Finally!! We've been busy here ... not so much business-wise, but family sickness-wise! Things are getting back to normal and Litha (Summer Solstice) couldn't be a better day to jump back in!  Summer is in full swing here in Texas and we're working hard at keeping cool!

Here's a cool shop called Dragon Knits for you all to check out!
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Do you need some sweet summer jewelry?  Or how about a super yummy knit beach bag?  Dragon Knits is definitely the shop to shop.  Our conversation happened a couple of weeks ago in the midst of my sick kiddo, so I'm happy to finally be sharing this great find!

Meet Emily, wife, step-mom and creator extraordinaire!

My products include knitted items (mostly accessories like scarves, hats, and gloves) and jewelry. I hope to be adding a line of sewn items just as soon as I beat my sewing machine into submission. I love the items that I create, but I try not to get attached. I love sending them off to their new homes.

I have a wonderful husband and an equally wonderful step-daughter who is turning 9 next weekend. My husband is very supportive of my creative efforts...he gives the appropriate ohs and ahs whenever I create something new. :) My step-daughter actually gets to be the subject for my experiments in a lot of cases. Whenever I'm making something new, I make it in her size first, so she ends up with lots of loot. :)

When I grow up, I want to be a professional creator-of-things. I would love Dragon Knits to grow into a stable business that would replace my income as a teacher.

In tough times, I rely on my friends and family along with my fierce stubborn nature. :)

What does "Dirty Girl" mean to me? Hmmmm. I think being a Dirty Girl means doing what needs to be done, but in your own way. You may have to go to work, cook dinner, and read bedtime stories just like every other woman in the world, but leave your own, special mark on all that you do.




I'm particularly fond of my "pearl" jewelry. It reminds me of an era when things were simple and elegant. :)

Thank you so much Emily for your patience and your rockin' shop!  Readers, stop by and check out all of the cool things Emily's created!

I really love looking at blog features, but have always been too intimidated to do one.  Intimidation be damned! 

So, my first Dirty Girl feature will be on Monday and will focus on Etsy shop owners or bloggers that are also moms!  Would you like to be featured?  Just leave a comment here with your shop/blog link and then I will send you a message if you're chosen.  I'll ask you to answer a couple of questions about blogging, crafting, running a shop and being a mom at the same time.

I was finally able to get my soap-in-a-parm-jar out.  Actually, my smart husband did it.  I'll be listing it today and it is gorgeous!  I love the circular shape and the deep green color.  The scent, a Neroli blend, is ridiculous!  I can't seem to get it off my mind, though, part of that is due to the scent wafting around constantly.  My hubs, who isn't a scent kind of person, really liked it ... that's saying a lot!

Back to the feature.  I am looking for name input.  It'll be on Mondays ... any suggestions?

And, moving again ... /sigh. Why oh why can I not settle in one spot? Must be the wandering nature I have!

Anyway, I am going to take advantage of this move to sort of redefine some things and define in clearer detail other things. This first month of being an Etsy shop owner has been far beyond my expectations in both good and bad ways. But, the most profound is that I am falling more in love with this creative venture by the day.

One common agreement among soapers is that a sign of soap love and addiction is seeing potential soap molds everywhere. I write this as I sit next to a super fragrant parmesan cheese container - empty of Parmesan cheese and full of a deep green soap ... now if I could just figure out how to get this lovely bit of cleansing out. Hmm ...

How Dirty Girls Get Clean ... a thought that has been bandied about in this household for the past few months. And, that idea has been growing in my mind for a bit ... How do dirty girls get clean? Is a "dirty girl" just implying a hard-core, grunge or steam punk chick who is out rallying for women's rights? Do those kinds of girls buy handmade soap? Of course! Isn't a decadent pampering one of the rights we want ... it is for me! But, is girl soap just supposed to be flowery and prettily packaged? Nope, at least this Dirty Girl doesn't think so!

We're all Dirty Girls at heart, aren't we? Somewhere, deep down, maybe? Well, I'm setting out on a mission to find a way to make soap that appeals to all levels of Dirty Girls.