An Amazing Year

Seaside Silk-Lined Gift Box

Well it is certainly an amazing year for Cheryl and I both. It was strange how I had experienced a sense of excitement stirring within me in early January. I just sensed that something was going to be different and special this year. And I couldn't have been more right. In August, I am going to Italy, which is a lifelong dream that I never thought would actually materialize. It is still quite surreal for me as I drool over endless photos of Italy and plan my trip with Cheryl and our friend Dorothy. What a blessing to be able to go with such good friends and share this once-in-a-lifetime experience together.

Cheryl is also going to Africa this year, which is her lifelong dream. We will meet in Rome during the last half of her trip. It is so exciting booking hotels and planning our trip to the Greek Islands as well. Our favorite island so far that we have researched is Santorini. It is breathtaking in every way imaginable.

There are several other wonderful things happening in Cheryl's and my life this year... too many to mention here. But we are both so thankful and we're certainly enjoying the ride. We are very blessed.

Cheryl and I will be spending a lot of time at sea, which is also our passion. The ocean is a constant inspiration for us both as we create new nautical treasures for our site. One of our bestsellers are our gift boxes which are just so perfect for presenting a small gift to someone, or simply giving as a gift unto itself. We sold one to a man who was proposing to his sweetheart and wanted something unique to present the ring in. Our gift boxes are all silk-lined which makes the presentation very elegant. And they are embellished richly with nautical beauty. A perfect favor for a beach wedding or gifts for the bridal party!

A Local Success Story

CLAUDETTE R. DODD
CREATOR/OWNER OF LATHERTONS NATURAL BODY PRODUCTS

Our online shop on Etsy sometimes gives us the opportunity to network with other crafters and artisans here on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC. We had the privilege of meeting a talented fellow Etsyian back in June, 2010. Her name is Claudette Dodd and she was the organizer and facilitator of our local Etsy craft party held in Nanaimo. BC. Besides being a very personable lady, Claudette created her own, successful home-based business called 'Lathertons Natural Body Products'. At the craft party, we were able to try out some of her wonderful products for ourselves and I was very impressed. Besides the fact that her concoctions felt wonderful and smelled delectable on my skin, I was interested in the fact that all of her products are completely natural, not mass-produced, and that she is committed to supporting local businesses when purchasing ingredients for her products.

Lathertons offers everything from handmade soaps to lip balms, foot soaks to bath teas... even hand stitched eye pillows to soothe away the cares of your day. And every sumptuous product is handmade with love by Claudette herself and packaged with professional flare, ready for gift-giving.

How did it all begin, you might ask? Claudette grew up as a farm girl in Alberta and consequently learned many homespun skills such as soap-making, knitting and needlework, to name a few. In 1999 she decided to make her first cold process soap bar and from there, continued to experiment. She created more products and now, 11 years later, Claudette has her own line. She sells them online on Etsy, at the local Farmer's Market in Nanaimo and she also hosts 'Make Your Own Body Products' classes and home spa parties. Book Lathertons for a fun, relaxing night and invite your girlfriends and neighbours!

Besides her Etsy shop, Claudette now has her own website - www.lathertons.com. Be sure to check it out.

You may also find her on Facebook and Twitter

I just read on Facebook that Claudette is busy making up gift baskets, so be sure to get your order in now for Christmas! They are selling quickly so don't be disappointed. It's wonderful to support local business and give unique, handcrafted gifts from our very own Vancouver Island.

A2Sea Is Now In Three Tourist Gift Shops!

OUR THIRD OUTLET

Cheryl and I are quite thrilled to report that our creations are now officially in three tourist shops! This one is the latest... a little gift shop in Brown's Bay Resort, just north of Campbell River.

The lady who owns the resort contacted us through our Etsy site to ask if she could sell our products in her shop. So I decided to go down there personally to meet her and bring basically one of everything we make. She decided to buy just that... one of almost everything - just to see how things sell. She also placed an order for a few more items so, all in all, I would say it was a pretty successful day.

I had arrived ridiculously early as I wasn't quite certain how long it would take me to get there and I haaaaaaaaaaaaate being late. So I walked down to their floating restaurant and had some lunch. You will never guess what I ate... not in a million years. I had sushi with yam fries in the middle! Crazy! I had to order it to try it out because I had never heard of it before. They were quite yummy, btw. I was impressed with the restaurant... the cook gave two free candy-covered ice cream cones to two little girls, which I thought was a really nice touch.

Here is one of the mirrors we sold to Brown's Bay Resort. This one is completely covered in sand: white and brown. We do not have this style on our site quite yet, but we have a similar one that is worth checking out. We will be posting one like this soon so be sure to check out our site from time to time.

So we better get back at it. Looks like we are going to be pretty busy for awhile!

A2Sea Creations Is Now At The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre!

Cheryl and I are pleased to announce that our seaside creations are now at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. They have a wonderful gift shop that has recently been expanded and carries a wide variety of handcrafted items made by Canadian artisans.

This centre does amazing work in rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife on a regular basis. NIWRA is in a peaceful, park-like setting on Leffler Rd in Errington, BC. When visiting the centre you will be able to view eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, ravens, swans, black bears and more. Volunteers and donations are crucial and always needed to keep the centre running. Be sure to spread the news by becoming a fan on Facebook. And I highly recommend coming out to see this world famous recovery centre. It makes for a great family outing as well as a wonderful opportunity to teach children about wildlife. Check out their website for their various events that happen throughout the year.

It is such a thrill and an honour for Cheryl and I to have our seaside creations be included among the many Canadian artisans featured in the NIWRA Gift Shop.

Mother's Day Is Just Around the Corner!

MOTHER'S DAY MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE PENDANT

I don't know about you but I love gifts that are personal and really touch the heart of the receiver. I made one of these pendants for my dear mom-in-law and she just loves to show it off. May 9th is the big day... do you have something for the most important woman in your life? We also sell the same whimsical pendants with an "I Love You" message, which is perfect for the wives, sweethearts and mother's of your children. Please don't forget us!

FREE GIFTS FROM A2SEA CREATIONS!

FREE GIFT CERTIFICATE: Help us get the word out! Simply become a fan of A2Sea Creations on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, and you will receive a $5 Gift Certificate towards your next order! (You scratch our backs...we'll scratch yours!)

Either convo us on our site or email us: (micki@a2seacreations.com) telling us you have done this and we will email you your gift certificate right away. You may use it either toward your next order (of $25 or more) or give it as a gift. If it is for a gift, let us know and we will email it to the recipient of your choice.

For our Facebook and Twitter page button links, check out the right sidebar on our blog.

FREE SHIPPING: Do you live in the Nanaimo/Parksville/Coombs/Qualicum Beach areas? We will deliver your orders right to your door for FREE! Before making your purchase, simply let us know via our site or email us: (micki@a2seacreations.com) and we will create a special reserve listing for you, minus the shipping charges! Right neighbourly of us, don'tchya think?