Here’s a little bit about how Stuff You’ll Love started for me. One of my most favourite things to do is camp. I camp as often as possible, within the comforts of my trailer of course. Unfortunately, mosquitos seem to love me even more than I love camping! I’ve tried almost every mosquito repellent out there, finding none that really worked for me. Every day I applied layers of chemical-laden bug sprays that left me feeling gross and sticky by the end of the day with multiple bug bites anyway. This one particular campground we annually visit is known for noseeums. A friend of mine (Michelle) found a homemade noseemum spray we could try. It worked like a damn! That got me thinking about finding a homemade, no-chemical mosquito spray recipe. I did some research, tried out some recipes, and found one that actually worked! It didn’t leave me feeling gross and sticky, kept the bites away and smelled amazing. Bonus! Then I started thinking about all of the other things I could possibly make...
Next came deodorant. I’ve read and heard quite a lot about how most store-bought deodorant contains aluminium and parabens, which have been thought to be linked to breast cancer. I looked into buying deodorants that are a more natural option, however, found the reviews to be not so great, not so easy to find, and the prices very high. Again I started researching homemade recipes and tried some out. Viola! I found one that actually works.
From then on I have spent a lot of time researching other useful items I could make with all of my newly acquired essential oils and other ingredients. I’ve successfully made lip balms, room sprays, inhalers, roller bottles, healing balm, shower melts, oil blends, sunscreen, etc. I have so many other ideas and can’t wait to make more.
Before I had children, I’d spend some of my spare time making jewelry, not to sell or anything, just for me. I really enjoyed this. While doing my research on essential oil uses, I discovered jewelry can be incorporated into this. I now make bracelets, necklaces, earrings and car fresheners that can be used with essential oils.
My wonderful supportive husband has tried all of my products. Although he may be bias, he is amazed at how well my products actually work. He exclusively uses my deodorant as it has worked so well for him. He swears by my healing balm. He, unfortunately, suffers from cold sores. I had him try my healing balm on his lip at the first sign of a cold sore tingle. He said it stopped the tingling right away and reversed the cold sore process (in his words). Normally once the tingling starts, the cold sore quickly turns into blisters and eventually scabs over. When using my healing balm the blistering didn’t happen and hence no ugly scabbing either. He suggested I start selling my products as they actually work.
I really love making my products so decided I give it a go and try to sell my stuff. Together we came up with the name Stuff You’ll Love. I was trying to figure out how to label all of my different “stuff.” After exploring different printing options, I came across this fantastic cutting machine called Cricut Maker. I knew I had to have this so that I could customize any label I needed to and print at my leisure. Once I got this cutting machine, a whole new crafting adventure began...vinyl. As I learned more about this cutting machine, I soon realized the possibilities were endless.
My dad owns a martial arts school and was looking to get club T-shirts made. I knew my new cutting machine could facilitate this so I gave T-shirt making a try. A few bumps along the way and I figured it out. From there I started making custom wine glasses and bottles, coffee mugs, decorative signs, Christmas ornaments, etc. Looking forward to creating so much more.
I also love all stuff that make life a little bit easier or fun! I love finding products to share. One of my favourites is as simple as a drawstring make-up bag. How great to be able to have your makeup spread out to easily find brushes, colors, etc, and then pull the strings into a small bag. I also found a 256 Gb flash drive that has three attachments: USB, mini-USB and lightening. I could plug this straight into my iPhone, download onto the flash drive and then plug it directly into my MacBook. Genius! If anyone has seen me the last few winters, they’ll recognize me by my hot pink toque. Not only is it my favourite color, it has Bluetooth speakers built-in over the ears. Love it!
As I start to put my “stuff” out there and share I realize how many others are doing stuff they love. I’d like to add links to local businesses to my page to share with others. Somebody looking for services or specific products may be able to find just what they are looking for.
This pretty much sums up how Stuff You’ll Love came to be. Please like, follow and share. I’ll bet you’ll find Stuff You’ll Love ;)
