My family deserves the best

My venture into soapmaking began when my son was diagnosed with severe eczema before he was 6 months old. We were able to determine that he had severe allergies that were causing his outbreaks. My husband and I had made a commitment for me to be a full time caregiver to our children, and while I was home with my preschool aged children I began researching ingredients to produce our own soaps and skin care products. Our business was born of this research, and it has enabled me to be home with my children full time, as well as my husband to join our business once he finished his enlistment with the military.
As a family we are committed to buying handmade products or products from small businesses whenever possible. We believe in supporting family business and making it possible for other parents to be home with their children as much as possible.
After all, our children deserve the best we can give them.

Melissa Gephart, mom, wife, soapmaker, www.BlueHouseSoaps.com
Augusta, Kansas
Monday, July 7, 2008 10:04 pm

4

I'm inspired by fun

I'm inspired to buy handmade and create handmade items because it is so fun!
My kids love to get totally unique handcrafted gifts, whether made by me or by another super-talented WAHM. I love being able to send off my handmade items for other kids to enjoy, whether that's toys or clothing or winter hats, whatever!
Handmade items have a story, a personality, a deeper meaning beyond merely acquiring "stuff".
By buying handmade we can extend our fun times from the playground to diapering to bathtime and bedtime and beyond and support and enrich other WAHMs and families in the process.

Jessica, 29, SAHM/WAHM, hyenacart.com/crochetfuntime
Show Low, Arizona
Monday, July 7, 2008 3:57 pm

2

Reclaimed Tennis Balls

my new passion is finding ways to re-use or up-cycle discarded and often forgotten about items. lately i've been focused on tennis balls. our local tennis club just throws these little darlings away by the hundreds in the summer... in the winter, thankfully, they donate them to local schools and after school programs for crafts and chair stoppers.

after having a child of my own, going through 2 days of back labor before even being admitted to Labor/Delivery and then going thru 16 hours of hospital labor, tennis balls were my major source of comfort. throw a couple in a sock and you have a back massager from heaven! even after delivery i found fun new ways to use my little invention.

after being asked about my little sock wonder from many friends and a few family members, i thought there had to be a better way than to buy new socks and stuff them with used tennis balls. and "peanuts" were born!

i only use previously abused tennis balls from the local indoor tennis club. re-claimed 100% wool yarn and remnant fabric that was destined for the trash (never used) in all of the products. No two are alike and all are hand sewn and crocheted.

MeLisa, 28, SAHM, hyenacart.com/Kokomele
Baltimore, MD
Friday, October 24, 2008 10:24 am

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I am a cutie!

If people will remember things their moms, or grandmoms made for them when they were kids, they will treasure handmade. Or even dads and granddads. It is great to carry on the tradition. If you cannot make it yourself, let someone else do it. It is the idea of handmade, something someone created on their own, that makes it so special.

Bobbinalong, 70, Seamstress, bobbinalong.etsy.com
Westerville, Ohio
Monday, July 7, 2008 10:52 am

2

Continually reinventing yourself.

I am inspired continuosly. This causes much confusion in the direction I should take.

There is always a new idea a new craft project and the like.

Boredom is a concept not known by me.

My latest are patterns which I hope will inspire others to create their own. Limited only by their imagination.

So go imagine, be inspire, and create, and must of all continually reinvent your craft.

Warm And Fuzzy Baby, SAHM, www.WarmAndFuzzyBaby.Etsy.Com
U.S.A.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10:26 pm

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