The makers of Wax & Wane want you to know, that around each of their hand-poured candles lies a story worth the listen, literally. Before the well-crafted hand poured wax, there's the treasure hunt for each unique candle vessel. Good design and thrifty powers combined...
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Save Yr Skin: Choose Wyldcraft Soap
I never cease to be amazed by the great wealth of knowledge, creativity, and patience (thanks boo) so easily exuded by Elizabeth Georges. As Bloom teammates, I’m lucky enough to sorta sponge up all this knowhow: fermentation, horticulture, herbalism, gardening, snack attacks…… I could go all day. And thus our hope when creating Bloom zine was to let readers’ sorta sponge up all that knowhow too. But of course so much of what Elizabeth physically creates holds its own charm and expertise not so easily shown via computer screen – one of which is her creative project, Wyldcraft.
Wyldcraft provides organic handcrafted soaps made from scratch with thoughtfully chosen, alimentative ingredients. Each step in Elizabeth’s process requires almost a surprising amount of detail, explaining why such an assumingly simple practice would provide much fulfillment. But beyond basics of the process itself, is Elizabeth’s expertise on natural ingredients and their skin-healing properties that truley makes these soaps so rad.
I joined Elizabeth during her last soap making sesh, and quickly realized how much thought that she puts into each batch. Precise calculations, basic chemistry, skin-saving oils and clays, patience during pours… and let me tell you that girl does a mean marble – all for a single bar which provides skin a lil needed relief.
Below is an interview (and photos!) with Elizabeth, that while showcases her work with Wyldcraft, really expands on her passion for lifestyle wellness and natural ingredients. And as with hopefully all our Craft stories, is quick to inspire the worth of sustainability, handcrafted, and homemade.
Wyldcraft provides organic handcrafted soaps made from scratch with thoughtfully chosen, alimentative ingredients. Each step in Elizabeth’s process requires almost a surprising amount of detail, explaining why such an assumingly simple practice would provide much fulfillment. But beyond basics of the process itself, is Elizabeth’s expertise on natural ingredients and their skin-healing properties that truley makes these soaps so rad.
I joined Elizabeth during her last soap making sesh, and quickly realized how much thought that she puts into each batch. Precise calculations, basic chemistry, skin-saving oils and clays, patience during pours… and let me tell you that girl does a mean marble – all for a single bar which provides skin a lil needed relief.
Below is an interview (and photos!) with Elizabeth, that while showcases her work with Wyldcraft, really expands on her passion for lifestyle wellness and natural ingredients. And as with hopefully all our Craft stories, is quick to inspire the worth of sustainability, handcrafted, and homemade.
What’s the inspiration behind your (label, business?) name, Wyldcraft?
Nature, craft and cookbooks. I like to use ingredients that occur naturally in the earth -- from plant materials to vegetable juices to wild harvested herbs to natural clays. My soaps are hand cut, artisan crafted and always made in small batches.
Why soap?
It's fun to get creative with color blends and scents while promoting healthy skin by means of natural exfoliation, repairing damaged skin cells and rejuvenating skin. The alchemy part is pretty cool. And plus I live a pretty dirty, outdoorsy life so I can never get enough soap.
Any other body care products in the future of Wyldcraft?
Yes I think so, I'm currently growing some comfrey and calendula in my garden that I would love to test out in a salve. I've experimented with castile soaps and body butters as well. If things don't get too busy, I do see a broader spectrum of products growing with wyldcraft, but for now i'd just like to be making and selling more soaps.
How much actual chemistry is involved with soap making? Does the scientific side of soap making draw you to the craft?
All of my soaps are created using the cold process method, which, without getting too technical, is done by mixing a lye (sodium hydroxide NaOH) and filtered water into a mixture of oils. The sodium in the lye links up with the individual fatty acid molecules in the oil, creating soap! All of my batches are super fatted to 5-7%, which means theres a little extra fat/lye ratio, aka they they won't strip your skin of its moisture, just the dirt. When superfatting, I have to figure out how much lye I need to react with the mix of oils I choose to make the amount of soap I want, then add an extra 5% of oil, usually a combination. Science rules.
What’s some of your favorite ingredient combinations?
Charcoal//peppermint, black walnut//oat, and clay//lavender are probably my top three favorite soap combos. If I'm doing an exfoliating soap my favorite ingredients to use are poppy seeds, dried coconut, oats, and lavender buds. Today I harvested some dandelion flowers so I'm excited to try those out as decoration on my next batch!
Your soaps are labeled vegan, what does that mean?
No animal products. No animal fats, milk, beeswax, or honey. No preservatives, detergents, dyes or artificial colors either. Always tested on friends and never tested on animals ;)
What advice would you give to someone looking to begin making their own soap?
Learn everything you need to know about the science and be patient cause your going to do a lot of experimenting first. The most dangerous part is measuring the lye and adding it to the water. Make sure you have safety goggles, gloves and a dust mask throughout this stage. Make sure you have the right equipment too. NO METAL SPOONS, or metal anything (it causes a bad reaction with the lye/water). Oh and stick blenders -- there's the good, the bad, and the ugly; quality is worth every penny when it comes to soap making.
What’s in store for the future of wyldcraft?
I've started really slow with this business. Making soaps for friends and selling them at random art shows and small scale craft markets is really all I've done. I'd like to just generally make more soap and have more stockists in my own town.
Do you have a go-to set of ingredients, or ingredient, when making soap?
Most of my soaps are limited edition. I get bored easily with ingredient combinations and I can never seem to duplicate them exactly. I always work in small batches and just keep experimenting because the possibilities are endless with scents and aesthetics. The oils I use are the only ingredients that remain the same. This includes: coconut oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, and shea butter.
What’s the stand out difference between hand-crafted soap vs. store bought soap?
You just opened up a can of worms. Whatever soap you buy, or any body product for that matter, you should be paying close attention to the ingredient lists. A lot of commercialized store bought soap contain ingredients derived from the non renewable oil industry. This is no good for you or the environment. Petroleum jelly and Sodium laurel Sulfate for instance. Stay away from those. SLS is the main ingredient in most shampoos and liquid soaps that causes foam. It acts as an estrogen on your body and has been responsible for a bunch of health implications from PMS and menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and an increase in breast cancer. American Cancer Society doesn't want to believe the danger, the EPA considers it a "probable" carcinogen, and the FDA wants it banned. Reading ingredients like SLS and synthetic food dyes on the back of a product that I could possibly rub all over my body just makes me freak out. Just pay attention to labels and do your research before deciding what to put on your skin!
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Warm Wishes From Rachel Fixed
So its "officially" winter now, which means even those of us stuck down south have begun to trade our shorts in for scarves. And amongst the piles of flannel and fleece and wool, usually lies a few die-hard staples that makes braving the cold a little worth it. Sometimes the best of these pieces are those handmade, locally, from friends or family.
Handmade, tightly woven, heavy knitwear holds the key to our frozen hearts every wintertime. It's a reliable source of warmth which will last you years and essentially never go out of style. Thus making it a glimmering market for crafters and a well chosen hobby for knitters. Some of us are lucky enough to have a local shop, good friend or sweet grandma on lock for our knitwear needs; others must face the turbulent sea of Etsy. Which lets face it, usually takes hours and hours to navigate (hurts so gooood).
But here at Bloom we care, and are going to help you save those precious hours, to say, refine your seasonal cocktail recipes. Because we've found the PERFECT knit beanie and scarf that'll last you years to come (seriously, my scarf is like six years old and still in perfect condish). PLUS you get to support a small, handmade business. Not a large, corporate department store. Enter: Rachel Fixed Handmade scarves, hats, and headbands, all customizable, in any imaginable color. All pieces are hand sewn by Rachel Bennett: A Florida bred, Brooklyn based babe who enjoys southern comfort, her cat Jolene, Dashboard Confessional (pre-Vindicated of course), and could probably kick your ass in a game of bowling *tall single cute boys need apply*.
While Rachel's craft is more for pleasure than profit, girl's been in the game for quite some time. Her hats and circle scarves are heavy, well woven, and oh-so-warm. Whether you're buying for yourself or someone else, def check out her shop this holiday season. For inquiries on customizable goods, email her at [email protected]. Really we could just let her beautiful knitwear do the talking, but couldn't pass up the chance to ask Rachel a few questions about the bizz, and making buzz in the competitive world of crafting.
Hats by Rachel Bennett
Rachel Fixed, 3rd Ward Craft Fair 2012
Customizable Mary Jane's from Rachel Fixed
How long have you had your business? I started out buying yarn because it was pretty and my boyfriend was like what are you doing with all this? So I taught myself how to use a knitting loom first, and then took a class on how to knit. This was in college around 2007. That's when I started my Etsy, and also sold on the FSU campus at the craft tables in the ... Quad?? Haha...
Where do you see ‘Rachel Fixed’ in next year, or even in the next five years? Or is this just solely a hobby? I would LOVE to stay home and knit everyday. If I sold enough to have to stay home and knit I would be thrilled. I would move back down to the south and sell online, and then in the winter go to craft fairs in NYC. Unfortunately, everyone is talented, a "crafter" and Etsy is sooo popular and there are so many people out there doing this and pricing things so cheaply.
Who are some of your favorite crafters, Etsy shops, inspirations, etc.? I have to admit that Yokoo is crazy awesome. I like prints on Etsy by Leah Goren, and other shops like helloharriet, Poison Apple Printshop, and redcruiser... I like mail art/sticker people too! Omg!
What opportunities has living in such a huge creative city as Brooklyn/New York City provided you and your crafting? Yarn is NOT affordable in NYC so I order online, but there are affordable classes to take to learn more & the craft fairs are amazing because Brooklynites and tourists are great customers for me- ESP in winter. I would love to get away and come back for just fairs. Also, I had the awesome opportunity to volunteer with Visions (a vision impaired facility in Chelsea) where you can teach them how to knit! I've volunteered there quite a few times and it's awesome! They're way more talented than me...
Aside from knitware, what other products do you make or would like to make? I make embroidered shoes on Etsy too and seem to be selling quite a few! I get the Maryjane style flats in all kinds of colors and then embroider things on the toes. It's fun! Especially when someone has their own unique idea, but I never get tired of embroidering cats!!
What is it like balancing a *highly necessary* day job, and your creative work? I'm not so big on going out so I don't mind knitting at home when I get off work, or on the weekends. It gets a little stressful when I'm leading up to a craft fair because I'd rather be home knitting than sitting at my office job. And the subway is too packed to knit on the train :( when there's a guy I like- I hardly ever get any knitting done. Haha!
Hobby or not, what advice would you give those out there interested in starting their own craft shop? Find something that no one else does because if you search "beanie" on Etsy there around about 7281949392 shops that come up and how is someone going to find you? Marketing yourself helps. Craft fairs are amazing venues. And never undersell your work because you take the time to buy all of these things- spending your money- and your time finding and purchasing the materials, and then making it. I don't keep track of how much I spend vs make because I think it will make me sad haha but if you want to be successful you gotta keep a handle on it.
RACHEL FIXED
[email protected]
904.309.2234
Anhaica Bag Works: Serving Community Through Thoughtful Craftsmanship
Nestled away in the wooded outskirts of Tallahassee is the headquarters of Anhaica momma Marina Mertz. Her workshop is a neatly organized homestyle artist bunk, filled with waxed-canvas, bikes, antique sewing machines, rivets, production tables, tools, screen printing supplies, crystals and comfort. Her bags require meticulous detail and tedious personal attention, and come made with unquestionable love- the kind that no assembly line factory could produce. With high demand for well-crafted and practical bike bags, Marina has mastered this with her own unique style. The number of (wo)man-hours put into each bag is just as rewarding for Marina, as it is the one who'll be wearing it.
We got the chance to visit Marina at her studio and see her in action. She talked to us about her passion for community engagement, thoughtful craftmanship, and the past, present, and future of Anhaica bags.
So thinking about why I started Anhaica always leaves me a bit confused and thinking in circles, I don't think I ever really intended to start a business. I know I had no clue what I was getting into. While finishing up the last semesters of college in Environmental Studies and Urban Planning, I started helping with a gallery space and selling various goodies at First Friday, a monthly event at our local art park. My offerings were eclectic to say the least, handmade lip balm, skirts, notebooks, pillows...I sold to supplement my income and because I loved creating. During this time I started reaching out to my community more, volunteering at the food co-op and the community bike shop. I fell in love with bikes again and fell in love with an amazing man who has more drive, creativity and passion than anyone else I know. Anhaica was born out of that time.
Anhaica allows me to follow my passions with minimal sacrifice, I have a flexible schedule that lets me volunteer at organizations I love and I get to think about bikes and sewing all day!
I am passionate about community and family, growing eating and preserving food, bicycles and the handmade. For me none of those exist without the other. As silly as it sounds, I believe bicycles can save the world. I hope that I am playing my part in creating a world where people are riding bikes, saying hi to neighbors, shopping at community grocery stores, where growing up doesn't mean losing the joy of an afternoon ride, where they see the direct impact that the money they spend has on their community. It might just seem like a bag company but maybe- hopefully a bag could change the way someone thinks, that if they can carry groceries home comfortable they will, if they can go from bike to office they will.
I hope to see Anhaica expanding by having a larger selection of bags, I have so many designs just waiting to be made! I do ship internationally, my bags are way more cultured than I am! It is so exciting to send a bag off to a place you can only dream of visiting one day. I would also love to see Anhaica grow so that it can be a full time job for 2-3 people, I am hopeful that in the future we will be a worker owned business.For me crafting is just about doing what feels right. When I started making bags I knew that I didn't want to work with a lot of synthetic materials, I couldn't find out what was in a lot of commercially available waxed canvas so I knew I needed to make my own, I taught myself how. I experimented with a lot of waxes and oils. I researched and thought a lot about my values. I knew that I wouldn't be ok with GMO monoculture soy wax. What ended up being available for me that fit my values was beeswax. Even though I disagree with commercial bee keeping on a large scale, I was able to find a small local supplier that had a multi-generational business. He doesn't truck his bees around and I know that he loves them. Tupelo honey is only found in this part of the world, so I get it share a little bit of the south with anyone that gets my bags. That just felt right, I knew it was what I needed to be doing with my bags.
Words by Marina Mertz
" I hope that I am playing my part in creating a world where people are riding bikes, saying hi to neighbors, shopping at community grocery stores, where growing up doesn't mean losing the joy of an afternoon ride, where they see the direct impact that the money they spend has on their community. "
Marina ships both nationally and internationally. Visit her online shop to get your own uniquely made (with love) bicycle bags and backpacks. You can also contact Marina directly through email, [email protected].