Florida Vendor Events: Lyme Disease Awareness, Foster Care, Sustainable Living!

Markets of Sunshine vendor events is about educating the community in three categories.  Lyme disease, foster care and sustainable living.  Why Lyme disease?  I have chronic Lyme and know first hand how it turns your life upside down overnight.

The first 3 years of your treatment make you wish you were dead.  Then suddenly you see the light at the end of the tunnel.  You're not going to die, you are going to live!  And, better yet, you want to live!

I have a mission to help people with Lyme to learn how to think positive and find true happiness!

If you live in Florida and want to join my Facebook group of families and get support for surviving and thriving with Lyme disease,

 click here!

Markets of Sunshine supports the local foster community called Community Partnership for Children.  Join them on Sept. 27th for their fishing tournament! click here  

Sustainable living became my passion over 15 years ago!  Not long after I converted to this healthy lifestyle I found Mary Jane's Farm Magazine, shown above! 

To subscribe to this organic lifestyle magazine, click here!

Get your copy at our event on August 30th in Orange City, FL.  We'll be at Dr. Munchies serving up the latest and greatest in direct sales products!  So, come on out and support women in small business and your community!

Like us on Facebook, click here!

Support our vendors from all over the U.S.A. on our

 Vendor Classified page, click here!

Want to be in one of our monthly events?  It's easy

as 1, 2, 3 just click here to get started!

All current vendors get first pick at all of our events.

Join them and get in on the hottest vendor events in Florida!

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha

Growing Bolder: How Does Honey Benefit Your Health?

Before, I begin my post today, I just want to take a moment and say my heart goes out to the family of Robin Williams, who died at the young age of 63.  People with depression feel there is no hope and that things will never get better.  I want to say that there is always hope and that things are going to get better to any who are feeling despair, please know God cares and he is going to end all suffering soon!  Don't give up and don't loose hope!  There is always help and hope.  And, there are people who do care!
Please, read these articles on suicide prevention, click here and here .  These two articles give hope based on God's word.   
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                                                          Honey Goodness!
I've been a big fan of eating organic foods and making healthy choices for over 30 years. I stopped eating white sugar, cane sugar and corn syrup after I was diagnosed with low blood sugar at the age of 18.
 Back then there were not many choices for sugar-free other than honey and fructose. So, I started using them both in my baking and found they started to really make things taste better than they did before.
 I now have type 2 diabetes and control it by diet and exercise. My weight is below normal so no worries there, but I did need to get more exercise since I am basically a home bound person due to my  chronic Lyme disease.
 So, I walk daily for at least 15 minutes as well as do stretching exercises for about 5 minutes every day. One of the many uplifting pages I like to follow on Facebook is Dr. Anna Marie and Growing Bolder. Recently, Dr. Anna Marie had a post about honey and the benefits it offers to your health.
 Here it is, click here to watch or the video below and you'll be amazed at all the things honey is good for. Who knew?!



I have been having sleep issues since I hit menopause.  Then, our a/c went out and we had to put in window units.  These two combinations have put my sleep pattern way off balance.  My mind will not turn off because of all the noise.  I only get about 2 hours a real sleep a night and some nights I don't event know if I do sleep because I toss and turn all night!
After, watching this video I was so excited to hear that honey can help relax you so you can sleep.  Well, with my diabetes I can't take it every day but occasionally won't hurt me.  So, I took 1/8 of a teaspoon after I ate lunch and then took my nap and slept for 1 1/2 hours!  Yippie!
Give it a try and let me know if it helps you sleep or in any of the ways it mentions in the video.
This is a honey of a deal!
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Shop Local, Buy Handmade!  Support Women in small business!
                              Let's Party!  In-Home or Online! 
Visit our Vendor Classified Page and use your VIP Coupon found in our newsletter!http://www.marketsofsunshine.com/p/member-classifieds.html

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Grow Your Business!

Visit our Advertise With Us page and let us help you grow your business with one of our many affordable promotion packages!

http://www.marketsofsunshine.com/p/wedding-registry.html

Our prices will be increasing next year and require a one year contract.  You can lock in your fees at the current rate by signing a one year contract with me by October 1, 2014!

We are adding some major improvements to our events and services that will be exclusive to Markets of Sunshine clients!

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Supporting Lyme Disease Awareness

Promoting Community Partnership for Children

Educating on the Benefits of Eco-Friendly Living

While Supporting Women in Small Business

Across the USA!

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha

Vendor Event Give-A-Way Drawing!

Do you love surprises?  Everyone does and so do we at Markets of Sunshine!  So, to get you all excited about our upcoming vendor event on August 30, 2014 in Orange City, FL  I am announcing the first in a series of surprises that we will be having at our event.
Watch my video and find out how you can enter and what you can win!

Swag Bag Promotion For Direct Sales Companies!

If you are in direct sales you know that there are not too many vendor events for you to take part in other than the Farmer's Market.  But, they only take one rep. from each company so if you weren't the first one to get a spot you are out in the cold.

That is why we offer our swag bag promotions for anyone in the USA that sells a home party product or a handmade craft product.  You don't have to set up and drag all of your stuff to a local event to get the word out about your products.  

Just sign-up for our swag bag promotion and we will make sure that your samples are given out to shopper's at our events!

Visit our Advertise With Us page and sign-up now!  I am taking vendors until Aug. 15, 2014 for our Aug. 30th event.  I will open up the application for the September event on Aug. 16, 2014.

It can't get any easier than that!  So what are you waiting for, sign up today!

Free Advertising Opportunity

Everyone who joins my vendor events will get one week of free advertising on my website for one week.  All August vendors will get one free week the first week of September.  It's just my way of saying 'Thanks' for supporting my business!

Vendor Classified VIP Shopping Fun!

Have you been to our vendor classified page recently?  We have been adding new shops each month.  All of our newsletter subscriber's received a VIP coupon code to use for 'free shipping' in the USA last week.  If you missed the code, don't worry it will be in this weeks newsletter too!

Do your part and support women in small business here in the USA!

Recipe of the Week

Get rid of scars easily with this all natural skin care formula.  

1 teaspoon organic honey

1 teaspoon organic cinnamon

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

1 teaspoon nutmeg

Apply to the skin each night after to a freshly washed face.

Let us know how it works for you!

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha

Internet Etiquette: Netiquette: The New Age of Customer Etiquette

Why do I say in my title the new age of customer etiquette?  It should be obvious, most of our shopping and interaction with others is no longer in person.  Our kids don't know the meaning of face to face communication skills.
Happily, I have come to the point in my business that I have found it necessary to set up my own internet etiquette for my business clients and customers.  That means I'm growing and dealing with more and more people online and in the community!
And, now part of my growth is branching out to host local events in the community.  It will make things run much smoother if I have my own list of Markets of Sunshine 'Do's and Don'ts' Etiquette.  Unlike, the ones you'll find on Etsy (Do's and Don'ts list) Ebay and other shopping/selling sites mine will be short and sweet.  If you don't agree with them then you won't be accepted as a client and you won't last as a customer.
The old rule that the customer is always right is a lie.  The customer is not always right, nor is the owner always right.  The age of buying and returning items at will has long been abused by people for decades.
In this modern world of throw away, walk away and run away very few know the real meaning of Etiquette.  When I Google the term internet etiquette I found that there is no book that has been published that answers this question to anyone's satisfaction.  So, my solution to this problem is make my own client & customer etiquette Do's and Don'ts list.  A code of conduct so to speak.
Unlike, many other companies, my list starts with the Golden Rule that Jesus stated over 2,000 years ago at Matthew 7: 12 "All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them.+ This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean". and , (not just my own personal opinion.)
Matthew 5:43-47  “You heard that it was said: ‘You must love your neighbor+and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies+ and to pray for those who persecute you,+ 45 so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens,+ since he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good and makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.+46 For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have?+Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing?

I had to make a brief statement on my Facebook page last week due to unprofessional behavior I have been encountering for years from my business clients and associates.  The list can be found on my Advertise With Us page for clients and on the Vendor Classified page for customers to read and agree to when they deal with Markets of Sunshine in any way.

If you want your business to run more smoothly, why not make your own list of customer and business etiquette do's and don'ts and see how much better things work this year!  When people know where you stand, and have a set of rules to follow, things will turn out better for everyone in the end.

RECIPE CORNER
Vegan Coleslaw - Ingredients needed are quick and simple.  Organic cabbage shredded and you can add optional vegetables such as shredded carrot, zucchini, broccoli, onion etc...Vegan mayonnaise and your favorite pickle juice (about 3 tablespoons).  Coat the shredded vegetables with as much mayo as needed with a sprinkle of sea salt.  Start with the 3 tablespoons of pickle juice and add more if needed to taste.  You can top with a sprinkle of pepper and stir well.  I like to also add a little organic dill spice which makes it extra yummy!  Serve on top of your favorite shredded meat for a yummy sandwich or on the side with your favorite BBQ meat. Enjoy!
Event Corner
Markets of Sunshine hosts a number of events and our first community event is coming up on August 30, 2014.  Located at Dr. Munchies 921 Town Center Dr. Orange City, FL Time: 12-4 p.m.
Visit us and shop with local reps from a variety of well known companies such as Avon, Beauty Control, Origami Owl, Pure Romance, South Hill Design, Sunshine Photography, Tealightful and more!  The first 50 shoppers will receive a goodie bag (swag bag) filled with samples from all of our vendors.  Mark your calendar and come with your friends for a really fun family day!
We also offer our goodie bags as party favors.  Visit our Vendor Classified page for prices and to contact us for your next special party or occasion.

Sending You Sunshine,

    Marsha

DIY Altered Book And BOGO Contest

I thought we'd make this week's blog post a little more exciting and get you all to participate in a fun contest I came up with to go along with my DIY project for the week.

                                             A Buy One Get One Free Offer!
                                                             (BOGO Contest)

I'm going to show you how to make your own altered book that you can use as a scrapbooking, as an art journal or even a save the date book for important events of family and friends.

Here is how to play the game and enter the contest.

1.  You'll need an old book any size will do, just keep in mind what you want it to be used for and then you'll know what size to get.

2.  Gather all your craft supplies you have on hand now such as glue, scissors, paper, ribbon, brads, paint, mod podge, gesso, buttons etc...

3.  A camera and your imagination.

4.  All entries must be submitted by June 30, 2014 to qualify for the contest.

5.  Prizes:  Each participant and winner will receive a free $5 or more gift with purchase! 
                 1st place gets free shipping from any of the vendors on our Vendor Classified page
                 2nd place gets a 10% off coupon to use in any shop on our Vendor Classified page
                 3rd place gets a 5% off coupon to use in any shop on our Vendor Classified page
                 The remaining participants will get one sample product from each shop at the price
                 posted and a coupon for a future product discount.

Instructions to make your altered book:

Start by removing every 3rd page from the book right at the binding using a sharp cutting tool.  If you are good at tearing, then score the  page by the binding and then tear it off as straight as possible.

This will allow room for embellishing each page and gives room for the book to expand and still close.



Now, just start adding embellishments to one side of the page and on the other fold the corner down to make a pocket as shown in these pictures of a book I altered.  This book was sold to a lovely lady in Japan!



I laid the book flat and took a portion of the middle pages and folded them over to make more pockets.  Glue the ends together using a glue stick.  These make perfect places for small mementos like ticket stubs or receipts from vacations etc....



You can even add fabric like I did on these pages and then layered with ribbon and trim.  I used calendar pages that were glossy to cover some of the pages as you see in this picture.  I used a thick tacky glue such as Aleen's to make sure they stay in place.  I also use a paint brush to smooth out the glue.
You can also use Mod Podge by Plaid and a sponge brush if you don't like the tacky glue.

Another, technique that I use to make pockets is to punch holes in the bottom of each page and then thread a ribbon as you see here in this picture.  The pink ribbon was then tide and had a charm attached with about 2 inches hanging out.

So, what will you use your altered book as?  Maybe, an altered book journal?  Or, how about an altered book scrapbook?  Oh, I know, an altered book save the date book!

I've been working on a few for children and will be putting the finishing touches on them and adding them to my Etsy shop this month.  Visit my shop on our Vendor Classified page along with all of our other great artist's shops.

Sending You Sunshine,
Marsha

Hidden Gifts Treasure Hunt

Markets of Sunshine is hosting a hidden gifts treasure hunt this Saturday, May 31, 2014 in Deltona, Florida.  There will be 10 bags sprinkled around at different business locations.  Be sure to thank them for letting us hide a gift at their store.  This is a great way for you to get to know more about what they have to offer, so don't just grab and run.  Take your time and browse a while!

Look for the yellow daisy signs (image below) that will be posted around the city and you'll find the hidden treasure!  

Each location will have one brown bag hidden somewhere in the immediate area.  The bag will also have the yellow daisy label, Markets of Sunshine so you'll know it when you see it!   When you find a bag take a picture and post it on our Facebook page, click here!  Give the location so we can mark if off the list and we will tell you how many more bags are still at large, waiting to be found.

Happy Hunting!  Each brown bag will contain a handmade gift from one of our vendors.  Check out our Vendor Classified page at the top of this page and visit each shop to get an idea of what kind of items will be in the bag.

Compliments of Markets of Sunshine!  One location will have a gift basket drawing so be sure to fill out the entry form completely for your chance to win what is in the gift basket!

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha

Markets of Sunshine Featured Shop: PF Candle Company

Welcome to another great week of promoting our top seller's here at Markets of Sunshine.  Graduation is just around the corner for high school senior's.  The Class of 2014 will be embarking into the 'real world' and joining the rat race to get rich and be famous.  Sadly, that is not what life is all about, is it?  It is about hard work and learning to love and be loved to truly be successful!

To help these young people remember that they are not alone and that there are people besides their parents that care whether they succeed or fail, Markets of Sunshine is gifting our handmade products to one of the local high schools in Deltona, Florida this year.
I have been working with the activities director and she was thrilled that we wanted to donate to their student's and teacher's.  No other company has stepped up this year to show their support to the school.  I was so happy to hear that and was even more excited when she accepted our offer.

If you would like to help us reach our goal of 330 products by May 20, 2014, please send an email to me at: marketsofsunshineusa@gmail.com and I will give you the mailing address so you can send us 10 or more of your family friendly products.  I will need to have a link of your shop so I can verify what products you have and we can go from there.

Featured Shop: PF Candle Company
About: We are a home based, family-owned candle company born and founded in 2008 in Washington D.C. Passion Factor Candle Company prides ourselves in providing the utmost, highest quality candle possible for our extended family, you our customers. Our mission is to always provide each customer with the highest quality of service, honesty, and production not only to the individual but within the craftsmanship of our products. We strive to remain faithful to our integrity, morality, and ethicality in presenting the most innovative and quality ideas. It's the only way we believe our candles will continue to speak for themselves. 
Policies: Learn about our customer service.
Reviews: Learn what our customer's have to say about our products.

What's New! Subscribe to our Club!
A few things have changed and we now have all of our business here on this page so you can easily find out more about what we have to offer you as a customer and as a vendor.  If you would like to support handmade and get our products delivered to your door each month look at the top of this page on the right side bar and click on the Gift of the Month Club and subscribe to one of our cool clubs.
You'll also notice new tabs at the top of this page:Vendor Classified, Advertise With Us and About Us.
Click on each tab and explore our world.  On the vendor classified page you'll be able to learn who our artist's are and visit each shop.  On the advertise page you'll find all the details about becoming one of our vendor's and how we help you grow your business.  On the about page you'll learn why and how Markets of Sunshine got started.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit with us today and please browse our site while you are here.

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha Jaramillo