My Lavender Kingdom

I'd like to invite you to my Lavender Kingdom today. It is called "La bottega della lavanda " or a "Lavender shop".

By the way, this bicycle by the entrance works just fine!

Everything here (including me) is either lavender colored or has lavender fragrance. Even our cash register is purple! According to psychologists, lavender color works to relax you. It calms your down and even improves your vision!

The beneficial effects of lavender were known a long time ago, even to the ancient Romans. Now you can find blooming lavender in almost every Italian garden or on balconies or patios. It is a beautiful plant that is loved by many and it also works as a mosquito repellent.

Do you know that 1 drop of lavender oil will ease the discomfort of mosquito bite? Not many people know this natural remedy, but now you do.

If you will get a chance, try to see the glorious lavender fields of the Friuli region in Italy. Once you see it you will almost instantly fall in love with this simple purple flower!

Lavender will help calm down your nerves and will help you think clearly. You can also use it in the kitchen as a food supplement or you can drink it as a tea.

Oh, beautiful lavender, here it is:

I have everything right here in my Lavender Kingdom: cosmetics, perfumes, air fresheners, lovely sachets, bath products, candles and also house decor items and ceramics.

Lavender sachets placed in the closet will absorb odor and also will disinfect the air. It is said that if you will place a lavender-based natural air freshener in your bedroom or place a lavender sachet right on your pillow during day, you will never have a bad dream. You will wake up refreshed and full of energy!

I hope you enjoyed your short trip to my Lavender Kingdom. If you are ever in Italy please stop by!

Story by Katrin Katrinshine

Translated by Tanya AGardenCottage

Tutorial How to make homemade cold process soap

Today, our team mate Alecia who runs Arctida shop on Etsy is sharing a DIY tutorial how to make cold process soap scented with Lavender and Patchouli at home. This 100% essential oils is especially good for dry skin.

 Equipment:
· 2 mixing bowls, preferably stainless steel or tempered glass
· A cake mixer or a blender.
· A thermometer, scale and a rubber spatula
· Several measuring cups and spoons
· A microwave or a stove top (clean is good, sterile not necessary)
· Container/mold with cover
· Lots of paper towels
· Rubber gloves and safety glasses

Ingridients:
Olive Oil ~ 7.9 oz (225 g)
Coconut Oil ~ 4.4 oz (125 g)
Rice Bran Oil ~ 1.8 oz (50 g)
Cocoa Butter ~ 1.8 oz (50 g)
Shea Butter ~ 1.8 oz (50 g)
Alkanet root powder 1 ¼ tbs

Lye (3% superfatted) ~ 2.51 oz (71.2 g)
Water ~ 5.3 oz (150 g)

Additives:
Jojoba Oil ~ 0.53 oz (15 g)
Lavender and Patchouli essential oils ~ 0.4 oz (12 g)

Directions:
1. Suit up in safety goggles, gloves and long sleeves.

2. Add the lye to the water. Stir well taking precautions to not breathe in the fumes. Set the mixture to the side and allow it to cool to approximately 110F (~45°C ). You can put the lye water mixture outside if you are not in a well ventilated area.

3. Add all your fats and oils together and melt. Allow them to cool to approximately 110F, or within 5 degrees of the lye water.

Since I only use natural colorants, I had to prepare my Olive oil with Alkanet root powder in advance, hence the deep purple color of my oil mix.

4. Add the lye water mixture to the melted oils, carefully. Stir vigorously until trace occurs. Trace looks like a thin pudding. A stick blender will help speed trace along.

5. At the end of your trace, add extra oils (superfat your soap) and essential oils of your choice.

6. Pour your traced soap mixture into your molds.

7. Pop out after 3 to 5 days, cut it in bars and allow to sit for a full 4 to 6 weeks to cure and finish the saponification process. Recipe yields approximately 4 bars of soap, 4.5 oz (~ 125 g) each.

 

A day in a lavender paradise

It is so nice to take a country road trip in the middle of summer, warm sun, rolling hills and a fragrant air. What else can you wish for? Just the great easy summer living feeling! There are endless farm fields that are full of juicy berries but in some parts of country there is also a time for a lavender paradise.

Straight purple rows and purple flower cloud right in front of you are worth a picture. The fragrance is just wonderful.

You will not be able to resist stopping by a lavender farm to take a closer look.

Go ahead, stop and enjoy yourself. Take some photos, cut some flowers and get a special little treat at the farm cafe. Fresh baked cookie with lavender buds or a cup of a warm steaming lavender tea will add some flavor to your day in lavender paradise.

Lavender has a special way to make you feel about it.

People are inspired by this simple purple flower to create, me included. While in Washington we stopped by many lavender farms, I took lots of pictures. Later I made some sketches and watercolors and during cold winter days created some simple charts of a lavender stems to cross stitch.

My special way to remember the fragrant summer.

Story by Tanya (AGardenCottage)

Here is some of our team members lavender inspired creations:

1. Herbolution 2. YanArt 3. Lasunka 4. StudioElenus 5. Svetkar 6. Yevgenia

7. CityCrochet 8. BelleCoccinelle 9. Visart

Inspired by Lavender

People have appreciated lavender since ancient times. The fragrant, pale purple flowers have a calming and soothing scent for which they are famous. Lavender buds are often used in potpourris or are made into sachets to be placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and to deter moths. Dried lavender flowers have become recently popular for wedding confetti. Lavender is also great in scented waters and other organic cosmetic products.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The wonderful fragrance of lavender is not the only inspiring aspect of these unpretentious flowers. Many artists are inspired by the old romantic feel that lavender brings with it. We instantly think of peaceful countryside when we see lavender.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The beautiful color of lavender has also inspired many crafters to replicate it in jewelry and accessories. Isn’t it hard to resist?

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Lavender is a great source of inspiration - whether it’s the beautiful color, the wonderful fragrance, or the romantic feel of these ancient flowers. So plant some in your back yard or buy a pot of lavender for your window sill – and get inspired!

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Story by Yana (WineCountryLife)

Three Russian artists treasuries on Etsy front page!

It happened again! During three days three treasuries made by Russian artists team members was featured on the Front Page of Etsy!

Let's begin!
The first treasury named "Distance" was made my Katrinshine. It's very funny and cute collection:

The second named "Time for purple tulips in Europe" was created by Baymut. It's very colorful and beautiful:

The third was amazing wedding collection "Euro wedding". This treasury was created by Arctida. This collection is so tender and romantic:

Thanks for all curators and congrats all featured Russian artists!

Post by Katrin (Katrinshine)

Amethyst, the mineral of the month for February

In Greek mythology a beautiful maiden Amethystos was pursued by the god of wine Dionysus, and was turned into a white stone so she would remain chaste. Dionysus then poured wine over the white stone as an offering dyeing it purple, and this is where the Amethyst stone got its name.

Amethyst is the most precious variety of quartz and the color of it can vary greatly, from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple, blood-red, and green.



Amethyst is believed to develop his owner's inner strengths, sharpen his wit, turn away evil thoughts, and give knowledge of the future in dreams.



Many believe that amethyst is a symbol of friendliness, open-heartiness and candor. A person wearing amethyst can be sure that his partner is true to him.


Amethyst should be worn every day and only then it's magical qualities will help his owner. However, one needs to keep in mind that amethyst changes its mood easily. So, if the owner has it on during any quarrel or confrontation, the stone can pick up the negative energy and reflect it back onto the owner. In such cases it is recommended to hold the amethyst under the running water for 5-7 minutes to calm it down.



Please take a look at the amethyst collection from Rusteam.



Story by Irene (Beautyland)
Translated by Alla (FleetingStillness)

Christmas giveaway - felt brooch

Christmas is in the air and it is time to share! That’s why some members of our team kindly agreed to offer you a giveaway right before the Holidays!

Gala, owner of Galafilc shop on Etsy, is a wonderful felt maker from Poland. She created many wonderful pieces for every day wear and for the holidays. Here is just a few:

It is Gala’s Birthday tomorrow and she has offered this lovely felted brooch as a giveaway today. Wouldn’t it be nice to wear during the Holidays? It is made of wool, decorated with glass beads, shell pieces and has a pin on back for easy wear. Stunningly beautiful!

Thank you, Gala and happy Birthday to you!

To enter this giveaway and win this wonderful brooch:

1. Visit her shop, browse her collection and leave a comment here on what you like the best (1 entry)

2. Heart Gala's shop (1 entry)

3. Follow/ subscribe our blog (1 entry)

4. Grab our button and place it on your blog (1 entry)

5. Follow/ subscribe Gala’s twitter/ facebook/ blog / flickr (1 entry each)

6. Share this giveaway on twitter/ facebook/ your blog (2 entries)

Please leave a separate comment on each entry and don't forget to LEAVE US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS so that we could contact you!

This giveaway will run until next Friday, November 26^th, 2010, the winner will be chosen through Random.org and announced on Saturday, November 27^th!

Have fun and good luck!