Where's Batty?

(This was first posted at my Batty's Bath Blog.

It includes some references to my soap biz, and

links within my soap blog.)

Studio Update, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

A pic of me working earlier. I've been so busy that the studio has been my second home for the past few months.

I have to apologize for the lack of updates on the blog! I haven't had time to cook up some interesting content because I've been so busy! I thought I should update everyone as I predict that things wont slow down for me until January.

Many of you know that I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia. I mention this because as I get busier, my flare ups become more frequent and intense. Right now I'm on a loop of recovering, restocking, doing a show (read: provoking a flare up), and starting all over again - recovering, restocking, show.

As you can imagine that the recovery step takes more time every time the loop cycles. Right now I have an average of 3-4 shows/home parties per week plus restocking in between and managing my online shop. As the recovery process takes longer, the less stock I have at each show, and the more stressed out I become - After all, I want to make sure everyone has all the pampering goodies they are looking for!

Things are certainly a whirlwind right now and I'm so thankful that my little business is doing so well! I'm also thankful that things should slow down and get back to normal in the new year. Being super busy with orders is amazing, but not when my health suffers because of it. I've already figured out a few things to do differently in the new year to make things more balanced. I have to look after my health first and foremost otherwise not only will I burn out, but nobody will get to enjoy my batty creations!

In the new year, I'll reduce the amount of shows I do by half - yup, you read that right, I said half! I feel that since local supporters can order from my online shop (with free delivery), book a home party, or shop at Weezi's 6 days a week, this shouldn't impact regular local customers too much (at least this is my hope). I still plan to be at the Covent Garden Market once a month, so no worries there for all the wonderful people that come out every time I'm there! I've decided to reduce the number of shows I book because this decrease will give me more time to fill orders, connect with customers, and take care of my health without taking away from the needs of my business.

Please accept my apology for the lack of updates and interactions. I'm really trying to make sure everyone who wants Batty's Bath goodies for the holidays has them - thankfully, due to all your support - that's a tall order to fill :) I'm sure since your bathrooms are smelling great, your skin is smooth, and your hair is looking great you don't mind the lack of interesting blog content ;) hehe.

Thanks again for all your support everyone! The blog will get back to "normal" as I have time, and if there's anything you'd like to see here (content and subject matter wise), don't hesitate to late me know. The blog survey is still a a great way to have your voice heard!

Happy Holidays everyone!
Be well :)

Halloween Craft Ideas!

Here are a few craft ideas for Halloween!

• How-To: Halloween Bat Mobile {craftzine}
• Make a Zombie {etsy}
• Pumpkin Cozy {craftzine}
• Harry Potter and Halloween Ideas {craftster}
• Black Cat {etsy}

A Batty Video: How to Make Waterproof Labels & Stickers

I can totally see Drew wearing this hat....

Dry Erase Board Wall Tutorial

I LOVE dry erase boards so I was so stoked when I found this tutorial! It tells you how to make a dry erase WALL for $15! Something totally cool that wont break the budget... you know I couldn't keep this to myself! :) Check out the full tutorial here.

Crochet Covered Smart Car

This actually ALMOST makes me want to take up crocheting! .. and you can be sure if I ever get a smart car it better have a cool cover like this haha.

More Amazing Terrariums

Check out some of the amazing terrariums I found on this website! Go to the website to check out even more terrariums :)

Crafty Movement Comes Home

There’s a bohemian DIY craft movement bubbling just below the surface of the London mainstream shopping experience. On Saturday July 17th, local Londoners can get a peak into this movement as Jamie (aka Batty) hosts a crafty open house at the edge of Old South London. Jamie’s the soap maker behind “Batty’s Bath” and says that “our last open house was so successful, we had to do it again and this time, we wanted our friends there too”. This time Jamie will be joined by several of her crafty friends including Brandy and Erin, the monster makers behind beStuffies, and Elizabeth of ElizabethMD Jewelry Designs.

Batty’s Bath, offers delicious bath products made with cruelty free and vegan friendly locally sourced ingredients. Jamie is a self-proclaimed “tree hugger,” who integrates her motto of “tread lightly” into what she creates – whether it’s through the ingredients she uses or in her packaging. Some of her products include the delicious chocolate covered strawberries lip balm, citrus mist body scrub, coconut cream whipped body butter and other mouth-watering flavours For more details and a sneak peak at products available please visit BattysBath.com

beStuffies, creates a variety of creatures and totebags including monsters, bears, zombies, vampires, aliens and market bags. Their products are made from a variety of new materials, recycled materials, and odds and ends that may otherwise have been discarded. Their goal is to create imaginative and unique plush softies. All their creatures are made with love and care. Their motivation stems from a want to move away from mass produced product into the one of kind handmade. For more details and a glimpse at their products please visit beStuffies.com

ElizabethMD offers one of a kind jewelry for one of a kind women. Everything from being draped in swarovski crystals for a black tie affair, to fun every day bracelets, necklaces and earrings that will never go out of style. Being a one of a kind designer, there is constant change going on in the shop so to keep up check in often at ElizabethMD.etsy.com

Londoners and other area locals looking for unique handmade finds will want to come out to this open house between noon and 7pm on Saturday July 17, 2010. For directions, address location, and more visit the Facebook Event Page.

Knitting Gone Wild

I love the Dark Roast Blog so much! They always find the coolest, weirdest, and most interesting pictures from around the web. In one of their recent blog posts they did a segment called "Knitting Gone Wild". I couldn't help but repost these strange knitted creations! I especially love the sweater hehe - it reminds me of Sassy during sweater weather! To see the full blog post by Dark Roasted Blend click here.

Knitting Gone Wild

(image via)

Does this qualify as auto-tuning?

And the winner is...

(images via)

Chocololic Knits

Right now I'm participating in a swap at swap-bot called "Get Promoted and Promote Someone Else".

I was lucky enough to be assigned to promote Chocololic who creates this adorable Sushi Dolls!!

She also has the PDF pattern in her Etsy shop of this cute sushi doll for you crafty types as well as a blog called Chocololic Knits.

For more info about this funky swapper, check out her swap-bot profile here.

Envelopes Please!

I was hunting around for some cool envelope templates and man, did I find them!! I came across this link that has more than 100 envelope templates!!! Now that's more templates than you shake a stick at ;)

How to: Zip Up Ear Buds

It's time to share another sweet tutorial!! This time it's for these funky zip up ear buds! Basically you jazz up your regular ear buds so they look cool AND they don't end up in a tangled mess! Funky and functional - what more could you ask for right? :)

Go here to see the full tutorial!

How To: cookie cutter from soup can

See the tutorial here.

Guerrilla Gardening

I've heard of guerrilla marketing, guerrilla knitting... but I've never heard of guerilla gardening! haha.. This is so awesome!!! There's lots more pictures of this act committed by a green thumb plus the full story here.

How to: Plantable Flower Cards

I've been wanting to make these for soooo long but still haven't gotten around to it. I figured I'd better stop keeping this awesome tutorial to myself and finally share it with everyone else! I hope some of you can get to this project quicker that I've been able to :)