Feature Story - The Texas Gypsy

 
We are super excited to have met back up with The Texas Gypsy at another vendor event this past summer! I had the pleasure of bringing back some goodies to try out! What scent did I test you may ask? Well after  perusing the Dragon's Heart, Bongfire Bliss, & Sassy Strawberry, but was instantly infatuated with the Lemon Poppy Goat's Milk scent. Not only was she going to let me be the tester of a fine bar of soap, but also her new twistable lotion bar, & bath bomb too!

Lemon Poppy Goat's Milk Soap - I have to admit, I was a little cautious about trying a different brand of soap other than my trusty Dove. I even went as far as to warm up to using the new bar by first sitting it on my counter for a few days...then unwrapping it, moving it to the shower, to sit there and look pretty for a few more days. It's the truth I tell you! But then, I tried out this fabulously delicious smelling soap and I have fallen in love! It keeps my skin so soft and smooth and the actual poppy seed that is mixed into the soap is like it's own little scrub.  After a few days I realized that the lemon (from the Essential Oils) was helping aid in clearing my acne (yes as an adult I still have acne). Go get yourself some! it's only $5 for all of her soap bars!

Lemon Poppy  Lotion Bar - What do you get when you have
Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Refined Beeswax, & essential oils? You get sweet smelling, easy rub on lotion - that's what! So I'm not exactly a greasy lotion loving fan...and with this lotion I don't have to be! This lotion is THE BEST when it comes to softening my sometimes rough elbows and for rubbing on my legs after a nice shave. This lotion has ZERO GREASE and leaves my skin silky smooth.

Lemon Poppy Bath Bomb - I'm sold on this entire line! It's time for the last item for review, but definately, not the least! Put some steaming hot water in your tub, toss in the bath bomb (I broke it in half to use twice) and enjoy the suds! Kick your feet up and enjoy the pleasant feel of your skin being revitalized.

 I have only the most positive things to say about The Texas Gypsy's products and this line is a must try! I promise you will be hooked! Can't wait to see Heather this coming weekend (gotta love those Texas festivals) to hit her up for more soap bars! 

Here is a Flashback from out interview with Heather, this past April

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We had the amazing pleasure of catching up with Heather Barricklow AKA The Texas Gypsy at 7 Acre Wood's annual Easter market, this past weekend. After recently quitting her full time job to join the world of entrepreneurs, Heather has successfully launched her own shop on Etsy.com. Check out our interview below

Building Bridges: Tell us a little bit about you, your family, and what you like to do for fun!

The Texas Gypsy: My name is Heather Barricklow Cunningham, I'm 31 years old, been married for 8 years to the love of my life, and have always had a creative and artistic drive. I was never really into my school work with the "writing" of papers, but boy can I tell you, I always had the pretties reports!!! I am an only child of my beautiful loving parents Roger and Betsy Barricklow. I have been very lucky in life with, my parents who have always supported me in all my endeavors! When I was about 19, they encouraged me to start my own mural painting business. It was fun, but I figured out real quickly that I wasn't going to make my fortune at that. For fun I decorate my house,  and make dinner for friends and family. Not being from a large family myself my friends and in-laws are my everything. I don't have any children yet, but I do have two fur babies. One is a lab mix named Gator. And, my other is a rescued blue nose pit named Ludo (that big friendly creature from the "Labyrinth" movie). And I make Bath products. I love creating Soaps, lotion bars, and a multitude of other fun things.  

Building Bridges: Why did you decide to open your shop and why sell on Etsy.com?

The Texas Gypsy: Well honestly, I started out making stained glass jewelry. I found I really enjoyed making soaps and sugar scrubs for myself (I have very sensitive skin) and gifts for others. The scrubs took on a life of their own and I started selling them at work, and to friends, and family. As for opening on Etsy, I’ve been a long time customer of Etsy and just loved the whole idea of the site. They really pioneered something grand in setting up a space for artisans. Not to mention it was/is a WAY better venue then Ebay for artists and those who appreciate art. Plus it was super easy to set up lol.

Building Bridges: When did your shop officially open?

The Texas Gypsy: I guess you can say I officially opened back in 2010. But really didn't get things going until 2013. That same year I made the decision to leave my full time job of 9 years, in the oil industry - to pursue The Texas Gypsy full time. My wonderful husband had encouraged me to follow my passion and it has meant a lot to me!

Building Bridges: Do you have any shop promo discounts, if so when do they end? 

The Texas Gypsy: Yes I want to show my appreciation to everyone that is here with me during the beginning. So I have a promo code of THANKYOU15, where you get 15% off your entire purchase (expires at the end of 2014). Aren't I sooo nice to my peeps! www.etsy.com/shop/thetexasgypsy/

Building Bridges: Please keep us posted! We can’t wait to see your new website! We love to attend craft and vendor markets - do you?

The Texas Gypsy: I ADORE all the markets! I get great ideas, meet fascinating people, network, and buy all kinds of cool stuff.
 

Building Bridges: Did you always see yourself becoming an entrepreneur?

The Texas Gypsy: Yes! I knew I didn't belong in corporate hell. I have always had a drive to create, try, and make my products profitable (and believe me they weren't always profitable)!! I believe you have to fail at things in order to achieve what you really want and need in life. It wouldn't be called work if it were always easy! The cubicle world was extremely hard for me – especially being away from my loved ones so much, that my co workers started to become my family. which is a whole other thing with in its self. LOL   

Building Bridges: Okay…maybe an odd question...do you use the soaps you make?

The Texas Gypsy: ALL DAY EVERYDAY. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't love my products enough to use them. How could I sell to John Q public if I really didn't believe in what I made. Believing in what you do and being successful with it is the American dream, the core roots of what we were built on. We test ever batch for quality. I get excited about making my products look their best. Each product does not look exactly identical once it is made, but I can say they will always be the best quality every time, or it doesn't ship out!

Building Bridges: What is your favorite product on the market and why?

The Texas Gypsy: My favorite item I make as of right now, is our Shaving brushes. Mainly because I get the privilege of spending time with my dad in his workshop. We use his tools and even some of my grandfather’s tools, and I learn something new every time, whether it be, how to turn the wood a certain way to get a different texture, or a funny story from my father’s childhood. We put so much love in every one of our shaving brushes that they are just priceless to me!

The first brush me and my dad made!

Building Bridges: Anything else we can share about you and your shop?

The Texas Gypsy: I encourage everyone to learn from their older generations. Things like learning crochet from a co worker, recipes from my mom, how to get the lawn mower working again from my dad, how to change a toilet from your husband. Too many people have gotten caught up in the fast pace of life where if you know how to sew or make bread from scratch you’re the weird person. I say to heck with all of that. I find it has made me a more independent, well rounded person learning and listening to the generation before me to do everything! And if the Zombie Apocalypse happens believe me having these skill will make you much more appealing to your community to keep you alive. LOL 

Thanks to Building Bridges Marketing, everyone can follow my shop on Facebook, Pinterest, Intagram, Flickr, Twitter, Google+, and Tumblr. I am working on my own website as we speak (hoping to have it up and running before the fall)! Will keep you posted!! 

Building Bridges: Thanks Heather for taking time out of your day! We look forward to following your shop and enjoying your beautiful soaps and scrubs! We've added a few fun snap shots of Heather's booth from the vendor market this weekend.