I have the privilege to meet some very talented people in my life. It is always wonderful to see people put these talents to work.

Below is a brief interview of my friend Tracy Turner who makes and sells her very own line of skin care products called Amariah Naturals.


Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.I grew up in Northeast Ohio, but have lived in various places around the country.

How did you decide on your business name? How did you originally get into starting you own business?The name of the business is actually a combination of my children's names that my husband came up with. After further research, we also discovered that the word Amariah means "God has said"

I got started doing this as a result of my children's bout with Eczema. Both my husband and I have it, and we passed it on to our children. My oldest had mild bouts with it, but when I had my daughter, at 2 weeks old she had a horrible outbreak all over her face, neck and chest. The pediatrician told me it was eczema and said that the only thing he could do is give me a prescription for a steroid cream. Even though I had used the cream on myself before, I was too afraid to use it on a brand new baby, and I began to research things that I could do that would more naturally help her.

I found through my research that most commercial products exacerbate dry skin issues like eczema, and the synthetic ingredients often keep moisture from helping the areas. I learned that most commercial soap is not actually soap at all, but detergent in bar form and this detergent are drying to skin. The first two things I learned how to do was make soap and body butter, so that I could bathe my children and moisturize their skin. In the beginning I only did it unscented, but being the "girlie girl" that I am, I had to have something that smelled pretty too, and began looking for fragrance suppliers that would not compromise the mildness of the soap and butter. My sisters began "taking" them from me, and letting their friends use them. We got so many requests for soap and skin care items that the rest is history.


Please describe your creative process. I can't say that I necessarily have a creative process. I love developing formulas and so I often can't sleep thinking of things that I want to try.

Which item do you enjoy making the most and why?I absolutely love making soap. It is fascinating to me that I can combine these fantastic ingredients, and through a chemical transformation can have an awesome, useable soap!!!!

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your business? What's your best marketing tip?Word of mouth works, and if you offer a good product and good service, people WILL promote your business to other people. Likewise, if you provide bad service, they will tell that too! I am very conscious of providing the best service possible at every opportunity.


Please show your support by visiting Tracy's sites below.

Website: http://www.amariahnaturals.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=ff

Here is a small challenge. Ready? For 24 hours don't complain – about anything! That means NO verbal or written complaints.

What is complaining? In general complaining is an expression of displeasure, pain, or dissatisfaction or resentment. Complaining is the outward expression of discontent within. We may know it by different terms -- such as griping, grumbling, whining, or belly-aching. In the King James Version of the Bible, the common term used was "murmuring."

Regardless of whatever circumstances may cause discontent or dissatisfaction, complaining is always an expression of unbelief toward God's order in our life. The whole premise of Christianity is that Jesus becomes the Lord (boss) of our life and our circumstances. We are in his hands. Thus, if believers complain, it really becomes an accusation against our Lord, in whom we've trusted our lives.*

Yes it will be extremely difficult. But it will also make you realize a couple of thing. First of all it will consciously make you aware of how much you do complain on a daily basis. Secondly, it will make you go to God. You will need to look to him constantly to give you strength and guidance. It will make you change the way you think of a person or situation.

I have been working on this for a while and believe me it's difficult and I have yet to fully succeed but I am more aware of my attitude. I am normally really good while I am at work mainly because I don't talk to anyone! But when I get home I typically go on and on to my husband about this and that and blah, blah, blah. It's horrible! I am also recognizing people in my life who bring the worst out of me. We all have them friends or family who just suck the life out of you. You get caught up in their negative vibe and soon enough you are caught up. If I take time out of my everyday life to realize how blessed I am - I wouldn't let the little things get in my way.

Complaining is unbelief in God's Word which says "...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). If as a Christian I really believed that the Lord is in control of my life, and is working "ALL THINGS together for our good," I would stop complaining and start thanking the Lord for the plan He is working together for me. * I must remain steadfast in faith. God has a plan for everything.

So, my challenge to you is that when something happens or displeases you, instead of complaining, simply notice what's happened. That's it. Don't judge it as good or bad, just notice it, and pray about it. Be grateful and thankful for the things that you do have and are good. Thanksgiving is the expression of gratefulness and faith in God, and is the very opposite of complaining. Giving of thanks expresses appreciation for what God has done what He has promised, and the confidence that He is directing our life with His order and provision. God will answer prayers and work in the behalf of the thankful (Ps. 50:14-15). *

We all have heard the Law of Attraction, what you focus on or put out is what you will receive. It's true, no matter how you look at it. We all know people who complain all the time. Nothing is ever going well for them, and probably nothing ever will - as long as they keep complaining and putting their energy on what they really don't want. Take a moment and think about someone you know that always complains or always has a negative attitude or just plain nasty. Now how often do you want to talk or be around that person? Or are you that person? That person is projecting a negative vibe and most likely people who approach that them have their guard and defenses up. Now think about someone who can always find something good to say about something or someone, someone who is just a joy to be around and truly enjoys life. How often do you want to be around that person? Do you want to be that person? So yes what you project – via verbally or physically is what you will receive in return.

Some people complain because they have a lot of problems. But maybe they have problems because they complain. Complaining doesn't change anything or make situations better. It amplifies frustration, spreads discontent and discord (which God hates - Prov 6:16-19), and can invoke an invitation for the destroyer to cause havoc with our lives. *

How important it is that believers guard the words of their mouth! The scriptures tell us that our words are literally the basis for whether we are justified or condemned. Realizing this, we should eradicate negative words, griping, or grumbling, and fill our mouth with praise and thanksgiving! *

So are you up to the challenge? Make everyday count. Don't take for granted what God has blessed you with. Enjoy life. You can do all things through Christ!

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE! HAVE A GREAT DAY!






Resources:
Complaint Free World: http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/
The Secret: http://www.thesecret.tv/index.html

References:
Stop Complaining! It's Not Good For You: http://ezinearticles.com/?Stop-Complaining!--Its-Not-Good-For-You&id=1489007
Merriam-Webster: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complaining
* Complaining Only Makes Things Worse: http://www.victorious.org/complain.htm

I am part of a wonderful Etsy team called Create Crochet. Every Sunday they ask us a question and encourage us to blog about it. The idea is to help bring traffic to our blogs as well as get to know each other as team members. So this week’s question is:

When did you start crocheting? Did you teach yourself or did someone teach you? Tell us the story of how you became a hooker.

When I was little my grandmother use to crochet, she also did embroidery on pillowcase. As she got older her eyesight got worse and her arthritis got to the point that she had to stop working with her hands. My mother has crocheted for as long as I could remember. She crocheted almost everything in our house from the table runners to the plant hanger. One of my favorite items was the old fashion doll dresses she used to make. They reminded me of the old southern dresses, big and colorful. What I admired the most is that she never used a pattern; everything she made was from the top of her head.

I learned how to crochet when I was 13 years old. It was difficult for my mom to teach me because she was is a leftie, but once I got the hang of it I was hooked!! As I got older I wanted to learn different patterns and different stitches. I bought a book and taught myself how to read patterns.

I enjoy crocheting and for many years have told me I should sell my items. So when I found out about Etsy I decided to open a shop of my own http://www.myhobbyshop.etsy.com/ After being open for about 18 months my shop has done pretty good on sales thanks to my friends, family and the support of other Etsy shops.

Crocheting is something I enjoy doing very much and I look forward to one day teaching my daughter.

So tell me your story - How did you get started?

My cousin is extremely talented and she write poetry. She is praying for the opportunity to be able to publish her book of poetry.

A Husbands Wedding Vows

I look in the skies every night,
watching the stars in Heaven shine bright.
Each star represents the love of my life.
The depths of love, I have for my wife.
This love I have is an infinite amount,
love with no boundaries, unable to count.
To love and to cherish, to honor and obey.
In my heart you will live, my love will never fade.
God saw my life, my empty vessel, my heart withdrew.
Therefore he kissed my ribs, and with my heart, he sent me right to you.
You are what I pray for, yes you have blessed my life,
God knew exactly what he was doing when he made you my wife.
As we continue to pray together,
so that in Christ we can stay together.
We will Thank God for our union.
And know I will love you until the day I die,
because until you my life had never began.
My love is forever yours,
so for you scream Thank you Lord!

Sherritta Lenice Woods

There was once a king who offered a prize to the artist who could paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures, but there were only two that he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The second picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest.... a perfect picture of peace.

Which of the pictures won the prize?

The king chose the second picture.

Do you know why?

"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

That is the REAL meaning of peace.

~Author Unknown~

Here I am posting my very first blog. From what I have read this is a great way to obtain customers and allow people to view your items. I am looking foward to trying this out and seeing how it goes. So what are some things YOU blog about?

Feel free to visit my shop: myhobbyshop.etsy.com and let me know what you think of my items. I have also started a Facebook Fan Page - please feel free to join facebook.com/myhobbyshopfanpage

Thanks for visiting my blog.
Lily