Interview- Brisil

Todays interview is with Silvana of Brisil

What kind of items do you sell in your shop?

Handmade vegan bath and body products
Sugar and salt body scrubs, soaps, bath bombs, body lotions, body washes and facial toners. I also have an herbal line of products that is slowly growing, all made of Yerba Mate’. I make all products fresh at the time you order, so they are not sitting on a shelf forever. I think this is really important.

Do you have any inspirations for your creations?

LIFE. Everyday life is my inspiration for my creativity, I know it when I see it and its different everytime.

How long have you been making them?

I have had my business officially and licensed as Forest Nymphs since 2002. But I have been making them since I was a little kid, with my mom, aunts and even my dad! My mom and I would make homemade cosmetics from what our earth has given us. We'd make candles, incense and facial masks, scrubs! My dad practiced a very earthy, holistic and healthy type of life applying healing herbs to wounds for example, and which in turn he taught us kids to do the same. I, happen to have that innate earth child passion in me, in comparison to my siblings.

Do you donate to any charities? If so, which ones & why?

I have had the pleasure of meetingsome amazing people thru veganetsy that have turned me on to a couple of Animal charities that I donate a portion of my sales to, also in my community, I donate products to raise monies for CHOC - Childrens Hospital Of Orange County and one of my latest add ons in a fabulous organization, called MUSIC SAVES LIVES, which is a mix of music helping people save lives thru blood donations. Many don’t know that there is a shortage of blood everyday and the more people we have donating the more lives we are able to save.
Why donate? I believe that LIFE is a gift, in humans, in animals. Many abuse it and destroy it, and its not always their life that they are abusing. Its an animal, or a child. Also I think it's a personal thing and a compassionate thing to do. I give because I want to see a positive difference in the lives of animals, of children. We need to be a voice for them and stop their suffering. I believe we all should "give" all the time, its not about what you've got but what you give that will make a positive difference.

What are some of your favorite things about etsy?

The cool people I have met so far, the team spirit of our team Vegan Esty and I love how we have the control of running our own site and changing things on our own. I have another site, which I delegate changes, updates etc but I have to have my web guy do it! And he is awesome, but its done once a month. And I LOVE that there is a community that supports all handmade artists, finally we are being noticed for our passion and work.

Do you sell your items outside of etsy (locally, other online stores, etc.)?

I sell on my primary site, www.forestnymphs.com, along with other products. To regular customers that order from me off line, private parties, Art / Craft faires, Roller Derby Bouts, Music festivals. Our products are also sold at a store front in Nebraska, “SCENT ADDCICT”. With a couple other stores in the works, in Seattle, University District . So we’ll see .

Do you have any future plans for your shop?

Yes! I have a lot of future plans! Always have ideas brewing. NEW products coming for Summer and other fun stuff!
Do you maintain any other sites besides your shop (such as flickr, myspace, blog, etc.)? Well I honestly am really bad at this . I have tried the flicker, facebook, twitter thing but its too much for me. But, I do have a myspace and my own Forest Nymphs site.
http://www.forestnymphs.com/; www.myspace.com/brisilhandmadebathandbody;
I do have plans of getting my blog back into the groove, because I do think it’s a cool thing and fun way of communicating different things with customers, friends.

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have?

Making bath and body products! All things that are fitness, health / holistic realated. Learning new things; hanging out with friends and family, I am fortunate to live by the beach and California has awesome weather, so enjoying fun times, bike riding, music concerts, motorcycle riding down PCH, water sports and the like at the beach is a favorite! Traveling is a passion of mine and whatever chance I get I am off on plane somewhere!

How long have you been vegan?

I have been "vegetarian" for years and have slowly become vegan. I haven't eaten red meat in over 20 years I was vegetarian until the last couple of years where I have gone completely vegan. Maybe even longer because aside from not eating meat I rarely if ever had milk, eggs or dairy while vegetarian. Its so much yummier to be vegan and I feel much healthier. Lots of energy!

What are your reasons for being vegan?

My reasons are many but the obvious are "animal cruelty" which has to STOP. Peta has put out some incredible dvd's from their investigations that are a must see. It breaks your heart that there are such cruel horrible people in this world that abuse animals. The other reason is Health. I truly believe that a vegan diet is the best for your body and health. I don't get colds or flu's even being around people that do. I believe its following an animal free diet. Dairy is horrible for your body and skin.

Do you have any favorite vegan books, including cookbooks?

Yes I have two favorite books, one is Eat, Drink and be Vegan and the other one is Vegan with a Vengeance. Has a lot of good tips and reciepes too. But I am always reading new articles and checking out new books.

What are your favorite foods?

I love spinach salads! With cranberries and candied pecans! Love it!! I am a big salad eater, along with a big piece of bread. Coconut pancakes with pineapple sauce !I really enjoy pasta dishes, with homemade tomatoe sauce, not store bought ones. Fruit shakes blended with soy milk; Lentil beans just cooked plain ; Sweet potatoes with a spinach salad, and before a workout it's a great energy booster. I love pizza with veggies and pineapples, soy cheese; Asparagus with sundried tomatoes frittata is yummy too! I am learning to bake sweets in a 100% vegan manner and should be all ready for the holiday season of baked yummies! Tofu I use a lot also in so many different dishes.