Montage Monday – Budding Beauty April 26, 2010

Ah, Monday, another week beginning. This is the first day of my week, 5 more days until the next weekend, 5 more days until another month.

I remember growing up and my mother telling me ‘time will go so fast when you get older, take your time growing up.’ Was she ever right! I can’t believe that winter already past and that spring is here and the leaves are quickly budding on all the tress and my magnolia which I planted last fall already has a few flowers about to open. Before I know it I will be practically copying this posting to tell you how I can’t believe it is snowing already. I know what you are thinking right now.. shhhhh Tara… don’t jinx it. So, without further ado, here’s my ode to the budding beauty of Spring.

Bee Mine - Set of 6 Small 4 Petal Pinwheels by twirliewhirlies

Yellow Blown Glass Hollow Sterling Silver Crystal Earrings - Lemonade by GlassRiverJewelry

Brilliant Lampwork Bracelet with Sterling Silver by SwirlJewels

wall vase wooden jar AVOCADO GREEN by OldNewAgain

Blooming Lavendar Vegan Cupcake Soap by ajsweetsoap

Pink and White Barn Birdhouse by AmericanGirl51

Poppies by lilypang

Aromatherapy Eye Pillows March 4, 2010

Eye Pillow - Sophie's Garden in Green by BoutiqueKarma

Last year I expanded my line to include my aromatherapy eye pillows, and honestly they’ve become my best seller item. I made them for a few reasons, the first being that I was nursing my son and I suffered from wicked migraines.  I kept my eye pillow in the freezer and would pop it out on upon demand to soothe, relax and ease the pain. Because during pregnancy & nursing you are not supposed to take anything. My eye pillows are filled with equal parts of flaxseed, lentils and dried lavender flowers. They are absolutely heavenly. I recommend placing them in the freezer for 2 hours for ultimate relief. The lavender scent has a natural ability to soothe and bring upon sleep and relaxation.

I recommend my eye pillows for a great number of things: migraine relief, sinus pain, relaxation, pampering, meditation, bumps & bruises, etc.  You do not need to be pregnant or nursing to benefit from this item. It makes a wonderful gift and is completely natural.

Here’s a few fun facts about lavender:

did you know that Lavender Essential oil

a. has both Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties

b. can soothe and heal mosquito bites

c.  can soothe headaches

d.  can be made into a night-time tea to relax and sleep

e.  can be used to treat burns

f.  is being used frequently in food:  honey, cakes and is used in the popular ‘herbes de provence’ herb blend from France

Eye Pillow - Orchid Roundabout by Boutiquekarma

I’ve also created a line of BoBo Pillows (or boo boo), it is for the little ones who may fall and hurt themselves. They are also made to be cold out of the freezer to soothe all the bumps and bruises that little kids seem to have. Because it is not an actual ice pack, rather a pillow stuffed with flaxseed and a touch of lavender, they are soothing and cold, rather than painfully cold. The lavender also soothes their frazzled nerves. They are just a super popular item with kids.

Pet Deere BoBo Pillow - BoutiqueKarma

Over the coming months I will be extending my Aromatherapy line into a full Spa line to include many bath and body essentials. I will update you with a link to this new shop when I make my new line live.

Crafty Friday February 19, 2010

As I peruse the bountiful items on Etsy, Artfire & Icraft  I am always shocked and impressed with what I see. Many of you have such creative minds, and maybe sometimes I don’t understand the work, but I can always appreciate the work and imagination that goes on behind it. I love sewing, it is more technical – I get to be more creative with fabrics, threads, combinations of colors & accessories. I have never been able to draw very much outside of stick men & cutesy doodle flowers, nor have I been able to work with clay or pottery (successfully).

I once to a pottery class in college. I had so much fun spinning on the wheel trying to make a set of 12 identical mugs.. I took many, many tries and they looked similar, but not like a unified set. I can appreciate the work that goes into pottery & clay models. It takes very skilled hands to perfect these arts – the details that goes into them is just unbelievable. While I wish I could go back and try it again, feel the clay rippling under my hands, I know this was not my calling.

Here are a few clay inspired items to start off your day:

Pink and White Swirly Polymer Clay Heart with Organza Necklace by PositivelyCharmingThings

Mom-to-be Moment by missnatch

2 heart shaped stoneware bowls - pottery by ugabugabowls

Little Critters - Handmade Polymer Clay Buttons (8) by kimmieprout

Bird House, Polymer clay Bowl, handmade by Karin Noyes for gallerybyharvestgold

OOAK Polymer Clay Pixie by FantasyClay

Face Mug - Tomato Red by EdanSchwartzPottery