For The Love of Cupcakes!

 I finally tried my hand at gum paste.  

I have been faithfully using homemade marshmallow fondant for the past few years...  However I have read some really great things about gum paste and the ease of making flowers with it.  I cannot say that is was incredibly easy, but I did like my results.

All my supplies!

I used the store bought Wilton gum paste for my first attempt. Which I would do again, because it was much faster then making my homemade fondant.  Making marshmallow fondant takes a loooong time and it is a real work out!  

These are the two shaping tools I used.  They were not spectacular, but they came in a Wilton kit.  If I were to ever get serious about gum paste I would purchase the metal tools. 

After mixing my color into the gum paste, I also added in a bit of crisco to make it more pliable. I covered my counter with powdered sugar and rolled the gum paste out to about 1/4 of an inch.  I wanted simple flowers, so I used the Wilton flower shapes shown above. 

 The green tools are what I used to shape the flower petals. These came in the Wilton kit as well.  This part was a bit tricky.  It took me several attempts to get the look I wanted but eventually I discovered that the ball shaped tool worked the best.   You just sort of roll the tool with gentle pressure around the edge of the petals. The pink square is a piece of foam that you use to cushion the gum paste as you shape it.

I made a very simple shape.  These are by no means fancy flowers!  :)

The final gum paste result with little black pearls in the center!  I used black frosting to attach the pearls to the center. 

And here are the cupcakes completely decorated!  I was very happy with the final look!  In case you are curious about the flavor, these were chocolate cupcakes filled with raspberry filling and a cream cheese frosting.  This is a favorite in my family! 

Happy Baking!  

Our Favorite Beach-side B&B, Las Penitas Nicaragua

On grey winter days, such as these up here in the U.P., it's nice to have memories of places like the one below.  My husband and I took a 5.5 month backpacking trip in 2011.  We started in La Paz, Boliva and made our way all the back up to Mexico by hopping on buses, boats, and even a little plane at one point. I will post more about our trip as time allows.  For now I will start with one of our favorite stops along the way.

 The place below was a little B&B in Las Penitas, Nicaragua.  The B&B was called Sol y Mar. It is run by a lovely couple and their son.  We typically stayed in much shadier places to save money, but by the time we reached Nicaragua and Costa Rica, we were ready for some minor luxuries - here that meant a fan in the room, breakfast, and a cute doggie to play with.  Yippee!  

I hope they still have the playful pup that was there, her name was Muchacha. - OH, in fact I just found a picture of her.   

We had direct access to the water, we were only feet from the ocean.  The photo below was right outside the B&B.  There were incredible waves that crashed off of these rocks every morning.  Yes, we stayed more than one night.  We couldn't help ourselves.  It was to peaceful.  I spent most my time here reading up in that balcony you see in the top photo.  You could sit up there and watch others along the beach, or the waves, or simply close your eyes and listen to the water.  

Our host provided us with a little cocktail our first night here.  It was incredibly strong and I had to drink two of them because you don't turn a gift down.  (My husband doesn't indulge in alcoholic drinks)  

On our second day we were sitting up in our little tower watching the beach and we saw a woman and her significant other walk into the water - we knew she was about to face the wrath of the crazy waves.  And no doubt, she did.  Only loosing her shoe to the wave-madness, thank goodness.  After a few minutes of trying to save the shoe, she and her guy gave up.  Within seconds of their surrender the shoe came up on shore, so I ran down and grabbed it and jogged over to the couple to give it back.  They asked if I was a lifeguard...  :)  

Yes, I am indeed.  Guarding the lives of flip flops in Central America!  You know, I think I would give up my life here in the states to be a flip flop lifeguard... who wouldn't?   

If you are interested in staying at the Sol y Mar, you can actually find their information by googling them.  We found them by chance.  We hopped off of a bus and walked until we found something we liked.  

Anyway - if you are facing the grey days of Winter, I hope this warms your spirit and gives you a smile.  Spring has to come around sometime.  

And two more pictures to you leave you with:

My husband tempting the waves.

A view down the beach, to the left of the B&

Feel free to share a backpacking story of your own if you wish!  Happy & Safe travels everyone! 

Homemade Deodorant

Have you done it yet?

Have you made the switch to a natural deodorant?  Aluminum free, alcohol free, preservative free, icky-stuff free....

I finally did.  Here is my homemade deodorant in my Etsy shop-

In my recipe I include coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, aloe vera gel, vitamin e oil, arrowroot powder, baking soda, and essential oils (tea tree and any other oil for scent). 

I may continue to tweak my deodorant recipe until I find the perfect consistency. I want it to be a little more solid than it is right now.  But that should be a fairly simple fix - more beeswax.

Coconut oil will blow you away when you find out what it is capable of.  It is sort of like a super hero in disguise.  No really!  Coconut oil can be cooked with and used in natural bath and body products.  

Here are few things it can do:

• It is a natural SPF of 4
• It is an excellent moisturizer and massage oil (great reason to use in deodorant)
• Great for baby's  bottoms before putting on their diapers
• Works as a hair conditioner if you do the "no poo" method - also helps with frizz
• It is a natural antibacterial (making it a great addition to deodorant)
• It is an anti-inflammatory 
• Mixed with baking soda - it makes a great toothpaste
• When ingested regularly it is known to help with all sorts of ailments including alzheimers, allergies, mental alertness, heartburn, nausea...etc. 
• This list goes on for miles!  After a little research you will come to find that coconut oil is indeed some sort of magical oil.  

The other ingredients are also great for your skin, but I had to brag on coconut oil for a bit. 

Some folks are allergic to cornstarch - so I use arrowroot powder and baking soda.  The arrowroot powder is very silky! 

 Tea Tree Oil :

The tea tree oil is another magical ingredient.  Tea tree is great for deodorizing, and it is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral.  Tea tree can be great for acne, warts, bug/tick repellent, and for cleaning in times of sickness.  Again - another magical oil.  

One Sacrifice to going Natural:

One thing that does need to aired about natural deodorant is that it is not meant to stop you from sweating.  It is not an antiperspirant.  It is meant for deodorizing... which makes sense.  It is called {deodorant}.  It will help kill bacteria and help keep the bad smells at bay.  Your body needs to sweat.  That is how we control our temperature and release toxins. 

The deodorants that are antiperspirants contain chemicals that stop you from sweating.  Doesn't sound very natural or healthy does it?  

I highly encourage everyone to do a little reading so that you can make your own informed decisions about what you put on your body.   

Find it here:

You can find my homemade deodorant for purchase in my Etsy shop : 

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/MelaniesApothecary

It is $10.00 for a 2oz twist up tube.  You get to pick your scent!

Simple and Natural Migraine/Headache Remedy

Migraines and/or severe headaches... they are the WORST!  Am I right?

Lucky me, I get them once or twice a month.  Mine become almost debilitating.  I will start to feel an ache in the back of my neck that spreads to the front of my head and then I know... this is it.   Here it comes.  I have tried so many things to ease the pain-  Tylenol, Yoga Poses, massaging my neck, pressing on various pressure points, drinking gatorade, cutting out caffeine, bringing caffeine back... yet to no avail.

Then during one particularly bad episode, I decided to follow my instincts.  I really wanted to get into the bath tub.  So I ran some really warm water and soaked for a bit.  It was definitely easing up some of the pain.  Then someone suggested another idea... try an ice pack on the back of my neck.   So I combined those two things... and magic happened.

TRY THIS:  Make yourself an ice pack and wrap it in a thin towel, or even a pillow case.  Something thin enough so that the cold comes through but not so thin that it burns your skin.  Put the ice pack on the back of your neck while soaking in a hot bath.   If you are not a bath person, try just soaking your feet in hot water while holding the ice pack on your neck.

Something about that confusion of temperatures eases the pain for me.  I sit like this for about 20 minutes or until I start to feel ok again.   By the time I get out of the tub, the pain has lessened to a much more bearable level.

Then sometimes I get even fancier and put some lavender in the tub with me.  Lavender is great for easing pain and soothing headaches.  I also spray my pillow with my lavender pillow spray for when I lay down after getting out of the tub.  AND I still keep the ice pack on my neck after the bath!

Need some lavender spray?  I sell it in my Etsy shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/172635165/soothing-lavender-linen-spray-lavender?ref=shop_home_active

I also make a headache balm: https://www.etsy.com/listing/172715691/headache-balm-natural-headache-soother?ref=listing-shop-header-4


This contains the pure essential oil of Lavender which is a therapeutic grade oil.
I even make them with fun labels if you need to calm someone else down...  know any bridezillas?  :)

Next time you are feeling a headache or migraine coming on, try this!  I really hope it helps!

The Sunscreen Dilema

Store bought, homemade, no sunscreen.... what is the right choice!?!?

This summer I gave the homemade option a shot.  I did hours upon hours of research, and yet still couldn't come to a perfectly clear answer.  There is a 50/50 divide amongst the so called "experts".  Then you have to ask yourself if the experts on the "only use store bought" end are driven by the money they stand to make from it. 

After reading all of the possible dangers that man-made chemicals can cause, I decided that trying to make some homemade sunscreen that I could control all of the ingredients to couldn't hurt.  And, it turned out to be a success.

Keep in mind that your skin does need some sun exposure.  You need to absorb some vitamin D.  So don't be afraid to go without sunblock for just a little bit. 

Changing your diet can also help protect your skin.  Try to avoid processed food and sugars.  And add in foods that are anti-inflammatory aids like tomato paste, leafy greens,  fresh produce, you know- the healthy stuff!  :) 

I researched the three types of uv-ray blocking ingredients and these are your options:

• titanium dioxide (possible carcinogen)
• zinc oxide ( most natural of the three, comes from sand and this is what you used to see life guards wear on their noses)
• man-made chemicals (almost never a good thing)

So, I purchased some zinc oxide powder and created my own little recipe.  A lot of natural ingredients contain some natural spf properties like coconut oil, shea butter, and green tea butter. 

My recipe is a nice thick sunscreen.  You need to apply this type of sunscreen every two hours- no less!  And when you add in your zinc YOU MUST WEAR A MASK!!!  Do not inhale the powder.   The zinc powder you want should be non nano zinc.  Meaning it is slighty larger "granules' so to speak so that it cannot enter your bloodstream.  Your skin is your largest organ, and if you put nano zinc powder on your skin it can enter your bloodstream.  Not good.   

Use a milk frother or stick blender to mix your zinc into your sunscreen and don't stop.  You want it to be as smooth as possible and avoid clumping. 

I store this in a jar, because it is much easier to get out of a jar than a bottle. 

My sunscreen recipe contains: (my recipe is about spf 20)
zinc oxide powder 
coconut oil
shea butter
green tea butter (excellent product for your skin!!!)
almond oil
beeswax (helps create a slightly waterproof barrier)
vitamin E
lavender or vanilla essential oils (totally optional)

If you are interested in this sunscreen but don't have the time or money to purchase all of these ingredients, you can visit my etsy shop and contact me for an order of sunscreen.  Currently it is not in my shop, but it will be eventually.  

Visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelaniesApothecary

At the end of the day, you need to make your own decision about what is safe for your family.  I am going the natural route.  I am trying to slowly get rid of the mass produced man-made products in our home.

Thifty Wardrobe

Guess what?  You are not limited to the one size that you wear, when shopping in the thrift store. 

You can shop in the sizes that are too big for you.  I do it quite often now.  If I see a shirt in a pattern that I like, but it is an XL, I will still pick it up because it is fairly simple to alter just about any shirt.  So I will show you below, how I sew up my shirts to make them fit exactly how I want them to.  (learned this easy trick from my mother-in-law)  Plus, I love buying extra large shirts and altering them, because then they are nice and long!  I love long shirts that sit right below the hip.

First, you need to buy a shirt that you want to alter.  Here is the one I bought -

This is a photo of it after I had already altered it.  Oops.  I didn't think about making this into a blog post until after I had done it.  My apologies.

 

Next, find a shirt that you already own, that you really love the fit of to use as a "pattern" so to speak.  Then turn the thrift store shirt inside out, and lay your well-fitted shirt on top of the new shirt.  Line up the necklines, or the top of the shirt. Then trace the line of your shirt onto the new shirt.  You can use a piece of white soap to trace with, or a fabric marker. This line will show you were to sew up the new shirt.

 

Now head over to the sewing machine and zip that shirt through on a loose straight stitch, doing your best to follow that line you drew on.  Then do the same thing again, only on the other side.

 

 Turn the shirt back to the right side, and try it on.  If you like the fit... AWESOME!  If not, you can pull those stitches out, and try again.  Or if it still feels too big there is no need to pull the stitches out, just zip it through your machine again only sew a little closer in.  You will just sew a parallel line to the one you followed before.

 

Sewing the sleeves may get a little tricky.  But the important thing to remember here is, it doesn't need to be absolutely perfect.  That is something I struggle with because I tend to be a perfectionist.  If for some reason your sleeves are just not working out, feel free to just make it into a sleeveless top. 

 

Once you get a great fit, you need to turn it inside out again, and cut off the extra fabric.

 

Then, you can use the extra pieces to make something else.  Maybe a headband, or a flower to decorate another piece of your wardrobe?  There are so many fun things you can make with thrift store clothing.  My fabric happens to be stretchy, so I may turn it into a headband or possibly long strips to make a pair of wrap sandals.

 

 

I learn as I go with sewing.  My sewing machine skills are very limited, but yet with the simple things I do know, I can make a whole new wardrobe.  So have fun with.  Experiment!  You paid a dollar for that thrift store shirt, so if you mess it up..... oh well!  :)   

 

Cheers to custom thrifty wardrobe!

Work it!

Rockin' A Craft Show - Even if it's your first time...

Craft shows are so exciting!  I have done two shows with my MABeInspired items and my SimpleSincerity items.  So yes, I am verrry new to this.  However, both of my shows were successful and super fun.  To work a craft show, you need a super positive attitude.  You have to go in thinking, "even if I don't sell much, I am going to have fun and network".    You may think two shows doesn't qualify me to give advice, but my two shows are still very fresh in my mind and I know what worked and what didn't. 

Best Tip:  BRING A BUDDY!  Luckily, I have a business partner for SimpleSincerity, so she works that side of the booth and I work my MABeInspired side.  We take money separately for the two "shops" within the one booth space.  I hope that makes sense. :)  But really, if you can find someone to share the day with it will make your craft show experience so much more enjoyable.  They can stay with the booth if you need to walk around or use the bathroom, they can help take money, or help sell your product.  And when I say sell, I mean talk up your product!  Get people involved with your booth.  Give them samples, have them try something on, or just spark up a conversation.   If you are excited about your products, they will be too. 


This was my very first show. The MABeInspired Side.

At my booth this past weekend, I started talking to some customers about my love for recycling and before I knew it, they were asking how to find my etsy shop and were very interested in my recycled sweater flowers because they also had a passion for upcycling and recycling.  You have more in common with your customers than you might realize.  They also love to here when you live in and around the same town as they do.  They love finding products made so close to home.  So if you are a bit shy... now is the time to practice being bold.  I am a pretty shy gal... so I really have to work it at craft shows.   I have found, the more I talk to people - the more I sell.  It's true.  I used to think that you should just leave people alone and let them shop... but that is not always the case.  You have to feel people out.  If it looks like maybe you should let them be... then follow your gut.  But 9 times out of 10, you should just break the ice and ask them how they are doing. 



The Simple Sincerity Side.

Now these photos above are from my very first show.  The displays are a little rough, but I was pretty proud of them.   Your display is so important.   You need signs that give prices and simple explanations.  I have found that people will not take the time read much. My main sign in that first photo was just too much. I don't think one person actually read through the sign.  Really, it is kind of sad.  So try to be short and sweet with your signs.   And SURPRISE -  they want a deal!  You may need to lower your prices just a tad from Etsy or your online shop if you can afford to.  Or offer some kind of special deal for buying more than one, or spending more than "x" amount.  You get the picture.  Just make them feel special and like they are getting one heck of a deal.

Another thing I find to be successful is having a "bargain bowl".   People will dig and dig through baskets and bowls to find an amazing deal.  You can have a perfectly beautiful display, and yet, they want to dig through the bowl of sale items.  :) 

MABeInspired Side - Admire the wooden case display!  My dad built that for me.  :)

Simple Sincerity Side!  (we had a much larger space this time around and a lot more product)

 

This second set of photos, is from my second show.  I did two spaces this time to give us more room.  Half for MABeInspired, and half for SimpleSincerity.  This show was a bit slower, but we actually ended up making more money this time.  So it was very successful.  We also had way more product this time.   Tabitha was offering samples of our lotion... and we ended up selling 4-5 bottles of our lotion.  So keep that in mind if you sell something people can sample. 

 

For my next show, I have decided I want to have more visuals.  I noticed that people responded well to the two photos I had displayed of my flowers being worn.  They liked having that visual of what it might look like.  I also wear my products during my show.  I wear a flower in my hair and on a scarf.   So for next time, I think I will display pictures of my flowers on clothing, or on a baby's headband...etc.  Visual aides are a good thing!  Help your customer visualize your products being used or worn. 

 

A helpful list of things to bring:

• Camera (document your displays so you can improve for next time)
• Calculator
• Paper (for last minute signs, recording sales, and write down ideas for your next show as they come to you)
• Clipboard
• Pens & Markers
• Tape
• Clothes Pins or Metal Clips
• Scissors
• Mirror (If your products can be worn... Women like to see what it will look like)
Business cards or little printouts with info and coupons for shopping on Etsy!
Bags for Purchases
Bank Box or Tupperware for Change


• Small Bills for making change (You don't want to be that person begging for change from other booths...)
• Apron for holding your cash
• Tylenol (sometimes headaches come at the worst times)
• Chair (ask if you need to supply your own chairs)
• Comfy shoes and a sweater! 

Have some Craft Show tips to share?  Leave ideas below!  I love hearing advice for craft shows.  If you haven't done a show, give it a shot.  They are so much fun and a chance to spread the word about your products.  Show your customers how much you love your craft and your process, and so will they.