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.

Bringing the Beach To You

SEA SHELLS AND SAND TILE ART

Cheryl and I attended our first ever Etsy Craft Party in Nanaimo last Friday. What really impressed me was the fact that this party was actually going in other cities all over the world! It proved to be an innovative way to connect and network with other Etsyians while forming new friendships, exchanging ideas and learning new crafts. And, I must add, share delicious snacks... very important!

Speaking of connecting, my niece came to the party with her mom. I hadn't seen either of them for a long time so it was really an extra special evening for me. She was teaching us a few beading techniques and, while referring to a few of her jewelry pieces, she used a term I had never heard before... "UFP's". So I asked her what that meant and she replied, "Unfinished Projects." I laughed and told her I could certainly relate to that!

This Sea Shell and Sand Art Tile you see here was one of those 'UFP's that I finally decided to finish. Now I must tackle a few other 'UFP's' and hopefully change the meaning of the term to:
'U Forgot to Procrastinate'!

I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy this wonderful weather! I am off to do a Singing Telegram in Duncan, BC today. The poor girl has no idea what is about to happen to her. (Snicker).

Have a happy, creative day everyone!

Our Journey

MERMAID TREASURE BOTTLE - COBALT BLUE

Well it's been such an adventure for Cheryl and I ... when I think of how it all started and where we are now, I never would have imagined it. From selling a few Christmas ornaments at our local art gallery to opening our own online gift shop and now, having our creations selling in two tourist gift shops ('Newfoundland to Nanaimo' and 'The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre'), boggles the mind. I think that what I have learned through our journey is to never say "never" because, if you love to do something and you believe in what you do, anything is possible. One foot in front of the other.

Here is one of our latest creations... the "Mermaid Treasure Bottle - Cobalt Blue". A customer loved the other one she bought so she ordered one in blue as well. So it was sold almost as soon as we made it. Hopefully, we will find a few more cobalt blue bottles as they are very striking.

Tomorrow, Cheryl and I will be getting together to create a new tile serving tray as our first one was sold at the Nanaimo store. Good news! They are rather time consuming but the finished product is very satisfying. It can be used either as a tray or as a seaside art piece for the wall.

Well, today is yet another indoor day due to the fact that it is raining YET AGAIN! So time to catch up on some marketing and blogging. I will be creating a couple of new seaside creations for our site today, too. Good idea for a crummy day! So check out our site soon to see our new treasures! Hope you are having less rain than we are...

Something Brand New At A2Sea Creations

Heavenly Seaside Beach Cottage Wreath

I just love wreaths. When I see a wreath up on someone's door, it says to me, "Welcome... come on in!" So finally I have made one and, the best part... it just oozes ocean!

To make this wreath, I needed to drill holes in the shells that hang down from the top. My hubby David helped me get started and I was on my way in no time. Now I want to drill holes in everything I can get my hands on! Especially if it has anything to do with the sea. I will have to make a large shell mobile one day soon as I just love them!

Because this was my first wreath, it took me a long while to get it just right. Mind you, I am so very picky and will fiddle with things to ad nauseam. I did have an idea of what I wanted to achieve, thanks to Cheryl's gift to me; a wreath how-to book. But having no real experience, except for making Christmas wreaths out of cedar boughs 100 years ago, I found that I continually had to play with it, coming back time and time again to adjust something or add more shells, or what have you. Finally I was happy with the finished product. And I love the feminine quality to it. I have a real fondness for shabby chic and this wreath certainly fits the bill. And what a lovely addition or gift for a wedding!

I will try my hand at various styles... perhaps one that is more rustic looking for the natural buffs. It would have the same kind of feel as our 'Washed Ashore - Rustic Bottle' we sold awhile back; one with primarily driftwood, seaweed and natural fishing net. The sea's the limit! And the sea has so much to offer. And we have so many ideas!

Christmas Bazaar This Friday!

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR THIS FRIDAY!

A2Sea Creations has been invited to a local Christmas Bazaar this Friday. Come and get into the spirit and get your Christmas shopping done at the same time! Hope to see you there!

Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Time: 1:30 to 3:00 pm
Locations: Eagle Park Health Care Facility, 777 Jones St, Qualicum Beach, BC

Click on the map for map link: