This Weeks Featured Shop And Contest Giveaway

Getting to know The Comforting Om Shanti Handcrafts ...

A little about the seller

Name (and any aliases you have): Kate

Hobbies (or just random interests): I've been a student of history for fifteen years now -- the kind who makes the clothing to see how it's done. It's a lot of fun. :) I also try to get out and hike when it's warm enough, and now that I have a good camera I want to take a lot of pictures!

Tell me about yourself? A seeker and a writer, an herbalist and a maker. Living in beautiful Colorado within sight of the mountains. Mom to three cats and two rats. Trying to escape Walmart Hell.

Other etsy shops Om Shanti loves :
Archeress Arts
Sweet Tarragon
Hunting Heron
LeastLikely2Breed

A little about the Store

How long have you been on etsy? I created my account in January 2008, but didn't start posting things until partway through February. I was scared to, I think; I wanted everything to be perfect! Eventually a couple of friends provoked me into just posting stuff already, and I was off.

What exactly do you do (What do you make?): Beaded jewelry, necklaces and bracelets and earrings, as well as rosaries and paternosters (the medieval ancestor to the rosary). All-natural, good-smelling bath and body stuff. I want people to slow down and relax, take care of themselves -- my bath salts, bath teas and milk baths will help with that, I hope. Living in the near-desert I found my lips chapped worse than ever, so out of self-defense I started making lip balms too.

How did you first pick up your craft? For the jewelry, I'd been buying lots of stuff over the years and never got round to making anything with it. Then I started working for a friend who made jewelry, and I'd work on it there when her shop was slow -- I got a lot done! Eventually I ran out of beads and started selling my jewelry so I could buy more. As for the herbal stuff, I was given bath salts a couple of years ago. I hadn't had a bath in ages -- who has the time? But I made the time and it was wonderful, so relaxing, I loved it. Again it took me a while to actually get round to doing anything about it but once I did, I couldn't stop. And then there's the aforementioned lip balm story. Simple survival, that was.

Favorite thing about it? Making people relaxed and happy. Also all the good smells. And playing with pretty colours. Really, it's all about playing with things.

Any inspirations? Most of my jewelry is inspired by music -- each piece is named after a song and I post part of the lyrics in the description. If I'm making something custom, though, I just think about the person I'm making it for. My herbal stuff comes to me in all kinds of ways. Sometimes I get ideas from friends (like Leanna's Favourite Milk Bath). Sometimes I just get out my essential oils and play with them until it smells right.

3 items featured
Leanna's Favorite Milk Bath
Everything Citrus Ever Lip Balm
Beauty of the Rain Necklace

What makes these so special? Leanna's Favourite I first made up for a friend of mine who'e going through a very stressful time in her life. She liked it so much her boyfriend immediately bought her another bottle! So far it's the fastest to go from 'invented' to 'sold'. Plus I just really like lavender and chamomile. Everything Citrus Ever because the name amuses me. And it tastes good. Beauty of the Rain because it's subtle but gorgeous.

SALE

10% off of any purchase (not including shipping) if you mention this blog.

CONTEST

This Weeks Contest Winner Will Get $10.00 Gift Certificate From Om Shanti. With So Many Great Items The Winner Will Have A Hard Time Picking An Item:)

TO ENTER : Just Go To Om Shanti's Shop Find Your Favorite Item And Post The Name Or Link Along With Your Email Address Or Etsy Shop Address.

On Sunday The 6th Of July I Will Post The Winner. Good Luck Everyone !!

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