art + alchemy

Oh, woefully neglected web log...

2010-07-27T22:14:00.000-07:00

forgive me. I'm working on making it up to you. I have so much to tell you about. Loads of fun interesting inspirational things coming up.

Meanwhile, enjoy Orange You Sexy, our newest soap. An a-peeling, sensual blend of sweet mandarin orange & neroli, just the right balance of energizing and sexy. Gratuitous loads of lather, bits of natural exfoliating orange powder & peel, and wispy calendula petals dancing throughout.

I admit though, as much as I adore this soap, the real reason I'm posting a pic is to get the 2010 pic off the top of the blog. C'mon now, it's almost August already. Sheesh, this year is on roller skates or something.

Prosperity abounds...

2009-12-31T19:21:00.000-08:00

and it's ours if we're brave enough to step up and claim it.

You have given us the courage these last twelve months to boldly march ahead, to dream, to create, and to turn this hope into an exciting reality. We wouldn't be where we are without you.

Wishing you every sort of bravery and prosperity in 2010.
~your biggest fans,
Kelley & JT

Milestones

2009-12-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

We finally have enough fans our our Facebook Fan Page to get our own URL! http://www.facebook.com/BodyLuminosity

But wait, there's more!

We're at 199 Etsy Sales! We're so excited about hitting our 200th sale that we're offering FREE SHIPPING to Etsy sales #199-210! Details here http://www.etsy.com/shop/BodyLuminosity

Sneak a Peek...

2009-12-04T00:58:00.000-08:00

We're making progress on our new website...what do you think?
http://www.bodyluminosity.com/

Keeping Sweet

2009-10-25T11:31:00.000-07:00

I've been searching stores for years for an alternative to commercially prepared deodorants, and have found that there really aren't a lot of options.

My criteria: Products that are effective and free from aluminum and harsh bacteriacides.

So what's a girl to do?

Make her own, I say!

I'd like to introduce the product of this search, our own Vegetable Protein Deodorants.

It works by converting body odor producing enzymes into simple salts. Our effective non-staining formula is free of aluminum, bacteriacides, parabens and alcohol.

We currently have seven awesome fragrance options: Bamboo Sugar Cane, Cedar & Saffron, French Laundry, Oakmoss Sandalwood, Small Graces, Sojourn & Tahitian Vanilla; PLUS 3 options that are fragranced with essential oils (no artificial fragrances!) Lavender Rose, Mandarin Neroli and Sequoia Woods.

These products allow your body to do what its meant to do.

Yes, we're supposed to perspire.

But now you can do it while remaining sweet, fresh & healthy.

You can find them in our Etsy Store.

A Comfortable Old Friend

2009-10-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

It's an unusually blustery October Tuesday, and I'm excited Autumn has finally arrived.

I love the cool crisp air, the smell of fallen leaves and mulled cider, the muted palette of the sleeping garden.

Time to tuck in and read, knit, dream & create.

Whirling Dervish

2009-10-06T23:49:00.000-07:00

I'm not exactly sure where the past few months have gone, but I do know where the next few months are going.

We're preparing for our festivals, upgrading our website, revamping our Etsy shop, introducing new products and scent options, and best of all, we've finally updated our packaging! And because of the new packinging we're reshooting all of our photos. We're liking the new look!

What do you think?

Back to busy

2009-05-24T01:03:00.000-07:00

...and we're launching so many new products to love!

Here are our two latest Silky Lip Butters, Vanilla Mint Icing and Island Coconut.

Made with our popular hand-crafted base, this lightly glossing lip butter contains natural ingredients like cocoa butter, shea and aloe, coconut oil, soy wax, lavender & chamomile, creating a soothing experience for your lips.

These join our lineup of Pomegranate, Caramel, Berry Blossom, Mandarin Pineapple, Root Beer, and other lip-smacking treats. You'll want one in every flavor.

New Digs...

2009-04-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

The unpacking is almost complete, everything is settling nicely into place.

Our new workshop is comparatively speaking, VERY tiny. Our old warehouse was 2400 sf, and this is, well, much smaller. But along with tiny comes cozy and comfortable. And cute. A beautiful new space to create.

It's a bit freeing to not have so much stuff around, so much of a burden to support.

I think I'm going to like this.

Inspired

2009-01-14T10:41:00.000-08:00

For our New Year's 15th Anniversary John and I ran away for an extended weekend to explore the Monterey coastline. We never tire of the rugged serenity, and are always a little sad to leave it behind on Sunday afternoon.

The weekend was warm and bright, it was so nice to leave January in Auburn! We took the 17 mile drive through Pebble Beach toward Carmel, absorbing the view, ocean air, and scents of Cypress & Eucalyptus. I came away refreshed and inspired, with renewed energy to create new products and a plan to drive our business to the next level.

But I also came away with something else. I know you've seen the iconic image, but it struck me this time with new meaning that I want to share with you. (Yes, it's a stock photo. Sadly, we forgot our camera that weekend.)

This tree has been clinging steadfastly to that rock for over 200 years. It's weathered more than 200 years of wind & storms, but it stubbornly refuses to let go, using it's inner strength to hold on.

We hear about the "economic climate" about a dozen times a day, more if we listen to the news. I consider all this bad news the wind and storms that threaten to budge us from our rocks. With so much negativity in our faces everyday it's easy to lose confidence, energy, heart.

Some days letting go seems like it would be blessed relief.

But then what happens?

We become a statistic.

More fuel for the fear fire.

So, do we let go, or hold on tighter?

I'm not ready to be firewood yet.

I give you my sincerest wish for a prosperous 2009.

The last dash...

2008-12-20T12:06:00.000-08:00

The Holiday Season is winding down and we're almost at my favorite part.

The part where it's just too late to possibly do anything else, so you just have to find acceptance and be at peace with what you did accomplish, and enjoy the most important things.

The quiet of Christmas morning after the sound of wrapping paper being destroyed, and the kids have gone off to explore their new gadgets.

The smell of pumpkin pancakes and maple sausage for brunch.

The brisk walk with Hubby and/or DD up the vineyard hill.

The long winter's nap snuggled up to my softly snoring man.

You see, it never was about shopping, decorating, baking, or gifts after all.

It was about them.

Merry Christmas to you all.

You found us....

2008-09-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

...and we're glad your here.

We're a newish bath & body company, but bigger than that we're friends. And Moms.
And citizens.

We really wanted to create a business that blesses not only our families and our small circle of influence, but our community as well.

A luminous life is a life well lived.

We strive for it daily.

We wish it for you, too.

~JT and Kelley