More thoughts on Website & SEO...

To continue with those thoughts on website and search engine optimization: I have been doing a lot of "homework" (I suppose it could aptly be called that - I am reading, re-reading, and reading some more, as well as taking notes, after all!), researching those sites and sources that have been recommended to me. I have found a lot of good info, very good info and absolutely great info at some of these... My brother, who is also one that is a really talented researcher, sent to me some really good links - from which I have been able to gain the most usable tools and resources. So, with those "tools", I continue on with the "tweaking" and fiddling around with my SweetPea & Violets site, adding this, deleting that... It is so much work - but, I think I like where I am heading with it. I have added a bit of new product, new content and services, and I have begun affiliate marketing from the site - which I have been told is "the" way to make money with a website. We'll see. It is all a lot to assimilate, both into my brain as well as the website. I persevere.
Among those links that my brother passed on to me was one in particular that I was so greatful to have come across: Steve Pavlina's Personal Development for Smart People... My goodness, this is the best informational blog/website! He writes a lot, offers a lot of tips and advice, and just pretty much shares all he knows with the goal of helping people better themselves. I really, really was so glad to have come across his website and blog. You'll find links to all of his archived blogs, plus links to other self-help oriented sites and products.
Another good site is ProBlogger.net where Darren Rowse tells you everything you need or want to know on how to make money with your blog... Imagine that. Here I am struggling to make money from my (retail) website, and there are those that are making a living from their blogs! He also offers links to archived blogs and other tools and resources. In any case, they are both really helpful, resourceful sites; I mean it. I was quite taken-aback by the possibilities of all that can be accomplished with just a little bit of creativity.
To that creative end, as I mentioned above, I have added a few new items to SweetPea & Violets. To complement the addition of more (hopefully decent) content, I now offer a select variety of aromatherapy books! I'll be adding more on herbs and other facets of aromatherapy practice, but for now, I think it a good beginning. I am working on the addition of more variety of essential oils (as well as a page devoted solely to that product) and aromatherapy tools such as aroma lamps and diffusers.
As far as money-making - one of the affiliate ventures I am working on promoting is SFI. Some might say "Oh, not another one...", but, you know, I am actually seeing a bit of turn-around with this one. I'm seeing a response to my ads, and I actually received my first commission check! That was a thrilling moment, no kidding! It is taking a bit of time and work effort, I will be honest about that, but, I can see it beginning to grow (especially this month!) and the potential is making itself known. With no commitments or cost to look, it can't hurt to check it out.
I have continued with the other community sites, having a bit of fun and "meeting" new friends. At SweetPea & Violets' MySpace, I found two old "friends" - those I knew from The Blissful Soul - That Yarn Store (a real-live yarn shop located in Eagle Rock, CA) and Aurah - an awesome band that actually played live at The Blissful Soul. Visit me at MySpace and see for yourself. Another friend I have made is Beau Moreau. Another musician, really cool music. I've added a banner - a direct link to his music and site.
I'm still in the running over at StartUp Nation btw... I've no illusions of winning, mind you, but it's still nice to get your votes! So, vote for SweetPea & Violets, yes? Thanks...
'Til next time...

...thoughts on aromatherapy

I've known of (been familiar with) the term "aromatherapy" for a long while, since the late 1980s, in fact. Of course, aromatherapy, itself, goes way back farther than that. Wisewomen and medicine men and women of old practiced exactly that, if calling it by another name at the time. The art of aromatherapy is fascinating - knowing herbs by sight, touch, smell; knowing the properties of any particular plant or flower. Knowing what part of each plant to use - leaves, flowers, roots - and the resulting benefits of each (again, whether by use of tea, poultice, or collected oil essence). Fascinating. I never tire of reading up on the subject overall, or of delving into particular methodologies.
What first came across my path was a sheaf of photocopied pages from an old book. I read about the different herbs, their properties, their origination and habitats, the uses of each. Peppermint leaves crushed into a paste to clean the teeth and tongue - or even the use of a twig to clean between the teeth - and this before the advent of tooth paste and brushes! A rinse of rosemary to cleanse one's scalp and hair. Lemon for lightening. Creating colognes from lavender, rose petals, orange zest and a bit of alcohol. Or men's cologne with bay leaves, spices, and rum.
Aromatherapy practice consists of beauty treatments: skincare, bodycare, haircare - inside and out (with caution and the knowledge of an educated practitioner, please!). It includes treatments (use of herbs in teas or inhaled essential oil essences) that alter our moods and emotions. Oils are used in massage therapy to ease body aches and promote both relaxation and healing. And through each of these methodologies, aromatherapy heals the whole person - body, mind, and spirit.
Imagine how long aromatherapy has been around - our prehistoric ancestors watched and learned from nature around them. And passed it on to us.
My favorite aspect of aromatherapy is discovering essential oils particular aromas and properties and finding those that are complementary in order to create a really terrific blend.
I first began blending, quite by accident, in the store where I worked. At the time, I was only concerned that it smell great! In the end, my first blend not only smelled terrific, I had concocted a blend that, when inhaled, one couldn't help but feel uplifted, better. I liked that effect. I liked that customers commented positively on the aroma filling the store. It was 2 years later before I reproduced the blend to sell it. I have it for sale, now, at my website SweetPea & Violets.
A delicious blend of orange, lavender and white clover (hard to find, folks!) I call it Irish Morning. I am working on others, including a "signature fragrance" - something that is the epitome of what I want others to understand what SweetPea & Violets is all about.
Just a note, here - I am not a practicing herbalist or aromatherapist. I am an aspiring aromatherapist. I am working on certification, a degree in holistic theology, as well, even as I write this. But, I am not prepared to offer advice, other than a recommendation to one who may be more qualified than I. What I do here, in my writing, as well as through my website as I create products or just sell safely ready-made product, is offer to share what I know and what I am learning. That aspiration is what inspired me to create my other website: Your Well-Lived Life - to be able to share and to point interested readers toward those other sources and/or sites that I believe will be of help and growth. So, there you are.

For those interested, I've completed the SweetPea & Violets website newsletter, which will shortly be sent out. Showcased a few really good items: promoting the Terra Nova products, and, of course, the candles. Added a few notes regarding the gifts that I have offered in the past, as well as a link to a gift catalog found on my Gift Gallery page. Made those all-important updates to my Etsy site: SweetPea16.etsy.com which will hopefully result in a little bit of positive feedback - and maybe even a sale or two!

In the meantime, I keep up with my studies, my work, my art. I've begun the writing, again (thank you my Adlandpro , Salespider and StartUp Nation community friends for inspiring me to commit to a blog - though I did heartily resist)
More to come...