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October 31, 2011
april
introducing the exploration collection
i’m happy to share what i’ve been working on with you: my new collection, exploration!
the exploration collection is in many ways a way for me to return to my roots. i spent the last 2 years of high school filling up art journals with experimentation and play, sometimes elaborate and sometimes simple. for one of them i used a discarded vintage book, and worked with (and against) the text and images that were already on the pages. i created a lot of the typical high school perceptual work, including self portraits, but i poured my soul out into my journals and my self-driven projects.
yellowed, vintage book pages are a part of my artistic history. after the rigid constraints i placed upon my last series, i found myself longing to just play and explore. i married that with some discarded vintage books i came across, and the exploration series was born.
here is the beginning of it. like the botanica series, i will be posting more pieces as i make them, so you will get to see how it develops. prints are available in my shop, if you are so inclined. i hope you enjoy this series!
3 feathers on a book page art print
2 feathers on a book page art print
loops in pink and teal art print
blue morpho butterfly art print
related posts:
bar soap by ginger’s garden
irena of ginger’s garden sent me a few of her soaps to try out, and i just adore them! they are a joy to use and the scents are simply delightful.
Glycerin Purple Violet Soap Flower in a gift box by gingers-garden
irena’s flower soaps are beautiful, and would look lovely displayed in a guest bathroom, or blooming in your shower.
Pink and White Carnation Soaps in a gift box by Gingers-Garden
i picked four of her bar soaps to try: violets, yellow sunflowers, green dill, and white magnolia.
Yellow Sunflowers Handmade Artisan Soap by Gingers-Garden
i just adore the scents, and when i first opened my package i kept the soaps next to me just so i’d smell them while i was working on things. every time i walk past them i still pick them up to smell the lovely floral medleys. they’re addictive! ginger’s garden soap scents are strong but not overpowering, and wonderfully floral. i really didn’t know what to expect from the dill, but it is fresh and bright, as if it just came from the garden. like all the others, it’s a lovely shower soap.
Green Dill Swirled Handmade Artisan Soap by Gingers-Garden
irena’s soaps lather well, and i especially love them as shampoo bars. they are great for everything, including hands, face, a bath puff, shampoo, and shaving. i have sensitive skin, and the soaps are mild enough and worked wonderfully for me. ginger’s garden soaps are very unique, and i highly suggest trying them out! there are many different scents for you to try in addition to the ones i have fallen in love with. irena is sweet as well, which always makes a transaction more enjoyable!
White Magnolia Handmade Artisan Soap by Gingers-Garden
i’d love to hear about the ginger’s garden soaps that you have tried!
related posts:
wrapping up the botanica series
i have added the final botanica prints to my shop, and i’ll be working on adding the original drawings as well now. it’s been a fun series to make, from all the research and experimentation that went into creating the language i used to the exploration of creating the pieces and picking all the lovely colors and patterns out from my subjects or playing around and creating patterns of my own. i may come back to it at some point, but for now i have moved onto my next series, and i’m excited to focus on the new one. so, here are the last of the botanica prints!
rainbow coleus leaf art print, botanica collection
crystalline drawing art print, botanica collection
rainbow stripes art print, botanica collection
triangle drawing art print, botanica collection
related posts:
bar soap by sweetsallyssoaps
sweetsallyssoaps makes soaps with organic base oils, and she offers some goat’s milk soaps as well. the aesthetic of sarah’s soaps is more on the natural side, with pretty color swirls in some and others simply colored by the scents. most soaps are cold process, but she makes some hot process as well.
Coconut Lime Organic Handmade Soap, Vegan by SweetSallysSoaps
bar soaps i’ve tried:
citrus scrub
i love coffee
lilac
mint swirl
coconut and lime
jasmine and shea
Handmade Organic Lilac Soap, Cold process-Vegan by SweetSallysSoaps
both i love coffee and citrus scrub are great kitchen soaps. i found citrus scrub to by my favorite, and it is very scrubby! it is great for cleaning up your hands after cooking or gardening, or for an exfoliating shower. i love coffee is also a natural hand deodorizer, for all those times you chop garlic. if you’re like me, it’s very often!
Mint Swirl Organic Handmade Soap by SweetSallysSoaps
my other favorite was lilac. it has a true, wonderful scent, and i just couldn’t get enough! i was thrilled to have the smell of lilacs in my home. sweet sally’s soaps are great for many uses, with a nice bubbly lather when you wash your hands, and a generous lather when used as a shampoo or with a bath puff. i love to use them as a shampoo. the mint in the mint swirl gives a nice cooling sensation when used during hot weather, which i appreciate on those hot midwestern days! the coconut and lime smells yummy, and the jasmine and shea has a soft floral scent which is nice on its own but can also be layered with other floral body care products. the soap bars last a long time, and are very moisturizing on skin. they work well as face soap, body soap, shampoo, with bath puffs, and for shaving.
Jasmine and Shea Handmade Organic Soap-Vegan by SweetSallysSoaps
i definitely suggest you try out sweet sally’s soaps, and find your own favorites!
share your favorite sweet sally’s soaps in the comments!
related posts:
tips for spotting handmade soap sellers
there has been a lot of shock lately as it has been discovered that there are a number of sellers on handmade venues selling soap that they claim to have made but which they’ve actually bought and are reselling. this wouldn’t be a big deal if it wasn’t being sold on places where it’s against the tous, and they weren’t claiming that they had made it. it even gets dangerous when some sellers do not include all of the ingredients of the body care items they are selling.
please don’t let this scare you away from handmade soaps! handmade soaps are just plain wonderful, and it only takes a little homework and you’ll be able to spot them pretty easily. in my opinion, the best way to do so is by checking the wholesale sites and making sure you’re not buying the soaps they sell, from someone else who claims to have made them. so, here are the main sites:
natural soap wholesale (they also have a showcase site which i find easier for looking for bar soap)
botanie soap
soap of the south
the soap guy
soap by the loaf
woodsy witch
sellers can be reselling everything from soap bars to lotion bars, liquid soap, lip balm, and more.
look through to see if the soap is listed, some change the name of the items and some don’t. some slap their own labels on and some don’t. since the resellers pretty much all take their own photos, they’re all photographed in different light. sometimes they look more colorful and other times not so much. but match up the scents and the looks and you have a winner.
just keep in mind that a seller could end up having a soap that is similar just by chance. but, a shop full of them is definitely going to be reselling.
i have been repeatedly floored by the wonderful creations of the artisan soapmakers i have bought from. their items have revolutionized my shower time and my skin is thankful. if you want to purchase some of the soaps that are being resold, i’d suggest you buy them directly from the makers through the links above.
i am committed to only bringing you handmade items that are handmade, not misrepresented. i have combed back through the soaps i have featured and removed any that i found to be resellers. please rest assured that i would never want to present anyone to you whom i know is a reseller! i know that looking into things seems a little daunting for some people, and i want you to have some sellers that you know you can buy from with confidence. please feel free to reference the sellers i feature when you’re looking for handmade soap. there are many wonderful ones who are not included on my blog, as well. there is such a plethora of wonderful handmade soap to try, and i hope you’ll join me in the adventure!
related posts:
interview with linenlaidfelt
linenlaidfelt makes beautiful hand bound books with traditional and modern techniques. katie took a few minutes to answer some interview questions for me.
Italian Longstitch journal with teal leather cover by linenlaidfelt
Businesses usually connect us to new people we may not have met otherwise. Tell us about your experiences, or a friend you’ve made.
As soon as I started my etsy shop I joined BEST, the Bookbinding Etsy Street Team. (www.bookbindingteam.com) Through this group, I’ve been connected with talented bookbinders from all over the globe. It is such an inspiring community to be a part of. The group hosts quarterly book swaps, through which I’ve sent my work around the world and have received some wonderful artist books in return. We have a lively message board where we can share ideas, ask for advice, and encourage each other. The BEST blog is a source for sharing bookbinding tutorials and tips for displaying books at craft shows, plus we also have a regular blog interview series where we can get to know the other members of the group. I didn’t imagine it was possible to feel so connected to a group of people I’ve never met in person, but being a part of BEST has been a crucial part of my success and I’ve met some amazing friends in the process.
Small journal or sketchbook (yellow and teal patterns) by LinenLaidFelt
When you are looking around for handmade items to buy, which do you tend to look for? What draws you to those items most?
I love having a story to tell about my handmade purchases. I love telling people about the friendly and talented jewelry artist (www.dannysaathoff.com/) in Minneapolis who made wedding rings for my husband and me. I like sharing the story about how I traded pieces of leather leftover from making my handboud journals for a beautiful handmade leather necklace made by another vendor at an art show. (More about that here: linenlaidfelt.blogspot.com/2011/04/leather-food-chain.html) And I like knowing that my favorite ceramic mug was made by my college pottery instructor. (www.etsy.com/shop/carterthepotter)
I like knowing the person who made the handmade object I’m purchasing, even if just through their bio on their website. I tend to purchase practical handmade objects, and when I use them it always makes me smile. It’s nice to remember when and where I acquired a certain object and to be able to share that story with others.
Wedding guest book or journal (frosted blue leaves) by LinenLaidFelt
Tell us about the most special gift you’ve given to a loved one.
During college I studied abroad in Cortona, Italy. It was there that I first took a bookmaking and papermaking class and developed my love for handmade books. As my final project in the class I made a book for my boyfriend (who is now my husband). The summer I was in Italy, he was working in both Michigan and Ohio and was doing a ton of driving between the two places each week. He loves roadtrips and driving, and he especially loved his old wood-paneled station wagon that he had at the time. I decided to make him a small handbound book called “Large Fuzzy Dice” that would dangle from his rearview window. The book was filled with ink illustrations and handwritten lyrics from all of his favorite songs about driving.
Small journal or sketchbook (yellow and grey patterns) by LinenLaidFelt
When you are making products, what do you strive for?
I strive to make unique, one-of-a-kind books that feel very different from the mass-produced books you can purchase in stores. I pay a great deal of attention to colors, patterns, and textures. With all of my books, the binding is a visible part of the design. I love how the structural stitching that actually holds the book together also becomes a decorative element.
I also create a lot of custom work, especially guest books and photo albums for weddings. For all my custom orders, I spend time getting to know my clients and determining exactly what they want so that the final product reflects their personality. Some books have featured original illustrations, others have handmade photo corners, and some have been printed with favorite song lyrics. With this added level of personalization, it’s my hope that my work will become treasured keepsakes for years to come.
Wedding Guest Book (teal contemporary floral) by LinenLaidFelt
Whose work do you follow and admire?
While there are many artists that I admire, I’m always interested to see the work of bookbinder Erin Zamrzla (www.flickr.com/photos/erinzam/). Her use of found objects and unconventional materials (like egg cartons, chalkboards, and baseball cards) is so innovative and inspiring. My husband and I own several of her handbound books and they are some of our favorite pieces in our little collection. And she actually just published her own book called At Home with Handmade Books. (Available on Amazon here: www.amazon.com/Home-Handmade-Books-Extraordinary-Bookbinding/dp/15903082…)
Small journal or sketchbook (blue and green mosaic) by LinenLaidFelt
If you could come back for a second life, what kind of life would you want it to be?
I think I would like the opportunity to go back in time to an era before mass-produced books. When I was studying abroad in Italy, we had the chance to visit a medieval bookbinding and papermaking studio in Bevagna. I think it would be incredible to have the chance to learn all of the traditional techniques from the master craftsmen of that time.
related posts:
review: bar soap by crowley manor
crowley manor makes cold process soaps made with organic ingredients, essential oils, and fragrances. pat is an esthetician, and her soaps make that obvious. some of crowley manor’s bar soaps are vegan, and some include goat’s milk.
cranberry bounty soap with goat’s milk by crowley manor
soaps i have tried:
sensiclear ™
crystal clear ™
carrot facial
aspen glow sea salt spa
lotus
lilac blooms
bergamont treasure
kahlua
soothe
cranberry bounty
bamboo sugar cane
i have tried them on my face, body, and hair (as shampoo bars).
carrot facial soap by crowley manor
i highly suggest crowley manor’s soaps. they are sophisticated yet simple at the same time, which i think is the hallmark of good soap. i have very sensitive skin, and all of them worked well for me.
sensiclear ™ soap by crowley manor
about the soaps:
sensiclear ™: i cannot say enough good things about this soap! i have fallen in love with it; i use it on my face every night, and i’ll be going back for more when i run out. sensiclear is gentle on sensitive skin yet tough on acne, and it really does help prevent breakouts. it smells good and a little goes a long way. i was using neutrogena liquid face soap before i started using sensiclear, and i will never go back. this soap is a must try, so definitely order some!
crystal clear ™: this is a very nice facial soap like sensiclear ™, and i found that it was just fine with my sensitive skin as well. the two smell a little differently, so you might want to try both to find out what your favorite is.
carrot facial: a luxurious, mild face bar that is great for those times when you feel like you want a little bit of pampering. it smells yummy, and will really give you that spa-at-home feeling.
aspen glow sea salt: this was my first experience with a salt bar, and i enjoyed it very much. the lather is a little different than regular soaps, a bit creamier. nice as an all-over body bar. the salt is well mixed into the bar, and there aren’t any bits that come off of it when handled. definitely try it.
spring lilac soap by crowley manor
the myriad of other bars are lovely, and i found them to be great on my face, as body bars (try them on a bath puff!), and as a shampoo. the smells are simply wonderful.
lilac: heavenly, smells just like a lilac bush, i can’t get enough of it!
kahlua: smells wonderfully deep, rich, and edible.
cranberry bounty: smells delicious and fruity.
soothe: a nice herbal soap that is very versatile.
lotus: a heady mix of florals.
bergamont: a strong, classic scent.
bamboo sugar cane: i would have never been able to guess what this soap smells like, but i found that i loved the sugary and clean mix.
kahlua soap by crowley manor
all in all, i really like crowley manor’s soaps, i think they’re unique, and i have my eye on more to try!
have you tried any crowley manor soaps? what did you think?
do you plan to try any now that you have read my review?
related posts:
lip balms by ophelia’s apothecary
i recently went on a hunt for the perfect lip balm. the store brand just wasn’t cutting it, plus it was pretty boring. i wanted something better, something more. so i ordered lip balm from a few handmade artisans, and i found a clear winner–ophelia’s apothecary. deborah and heather of ophelia’s apothecary make amazingly wonderful balms.
Buttercreme All Natural Shea Butter Lip Balm by opheliasapothecary
what makes ophelia’s apothecary lip balms so special? they’re the perfect amount of moisturizing, without leaving any of that waxy feeling. they’re thick enough that they nicely coat and really sink in, instead of feeling like an oily and waxy layer on top of the lips, like so many do. the lack of a lot of waxiness means none of that “lip balm addiction” feeling. just pure, creamy moisture for your lips. it’s also softer and smoother than the store brand i was using (alba), which makes delicate lip skin happy. what attracted me to their balms in the first place is the ingredients list. they’re stock full of natural ingredients that are good for my body, with none which concern me, and i’m picky about ingredients. and the kicker? they come in a wide variety of scents, so you can find one you absolutely love and stick with it, or if you’re a scent freak like me, try them all! i’ll admit that after i ordered one to try i ended up ordering…well…a lot.
All Natural Shea Butter Moisturizing Lip Balm .15 oz by opheliasapothecary
the lip scrubs are scrumptious. literally–they’re full of sugar and moisturizers. i use mine often, and it really does last a long time.
Butter Toffee Crunch Shea Butter and Sugar Lip Scrub by opheliasapothecary
the owners are lovely ladies, as well. i’ve had a chance to interact with deborah a number of times about my orders, and she’s provided excellent customer service. i’m happy knowing that i’m buying from talented independent artisans, instead of a big box store. i definitely suggest giving their products a try, especially if you are on the hunt for the perfect lip balm.
Cucumber Melon Shea Butter Moisturizing Lip Balm by opheliasapothecary
my favorites:
lip scrubs: butter toffee crunch, lemon poppyseed
lip balms: passionfruit rose, strawberry smoothie, frosted raspberries, rich vanilla, cappuccino, butter toffee crunch, margarita lime, candy cane, red velvet
Candy Cane All Natural Shea Butter Lip Balm by opheliasapothecary
special note: if you live in a hot climate, i especially suggest the candy cane lip balm during the hot months. the mint is cooling, and very refreshing.
related posts:
handmade soaps
i’ve been really into handmade soaps lately, and i’ve combed through lots of options to find a bunch that look wonderful to share with you. almost all of these are vegan and cold process soaps, and natural or close to it.
Tutti Fruiti Handmade Artisan Cold Process Soap by SVSoaps
Lemon Slice Handmade Soap made with Coconut Milk by DeShawnMarie
White Tea and Berries Cold Process Soap by SilverFirsFarm
Lime Margarita Spa Bar Soap by pinkparchmentsoaps
Chocolate Amber Cold Process Soap Bar by LippincottSoapCo
Stroke Me — Handmade Vegan Soap by soap
Midnight Pomegranate 5 oz handmade cold process soap by mybestfriendsoap
Into the Woods essential oil cold process soap by CrowleyManor
Saffron and Spice Cold Process Soap by TenDigitCreations
Chai Tea Hand-Milled Bar Soap by WhiteBirchHill
Vanilla Brown Sugar Handmade Soap by intownsundries
All Natural Pumpkin Olive Oil Unscented Soap by Wixandwhacks
Amber Dream Cinnamon and Oatmeal Cold Process Soap by BuzzPlanet
Asian Lily and Musk Melon Handmade Soap by AuntNancysSoap
Sunshine Citrus Calendula Natural Handcrafted Soap by mylittlenaturalsoap
Cinnamon Spice cold process soap by BesemNaturalScents
Hot Chocolate Soap Handmade Vegan Bar by aBreathofFrenchair
Almond Amaretto Handmade Cold Process Soap Bar by ConcordSoap
Red Rose n Ivy Scented Botanical Infused Bath Soap by BelissimaMinerals
Bergamot and Mandarin Soap Bar (Vegan) by SimpleTraditions
Heather and Hyacinth Hand Milled Soap by PSProducts
Jojoba White Gardenia Vegan Shea Butter Soap by TheOriginalSoapStand
Olive Oil Oakmoss Soap Cold Process Coconut Oil by toadstoolsoaps
Activated Charcoal and Tea Tree Natural Handmade Soap by SweetSallysSoaps
Lemon Verbena Salt Cold Process Bar Soap by soapdeli
Shea Butter Soap – Caribbean Coconut Scent by astridanaturals
Acorns n’ Oak Handmade Vegan Cold Processed Soap by layla
Eden’s Allure Handmade Soap by BLSoaps
Vanilla Bean, a Smooth Handmade Vegan Soap by daisycakessoap
Single Red Rose – soap and shampoo bar by swanmountainsoaps
Peony Luxury Shea & Mango Soap by Paintedladysoap
Candied Tangerine Gourmet Soap by AbbeyJames
Island Nectar. Creamy Shea Butter Soap (vegan) by SimplynaturalSoapco
Mango Papaya – Handmade Cold Process Soap by innerearthsoaps
Blissful Balance- Organic Olive Oil Soap by ayelet17
MAIA Honeysuckle Cold Process Handcrafted Artisan Soap by viedeboheme
Frangipani Whisper Soap by AromaSoapLab
Spring Garden Lilac and Rose Soap Handmade Cold Process by Blushie
Raining Violets Soap vegan natural by CTNaturalSoapworks
Lilac Cold Process Cocoa Butter Coconut Milk Vegan Soap by bubbleswithlub
Freesia Lime Vegan Cold Process Soap by longwinterfarm
Rose Shea Soap- Organic Rose Hip with Shea Butter by diPalermoBody
Beltane, Cold Process Soap by sweetsnthings
Rose Garden Bar Soap with Dried Rose Petals by SarahsSoakShoppe
Coffee Mint Soap by OwlandAcorn
Raven Handmade Soap by wyldeivy
i’d love to hear about the handmade soaps you want to try (or your favorites) in the comments!
