My Name is Heather & I Make Soap

I'm so honored to be the first to post on the Vermont Etsy Street Team Blog! It's so fun getting to know crafters from our gorgeous state. We've all decided to use the first several posts to introduce
ourselves. Here's my story~

Before all other things, I am a mom & wife. My fantastic husband, Gerry Tallman, is an attorney here in Randolph. We have 4 fun kids. Austen is 12, Peter is 11, Cora is 8 & Ella is almost 6. We also have a ginormous yellow lab named Max. He's 3 1/2 & weighs 119lbs.

I've always adored cooking and baking (and eating!) Until 7 years ago, I'd been a part of the foodservice industry for 15 years. I managed restaurants for the first 5 and was a sales rep for Burlington Foodservice Company for the last 10. The best part of that job was becoming friends with some super~talented chefs & foodies. They readily shared all matter of kitchen knowledge which I thought was a blast.

I have also always had a passion for bath & body products. A great 10 minutes in the shower can carry me a long way. Three years ago, I discovered the joy of handcrafting soaps, lotions, bath bombs, salts... I was so hooked! With lots of love & support from my husband & the kids, as well as many wonderful "guinea pig" friends, I launched Twin Birch Bath & Body. I am also so lucky that many local businesses are happy to carry my products.

I have so many favorite products! It's hard to pick one, but right now in the dead of winter, I am loving my Shea & Shimmer Scrub. It is keeping my skin soft and helping me avoid the scalies & itchies of dry winter skin. I make it with organic shea butter and other emollients. It also contains cane sugar as an exfoliant and is made to be used in the shower. I have been able to skip my "after shower lotion" routine since I began using this scrub everyday. I also love the shimmer that stays on my skin and plays with the light. I believe we should all shine inside & out!

Here's to a wonderful 2009 for all of us! Cheers!