In Support of Mama Bear Clan, Winnipeg MB

Manitobamade and Just the Goods are thrilled to offer a limited edition gift set with all proceeds directed to Mama Bear Clan. We deeply value the work Mama Bear Clan does in the North Point Douglas neighborhood of our city, Winnipeg, as a model provider of community care based on non-judgemental empathy, and we are honoured to partner with them in this way.

Mama Bear Clan, led by women and supported by men, patrols the streets of North Point Douglas two nights a week in all weather conditions offering a loving presence that is committed to increasing safety and reducing violence by demonstrating love and compassion to everyone they meet. As often as possible, they distribute donations of food and clothing to people in need. MBC also regularly participates in community events such as vigils and rallies, and have begun to share their knowledge and practices with other organisations and community groups.

The development of Mama Bear Clan relies on consistent interaction between listening, acting, and reflecting to ensure practices and programs that the community owns and feels represented by. The most often repeated refrain in almost every conversation about safety in North Point Douglas – when speaking to participants of the North Point Douglas Women’s Center or neighbourhood residents – is that safety is created through relationship and community building. This is why Mama Bear Clan and its compassionate approach was not only an appropriate response, but perhaps the perfect response, for this community at this time.

Our gift set includes one pair of handmade birch bark stud earrings and a skin brightening face mask…

🌿The birch bark stud earrings stand on rose gold tinted stainless steel posts and are set under a glossy coat of resin for everyday wear. They are 12 mm/ 0.49” in diameter. The birch bark was harvested in Treaty 2 and a tobacco offering was given

🌿The face mask – Glow for Mama Bear Clan – features farmed rosehip seed powder and farmed organic elder flowers blended with kaolin clay to protect and nurture skin while drawing impurities away from pores in a manner gentle enough for most skin types.

We’ve created 25 sets, each available for $40.00 CAD, and will donate 100% of the selling price to Mama Bear Clan to support their work. If this fundraiser generates enough interest, we’ll create an additional 25 sets ✨💚

To learn more about Mama Bear Clan’s history, please visit http://tiny.cc/MamaBearClan. If you would like to donate to Mama Bear Clan directly, please visit North Point Douglas Women’s Center’s website, https://www.npdwc.org/donate.html and use the drop down menu to indicate Mama Bear Clan as the recipient. You are also welcome to send an e-transfer to director@npdwc.org

To purchase this fundraising gift set, please visit: https://justthegoods.net/collections/new/products/rosehip-face-mask-and-birch-bark-earrings-for-mama-bear-clan

Thank you!!

Just the Goods Newsletter – Winter/Spring 2019

Happy new year! I hope this message finds you rested and well, and enjoying a wonderful start to 2019!

As you may know, I like to share a newsletter 3 or 4 times a year, and this one is intended to provide a coupon code,  future product info, and details about an upcoming giveaway opportunity. In this newsletter, you’ll also find a head’s up on a two temporary absences that may affect production/shipping, my tips for at-home pedicures, and more!

Thank you so much for welcoming me to handcraft healthier skin and body care products for you! I look forward to keeping in touch for years to come!

Warmly,
Milena

 

petal, leaf, root. by Just the Goods Sale

If you follow Just the Goods on Instagram or Facebook, you might already know that I’m having a lil’ sale on petal, leaf, root. by Just the Goods products, just because 😉  Take 15% off all products from this 100% organic line with coupon code “15in2019” until the end of January.

  

Beyond this, I’m excited to announce that research is well underway for the next range in petal, leaf, root. by Just the Goods — 100% organic cleansing grains, toner, mask, and serum for oily skin! Many of you have been asking about this, and to be honest, my naturally oily skin has been asking me to get going on this, as well! *haha* Thank you so much for your enthusiasm about the first releases in this line, which makes it possible for me to expand! I’m thrilled!

And, in case you were wondering, there won’t be a new facial steam created for oily/congested skin since the primary Just the Goods line already has something quite fantastic featuring organic lavender petals, organic parsley leaf and juniper berries, so I’d be hard pressed to improve on something that already works so well 😉 If you’re curious to know more about this existing item, please visit: https://justthegoods.net/products/just-the-goods-facial-steam-for-oily-skin

 

Upcoming Giveaway
 

Just the Goods has been proudly certified cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny program since 2013 and from time to time I get to enjoy the fun of co-hosting a giveaway with them! On February 11 we’ll be teaming up to give away a full-sized bottle of petal, leaf, root. by Just the Goods cleansing grains for normal/sensitive skin so, if you’re on Instagram, be sure to follow @leapingbunnyprogram to learn how to get in on this opportunity!

Photo by @hexmetalsminerals

 

Planning Ahead: Short Absence in March; Slightly Longer One in April/May

In March I’ll be attending a herbal medicine making workshop at The Institute of Traditional Medicine in Toronto, so I’ll be away from the lab March 7 – 12, returning on March 13. I’ll be making extra large batches in the days before my departure, and Amanda will continue shipping during my absence, so I don’t imagine any orders will be delayed during this time. However, if you definitely need to receive something ASAP early-to-mid March, please order before Feb 22 to ensure your order is shipped by March 1. Thank you!

This is also advance notice about a two week absence from Friday April 26 – Monday May 13. As usual, I’ll make extra large batches before I leave, and Amanda will continue shipping, but since this is a more lengthy absence, I’d like to suggest ordering by April 19 to ensure your order is handmade and shipped by April 26. Thank you again!

 

At Home Pedicure Tips

  

When you think about it, foot calluses are quite interesting because even though most people don’t like having them, they can be useful signals from our body. 

For example, if you have any foot, ankle, knee, or hip problems, the location of calluses on your foot could indicate where your body is trying to compensate for an imbalance. One way to prevent these calluses from forming would be to get an insole for your shoe that helps establish better equilibrium. Many people can use generic varieties sold in stores, but in cases where joint pain is pronounced, folks might need to visit a certified Pedorthists for a set of custom orthotic insoles.

Of course, calluses also form to protect the foot from blisters resulting from frequent rubbing of the foot against a shoe. In that case, it helps to thoughtfully pair socks and shoes to minimize both slipping and excess pressure. Adhesive heel cushions and toe pads are useful in shoes not designed to be worn with socks.

With respect to removing calluses, this is something I’ve been thinking about for years, and I’ve picked up some tips through trial and error… but mostly error especially where the long term impacts of certain methods are concerned.

I used to file my feet daily (especially the side of each big toe and around the heels), but it seemed to get worse and worse over time, and *even worse* after each professional pedicure. It wasn’t until I coincidentally learned about bricklaying [and how bricklayers used to rub their hands on bricks to intentionally form calluses as a means of protecting their hands back in the days before suitable gloves were readily available] that I realized filing triggers skin to form calluses for protection from the very abrasion being used to file. And yes, I also tried the blade method (introduced to me at a spa), but I discovered it’s just as bad, if not worse due to risk of injury. And yes, I have tried chemical exfoliating, too… It worked nicely the first time, but did almost nothing the second and third time I tried.

After all my trial and error, what I recommend is the following at night (weekly or more often as desired):

• soak feet in comfortably warm water for 20 minutes. Add a bath salt to the water that contains epsom salt — also known as magnesium sulfate — to help soften and lift dead skin. In some ayurvedic treatments, I’ve soaked my feet in oil, but while this is very effective, it can be cost prohibitive to do at home on a regular basis
• lightly exfoliate with a gentle scrub (not hard, high pressure filing)
• apply a thick plant-based moisturizer and put on a fresh pair of socks to allow the feet to absorb as much moisture as possible overnight. Remember: petroleum based products do not impart nutritional value into the skin; all it does it create the illusion of moisture is draw moisture from deeper layers of skin to the surface. Use of petrochemical products can contribute to drier skin and even cracks
• in the morning, apply moisturizer again — it doesn’t have to be as thick if you’re worried about an unpleasant slip in your shoes kind of feeling 😉

If you would like to try any of the products I offer, here are some links:

• bath salt which can be used as a foot soak: https://justthegoods.net/products/vegan-bath-salts
• foot scrub: https://justthegoods.net/products/vegan-deodorizing-food-scrub
• foot butter: https://justthegoods.net/products/vegan-peppermint-ginger-foot-butter (or, if you prefer an unscented option, this also works: https://justthegoods.net/products/unscented-nut-free-vegan-body-butter it’s also made with cocoa butter, but has no peppermint or ginger added)
• moisturizing lotion: https://justthegoods.net/products/extra-rich-vegan-moisturizing-lotion

 

Cool News!

  

On January 16 I received news that Brooklyn Decker was a guest on Mom Brain — a podcast co-hosted by Hilaria Baldwin and Daphne Oz — and she mentioned JTG’s deodorant! As she explained, her mom introduced her to it and she has been enjoying it ever since. So awesome! I’m grateful to the client that shared this news with me — I was both surprised and delighted to listen in on this conversation shared so far and wide. It’s so cool to discover all the ways Just the Goods make their way out into the world =-) Thanks again for your shout out, Brooklyn!

 

Keep in Touch!

Don’t forget, the best way to keep in touch for the latest Just the Goods news – especially deadline reminders relating to temporary lab closures – is via social media: 

• Instagram: @just.the.goods
• Facebook @justthegoods
• Twitter: @justthegoods

 

Final Note

You are receiving this newsletter because — as per the conditions outlined by the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation that came into effect July 1, 2014 — you’ve been in touch with Just the Goods in the past either by making a purchase or requesting wholesale information within the last two years, or you have chosen to remain subscribed to this quarterly newsletter rather than choosing to click the unsubscribe link at the base of each of each one. With that said, if you would prefer to no longer receive communications from Just the Goods, please let me know and I will remove your email address immediately. And of course, you may also unsubscribe using the link below =-).

As always, thank you for your ongoing support! It is an absolute pleasure to handcraft natural skin and body care products, providing a healthier, small-scale alternative to the corporate “beauty industry”. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you!

With all my best,
Milena 

Just the Goods (Winnipeg, MB)
handmade natural + affordable skincare for everyone
http://www.justthegoods.net

Just the Goods Newsletter – Spring 2018

Hello!

Today is May Day, an opportunity to recognize the value of our collective labour and to remind ourselves of the importance of work/life balance. Today is also Beltane, the festival that confirms Spring has sprung and anticipates the hot days of summer with a celebration of fire, flowers, and more. It is in the intersection of these two meaningful occasions that Just the Goods was created 9 years ago. I know I write this every year, but I still can’t – honestly and truly – believe that I get to independently handcraft skin and body care products each day! It is thanks to your ongoing interest that I can do this, and I appreciate that so very much ❤

If you follow Just the Goods on social media, you may already know about some of the news contained within. However, in the event that you don’t, please read on for news about a fun giveaway, new products, and an international shipping update =-)

Thank you as always for making Just the Goods what it is! I love handmaking skin care products for you, and always appreciate keeping in touch!

Warmly,
Milena

 

#justthegoods turns 9 today… Let’s have a giveaway!

As noted above, today marks 9 years of handmaking plant-based cruelty-free skin and body care products as Just the Goods. Some elements of JTG such as a commitment to non-binary and gimmick-free safe cosmetics offered at public wholesale rates has remained steadfast all this time; however, some things have changed including, for example, shiny new product labels!

To celebrate 9 years of Just the Goods, it’s new look, and the fact that I love seeing photos of your orders on Instagram, I’m hosting a giveaway open to all clients.

Enter to win one of three $25 CAD gift certificates by sharing a photo of your past, current, or future order on Instagram with the hashtag #justthegoods. If your account is private, please tag @just.the.goods so I can see and include your entry.

One image from all of the photos shared within the month of May will be selected by random drawn on June 1, 2018. One image from all photos shared in June will be drawn on July 1, and one image from all photos shared within the month of July will be drawn on August 1.

Each of the three randomly selected winners will be contacted via Instagram and will be awarded a $25 CAD gift certificate to be used at justthegoods.net toward their choice of JTG products and/or shipping. Please visit https://tinyurl.com/JTG-IG-Giveaway for full details… including how to enter if you’re not on Instagram.

I think this will be a fun way to keep in touch, and I hope you enjoy participating! Thank you helping to make Just the Goods what it is today — it is always a pleasure to handmake your orders, and I look forward to doing so for many more years to come ❤

 

Limited Edition Four Elements Conditioning Hair Rinse

This unique item was created while studying herbal correspondents to the four elements — I noticed that my four lists each included a herb I already knew to be fabulous for use in hair care, so I mixed one part of one each, let it infuse into cold water overnight, and used it as a hair rinse the next morning. Oh wow!! The results were fantastic — soft and shining hair that was easy to comb *and* it gave me a tangible example of herbal balance in action ❤

This blend features USDA Organic and EcoCert ingredients as well as one home garden grown 😊

• Slippery elm – earth – detangles while promoting smooth texture and shine
• Lavender – air – contributes volume
• Rosemary – fire – stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, which can contribute to hair growth, while also moisturizing scalp and adding shine
• Catnip – water – moisturizes and conditions

In case you’re curious, no, your cat will not likely be attracted to this blend because the catnip is mixed with so many other things. Mine wasn’t, anyway 😉 Oooh, and please note that this product is probably not suitable for chemically lightened hair because rosemary may potentially cause it to darken.

I had enough slippery elm on hand to make 10 jars, and have noticed that one is already spoken for, so there are 9 remaining at the time of this post ❤ If there is enough demand, I’ll order more slippery elm and make more ❤ Enjoy!!

 

Exciting new range coming soon

Cleansing grains, toner, facial steam, mask and serum… These new formulas are just about finished, the packaging has been selected, the graphic designer has started on the new look, and I can barely contain my excitement. Something very special for Just the Goods is aiming to launch at the end of Summer and I can’t wait to share all the details! Stay tuned!

 

Reminder regarding international shipping… Plus a little more info…

As mentioned in February, Canada Post rates have risen again and, while clients in the US can still take advantage of delivery via USPS domestic mail, it is more challenging for folks abroad.

The good news, however, is that clients in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Romania, and Quatar have successfully received their orders through re-shipping through consolidators such as ViaBox and Borderlinx!

What do re-shippers do? They…

• provide you with a US mailing address that you can use when ordering online
• receive parcels at that address on your behalf
• ship your order together with other orders to their warehouse in your region
• re-ship your parcel to you from their warehouse

And yes, since it is far more affordable for me to ship to addresses in the US than it is to ship within Canada thanks to USPS offering light packet rates, this can make a huge difference for clients in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America to ship to the US and let a re-shipper take care of the rest.

Indeed, re-shipping is far more affordable than shipping parcels individually, and it’s better for the environment, too! I encourage you to find which service best serves your region.

I hoped to integrate this into my website but companies like Borderlinx would need me to guarantee a minimum of 150-200 international parcels per month, but that is not currently attainable. Instead I encourage folks to let me know how things go with the re-shipper of their choice – when you have a good experience with a company that primarily serves your region, please do let me know and I can include your recommendations on my website for the benefit of others =-)

The newest information about this topic is that I’m looking into offering international shipping via USPS instead of Canada Post so you can get lower rates *AND TRACKING* with every order at no extra charge. Currently Amanda checks both sets of rates before shipping orders and, in cases where USPS is more affordable, we automatically make the switch and refund the difference. What I am working on is having USPS rates appear to you at checkout so you can compare Canada Post with USPS and UPS and make your choice accordingly. I have found a provider, and now need to do some work behind the scenes to make my web store compatible with their app… I hope it works and I’ll keep you posted!!

 

Keep in Touch!

Don’t forget, the best way to keep in touch for the latest Just the Goods news – especially deadline reminders relating to temporary lab closures – is via social media. Find me on Instagram @just.the.goods or on Facebook @justthegoods =-)

 

Final Note

You are receiving this newsletter because — as per the conditions outlined by the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation that came into effect July 1, 2014 — you’ve been in touch with Just the Goods in the past either by making a purchase or requesting wholesale information within the last two years, or you have chosen to remain subscribed to this quarterly newsletter rather than choosing to click the unsubscribe link at the base of each of each one. With that said, if you would prefer to no longer receive communications from Just the Goods, please let me know and I will remove your email address immediately. And of course, you may also unsubscribe using the link below =-).

As always, thank you for your ongoing support! It is an absolute pleasure to handcraft natural skin and body care products, providing a healthier, small-scale alternative to the corporate “beauty industry”. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you!

With all my best,
Milena

Just the Goods (Winnipeg, MB)
handmade natural + affordable skincare for everyone
http://www.justthegoods.net

Just the Goods Newsletter – Winter/Spring 2018

Hello and Happy New Year! I hope 2018 is proving to be all kinds of wonderful, so far!

I intended to send this newsletter earlier, but got caught up with a wonderfully busy production schedule – thank you so much for your orders! Wow! ❤

If you follow Just the Goods on social media, you may already know about some of the news contained within. However, in the event that you don’t, please read on for new product news and more including a new approach to those times when I’m away from the lab… I think you’ll like it!

Thank you as always for making Just the Goods what it is! I love handmaking skin care products for you, and it means so much to me that we’re on the same page caring about community, plants, and animals — all the things that matter without extra bells and whistles 😉 Thank you!!

Warmly,
Milena

I’ll be away March 2 – 9, but Just the Goods will still be open!

In the past, when I worked alone, Just the Goods was closed  any time I was away. However, now that JTG involves two people, most orders will continue to ship even in my absence. Whoo hooo!

It will work like this: I will build up extra stock of the most popular items before I leave to facilitate smoothest possible order flow while I’m away and, upon my return, I’ll handmake any items that ran out or were otherwise unavailable. So, if your order contains items that are in-stock, Amanda will be able to ship them for you exactly as normal; but, if your order requires items that are no longer in stock, your order will be made and shipped when I return.

If you need something immediately the first week of March, please place your order before February 23 and I’ll make it for you before I go. But, if you’re okay with potentially waiting a few extra days for your order to arrive, then no need to pay attention to this date at all 😉

This is a completely new scenario for Just the Goods – Amanda and I are feeling positive about it, and we hope you’ll enjoy the convenience of this, as well =-)

Ooh! And I should mention that I won’t have WiFi while I’m away, so I look forward to responding to your messages as soon as I get back. Thank you!

New Product: Facial Steam for Oily and Congested Skin

For those with oily and easily congested skin — a type prone to blackheads, impacted sebaceous glands/sebaceous cysts, and acne — the value of a nutritive facial steam to open and gently cleanse pores can not be overstated. Used after washing, it can help to make toner more effective; used before a face mask, it can help clay reach deeper to pull out unwanted elements such as bacteria, sebum, sweat, and makeup. Facial steaming can also prolong the the duration of a mask making it possible to derive maximum benefit.  Soothing, aromatherapy is also a positive benefit turning home skin care into a spa-like experience.

• Organic parsley helps balance sebum production while also providing antibacterial and anti-fungal protection, making it helpful for treating acne among other minor skin infections. It is also high in antioxidants, which can help reduce the amount of free radicals which can be responsible for skin damage. High in Vitamin C, parsley helps to stimulate collagen production and ultimately the renewal of skin cells overall.
• Organic lavender offers anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can reduce incidences of acne and inflammation. Lavender features antioxidants that can temper the effects of pollutants on skin by boosting the renewal process. And, by adding moisture, it can help to relieve itching as well as reduce the symptoms associated with excessive dryness such as eczema.
• Juniper berries, like parsley, can help balance sebum production, which contributes to clear, matte skin. High in flavonoids and antioxidants, it can to resist damage to skin by free radicals. And, in dried berry form, not a concentrated essential oil, it offers mild antibacterial and antimicrobial support for skin while also offering uplifting aromatherapeutic benefits.

This product is not recommended for sensitive skin. Please find it here: https://justthegoods.net/products/just-the-goods-facial-steam-for-oily-skin

New Product: Face Mask for Oily and Congested Skin

Did you know that the most common skin type in the world is oily? That’s right! So, in a sense, it should actually be the skin type known as “normal”, *lol* While it is the most common, it can also be the most frustrating to maintain because excess sebum production in skin can contribute to clogged pores, which in turn leads to blackheads, impacted sebaceous glands/sebaceous cysts, and acne. This mask is designed to help; weekly use is recommended.

• Licorice root powder contains licochalcone, which helps to regulate the skin’s oil production to calm over-active glands. It also contains glycyrrhizin, a helpful anti-inflammatory, and glabridin, which is believed to benefit the connective tissue of skin. High in antioxidants, liquorice can fight skin-damaging free radicals. Well blended with clay, the licorice scent is barely noticeable when dry, and only very faintly when wet. So, if you’re not a fan of licorice flavour, feel confident that this is not the same. Samples in limited availability made from batch ends are available to try; select them using the drop down menu.
• Australian olive green clay, packed with a wide array of minerals, is the strongest of all clays used in facial care restoring balance to acne-prone and oily skin through the absorption of dirt and oil. Some say it is revitalizing enough to help reduce the appearance of scars.
• Kaolin is a mild yet effective clay suitable for all skin types selected for its ability to absorb accumulated oil and dirt from pores without over-drying and has been included to mediate the green clay.

This product is best suited for oily and congested skin types. This product is not recommended for sensitive skin. Find it here: https://justthegoods.net/products/just-the-goods-vegan-licorice-and-olive-green-clay-mask-for-oily-congested-skin

Limited Edition Meditation Enhancing Hair Perfume is back in stock!

Responding to popular demand, I have made another batch of Hair Perfume and there are currently 4 bottles remaining.  This item is offered on limited release because it takes several weeks to make, and because it’s really just something personal that I make for myself, but decided to share – an aromatherapeutic scent to facilitate quiet, generative meditation that helps mark the self-care time I need to manage chronic illness.

I don’t use a diffuser but do sometimes want to be enveloped with scent rather than simply place it on my pulse points, so I created a hair perfume to settle my mind and focus my thinking. I also enjoy how it lingers with me in the most lovely way for several hours later – the initial notes are fresh, spicy, and cardamom forward, which then give way to the soft warmth of sweet vanilla-like benzoin.  The base of this perfume is rosewater, which doubles as a gentle conditioner since multi-function creations are always fun to make 😉

Each element in this hair perfume was selected according to their aromatherapeutic values:

• Geranium and lavender are centring
• Cardamom is centring and focusing
• Rosewater and neroli are both centring and uplifting

Beyond this…

• Vetiver helps us connect to our roots so that we may ground and become present
• Benzoin is widely regarded as helpful for meditation, but also encourages dreaming
• Petitgrain clears the mind while also alleviating emotions such as anger, shock, and fear

Each 65 ml / 2.19 fl oz bottle comes in a white organza gift bag with 4 gemstones to hold or ponder as desired:

• Amethyst chevron enhances relaxation to facilitate self-discovery and peace of mind
• rose quartz opens the heart, increases self acceptance and the ability to love others
• Moonstone provides the patience needed for inner work and grows intuition
• Lapis lazuli clears the mind and is said to be a powerful thought amplifier. It furthermore is said to helps access the universal knowledge and cultivate the wisdom needed to understand it

Find it here: https://justthegoods.net/products/limited-edition-hair-perfume-meditation

New Labels… and something fun, coming soon!

Years in the making, and new Just the Goods product labels are here! Well, most of them, anyway… with approximately JTG 150 products, some in multiple sizes, it will still take a few weeks before everything goes to/returns from the printer, but chances are that many of you have already started receiving them =-) I’m thrilled because they are smudge-proof and easier to read, but also because they are easier to apply behind-the-scenes and make packing and shipping easier, too!

This picture was shared by @argoodnough on Instagram — I love it!! And, it’s the perfect pic to hint at a fun idea I have… coming soon… stay tuned via social media, or take note of a small info card that will be added to orders when the time comes 😉

Thanks to @imageinn for creating these label templates!

International shipping

Well, it looks like Canada Post rates have risen again, and while clients in the US can still take advantage of delivery via USPS domestic mail, it seems to have become harder than ever to receive Just the Goods elsewhere. At least, this is what I have discovered through recent emails from the UK and Romania =-( … But, I have a solution, which has been used successfully by clients in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Qatar… =-) Re-shipping through consolidators such as ViaBox and Borderlinx!

What they do is create US mailing addresses for folks worldwide, receive parcels on your behalf, then ship them out in boxes with other orders to your region, where they are then mailed locally. And yes, since it is far more affordable for me to ship to addresses int the US than it is to ship within Canada thanks to USPS offering light packet rates, it is better for clients in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America to ship to the US, then onward to their address abroad.

This is far, far more affordable than shipping parcels individually, and better for the environment, too!  I encourage you to find which service best serves your region and, over the next few months, I will also conduct research into preferred providers and hopefully find a way to integrate this information in to my website =-) I hope this helps! ❤

Keep in Touch!

Don’t forget, the best way to keep in touch for the latest Just the Goods news – especially deadline reminders relating to temporary lab closures – is via social media. Find me on Instagram @just.the.goods or on Facebook @justthegoods =-)

Final Note

You are receiving this newsletter because — as per the conditions outlined by the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation that came into effect July 1, 2014 — you’ve been in touch with Just the Goods in the past either by making a purchase or requesting wholesale information within the last two years, or you have chosen to remain subscribed to this quarterly newsletter rather than choosing to click the unsubscribe link at the base of each of each one. With that said, if you would prefer to no longer receive communications from Just the Goods, please let me know and I will remove your email address immediately. And of course, you may also unsubscribe using the link below =-).

As always, thank you for your ongoing support! It is an absolute pleasure to handcraft natural skin and body care products, providing a healthier, small-scale alternative to the corporate “beauty industry”. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you!

With all my best,
Milena

Just the Goods (Winnipeg, MB)
handmade natural + affordable skincare for everyone
http://www.justthegoods.net

Just the Goods Newsletter – Winter 2017

Hello everyone!

Heavy snowfall and bracing winds in Winnipeg on Friday means that – without a doubt – it is officially winter! I haven’t had much chance to get out there and breathe in the crisp air, but I’m looking forward to embracing winter a little more this year than I have in the past thanks to the magic of a little more time 😉

Actually, scrolling down to review what I’ve written below, reveling in an increased availability of time since hiring in August seems to be a recurring theme in news about limited edition products, exciting shipping changes, and even advance notice regarding a few dates I’ll be away. It seems to be a bonus that keeps on bonusing… or something like that *lol* Please check it out!

Thank you everyone for your support as Just the Goods has shifted from a teeny tiny one person side-project [while I was still focusing on another full-time career, no less!] to what it has become today. I remain forever grateful to all of you over these past 8.5 years. Best wishes for a fabulous winter and happy new year, too!

Warmly,
Milena

Faster Shipping to the USA

Some of you may have already noticed that Just the Goods has been shipping parcels to the US via Runnin’ Red twice per week. We’re doing this on a trial basis throughout the months of November and December and, if all goes smoothly on our end, we’ll continue to do this into the new year. Which is to say that after approximately 3 months of Just the Goods being a two-person project, we’re starting to hit our stride — I’m able to focus on making larger batches and Amanda is packing and shipping and looking after so many other things like a star, whooo!

Some of you in other regions may have also noticed shorter turn around time, as well. This is because — whenever possible — we’re pulling orders forward from future production/shipping cycles into the current cycle, which is of course another benefit of handmaking larger batches. Behind the scenes tweaking and adjusting and rethinking of everything from raw materials procurement to paperwork processes has been a bit of an adventure, but it seems to be working out and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I hope it’s working out nicely for you, too!!

New Seasonal Product: Winter Solstice/Yule Ritual Bath and Lotion Set

The Wheel of the Year is almost finished yet another turn and with it – this – the fourth and final ritual bath and lotion set.

Winter solstice marks the longest night of the year after which the days slowly become longer. Festivities during this time celebrate the rebirth of the sun and honour the horned/antlered god, a symbol of natural wilderness and the cycle of life — when the two are paired in harmony, a bountiful spring will arise. Yule is therefore the perfect time to both indulge in much needed rest and spark new ideas with those closet to you to keep you going through the remaining cold months and to be ready to hop into action when the Earth re-emerges from slumber.

The bath salts and lotion to celebrate this season are both fresh, bright, zesty and invigorating like a deep breath of crisp fresh air.

Yule sea salt soak (270 g) features:

• Cedar tips bring confidence, strength, protection, healing, and purification
• Rose petals and rose otto cultivate love and friendship, and promote domestic peace/happiness, and lasting relationships, all of which are especially helpful as we spend more time together indoors
• White spruce essential oil encourages adaptability, balance, clarity, enlightenment, intuition, and memory

Yule hand/body lotion (118 ml) features:

• Blood orange inspires creativity and imagination as well as courage and strength. Requiring the cool of the night to develop and ripen, they are a perfect metaphor for the way we ourselves can blossom during the winter months
• Juniper attracts healthy energies and love. It is also calming and grounding while fostering strength and transformation through learning, harmony and community

Find it here: https://justthegoods.net/products/winter-solstice-yule-bath-and-lotion-set

New Limited Edition Product: Meditation Enhancing Hair Perfume

Once I’ve established a formula, making new batches of it each week easily becomes part of my routine; however, there are a few things I’ve created for my own use that tend to feel quite personal. This is one case in point – an aromatherapeutic scent to facilitate quiet, generative meditation that helps mark the self-care time I need to manage chronic illness.

I don’t have a diffuser and sometimes want to be enveloped with scent rather than simply place it on my pulse points, so I created a hair perfume to settle my mind and focus my thinking. I also enjoy how it lingers with me in the most lovely way for several hours later – the initial notes are fresh, spicy, and cardamom forward, which then give way to the soft warmth of sweet vanilla-like benzoin.  The base of this perfume is rosewater, which doubles as a gentle conditioner cuz you know I love those multi-function creations 😉

Each element in this hair perfume was selected according to their aromatherapeutic values:

• Geranium and lavender are centring
• Cardamom is centring and focusing
• Rosewater and neroli are both centring and uplifting

Beyond this…

• Vetiver helps us connect to our roots so that we may ground and become present
• Benzoin is widely regarded as helpful for meditation, but also encourages dreaming
• Petitgrain clears the mind while also alleviating emotions such as anger, shock, and fear

Each 65 ml / 2.19 fl oz bottle comes in a white organza gift bag with 4 gemstones to hold or ponder as desired:

• Amethyst chevron enhances relaxation to facilitate self-discovery and peace of mind
• rose quartz opens the heart, increases self acceptance and the ability to love others
• Moonstone provides the patience needed for inner work and grows intuition
• Lapis lazuli clears the mind and is said to be a powerful thought amplifier. It furthermore is said to helps access the universal knowledge and cultivate the wisdom needed to understand it

Find it here: https://justthegoods.net/products/limited-edition-hair-perfume-meditation

Renewed Limited Edition Product: Matcha, Lavender + Jasmine Face Mask

Since you asked, yes, I have made some more matcha, lavender and jasmine face mask using organic matcha from AOI Matcha organic lavender from WestPoint Naturals in British Columbia ❤ It’s online now! There were 20 containers available and that the type of typing this newsletter, there were 19 😉  … I think I have enough matcha on hand to make 10 more this year, just in case 😉

Find it here: https://justthegoods.net/products/limited-edition-vegan-matcha-lavender-jasmine-facial-mask-for-most-skin-types​

Local Pick Up Continues

Great news! Parcel pick up at Organic Planet Worker’s Co-Op (877 Westminster Avenue – Wolseley, Winnipeg) continues to go well and will be available for the foreseeable future. As a gentle reminder, the pick up start date for you order is noted at check out, so before you complete your order, be sure to put that date into your calendar. The automated message indicating when orders are en route serve people in as many as 45 countries and I have to create a message that serves everyone in all circumstances, so when it says your order is ready to be shipped, locally that means orders will be ready for collection at OP anytime during their open hours within 4 weeks after the pick up date selected at check out. I hope this help =-) Thank you so much!

Upcoming Temporary Closure: December 23 – January 1

Since I’ve recently discovered the joys of evenings and occasional weekends for rest and personal time, I’m happy to announce that Just the Goods will be taking only one week away from the lab at the end of the year instead of the two weeks which as become customary. This will mean shorter turn around time for any orders placed mid-December to early-January.

Just the Goods will be closed Sat Dec 23 – Mon Jan 1

To ensure smooth production, Wednesday, December 13 will be the last day to place orders for shipping by Friday, December 22.  

In the case of local orders, December 13 will be the last day to place orders for pick up at Organic Planet beginning on December 23.

In both cases, orders placed December 14 – 29 will be handmade beginning on Jan 2 and ship as quickly as possible thereafter. JTG’s regular production/shipping cycle resumes with orders placed December 30 – January 5 shipping on January 12. Thank you!

We will be unable to check email during this holiday closure and look forward to responding to everyone upon our return.  Thank you!

Head’s Up: March 2 – 9

Additionally, please note that I will be away March 2 – 9, 2018 and that, in my absence, Amanda will continue to ship orders involving in-stock items. I will build up extra stock of the most popular items before I leave to facilitate smoothest possible order flow while I’m away and, upon my return, I’ll handmake any items that may have ran out or were otherwise unavailable. This is a completely new and different situation for Just the Goods – Amanda and I are feeling positive about it, and we hope you’ll enjoy the convenience of this, as well =-)

Ooh! I should say – I won’t have WiFi while I’m away, so I’ll look forward to responding to your messages as soon as I get back to work. Thank you!

Keep in Touch!

Don’t forget, the best way to keep in touch for the latest Just the Goods news – especially deadline reminders relating to temporary lab closures – is via social media. Find me on Instagram @just.the.goods or on Facebook @justthegoods 🙂

Final Note

You are receiving this newsletter because — as per the conditions outlined by the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation that came into effect July 1, 2014 — you’ve been in touch with Just the Goods in the past either by making a purchase or requesting wholesale information within the last two years, or you have chosen to remain subscribed to this quarterly newsletter rather than choosing to click the unsubscribe link at the base of each of each one. With that said, if you would prefer to no longer receive communications from Just the Goods, please let me know and I will remove your email address immediately. And of course, you may also unsubscribe using the link below =-).

As always, thank you for your ongoing support! It is an absolute pleasure to handcraft natural skin and body care products, providing a healthier, small-scale alternative to the corporate “beauty industry”. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you!

With all my best,
Milena

Just the Goods (Winnipeg, MB)
handmade natural + affordable skincare for everyone
http://www.justthegoods.net

Just the Goods Newsletter – Autumn 2017

Hello everyone!

I hope you have been enjoying your first week back to school and/or work as the case may be, and otherwise settling nicely into Fall 🙂

This is my favourite time of year. I always loved back to school season and later – in my former career – I enjoyed what was the start of the new gallery programming season. To this day, I still associate September with new beginnings, and this is especially true after August being so full with exciting changes!

If you follow Just the Goods on social media, you may have noticed that – in addition to a fantastic new person joining JTG on a full-time basis, and another person starting part-time next week – we completed a great renovation to make the shipping/storage room more productive. And, if that wasn’t enough, JTG has new product labels on the way, as well! Each week has been busy with orders coming in at an increasing pace so much that – to be honest — I was really caught by surprise, but it’s thrilling to know changes made to shipping last year has helped Just the Goods become more accessible than ever. I’m so happy it’s working out!

If you are curious, a short video tour of the new shipping/storage room is available here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYOYi4UB1ZT/

And, for a preview of the new product labels forthcoming, please click here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYYh6_ghz09

In this newsletter you’ll find information about new and limited edition products, as well as advance notice regarding a temporary lab closure at the end of the year. There’s also great news for folks in Winnipeg, if they haven’t already spotted it at justthegoods.net 😉

Please read on for details but, before you do, please let me thank you for your ongoing interest in Just the Goods because it wouldn’t exist without you!

Warmly,
Milena

New Product: Autumnal Equinox/Mabon Ritual Bath and Lotion Set

The third ritual bath set in the solstice/equinox series for 2017 is now available! Marking the end of summer, Mabon reminds us that we reap what we sow and thus encourages us to be grateful for everything provided by the sun and soil while prompting us to wrap up incomplete projects because winter’s cold will soon demand that we turn all energy inward. Mabon is also the time of year when day and night become equal, so it’s an opportunity to find balance before the earth falls quiet with the symbolic death of winter.  This bath salt and lotion set features ingredients such as calendula, oak moss, sweetgrass and patchouli to create smoldering, earthy relaxation vibes.

Find it here: https://justthegoods.net/products/autumn-equinox-mabon-bath-and-lotion-set



 
Two New Limited Edition Products

Earlier this week I launched two limited edition items, each using ingredients that I came across rather serendipitously.

The first is a face mask using dehydrated organic strawberries from our greenhouse, which we weren’t expecting to harvest since wildlife enjoyed everything that sprouted earlier in the season. The total strawberry powder available after dehydrating and grinding was 17 g, which allowed me to make twelve 10 g jars. I hope to have even more luck with strawberries next year, but we’ll have to wait until then to find out! A few jars of this unanticipated offering remain and can be found here: https://justthegoods.net/products/limited-edition-vegan-strawberry-chamomile-mask-for-most-skin-types

The second item is, unfortunately, already sold out but – due to popular demand — I will be making a few more jars with the raw material that remains: coffee scented body butter! I’m not sure when I’ll be able to do this, but hopefully within the next few weeks. Please follow Just the Goods on Instagram for news as it becomes available. And, for more information about the product now, please visit: https://justthegoods.net/products/limited-edition-coffee-body-butter-fat-lye-soap-brew-duo

Local Pick Up Continues

Folks ordering from within Manitoba may have already noticed the option to select parcel pick up at Organic Planet Worker’s Co-Op throughout the month of August. Following a successful 4-week trial run, I’m delighted to announce that OP has agreed to continue this collaboration making it possible to pick up orders at 877 Westminster Avenue (Wolseley, Winnipeg).

If you have not already tried this option, please feel welcome to do so by selecting this at check out. The $4.00 charge associated with this options covers the cost of parcel packing and delivery to Organic Planet, as well as an honorarium for the awesome folks at the shop.

Orders will continue to be handmade/packed as part of a weekly cycle. When your order is complete, you’ll receive an automated message via email from justthegoods.net indicating that your order may be picked up at OP beginning the next day (that is, the same day noted at checkout). Since Organic Planet is a very small shop and is already packed full of fantastic organic and local products, I kindly ask that orders be picked up within 4 weeks. Orders can not be held longer than 4 weeks.

Thank you to everyone for their patience during the past few years as I explored a whole spectrum of pick up options at the lab, delivery by local bicycle courier, etc. I’m absolutely thrilled to be partnering with OP ❤

Upcoming Temporary Closure

I’m happy to announce that since I’ve very recently discovered the joys of evenings and occasional weekends for rest and personal time, Just the Goods will be taking only one week away from the lab at the end of the year instead of the two weeks which as been customary. This will mean shorter turn around time for any orders placed mid-December to mid-January.

Just the Goods will be closed Saturday December 23, 2017 – Monday January 1, 2018 inclusive. To ensure smooth production, Wednesday, December 13 will be the last day to place orders for shipping by Friday, December 22.

In the case of local orders, December 13 will be the last day to place orders for pick up at Organic Planet beginning on December 23.

In both cases, all orders placed December 14 – January 1 will be handmade beginning January 2 and be shipped January 5 or 12 depending on available inventory and ready for pick up at Organic Planet on January 13.

Thank you!

Keep in Touch!

Don’t forget, the best way to keep in touch for the latest Just the Goods news – especially deadline reminders relating to temporary lab closures – is via social media. Find me on Instagram @just.the.goods or on Facebook @justthegoods 🙂

 

Final Note

You are receiving this newsletter because — as per the conditions outlined by the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation that came into effect July 1, 2014 — you’ve been in touch with Just the Goods in the past either by making a purchase or requesting wholesale information within the last two years, or you have chosen to remain subscribed to this quarterly newsletter rather than choosing to click the unsubscribe link at the base of each of each one. With that said, if you would prefer to no longer receive communications from Just the Goods, please let me know and I will remove your email address immediately. And of course, you may also unsubscribe using the link below =-).

As always, thank you for your ongoing support! It is an absolute pleasure to handcraft natural skin and body care products, providing a healthier, small-scale alternative to the corporate “beauty industry”. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you!

With all my best,
Milena

Just the Goods (Winnipeg, MB)
handmade natural + affordable skincare for everyone
http://www.justthegoods.net 

Local Pickup to be Offered in August

Thanks to the fabulous folks at Organic Planet Worker Co-Op, I’m thrilled to announce that a new approach to order pick up will be available on a one month trial basis beginning Saturday August 19!! Unlike pickup options offered in the past, you can now collect your order from Organic Planet without an appointment at any time during their regular open hours beginning the morning of the date selected when you place your order at justthegoods.net 🌱🌿

The first batch will be ready August 19 followed by additional batches August 26, September 2, and September 9. I’ve updated the website now, so you can start to pre-order at any time for pick up beginning August 19. On August 12 the pick up date will change to August 26, etc. 😊

 

The fee for order pick up will be $4.00 — $2.00 will cover the cost of me paying someone to deliver a batch of orders to OP each friday afternoon/evening, and $2.00 will go to OP to help them cover the cost of administration associated with being an order distribution centre. This brings local orders in line with the 5 day delivery option previously offered by Natural Cycle Courier, and is a considerable savings compared to the cost of local delivery by Canada Post, which begins at $10.67 🌿🌱 And of course, Just the Goods will continue to be available on a retail basis at Generation Green at The Forks ❤️

 

Thank you to everyone who has continued to express interest in a local pick up option these past several months. I’m delighted Organic Planet is able to team up with me on this and — if everything works out — we’ll continue to offer this option into the future. Whooo!! ✨💐🙌

Just the Goods Summer 2017 Newsletter

Hello everyone,

Happy Summer Solstice! And, to friends south of the equator, Happy Winter Solstice!  I hope the sun shines brightest for you today, literally and metaphorically.

As you might already know, I like to send newsletters three or four times per year when I have something new and/or notable to share. Today’s newsletter is marked by a particularly exciting event: Just the Goods is hiring!

That’s right – after eight years of working solo, I’ve decided to invite someone to join me in a full-time capacity. The position will, ideally, begin mid-August so in the meantime I’ll be making changes to ensure a smooth transition for all involved, some of which are outlined below.

For this, and information about a delicious giveaway launching soon, please read on…

Thank you for being part of Just the Goods’ adventures!

Warmly,
Milena

Just the Goods is hiring!

After eight years of working independently, I’m taking the leap and inviting someone to join me in the lab on a full-time basis! As per the job description available at http://tinyurl.com/JTGHiring, I am seeking someone to fill the role of Shipper + Production Assistant. The successful candidate will ideally begin mid-August, so I’m welcoming resumes now until July 15. If you live in Winnipeg and would like to help Just the Goods continue serving clients worldwide, please view click the link above for details, including qualifications and application procedure. Thank you!

New Shipping Schedule

To better facilitate two people working together at Just the Goods, I’m making changes to the weekly production and shipping cycle to achieve more normal Monday – Friday business hours, instead of the currently 7-day work week.

Beginning in July, the weekly deadline for orders will be Fridays allowing for products to be made and shipped by the following Friday. For example, if you place an order between Monday January 1 – Friday January 5, your order will ship on Friday January 12. If your order reaches me on Saturday January 6, your order will ship on Friday January 16. If there is a statutory holiday on a Friday, parcels will be mailed out on the next business day.

As larger batches begin to be handmade, we can begin establishing a small rotating inventory of products that will ultimately assure faster shipping over time. In that case, if an order placed on Monday needs only items that are already in-stock, that order could be mailed later that same week. Depending how production flows under the new arrangements, we may even begin to offer twice weekly shipping!

Thanks for your patience during this transition. I do believe that, in the long run, it will serve everyone far better.

Upcoming Temporary Closure

With big changes ahead in the lab, as well as a few milestone occasions in my personal life, I’ve decided to take a week off in August to rest, celebrate, prepare, and power up.

The lab will undergo a few small renovations in August to improve circumstances for two people working together. And ultimately, I hope all the new approaches will make the traditionally whirlwind months of September – December far more manageable than they have been in the past.

Just the Goods will be closed August 4 – 10. As such, the last day to place an order before I leave will be July 28 for shipping on August 4. Orders placed July 29 – August 10 will be handmade beginning August 11 for shipping starting on August 18. Thereafter, Just the Goods will remain open shipping weekly until December 22.

Thank you!!

New Product: Litha/Summer Solstice Ritual Bath and Lotion Set


The second ritual bath set in the solstice/equinox series for 2017 is now available, Litha/Summer Solstice!

The longest day of the year, Litha (also known as Midsummer), is an opportunity to celebrate the power of the sun that sustains us, and invite it to recharge our hearts and minds. We can rid ourselves of what no longer serves us and fill that space with the heat we need to thrive. It is a reminder to make the most of each day.

Litha sea salt soak features purifying and healing lemon zest, mint leaves and essential oil to promote energy, communication and vitality, and lavender petals and essential oil to encourage love, protection, healing, and peace. The Litha hand/body lotion features sweet orange essential oil to cultivate love and happiness and lavender essential oil for the reasons described above.

Responding to popular demand, these items can be selected as a two-piece set, or enjoyed separately – the choice is yours. These items will be available until Lughnasadh (Aug 1), when I’ll begin finalizing plans for the autumn equinox set. Please find details here: https://justthegoods.net/products/summer-solstice-litha-bath-and-lotion-set

Giveaway with Urban Earth Teas


Recently Mara of Urban Earth Teas sent me a box of the most beautiful solstice and equinox inspired tea I have ever seen!! I was so touched by her generosity that I proposed the idea of paying it forward and sharing. But how? Together we agreed on an Instagram giveaway and we’ll launch it tomorrow — Thursday June 22 — so visit us at @just.the.goods and @urbanearthteas to find out how to enter ❤

Update:  The Humane Cosmetics Act
Good news!  The Humane Cosmetics Act was reintroduced in the US House of Representatives earlier this month. This important legislation, endorsed by Just the Goods among other makers of cruelty-free skin care products, will prohibit the use of animals to test cosmetic products and ingredients as well as end the sale of animal-tested cosmetics.

Animals in the U.S. continue to suffer and die in experiments to test cosmetics like lipstick, deodorant and shampoo. The Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2790), sponsored by U.S. Reps. Martha McSally (R-AZ), Don Beyer (D-VA), Ed Royce (R-CA), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) and Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), will end this unnecessary cruelty by prohibiting animal testing for all cosmetic products manufactured or sold in the U.S.

Alternatives to animal testing already exist: Humane and safe cosmetics can be made using thousands of existing ingredients, and several non-animal safety tests are already available for new ingredients. These non-animal alternatives are often cheaper, faster and more relevant to humans, and therefore more reliable predictors of safety.

In recent years, 37 countries have passed laws to ban or limit animal testing for cosmetics. The Be Cruelty-Free USA campaign, led by The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund, needs your help to make the United States the next cruelty-free marketplace.

TAKE ACTION

If you live in the United States, please make a brief, polite phone call to your U.S. Representative and urge support for the Humane Cosmetics Act. Look up your legislator’s phone number. You can say, “I’m a constituent, and I urge you to cosponsor the Humane Cosmetics Act, if you haven’t already done so. This bill would prohibit animal testing for cosmetics manufactured or sold in the U.S.”After making your phone call (please do not skip that crucial step!), fill in and submit the form below located at http://bit.ly/1HCA554 to automatically send a follow-up message. Humane Society of the United States encourage you to add your own thoughts or comments in the editable portion so your representative knows how important this issue is to you.

Keep in Touch!

Don’t forget, the best way to keep in touch for the latest Just the Goods news – especially deadline reminders relating to temporary lab closures – is via social media. Find me on Instagram @just.the.goods or on Facebook @justthegoods 🙂

Final Note

You are receiving this newsletter because — as per the conditions outlined by the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation that came into effect July 1, 2014 — you’ve been in touch with Just the Goods in the past either by making a purchase or requesting wholesale information within the last two years, or you have chosen to remain subscribed to this quarterly newsletter rather than choosing to click the unsubscribe link at the base of each of each one. With that said, if you would prefer to no longer receive communications from Just the Goods, please let me know and I will remove your email address immediately. And of course, you may also unsubscribe using the link below =-).

As always, thank you for your ongoing support! It is an absolute pleasure to handcraft natural skin and body care products, providing a healthier, small-scale alternative to the corporate “beauty industry”. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you!

With all my best,
Milena

Just the Goods (Winnipeg, MB)
handmade natural + affordable skincare for everyone
http://www.justthegoods.net 

Just the Goods Newsletter – Spring 2017

Hello everyone,

I hope you are enjoying signs of spring wherever you are, and that you’re finding fun in scheduling summer plans!

As you might already know, I like to send newsletters three or four times per year when I have something new and/or notable to share.

The first piece of news is that – in a few short days – Just the Goods will be 8 years old, and I can hardly believe it! From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for being part of this thrilling journey, which is forever taking new and exciting turns. Evolving from a hobby, to a part-time endeavour, to a full-fledged creation with its very own life force, I can’t help being caught aback given that I’ve generally made decisions about JTG quite spontaneously. I’m not entirely sure what direction Just the Goods will take in the future, but being someone who has never lasted longer than 14 months in any job I’ve ever held (*lol*) it strikes me that – for the first time – it’s important to start making plans. It is no longer possible for one person to keep up with all of the orders received each hour of each day, but I want to retain my commitment to handmaking on a human scale, so it’s time to start thinking about how to ensure this without slowing production/shipping time. Thank you for presenting me with this fascinating challenge – I am eager to take it on as Just the Goods moves towards the next 8 years, and beyond.

Apart from this big news, today’s message will be brief in that I mostly want to let you know I’ll be taking a week away at the end of May to recharge my batteries, and to give you an update on recent fundraising efforts and a new collaboration. Please find details below =-)

Warmly,
Milena

Upcoming Temporary Closure

Although I’ve managed to sneak a few days off since the end of February, 12+ hour days are making me sleeeeeepy *lol*. In order to recharge my batteries a little, Just the Goods will be closed May 26 – June 1. Orders placed by May 19 will be shipped by May 26. Orders placed May 20 – June 2 will begin shipping June 7 – 9, with additional batches shipping the following week as quickly as I can manage. I won’t be online during this absence but look forward to replying to any messages when I return. Thanks!

Fundraising for Standing Rock a Success!

Liz of The Granola Goat and I would like to thank you for making our collaborative fundraising effort to support the Water Protectors at Sacred Stone Camp a success – with your interest in Forest Spirit, we were able to raise a total of $534 USD (~$729 CAD). The encampment was terminated in February, but the Indigenous Coalition at Standing Rock continues fighting for all the water, earth, air, and all living things and is calling for global intersectional resistance to fossil fuels and fascism through long-term movement building. I absolutely agree that this is a fight for the long haul, and I’m so grateful to all of you that we could make this modest contribution together as part of the many other actions I imagine many of us are undertaking at other levels. That being said, if you can give more, please do by visiting sacredstonecamp.org, or contributing to other Indigenous led resistance movements in your area.

The image below is of a print by Nicolas Lampert, which is available for sale at Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative, a decentralized network of 30 artists committed to social, environmental, and political engagement. It’s pretty awesome and I thought I’d share it with you ❤

 

Liz and I are looking forward to collaborating on future fundraising projects, and are already concocting something we hope to release in June. Please keep in touch with us via social media to find out more.

Say Hello to Fat Lye Soap Co.!

I love collaborating with other handmakers by offering their awesome work at justthegoods.net. Over the past year, I’ve gotten to know Jennifer Chung of Fat Lye Soap Co., based in Winnipeg and we finally took our Instagram friendship to the next level and hung out in real life. That was super fun on its own, but imagine my smile when I opened a great big box of beautiful handmade soap that I can now share with you. Fat Lye Soap Co., features a range of nourishing plant-based oils and beautiful botanical additives to create a soft, spa-like lather. Every detail is carefully considered, including eco-friendy packaging made from plantable seed paper! Just the Goods is currently offering 4 unique varieties, with a few more on the way. Check it out here.

New Product: Litha/Summer Solstice Ritual Bath and Lotion Set

​In February I co-launched a springtime themed bath salt and lotion set with Canadian online retailer, Tiroir-Noir, designed to welcome the lighter half of the year by gathering our energies and bringing forth new passion and ideas into the world. The soak features dried strawberry, dried jasmine buds, chamomile essential oil and a drop of sunflower seed oil to bring in the light. The lotion features gentle honeysuckle attar. But, as the wheel of the year turns we’re moving toward summer and I’m excited about the plans I’ve been developing for Litha/Summer Solstice! The Ostara set will be available for only a few more days and I’ll be launching the Litha set soon! Stay tuned to Instagram and Facebook for details =-)

 

Keep in Touch!

Don’t forget, the best way to keep in touch for the latest Just the Goods news – especially deadline reminders relating to temporary lab closures – is via social media. Find me on Instagram @just.the.goods or on Facebook @justthegoods =-)

 

Final Note

You are receiving this newsletter because — as per the conditions outlined by the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation that came into effect July 1, 2014 — you’ve been in touch with Just the Goods in the past either by making a purchase or requesting wholesale information within the last two years, or you have chosen to remain subscribed to this quarterly newsletter rather than choosing to click the unsubscribe link at the base of each of each one. With that said, if you would prefer to no longer receive communications from Just the Goods, please let me know and I will remove your email address immediately. And of course, you may also unsubscribe using the link below =-).

As always, thank you for your ongoing support! It is an absolute pleasure to handcraft natural skin and body care products, providing a healthier, small-scale alternative to the corporate “beauty industry”. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you!

With all my best,
Milena

Just the Goods (Winnipeg, MB)
handmade natural + affordable skincare for everyone
http://www.justthegoods.net

Handmade on a human scale

Hi everyone! Thank you so very much for all the orders that continue to flow in every hour of every day — I’m truly grateful for your enthusiastic interest!! ❤ ❤ ❤ I must admit, however, that this enthusiastic interest has become a lil’ bit overwhelming 😉

Just the Goods was formed almost 8 years ago as a part-time side-project to share the results of my personal research into safer plant-based and cruelty-free skin care. When I decided to launch beyond my circle of friends, I intentionally established public wholesale rates because I wanted to provide an affordable alternative to what I still perceive as unreasonable luxury branding in the world of natural skin care and cosmetics. I did the math and realized that yes, I could still make a modest living, and thus began my one-person eco-feminist anti-capitalist operation. Late 2013, I realized Just the Goods was becoming more popular than anticipated, so I decided to follow that excitement and make it my full time occupation. Since then JTG has continued to grow, particularly now that I am able to offer US clients more affordable shipping via USPS instead of international shipping via Canada Post.

Over the course of the past 3-4 months, orders have increased at a rather staggering rate. If I work 80 – 90 hours per week, I’m able to handmake enough product to ship anywhere from 150 – 200 orders on a weekly rotation, and I’ve been doing that quite consistently since September, but my body is really starting to protest. And, having reached the 200+ orders per week mark, I know I need to make some changes.

Yes, I have explored hiring someone to work with me, but I’ve discovered that the time it takes to find, train, and coordinate with someone is actually time I don’t have. So, for now, I think the best option is to continue working alone, but to reinforce that Just the Goods is a one-person — I dare say “artesinal” — project committed to staying small and operating on a human scale. This means that I will continue to work as quickly as I can, but that I will also acknowledge my need to sleep, eat, and spend personal time with people I care about for the sake of my physical and emotional health, both of which are currently in decline.

If I decide that I have no option but to hire someone, please know that I will be obliged to raise prices, which is something I’ve worked *very hard* to avoid over the past 8 years, especially when the Canadian Dollar dropped in relation to the US Dollar. In the interim, I’ll be taking these steps:

• Most orders will continue to be shipped within 5 – 7 business days, but some may take as long as 2 weeks to ship… hopefully not, but it could happen, so please accept my apologies in advance
• I will not be able to resume local pick up services
• I will not be able to undertake any custom orders, which includes modifying existing formulas
• I will no longer be able to manually calculate alternative shipping rates as the rates on the website are very accurate and the best available for the service speeds they offer
• I will sadly not be able to reply to all email messages (especially not those requesting free samples and/or coupon codes)
• My response time to other messages will inevitably become much slower than it has in the past
• I may start to remove some products/format variants from my catalogue of 150+ products

Since I currently work 7 days per week, every week, I’m going to do my best to take Thursdays off for sleep, exercise, friends, etc., as I’ve realized that the only way I can legitimately facilitate self-care for others is to ensure I take care of myself, too.

Thank you for making Just the Goods possible, and thank you in advance for your understanding. Please know that it has taken me a very long time to not only share my experiences, but to recognize how important it is to make these and other changes. I don’t take these decisions lightly and I offer this behind-the-scenes look because I’m learning that acknowledging vulnerability is not only healthy and healing, but an important challenge to the normative self-exploitation of capitalism.

xo
Milena