Today is Uplift & Encourage Women Day

Ok so I made that up. But there are always times when we as women whether married,single, with children or without need that extra boost to get us through the day.

The following song has been on my spirit lately and I wanted to share it with you.

This video is by Mary J Blige. She has been an inspiration to alot of women because she has gone through some tough times as an artist and has risen from each and every one of them. The song is called Work That and listen to the lyrics:



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Business Book - Craft Inc

Ok call me crazy. I am a wife, mom of three (2 girls & 1 boy) and soapmaker entrepeneur. When do you have time to read??? I make time. When I have to drop my girls off to school and pick them up, I have a "small" window of opportunity to read things that help me with my business.

My current read is Craft, Inc - Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business - by Meg Mateo Ilasco. It focuses on those of us that have a hobby that you love and want to take the first steps to turning it into a business. It is talks about finding your passion, naming your business, time management, producing your product for retail and wholesale, pricing. What I really love is the author talks about blogging, email newsletters and advertising. She is current with all the latest programs and technology that is available. Within every chapter the author interviews other indies who discuss the subject matter, pitfalls they encountered and advice for others.

I would highly recommend this book for inspiration to all indies.

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A New Earth - Chapter 1

This portion of the book was a conceptual overview of what the author wanted readers to know about the book. You can dub the book New Age or whatever you want. But it was not written for you to change your way of thinking. If you are not looking to change your present state of being then as the author states, it is meaningless. It is a book to help you be more aware of yourself. As the author stated from the telecast on 3/3/2008, “the basis of your life is the present moment”. It is not what happened to you in the past and what you want for your future but now.

One question that Eckhart Tolle posed at the end of our session last week was, “Am I ready to be still?” This hit me like a ton of bricks because my goal for this year and onward is to practice stillness. I did not know if that meant meditation or what. But I now know that just being present is what I was seeking.

You can view last week’s telecast at www.oprah.com/anewearth. You never know, if you are moving toward deeper spirituality this may enhance what you are doing right now.

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Teleconference on Blogging for your Business

Last night I had the opportunity to listen to a free teleconference on How Blogging can be a Key factor for your business. The teleconference was held by Donna Maria of Indie Business Blog.

I have read her blog posts on the 1-2-3 on Blogging as well as other posts that deal with why blogging is beneficial. This phone conference went over:
- the most popular blog sites
- their advantages and disadvantages
- a view of other bloggers using these blog sites
- what are some of the things you can write about in your blog
(related to you business or otherwise)
- and whether blogging is for you.

I found it beneficial to me because I started a blog after viewing a blog I look at for inspiration http://www.soap-queen.blogspot.com/. But I realize that since my business was stagnate, my effort to write anything in my blog was stagnate as well. The advice that Donna Maria has reminded me to put the effort in even when it
seems like nothing is going on.

I have already taking her advice to heart by entering 3 post this
week alone. :)

So thank you Donna Maria for all your work with the phone conference and I hope to become a member of the Indie Business Network soon.

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Oprah Book Club - A New Earth

I am taking the 10 week live class with Oprah's Book Club that is focusing on the new book by Eckhart Tolle "A New Earth". Why you might say? I have now idea. I was looking at Oprah one day and toward the end of the show she was discussing the book and spoke with others
that have read the book. I was curious to find out what was the big deal with this book. I have read "The Secret" not because she recommended it, but because of the testimony that I received from my best friend who read it and applied it to her life. Believe me I am a skeptic for alot of things. I am also a spiritual person trying to walk according to how Jesus and the Holy Spirit want me to walk despite falling numerous times (smile). But I figured I would get in on what all the talk was about. I have started me first homework assignment for chapter one and I will say I am more conscious of how I do things. I don't know that I attribute that to the book or to the fact that I have taken the time to slow down in various areas of my life. The live experience was good yesterday until my DSL line wanted to have an attack.
Seems that everyone was having issues because of the increased traffic.

Well I be able to look at the rest of the session without interruption. I will keep you all posted on my progress and whether it is worth the read.


~ Diana ~

New Month, New Possibilities

I am writing this post to praise the Synergi Group,LLC on a wonderful week of Teleseminars for Women in Business and those how are starting a business. There was definitely something for every aspect of our lives. From learning the tricks of Social Networking from the 2techdivas, learning how to be a self made millionaire from the Dynamic Diva, or learn to start a web-based business on a shoestring from Khrys Vaughn of HerStartup. There was so much information and it was all free for those that are a part of the Synergi Group or HerStartup circle. It is easy to get all the information from other ladies who have been where you and I are at in this world of new found entrepreneurship. Sign up for their free newsletter on either of their sites and join the camaraderie and listen to wisdom from others that have done and are successful.

Listening to some of the ladies has continued to inspire me and remind me that anything is possible. It is a matter of my attitude and the belief in myself and what I have to offer.


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First Hot Process Soap Attempt

I attempted my first Crockpot Hot Process way of making soap.
Here is a picture of my results:

I made a Lavendar scented soap. The blue swirls in the soap are from blue oxide I got from Brambleberry. I follow the CPHP tutorial from the That Soap Site. The pictures and instructions were right on point. What I love about the CPHP, I was able to use this soap in two weeks as opposed to waiting 6 weeks for it to cure. I would assume that the curing results would vary based on the type of soap you make. Whether the end product has basic hardening oils or luxury oils that take longer to cure. I will be selling these bad boys very soon. Look out. :)

Have you tried CPHP soapmaking before? If yes, what were your results? If not, then why not?? Comments are welcome.