Inspiration from the Museum of Innocence

My inherited son, Ian, gave me a remarkable book for Christmas, titled The Innocence of Objects, about the making of the Museum of Innocence in Istanbul. The museum is filled with shadow boxes, something near and dear to my heart. The boxes are exquisite.

The Hand of Rahmi Efendi

Dolmabahce Pier box

Toy Train box

Tombala set among other memories

The museum was created by a man named Orhan Pamuk, who took decades to make this vision a reality. He collected everyday objects recollected from his childhood, then in addition to meticulously arranging them in shadow boxes, gave them their own life and meaning by writing an indelible love story which Pamuk also titled the same name, The Museum of Innocence.

One of these days, I intend to visit Istanbul and this amazing museum.

Writer and museum creator, Orhan Pamuk

Images from the Allied Arts Holiday Festival

There is some amazing art at this year’s Allied Arts Holiday Festival. Semilla Design’s seed jewelry is fantastic.

Semilla Designs’ Seed Jewelry

I love this red mouthed vase.

Red mouthed vase

The displays are often as creative as the pieces.

Garden art

I want to adopt this kitty.

Kitty from The Creative Frog

So many amazing painters…

Ethereal botanical

another one…

Chris Shreve’s surreal art

Clarissa’s creations stay with you.

Clarissa Callesen’s work

There are several very skilled ceramic artists again this year. I love this glaze work.

Great glazes

I adore Karin Mueller’s assemblages. I have two of her clocks already.

Karin Mueller’s Reject Art

Here’s what my Realms booth looks like this year.

My Realms

Stop by and support local art!

Holiday Festival of the Arts Opens

Allied Arts’ 33rd Annual Festival of the Arts is officially open for the season. They have a new location this year, across the street from Geri Fields, behind Inside Pitch in the Haskell Business Park.

Some amazing work is on display. C’mon down and support local art!

Free Lotion Samples

I’m happy to announce that you can now try my lotions free of charge. Just access the contact page at www.realmsbathandbody.com, send me your mailing address and your choice of up to three scents you’d like to try.

Realms Bath & Body lotion samples free of charge

If you’re anything like me, it’s really important to be able to test lotions out before you spend any money. I want you to be really happy with the ones you choose.

Filling a lotion sample

Realms Debuts at Artisans Northwest Gallery

I’m delighted to announce Realms Bath & Body products are now available at Artisans Northwest Gallery in Bellingham. The gallery is located at 1215 Cornwall, across from The Leopold. The space is very cool and is filled with more than 70 local artists’ work.

Artisans Northwest Gallery, Bellingham, WA

My shea butter soaps and mini lotions are right on the counter.

Realms’ soaps and lotions at Artisans Northwest

And in the case are some of my half doll assemblages, as well as shadow boxes on the wall.

My half doll assemblages in the case

Gallery owner, Marti Crisp has achieved filling the space with a variety of mediums, some very special pieces,  as well as places to lounge and enjoy.

Artisans Northwest Gallery owner, Marti Crisp

The Gallery is going to be part of this Friday’s Art Walk in downtown Bellingham. Check out http://www.downtownbellingham.com/artwalk/ to see the participating venues.

Newest Lotion Scent: Cocomosa

Made from champagne, blood orange, chocolate and strawberry, my newest scent: Cocomosa

I’m delighted to announce my newest scent: Cocomosa. Think Mimosas and add chocolate. It’s perfect for those cold days; warms you from your inner scent glands, out. I find myself reaching for it everyday after my shower. It’s the 18th scent in the Realms Bath & Body Line. Please don’t tell me to stop!

Gift Baskets Never Smelled So Sweet

I’m delighted to roll out gift baskets for the holidays  — and beyond. These are filled with an 8 oz. Satin & Silk Lotion, an 8 oz. Shower Gel, moisturizing shea butter soap and a 2 oz. mini lotion, all in your favorite scent.

Gift basket in Hanalei scent

Thanks to Sharon Scott, owner of the Scott Collection in La Conner, for planting the seed and ordering the first basket for her store.

The gift baskets are currently available in 14 different scents. Check them out at http://www.realmsbathandbody.com.

Out of Shaving Soap? Shaving Soap Refills Available à la carte

I’m happy to announce shaving soap refills have been added to my little online store, www.realmsbathandbody.com.

The men’s is in my Jaffna scent, a great Sandalwood — and the women’s is in my Vinaerys scent, a delicate Sweet Pea. But there’s really nothing gender specific about these

I use a Bentonite clay in my soap recipe, which gives the razor extra glide.

The refills fit a wide-based mug, 2 5/8″ in diameter, so please measure your favorite mug before ordering.

www.realmsbathandbody.com is born

Finally, after all these years, I’m beginning to build my website, www.realmsbathandbody.com. It’s still in its infancy and needs a ton of work, but I’m really stoked about the whole idea.

The products are almost all there and the ordering system is completely functional. Now, I’m slowly trying to learn my way through making it more of my own and adding to it.

Had some fun doing a big photo shoot with all the products. We put up the big vendor tent out in the back yard to diffuse the direct sunlight, arranged flowers, fruit and fabric and put the camera on a tripod. Here is one of the shots that resulted.

In the meantime, we’ve been doing some Ferndale Public Markets on Saturdays. Really cool venue right on Main Street and alongside the Nooksack River. We’ll be there all but one Saturday in August, plus we’ll be doing the Ferndale Street Festival August 25.

Delighted to Announce My New Shaving Mug for Women

New Women's Shaving Mug & Boar Bristle Brush

When I was a little girl, I remember sitting on the bathroom counter, watching my Dad shave. He had a substantial ceramic shaving mug. He would get the water steaming hot before he soaked his brush and then work the soap into a thick lather.

It made an impression on me. A few years back, I began making men’s shaving soap in my Jaffna scent (a great sandalwood). My husband Kev, who has a heavy beard, was my tester.  I finally came up with a winning recipe where I add Bentonite clay, which allows the razor to glide easier. He swears by it, saying it gives him the smoothest shave he’s ever had. Even around his Adam’s Apple, the razor never gets hung up. One day, I tried it  and was so pleased, that I ended up putting a mug in the shower permanently.

It got me wondering if other women might like it.

So, I am pleased to announce the debut of my new rose colored shaving mug for women. The set includes a thick boar bristle brush and my own shaving soap in a brand new scent: Vinaerys, a delicate sweet pea. The set is now part of my Realms family.

Realms family: (front, left to right) men's shaving mug, mini-lotion, Jojoba oil roll-on perfume & shea butter soaps, (back row left to right) foaming hand soap, women's shaving mug, 8 oz. lotion, 8 oz. shower gel & non-aerosol room spray.