We did it!

We did it! Our business was just an idea we came up with while on a long car ride.... little did we know that it would become what it is today. It all began when my oldest child was trying to figure out a way she could go to Disney World with her family for her 16th birthday. She wanted to take 9 PEOPLE to Walt Disney World, perhaps one of the most expensive vacation destinations on the East Coast! Did I mention there are 9 of us?!?!?!?!? From that conversation, more or less, a business was born. Soon, a name was decided upon and all the real work began. We made and sold over a thousand bars of soap during our first nine months of business. We also worked hard to make and sell countless candles, lotions, cards, and chap sticks. We are very blessed to have done so well and made so many terrific friends along the way.

A BIG "thank you" is in order for the many friends who helped make our first year of business an incredible success. First, I must mention two awesome soapers. Michelle Rhoades of Mossy Creek Soap and Beth Barton of Sweet Teas Soaps. Michelle taught me to soap. I saw the fun and enjoyment she got out of soaping and it was contagious. I am now just simply addicted to soaping, thanks so much Michelle! Next, Beth was a huge encouragement  to me. She is several years ahead of me in the soap business but
pulled along side of me to offer encouragement and suggestions. These two terrific ladies are very important to me and to my  business.

Sherry Crummy of Crummy Media Solutions  also came through for me and directed me in the right path with some basic business decisions. I do hope to repay her for her kindness. I love it when women stick together and compliment each other with their services.  Classy Lady!

There are so many others helpers to mention. My oldest son started my website. My oldest daughter helped make our lip balm and soap. She also made soap labels and took and edited the photos of our products. All 7 children helped at The Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. All the children also labeled soaps, washed molds, and tested out new scents for me.

My baby girl said it best a few days ago when I was busy in the studio. She was sitting on the staircase enjoying calming fragrances flowing through the house when she said, " I love it when Mommy makes soap."

Mommy loves it too! Mommy also truly appreciates each and every single customer we have had. All of you have made my heart grow happier and happier and happier!!! Thanks for letting Seven Willows be a part of all of your lives.

I want to give a shout out to my parents and my sister who have supported and encouraged me a long the way. Also, my friend Jill has been a partner in creativity since the very beginning.

My biggest cheerleader though has been my husband.  He is an honest and supportive partner and I am so thankful for him. May God continue to bless this little business in the upcoming year.

Looking forward to spending more time with you all in 2014 and looking forward to making many new friends!

Carol

Why doesn't God talk back?

He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8

 

 

My little Dillon had just turned four years old.  He was sitting on the side of  his  bed swinging his little legs and flipping through the pages of his Gideon Bible.  He said, "Mom, I've been talking to God for a long time but He isn't saying anything back." 

 

Have you ever felt that God wasn't communicating with you?  Find refuge in His word and see what God is saying to you.

 

 

He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8

 

 

Dillon playing on "Muddy Mountain," his dirt pile that he got for his fourth birthday. 



Shoes

 

 

 

Do you every have a conversation at your house that sounds something like this? 

"Hurry up.  5 minutes.  We have to leave in 5 minutes or we will be late."  I suppose we all have those rush times usually first thing in the morning when we are trying to get to work or school.

Recently, we were in a rush and amidst the "hurry up and get in the car" mode that we were all in, I heard a sweet but half scared little voice say, "Mom, I can't find my shoes."  Being the no nonsense mom that I am, I quickly shouted, "Did  you look in the car?" And that sweet, innocent little voice simply replied, "Did I look in the car for what?"

Where is the most common place to find lost shoes at your house?

More to soap than Clean

There are as many soap recipes as there are cookie recipes and all offer unique benefits to the user.  Olive, Coconut, Palm and other oils all bring something special to soap but for me, the Essential Oils are where the fun comes in.  Using a variety of Essential Oils enables you to target concerns you may have with your skin or even your mood.   In my most recent batch of soap, I used Cedarwood Essential Oil.   What do you know about Cedar Oil??

FUN FACTS about Cedarwood Oil!

1.  Natural Insect Repellant
2.  Soothes irritated skin
3.  Controls Oil
4.  Promotes Courage and Clarity of Thought - I like this one!  Clarity of thought!!

(sources - Wikipedia and The Everything Soap Making Book)

My Forest Fresh soap also has Tangerine and Lavender EO as well as Pineapple Sage Fragrance Oil.  Great Father's Day gift!   My products can be purchased on line at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SevenWillowsSoaps and at Nostalgia in Downtown Statesboro.  We also have a store at The Statesboro Downtown Farmer's Market on Saturdays.  Come see us!  You will leave smelling good!

 Refresh, Renew and Recycle with Seven Willows Soaps, Soys and Stationeries!

The Seven in the Willows

I don't advertise it. Mainly because when I mention it to someone, their eyes go directly to my stomach.  Embarrassing. My stomach area isn't what it used to be. Whose is??
But, when I do have to confess, I bashfully say, "a lot" but that just invites another question so I finally just answer. 7. There. I said it. I have seven children. Yes, they are all mine and yes, I am married to their dad. 

Honestly, it still amazes me.  We were without children for the first 10 years of marriage but the second ten years of marriage would be the pregnant and nursing decade. I'm so thankful that it resulted in seven precious children whom I love with everything that I am. There are five boys and two girls including one set of twins. Our answered prayers. So, when deciding to start a small business and a blog, I knew I had to have the number 7 in the title somewhere.  So here they are.

The Statesboro Seven. Did I mention they are huge Braves fans?

 

The whole family.  The dad, me and the 7.  Sweet.






Seven Willows at The Farmers Market in downtown Statesboro, Georgia!