Contest: Name my New Scent

For all my creative friends and supporters, something fun… Come up with a name for my newest Realms scent and win a gift basket. The scent is a subtle white musk that reminds me of winter, ice crystals and making snow angels in piles of powder. If you have ever visited a magical winter place…or imagined such a place…please post a comment with your best one-word name. Please have your entries in by September 28th. Don’t forget to post a way for me to get in touch with you in case your entry wins!

Realms makes the leap into small business

I went to the Department of Revenue yesterday, nervous as a kid on her first day of school. Government anything makes me gulp, but the thought of paying taxes on a business that hasn’t made any money yet is, well, daunting. But, it’s now official: I got my business license for Realms Bath & Body Line. I keep hearing in my head a lyric from an old Talking Heads song: “How did I get here?” I’m wondering if I’m doing the right thing.

Introducing two new scents

Pomegranate unleashed

Now out of beta and officially a part of  the Realms Bath and Body Line, are two new scents: Persephone and Fragaria.

Persephone is a wonderful pomegranate — earthy with just a touch of  tartness.

From Greek mythology, Persephone was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. Hades fell in love with Persephone and abducted her to his underworld kingdom to become his wife. Her mother, Demeter, the Goddess of the Harvest, went into mourning for her lost daughter and in despair, caused all green things to stop growing. Zeus commanded Hades to return Persephone. It was the rule that anyone who consumed food or drink in the Underworld was doomed to spend eternity there. Persephone had no food, but Hades tricked her into eating a few pomegranate seeds while she was still his prisoner and so, because of this, she was condemned to spend four months in the Underworld every year.  This was how seasons came into being.

the lone strawberry

Oregon Strawberry logo

Fragaria is the genus  for strawberries and I thought it would be a perfect name for the scent.  I have added a touch of musk to this scent to mute the sweetness just a little bit. Two nearly teenage young ladies inspired me to make this scent: Leah, my precocious, smart a whip niece, and Chloe, Poem’s darling daughter, who, one day, I know will emerge out of her cocoon.

Ginger FAIL — Confessions from a lotion maker that just can’t get this scent right

Experiencing Ginger FAIL

I love the spicy aroma of Ginger and have been experimenting since last fall to find just the perfect combination. I have tried 3 different Ginger oils, but whenever I mix them into my lotion base little crystals form. If anyone has any advice, I sure could use the help. Help!

Crafts Fair at Bellingham Covenant Church

What a busy crafts fair! 60 crafters from one end of the church to the other. My, oh my, there was some absolutely gorgeous stuff. I was honored to be included among them.

Setting up at the Crafts Fair at Bellingham Covenant Church

Gift baskets for the Holidays

I’m putting together gift baskets for the upcoming crafts fair season. There are two sizes. The smaller square basket holds 4 lotions or shower gels in the mini-size only. The larger oval basket can be filled with all of the Realms products, including foaming hand soap and room spray. At least two of the items need to be the large 8 oz. size in order to hold the basket’s shape. I’m really pleased at how well the translucent organza wrap works.

Realms Bath & Body Line Gift Baskets