Craft Fairs: the eco-entrepreneur's home-away-from-home

So I am sharing a booth with a friend at my first Alaskan craft/art fair and I'm so excited I can't wait for Saturday! But I'm also terrified. I've never attended a fair with my natural body products (only with jewelry) and I have no idea what to expect. Plus it is supposed to be raining on Saturday and I don't even know if I will recoup my $12.50 entry fee. I'm trying to breathe deeply and stop worrying.

But I know there are tons of sellers and buyers on this blog who have attended craft fairs before, so I thought I'd start a little dialogue about craft fairs from the perspectives of sellers and buyers, and maybe I could pick up a bit of advice.

If you have a tidbit to share with me and all the other blog readers out there, please post a comment below! And if the craft fair goes well, I will let you all know about my first craft fiar experience! Wish me luck, and please generously share your wisdom with the rest of the eco-entrepreneurial blogosphere.

Ciao and thanks!

Propylene Glycol- Why you should avoid it!

What is Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol?  Gaseous hydrocarbons which in a liquid state acts as “surfactant” (wetting olagents and solvents). They easily penetrate the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs. PG is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats! The EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles and to dispose of any PG solutions by burying them in the ground. Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. But there isn’t even a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than in most industrial applications.


Propylene Glycol is found in cosmetics, shampoos, baby wipes, lotions, some pet foods, and even some processed foods! Check your labels people! This stuff is dangerous.


Here's another article with some good info: http://www.health-report.co.uk/ethylene_glycol_propylene_glycol.htm


And now, I'm off to read labels and clean out my cosmetics cabinet. ;)

Natural Bug Repellents

This weekend is going to be our first big camping trip of the season and I needed to pick up a natural mosquito repellent. For our backpacking excursions we are sometimes forced to use our regular Ben's repellent with DEET due to the high exposure, but being 12 weeks into a pregnancy I needed to make sure that I found something more natural due to the side effects and risks of using it during pregnancy. Granted, DEET has enough for any time use, but for certain trips I am willing to make an exception.

Anyway, I originally wanted to make my own oil based repellent using some recipes I discovered, but access to essential oils was posing a problem in the short amount of time I had before the trip. Instead I ended up visiting the Whole Foods near my office to pick up some already mixed spray. I was shocked to find that they only had three different brands of sprays since I saw a good couple dozen online during research: they had Burt's Bees, Badger, and, the one I ended up buying, Buzz Away. The Buzz Away got very good reviews online so I decided to give it a try until I can find some oil to make my own.

Natural bug repellents require more frequent application than their chemical counterparts and also require a higher concentration. They are not waterproof so if you're on a hike and get a little wet you have to make sure you reapply right away. Products that contain multiple repellents also tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient.

Here are some oils that are known as the best bug repellents.

• Citronella Oil • Lemon Eucalyptus Oil • Cinnamon Oil • Castor Oil • Rosemary Oil • Lemongrass Oil • Cedar Oil • Peppermint Oil • Clove Oil • Geranium Oil • Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic

When making your own bug repellent you have to dilute the essential oils, but you cannot use water as a source to dilute with. Your best bet is to mix with other oils, known as carrier oils, or mix with witch hazel or even vodka. Cooking oils such as olive and sunflower oils are some of the best recommended carrier oils, but do not apply this mixture onto clothing as it will most likely stain. instead apply to the skin around your clothing.

Natural Mosquito Repellent Ingredients you are making large amounts of mosquito repellent, a good rule of thumb is to mix the repellent so it's 5-10% essential oil, so mix 1 part essential oil with 10-20 parts carrier oil or alcohol. For a smaller batch use:

• 10-25 drops (total) of essential oils • 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil or alcohol

.

If you make in a large batch or do not use all of your repellent at once store in a cool area, preferably in a dark container.

If you have any repellent recipes of your own feel free to share below!

Natural Pesticide and Fungal Treatment for Your Organic Garden

This year with our garden has been utterly horrible. The ph in the soil was not right for our flowers, it was lacking nitrogen, then we got swarmed with pests and now some of them are developing a fungus from the heavy rains and high humidity in the city this month. I can't win!

Our garden boxes were first built about four years ago when we wanted to grow some produce. The past two years we have been keeping the vegetable and spice plants in large pots because of the inconsistent amount of sunlight our yard gets. When the year moves on I can simply move the pots to the other end of the yard to get enough sun. Now the boxes are being used to grow some nice flowers to add some color to the yard...or at least we're trying to.

Living in the middle of the city can be horrible when trying to garden, especially when you have neighbors who dump their garbage in the alleyway right behind your back yard! This is how we get so many pests in the yard. I clean and scrub every night, prune and pull weeds in the yard, but the alleyway is full of dog poop, cat poop, and rotting garbage that we can't always get to to clean up. It breeds disease, bacteria, and pests that we are having a horrible time controlling this year. I hate using chemicals so I have been trying find natural remedies to treat the plants and prevent pests.

Last night I made my first batch of an all natural pesticide and fungal treatment. When purchasing chemical pesticides and treatments you are not only killing the "bad" insects, but you are also preventing the good ones entering your garden and giving your plants some tender loving care. I noticed that a lot of my plants have been eaten through by what appeared to be slugs, but I was also concerned of other pests, mostly flying ones, attacking the plants, plus the fact that a few had developed mold from the humidity, do I found this great recipe to knock all three out at once. Luckily I keep these things handy anyway, so it cost me only a dollar for a big enough spray bottle

• a tablespoon vegetable oil or canola oil
  
• two tablespoons baking soda
  
• a few drops of a gentle soap (I prefer Dr. Bronner's organic soaps)

Mix these three ingredients into a quart of warm water, shake up, and apply to both sides of your plant's leaves.Apply just before dark so that your plants do not burn in the hot sunlight. I applies my first batch last night and found that all the pests, except for the flies that is, were nowhere to be found later that evening. As far as the baking soda treating the fungus I have to wait a bit to see if it works, but I intend to keep up this regiment as long as it works!

Meet The Team!

The Natural Living Team is made up of a bunch of very talented artists! Check us all out, enjoy the beautiful creations, and show some love! =)

Selkie's Crochet ~ Handmade Irish Crochet

The Barefoot Potteress ~ Handmade Pottery

Gbbox ~ Nature Inspired Home, Style & Health items

Body Lure ~ Natural Bath & Body products

Essensu ~ Organic Botanical Skincare

Bizzie Bee Studio ~ Unique Handcrafted Paper Goods

Nature's Garden Therapies ~ Nature Inspired Therapeutic Herbal products

Amanda's Naturals ~ Natural Homemade Bath, Body & Home

Herban Luxe ~ Handmade All Natural Makeup

The Iridescent Hummingbird ~ Handmade Jewelry

Truly Aesthetic ~ Holistic Body Care

Natures Clothesline ~ Clothing & Accessories Handmade with Natural Fibers

LaWendula ~ Homespun Wool & Handmade Felt

Artful Addie ~ Handmade Cards and Journals

Eminee Goods ~ Natural Bath & Body and Eco Toys

Cubits ~ Rare, Heirloom & Organic Vegetable Seeds

Log and Lilly ~ Exclusive Handmade Items for Home & Family

Elfies ~ Vegan Mineral Organic Makeup

Natural Earth Oils ~ Organic Herbs, Essential Oils, Scented Linen Sprays, and Blended & Aroma Oils

Gardenmis ~ Fresh Organic Lavender & Modern Botanical Sachets

Spirit 7 Designs ~ Elegant Handmade Designs

Beautifully Holistic ~ Organic, Vegan, Cruelty-Free Mineral Make-Up and Skin Care

Thoughtful Gems Crafts ~ Organic Eco-Friendly Yarn, Plantable Paper, Crafts and Supplies

Tyre Holistic Aromatic ~ Botanic & Aromatic Products

Cocoa Butter Sister's ~ Natural & Organic Hair and Skin Care

Mother Earth's Herbs ~ Medicinal Herbal Products

Omnatura ~ Eco Friendly Fashion Accessories

Williams Honey Farm ~ Natural Products of The Hive

Nabori Daca ~ Handmade Artisan Leather, Wood & Thread Crafts

Pink Bubble ~ Handmade Vegan Jewelry & Accessories

Arom Adonai ~ The Essence of Nature

Teddy Bear Bags ~ Handmade iPhone Cases, Bags & Buttons

Little Goat's Soaps ~ Handmade All Natural Soaps

Windy City Knits ~ Exquisite Hand Knits

Mama Love Perfume ~  Organic Flower Essence Aromatherapy Perfume & Bath Oils

Panacea Herbals ~ All Natural Handcrafted Herbal Medicinals, Skin Care & Bath and Body

The Loose Leaf ~ Organic Loose Leaf Teas

Tempest Temptations ~ Organic Herbal Teas,  Organic Bath & Body

Naked Elements ~ Natural Cosmetics

Lisa's Foods ~ Recycled Paper & Eco Friendly Notebooks, Moleskin Journals & More

Zodiaque ~ Zodiac Sign Aromatherapy Bath Salt Gifts

The Dishcloth Shoppe ~ Handmade Eco-Friendly Organic Cotton Dishcloths

Woolen Moss ~ Handmade Organic Clothing

The Body Organic ~ Eco-Friendly Organic Skin Care

Crunchy Family Rising ~ Handmade Waldorf-Inspired Playthings & Decor

Angeline Breen ~ Handcrafted Hats, Gloves 'N Handbags

Love Nature NYC ~ Natural Products For Health & Home

Eden Song ~ Raw Edible Natural Organic Skincare

Tisanity ~ Herbal Remedies

Happy Healthy ~ Magnetic Therapy Jewelry

Growing Up Wild ~ Organic and Original Clothing & Shoes for Baby

Gem Sprouts ~ Miniature Living Plant Domes

All There Is ~ Handmade Jewelry & Accessories

Indigo Sage ~ Eco Chic Fashion Handcrafted in Hawaii

Meadow Muffin Gardens ~ Eco-Friendly Handmade Herbal Essential Oil Skincare

Accidentally Sunshine ~ Handmade Eco-Conscious Accessories

Worthy Goods ~ Modern & Classic. Sustainable & Organic. Hats & Caps.

Zeldez Plant Wear ~ Plant Dyed Silk Clothing

Dama USA ~ Organic Skincare & Aromatherapy Products

Green Man Naturals ~ Organic, Fair Trade, Natural & Sustainable Beauty Products

The Pure Apothecary ~ All Natural Bath & Body Products

Peterson Designs ~ Unique Hand Crocheted Gifts & More

Bittersweet's Apothecary ~ Natural & Organic Therapeutic Teas, Baths & Delectable Perfumes

PocketPets ~ Waldorf Inspired Needle Felted Pocket Pets

Yin Tes de Potions ~ Potions & Handmade Flowers

EcoDog Pet Treats ~ Organic & Natural Dog Treats

Brambleberry Farm ~ Eco-Friendly Wooden Crafts

Full Moon Milk ~ Natural Handmade Milk & Herbal Soaps & Massage Oils

Anhoki (Team Leader) ~ Artisan Soap, Lotions, Balms, Jewelry, Molds & Stamps

Mountain Creek (Team Captain) ~ Natural & Organic Handcrafted Bath & Body