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Monday, July 25, 2011

Mother Nature's Dance: Time to Vote for Your Favorite Healers Guild Challenge Treasury!

"Original Watercolor Illustration - Mother Earth" by Adelaida

It's TIME TO VOTE for the winning Etsy Natural Healers Guild Challenge Treasury for the week! The winner will be featured in all of the challenge treasuries for next week!!! Here are the finalists for the week:

1. "Dance Through Dreams" by NouveauTique
2. "Dance Away Your Worries" by Eco-Friendly Freckles

You can place your vote in the poll on the right-hand side bar of this team blog. Thank you everyone for your participation in this week's challenge...we have had some beautiful participating treasuries in this week's team treasury challenge! It has been a lot of fun! The three finalists in the poll are the three "most popular" treasuries (with the most views and lots of "hotness").

This blog post was contributed by Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles; the new team captain of the Etsy Natural Healers Guild!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

What's NOT in Mother Nature's Cup of Tea: The Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Splenda & Truvia) and Natural, Healthy Alternatives

The breathtakingly beautiful handcrafted teapot featured above is a one-of-a-kind creation from the Etsy shop Adrien Art.

Scientific research has shown that artificial sweeteners like Aspartame, Splenda, and Truvia are very hazardous to our health. Aspartame, the common zero calorie synthetic sweetner, in diet sodas, sports drinks, flavored waters & teas, nearly ALL chewing gum (and I am not just talking about the "diet" ones), children's drinks, etc...is discovered to be a dangerous neurotoxin; and scientific evidence suggests that it may lead to neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis. With my mother and twin sister both having Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I am very cautious about this synthetic ingredient. Although, my sister (who has MS yet is in very healthy shape right now) and I avoid Aspartame completely; our mother at the youthful age of 48, however, is completely paralyzed from the neck down and is living in a nursing home where she has been living for 12 years because of the debilitating effects Multiple Sclerosis has had on her body. Now, what is the one thing that our mother has been consuming daily for all of this time? Aspartame; in her diet soda and in the form of "Sweeten Low" in her iced tea...everyday. Now, I am not saying that Aspartame caused her disease, I just have a sense of concerned intuition about the safety of this ingredient. My mother strongly opposes leaving Aspartame out of her diet because she "loves it" and refuses to believe that it could be harmful to her body. I personally think that she is physically addicted to Aspartame.

There is a very informative documentary that I think everyone should watch called "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World" that talks about the effects of Aspartame by doctors, scientists, and victims of this very common additive in our food supply. I strongly advise that everyone sit down and watch this film and show it to your friends and family. Here is a link to the full film:

Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World


Now, I know that many people believe that Splenda is a healthy sugar substitute; however it is over-processed and thus transformed into a chlorocarbon, with a molecular structure closely resembling chlorine-based DDT, the banned pesticide. Please look at this article on the Women to Women Website and these short video clips by Dr. Mercola about the dangers of Splenda:

"Sugar Substitutes and the Potential Danger of Splenda" by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

"Scientific Basis for Splenda Toxicity" by Dr. Mercola

"Is Splenda Really As Safe As They Say It Is" by Dr. Mercola

Unfortunately "Truvia" is now being advertised as a "healthy and natural" alternative to sugar; however, like Splenda, it too is overly-processed and has posed concern to scientists and doctors about it's safety. Please check out these links about the health concerns of "Truvia"...and please do your own research:

"Truvia: New Low Calorie Sweetener (Toxin)"

"Truvia Side Effects"

You may now be asking..."What is the answer to the sugar substitute madness?!" Well, there are several NATURAL and HEALTHY choices out there for you to try. First of all, local, all-natural honey is a great and very medicinal sugar alternative (I even use honey in baking); pure maple syrup and molasses are also natural, healthy choices.


Stevia products that you can find at your local health food stores are extracts from the Stevia plant and are very healthy for you. These places shouldn't carry Truvia I assure you...I know because I work at Akins Natural Foods Market and we don't carry it. Also, something that my husband Joe and I love to use is the actual Stevia leaf; we make our own herbal tea blends and add just a few pinches of Stevia leaf to our herbal tea blend (our favorite right now is Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Licorice, Peppermint, Star Anise, Stevia leaf, and a hint of Cinnamon...mmm, divine)! You can find Stevia Leaf in this charming herb shop from fellow guild member of the Etsy Natural Healers Guild: Mistical Acscents. Here is their link to their Stevia Leaf listing:

"Stevia ORGANIC Natural Sweetener"Now, there is also another healthy and natural sugar substitute that I am very curious about...coconut sugar! Please check out this fascinating article about Coconut Sugar from Natural News:

"Coconut Sugar: Enjoy the New Star Among Low Glycemic Sweeteners"

My husband, Joe and I actually buy this delicious and surprisingly NUTRITIOUS (naturally contains trace minerals) Coconut Sugar by Natural News!!!

This blog article was contributed by Etsy Natural Healers Guild Team Captain Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Weekly Team Treasury Challenge #7


It's time to announce the winner of the Etsy Natural Healers Guild Treasury Challenge! Drum roll....It's
Storybook Artifact with her delightful challenge treasury "Uncover an Uplifted You". Now on to the next treasury challenge hosted by the Etsy Natural Healers Guild!
*_ Remember, everyone participating in this week's treasury challenge must feature one of Storybook Artifacts beautiful shop items anywhere in the first 3 rows (NOT as an alternate in the fourth row) of your treasury.

This week's treasury theme is "DANCE", and remember that it can mean anything to you so have fun and express yourself within your challenge treasury!

The Etsy Natural Healers Guild Weekly Treasury Challenge is open to EVERYONE and not just team members so feel free to join us! You do NOT have to belong to the team, to participate or win the challenge! The Winner of the Challenge will have their shop items included in every treasury for next week's team challenge!

On Sundays we will all get to vote for the best challenge treasury in a poll that will be featured on the right-hand side of the team blog; there will be three participating treasuries to choose from (these will be the most popular of all of the treasuries in the challenge or the treasuries with the most views).

You have until Sunday, July 24th at midnight...

Challenge Requirements:

1. Include an item from this week's featured shop (Storybook Artifact) anywhere in the first 3 rows (NOT as an alternate in the fourth row).

2. Do NOT include any of your own items, or more than one item from the same shop.

3. In addition to the featured shop item, your treasury must contain at least SIX items from Etsy Natural Healers Guild members. These "team-related" items can be placed anywhere in the treasury. For a list of team members, click here ... or you can also find them by searching the our team tag "healguild" in Etsy.

4. Tag your Treasury "healguild" and"healguildchallenge7" (the number "5" without any spaces). If your treasury isn't tagged correctly and doesn't show up in the treasury search results by the judging deadline, it may not be judged. In case their are difficulties finding your treasury by searching the treasury tag, please also leave a link to your treasury in the comments of this blog post. Highly recommended! There is also a thread on the Etsy Natural Healers Guild team page where you can post a link to your entry challenge treasury. All of these things really help others find your treasury more easily.

6. Include a link to this blog post in your Treasury description (or in the first comment). This is very IMPORTANT! This is what helps get the word out about our Challenge! If you're not sure what to say, feel free to copy and paste this:

This is an Etsy Natural Healers Guild Treasury Challenge entry! Anyone can play!
Find out how to participate: http://etsynaturalhealersguild.blogspot.com/

Recommendations:

1. Follow this blog!

2. If you have items in your shop that are health conscious, made of non-toxic materials, or are healing in any sort of way, please feel free to join the Etsy Natural Healers Guild Team! We'd love to have you!

3. Message the shops featured in your Treasury, letting them know about the Treasury and the challenge!

4. Promote your treasury and the challenge! Tweet, Facebook, and share with friends.

5. Use themes from Etsy's July Merchandising Desk, to increase your chances of getting a Front Page Treasury!

6. Support other participants! Click, comment, and share other "healguildchallenge" treasuries.

Important Notes: Only shops that abide by Etsy's Rules & Regulations are eligible to win. Past winners are eligible to win again.

This challenge ends (you must submit your completed challenge treasuries by) Sunday, July 24th at midnight.

We will vote for the winner from the three most popular challenge treasuries on Monday, July 25th.

The winner of the challenge will be announced and the next challenge will begin on Wednesday, July 27th.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Awaken Your Third Eye (Pineal Gland) - Treasury Challenge Voting Poll

The amazing painting featured above is from one of my favorite painters of all time Alex Grey.

Our Pineal Gland (often referred to as our "Third Eye") is nestled in the center of our brains and is awakened while we sleep; releasing a naturally occurring compound called dimethyltryptamine...which strongly impacts our awe-inspiring dreams. Unfortunately our pineal glands can be weaken or calcified by fluoride in our drinking water and toothpaste; however there are ways to strengthen our third eye and explore the incredible world within ourselves by meditating, eating right, and becoming in tune with our third eye chakra. Here is a fascinating short video about the Pineal Gland and how to awaken it:


This week for our treasury challenge, I created a treasury with several items from the Etsy Natural Healers Guild and our featured winner of the challenge last week StarlightDiva; my treasury is called "Uplift Your Spirit Through Your Third Eye (Pineal Gland). I hope you all find it enlightening and beautiful. :-)


By the way, it's TIME TO VOTE for the winning Etsy Natural Healers Guild Challenge Treasury for the week! The winner will be featured in all of the challenge treasuries for next week!!! Here are the three finalists for the week:

1. "Remedies for a Bored Mind Lost In the Happy Birdie Land of Nod" by Morgaine's Well
2. "Uncover an Uplifted You" by Storybook Artifact
3. "Uplift Your Spirit Through Your Third Eye (Pineal Gland)" by Eco-Friendly Freckles

You can place your vote in the poll on the right-hand side bar of this team blog. Thank you everyone for your participation in this week's challenge...we have had some beautiful participating treasuries in this week's team treasury challenge! It has been a lot of fun! The three finalists in the poll are the three "most popular" treasuries (with the most views and lots of "hotness").

This blog post was contributed by Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles; the new team captain of the Etsy Natural Healers Guild!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Etsy Natural Healers Guild Monthly Blog Question




Yippee Yah-Rah!  It is that time again: for our team's blog question of the month.  Please feel free to invite/bring along both team members and non-team members to join in on the fun with this blog post/question!  We will generally always be commenting on questions that play along the topic of "health and/or healing".  Look forward to a friendly fun experience with all who choose to join in on answering the blog question of the month.


This Month's Blog Question: (is found below in bold print)

Code Green Comics


Which Ingredient(s) Do You and Your Family Try to Avoid or Limit Consuming?


Be specific, be brief, or be creative ... I'll be the first to comment below. :-)



This blog post was contributed by Andrea of Storybook Artifact.



Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Interview with Guild Leader Amanda of Morgaine's Well!

"Goewin Necklace" by Morgaine's Well

Amanda has been a wonderfully helpful leader and team player for the Etsy Natural Healers Guild; she has recently created a Facebook Fan Page for the guild!!! Here is her exclusive interview about herself and Etsy shop Morgaine's Well!

My name is Amanda Gynther. Ich bin in Vienna, die haupstadt von Ostereich. Or, for those speaking only english, I am in Vienna the capital city of Austria. I was born in a zen school in Cambridge MA. Both my parents are Budhists. Grew up watching cartoons with Zen Master Seung Sahn, who wrote books like Dropping Ashes On The Buddha and Compass of Zen.

My background includes studying swedish massage therapy, shiatsu, I am a reiki practitioner level 2, I never seem to finish anything. I first went to school as a vocal performance major for a while. Then i studied reiki and massage for a couple of years, then some time later I returned to my studies and began a degree in archaeology. And I have a minor in mythology due to my life long study of it.

I married a PhD in theoretical physics several years ago. We have 3 dogs that we love dearly. One of them is 15 years old and rides around the city in a stroller. Due to my husband's career, we move around internationally a lot. There is no telling where we will be in a year and a half. It is an adventure that spans literally continents.


My shop name is based on a myth. Morgaine, was the sister of King Arthur Pendragon, king o' the brits. Later, she was demonized by the catholic church. She was the Lady Of The Lake and the high priestess of Avalon an island between this reality and the land of Fair, or so the legend tells. She created Excalibur, Arthur's famous sword under the well of Avalon. Excalibur was a magical sword that would protect her brother from harm and ensure his victory.

Later, she would be demonized by the christians and would go down in history as an evil sorceress. Who she actually was in the early tales would be lost and her character and motivations completely misunderstood. Though they tried to cover her over by demonizing her brand of wisdom, they failed. Clues remain in the old texts and stories that will tell anyone who knows what they are looking for the path to the truth.

They said when i was a child that I had ADD (which turned out not to be true.) They also said that i was dyslexic. (that is true. I most definitely am and i got the paper work to prove it.) They spent years analyzing my every move and gesture and misreading into everything as much as they could. Then they wrote reports on me that were complete fiction and based on their imagined version of who i was and what my motivations were. They never took blood they never checked the physical in search of the cause of my issues. Instead they just decided, based on a lack of evidence meeting the criteria set forth by the scientific method. Years later, someone finally did take blood. They found a serious deficiency in vitamin B, and several other vitamins that would have taken a decade and a half to have developed to such severity, including an iron deficiency. So, I fixed it. The result is, no more ADD symptoms. Magic! Tada! No, just common sense and sound science and a healthy lifestyle.

I chose the myth of Morgaine for my shop because I identify with both her character as a person in the early myths, but i also identify quite closely with what the ignorant ones motivated by an agenda they spelled out in blood, death, and torture did to her, when they turned her into a witch.

The well is a symbol. It is the gateway into.... another universe. The land of the fairies that is the sacred sound in the Dagda's cauldron. It is the place all artists go. The one filled with self reflection. The deep place we disapear to when looking for that part of ourselves that is driven to create. We pull up a formless substance in the well's bucket, and we fashion from that internal substance from down the well, something beautiful and meaningful that touches other people. Just as Morgaine, did when she made Excalibur from magic down in the well of Avalon.

When i was little i was in a terrible car accident that should have killed me. I was treated as a burn victim over large percentages of my body, many operations later and after the mending of a not broken, but a shattered pelvis and all sorts of reconstructive surgery on my face, and years of physical therapy etc.... I would hope that my work gives them what i had in the days after that accident. My mother did not know what to do. So she gave me a large piece of rose quartz. It fascinated me. I was only 5 years old, and something about that stone maybe just the inclusions though i think it was the energy of the stone itself calmed me soothed me and completely removed my terror and my pain. I want to give others that need to varying degrees for various purposes the same kind of.... peace in their darkest moments and their most joyful moments or moments when they simply need it more what that stone gave to me as they wheeled me off into the operating room totally lost in the energy of the stone, rather than the terror of having my body cut open and my insides messed with by a bunch of strangers who's faces were not even visible under the surgical masks.


I love the work of a wide range of artists. Including El Greco, and many of the renaisance painters. My inspiration is largely however from myths and legends and life lessons i learn and the stories people tell me. I am a seanchi. An old box of beautiful things just retelling these stories that have been with humanity for thousands of years. The tales with deeper meaning for all of us as they touch on the very core of what it means to be human. Also, I am inspired by the people around me and their various hang ups and issues and their difficulties in life and all the fear and terror and baggage we all carry around with us.

Humans have been creating since before we were humans.... I am inspired by the neanderthal that first made ochre painted beads out of shells by drilling holes in it. Those beads predate even the early cave artists, who also inspire me. I am inspired by the long history large apes have of making things. That on it's own drives me nuts with fascination.

I love Hans Christian Anderson and all his stories.

Another of my favorite artists was a greek musician named Orpheus who literally used his art to raise the dead.

I am most inspired though by the effect that art of all kinds has on human beings, on individuals as well as on entire cultures.


Marketing tips... Ummmm.... Yeh.... Uhhh... Hmmmm.... I would love to offer some but i think that is the end of this that i am still working to figure out. Do YOU have any ideas??? How do YOU market? Dear gods, i would love to know what works.

In ten years, I would like to be living somewhere in Europe on a small organic farm with some sheep and or goats, a couple of horses, 2 dogs a few chickens, a nice place for my husband to set up his telescope near the coast of somewhere that has a nice mild climate. I would like to have 1 child, and a beautiful studio of my own that looks out over the farm and the ocean. i would like to be making not just jewelry art but also Finnish Sami crafts, recording music, and doing many other kinds of crafts and artwork. It would be wonderful to meet in my studio regularly with a craft circle that gathers to craft and tell stories, while my child learns about the arts and music and my husband is downstairs in his office being his sweet but nutty professor self.

Namu Amitabul Single Flower Necklace

Handmade stuff, has a spirit all it's own it is an energetic individual rather than a mass produced piece of crap that will one day end up a polutant probably on some giant trash barge destroying our ocean as it floats around one day. Handmade stuff has a soul of sorts. It is also built generally speaking to last. The quality tends to be better and it supports human makers rather than machines. That is really important, because it is that we make and create that is most fundimental to what makes us human. So supporting that is so critical in an age where it is dieing a slow and painful tragic death as machines take over doing the very thing that makes us human.

I had a vitamin deficiency for years, it wreaked havoc on my sanity it was so bad. What i like most, is finding a team of people to teach me more about a healthy lifestyle. People who are trying to live and provide a healthy lifestyle to others. Thank you all so very much for your efforts. You have no idea what it means to me that you are out there doing what you do. Eating naturally and living naturally is another core part of what makes humans humans. I am truly greatful for the support i get on the rare occasions i find to make and post a treasury. And i simply love and am fascinated by some of the various items i happen upon in all of your etsy shops....

Lessons learned on Etsy... Few, very few.... It is really hard. The only thing i have learned really is that Etsy is huge and it is very easy to get lost. Promotion is important. But how and where beats me. I am looking for lessons I am looking for guidance, and i gotta say, it really is a downer how very little i have been finding. But i keep on looking and some day. by the grace of nature herself i am going to find the answers i am looking for. And when i find them, I will share them. Till that time i am afraid i am rather useless on this issue anyway.

You can find me at:
www.morgaineswell.com/
blog.morgaineswell.com/theseanchisblog/
www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Morgaines-Well/115126820515
twitter.com/#!/Morgaineswell

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Weekly Team Treasury Challenge #6

It's time to announce the winner of the Etsy Natural Healers Guild Treasury Challenge! Drum roll....It's StarlightDiva with her delightful challenge treasury "Your Warm Whispers They Carry My Heart" and she wonderfully captured the featured guild winner of last week Andrea of Storybook Artifact. Now on to the next treasury challenge hosted by the Etsy Natural Healers Guild!

>>>"Spicy Citrus Tea Bath Salts" by Starlight Diva

*_ Remember, everyone participating in this week's treasury challenge must feature one of StarlightDiva's beautiful shop items anywhere in the first 3 rows (NOT as an alternate in the fourth row) of your treasury.

This week's treasury theme is "UPLIFT", and remember that it can mean anything to you so have fun and express yourself within your challenge treasury!

The Etsy Natural Healers Guild Weekly Treasury Challenge is open to EVERYONE and not just team members so feel free to join us! You do NOT have to belong to the team, to participate or win the challenge! The Winner of the Challenge will have their shop items included in every treasury for next week's team challenge!

On Sundays we will all get to vote for the best challenge treasury in a poll that will be featured on the right-hand side of the team blog; there will be three participating treasuries to choose from (these will be the most popular of all of the treasuries in the challenge or the treasuries with the most views).

You have until Saturday, July 9th at midnight...

Challenge Requirements:

1. Include an item from this week's featured shop (Starlight Diva) anywhere in the first 3 rows (NOT as an alternate in the fourth row).

2. Do NOT include any of your own items, or more than one item from the same shop.

3. In addition to the featured shop item, your treasury must contain at least SIX items from Etsy Natural Healers Guild members. These "team-related" items can be placed anywhere in the treasury. For a list of team members, click here ... or you can also find them by searching the our team tag "healguild" in Etsy.

4. Tag your Treasury "healguild" and"healguildchallenge6" (the number "5" without any spaces). If your treasury isn't tagged correctly and doesn't show up in the treasury search results by the judging deadline, it may not be judged. In case their are difficulties finding your treasury by searching the treasury tag, please also leave a link to your treasury in the comments of this blog post. Highly recommended! There is also a thread on the Etsy Natural Healers Guild team page where you can post a link to your entry challenge treasury. All of these things really help others find your treasury more easily.

6. Include a link to this blog post in your Treasury description (or in the first comment). This is very IMPORTANT! This is what helps get the word out about our Challenge! If you're not sure what to say, feel free to copy and paste this:

This is an Etsy Natural Healers Guild Treasury Challenge entry! Anyone can play!
Find out how to participate: http://etsynaturalhealersguild.blogspot.com/

Recommendations:

1. Follow this blog!

2. If you have items in your shop that are health conscious, made of non-toxic materials, or are healing in any sort of way, please feel free to join the Etsy Natural Healers Guild Team! We'd love to have you!

3. Message the shops featured in your Treasury, letting them know about the Treasury and the challenge!

4. Promote your treasury and the challenge! Tweet, Facebook, and share with friends.

5. Use themes from Etsy's July Merchandising Desk, to increase your chances of getting a Front Page Treasury!

6. Support other participants! Click, comment, and share other "healguildchallenge" treasuries.

Important Notes: Only shops that abide by Etsy's Rules & Regulations are eligible to win. Past winners are eligible to win again.

This challenge ends (you must submit your completed challenge treasuries by) Saturday, July 16th at midnight.

We will vote for the winner from the three most popular challenge treasuries on Sunday, July 17th.

The winner of the challenge will be announced and the next challenge will begin on Wednesday, July 20th.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Time to Vote for Your Favorite Healers Guild Challenge Treasury!

Can you here Mother Nature's Whisper? Peaceful breezes passing through the trees, the sound of water cascading down a waterfall...listen to her whisper, it's all around us!

It's time to vote for the winning Etsy Natural Healers Guild Challenge Treasury for the week! The winner will be featured in all of the challenge treasuries for next week!!! This week we only had two participants, and here are their treasuries...pick your favorite!

1. "Your Warm Wishes They Carry My Heart" by StarLightDiva
2. "Madame Pomreeda's Whisper" by Eco-Friendly Freckles

You can place your vote in the poll on the right-hand side bar of this team blog. Thank you everyone for your participation in this week's challenge...we have had some beautiful participating treasuries in this week's team treasury challenge! It has been a lot of fun! The three finalists in the poll are the three "most popular" treasuries (with the most views and lots of "hotness"). In this week's treasury challenge we featured fellow team member Storybook Artifact of the Etsy Natural Healers Guild.

This blog post was contributed by Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles; the new team captain of the Etsy Natural Healers Guild!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Weekly Team Treasury Challenge #5



Due to this last week's holiday, we only had one participant in our team treasury challenge Andrea of Storybook Artifact: myself. ;o)~ ... Hence, there was no need to set up a voting poll.  Featured above is a picture of one of my shop's items, which is currently for sale in my shop and is titled Woman Behind the Curtain!



Hooray it is Wednesday!  Now that we know who the featured artist* will be this week (myself "Storybook Artifact" with my winning treasury Sparks Flew), it is time to announce the theme for our weekly treasury challenge hosted by the Etsy Natural Healers Guild!

>>>

*_ Remember, everyone participating in this week's treasury challenge must feature one of Storybook Artifact's beautiful shop items anywhere in the first 3 rows (NOT as an alternate in the fourth row) of your treasury.

This week's treasury theme is "WHISPER", and remember that it can mean anything to you so have fun and express yourself within your challenge treasury!

The Etsy Natural Healers Guild Weekly Treasury Challenge is open to EVERYONE and not just team members so feel free to join us! You do NOT have to belong to the team, to participate or win the challenge! The Winner of the Challenge will have their shop items included in every treasury for next week's team challenge!

On Sundays we will all get to vote for the best challenge treasury in a poll that will be featured on the right-hand side of the team blog; there will be three participating treasuries to choose from (these will be the most popular of all of the treasuries in the challenge or the treasuries with the most views). 

You have until Saturday, July 9th at midnight...

Challenge Requirements:

1. Include an item from this week's featured shop (Storybook Artifact), anywhere in the first 3 rows (NOT as an alternate in the fourth row).

2. Do NOT include any of your own items, or more than one item from the same shop.

3. In addition to the featured shop item, your treasury must contain at least SIX items from Etsy Natural Healers Guild members. These "team-related" items can be placed anywhere in the treasury. For a list of team members, click here ... or you can also find them by searching the our team tag "healguild" in Etsy.

4. Tag your Treasury "healguild" and"healguildchallenge5" (the number "5" without any spaces). If your treasury isn't tagged correctly and doesn't show up in the treasury search results by the judging deadline, it may not be judged. In case their are difficulties finding your treasury by searching the treasury tag, please also leave a link to your treasury in the comments of this blog post. Highly recommended! There is also a thread on the Etsy Natural Healers Guild team page where you can post a link to your entry challenge treasury. All of these things really help others find your treasury more easily.

6. Include a link to this blog post in your Treasury description (or in the first comment). This is very IMPORTANT! This is what helps get the word out about our Challenge! If you're not sure what to say, feel free to copy and paste this:

This is an Etsy Natural Healers Guild Treasury Challenge entry! Anyone can play! 
Find out how to participate: http://etsynaturalhealersguild.blogspot.com/

Recommendations:

1. Follow this blog!

2. If you have items in your shop that are health conscious, made of non-toxic materials, or are healing in any sort of way, please feel free to join the Etsy Natural Healers Guild Team! We'd love to have you!

3. Message the shops featured in your Treasury, letting them know about the Treasury and the challenge!

4. Promote your treasury and the challenge! Tweet, Facebook, and share with friends.

5. Use themes from Etsy's July Merchandising Desk, to increase your chances of getting a Front Page Treasury!

6. Support other participants! Click, comment, and share other "healguildchallenge" treasuries.

Important Notes: Only shops that abide by Etsy's Rules & Regulations are eligible to win. Past winners are eligible to win again.

This challenge ends (you must submit your completed challenge treasuries by) Saturday, July 9th at midnight.

We will vote for the winner from the three most popular challenge treasuries on Sunday, July 10th.

The winner of the challenge will be announced and the next challenge will begin on Wednesday, July 13th.