I talked my husband into growing a beard. He has a handsome redish blond beard and it fits our hiking, outdoorsy, primal lifestyle.

To keep his skin nice and the beard smooth we decided it would be fun to make our own beard oil. We bought some Argon oil, Jojoba oil, and some essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs . We used this recipe from Fresh Picked Beauty as a base and made our own scent with lime, cedar, spruce and rosemary essential oils. It smells amazing.

I dig making my own stuff and I thought I would share the idea with you all in case you are growing a fabulous beard yourself.

I bought a new banner for my little shop A Wandering Soul yesterday. The name of the graphic designers is Grumpy Sheep. They are based out of Stockholm, Sweden.  I love this shop one because they have a style of art I am totally in love with and two her bio says she met the man of her dreams in World of Warcraft. I love artistic lvl 85 paladins!

I am going to be giving my shop a makeover after the new year. I need to work on my photography today. I need to find a nice place to photography my art. The walls in my house look amazing but none of the colors really pick up nice for a photo shoot of my art. 

I really want to do some art with a luna moth. I am also in love with the really detailed south western style skulls. I have wanted to do a large buddha sitting on a lotus as well. So many plans and as I sit here in my pajama pants and sweatshirt I try to get motivated!

The other day I ordered a shirt on Etsy. The lady who makes them had a HUGE amount of orders that week. The order has been slow getting to me for this reason. I inquired and she apologized profusely. I told her not to worry and she thanked me. I wrote this in response. 

I have come to the conclusion Americans need to change their perspective on consumption. 

I ordered a pair of jeans from Levis the other day. They came to me slow, charged a butt ton of shipping and they sold my address and email to a bunch of companies so now we get boat loads of junk mail. The junk mail even arrived before the jeans I ordered.

I order from you and I know I have made a ethical purchase. I know it will not be streamline like a factory and I can wait. I feel great about the purchase. I think your work is very beautiful and I am really excited to wear it and encourage my friends to order from you as well. :)

-Connie

Dear Beloved Readers,

I have to do a shameless promotion for my small art business. I do work that is eco thoughtful, well made and very original. You can follow me at

https://www.facebook.com/connie.awanderingsoul

and if you really want to support my cause you can buy my work at 

http://awanderingsoul.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading my blog and supporting my work!

Sincearly, 

Connie 

A Wandering Soul

This holiday you should think about buying from small shops. Its a way to ensure that your money is going to your neighbors and not big business. There is etiquette you should try to follow when doing this. 

A artist makes a style of art. If you like that style and order a custom piece you need to expect the artist’s interpretation of that idea. Try not to plan out the details of the piece but rather understand art is a organic and personal process. It is not a factory processed piece. 

In this society we are engrained with the concept that a person has to do what ever we want if they want our money. When ordering something from your creative friends try to get something they have all ready completed or ask for something like what they are all ready doing. Sometimes suggesting new ideas is hard for a artist to take. Its saying “meh.. I like your work but you would be better if you…” You either like the work the person does or you don’t. Sometimes the customer is not always right. 

Knowing a creative person does not mean you are entitled to free work. Telling someone you don’t think their work is worth the price they have on it is SO insulting. I know that when I price something most of the prices makes up for materials I have spent to create it. Monetarily measuring the hours I have spent making the item often doesn’t get much consideration. Saying you can buy the same thing at Wal Mart for a quarter of the price is ridiculous. 

Wal Mart is producing things on a mass scale with low quality materials and paying the people dirt in a third world factory. A person who makes hand made makes their things at the quality they would want in their homes as well. They are not going to cut corners and sneak something toxic into their work just to make a buck. 

Buying from small business takes a whole different mind set then we are used to but the quality of life for everyone can only benefit from it. Thanks for taking the time to read.