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A little bit of anything and everything that's part of
​creating, enjoying, and living a simpler life!
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OUR ESSENTIAL OIL DIFFUSER PENDANTS

9/3/2016

0 Comments

 
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I love our essential oil diffuser pendants. I really love them because they were actually designed specifically for myself! I wanted/needed a way to be able to wear the oils every day at work without putting them on my skin.  If you don't yet know what I do for work then you need to know I am a high school science teacher.  So not only is there a lot of stress from many different directions, there are also a lot of unsavory smells from the students returning from gym class, stinky chemistry experiments, to the odors of the cooking cafeteria food (Which are sometimes really good too!).  To make matters worse the hallway I am in is on the second floor which is literally 10 degrees hotter than the first floor. Classroom temperatures can reach into the 90's on some days and I don't have to tell you what heat does to the smells.... 

Anyway, I started looking around online for diffuser pendants and really didn't like anything I saw.  I am not a jewelry person at all.  I just don't like the way jewelry feels on my skin, especially around my neck so that pretty much ruled out anything made of metal.  I saw a few pendants made out of clay,  mostly kiln fired, which I thought was great at first. But then I realized that you were just applying the oil directly to the clay and the risk of getting that on my clothing or even on my skin was not worth it.  Then I came across air dry clay pendants and they were doing the same thing - applying the oil directly to the pendant.  But air dry clay, well now I had something I could work with!  Being a science teacher...well...the experiments began!
Trial 1:
  • I made the pendants out of the air dry clay, however since I didn't like the idea of the oil possibly getting on my skin or clothing I decided it needed a small well for the oil to go into so we drilled small holes into the back where the oil would be 'dropped' into.
  • After giving these a try I quickly realized this was not going to work. The oil was able to seep through the pendant to the front. The oils are also very strong and they weathered the finish as well!
Trial 2:
  • ​Same pendants, same drilled holes as wells on the back, but now we addd a small piece of felt.  The felt worked great for absorbing the oils and keeping them from seeping into the clay.
  • Problem: the oils dissolved the glue that was holding in the felt.  
  • We ended up experimenting with numerous glues until we found one that the oils could not dissolve.
  • However, after about a month of using the pendants I realized that the oils were still able to seep completely through to the front of the pendants and weather the finish on the front.  Not good.
Trial 3:
  • I needed to find a way to prevent the oil from seeping into the clay. I needed it to be 100% blocked from going through.  Thats when the finish experiments began.  We tried every type of finish we could find from polyurethanes, to acrylics, etc.  The oils are so strong that they weathered every single one of them. Some finished took longer than others, but nothing worked the way I wanted.
  • So I started to think about what they are stored in: metal or glass containers.  I already knew metal was out for me, so glass it was.  What could I use that is like glass?  I was watching a video one day for wood finishing and the man was using epoxy to give it a beautiful glossy finish.  I thought to myself, "could this work?" and the epoxy experiments began.  
  • If you know anything about epoxy you know that most of them have a yellow tint to them. Finding one that remained clear and could withstand the effects of the oil was not easy but I did eventually find success (With thanks to my husband!).
Of course I really over-simplified what I wrote above. In all the entire process took about of year of trials and errors and experiments and in that time we threw out several hundred failed designs.  We also had a lot of input from friends, family, and customers and we are so satisfied with how they turned out that we offer a 100% money back guarantee if you are not happy! 

Some of the important design features:
  • Super lightweight - the only reason you will know you are wearing it is by smelling the diffusing oils!
  • Super soft cording - the faux suede cord is so soft on your neck you won't even know it is there.
  • Deep well for the oil - we drill the wells deep enough that the felt is not able to touch your skin or your clothes.
  • Absorbent felt - the felt absorbs the one or two drops of oil and allows them to diffuse over several days.
  • Epoxy coating - the back of the pendant is coated with a special epoxy that prevents the oil from seeping into the clay.
  • Many designs to choose from!
  • Just add 1 or 2 drops of oil to the back and wear it all day! So simple :-)
Watch this video to see how they are made from start to finish!
You can make them yourself or buy them for $15 in our online shop (They ship FREE too!).  Every pendant comes with a trial size bottle (dram) of Lavender essential oil.  They make a great gift or even a stocking stuffer for the holidays!
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$15 with FREE shipping. Includes instructions, adjustable pendant of choice, and a trial size bottle of 100% pure lavender oil. Comes in a small baggie as shown.
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Gift Box Set - $20 with FREE shipping. Includes instructions, adjustable pendant of choice, and a 5 mL bottle of either Lavender or Cedarwood essential oil. Box comes wrapped in an off-white elastic ribbon.
VIEW ALL DIFFUSER PENDANTS
Learn more about why you should use essential oil diffuser pendants!
​

Thanks for visiting!
Sincerely,
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0 Comments

Getting Ready For Our First Craft Fair!

8/10/2016

1 Comment

 
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I have never sold at a craft fair before.  I have attended many craft fairs over the years, but I have never personally been involved in selling at one.  That is about to change.

For years my daughter has been urging me to sell at the craft fair where she lives. Every summer they have a community fair to raise money and every year she reminds me that I should rent a table and sell all my handmade 'stuff.'  I usually say no.  I am not sure why, but I guess I just really never knew what to make that people would want to buy.  And what if they don't buy it?  It is very intimidating to try something new like this, but I finally just said YES!  After all, the worst that can happen is my stuff doesn't sell but I get quality time with my daughter and I get to spend a weekend on Fire Island in the summer! 

And then after saying yes, I thought, uh oh....what have I gotten myself into?  I am not the type of person to just wing something like having a craft sales table.  I have to have a plan for exactly how and what I am going to do and that is what this post is all about. 

There were some criteria about selling at the fair: I rented one (1) 8' x 30" banquet table and two chairs.  Anything and everything I sell would have to be on top of that one table. No other stands are allowed.  I also needed to get everything onto a ferry - it is not a craft fair where you can pull your car up and unload.  Everything has to be lightweight, portable, and literally carried by hand.

Here are the steps I took to get ready for our first craft fair ever:
1. I Researched...
  • I 'Googled' and looked and literally hundreds of pictures of the way sellers set up their tables and booths at craft fairs
  • I 'Googled' and read nearly as many blog posts about anything and everything having to do with advice for selling at craft fairs
2. Made A List Of What I Wanted For My Table...
  • Bottom fitted banquet tablecloth (most tables at fairs are banquet size)
  • Second decorative tablecloth for on top of the fitted one - in a complimentary color
  • A spinning table-top display for my pendants 
  • Signs with prices and descriptions
  • Signs with our company name etc.
  • Business card holders (with business cards of course)
  • Sign showing that we take credit cards (I read that being able to take credit cards is a must!)
  • A container to do a FREE giveaway raffle to collect e-mail addresses
  • A mirror so potential customers could try on the pendants
  • Baskets to put display products in
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Completed tablecloth set together for fair!
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3. The Tablecloths
I didn't just want tablecloths...I wanted them to be special and stand out!
  • ​Purchased a fitted tablecloth from Amazon (affiliate link).
  • Purchased a square tablecloth from Amazon (affiliate link).
  • Personalized the tablecloth with a crochet border - Read about it here!
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4. Signs
​I didn't want to simply order signs from someone else...I wanted mine to be handmade like all the products I sell!
  • Chalk board signs with chalk paint for individual signs (affiliate links).
  • Sign for credit cards - simply displayed in a photo frame
  • Crochet Sign for table - made and sewn onto tablecloth front (video below on how these were made!)
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5. Spinning Table-top Display for Pendants
​It was at least $90 to buy one and I didn't like any of them anyway, so of course my husband and I decided we could make our own and put our own handmade crafty 'spin' on it - pun intended :-)
  • This is my favorite! It is a combination of *peg board with *hooks, cotton scrap yarn to hold it together, a lazy Susan (affiliate link) bottom, a foam board top with a simple cotton crocheted 'hat', and chalk-board signs written with chalkboard paint (affiliate links) on the top! Check out the video below to see how we made it :-)
  • *peg board 2' x 4' common at $10.47 and hooks at $10
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6. Bonus Hair Scrunchy Display
  • There was left-over pegboard from the spinning display so we used it to make a quick and simple display for my crochet hair scrunchies! We simply cut the left-over piece in half, painted it up to match everything else and used the crochet yarn to hold it together at the top and bottom.  Add a few hooks and a chalk-board sign to the top and it's the perfect little A-frame display!  
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7. Miscellaneous
  • Business card holders $2 (affiliate link)
  • Mirror 6.5" for $15 (affiliate link)
  • Baskets (already had them!) - note: my wonderful husband cut up and drilled holes in some of the chalkboard signs so I could attach them with colored yarn to the front of the baskets!
  • We made a special display for the Little Lamb Lovey Blankets using a plastic soup container, a half of a paper towel cardboard center, and hot glue!
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Simple stands for the Little Lamb Lovey Blankets!
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Little Lamb Loveys on their special stands! It works :-)
8.  And of course, before we packed it all up, we had to do a    practice table set-up in our living room!
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Thanks for visiting!

If you are anywhere near Ocean Beach Fire Island, NY the weekend of August 13th - 14th 2016, stop by our table and say hi!

Please follow us on social media!

​Sincerely,
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1 Comment

Pine Soap Decks - How We Make Them

7/17/2016

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There is nothing better than a sustainable clear pine soap deck, well in my opinion anyway :-) But they are great and here's why:
  • Made of a sustainable product - Pine is a considered a sustainable wood because it grows quickly
  • The pine is all natural and grown in the USA
  • The deck allows water to flow through instead of pooling around the soap so no more mushy soap from pooling water!
  • Helps soap to last longer which is especially important with handmade soaps
  • Works great in the shower, next to a bathroom or kitchen sink, or by the bathtub :-)
  • If you aren't handy and don't want to make your own, then you can buy them in our store!
Supplies Needed:
  • One 8' long 1 x 3 clear pine (makes about 15 - 16 decks)
  • Table Saw
  • Miter Saw
  • Ruler
  • Sand Paper
  • Optional wood burning tool
How We Make Them:
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Cut first two slots. Set the table saw blade and make first slot cut. Then flip the wood around and cut the second slot on opposite side.
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Reset the saw blade to cut the two center slots. Cut one slot, then flip the board around and cut the other slot.
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Once all four top slots are cut, then cut the individual decks using a miter saw.
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Individual cut decks.
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Using the table saw again, cut two individual slots in the bottom of each deck. Cut one, then flip the deck around to cut the other side.
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Sand all edges, corners, and slots!
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Bottom view of deck.
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Use a wood burner to add a personal touch :-)
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Finished product!
Watch this video by my husband of how we make our soap decks!
Thanks for visiting!
Please consider liking and following us...
we would really appreciate it :-)

​Sincerely,

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0 Comments

WHY USE AN ESSENTIAL OIL DIFFUSER PENDANT?

5/18/2016

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Essential oil diffuser pendants...
Feel good all day, every day, everywhere you go!
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Essential oils have been used in various ways for close to 6,000 years. The science of aromatherapy was founded in 1928 and within 30 years aromatherapy was being used by doctors, nurses,  massage therapists, and other health care providers.  Aromatherapy is the use of Essential oils to help one heal or feel better.  Though they can be used in a variety of ways this post will focus on inhalation aromatherapy using a diffuser, specifically, a personal pendant diffuser. Unfortunately many lotions, candles, and beauty products that are sold as "aromatherapy" today contain synthetic ingredients and/or fragrances.  Synthetics can be completely avoided by using only 100% pure all natural essential oils. Pure essential oils are concentrated extracts taken directly from the roots, leaves, seeds, or blossoms of plants. The use of each individual essential oil depends upon its natural chemical properties and what the goal of the specific therapy is as described below.

Diffuse means to spread out. A diffuser is a way to spread out the aroma of the essential oils so you can benefit therapeutically from them!
​
  • Room Diffusers - I have one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Room diffusers require water with a few drops of pure essential oil added. All of our essential oils can be used in room diffusers. Room diffusers require electricity and are great because they shut themselves off when the water runs out!  They can help to disinfect and freshen household air.  Like a humidifier, they can help with sleeping at night especially when someone is ill. The only problem with a room diffuser is that you need to stay in the room to benefit from it! That's why personal diffuser pendants are so great - they are with you everywhere you go!
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Room Diffuser (affiliate link)
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Room Diffuser (affiliate link)
  • Personal Diffusers Pendants - These are simply pendants that are specifically designed to hold essential oils and are worn around your neck. A drop of pure essential oil is added and the therapeutic benefits of the oil can be enjoyed all day, every day, everywhere you go!
  • The specific oil you add to the pendant is determined by the type of aromatherapy you are interested in! For example, I deal with stress often and I suffer from stress headaches.  For this reason I choose to use 100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil on my personal pendant every day.  All day long the scent of the lavender diffuses and helps to relax me. If I feel a moment of extra stress then I lift the pendant and inhale deeply.  This helps me feel better right away!  Here are some examples of how essential oils can help you:
    • Are you fighting a cold?  Add a drop of eucalyptus essential oil to help clear sinus'.
    • Are you dealing with stress and anxiety? Add a drop of Lavender essential oil to feel relaxed.
    • Are you feeling down and out? Add a drop of Peppermint essential oil to feel more alert.
    • Want to ward off the flu? Add a drop of Tea Tree essential oil to disinfect the air around you.
    • Feeling tired all the time? Try a drop of Lemon essential oil to feel more awake!
  • Here are two of my personal favorite pendants available in our shop. They are both handmade by myself and my husband and can be purchased as just the pendant alone (you don't have to use essential oils with it) or with your choice of 100% pure Lavender (floral aroma)  or 100% pure Cedarwood (woody aroma) essential oils.  
  • They are the perfect way to start using essential oils for the first time!
  • View all our Essential Oil Pendants
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Sand Dollar
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Monarch Butterfly
click here for our essential oil diffuser faq's
Just add one drop of oil...So Simple!

Which essential oils should you use? 

There are many different essential oils available.  Some oils are helpful when coming down with a cold and some are more helpful if you are tired or stressed. You can even buy or make blends of different oils to help focus on specific problems.  Regardless of the oil, all you need is from 1 to 3 drops depending upon the oil and size/type of diffuser.  Our pendants only require 1 drop to help you feel good!

*Here are a few Essential Oils that we use regularly:
  • Eucalyptus - Clean, crisp menthol scent - good for asthma, cough, stuffed nose, sore throat, sinus problems
  • Lavender - Sweet floral scent - good for anxiety, tension, stress, insomnia, headache
  • Tea Tree - Fresh medicinal scent - good for colds, flu, to ward off illness, disinfectant
  • Peppermint - Sweet minty menthol scent - good for fatigue, exhaustion, or apathy, asthma, bronchitis, cough, sinus, headaches, migraines, nausea, indigestion
  • Lemon - Sweet lemon scent - good for immune system booster, digestive health, household odors, fatigue, PMS, or stress
  • Cedarwood - Woody scent - good for neverous tension or stress
  • Bergamot - Fruity & citrusy scent - good if you are feeling anxious, depressed, tired, nervous or stressed
  • Frankinsense - Warm spicy & woody scent - good for asthma, cough, cold, flu, sore throat, or fatigue​​
​​*NOTE: If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any health issues you should always check with your doctor before use!

Special 20% off all our diffuser pendants with code 20NOW at checkout!
Offer ends 5/31/16

Essential oil diffuser pendants...
Feel good all day, every day, everywhere you go!
Thank you for visiting!

Sincerely,
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Sources:
University of Maryland Medical Center
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NO MORE SLIMY STINKY SPONGES!

5/3/2016

0 Comments

 
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Sick of slimy, stinky, nasty sponges?
Tired of having to throw them out and needlessly adding to the landfills of the world?

Well be sick and tired NO MORE!  This super simple scrubby can be washed, dried and re-used over and over and, well, over.  

​If it gets slimy? Wash it!  If it gets stinky? Wash it!  It's that simple!  And best of all: It is safe for all pots, pans, glassware, and surfaces!  

Check out this video of my husband using the scrubby on a really nasty pan....
Do you crochet?  
Then get started making this right away with this FREE PATTERN!

Not into crocheting but still want a scrubby?
Then
BUY IT HERE in our shop :-)
Every product we sell MUST meet THREE criteria:
1. Be Made of Simple Materials
2. Benefit Life in a Simple Way
3. Be Earth-friendly
The dishcloth and scrubby set we sell is handmade of 100% all natural USA grown cotton and polyester (black scrubby center only).

It benefits life simply by being reusable because it can be washed and dried over and over again!
​
And of course, this makes it Earth-friendly because it is one less thing that will need to be thrown out:-)
Thank you for visiting!
Follow us to keep up with the latest news in Creating A Simpler Life!
​Sincerely,

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    Hi there! I'm Kathie, the author behind Creating A Simpler Life blog. I'm excited to share our longterm projects (and planning) toward building our future retirement homestead in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. In the meantime I will be sharing all the other little things we do that are part of creating our simpler life!
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  • Home/About
    • What does OFF-GRID mean?
    • MINIMIZING >
      • Home Size
      • Room by Room
      • Get Organized
      • Household Waste
    • MINIMIZE DEBT, MAXIMIZE SAVINGS >
      • Bills & Other Debt
      • Saving Money
      • Shopping Tips
      • Affordable Fun
    • BACKYARD CHICKENS >
      • The Coop
      • The Chickens
      • Feeding the Chickens
      • Fresh Eggs
    • HOME GARDENING >
      • Building the Garden
      • What We Grow
      • Seeds, Weeds, & More
      • Preservation & Storage
    • DO-IT-YOURSELF >
      • Health & Wellness
      • Simple Cleaning & Tips
      • Crafts & More!
      • Printables
    • CROCHET >
      • IDEAS & MORE
      • VIDEO TUTORIALS
  • HOMESTEAD
    • The 5 Year Plan PLUS! >
      • 2017
      • 2018
      • 2019
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
    • WHY AN EARTH SHELTERED HOUSE?
    • OFF GRID TINY TRAILER
    • BUILDING our HOMESTEAD from Scratch >
      • BUYING LAND & GETTING STARTED
      • BUILDING THE CONCRETE DOME
      • FROM DOME to HOME
      • SURVIVING OUR FIRST WINTER
    • HOMESTEAD MACHINERY >
      • GENERATORS
      • KUBOTA TRACTOR
      • ATV'S & UTV'S
      • WOOD CHIPPER
      • CHAINSAWS
      • LOG SPLITTER
      • POWER TOOLS
      • SNOWMOBILES
      • AUTOMOBILES
    • BUDGETING THE BUILD
    • SUSTAINABILITY >
      • WATER
      • FOOD
      • SHELTER
      • ENERGY >
        • SOLAR POWER
    • The Adirondacks >
      • Wildlife & Nature
      • Insects & Bugs
      • Things to Do
      • Water Fun
    • ADIRONDACK CRAFTS
  • VLOG
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021