The past few days have been spent researching clays, powders, and enzymes. What an exciting avenue to visit, and just when I believe that there's nothing new to learn, bam!
After the research and the arrival of the new ingredients comes a prototype. Then there's a test period on actual people. Usually, family members that willingly offer their skin for me to test new products. Typically and after twenty-one years into this, they're kind of used to it.
Do you remember a while back when we were working on an eyelash conditioner? We've decided not to manufacture this product. I'm leary on offering a consumer product that the application is close to your eyes. Sometimes you just need to trust your gut. It's always right.
Pink clay has been on my mind for a few years. It's what makes calamine lotion pink, and the main ingredient. I've been wanting to incorporate the rosy pink clay into a soap formulation, and my idea is that it will be beneficial for poison ivy. The rich clay offers a cooling effect to the skin.
Also on my formulation list is a variety of flowers and herbs. Dried Jasmine petals top the list, and calendula petals follow. I've always added calendula powder, petals to all skin care products that are explicitly created for sensitive skin. Calendula is super easy to grow, and are in the marigold family. I use an old-fashioned mortar and pestle to grind the flowers to a fine powder, and then incorporate the powder into a variety of products including French Clay Mask.
It feels good to use this old-fashioned tool to perform such tasks. Feeds my soul, and the aromatic scent bellows above the wood bowl.
We just finished completing the May Day Baskets for our upcoming May Day Celebration. The construction and making of these are my way of saying thank you to my amazing customers. I can't disclose what's inside, it's a surprise! A little hint, butterflies, and hummingbirds, strawberries, and may flowers.
I used to go crazy baking for two days for this event! I've kind of cooled it limit the confection menu to just a couple of home-baked goodies. This Mayday we'll have lemon cake and chocolate covered strawberries and a spring punch. I shared the lemon cake recipe a couple of posts ago if you're interested in making it.
While I'm on the subject of baking. We've been making and eating these! Definitely not on the low carbohydrate menu, but man oh man is that homemade pie crust tasty. I double the pie crust recipe and roll enough dough into a ball and then freeze. Once you have the pie dough made they're super easy to whip up. Blueberries are reasonably priced right now, and probably my favorite bite-size fruit, so we went with that fruit. Some recipes call for jam from a jar, but I would encourage you to make your own. Super easy and fast, and fresh tasting.
We are enjoying a few days of early summer weather, and then the weather people have said it's turning back to winter for a few days. Ugh! I just ordered sage plants, and vanilla marigold seeds, and anxious to plant some tiny starters. Elderberry and a slew of succulents on my plant list.
Keep the faith.
Jill
