Freebie Friday's Review Roundup

Today's reviews are again about some lovely ladies from the Sampler Village Team. :)  I can't get enough of these amazing and talented shops in the box!

The Realist Mermaid
Facebook and Etsy
Item: Vegan Marshmallows in various flavors
My Review:  Through a promo/coupon the shop owner was running, I was able to procure a box full of marshmallows for free, I only had to pay shipping.  Totally worth it.  I cannot tell you how much AWESOMER (yep, just made that up) handmade marshmallows are.  SO fluffy, SO creamy, SO flavorful, SO YUMMY.  Since they're handmade, they need to be consumed within 10 days, or refrigerated/freezed (ok, made up another word) until you're ready to eat.  I just immediately put them into my tupperware to pop in the fridge, no problemo.  I got a good variety and I was really surprised at which ones I liked the most: Irish Coffee and Lemon Meringue.  I'm not a big coffee or lemon flavored person... but I think that's a big testament to the ingredients.  They're all-natural, organic, kosher, gluten free - I don't usually specifically seek out these attributes, but I feel pretty darn good when I eat that way. :)  Any way to trick my mind into thinking marshies are healthy, I'm cool with!!!  You can clearly tell the ingredients are fresh, and I was so amazed by her creativity with the flavors.  (P.S. She's running a sale right now!)

Farm Hussy

Website

Item: Lip Balm flavored in An Ornery Lil' Custard

My Review:  I can't get enough of Farm Hussy and I'm not ashamed to keep plugging this business!  I haven't used silkier lip balm ever before!  The texture is unlike others, but that's a good thing.  Feels so good to use on my lips.  And, of course, like always, the scent is so yummy.  (After trying my first handmade lip balm about three years ago, I've kissed commercial ones goodbye.)

My Lip Candy

Facebook and Etsy

Item: Banana Coconut lip balm

My Review:  OMG, this has got to be my most FAVORITE scent I have ever gotten in a lip balm!  I'm totally loving it!  Banana is my favorite flavor/scent, and I love a good coconut scent as well.  I would never have guessed these smell so good together!  It doesn't smell like Pina Colada or something tropical like you would think; which to me is such a refreshing change of pace since that's usually the route these scents are taken.  You can smell each note separately and strongly, which I really appreciate, but they blend so well together.  This is a beeswax lip balm, which I'm not usually a fan of, but it's actually silky and slides on nicely.  I usually find beeswax to be stiff and sticky, but this balm truly isn't.

Piccolo Paradiso

Facebook and Website

Item: Snowball shaped soap

My Review:  Enclosed in the box, this sample is HUGE.  Almost too big to handle, although I could probably cut it in half.  But I'm not complaining about a big sample. :)  Lather is nice, I really can get some suds going, and my hands don't feel dried out after but soft (drying soap is a pet peeve of mine).  However, I can't smell what scent it is, and I can't tell from the packaging, unless it's unscented.  I thought the snowball was a cute idea for the winter months. :) 

{{Each Friday I do a multitude of short reviews to sum up my experiences with free product I used since the last posting.  I am not compensated for my reviews other than the fact that I did not pay for the product.  However, this product was earned through Facebook contests, other free contest means, or somehow free, through my own efforts.  The shops are not notified of the review until posted.}}

The Big Waste: Follow-Up

Yesterday I ran my errands, including the grocery store.  I was so proud of myself: I walked the walk to back up my talk.  They had just refilled the bananas, all of which were green. Which is fine, just means I gotta wait a couple days for them to ripen (which is what I prefer anyways).  Lo and behold, I found a double banana!  Looks like two fused together while growing.  This banana is huge (the whole crop was) and I wasn't sure if anyone would take this "freak" of nature.  But I actually think this sucker looks pretty cool. :)  Banana smoothie here I come!  When it came to picking out my other produce, I was very careful NOT to rummage through any - I shopped with my eyes.  I needed a small bell pepper and picked up one with a slightly wrinkly skin.  I could tell it was still good, it just had some funny skin.  Considering it's going into the Crockpot, I knew it was ok to take this "reject".  Or what I assumed probably would be.

I'm pretty darn proud of myself - I love putting knowledge to good use. :)  So... did you put your Big Waste knowledge to work this week?

Monday Blues: The Big Waste

When I saw the commercial last week for Food Network's premier of The Big Waste, I could not be more ecstatic that a big time TV station was running a powerful and poignant educational program on such an earth (un)friendly issue.  I have always been an advocate of more earth friendly practices: recycling, reducing electricity usage, etc.  I hate that so many Americans blindly and ignorantly perform such eco-unfriendly practices each day.  Now, I'm not saying we should all be the next Alicia Silverstone or anything, but we all could certainly learn a thing or two about how to be more eco-friendly in our daily practices.  Or insist that all cities institute recycling programs.  I knew I would not be surprised by what I watched, but, at the same time, I knew that could be a false hope.

I hate food waste.  I really do.  If I don't eat all the food on my plate, it becomes leftovers without question. With millions of people starving in the world, I am not about to be someone who wasted food that was lucky enough to have it.  I.refuse.to.be.ungratefully.glutonous when so much of the world could gratefully use a fraction of glutton.  So yes, my panties do get in a bunch when I see what a "normal" portion size has become in America's food industry.  I pass by people every day that would do anything for a hot meal, anything to eat; all while corporations just keep stacking patties to see who can come up with the next colossal big burger.  And we wonder why obesity is an epidemic.

I watched the special tonight while having dinner.  I am not gonna lie: I was giddy with excitement while watching it.  Not because I wanted to see food wasted, but, rather, that top chefs were having their perspectives re-calibrated with countless other Americans watching the show.  I have to give my top props to the Freegan that was featured in the show.  I wish I had the guts to go dumpster diving like he does because I think he has a brilliant idea of utilizing the "wasted" food.  Not only is he practicing eco-friendliness, but he is saving a lot of money on food.  There really shouldn't be any shame in dumpster diving; it's unfortunate that there's a stigma attached to it.  People from all walks of life could benefit from it for multiple reasons, as evidence by this show.

And I did learn some new things.  I learned what practices I could be utilizing to help cut down on the waste.  I could be less perfectionistic when it comes to my food.  I could pick up a pick of produce that has a healthy blemish on it.  I learned that just because it might look slightly sad on the outside, doesn't mean the inside is the same, too.  I learned I could look more closely at a piece of food to see if it is "bad" sitting there on the shelf.  And to be more careful when rummaging through produce (I'm usually trying to find the smallest one for lil ole me).  Can that cliche "It's what's on the inside that counts" really apply to food as well?  *Gasp* By golly, I think we might have got it!

I really hope this special has opened people's eyes and brings about change in the world.  Everyone who has a TV should watch it.  And everyone who doesn't have a TV... well... it may be possible that those are the people that could use the good "scraps" and we should do something about that.

{{Did you watch this special?  If you have, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!  If you haven't, check out FoodNetwork.com for more show times.}}

Utilizing Sampler Boxes as Advertising Part 1: What do you want?

With the start of a new year, handmade artisans are evaluating their small businesses and revamping their processes and practices.  With this analyzing comes the idea of trying new ways to advertise their businesses to customers not keen on spending extra money on items deemed as "wants".

One of the most unique ways of advertising that has been picking up steam over the past couple years is the sampler box.  While sales are not guaranteed from a sampler box, it is an easy and, hopefully, effective way to reach many customers that are specifically looking to sample products from artists that they hope to be repeat customers of in the future.  I myself am a big fan of sampler boxes because I love getting a big box of samples that'll help me decide what businesses I would like to try next or that may be of an even higher quality than products I am currently using.  There are several handmade shops that I am a repeat customer of now because I found their products in a sampler box (see Freebie Friday Reviews posts for some examples).

When considering whether joining a sampler box is right for you and your business, there are several aspects to keep in mind when choosing a box and when submitting your samples.  This three part series will cover the whole picture of what it means to be in a sampler box.

Choosing a company:  Not only are you working for the sampler box, but the owner of the sampler box is working for you.  To begin the process, Google or Facebook search "sampler box" or "sampler".  On Google, the most active ones will appear at the top; on Facebook, look at the number of fans the page has.  It is important to see how many visitors/customers the box is exposed to because a higher number likely means a more "successful" box or lots of interaction from the fans.  The greater the fans, the more potential customers for you.  It's also important to observe and evaluate the amount of advertising the sampler box owner does on the behalf of the shop participants: does the owner post a whole bunch on the fan page; are there lots of links daily advertising the individual shops; are there highly enticing offers, such as contests, on the page regularly; do they have a comprehensive website catering to both sellers and buyers; etc.  While it is true that you are not "paying" the owner in money, the sales of the boxes do; and the boxes would not exist if it weren't for the participation of the shops and customers alike.  You are putting a lot of money, time, and effort into your samples, and you want to feel like the sampler box is doing the same for you in advertising.  Since no box can guarantee sales, and it's unfair to expect that, what you are "paying" for is the sampler box to advertise on your behalf adequately.  And you want to make sure the "payment" is worth it.

How do I know that it was worth it?  It's also important for you to decide before you submit your info to a box what you want out of the box.  Of course, the obvious answer would be "SALES".  But are sales the only thing to gain from a sampler box?  Some sampler boxes have a whole community or network among all of the sellers, an aspect that can set some boxes apart and, some might argue, above the rest.  Even those that have never gotten a sale from a box argue that the support they've gotten from networking among the community of sellers is more valuable because the love, support, camaraderie, and advice have helped their shops far greater than they could have imagined.  Sometimes, this advice has helped improve the shop immensely or change the seller's perspective, causing the owner to earn more sales even if none of them were gained from purchasing the original sample.  While it is easy to think about the direct impact of the box on your sales, don't forget to think about the INDIRECT impact the box can have not only on your shop, but on YOU as well.  Think about the whole not just the parts!

Part 2: Packaging Your Samples

{{As many of you know, I am a part of Sampler Village and am therefore biased when I wholeheartedly vouch for it and encourage you to join the box.  Part 3 of this series will be analyzing the good, the bad, and the ugly of Sampler Village to give you an in-depth look of what it's like to be a participating shop.  For many reasons, mostly time- and monetary-based, I have not joined other boxes... yet.  However, besides Sampler Village, I believe The Little Black Box and The Tantalizing Sampler are two other great places to start.  I know the owners personally and can vouch for their credibility; I've also observed their businesses, processes, and efforts and believe them to be among some of the most "successful" boxes in terms of how much work they do on behalf of their sellers.  Of course, if you do join one of these three, please mention that BKD Signature sent you - businesses do a lot of advertising, but are left wondering where their customers come from.  It's always polite, and beneficial, to the business to let them know how you found them. <3 }}

Freebie Friday's Review Roundup

I have participated in several Sampler Village boxes and each time I send in 100 samples so I earn a free box.  As a result, I get the joy of trying out and reviewing lots of great samples from several amazing fellow shops.  Here are my thoughts on the products I have tried so far from the Nov/Dec box; all four I will be a repeat customer for:


Farm Hussy
Website
Item: Whipped Soy Glace scented Gift Hog
Seller's Description of scent: "You are sure to be rooting through the gift pile if your snout gets a pre-Xmas whiff of this chewy ooey gooey frosting on butter cookies, candied cherries and fruits, powdered sugar and candy sprinkles."
My Review:  I can't stop raving about Farm Hussy - I just can't get enough of her products!  I was so stoked to get a sample of hers in my box.  Of course, the Glace is just as dreamy as the other lotions I've tried.  I LOVE the scent - it is my MOST FAVORITE now!  It smells like a bubblegum/cotton candy/cherry snowcone on steroids at a crazy carnival.  If it made my arm edible when I put it on, I'd eat my own arm.  It just smells crazy divine and I wish it were a food.


Sebastien's Nook
Facebook and Etsy
Item: Cranberry Chutney Soap Bar sample size.
Seller's Description: "Cranberry Chutney - Yankee Candle Type has to be one of my favorite scents for this season. Fresh cranberries, orange zest, rosemary, raisins, and a touch of golden honey make this a delectable addition to your holiday decorations. Not to mention this bar is chock full of skin loving emollients such as Jojoba oil infused with calendula, Goat's Milk, honey, and Aloe. Its rich lather will keep you coming back for more."
My Review: Considering practically everything in my box was scented Cranberry or colored Cranberry, I'm thinking Cranberry is the scent of the season!  This scent stood above the rest, even if it is a dupe of a non-handmade product. ;)  I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of lather from this little bar - probably the most soapy soap I've ever used.  I am a big fan of goat's milk in products, and this bar doesn't disappoint in its softness.  Even though it may look like a hand-drying plain glycerin bar to the layman, don't be fooled - it is far from that.


Bonny N Clyde aka B n C
Facebook and Etsy
Item: Solid perfume in lip balm tube scented Desire.
Seller's Description of scent: "Blend of citrus, geranium, jasmine, lily of the valley, amber, vanilla, vetiver, botanical musk and ylang ylang."
My Review: Now, I'm really picky about scents so samples are always a must for me because my sniffer can go either way.  I was really pleasantly surprised with this one - while it may seem like a strong heavy scent at first, it really isn't.  I'd say it's more of a winter scent, but I usually just wear whatever scent I want no matter the season.  It comes in a lip balm tube because it's a solid perfume, a genius idea, I think.  Having long fingernails, I don't do solid B&B products in pots.  Besides, gets your fingers all messy.  It was really easy to apply and I love that - just "roll" it on and go!  I could immediately tell it was working off the warmth of my pulse points, and I smelled it all day.


OhSoySweet
Facebook and Etsy
Item: Snowflake sachet ornament
Seller's Description: "The sachet has been filled with scented Cellulose (corn cob) fibers. The corn cob fibers are a wonderful scent holder and will last for many months.  The sachet smells like a freshly fallen snow on a cold winters day."
My Review: I really thought this was a great idea.  I love the scent, and want to have it up all year round so I hung it up on my front door knob.  My cat apparently thought it was a great product, too, because I came back to a shredded ornament after being gone a couple days. :(  So I'll have to figure out some way to fix it.  I think this is a really cool idea that she could market all year round - I wouldn't mind having it in another scent or two.  Maybe even put one in the car.  The scent is unique and refreshing, and I like that.  It can get old being exposed to the same scents all the time so I'm enjoying this new one. 




{{Each Friday I do a multitude of short reviews to sum up my experiences with free product I used since the last posting.  I am not compensated for my reviews other than the fact that I did not pay for the product.  However, this product was earned through Facebook contests or other free contest means through my own efforts.  The shops are not notified of the review until posted.}}

Wednesday's Raving Reviews - Have It Sweet

HAVE IT SWEET CONFECTIONS

HANDMADE ARTISAN CARAMEL, NOUGAT, AND MARSHMALLOWS

www.haveitsweet.com or http://www.etsy.com/shop/haveitconfections

Caramel is harder to make than one would think - temperature plays a huge roll in getting the end product just right.  Heat too little and you have sauce; heat it too much and you have hard candy.  And then there's the matter of using a recipe that you like... getting an end product that makes your taste buds dance.


How do I know this?  I've tried it myself.  And what they say is true: baking and candy making are two different realms.  So far, I've perfected one and not so much the other.


Being a part of Sampler Village, I am exposed to many great handmade shops every day.  I made my first purchase with Have It Sweet this past March when they were running a free shipping coupon code.  I haven't regretted that decision since.


I tried the Fluer de Sel bars because they are their most popular flavor.  When in doubt, I always try the most popular product first from a shop, then go from there after having my own experiences.  After all, stats speak volumes - customers know best (most of the time :D)!


The recipe is utterly indescribable.  I have never tasted dreamier caramel in my whole life.  Plus, what they say is true - sweet and salty DO make a great combo.  This stuff is ADDICTING.  The flavors linger on your tongue for several minutes afterward so you can't get the yumminess out of your head.  It's a psychological mind game, trying to stop eating.  And it's a losing game at that.  I always tell myself I'm going to be good, that I'm only going to eat a little bit at a time.  Sometimes I stick it in the freezer to help stop myself.  IT NEVER WORKS.  I'd rather break a tooth than stop eating.  I have never eaten anything in my life that has such a tantalizing aftertaste that it messes with my will power.  My waistline may hate me later, but those minutes are heaven.  The worst part is when it is all gone.  That yumminess I cannot have is torturous.


Part of the listing describes how it is a secret recipe perfected over many trials and tribulations.  I don't blame them for keeping it a well guarded secret because they would be out of business if we all knew how to make it.  And probably four hundred pounds heavier.  I would make this every day if I knew how.  I think it is probably for the better that I don't. ;)


Since then, I have gotten to know Beth, one half of the dynamic husband/wife duo, through various correspondence on Etsy and Facebook.  She is so wonderful to talk to, very sweet, and very giving.  I was so grateful and ecstatic when she donated to my Animal Charity Auction back in Oct.  Her stuff was a big hit - no shocker there!


I have made several more purchases since then.  I always intend to try something new, but I always go back to tantalizing Fluer de Sel.  I can't get enough of it!  Some of my purchases contained samples of other caramels and they are just as addicting as well.  Marzipan is my second most favorite.  But Fluer de Sel will always be the caramel that stole my heart.


Check out Have It Sweet's delicious selection today - there's sure to be something for you!  And you definitely won't be disappointed in the quality of products and customer service.  Let Have It Sweet know that BKD Signature sent you!




{{Each Wednesday I review a business that I thought gave me a superior customer service experience and offers amazing products.  These are opinions only, for which I was not paid.  I'm simply sharing with the world about this awesome shop I discovered! :) }}

Wednesday's Raving Reviews - Farm Hussy

FARM HUSSY

HANDCRAFTED AND CUSTOM BLENDED BATH AND BODY PRODUCTS

www.farmhussy.com

I made my first purchase with Farm Hussy at the beginning of this month, a purchase I wish I could've made so much sooner.  I had been trying to deplete my massive handmade B&B stockpile before purchasing more (let me tell you, that's a difficult task for someone addicted to handmade!).  I heard about Farm Hussy through Sampler Village, an amazing sampler box that I've contributed to multiple times and that I am a team member of on Etsy.  I also became a Facebook group member as soon I discovered that they had one (in lieu of a fan page) and have been reading all the rave reviews of the products posted in the group.  I couldn't wait to try it for myself!


Farm Hussy is run by the amazingly creative and quirky Julie and her Bored of(ten) Directors, as the website creatively claims.  Her fantastically awesome skills at naming and creating stories for her products is a talent that I am supremely jealous of.  I'd love to have (or hire!) her skills!  Julie claims it's a gift that can sometimes curse her at 3 am with new ideas. :)


It being my first purchase, I didn't know what scents I wanted so I tried to get a random assortment and utilize reviews in the group from avid customers.  I bought two Udderly Ticked Lotions on their Item of the Month sale: one in Cherries, Berries, & Blossoms and the other was the monthly Grab Bag scent, which turned out to be Punkin Maple Hot Toddy.  I also bought the Recession Special, a great value for getting a "grab bag" of products, so to speak: I chose the Devine Bovine Butyere in Ex's Make Good Mulch and the Goat Milk n Honey Lotion in Oh MySor Raspberries (it also includes a perfume bottle, bath melt, and and lip balm).


I won't comment too much on the scents because I know everyone has different tastes when it comes to scents.  What I will say, as a very picky scent connoisseur, that I am VERY happy with all the scents I chose.  They are really strong and last long - perfect if you love your scent and don't want to worry about putting on perfume.  If you ever want opinions on scents before purchasing, posting in the Facebook group is a great way to learn from other customers about what they think.


What I really want to emphasize is the superior customer service Julie has.  First off, the communication is great.  She sends you an e-mail when you place your order, including cute little graphics and information about Farm Hussy products.  Then, she follows up with both an e-mail and a tracking number when your order has shipped.  You can't complain about that! :)


When your order arrives, it is CHOCK full of samples.  I swear, I got just as many samples as products I bought.  To me, this shows care and attention for my order.  My order was carefully packaged with love and I'm a HUGE fan of lots of samples!  Especially since I don't know what scents I want, this was a great and helpful way to try more.  I had already expressed my concerns about what to buy, and Julie truly delivered on her promise to include lots of samples - now THAT'S some quality customer service!  And these aren't dinky little half ounce samples - these could potentially be full-blown products.  That's what's so amazing about Julie: she's so generous of heart!  If you're buying from someone based on how many samples you get in your purchase, Farm Hussy's your new destination!


Her lotions are so thick and creamy.  Over the years, I have bought from several handmade bath and body vendors, and quickly determined my two favorites.  To my pleasant surprise, Farm Hussy trumped them both!  Being in CA, dry feet from flip flops is easy to acquire.  I've always felt handmade lotions are superior, and thicker, than commercial lotions, but I have never found one thick "enough".  The Bovine Buteyre is now my new go-to thick lotion and I'm so excited about it!  I'm definitely only buying this from now on for those tough dry skin areas.  I absolutely LOVE it.


Check out Farm Hussy's massive scent selection today - there's sure to be something for you!  And you definitely won't be disappointed in the quality of products and customer service.  Let Farm Hussy know that BKD Signature sent you!


{{Each Wednesday I review a business that I thought gave me a superior customer service experience and offers amazing products.  These are opinions only, for which I was not paid.  I'm simply sharing with the world about this awesome shop I discovered! :) }}