Dragonfly Blog

My Cleaning Caddy. Not much to it!

With the gorgeous warm weather we’ve had the last few weeks (of course, as I write this it’s 43 degrees), I’ve been in a mood to unload from winter and start fresh for spring. For me, this means eating lighter, dressing lighter (though I may have packed away the winter coats too soon!), and, most importantly, spring cleaning! It seems like many of our friends and customers are feeling the same! We at Dragonfly Soap Works have had several requests for recipes for all-natural homemade household cleaners. Since I love to share what works well for me, below are several of my favorite simple-to-make-at-home household cleaning solutions.

Before we get to the good stuff, you may be wondering why I (and why you should) take the time to make homemade household cleaners when I can purchase a multitude of cleaning products at the grocery store, dollar store, or Wal-Mart. Aside from the fact that they’re simple to make and really inexpensive, homemade cleaners are healthier for the planet and for you.

Did you know… (special thanks to my friend Julianne for the facts below)
…commercial window cleaners contain dimethyl benzl ammonium chloride, which the EPA considers a pesticide?
…chlorine bleach was used as a choking agent during World War I because it attacks the lungs, throat, and nose to cause what is called “dry land drowning?”
…many all-purpose cleaners contain chlorinated materials as well as petroleum-based solvents that are considered neurotoxins and are central nervous system depressants?
…there are 17,000 chemicals approved for use in common household cleaners, and only 30% have been tested for safety?

Yuck! So, with just a handful of easy-to-find and inexpensive ingredients, you can make a variety of effective cleaners and start on your spring cleaning today!

Read the rest of this entry »

Recently, we posed the question to our Facebook fans, “What would you like to learn more about from Dragonfly Soap Works’ Wellness Blog?”  We received a variety of responses, for which we thank everyone who responded.  Over the next several months, we will be addressing many of these questions and expanding on some of the information we have already provided, with a series of posts we call Essential Oils 101.  Today we start with the basics:  What are Essential Oils?

#1: What are Essential Oils?

According to wikipedia.com essential oils are the concentrated volatile aroma compounds from plants.  Some come from the leaves or stems of the plant, while others are from the bark, resin or seeds, and still others from flowers or fruit.  Essential oils are so-called because they carry the distinctive fragrance or essence of the plant.

The oils are removed from the plant using a variety of methods, the most common of which is distillation.  Citrus oils, which are often cold-pressed, are easy to experiment with at home.  Take a slice of any citrus fruit and squeeze the peel between your fingers.  The fragrant oils that squirt from the peel are full of essential oils.

Pure essential oils are transparent and range in color from colorless to dark brown to blue.  They are oil-soluble but clean to the touch and quickly absorbed into the skin.  There are a variety of grades or qualities of essential oils available.  Some of the higher grades oils are rated GRAS (generally regarded as safe).  Some of the GRAS essential oils are considered safe for ingestion.  Lower grades are for external use only.  Essential oils should rarely be applied in their pure form or neat directly onto the skin as this may cause sensitivity.  Essential Oils should always be diluted in carrier oils such as sweet almond, grape seed, jojoba, etc.

Many essential oils have medicinal or pharmacological properties and a variety of uses.  Future posts to the EO101 series will visit individual essential oils and their properties.

Dragonfly Soap Works uses top-grade essential oils, though they are not recommended for internal use.  Please contact us for more information regarding our essential oil pricing and grading.  We also carry a wide variety of pampering home spa products using only pure plant oils and essential oils.

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The information above is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and has not been evaluated by the FDA.

The love that comes between two friends can be just as  powerful as, if not more powerful than, love between romantic partners.  That fact is sometimes harshly  overlooked.  Though February is usually  dedicated to romantic love, we at Dragonfly Soap Works feel that friendship  deserves the spotlight this week.

Why is friendship important?

Well, for starters, having a “partner in crime” often makes  activities more fun.  Bennett Helm  claims, in the Stanford Encylopedia of Phliosophy, that sharing an activity  with a friend helps you become more engaged in and involved with said activity,  thereby enjoying it more.  From gym time  to parties to road trips, most things are more enjoyable when you’re sharing  them with others you really care for.   Plus, it’s always nice to have someone to relive the memories with when  the day is over.

Friends can inspire us.   Study after study has shown that people who spend time with other people who  are thinner/nicer/smarter/more successful than they are often become more like  their friends.  Sure, that can happen the  other way, too- the thin person whose friends are all overweight starts to gain  weight or the successful student who hangs around the slackers suddenly cares  less about her grades- but, by and large, the positive influence of a group of  friends wins out.

Friends help us become better versions of ourselves.  It’s all too easy to get caught up in  self-pity or to become convinced that our personal view of the world is the  correct view.  It is helpful, then, to  have someone to point out the positives to dispel our pity-party, or to knock  some sense into us when we’re being bull-headed.  And it’s even better to know that said friend  will not judge us for our shortcomings, but will love us in spite of (or maybe  because of) them.  That may be the best  argument for friendship there is.

Personally, I have several friends who I turn to for  different things.  My best friend and I  have the type of relationship where we can go for weeks without speaking, then  spend hours catching up on everything from the daily trials and tribulations of  life to the really deep intellectual and emotional problems we don’t share with  anyone else.  I have other friends who I  know I can count on for a fun night out or a park play date with our kids.  I have church friends and mom friends and  book club friends, friends who are my age and older friends who help mentor me  and keep me grounded.  Some relationships  are moving and poignant, and others more about shared interests, but they are  all beneficial in their own ways, and I am thankful for each one.

How about you?   What  do you look for in a friend?  Why are  your friends important to you?  Have you  ever ended a friendship?

Helm, Bennett, “Friendship”, The Stanford  Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2009 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL  = <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2009/entries/friendship/>.

Wellness Information from Dragonfly Soap Works

Recently, we posted a question to our Facebook fans: what  would you like to learn about from us?  We  received a variety of responses, but the bottom line was that our friends and  customers want to learn about natural ways to stay healthy and help treat  illnesses.  In addition to our normal  weekly e-newsletters, we will be adding a series of posts to our wellness blog with  self-help information for a variety of ailments, plus basic information on  where essential oils come from and how to use them. Check back often for more information!

For now, check out some of our previous posts:
Stress Relief, the Natural Way!
Essential Oils for Beating the Blues
Acheiving Your Goals
Essential OIls for Weight Loss and Weight Management

Here at Dragonfly Soap Works, February is known as “Singles Appreciation Month” While we respect the fact that many of our friends and customers happily celebrated Valentine’s Day with their loved ones (and we have some great Valentine’s Day gift ideas, if you’re a little behind), we also understand that there are just as many of us who spent this February 14 relaxing at home, partying with friends, or in the company of close family.

Regardless of your relationship status, loving yourself should always be your focus.

The best way I can think to love yourself is to figure out what it is you really enjoy, and DO IT!  For me, it’s a toss up between time with a good book or long run, but if your thing is ice skating or rock-climbing or vegging in front of the TV with 10 seasons of E.R., take the time to indulge.  If your partner or friends don’t share your passion, that’s OK.  Join a goup of people with similar interests through a site like meetup.com, or just head out on your own and see who comes your way!

Second, cut yourself some slack.  So many of us get caught up in trying to be everything to everyone, or in trying to help every needy person we come across.  Those are noble ideas, but they can be completely impractical.  Say “no” to those things or people that you find draining or even toxic, and replace them with things you really love (see the paragraph above for ideas).

Finally, treat yourself.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant; sometimes a simple vanilla cupcake or a new lip gloss can be all you need to feel nurtured and loved.  And as a bonus, if you’re buying for yourself, there’s no stress that whatever you’re buying will be the wrong size/color/item.  You know what you like!

Do you have any ideas for loving yourself?  Let us know in the comments below, or on our facebook or google+ pages.  Until then, enjoy!

Whether you’re in love, out of love, lookin’ for love,  love-less, or feeling lovey-dovey, Dragonfly Soap Workshas gift ideas for you  and your loved ones this Valentine’s Day. (And by “loved ones,” we mean anyone  you love- your kids, your mom, your dog, your bff, or even your significant  other.)

Flavorful Lip Lotions- Aside from the obvious fact that moisturized  lips are better for K-I-S-S-I-N-G, Dragonfly Soap Works flavorful Lip Lotions  are a great Valentine’s Day gift idea because they’re so cute!  Well, that and they’re the perfect size for  your Valentine to keep with her, helping to make sure you’re always on her  mind.

Long-lasting Fragrance Diffusers- The sense of smell is strongly linked  to the emotional centers of the brain.   How do you put this to use to work for you?  Get your special someone a Dragonfly Soap  Works oil-based Fragrance Diffuser in his favorite scent and he’ll always  associate that fragrance with the one who gifted him with it- you!

Moisturizing Massage Oils- People love massages.  Enough said.   (OK, one more thing- Dragonfly Soap Works Massage Oils come in all of  our fragrances, plus some flavored varieties for those of you looking take your  massage to the next level.)

Exquisite Home Spa Collections- The gift of a Dragonfly Soap Works spa collection,  with Artisan Soap, Glycerin Bath Salts, Sweets Scrubs, and Olive Oil Lotion is  the perfect gift for saying “You are special to me, and you deserve the  best.”

We want to know! Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? What is the best or worst Valentine’s gift you have ever received? Let us know in the comments below, or comment on our facebook, twitter, or google+ pages.

These days, we hear a lot about STRESS- definitions of it, causes of it, its effects on our bodies- and none of it is positive. No one can seem to agree on the best way to minimize this curse of modern life, yet we can all agree that we need less of it!

Personally, I have tried many different things to alleviate stress, from the conventional anti-anxiety medication to more holistic things like aromatherapy. While it is most definitely a work-in-progress, I have found a few key things really help me to keep stress levels low.

1. Exercise! Running used to be my go-to stress-buster, but fitting in a 5K between the demands of a houseful of kids, a part-time job, and the cold weather just doesn’t happen very often. Instead, I’ve found that a few 1-2 minute workouts throughout the day help keep me energized and reduce any anxiety that starts to creep in. I’ve just started adding a short yoga routine into my day, and that is great for centering my mind, although getting the poses right can sometimes feel like more to worry about!
2. Eat well. Good food is my passion. I love things that taste amazing (flourless chocolate cake is my ultimate indulgence) but I also notice that I feel better and more able to handle the stress in my life when I eat healthy. And really, who can feel sad when they have a strawberry-mango-banana smoothie in front of them?
3. Rest. You know how toddlers have more melt-downs when they’re tired? Well, we adults don’t cope as well when we’re short on sleep, either.
4. Rest. This time, I don’t mean sleep. Sure, sleep is great, but sometimes, you need some down-time to process the craziness of the day and nurture your spirit. I like to make a cup of Chai and sit in front of the fish tank. The Zen-like sounds of the water in the tank help me really let go of the stressors of the day.
5. Pray. Or meditate, or whatever it is you need to do to feel connected to the greater powers of the universe. Giving my problems to God really puts them in to perspective.
6. Laugh. Watch a funny movie, go to a comedy club, play peek-a-boo with a baby, or just go online and find a few clips on youtube. Search for “funny cat video” You won’t be disappointed.
7. Get some vitamin D. And not from a pill. Go outside for 10 minutes and put your face up to the sun. Especially on these icy winter days, it feels fantastic.
8. Aromatherapy. Lavender, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Vanilla and Peppermint are all great stress-busting essential oils. I’ll be posting more detailed info about each of the essential oils in weeks to come, but these are a few good ones with which to get started. Whether you apply them to your skin using a Pulse Points applicator or just enjoy the scent through a fragrance diffuser, these are really great for setting a calm and relaxing scene.

There are tons more ways to help reduce stress and its effects. What are some of your favorites? Leave your ideas in the comments below, or on our facebook page.

Earlier this month, we closed out 2011 to make room for all things new for Dragonfly Soap Works in 2012. So, here is a quick sneak preview of what is in store for 2012.

New Products: Keep your eyes peeled in March for the launch of Dragonfly Soap Works’ kid-friendly Bitty Bug line, in conjunction with monthly installments of Knut and the Dragons by Vicki Steger. Starting in March, a chapter of the book will be revealed each month here on our website, along with a coordinating fragrance. Plus, find some brand-new products to help keep your bitty bugs happy and healthy. Also in the works are some products for your four-legged friends in our upcoming Pet Potions line! Finally, a Dragonfly Soap Works Liquid Soap is headed down the pipeline for arrival late this Spring.

New Information: Along with new products, we hope to continue to keep you abreast of information to keep you healthy. We hope to educate you on the many uses of essential oils (start here with essential oils for beating the blues), show you the benefits of our all-natural Artisan Soaps and home spa products, and even provide some wholesome recipes for feeling your best from the inside out.

New Events: In addition to continuing with many of the events we have visited in past years, look for us and our products in new venues for 2012. Some possibilities include the Antioch Farmers’ Market in Antioch, IL; the Redgranite Labor Day Festival in Redgranite, WI; and the Warren Township Vendor Fair in Gurnee, IL. Also, look for products and events from our sister company, Aqua Eterna Home Spa Parties at Anything’s Possible in Racine, WI and Water 2 Wine Custom Winery in Brookfield, WI.

What are you looking forward to in the 2012? Let us know in the comments, and let us know what you would like to see from us here at Dragonfly Soap Works. We would love to know if there is a fragrance or product that you’re looking for, or some ailment we can help alleviate.

Dragonfly Soap Works’ 1st-ever Clearance Sale is still going on!

Selected slightly-damaged spa products are 25% off, with $5 flat-rate shipping! Find cooling Aloe Body Mists, moisturizing Bath Salts, soothing Olive Oil Lotions, and more!

CLICK HERE to be taken to our clearance page!

This time of year, it’s easy to let yourself slip into a funk.  Between the cold weather, the long nights, the post-holiday blues, and the bills arriving from all those Christmas gifts purchased on credit, there is a lot to feel down about.  January 24 has even been researched as being the single most depressing day of the year.  (Here at Dragonfly Soap Works, we’re in the midst of major production time!)

This year, be prepared to banish the blues with nature’s help.  Simple things like making a point of being outside for 5 to 10 minutes during the day (lunchtime walk, anyone?) and getting enough sleep can help, as can continuing a healthy diet and exercise plan.  However, I have found that one of the simplest ways to boost my mood is through the use of essential oils.

My preferred methods of use for uplifting essential oils are to have a Dragonfly Soap Works oil-based Fragrance Diffuser on my desk while I work or to carry a Pulse Points essential oil applicator with me for on-the-go application.  A little rolled onto the inside of my wrist goes a long way to helping me stay calm during this low point of the year.

Below is a list of several essential oils used for happiness and contentment, along with a brief description of each fragrance.

Anise- black licorice (found in our Stealth fragrance)
Bergamot- sweet citrusy floral
Cinnamon- spicy and warm
Clary Sage- sweet and heady
Clove- spicy and sweet
Gingergrass- heady and grassy (found in our Mongolian Steppe fragrance)
Lavender- sweet and astringent (found in our Lavender and Lavender Peppermint)
Lemon- citrusy and pungent
Lime- -fresh citrus (found in our Litsea Lime)
Litsea- floral and citrus notes (found in our Litsea Lime)
Peppermint- sweet and invigorating (found in our Peppermint and Lavender Peppermint)
Petitgrain- warm, woody and floral
Rose Geranium- sweet and green floral
Tuberosa- heavy and sweet floral

Dragonfly Soap Works fragrances containing these essential oils are noted where applicable, but this is not an exhaustive list.  Please email us for more information about purchasing products containing any of these mood-boosting essential oils or any of our other high-quality oils.  Plus, check out information about essential oils that help curb appetite to help you lose weight this new year!

Which of these oils have you used or would you use to help boost your mood?  Any others you like for their uplifting effects?  Let us know in the comments below!  Also, check out our Burst Bubble Clearance Sale for 25% select spa products.

Dear Friends,

As we enter 2012 I can’t help but look back at 2011.  What an eventful year it was here at  Dragonfly Soap Works.

The biggest and most exciting change was welcoming Kelly to  Dragonfly Soap Works.  Kelly is our  Director of Social Marketing and first official Sales Rep.  I say “official” because my Mom and Dad have  regaled the virtues of our products, often to complete strangers, since I  started Dragonfly Soap Works.  Not  surprisingly their lack of shyness had made a number of sales.  Go Mom and Dad!  Kelly has been an incredible addition.  She has taken on projects that I had  envisioned but never found the time to make a reality.  It is because of her efforts that you are  receiving these fabulous newsletters, Facebook and Twitter updates.  Kelly also started selling Dragonfly Soap  Works products at the Antioch and Zion farmers markets as  well as a number of craft fairs.  She has  been unbelievably patient with yours truly.   I had no idea what was needed to take Dragonfly Soap Works to the next  level of having independent sales reps and couldn’t have asked for a better  person to stumble over that learning curve with.  Kelly has built great relationships with her  customers and is planning to expand her customer reach in 2012.

I’ve dubbed 2011 as the year of the floods.  I don’t think in the six years combined Dragonfly  Soap Works had been in business prior to 2011 we’ve had as many rainy events as  in 2011.  Several events experienced so  much rain that rivers deeper than my ankles were running through the tent.  At another event, the storm hit so sudden and  violently that it took 5 people to hold the tent on the ground as I covered and  packed product at super-human speed to save it from damage.  Our Artisan Soaps and Spa Products are your  best friend in the bath but don’t survive the rains well.  Too many events to count were just plain  soggy.  In spite of the rains it was a  great year.  We went to a number of new  events and had a chance to catch-up with friend from events we’ve attended  since the beginning.  We’ve added several  new retail locations that are selling Dragonfly Soap Works and have a number of  new products, fragrance and flavors.  All  in all, we were very blessed in 2011.

Thanks to the many rainy events, Dragonfly Soap Works is  having its first Burst Bubble – Don’t  hate them because they’re not beautiful Clearance Sale.  These are great products that are now a bit  ugly on the outside.  Rain or oils from a  too-quickly packed neighbor smeared the label, or the container may have been marred.  The sale is first-come first-sold and is  limited to the quantities listed here.  Shipping is a flat rate of $5 so order everything  available, if you want.  To order simply  e-mail your product selection to orders@dragonflysoapworks.com and we will  send you a PayPal invoice for your purchase or call us with your order @  262.914.9347 to pay by credit card.

Thank you all for a fabulous 2011 and happy 2012!

Sincerely,

Laura Zielinski
Founder- Dragonfly Soap Works

I woke this morning, saw the date on my alarm clock, and really, truly could not believe that it was correct.  We survived Christams?  Winter is officially here? 2011 is almost over?  I couldn’t believe that this year has flown by as quickly as it has.  Then is dawned on me that the close of 2011 means New Year’s resolution time is here!  While I rarely make a true resolution, I often take a few minutes on January 1 to see where I am in life and what I want from the next year.

Even though I don’t typically set a New Year’s resolution, I know that many of you, our dear readers and friends, do.  Whether your resolution is to be more productive, trim your waistline, or take better care of yourself, it can be difficult to keep once the momentum of the new year wears off.  Fortunately, many Dragonfly Soap Works products can assist you in achieving your New Year’s Resolution goals.

If being more focused and productive at work or at home is your goal, a good starting point is to organize your work space.  Clear the clutter off your desk by getting a few attractive storage baskets or an inexpensive shelving system (Target always has tons of nice containers this time of year) .  Replace the mess with items that help make the space more productive, like a notepad for quickly jotting down important ideas and a tray to organize supplies like pens and paper clips.  Add a Dragonfly Soap Works Oil-based Fragrance Diffuser in Lavender-Peppermint for an additional boost.  Lavender’s calming and soothing properties can help keep you stress-free, while peppermint’s energizing and refreshing effects can help in keeping you focused on your work.

The most popular goal for a New Year’s Resolution is, as always, to loose weight.  Perhaps they’re the same few pounds you’ve always wanted to loose, or perhaps you indulged a bit too much over the holidays.  Either way, loosing weight during the long, dreary months of winter can be difficult.  Fortunately, there are several essential oils that can assist you on your way.  Citrus oils*, like Pink Grapefruit and Lemon are energizing and uplifting, and also help control appetite and boost digestion.  Food fragrances*, like chocolate, vanilla, anise, or peppermint, when inhaled several times before eating, help boost feelings of satiety so you feel full sooner.  Dragonfly Soap Works Pulse Points rollerball applicators are the perfect way to keep essential oils or fragrance oils with you for a few quick sniffs any time or place.

A more general goal for a lot of people each year, myself included, is to take better care of yourself.  That can mean different things for different people.  For me, it means eating healthy (carrots instead of cheese curls, green tea* instead of coffee), working out, getting enough sleep, and taking time to do something for myself every day, not just squeezing in something fun when there is left over time.  One way to treat myself is a pedicure with Dragonfly Soap Works moisturizing Glycerin Bath Salts in my absolute favorite fragrance, Citrus-Basil.  A 15-minute soak with a good book (or my facebook newsfeed), a quick foot massage, and a pair of soft, clean socks make me a new person on even the worst days!  Try it for yourself!

Do you have some more unconventional New Year’s Resolution ideas?  Share them in the comments or on our facebook page.

*We have a wide variety of pure essential oils and high-quality fragrance oils available to choose from, many of which are not currently available on our web site.  We also carry a large selection of hand-blended teas.  Please contact us for more information on either of these products..