It’s Nice to Have Friends

 A friend of mine who just happens to own my favorite soap shop in Tucson, gave me this beautiful saguaro cactus soap for my newly remodeled bathroom.  It looks wonderful in the handmade soap dish that I bought there a while ago.  

This is not a paid advertisement.  This is a personal request that you just might consider supporting a small business owned by a woman.  I have been buying my soap at Tracy’s shop for years. Did I mention that Tracy makes the soap herself? In my humble opinion, supporting small businesses in the community has a positive effect on the entire community.  

Tracy does put together awesome gift baskets and bags.  With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduations coming up this would be your chance to get a great gift and help support the local Tucson economy.  

Artemesia is located at 6538 East Tanque Road, Tucson Arizona, across the street from Trail Dust Town. In the same plaza as my favorite Local Yarn Shop, Grandmas Spinning Wheel, which is also a woman owned shop. 

If you can not make it to the store in person you may use the website Artemesia There is a large selection of soaps, bath salts, lotions and scrubs for both men and women.  If you have dry skin most soaps have moisturizers in them.  

Allergies the Final Chapter

 I have found a solution to the very highly scented hand lotion that I was using.  I have used it for 2 days with no problems.  In fact my hands started looking better by day 2.  I have gone to a local store run by a woman who formulates everything herself. I have been using her bar soap for years. I highly recommend the soap if you have a tendency towards dry skin.

Tracy at Artemesia also makes a Cocoa Butter Body Creme that is unscented.  Although there is a slight natural cocoa scent.  For this chocoholic that is not a problem. The cream is very rich and a dab goes a long way.  Now I need to rinse a smaller tin out with boiling water so I can carry a small amount in my purse.  

If you live in Tucson or are visiting you can find Artemesia at 6538 E Tanque Verde #170, this is right across the street from Trail Dust Town.  If you are not in Tucson and would like to try this fabulous body creme, hand crafted soap made in small batches or anything else please go to Artemesia . You can order anything listed. Everything is packaged nicely for shipping. I have had gifts mailed. 

This is a store that I like very much.  I have never had a bad experience with any of Tracy’s products. To keep everything upfront and honest I would like to say that I paid for everything myself and am not being paid for this blog post. I also like to support small woman owned businesses.  

Just Wow

 I can’t tell you how many years it has been since I have not broken or split at least 3 fingernails in a day.  They say that Sjogren’s drys out everything even fingernails.  Well something amazing happened this week.  My new dermatologist suggested a nail cream called Elon. It is lanolin rich mail conditioner.  It is on the pricey side of things.  It even came with a note reminding me to write a thank you note to whom ever sent it to me.  Yeah, that kind of product.  

While I was waiting for the cream to arrive ( it is not available in Tucson), I started using Badger Cuticle Care that I got at Artemesia here in Tucson a couple of times a day. This is something that Tracy carries  in stock and will not require a thank you note to get.  

I have been using both creams a couple of times a day depending on what activity I have planned.  I use the Elon when I know I won’t need my hands for a couple of hours, it can be a little sticky. I use the Badger Cuticle Care when I will be using my hands soon because it is not sticky.  

I can already see and feel the difference in my fingernails. I did not break a fingernail today or have to use a nail file because of a snag.  Even with all the hand washing I do on a daily basis.  I know from the information that I read I will have to keep this up forever. I personally think it is well worth the time. 

 Today was a busy but fun day.  Well almost.  A house issue slowed down my start.  Then it was off to Bryn Walker for some smaller sized tops. Yes the tops that are too big are starting to go into the Goodwill pile. Then off to the post office to drop some outgoing mail in the mailbox.  Then off to Joann’s for an Ott light for my new work space.  

Then there was a very brief check in with my friends at Grandmas Spinning Wheel.  Then it was time to get my 6 month supply of soap at Tracy’s shop Artemesia,  the only winter favorite not in stock was gingerbread, but I got some pumpkin spice soap instead. If you are not in Tucson go to byartemesia.com  If you are in Tucson you can visit her shop at 6538 East Tanque Verde Road.  It’s in the same plaza as Grandma’s Spinning Wheel. After you finish shopping stop by a Tucson favorite of mine, Savaya Coffee.  They roast their own coffee and brew their tea by the cup.  It is well worth waiting for the tea to be brewed.  

Then home to do some cleaning and organizing.  I rested by starting a new charity scarf while listening to an audio book. . So my active UFO’s are 2 different charity Scarfs, a charity hat, a new pattern and too many more to list. Since I made a couple of small upgrades the knitting room is more comfortable.  

I have a busy day tomorrow. Also the cold weather of winter will arrive.  Burr.