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Subtitle

A personal look at the trails and triumphs of creating. Creating a business, creating a Sacred Self Care practice and creating your authentic self.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself

Ha! I got a song lyric title.

Anywho, today is the first day of Blogging 101 for me and the topic is: Introduce Yourself to the World. Hence, the song lyric title of this post.

Hi, my name is Lashette but here mi llamo Scarlet Moon. Why am I using spanish? Because its my second language (though I've lost a lot of it) and I tend to use it playfully when making and creating. I do like to create stuff and after gifting some of the things I have created in the past, a few people told me I should try selling some of what I make. I thought maybe that's a good idea. That way, I make a little extra money and don't become a hoarding recluse, surrounded only by the stuff I've made. No cats or dogs since I'm allergic to both. Alas.

If you've read my blog before, you know that I started this blog a little over two years ago (I used spanish there too). Looking back at that first, welcoming post, I realize that not too much has changed. That's not a bad thing but I had also forgotten that I originally wanted to turn this blog into a newsletter.  I don't know if that will still happen; its not completely off the table though. But what is the same is the content of this blog. I have spoken of new product ideas (just this morning, in fact), I have linked so many links, I do believe I have become the Queen of Links (put that on a tarot card!). Over the past year, I've been consciously trying to incorporate at least one picture in every post. And of course I have included my wordy thoughts all over.

The one thing I do want to get around to is including others recipes (mine are a secret. shhh) because there are tons of awesome creators on the internet and they give me lots of inspiration. I've been trying to build up a blog roll of sorts for places I love to visit for inspiration. Unfortunately, most of those reposts get sent to my Facebook page, which you should all check out. No, I have not given up on it. Yes, I know the algorithm has changed yet again and if you haven't you should read my facebook post.

The last thing I want to include more of is ingredient posts. I've been wanting to for awhile, but I learned something earlier this year that changed my goals for the Etsy business. There's a post about that coming next week so I won't spoil it now. Suffice it to say, I will be working on ingredients posts in the future. Also, in the future will be more Event Services posts. I will be focusing more on that in the future of this year and my life and business-wise I feel that starting an event services business is a blogging niche I can fill.

Essentially, this is a business blog. I am not one for being the traditional type, so this blog will show the emotional side of business ownership as well as .... well.... the business side of business ownership. Over the past two years of blogging my journey so far, I've found that sharing my creations with the world is what I really want to do. Not just as a backup or a little extra money. The foundation of all this is my need to create. I love to create with my mind; I love to create with my hands; I love to create electronically; and I love sharing my creations with others. Its my passion. Hence, Scarlet Moon Creations.

Blogging 101

Hello, hello.

This is a heads up or warning post. I plan to participate in Blogging 101, a blogging prompt course hosted by The Daily Prompt. I know I've been doing this for about 2 years now and I have my personal blog which has been up for 4 or 5 years, but I want to see how I can improve and if I can keep up with daily posts. All posts will be tagged with #blogging101. And yes, these posts will be in addition to the regular business posts I write. Wish me luck!

Making Products for Muscle Aches

On Twitter the other day, I mentioned how I was getting requests for new products. Well, my gym instructor asked about something to offer his more advanced students for aching muscles. Since I had aching muscles I thought I'd give a try at mixing up something with rosemary and chamomile. Rosemary being known to soothe aching muscles and chamomile just being comforting in general.

So when I got home I mixed a bath soak up quick and dirty, took a pic and posted it, then jumped in a bath. I noticed the affects immediately. I had had my doubts since this was a topical application but I had seen people recommend using compresses so I thought why not. But it worked. 20 minutes in the bath reduced the ache in my muscles enough to sleep comfortably that night. However, it was back the next morning.

My next experiment I tried a week later on the premise that maybe massaging in the oils would help. Massaging in general helps my achy muscles. But, I that weekend I had planned to once again take up the challenge of getting my body butter recipe to whip. So instead of a massage oil, I made a body butter with rosemary and chamomile oils. It came out great. I finally figured out how to get the butter to whip and how many drops of essential oils to use to overpower the scent of the butters. When I tried it after my next workout it was wonderful. The butter melts when on the skin, so it massages in easily. Plus the combination made me sleep like a baby with only a slight twinge the next day to let me know there was ever any ache.

So I've got those products ready. I still plan to make the massage oil which is simple. All I have to do now is create a description for each that explains the use, draws customers and yet doesn't make any drug claims so that I do not attract the attention of the FDA. Yeah, you read that right; the Food and Drug Administration. I'll talk about the webinar I attended about aromatherapy labeling and its revelations in my next post. In the meantime look for my new products to be in the Etsy shop soon.