SWCreations Artist Spotlight - Body Divine This is the first in a series of interviews designed to spotlight women who run creative businesses from home while rearing their children. Michelle Hurd has agreed to visit with us for this interview. I think that you’ll agree that shehas a fascinating story.

An Interview With Body Divine’s Michelle Hurd
written for SWCreations by Laura Spencer

This is the first in a series of interviews designed to spotlight women who run creative businesses from home while rearing their children. Body Divine’s Michelle Hurd has agreed to visit with us for this interview. I think that you’ll agree that she has a fascinating story.

Body Divine has specialized in soaps, moisturizers, and home spa products made with only natural ingredients and essential oils for over seven years.

As Michelle says, “Our skin is the largest organ in our body. It requires care just like our heart. To strengthen the heart we exercise it. Our skin’s health is directly related to its moisture content. It needs vitamins and minerals (food), and TLC! I have formulated my products with natural ingredients that provide this.

Here is Michelle’s story:

SWCreations: How long have you been selling natural skin care?

Michelle: I began to research the art of soapmaking in 2000 just for fun. Shortly after that one of my sons had several different rashes over the majority of his body. After many visits to doctors, who treated him with steroids, I took matters into my own hands. By changing his diet and using completely natural soap, lotions, and bath salts (that I made myself) his skin condition cleared up. Friends started requesting the soap!

I studied Chemical Engineering in college for several years, so I understand chemistry. Creating soaps, lotions, body scrubs, and masks that have beneficial properties and feed the skin cells was fascinating. I continued my education and experimentation and developed a line of products that are used by naturopaths and other health care providers. I began studying about healing the skin when my other son suffered third degree burns over 17% of his body. Certain oils and essential oils help the skin’s cells grow and affect both scar tissue and skin color.

SWCreations: What sparked your interest in essential oils?

Michelle: The natural healing properties of essential oils and the fact that they are soothing, both physically and mentally. I just take a whiff of lavender essential oil and my shoulders relax and pleasant thoughts can come to me. I use essential oils/aromatherapy for minor illnesses for my family such as colds, stomachaches, headaches, insect bites, and as insect repellent. I also use them for relaxation. I started learning about aromatherapy in the early 90s.

SWCreations: What makes your soaps and lotions unique?

Michelle: There are unique properties in each oil I use in formulating my products. I use aromatherapy principles in selecting scents and botanicals that are in the products. Some soaps are for fun and provide TLC, some soaps soothe the skin, others are formulated to help things like eczema and dry skin bumps or deter insects. The Bath salts provide minerals and relaxation . While the soaps sound functional, they are made beautifully with natural colorants. You will feel the difference on your skin. My soap bars last much longer than commercially made soap bars. The image and professionalism of the products differentiate them as well. My ability to communicate the benefits and educate the consumer is what sets Body Divine apart.

SWCreations: Do you have a favorite oil or soap, and why?

Michelle: I am indebted to Emu oil — it gave my older son added elasticity (reducing the amount of skin grafts) and softened the scar tissue. I have an Emu soap bar, which is lovely and healing! My favorite soap bar is the Massage bar. It is a timesaver — you get cleaned while you soothe your muscles with a massage. I love it on my feet. The best oil for your skin is Olive oil and I use it in all my soaps and scrubs. By itself it is too thick and can clog pores, but mixed with other ingredients it provides a breathable, protective layer for your skin.

SWCreations: What was your biggest challenge that you had in setting up your business?

Michelle: My biggest challenge has been juggling my craving for knowledge and product development with the need to educate people about my products and take care of the business. Those two aspects of business require different skills.

SWCreations: What is your day as a home business owner like?

Michelle: It was overly full until I established work hours to keep myself from checking emails one more time, and so on. I have a separate room at home for Body Divine HQ. I try to leave work at work!

SWCreations: What do you think has been your biggest accomplishment?

Michelle: Personally, my biggest accomplishment has been raising two sons (aged 10 and 12). Professionally, my biggest accomplishment is that I have developed Healthy Skin seminars in order to educate people about ingredients in commercial products, what to look for in natural products, what that means, and the top five chemicals to avoid in skin care today. It is, in a nutshell, education.

SWCreations: Do you have any exciting plans “in the works” that you’d care to share
with the readers?

Michelle: My lastest product is a lotion stick, a “solid” lotion. It looks like a giant lip balm. The heat from your body melts the oils into your skin so you have a protective layer on your skin and just the right amount of moisturizer. Ingredients include emu, jojoba, avocado, mango and shea. Look for November issue of Texas Monthly magazine. They will showcase several Body Divine products in their “Holiday Wish List” section.

SWCreations: Where do you see your business in five years? In ten years?

Michelle: In the next five years, I hope to continue to improve the effectiveness of my products and develop complementary products. In ten years the kids will be gone - expansion time!

SWCreations: Do you have any advice for others who might be interested in setting up their own business?

Michelle: There is a difference between crafting and owning a business. Make sure that you want to own a business. It can quickly own you! Start off slowly to test the water. Create an image for your business through consistency of a logo, business cards, written documents, the Internet. Join support groups such as the American Business Women Association, your local Chamber of Commerce, and groups in your area of interest. Think positive! Ask for help.

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The Facts about Domestic Abuse
written for SWCreations by Lisa Vella

Domestic Abuse Awarness Bracelets

Most often, abuse occurs in cycles and being familiar with that cycle may help you or someone you know escape from a bad situation. The cycle always begins with abuse, which can be psychological, physical, sexual, or economic. After the abuse occurs, the abuser feels guilt, but not about what he has done to his partner. His main concern lies with being caught. He rationalizes or makes excuses for what he has done, often accusing his partner of pushing him to do it. In order to regain control over the relationship and keep his partner from leaving, he then reverts to “normal behavior.” He may pretend that he did nothing at all, or he may treat his partner like gold—causing her to feel that there really is hope for a happy life together. This is often referred to as the honeymoon phase. Once normalcy is reestablished, the abuser begins to fantasize and plan out the next time he will abuse his partner. He creates a plan, a set-up, which his victim will fall into so that he has what he thinks is a legitimate excuse to abuse her again. Then the cycle starts all over again.

There are many signs to look for that indicate whether you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic abuse. There are those based on inner feelings and those based on the abusive partners behaviors.

Signs of abuse based on your own inner feelings:

· Fear of partner

· Fear of angering partner

· Feelings that you deserve to be mistreated

· Feelings of helplessness

· Feeling that you are the crazy one

Signs of abuse based on abusive partners behaviors:

· Partner humiliates and criticizes you frequently

· Ignores you or makes you feel like your input is not valuable

· Blames you for his own abusive behavior

· Threatens to leave you

· Threatens to commit suicide if you leave

· Threatens to take your children away

· Acts overly jealous or possessive

· Controls where you are going and who you are going with

· Limits your access to money, or transportation

· Constantly checks up on you

If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, the cycle can and must be broken. Nobody deserves to be mistreated, and help is available. The only way to break the cycle is to leave. Many women think that is impossible, but it isn’t. There are a lot of government or privately funded agencies that will help find shelter for women and their children as well as protect them from a dangerous partner. Other sources are 24-hour hotlines, shelters, legal services, and counseling. These services are often free. Always remember that if you are in a dangerous situation you can dial 911.

Domestic abuse is a terrible thing, but it’s important to remember that nobody has to endure it—and nobody ever should. It’s a condition that is growing ever prevalent in the United States and no two cases are exactly the same. It comes in many forms and each is painful, scarring, and immobilizing in its own way. If you are a victim or you suspect you know someone who is, then reach out and break the cycle right away.

“Emotional wounds are not as visible but can cause deadly health problems.” - Stephanie A White

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Jade: Two Gemstones for Two Empires
written for SWCreations by Stephanie Dray

Ruby Jade Beaded Necklace

To tell the story of jade is really to tell the tale of two ancient empires: the Chinese and the Mayans. Both cultures prized jade’s beauty above all other gems and precious metals. Both the Mayans and the Chinese used carved jade beads to make jewelry and they also carved jade creations into tools and weapons. These two ancient empires prized not just the green stones that are popular today, but also black jade, purple jade and blue jade too.

Confucius once likened jade to virtue, and the gemstone took on important cultural significance in China. To express their fascination, the Chinese had a saying: “Gold has value, but jade is invaluable.”

The Chinese were not the only ones to feel this way. Jade was revered so highly by the Mayans and their Mesoamerican heirs that Aztec Emperor Montezuma once sent Cortez four jade beads in tribute. When the Conquistador dismissed the jade beads as nothing more than colored rocks, it’s said that Montezuma was greatly relieved to send gold instead!

Jadeite and Nephrite: Twin Stones

The jade prized by the Mayans and Mesoamericans was actually a substance known as jadeite–formed in metamorphic rocks. Across the sea in China, valuable carved jade weapons, jewelry and ritual talismans were actually made of an entirely different substance: nephrite.

While the Mesoamericans loved green jadeite, white “mutton fat jade” made of nephrite was the most valuable jade in China.

Mutton fat jade is also sometimes called “ancient jade” to distinguish it from the jadeite that has been imported into China in the course of the past two centuries. In actuality, both gemstones have ancient roots in different parts of the world and their use goes back to prehistoric times.

Both jadeite and nephrite come in a wide variety of colors, are extremely tough, and can be fashioned into carved jade weapons and implements that some say are stronger than steel. (Nephrite is actually harder to break than jadeite because of its chemical structure, but both stones hover near the same number on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.)

Considering the similarities between nephrite and jadeite, it should be no surprise that when trade routes opened between the old world and the new, they were sold interchangeably as raw, polished or carved jade. Gemologists were unable to distinguish between the two varieties until the 19^th century because they look so much alike and have very similar physical properties. (Perhaps it is no accident that these twin stones are associated with the astrological sign Gemini.)

Jadeite versus Nephrite

Unfortunately, there are meaningful differences between jadeite and nephrite when it comes to jewelry or collecting antique carved jade.

Polished nephrite has a waxy finish whereas polished jadeite can shine like glass. As a general rule, paler stones are usually nephrite and the more brightly colored ones are jadeite. Most importantly, jadeite is rarer than nephrite and therefore, more expensive. (If you’re shopping for carved jade, jewelry or other keepsakes, most of what you’ll find is made of nephrite.)

East versus West

“Imperial Green” jadeite is said to be the most expensive gemstone in the world. A stone can command tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Because the color has so much to do with the price, distinguishing between jades has given rise to a host of descriptive names. Dark green semi-translucent jadeite is called “Yunan Jade” whereas yellowish green jadeite is known as “Apple Jade” and white jadeite with green inclusions is called “Moss-in-Snow Jade.”

To Westerners, the most attractive, valuable and sought after types are the imperial green jade, spinach green jade, and apple jade. To Easterners, however, white mutton fat jade still holds the most magic. (Mutton fat jade can be clear, off-white or even yellow. At its best, mutton fat jade is also smooth and milky.)

Modern Jewelry

Imperial green jade and mutton fat jade are only the most well-known types. Because jade comes in a wide variety of colors and price ranges, it’s a popular choice for gemstone jewelry.

It can be dyed, so jewelry lovers can enjoy carved jade beads in a host of ornamental settings from necklaces to anklets to coordinate with every outfit. Blood red jade (also known as “Man Jade”) is very stylish. Pink and purple jade make for versatile and affordable choices in pendants, rings and bracelets. And black jade is an excellent alternative to onyx.

Pink Jade Purse Charm

We no longer use carved jade to make weapons and farming implements, but the magical aura of jade still lingers. Like the Mayans and Chinese Empires before us, we cannot help but be enchanted by its beauty and glorious past.

Jade Links:

International Colored Gemstone Association

Jade and its Historic and Modern Meanings for Trade

Gemstone Gifts- Jade Gemstone Meanings

Mayan Jade

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