i, um…

smells like fall in here.

We’ve got some new scents curing for fall! Don’t they look purty? From left to right: Blueberry Almond Poundcake, The Hiker, Pumpkin Spice, Almond Biscotti, and Blackberry Sage. And that’s just one shelf. It’s been so nice getting back to our soapy roots! We’ll see if we can keep it up, all the rest can be pretty distracting. Want to help us keep the pots full? Visit the cure page and vote for the next set of batches!

Filed under: soap on July 26th, 2011 | 2 Comments »

new shelves.

We put up a new shelving unit! This one’s just for scents, and it’s a vast improvement over the mis-matched, rickety old free standing units we were using before. We used 1/2″ gas pipe (cut to my specifications and threaded at the Home Depot) for the supports, which were fastened to the floor with flanges, then fastened to the overhead beams with elbows and more flanges.

The pipe is threaded through 1″ holes in 3/4″ MDF, which is held in place beneath the holes by very tightly fastened hinged pipe hangers.

SO very easy! And pretty cheap, too! Next we’ll be building something similar to replace the too-far-apart curing racks (dead space in a yurt is not an option) and simultaneously giving the printer and all of our various label papers a home. It’s going to be magical.

Filed under: soap, yurt stuff on July 1st, 2011 | 2 Comments »

a fine day for a picnic.

We just found out the other day that we’ll be at Picnic Portland again this summer! If you’re not familiar, it’s a badass indie craft/vintage fair that happens on the lawn of Lincoln Park in Portland, ME. There will be good music, good food, a wandering yeti, and of course, the finest vendors in the land. This year it’ll be happening on August 27th from 11am-6pm, rain or shine. Let’s hope for shine.

Here are some of the views from last summer:

And just a few of the vendors planning to attend this year:

Ansel Blue Design Studio of Massachusetts

The Merriweather Council also of Massachusetts

Xenotees of Pennsylvania

k. o’brien jewelry of Rhode Island

Luksin of Damariscotta

Press Bound of Massachusetts

Rebecca Haas Jewelry of Vermont

Clementine Jewelry of Massachusetts

See you there!

Filed under: craftiness, local on June 19th, 2011 | 3 Comments »

new old desk.

So, I’m kind of a thrift store/yard sale/flea market junkie. It’s a little ridiculous, and really the only reason I ever have for going to an ATM. Flea market vendors tend not to accept the Paypal debit card. The latest pull came from the Salvation Army in the form of a $12 school desk and chair for the girls’ room. See, my kids like to leave their mark. Without a desk, they were leaving their mark on their beds, floor, wall, books, selves…had to put an end to the madness. (Psst, giving your kid art supplies and a washable surface is like the hippie version of TV parenting. Win!)

Filed under: green stuff, kids, yurt stuff on June 4th, 2011 | No Comments »

the spring table.

Things are starting to sprout up here in Maine, which means it’s about time for market season, which means it’s about time for happy springtime dinner parties! Time to get that table ready, and here are some Etsy options to consider. Complete with invitations and prep help!