Stephanie K's Blog

Hi all,

After several months on hiatus, I am reopening my Etsy store. I put the shop in vacation mode since before the opening of Sherwood faire in order to be able to get everything ready for the not-so-virtual shop.

While I intended to reopen my Etsy shop sooner, I found that I was really needed the time that having it closed provided. While I thrive on working hard and I love feeling productive and accomplished, I tend to forget that I am not Superwoman. Everybody needs to have some downtime whether we like it or not.

Rest and recharging was much needed, as was catching up on my other projects.  (Maybe later I will post pics of my finally organized studio space!) The time off  has given me the chance to reevaluate how I’ve been doing some things and to make some great plans for the future. You can look forward to some changes in my shops, more newsletters and blogs and new fragrances in the works.

Visit my Etsy shop: Stephanie K Naturals on Etsy

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Sometimes a girl never grows out of playing dress up.

Renaissance faire has become a hobby for my sister and I in the past few years. Attending one is fun in itself, but it’s all the more enchanting to dress up and immerse yourself in the stories of the past.

When my sister and I heard of a new ren faire that was set to be built, one that would be close to our hometown, we were interested. It had been a kind of dream of ours to own a shop at a ren faire, since we both created items that fit the theme. So when this opportunity popped up, we could jump on it now or never. The location was perfect, the organizers had vision, and we felt something really magical was happening.  So it was decided: we’re going to open a shop at Sherwood Forest Faire!

To do it though, we had to actually *build* the shop.  It was only through the incredible amount of help given by our family members that the booth was built. They were amazing and without their help, it would have been impossible.

Our shop, from the ground up

Opening weekend came and blew away all expectations. Experienced shopowners said that it was the most successful first year faire they’d ever seen.  It was an amazing time through the whole run of 6 weekends. This next year, it will be expanding to 7 weekends. Sherwood Forest Faire runs from late February to early April. Come and find us at Iris Adornments and Apothecary, booth 115, near the Seven Sisters stone circle.  The Sherwood Forest Faire website has info and will have tickets available when the new season draws nearer.

I’m happy to announce I’ve joined the Natural Perfumers Guild as an Associate. The Guild is an association of  natural perfumers, artisans and businesses who use natural fragrances in their products, suppliers of natural aromatics, perfume media, and NP enthusiasts.

The guild promotes the art of natural perfumery and is helping to bring more awareness and acceptance of natural perfumery to the world. Mandy Aftel, nose of Aftelier and author of Essence and Alchemy, founded the group, and it is currently run by president Anya McCoy of Anya’s Garden. Many of NP’s most well known and respected people and companies are members. I am excited to be a part of the guild and in the company of many great natural perfumers.

Merry Christmas to all!

As a small gift to you, I want to share a favorite family “recipe” to fill your home with a warm and inviting aroma.

One apple sliced, or apple cider
Orange peels or fresh sliced orange
Whole cloves
2-3 sticks of cinnamon
water

Simmer all ingredients on a low to medium temperature. Add water as needed to keep it from drying off.

I hope you enjoy and happy holidays!

Mount Bonnell overlooking Lake Austin

Thinking back through the past year, it has been quite a year of changes for my family and me. A little over a year ago, I lost my job as the recession hit. With no luck finding work and my sister’s wedding approaching, my sister and I moved back home after her graduation in May. We spent the summer getting ready for her wedding–I’ll write more on that in another blog post.

After the wedding, I resumed my search for work in the Austin area. I had fallen in love with the city years ago, and ever since I have looked forward to living there. My sister and new brother-in-law set up their home in Austin, all the more reason to get there as fast as I could. I couldn’t wait to find work so I could move there!

As I was packing up for a visit to see their new digs, I received a phone call from a local company. To make a long story shorter, I interviewed with them during my visit to my sister’s, was hired, and was asked to start the next week!

I went home, crammed all I could into my car and headed back to Austin. The first week I was able to find an apartment I liked, and started to move in. Over the past few weeks I have been moving in, having family company, adjusting to the new job, trying hard to conduct my online business in a reasonable timeframe, and trying to keep my sanity. Sanity was about lost, but like all the things in cardboard boxes, I know it’s here and I just have to find it again.

Hope you are having a lovely December, and I look forward to writing you from the great Austin Texas!

Lavender Fields by K. Tuck

In the Hill Country of Texas, there are a number of small lavender farms. I had wanted to visit them in June when the lavender is in full bloom. The Blanco Lavender Festival occurred about a week ago, so I will have to wait until next June to attend the festival. Many of the farms offer tours and events such as group cuttings throughout the season.

A bottle of lovely lavender absolute arrived a few days ago. Today I made a dilution, taking the emerald colored liquid and diluting it into my regular carrier, fractionated coconut oil. The scents has lingered all day, not that I mind at all! It is a beautiful scent, more evocative of the flowers and dried buds than the essential oil. If lavender essential oil is soothing, lavender absolute is a spa getaway. It’s less sharp and herbal, more bright and floral. I have been collecting samples of a number of lavender extracts for comparison, but that’s a whole ‘nother blog post to be out later!

Many people ask about ylang-ylang. This tropical flower makes an essential oil that is a sensual and exotic floral.

Canaga odorata, ylang ylang flowers

Ylang-ylang

• Source – Canaga Odorata from Indonesia, Philippines and Polynesia
• Plant parts used - flowers
• Aromatic extract- Steam distilled essential oil

Ylang has a very unusual scent. Unlike many other florals that are light and delicate, ylang-ylang is deep, heady, and heavy.  It is sweet and sometimes sharp with floral, butter, carmel and even rubbery notes. The aroma is sultry and sensuous, and is even considered an aphrodesiac. In Indonesia, the fragrant ylang-ylang flowers are strewn across the beds of newlywed couples.

Ylang-ylang is one of the few flowers that is commonly available as an essential oil. Many florals must be extracted with a solvent because regular steam distillation does not yield much, if any, essential oil. There are several grades of Ylang-ylang indicating what fraction of the distillation the oil comes from. The essential oils from the first few hours of distillation are called Extra and First, then hours later come 2nd and finally 3rd.  When the distiller combines oils from all the fractions, this oil is called Ylang ylang Complete. Often the Extra and 1st fractions are considered the finest essential oils, while others prefer the more rounded Complete oil.

Have you been running on empty? During stressful times, it’s so easy to overwork yourself. We often force ourselves to keep going long after our energy is gone. Going too hard for too long will lead to exhaustion and often illness. I really write this to myself, as I have a tendency to push myself to the limit before taking time off. Working hard is one thing, but it’s important for your health to also relax and recharge.

So take a break! Think of not just your physical need to rest, but mental relaxation also. A long hot bath is wonderful, but not as effective if your mind stays occupied with to do lists. Clear your mind and don’t let yourself feel guilt for things you haven’t accomplished. They can be done once you’ve taken care of your own needs.

Aromatherapy is a great help to me when I am stressed. Here is a blend I make that can help to relax the mind:

• 8-10 drops Frankincense
• 6-8 drops Lavender
• 1-2 drops Basil or Lemon, or both

I just drop these oils onto the water of my oil warmer and let them  disperse into the air. As well as helping calm a tired mind, the scent sets a nice and relaxing mood.

SKN items have been featured on several blogs recently!

First we have a review of my perfume samples on Craft Gossip
http://bathnbody.craftgossip.com/stephanie-k-naturals/2009/01/02/

Bergamot Lime Room Spray is featured in this lovely green gift guide
http://longwinterfarm.com/blog/?p=123

Most recently, Sage Bergamot Massage Oil was featured on Indie Parade.
http://indieparade.com

Thank you all for your support!

My Bergamot Lime massage oil was featured this morning on the front page of Etsy.com!