy Grail and only speak of it amongst their fellow accomplished peers, only hang together in tight little cliques, and merely look down upon up-and-comers as though they are a pesky nuisance, or view helping them as training their competition......people not even worth responding to.

I can't help but ponder if the very person you pass over helping might not one day be the person you most need info or help from yourself in some way! So again.....I ask you to consider.....

Every one of us, ....yes, EVERY one of us....has something that we are excellent at! Yes...E.X.C.E.L.L.E.N.T. at! When you take the time (which is usually small) to help another out, it comes back to you threefold, via networking, contacts, good karma....and just good will. Leaders are needed in every facet of every industry. BE that leader. Not just in experience, but in heart.

You never know if the person asking you for help, might not actually be stellar in another area of expertise. :)

Enjoy your weekend!
~Carol

WHAT FUN!

2010-09-04T14:21:00.000-07:00

http://pmblogparty.blogspot.com/

Are my soapin' days nearing an end? MayBE.

2010-09-03T20:28:00.000-07:00

I'm going to get on an uncharacteristic (for me) political soapbox (pardon the pun) for a moment. Not something I normally choose to do publicly, but this is an issue that could put me out of business as a soapmaker....seriously! So I'm asking you, my loyal customers/followers & friends, if you have time & interest, to please consider visiting this link (below) and signing the petition therein against proposed legislation that could by all accounts put most handmade soapmakers out-of-business, if passed. This is not to say we are not in favor of safe cosmetics--safety is always of utmost concern to us here at Simply Soap as well as all handmade soapmakers selling today! But the proposed legislation is so extreme in it's measures that it would make it impossible and financially out-of-reach for the average soapmaker to comply, thereby causing us to have to shut our doors for good. You can read reasons for opposition yourself at:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/oppose-hr-5786-safe-cosmetics-act-of-2010/

I deeply appreciate anyone who can/will take the time to do this. THANK YOU!

~Carol

Just Whisper - Etsy Treasury

2010-09-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Just Whisper

2010-09-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

http://faeteam.com/exhibition.html

September Newsletter!

2010-09-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to our latest newsletter with sales!

http://ymlp.com/zOdiZP

THANKS!

~Carol

Carol Ochs Arts - Soaps, Fantasy Art, Fiber Art!

Back From The Holiday Black Hole......

It's Holiday Time...Be Nice!

Halloween Eve

Halloween Preparations.....

Then on to the CARVING! Our BIGGEST pumpkin this year is 103 pounds! You have to carve largies like that very carefully though! Too large of cut-out parts and the whole face will collapse! Trust me....I learned the hard way...and many boxes of toothpicks and chopsticks later!

So after work today, I'll begin firing up the kitchen for prepartions! OH...and dusting off the costume!!

OH! And YES......preparing my favorite potion of ALL!

Mwhahahahahahahahahaha!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend, too!

POOF!

~Carol

Support Made by USA Hands.....Gifts!

Halloween-Wear!

Can be shipped Priority Mail (2-3 days) for pre-Halloween arrival!

Purchase at: http://www.carolochs.com/fiber-art.php

And for those who keep asking when I have time to crochet.......I guess I have restless hand syndrome. My hands can never sit still! I crochet at night after my usual work day is done. :)

Luv, ~Carol

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Earn FREE SOAP & ART!

Jack!

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