Firing up the Logwood Dye Pot

Today feels like a good day to dye... silk long underwear with Logwood.  There's a new chill in the air, so layers of clothing are on my mind.  I started a Logwood dye pot last week for our Radiant Artisan Festival, and there's still lots of color in it, so I've restarted it and will be dipping silks all day.  Stop in if you are nearby and I'll let you peek... It's a beautiful purple - one of my favorite dyes.  I expect we'll have the newly dyed pieces available in the shop by the end of the week.

Argan Oil from Morocco

Recently, we've had several requests for Argan Oil.  So, we went searching.  And we found it.  You can find it in our shop in downtown Lancaster, or on our web site. Argan Oil

This is pure, organic Argan oil, sourced from a fair-trade women's collective in Morocco, employing 80 women. Sometimes known as Moroccan Oil, Argan oil is traditionally used for skin care and hair care.  

Argan trees are so important to the dry eco-system in Morocco that they are officially protected by the government.  They have a very deep, penetrating root system and help to stabilize the soil structure, as well as having the ability to draw moisture and nutrients from deep below the surface.

All parts of the fruit are used.  The outer fruit peels are food for livestock animals, the inner shells are used for fuel in homes and community bath houses.  The seeds are then roasted and ground, releasing the oil. 

Making Dragon's Breath or What Is That Stuff??

All through the Autumn and Winter, I keep huge jars of Dragon's Breath brewing in the back room.  I bottle it as we need to for the shop & start another batch.  We go through many gallons each year.  Whenever we allow someone to peer into the workroom, they immediately espy this jar & can't imagine what outrageous brew we might be working on.  Some of the reactions are really quite funny.

Dragon's Breath is a tonic vinegar, most often used as a cold remedy, but I've known several people who used it in cooking - for spicy salad dressing and for a marinade.  It's a very healthy brew, fighting colds and infections, opening up clogged breathing passages, and warming you on a cold night.

Mix a couple of tablespoons of the vinegar in  a mug of hot water, perhaps sweeten with a bit of honey, and sip.  Mmmmmm.  Cold night are coming soon, so it's time to stock up!  http://www.herbsfromthelabyrinth.com/item/Dragons-Breath-Cold-Remedy-14

And here's a sneak peek at some of what actually goes into the brew with raw apple cider vinegar... nothing to be scared of...

A Wonderful Weekend at the New England Women's Herb Conference

 photo by Susan Leiken

I've just gotten home from a wonderful weekend at the New England Women's Herb Conference.  This was the 24th annual conference, organized by Rosemary Gladstar and an amazing group of women.  I've been 6 or 8 times, and it's always fabulous.  More than 500 women gathered at a camp outside of Hebron, NH.  I tended my booth (shown here), took several classes, and had too many stimulating conversations to count.  I even managed to take a nap in the grass.  And, my Raspberry Beret cordial won an award!  You can see that the tester bottle for that one has been dipped into quite a few times... it's the third bottle from the right, on the table in front of me.  This photo was taken on Sunday morning - I was already sold out of quite a few things, and by the end of the morning I had none of the beautiful sundresses (which I dyed with Lac resin) either.  And I forgot to save one for myself, so I'll be setting up another dye pot soon...

Moonlight from the Dye Pot

For the past couple of weeks, I've been dyeing silks.  Last week the colour was from Brazilwood, and I got a range of beautiful corals and pinks.  This week, I'm working with Logwood.  The first pieces out of the dye pot were a gorgeous purple with gray undertones.  The next group?  One of the most magical colours I've ever coaxed onto fiber.  It's soft plum with a silver shimmer.  It looks like moonlight.  One of our massage therapists started to weep when she saw it.  This photo can't really convey it fully, but you get the idea.  There are camisoles, chemises and scarves...

Luscious Night Serum

I'm working this afternoon, making a batch of Luscious Night Serum.  It's a gorgeous, breezy day, and somehow quiet, so my mind began to wander as I made the delectable concoction...

Several years ago, a longtime faithful user of my Luscious Face Cream came into the shop with a nearly-empty bottle and asked if I could re-create the contents.  A friend of hers had given her a nighttime moisturizing oil from an exclusive New York salon.  She had loved using it, but discovered the prohibitive cost (nearly $100!) when she called the salon to order another bottle.  So, she came to me.  And I thought I could develop something comparable for much less.  So, as you've probably guessed, Luscious Night Serum was born. 

Thanks, Jacqueline!

Really, Spring is Coming...

This morning I heard songbirds.  Really.  And a huge flock of robins covered the ground in front of my little house.  Listening for worms.  Which means, of course, that worms must be moving around in the soil.  And, when I walked out to explore a bit in the rain, I saw that the young Willow has put on her chartreuse.  New color!  And look, buds are forming on her branches.

While I was admiring the Willow, I noticed that something tall has been breaking and eating some branches nearby.  I'm guessing deer, but am not sure.  They aren't eating the Willow, though. 

I once learned that young Willow trees emit a substance that tastes offensive to deer, in order to protect themselves.  Once the trees are older and better established, they only produce the substance if they are under stress, which often is from overfeeding by deer...  They're willing to be food/medicine unless their own health or survival is threatened.  Then, the trees change the boundaries. 

Relationship is fascinating!

And, Spring is coming!  Really!