Animal Totem: Snow Leopard

In the last few days, I've been reading up on Animal Totems. One of my friends and dog/nature painter, Skye Sutherland, had mentioned totems to me in the past, but I never really sought them out. That is, until I couldn't get snow leopards out of my mind. In the last few months, I've been feeling a nagging persistence to go to the Bronx Zoo. It started out innocently enough, "let's go to the zoo" and then it was almost an obsessive chime in my head "Snow Leopards, Snow Leopards..".
Skye suggested that maybe it was my totem. I quickly Googled it and found scarily accurate things about my totem--things that reflect lessons I should be learning.

Here's the part that resonated with me the most:
"Snow Leopard Souls are here in part to learn the lesson of Self Reliance.  Like this Totem Spirit that has a mostly solitary life, the Two legged beside whom  Snow Leopard strides, will face many encounters and situations in their current incarnation which develop the ability to rely upon and trust the inner Self.

Curious, I started to wonder if there was jewelery I can purchase, so that I can be constantly reminded of my totem.This is where I found foxloft.com. The artist, Foxfeather Zenkova (yes, her real name) sells artwork and artisan jewelery of totems/animals. These beautifully crafted pendants are carved out of tagua, which according to her site is the "nut of a rain forest tree". Basically a natural, renewable resource that's similar to ivory in texture and hardness. 

  Much to my delight, they had snow leopards!


Check out Foxfeather's wares here.
And check out Skye Sutherland's gallery of paintings here.



All images are from foxloft.com

Back Again!

Hello my soapy readers!

I've decided to come back to my blog after realizing that there is just too much out there to write about. What initially started out as a "soap" blog is now going to be headed in a different direction. I'm passionate about lots of things, so I needed a blog to reflect some of that. A Blog About Unique Things is what this site is about, and that's what I'm going to stick to. Whether its about soap, or make-up, or items and services that I find wonderful and unique.

So, welcome (again). I hope you enjoy!

Stay tuned. :)

A Good Spirituality Blog

I'm not really a religious person, but I'm really diggin' my friend's blog on religion and spirituality.  It's filled with wonderful insight and common sense. While he talks about God and Him, I find that it's still suitable for those who are spiritual and not of his particular religion.   Check it out at:
http://jdsmodernspirit.blogspot.com


And in the spirit of spirituality, I leave you with some lovely soap pics from current Etsy vendors:

I love the description of this soap, taken from 8th Street Soaps etsy store, "Frankincense, myrrh, and gold: the gifts of the Magi. The ground resins of those age-old botanicals make for a divine soap. Just as the faithful burn frankincense to symbolize cleansing and purification, here’s a chance to experience your very own aromatic spirit-soothing ceremony every day."
Mmmm, frankincense, myrrh... if that doesn't make you want to try it, I dunno what will.  You can buy Balthazar soap here.

I've actually blogged about this company before, I can't help that they have such stunning designs. If you didn't catch it, they were featured here.  Anyway, I'm so in love with their glazed plaques and dishes. This one, I believe is a plaque, but it looks like it might stand up nicely as a soap holder as well.  Really nice stuff. Check out Artyard's Studio here.

Visual Catnip: Rainbows

Ha, I cannot even put into words how visually stunning this soap is! It's a psychedelic bloom of colors and inspiration.  Finding this, actually made my day.  Get it and other wares here at Layla's Etsy Shop.

Rainbow felt soap! How adorable are these?  I was surprised to find out that they are made with merino wool (high quality stuff) and each soap is it's own individual scent-- which is important for me, since I can't really stick to one scent for long. Like Pokémon, I gotta have them all!!!  :)

Check them out here at SoFino's Etsy Shop.

Halloween Candy

Feast your eyes on a real sweet treat! Halloween Candy Soaps! :)

Chocolate PB Cup from DirtyAssSoaps (I friggin' love their name!)

Candy Corn Soap-- because what's Halloween without a little candy corn!

Candy Corn Soap by BubblesUpByBethieB

More Candy Corn...

Candy Corn Cupcake Bath Bomb By SweetBodySoaps

Caramel Apple Soap by KcSoapsNMore

World of Warcraft...Soap?

If you read my previous posts, you'll know that aside from soap making and graphic design, that I am a World of Warcraft fan. More of a weekend warrior, or a weekend Druid...I usually when absolutely nothing else is going on.  If you are not sure what World of Warcraft is, click here.


Anyway, I stumbled upon actual World of Warcraft soaps-- who knew?!  Seems like I'm not the only soapmaker who plays! :)

Hearthstone Soap (soap and shop no longer avail...boo!)

This soap will transport you to the inn of your choosing

Mana Potion/Health Potion Soap by DirtyAssSoaps

Drink (no, not really., It's soap) for health/mana rejuvenation

Horde Soap by ElizabethRoseSundry

Horde Sucks! Alliance Rules!   :)

Seeing Orange

 One of my favorite colors of the season, orange is a wonderfully striking color that calls attention. While not demanding as red, orange can convey the feeling of warmth, and in lighter hues, comfort.  

Originally a "fruit of the gods", orange was exclusively for aristocrats and the wealthy, as seen in the symbolic references in Renaissance paintings.   In the Tibetan culture, coral (which is a hue of orange) symbolizes success in life, while in China it is a symbol of longevity.  Eventually, the popularity of the color plummeted amongst the elite since the color was used in logos for fast food restaurants (Burger King or Mc Donald's anyone?).

Still, to me, this color is a wonderful reminder of the season turning. Seeing orange, instantly prompts my mind to brace myself for the crisp cool air of the season. The wafting of spices and sweets in the air and one of my favorite holidays, for which I never dress up for, Halloween!

Here are some orange (and Halloween) inspired soapy presentations.

Enjoy! 

Candy Corn Goat Milk Soap by WickedSoaps

Publish Post

"Dirty" Pumpkin Soaps from BathingBella's Etsy Shop

 

 Halloween Candy Scrub (look at that texture!) from Battybath's Etsy Shop

Sweet Orange Shampoo Bar from DressGreen's Etsy Shop

Back on the Soapy Saddle

It seems that late August/early September often inspire me to make soaps. I'm not sure if it's the cool, crisp air-- or the fact that summer is over and I can finally stand to work in my kitchen.  Either way, was totally inspired to make a couple of soaps for gift-giving.  Pictured above are cream cheese frosting scented cupcakes!

Woodland Pear-scented sugar scrubbies! (so upset that Brambleberry no longer carries it-- whaaa!) :(

Vanilla buttercream bars and hearts! (Waiting for them to fully turn brown)

This is just a small part of my inventory. Not sure if I'm going to build it up and sell on Etsy again. With a full-time job and furthering my education, I feel like I'm often pressed for time... but we'll see. :)

Heirloom Soap Works Review

These soaps are absolutely divine. The owner, Becky, was nice enough to let me choose my samples. Having never tried goat milk soaps before, I chose Cedar Trails and Oatmeal, Milk and Honey and I was really pleased! Her soaps are generously sized, hand-cut and really convey a rustic, homemade feeling. 
The soaps lather up nicely into creamy fragrant bubbles. The two scents I chose were more outdoorsy  in aroma. Oatmeal, Milk and Honey smelled like homemade comfort, while Cedar Trails reminded me of lathering up somewhere in the woods somewhere. Both soaps left  my skin soft and wonderfully clean and moisturized with a hint of scent. 
The best part? These soaps are made with natural oils and ingredients... so basically, no funny stuff!!
Heirlooms Soap Works definitely live up to their name.

Thank you, Becky!

Check out her artisan soaps here.

Red: It's the color of passion

Known as as a very emotionally-striking hue, red symbolizes many things from love and Valentine's Day, to blood and war. Phsyciologically, red stimilates the adrenaline glands and activates the senses.  This attention-getting color is strong-willed itself, expressing strong emotions to the viewer. It's even proven that wearing red improves confidence in the wearer and commands the presence of others. If you want to create a visually-exiciting, emotionally-striking soap, then red is your color. 

Red Cherry Bath Jello Soap from TemptationsBathNBody's Etsy Store

Raspberry Vanilla Shea & Cocoa Butter Soap from Simply Suds Etsy Store

Cinnamon Red Hots from CatherineFilippelli's Etsy Shop

Visual Catnip: Fresh Cut Soaps

These soaps from Fresh Cut Soaps are bright, glittery soaps and absolutely wonderful. One of my favorites is Hippie, for its contrast in colors and deep, crisp swirls.

Rainbow Rockstar is a sweet, cotton candy-like soap that's a visual, rainbow delight. Very psychedelic! It's a combo swirl of what looks like 6 different colors (yes I counted) Not an easy feat with cold process soap.  I love how they keep the texture of the swirls.

Herbal-  A beautifully, rustic-looking soap. The beauty in it, is it's simplicity (a great reminder sometimes in this fast-paced city).  Herbal reminds me of Provence and the French Countryside. Very shabby-chic!

Bewitching- because I had to include an awesome pink one. I love the glittery top.


All of Fresh Cut's soaps are truly wonderful and they really have a large variety of cold-processed soaps.  Check them out here.

Blue: the color of calm

According to color psychologists, blue is relaxing to most people and can inspire creativity. Besides it being one of my favorite colors, I've also read somewhere that blue can be an appetitte surpressant and is not the ideal color to paint your kitchen (lol).

Here are some products that are sure to stimulate the creative senses:

Celtic Blue Heart Dish

image from Artyard Studio's etsy store

Summer Breeze

image from lestreasure etsy shop

And lastly, because the Cuban in me couldn't resist... 

 

Havana Soap Bar

image from Epically Epic Soap etsy store

Inspired by a Havana perfumery, this unisex soap is scented with patchouli, sandalwood and a hint of tobacco leaf.  I can't get over it's beautiful Caribbean ocean color. Check out their other cool wares here.

JerseyCats-- Yay!

Most of you don't know, but my real job is actually graphic design/photo-retouching for a well-known magazine.  Just recently, I was contacted by a friend of a friend to custom design a logo for their organization and their site just went live a few days ago!  I'm super-excited!!!


JerseyCats is a Northern NJ-based animal society that focuses on rescuing cats/kittens and finding suitable homes for them.  A great cause!  If you are looking for a cat, or two, and are in the tri-state area, I encourage you to check out JerseyCats first. You can check out their site (and my logo) here.

And, if there is anyone out there who needs any kind of design or retouching work done, feel free to email me directly at:  janiceventura (at) gmail.com

:)

Visual Catnip: Soaptopia!!

This is a great, hand-made soap site!  Soaptopia is a California-based company that specializes in handmade, junk-free body products.  Made with essential and organic oils, these colorful soaps are not only good for you, but they visually stunning!  I also like that they come with ultra-cute names like Petalmint Patty, Staying A-lime, and Somewhere Over the Bathbow  Check out their wonderful, no-frills site here.

 

Blue Pearl Jam from Soaptopia's Website

Oatmeal and Clover Over and Over from Soaptopia's Website

 

 Petalmint Patty (CUTE name!)  from Soaptopia's Website

Gifts for Her: Tampon Case

image from http://www.uncommongoods.com/

As a woman, I find this to be very appealling especially since the building security likes to rifle through all our bags.  As an act of difiance (and sometimes laziness), the bottom of my bag is littered with stray, indiviudally-packaged tampons (hey if they are going to be nosey...).  My problem is trying to fish one of them out quickly.  These cases are not only stylish and discreet, but are also an organized way of traveling with your tampons.  Can I get an AMEN!

You can get them here at uncommongoods.com

Need a Pick-Me-Up?

Image from cheezburger.com/

I'm a huge, huge, HUGE World of Warcraft fan.  I'm more of a weekend-warrior when it comes to video games, since my full-time job, hobbies and other responsibilities tend to keep me busy during the week, but I do love some all-day, weekend sessions with my Nightelf Druid.

These energy drinks are AWESOME-looking!  Fashioned from the game's mana (magic) and health drinks, these high-caffinated babies are just the thing to keep you awake during late night dungeon-runs. Each tiny shot is the equivalent of two Red Bulls or four weak cups of coffee.  While that's too much caffeine for me, I'm sure there is someone out there who needs the pick-me-up after playing for 24 hours straight. Talk about EPIC drinks!

You can find Mana and Health potions at www.thinkgeek.com

For World of Warcraft info go to: www.worldofwarcraft.com

Visual Catnip: Pie Soaps

I'm always amazed to see soap makers take their creativity to new heights. These beautiful, and realistic-looking, dessert soaps are 100% guilt-free.  Indulgence without the calories, now that's what I'm talking about!
Below are Apple and Banana Creme pie:

All images from soapcafe.com

Crystals, Gems and Stones (Oh my!)

And yes, they are soaps!

I've actually tried figuring out this process with a large hunk of melt n' pour soap and failed miserably.  While I don't have pictures of my wanna-be, ruin soap gem (It looked like a wadded up of coal with iridescent mica), I do have some lovely exhibitions of what true soap gems should look like!

Images from amethystsoap's Etsy Store

The question that comes to my mind is "how is it done"?  The amethyst facets and the polished turquoise stones look amazingly realistic.  Though the technique may  forever remain a secret, you can purchase your own amethyst or turquoise soap here.