Essential Oil of the Month--Rosemary

Rosemary is one of my favorite plants to grow. It is associated with remembrance and was traditionally used at weddings and funerals. It is also believed to chase away nightmares.

Rosemary is antiseptic, antispasmodic, and improves circulation. Thus, is is effective in cases of headache, mental fatigue, dandruff, and poor memory. Rosemary also eases stiff, aching, or overworked muscles.

Rosemary blends well with peppermint, lemon, and lavender essential oils.

When you purchase an essential oil, make sure it is 100% pure. It is best to store essential oils in amber bottles, away from sunlight and high temperature. The shelf life of an essential oil is 1 year if stored under the correct conditions.

This recipe uses rosemary sprigs to give you the softest hair ever!

Hair Softening Rinse

½ cup rosemary sprigs
1 teas. borax
4 cups distilled water

Bring water to a boil and remove from heat. Add herbs and borax, stir, cover, and steep for approx. 2 hours. Strain, bottle, and use within 10 days or discard. Use as the final rinse after shampooing and conditioning. Do not rinse out. May stain light-colored towels.

Excellent End of Summer Reading!

I just finished reading a wonderful book by Tama J. Kieves, a creative career coach, entitled "This Time I Dance!: Creating the Work You Love. " Ms. Kieves left a lucrative law practice to found Awakening Artistry, a foundation dedicated to linking a global family of visionary, creative, and empowered leaders.

Engaging in work that you love is fundamental to leading a creative, happy life. I took the leap 10 years ago to leave the safety of the academy and become an entrepreneur. Over time, I've fashioned a fulfilling life in which I look forward to going to work rather than dreading Monday mornings. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I earn money by being creative each day. What a gift! It's not a perfect life--who has that?--but on most days it feels nearly perfect.

I wish that for you too.

Featured Artisan--Furniture Rescue League

Ron and Kris Moore love junking! They find treasures at flea markets and auctions, along the road, and in barns. Once found, these castaways are transformed (re-purposed) into fun and beautiful home accessories. Currently, SoapWerks is selling their coat hangers made from antique door panels and door knobs. Another style features antique forks as the hooks.

Ron's newest creations are salt and pepper shakers made from chair and table legs. And Kris makes unique and beautiful pillows from antique linens. Stop by the studio to see their work or order their work through the SoapWerks'website: http://www.soapwerksinmidway.com/.

Their work is definitely one of a kind!

Get Your Daily Ration of Milk (Bath, That Is!)

Milk is a time-honored ingredient of bath soaks that is noted for its soothing qualities. Cleopatra knew what she was doing--a milk bath smoothes your skin and, with the right combination of essential oils, will soothe rattled nerves.

SoapWerks has a new milk bath. We've combined powdered milk, cornstarch and the essential oils of lavender and lemongrass (divine smell). As you can see, it is gift-giving ready as we put TLC in our packaging. Purchase on-line at: http://soapwerks.etsy.com/

Natural Help for Wasp Stings

My youngest daughter, Leah, was stung by a wasp last week. It was pretty painful and swollen for a couple of days. I made the following concoction that seemed to bring down the swelling and lessen her pain:

1/4 cup baking soda and then stir in
apple cider vinegar--enough to make a thick paste

Sit on a towel because it can be a bit messy and generously put the soda paste on the sting. Leave on for at least 30 minutes. Wash off and reapply daily.

She's doing much better now!

Giveaway Winner for August11-17th

The winner this week is CharlieGurl! Contact us within 5 days to claim your prize. Thanks everyone for entering this week!

Natural Laundry Detergent

We are so excited about our newest product! We start by grating SoapWerks cold-process vegetable-based soap and mixing in borax, washing soda, and baking soda. My friends and I have been testing out the recipe and we are amazed at how clean it gets our clothes! No more bad-for-you-and-the-environment store-bought laundry detergents. No more itchiness for those of you who have sensitive skin. (just read the ingredient label on your current laundry detergent and you will see what I mean)

The detergent is available in several scents (we use only essential oils): lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, lemongrass, sweet orange, and peppermint.

It takes only 1 tablespoon of detergent to launder a large size load of clothes. If you are using a HE/front loading washer, it takes only 1/2 tablespoon. The sample size launders 16-32 loads of laundry; the large size 48-84 loads.

Purchase it at: http://www.soapwerks.etsy.com/