Meet "Tree Hugger"- An Arboreal Delight!

  

Tree Hugger-an arboreal blend of eucalyptus and cedar perfect for any lover of trees. This blend smells like cedar after a rain; smoky, spicy and slightly sweet with a hint of camphor.

This soap is colored with cocoa powder, a bit of  td and the real experimental part was the wheat grass powder. In my head the plan was to have the green be a bit more green, but I think the pea green still works.

This beauty will be ready around October 20-and there are only a few. If you'd like to reserve one-drop me a line. :-))

Delicious Autumn + A Sale!

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." George Eliot

I couldn't have said it any better myself. I love Autumn, and if I could live in a perpetual state of Autumn-maybe I would. I love the subtle change in the earth's light-warm and slightly orange, the glowing orange orb of the Harvest Moon, crunching leaves beneath my feet, the slight crisp in the air,warm apple cider, bonfires and pumpkins... so to herald in my favorite season I think we'll have a sale. Friday, September 23 is the first official day of Autumn, so in honor of the first day of Fall please enjoy 23% all Tierra Verde Handmade Products.

"Deep in the Art of Texas.."

Just in case you're in Texas, and you haven't heard Handmade in Texas is a blog promoting the talented artists and crafters of our great state.You can join the Handmade in Texas fan page,join the flickr group,follow along on the blog or twitter. You may also be featured in the weekly showcase on the Handmade in Texas YouTube Channel-the weekly showcase features a short video with your creations and link to your shop.

The Handmade in Texas blog features mini marketplaces for shops affiliated with Etsy, Zibbet, Artfire, or your own Indie shop also-from time to time the Handmade in Texas blog runs a feature on a Texas artist. The   Handmade in Texas Catalog features links to shops under many categories of interest.Every Friday Handmade in Texas hosts a link party where any genre of Texas artist may post a photo with a link that may be selected to be featured on the Handmade in Texas showcase video on YouTube.

Cindi, of Rustique Art provides all of this for free. Her goal is to"remove the affiliation and promote for all "Handmade in Texas" artists." Cindi gives a great amount of time maintaining all of this and only asks that you "like" and post freely on the Handmade in Texas fan page and by utilizing all of the various venues you promote your work for free and promote the artistic community of the Lonestar State.

Quote of the Day

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." Buddha

Tierra Verde Handmade Soaps + Hodgepodge Design

If you live in Lubbock, you're probably familiar with the fun and funky shopping district at 26th and Boston. This historical Tech Terrace neighborhood houses a variety of local businesses such as; J&B Coffee Co. (part of the FFAT venue), Alternative Food Company-a natural food health/market, Boston Wellness and Hodgepodge Design-just to name a few.

Hodgepodge Design, is a Boutique/Studio specializing in gifts, jewelry and an eclectic mix of home decor ideas, and now, if you are looking for a place to buy Tierra Verde Handmade Soaps and Hand Balms you can swing by to pick some up. Hodgepodge now carries a wide assortment of Tierra Verde Handmade Soaps and all natural Hand Balms. Yes, I'm so excited! Also, if you are looking for a custom touch with invitations, announcements and stationary they do beautiful work.

Hodgepodge Design

2703-B 26th
Lubbock, Texas

photo source: Hodgepodge Design

Save the Date

Save the date - September 14, 2011 Tierra Verde Handmade Soaps will be participating in the Homespun:Houston Handmade Marketplace (see this post for further information) fundraiser for which donations will be made to the  American Red Cross of  Central Texas in an effort to assist those affected by the devastating wildland fires of Central Texas. I hear the art is ranging from the "fine to crafty to quirky." Sounds like a fun time all the way around, and your purchase goes towards an area of great need-that my friends is a win/win. So, don't forget to pop by the marketplace on Wednesday September 14, 2011 to check things out.

Oh!and if you are an artist/crafter with an online shop of any kind whether it be Etsy, Zibbit, Artfire, Big Cartel or your own Indie shop-please consider joining us. To get in on this fun and eclectic one day marketplace  you can contact Bri at Homespun:Houston Handmade for further details.

Quote of the Day

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."             Harriet Tubman~

Spread Kindness Like Wildfire

Chances are you've heard the news about the devastating wildfires here in our great state of Texas. The area around Austin in particular is suffering major devastation with thousands of acres burned along with many homes. Bastrop County alone, has suffered a loss of  34,068 acres with only 30 percent containment. A confirmed 1023 homes have been destroyed and there is a report of two deaths.

Help spread kindness like wildfire by donating a percentage of  proceeds from one day's worth of sales. If you are an artist/crafter you can make a difference. For the duration of September 14. Homespun: Houston Handmade will post a blog that features All artists that are willing to donate a portion of their proceeds from their sales for the day to the The American Red Cross of Central Texas. A link to your website will be posted along with a description of your shop and the amount you are donating. For full details please take a moment to check out the Homespun: Houston Handmade blog post linked above. Also, don't forget to help spread the word.  

source; Texas Forest Service update of current conditions.

photo source-Texasgopvote.com

Groovy Patchouli

Vanilla Patchouli– Release your inner hippie; experience a blend of dark sultry Indonesian Patchouli warmed with a lashing of rich warm vanilla creating a delectably earthy unisex scent. 4.50 ounces $6.00

Earthy like cedar with it's soft mottling of grayish brown-this soap is for those with a "hippie" soul. This is a soap that I've made from the beginning of my passionate journey with soap, it's definitely a unisex scent and in fact my husband's stand by favorite(although many of my friend's think it's groovy too!)

Peace,love and Patchouli...

Heart Handmade Feature

I just stumbled upon this feature minutes ago- so funny how I often just happen across them without even knowing they are out there. Such a nice surprise to run across. A big "Thanks" to Mandie over at Heart Handmade. <3

Heart Handmade

Friday Night Fun - Lubbock,Texas

Looking for something fun to do this Friday night? Head on out to the First Friday Art Trail- on the first Friday of every month, galleries, restaurants and businesses open their doors in support of the local arts. This event is free to the public you can drive to each venue on your own or take the trolley for a guided tour. How fun is that?

One of the special features tonight will be works by Donniece Smith, you may remember she was mentioned in this post awhile back. Donniece is a multi faceted artist that has her hand in many forms of creative expression - her talents seem endless. Tonight, Donniece will be participating in her first First Friday Art Trail of the year-what an exciting and exhilarating night for her.You can meet Donniece and see her work at the Alderson Mercedes building located at 1702 Texas Ave. Donniece's work combines her love of jewelry with her passion for fiber to create wearable fiber jewelry with bling. Each one of Donniece's jewelry pieces is a celebration of color with touches of shimmer that bring interest to each piece.

Jewelry to Illuminate Your Wild  Heart - by Donniece Smith

Jewelry to Illuminate Your Wild  Heart -  by Donniece Smith

Also, you might want to check out Donniece's blog Thirteen Threads from the Wild Heart- "a journal of adventure that explores the ties that bind our creativity, life, and hearts together in a beautiful weaving of love. It's about Living the Creative life!"

Be sure to stop by and like the Thirteen Threads Facebook page too.  

Photos used with permission and are courtesy of Donniece Smith.

Big Talent in Texas- A Lonestar Showcase

Featuring Big Texas Talent-

Lonestar Showcase

Orange and Brown the Colors of Fall

Spiced Valencia –A blend of evergreen beneath juicy sweet layers of sweet orange and cinnamon this soap is mouthwateringly good – a spicy bright citrus you’ll love. Unisex

Spiced Valencia has a new look, with a splash of seasonal orange and a contrasting swirl of cinnamon brown thrown in- the perfect look for this spicy orange number.

I've Been Spotted-Indiespotted That Is

Check out the totally unexpected feature I just stumbled across on Indiespotting. What a fun surprise! A big huge "Thanks"  to Erika at Indiespotting.

Indiespotting

Quote of the Day

"You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!"
Dr. Seuss (Oh, the Places You'll Go!)

Beautiful Thing Friday

Dotted across the West Texas landscape are signs of life- even in drought conditions the Yucca stands a proud sentry over the flat arid plains. Many Yucca plants bear edible parts including fruits, seeds, flowers,flowering stems and more rarely roots.One type of Yucca is known as the "soaptree"-inside the stalk and roots of the plant is a soapy substance known as "saponin" commonly used as a substitute for soap. I'm sure that to the American Indians and pioneers the Yucca was a beautiful and welcome site-standing tall and proud against the horizon.

Working on New Product Pics

Upper left-a trio of shave rounds,upper right- Lavender Honey Hand Balm,lower left-Fresh Lemon bar soap, lower right-Orange Honey Drizzle with Oats bar soaps

 I've been working on new product pics- just to freshen the ol' website up a bit, here are a few of them so far. I think it's nice to go out with the old and in with the new-just to keep things fresh!
What do you think?

Toot,Toot,Toot....

"Sometimes you have to toot your own horn or someone will use it as a spittoon."Anonymous

I'm not generally the kind of person who is comfortable taking credit for accomplishment, but I thought I would take just a moment to toot my own horn err, I mean reflect. Today is one of those days that I am just basking a bit in how far I've come. It wasn't but a few years back that I had no idea how to integrate color let alone a swirl into my soap. I desperately wanted to use essential oils only and "blending" wasn't as easy as I thought. I was naive and thought that if I used "sweet orange" somehow the soap would smell deliciously mouth wateringly orangey - boy, did I have a lot to learn. I wondered if I would ever figure out how to make a scent I could be proud of. Historically- I have had trouble in the past sticking with something that I couldn't get perfect the first few times-it's an issue I have,however handmade soap seduced me, and the ensuing love affair still continues. While I still feel I have miles to go to be in the same league with Patti Flynn or my friend Erin of Inner Earth and the other soaping greats, I'm pleased with my progress and feel I've made great strides in the right direction.

Today, one of my soaps from a few years back was featured on "The Soap Bar" and- well it just feels good. Thanks Joanna!

Also, if you're on the fence about picking up a few Tierra Verde products yourself and need a gentle nudge - here's a few kind words from friends of Tierra Verde...

"I put the bars of soap on my bathroom shelf and the room smells like heaven!"
Lubbock,Texas-

"I am in LOVE with your soap, seriously. I always buy handmade soap and yours is most definitely some of the best I've ever used- it's so foamy and rich. I'll be back for more once my little stash runs out! haha!" Portland, Oregon-

"Thank you for the lovely soaps and balm. They smell amazing!" Lubbock,Texas-

"I have purchased soaps and balms from Michele and they are wonderful! I highly recommend purchasing her unique soaps and balms! They smell so good and I love giving them for gifts and using them for myself! The quality and packaging is wonderful and I always receive my orders prompt and in perfect condition! "Frisco, Texas- 

"Wow! I just received my order and they are fabulous! Love the little something. My husband has laid claim to the Vanilla-Patchoulli. Wouldn't you know? I will be back to order more." Ingleside,Texas

I know that if you make soap, and truly love it like I do - this kind of support means the world to you. Thanks so much!

Don't Forget - We Have Hand Balms Too!

 Honey Hand Balm 1oz. $7.00

A hint of Fall will be in the air soon, and with Fall comes the need for a little more moisture on our skin. Tierra Verde Handmade Soaps Hand Balms, are made with fabulously moisturizing and nutritive ingredients to take care of hands in urgent need of moisture and repair. Tierra Verde Hand Balms come in 4 great scents; Honey(unscented but with the delicious aroma of honey), Lavender Honey, Lemon  Honey and Citrus Honey too!

Hand Balms are great for travel, the office or your purse. Simply warm between hands and apply to areas that need special attention-beeswax forms a protective seal to hold in moisture.

These balms are great for your lips, elbows, feet and cuticles too!

Clove Shave Round - Is Spicy and Traditional

 

Clove Shave Round is more handsome than ever-3.75 oz. $5.00

Shave soap trio from foreground to background- Lavender, Clove 
and Olive Oil and Goat's Milk-3.75oz.ea.


 Clove Shaving Round 
Simple, Clean, Traditional...

Clove Shaving Round – Hints of clove warm and spicy in a traditional shave round. Olive oil nurtures your skin while castor forms a satisfying lather that is given a fine slip with the help of kaolin clay. The results are a clean, aromatic shaving experience.

Look for our Tierra Verde Shaving Rounds to come in a variety pack of 3 soon. The shave round variety pack will come with 1) Olive Oil and Goat's Milk Shave Round 2) Lavender Shave Round 3) Clove Shave Round- all beautifully packaged for gift giving.