In fact, it’s been so good the last 2 weeks, I’m sold out of most products and decided to close for the rest of the year.  I can’t replace our gift basket stock fast enough nor did I imagine we would ever go through so much Hemp Soap.  So instead of having just a few items, I decided to take the holidays off and make up some new products for the New Year.  I’ll be posting some updates through the coming weeks.  You can always follow my adventures on Twitter or over at Facebook on our Fan page – though I do get behind on that too….come to think of it, that’s a New Year’s resolution.

Again Happy Holidays!

The Totally Indie Coupons program is run by the super talented indie designer Lindsay Landis who also handcrafts adorable dog and cat collars over at Pattern & Paw

And Lillie over at A Planet 4 Creation helps to mail all the boxes to us….plus she cuts everything up which is an indulgence I haven’t taken her up on.  She makes the prettist blue and white porcelain earrings that I just love and have several pairs!

Now all US address orders (including APOs) have the option of just $5 shipping for any size order.  And this includes delivery confirmation so you can see your order progress too with the Postal Services scan forms they now use.

We offer the option of UPS Ground and UPS 2nd Day Air for those that only want UPS, but these services rates are based on UPS’s prices, not a flat rate.  To receive the flat rate shipping price of $5, you must use the US Postal deliver service.

International orders are shipping using USPS Global Priority mail and I try to find the most economical packaging to save you money.  If I can pack an order and the cost is less than the web quote for your order, I’ll adjust the final charge.

With shea butter, hemp, avocado and apricot kernel oils, skin feels soft and moisturized right out of the shower without the need for a lotion

Now with every order, you’ll receive a pack of Totally Indie Coupons loaded with discounts from 40 different indie designers.  We’ve participated previously and this time around Botanical Earth will be in both sets – so beside this first set of 39 designers (plus us makes 40), we’ll have another set of coupons for 39 other designers as we are in both Round 6a and b!

Shortly the entire list of participating indie businesses will be listed on the Totally Indie Coupon site.  Only by ordering from one of the stores involved will you be able to receive a pack.  I can say there’s a 20% off Botanical Earth coupon in there that’s good till August ‘08!

The clever woman behind this coupon co-op has a store of her own at Lindsay Designs – there you’ll find THE most adorable pet collars and ribbon accessories for people.

Botanical Earth has been a member for over 3 years now, and I usually go to the National Green Pages to source vendors or services we need first – that’s how I found Marion from ClearVision Copywriting who wrote a lot of our press releases! 

 So again, whether you want to vote for us or another favorite business – vote and checkout all the different companies on the National Green Pages!

A plus for you - if you buy our Botanical Earth products on the Wonderland Retreat Etsy store??  I am covering the shipping to any domestic US address – so *free shipping for you!  All you do is pay for the basket and the shipping is free.  Now do be aware not all the items in the Wonderland Retreat Store on Etsy are offering free shipping, so read all the product descriptions carefully, or just email Alison and the gals at the store and ask if you have questions – they are super nice!  I was contacted a while back to see if I would donate items to help with a fellow crafter’s medical bills. Now that she’s up and going well again, I decided to leave our Lavender Gift Basket and Thank You gift on the Wonderland Retreat Store to help Elijah’s cause.

There’s lots of different goods in the shop all donated by other indie designers too.  I personally love the Vintage Obi Wallet by Kimono Momo and you’ll find paintings, necklaces, cards and much more.  Remember though, a lot of the handmade goods are one-of-a-kind pieces so if you like it, you better not wait.

Now don’t you want to feel good inside and out, plus get free shipping?? Go shopping at http://wonderlandretreat.etsy.com today!

For the FoA’s silent auction, I donated a Lavender Manila Hemp gift basket and a cheetah hand beaded Kenyan baskets filled with patchouli and jasmine soaps.

The Friends of Animals party will be held April 20th in New York City.  You can find out more about the work by the Friends of Animals and also about the party at their website http://www.friendsofanimals.org/

You’ll find a lot of fun and creative ideas along with fashions for kids and moms – it’s mom, kids and indie designer focused.  I don’t have children, but I do have friends with little ones, and Boutique Cafe has given me some great sources for gifts throughout the year.  There’s a blog and an active forum to browse along with podcasts.  I love finding new designer things for my friend’s children instead of all those mass market baby/kid gifts at the malls – you’ll find lots of fun things at Boutique Cafe if I say so myself…..now back to the business of soap making.

If you end up with an April Samplers, you may receive one of our soap samples (we sent in 25 Simple Rosemary, 25 Herbal Shampoo, 25 Patchouli Citrus Soy Milk and 25 Lavender Soy Milk) plus a coupon for 15% off a Botanical Earth order.