20 January 2012

handmade // Elixir Soap with a giveaway


New house = new soap.
I'm moving next week, and that means PACKING.  It also means cleaning out my shower.  I have TONS of shower goodies: soaps, body wash, and about six different kinds of shampoo and conditioner.  Maybe I'm exaggerating a little.  What I do know is that bars of soap are one of those questionable items for relocation: is it worth it to throw half-used soaps into a Ziploc baggie to transport to my new house?

For me, that answer is NO.  My boyfriend would probably beg to differ.  He has one of those soap savers (I actually bought it for him on Etsy) into which he combines all his almost-gone slivers of soap so he can suds every penny of the 99 cents he spent on a bar of Dial.  But I digress.

My point is, I'm on the hunt for new goodies for my shower.  And that means shopping local + shopping handmade = Elixir Soap!  What a lead-in, eh?

 

I LOVE Dyani Brunner's collection of fun soaps in her Etsy shop, Elixir Soap.  I even love the packaging, which means the soap itself will have an extended shelf life (literally) -- lovely packaging deserves to be on display, if only for a little while before I need to actually use the soap contained inside.  Take the Parisian Garden soap set from Elixir!  That wrapping is way too awesome to be discarded, and the lovely seafoam green shade of ribbon is a great complement to the blue tile of the new bathroom I'm inheriting.

Wow, I am spending a LOT of time talking about soap.  Sort of embarrassing.  :)  I'll let Dyani do the talking from here on out!  Make sure you read all the way through for giveaway information!

"Cute as a Button" shea butter soap!
What has been your biggest inspiration as an Etsy artisan?
I try to surround myself with highly creative, inspirational people. I think that the economic recession has fueled a creative renaissance of sorts. Faced with unemployment, more people are taking a chance on their own artistic ventures and crafts of all kinds are just flourishing right now. I also admit to spending a fair amount of time on Pinterest, which is essentially an inspiration machine.

Can you describe your work space and/or work process?
My work room is a prime example of organized chaos. To the outside observer it’s a jumble of crock pots, scales, molds, shea butter, a million little bottles of essential oils and a bulletin board with orders tacked up; but I know where everything is. Every once in a while I’ll go through and meticulously organize everything, but I think I work better when I’m not busy trying to make my work space look like an Anthropologie display.

Who would you say influences you the most as a crafter?
Definitely my boyfriend. When I met him seven years ago he was a struggling comic book artist with a mountain of student loans and many part-time jobs. The easiest thing for him to do would have been to just give up on art, but instead he chose the path of plugging away tirelessly, making connections, and honing his skills constantly. Now he makes a living just on his art, works from home, and has enough spare time to work on personal projects -- a lifestyle that wouldn’t have been possible if he had taken the expected path, or given up when it must have been tempting to do so. Having him around makes it harder for me to be lazy.

Awesome guy gift: Ninja wasabi soap!
How did you come up with the name of your business?
An elixir is essentially a substance that is said to sustain life and cure all ills. While I’m not going to make any claims of magic soap, I will say that it can certainly improve your day. There isn’t a better way to wake up, in my opinion, than a warm shower and a bar of soap infused with exhilarating eucalyptus spearmint, it wakes you right up and leaves you in a good mood. I like the idea that a good bar of soap can, in some ways, be an experience.

What is your personal favorite item for sale in your shop?
Definitely the apple jack peel goat’s milk soap. I leave some out in my bathroom at all times for guests. It smells clean, but subtly spicy, and goat’s milk is so good for your skin.

What is your most cherished possession?
My Bichon Frise Dexter, although I guess a dog isn’t technically a possession. He’s just the most clever, sweet, funny little thing ever. Yesterday in my absence he went into the closet and chewed on my left shoe. I would have been mad, but I couldn’t get past being impressed, because to hide what he did he retrieved the right shoe as well, and arranged them together perfectly by the couch as though I had just taken them off.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast in the lead role as you?
There’s nothing quite as boring as a biography of a youngish person, so my hope would be that Hollywood would be willing to wait a few years to make this movie, until I have a bit more life experience behind me. With that in mind, Dakota Fanning should be about the right age to play me when my theoretical movie comes out, and she’s a very talented actress.

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
An unreasonable amount of organic produce mostly, some of which may have gone bad. I signed up for a farm delivery service with lofty ambitions of cooking healthy meals every night, but I live in downtown Los Angeles, and there are just so many good restaurants… You will also find four Stellas, some blueberry pomegranate juice, and soda. Nothing too exciting.

Where would you like to be in five years? Ten years?
I’ve spent a good percentage of my adult life managing retail stores, and would love to eventually put that experience to good use by opening a boutique. The goal would be to showcase a curated mix of mid-century furniture, soap and body products, of course, and handmade clothing by talented local artisans. Everything I’m doing at this point is sort of a step toward that goal.

Giveaway from Dyani: Bicycle Love Travel Soaps!
Thanks for sharing your shop and a bit of your life with us, Dyani!  I didn't edit down any of her answers because I thought everything was so interesting and I couldn't bear to make cuts.  I also didn't have to edit for grammar or spelling, which is always refreshing -- just like Dyani's soaps!  See what I did there?  :)

Now, Dyani has ALSO offered to bestow a set of her super-adorable set of three bicycle travel soaps upon one lucky Anna Delores reader!  I wish I could participate!!

To enter, head on over to Dyani's shop, Elixir Soap, and add it to your Etsy faves!  Leave me a comment here to let me know you've done this so I can be sure to enter you in the giveaway!  For extra bonus entries, add Anna Delores to your favorites shops (+1 entry), like Anna Delores on Facebook (+1 entry), follow Anna Delores on Twitter (+1 entry), and be sure to follow my blog on Google Friend Connect (+1 entry).  :)  Leave a comment for each completed task so your entries are counted accordingly.

Your mission (should you choose to accept) is get entries in by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 27 (that's one week from today!).  Good luck! 

69 comments:

  1. I ♥ed Elixier soaps. BTW, I ♥love♥ the name, sounds magical!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I ♥ed Anna Delores on Etsy. I was reading on your RAW page about how you came up with your name, and I must say, BRILLIANT!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ashley! My family members all think the name is pretty cool, too. :)

      Delete
  3. added elixir soap as fave, username twlyou

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  4. I added Elixir Soaps to my Etsy faves.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I added Anna Delores to my favorites shops.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I follow Anna Delores on Twitter. @DCGOPGirl here.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I favorited elixer soap!! Please enter me in the giveaway :)

    Erin Phelps
    erinchris07 at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I follow you on google friend connect :)

    Erin Phelps
    erinchris07 at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I favorited Elixer Soap on Etsy!

    kcindyloo at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I favorited Anna Delores on Etsy!

    kcindyloo at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I liked Anna Delores on Facebook!

    kcindyloo at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Following Anna Delores on Twitter! My Twitter name is kcindyloo.

    kcindyloo at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. GFC Follower! Thanks for the giveaway!

    kcindyloo at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I <3ed elixir soaps on etsy
    username: Sherry Wasabi
    iluvpolkapie at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I hearted the shop on ETSY
    SweetPeaAngel
    littleangel_mw at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hearted the anna dolores shop on ETSY
    SweetPeaAngel
    littleangel_mw at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow them on FACEBOOK.
    fb = Michelle Dippel
    littleangel_mw at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Added Elixir soaps to my favorites on Etsy

    ~ Modern Buttercup on Etsy

    ReplyDelete
  19. Added Anna Dolores shop to my favorites! :)

    Modern Buttercup on Etsy

    ReplyDelete
  20. hearted shop

    sonflower277 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I added Elixir Soaps to my favorites. (shannyfoust)

    Shannon F.
    shannybakes(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I added Anna Delores to my favorites. (shannyfoust)

    Shannon F.
    shannybakes(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I like Anna Delores on facebook. (Shannon Foust)


    Shannon F.
    shannybakes(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I follow Anna Delores on twitter. (shannyfoust)

    Shannon F.
    shannybakes(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. GFC follower. (Shannon Foust)


    Shannon F.
    shannybakes(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I hearted the soap. There are tons of fun scents to try in that shop!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I added the shop to my favorite on etsy ( tran nguyen)

    ckaylie777 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I followed you on twitter ( ckaylie777)

    ckaylie777 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I added you to my favorite on etsy ( tran nguyen)

    ckaylie777 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I liked Anna Delores on Facebook ( Kaylie Nguyen)

    ckaylie777 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. added to my etsy favs (LuvSophie)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Christina - xristya@rock.com - I'm not on Etsy so I can't add it to my faves, but I certainly do like the beautiful bicycle soaps!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Favourited Elixir Soap on Etsy.
    fromfurrin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Added Anna Delores to my favorites shops on Etsy (name on Etsy = From Furrin).
    fromfurrin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Follow Anna Delores on Facebook as "Vicki Vix" (FB name). fromfurrin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. "From Furrin" follows ANNA DELORES via GFC.
    fromfurrin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I faved Elixir Soap (EustaciasGarden)

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm following Anna Delores on Twitter (Eustaciasgarden)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I faved Anna Delores on etsy. (Eustaciasgarden)

    ReplyDelete
  40. I added Dyani's shop, Elixir Soap to my favorites on etsy.

    Username: pinklady705

    2liv2laf2luv at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I added your etsy store, Anna Delores Photography to my favorites.

    Username: pinklady705

    2liv2laf2luv at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. gfc follower - pinklady705

    2liv2laf2luv at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Elixir Soap is my fav. on Etsy

    writingdame at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I fav Elixir soap on etsy.
    melk103103(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I added Anna Delores to my favs on etsy.
    melk103103(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I follow you blog on GFC.
    melk103103(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. entered to my etsy faves username michele pineda or micaela6955

    micaela6955 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. also favorited the shop on etsy username micaela6955 or michele pineda
    micaela6955 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. your GFC follower michele p
    micaela6955 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Gladly hearted the shop!

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hearted your shop as well. =)

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I like your FB page!

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I follow on Twitter as @whitneylindeman.

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I follow via GFC.

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I ♥'d Elixer soaps on etsy (I'm DeeConstructed there!)

    ReplyDelete
  56. ♥'d AnnaDelores on etsy (I'm DeeConstructed)

    ReplyDelete
  57. Elixit soap has gone offline on Etsy for some reason but I'm following you on google friend connect and I love the soap! beautiful

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the heads-up, Lindsay! I've contacted Dyani to see what's up!

      Delete
  58. Thanks for the heads-up, Lindsay! I've contacted Dyani to see what's up!

    ReplyDelete
  59. It won't let me do mandatory entry
    It says "uh oh page is down" :(

    farrah_jo@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I made your shop a Favorite

    farrah_jo@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Like you on FB
    Farrah Shumway

    farrah_jo@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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