Botanical ShamPOO Bar

It’s not easy being GREEN, which is why we (Karess Krafters) went on a quest to create a GREEN shampoo. We began our research because we often wondered why our hair always appeared to look unclean after it had been washed several times. It always appeared weighed down or heavy without any volume. Well, thankfully we found the answer. It was the type of shampoo and conditioner we were using. We will not give any product details of the items we poured down the drain many years ago, but we will say that they were commercial items that caused a build-up that did not rinse away with wash after wash.

So the ultimate question is Do you read the labels of your shampoo? Or better yet, Do you know what is in your shampoo? Probably not, because most of the ingredients listed on shampoos are long with words that spell check cannot fix, let alone the online Webster tool pronouncing it for you. Not only are the ingredients full of big words, the front label (the one that really catches the eye) says “Lather Up and Rinse”. Umm! Sounds simple enough…right? This task is so simple that it fails to mention that rather than “clarifying” and “de-frizzing”, your simple “Lather Up and Rinse” shampoo may be washing chemicals in your hair oppose to out of your hair, which is why we created a very simple all natural Botanical Shampoo Bar made from ingredients that can be found in your local Health Food Store or even your local grocer.

Our Botanical Shampoo Bar is formulated with botanicals, rich vegetable oils and premium essential oils that your hair will love and appreciate. Here are a few benefits from some of the ingredients found in our shampoo bar:

1.Olive Oil – nourishes, conditions, and improves the strength and elasticity of hair
2.Coconut Oil – great for dry, itchy scalp
3.Avocado Oil – rich in vitamins and excellent for dry hair
4.Hempseed Oil – the riches source of EFAs (essential fatty acids) that increases volume, elasticity, softness and shine
5.Castor Oil – penetrates deep to soften hair, provides moisture and restores natural sheen.
6.Rosemary Herb – encourages hair growth
7.Burdock Root – soothes irritated scalp
8.Nettle – reduces itchiness
9.Chamomile – soothes irritated scalp

We have included a lot of “earth-friendly” ingredients in our Botanical ShamPOO bar that cleanses gently and thoroughly, without harsh detergents that can strip hair. They are also packed with botanicals, African Fair Trade Shea Butter, and Premium Essential Oils to help maintain moisture. To use, saturate hair well, and separate into sections. Then work bar into a lather directly on your scalp, and work the mild lather through the hair. For best storage, keep bar dry between uses.

Note: Please ensure that you rid your hair from any product build-up. To do this, mix ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to 1 gallon of distilled water. Shampoo and rinse as usual. Pour 2 cups over the scalp and let mixture saturate your hair. Finish with a cold-water rinse. Store any left over mixture in a refrigerator and use it every couple of weeks.

Goat's Milk Citrus Blossom Glycerine Soap

After many months of researching and testing we are pleased to announce our new line of Goat’s Milk Glycerin soap. Goat’s Milk contains over 50 nutrients, including the vital vitamins of A, B, and E, minerals, calcium, and amino acids along with a variety of other nutrients that nourish and revitalize dehydrated skin. It also has a pH level similar to our own which protects the skin from harmful bacteria and chemicals. Goat’s Milk and glycerin works extremely well together by bringing the natural vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbable to the skin.

Why Use Goat’s Milk Soap?

1. It is noted as the most highly sought after soap for its legendary skin healing and moisturizing properties.
2. Generates a creamy lather that nourishes the skin and leaves your skin silky smooth with a soft feel
3. Milk has long been used for its moisturizing properties and is an ancient beauty treatment. Cleopatra was known for her beautiful skin resulting from her famous milk baths.
4. Has AHA (alpha hydroxyl acids) which breaks down the glue holding dead skin cells together. AHA is well known for softening skin and leaving it rejuvenated for a youthful appearance.
5. pH level is similar to our skin, which helps protect the skin from bacteria and chemicals.
6. It is noted that people with skin conditions, such as eczema, are frequent users of Goat’s Milk soap.

Try a bar or two of our Goat’s Milk Glycerin soap TODAY in A beautiful, clean summer-y aroma of grapefruit blossom with hints of mandarin

FIRST ANNUAL YART SALE ON ETSY, JUN 11 - 20

Today kicks off the First Annual Summer “Yart Sale” Kickoff on Etsy. The sale will run from Wednesday, June 11 to Friday, June 20.

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade. Their mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers that would build a new economy and present a better choice. Buy, Sell and Live Handmade!

What is Yart Sale?
Yart Sale is an Artistic Slant to a traditional Yard Sale.

How do I find Yart Sale items?

To find Yart Sale items go to Etsy’s homepage and type “yart” in the search box and choose the appropriate category from the Etsy drop down menu (handmade, supplies, vintage or all items) to view and purchase items you’re looking for.

Do I have to be a member to purchase from Etsy?

Yes and best of all it is FREE and will allow you to shop for unique handmade items found around the world in one convenient place. Happy Shopping!

Be sure to check out our Yart Sale

Apple Spice Handmade Soap

Add a little spice to your life with our new soap “Apple Spice”. Formulated in small batches using vegetable base oils of olive, palm, coconut, soybean and castor oil along with a hearty helping of African Fair Trade Shea Butter, this soap will surely uplift your senses and perk up your skin! It has a spicy aroma that is refreshing, yet warm and cozy all at the same time. The delightful blend opens with the crisp, tart goodness of apples with added zing of orange peel that is topped off with the right amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. It is by all means a wonderful long lasting fragrance that can be appreciated anytime of year.

Oil Benefits found in Apple Spice
* Castor Oil is rich in fatty acids and is soothing and lubricating. It is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin that lends emolliency to our soaps

* Coconut Oil will not clog pores and absorbs readily into the skin as it provides wonderful fluffy lather to our recipe.

* Olive Oil is a good cell regenerator that attracts external moisture to the skin and still permits the skin to properly release sweat, shed dead skin and release sebum.

* Palm contributes to the hardness of bar soap thus making it last longer

* Shea Butter is reputed for its ability to moisturize and retain the elasticity of the skin.

* Soybean has long been cultivated for its protein which makes an effective moisturizing agent.

Give your skin the attention it deserves by Karessing and Cleansing Naturally. After all it does make SCENTS!

Researching and Formulating

Today was a day of researching and formulating. Tonight, I jumped in and made another test batch of Jojoba-Mint Natural Shampoo made in a base of coconut, castor and jojoba oils with hints of mint and Panthenol. If this batch passes our test (meaning if our willing, tried and true testers say “yay”) then it will be available by mid Fall. Just in time for the gift-giving season. We also have been working behind the scenes formulating a Hair Pomade that would not only benefit the hair but the skin as well (not sure what we will call it). As of today’s date it is has passed all the test phases (thank God!). If all goes well with our Jojoba-Mint Shampoo, the Hair/Body Butter (Pomade) will be available by mid Fall as well. The best thing about both products is they both are all natural, handmade in the USA and will be available for local pick-up at Locs of Love in Raleigh.

Since my mind was in overdrive and I have spent nearly 4 hours making the Jojoba-Mint Shampoo, I had to find something fun to do while I waited for the soap paste to do its thing. Anyways, I created two items that will be included in every order once they are printed and in our hands. This is something we are already doing, but wanted to spruce it up a bit. We will have a Soap Pamphlet printed that tells a little about our soaps and how to maintain them. In addition, we will be printing a new post card to include in every order that offers customers 15% off of their next online purchase (only one use per customer). The good thing about this is customers who have already taken advantage of this offer will receive a new card with a new code. This could not come at a better time with everything around us sky-rocketing. Many of us can appreciate a DISCOUNT!

Gardening and Cleansing

Yesterday was work in the garden day. Hubby and I planted some beautiful flowers in a corner in our backyard. We plan to turn it into a meditation area complete with a hammock and water fall. It will be a quiet area where we can go to clear our minds, collect out thoughts, and rejuvenate the thinking process. Of course after spending hours in the sun working with soil I felt really gritty and grimy so I was in desperate need of a good soak and my body, particularly my arm pits, thanked me for it. My hair was in need of some TLC also. So here is what I did:

1. I washed my hands with our Garden & Kitchen soap which contains cornmeal and grits that gently scrubbed my soiled hands clean and gave a nourished, polished look due to the hearty helping of shea butter.

2. Since my hair requires what I consider a pro-long rinse (rinsing hair for about 15 minutes after it’s washed), I have to wash my hair in the shower. I ran a warm, others would say hot, shower and just stood under the shower head while allowing the warm water to open my pores. I stood there for about 5 minutes. Then I grabbed my favorite shampoo Rosemary Mint from LaVida Given By Nature and used only a quarter size to wash my entire head of hair, which is dreaded and about shoulder length. This shampoo is so concentrated that only a small amount is needed to produce loads of lather, which gets my hair squeaky clean. Therefore, you save money and most importantly it is all natural and Vegan friendly. Be sure to get yourself a bottle TODAY!

3. So after washing my hair with loads of lather, I just stood under the shower head for about 20 minutes allowing the water to rinse the lather away and allowing my body to relax. I followed by washing my body with our Sunshine Handmade Soap that really gave my grimy, gritty body a good cleanse. The olive-based bar left my skin feeling very hydrated and the beautiful aroma from a proprietary essential oil blend allow my senses to continue to appreciate a natural aroma (remember the first natural aroma was from the flowers planted, then the Rosemary Shampoo, now the Sunshine soap).

4. My cleaning regime was not over. I had to protect and nourish my hair, so of course I used my favorite Ginger Juice and Berries from Lavida Given By Nature on my naturally dreaded hair. It has the perfect balance, not too thick, too oily or too heavy. Just the right amount of herbs and oils that coat and protect my hair from the environmental elements while still nourishing and strengthening my hair.


So check out Karess Krafters and Lavida Given By Nature to get yourself a natural cleanse from head to toe.

Cast A Spell

Cast A Spell is a very romantic fragrance that mixes a sweet bouquet of mandarin, bergamot and orange enhanced by luscious hints of peach and berries with an undertone of musk. A true aroma that is soft and sensual just in time for hot summer weather. Enjoy the wonderful fragrance with our wonderful bath bombs while relaxing in your tub full of shea butter after a long day. Then lather up with this beautiful aroma with our gentle and mild olive-based handmade soap. Typically after bathing with our bath bomb a moisturizer is not required, however, if you desire to slather yourself with pure moisture-binding luxury our SheaMonoi is perfect for your hydration needs. Available in a clean crisp fragrance or enjoy the natural aroma from its quality ingredients.